Wheelchair Races

Chapter One: The Flashback

No, no no no. Please don't take me now. This hurts so much. Please don't let me die.

My body shivered with each wave of pain that washed through it. This must be it. Its all over now. I will never be able to play hockey again or go out with the girls.

My mind switched off. I heard voices and the image of my crying mother started to blur. Was that my hand reaching out to her? Why couldn't I feel my own body. Wait, no.

Why is the world turning black. I tried to tell mom that it's OK, but my speech came out slurred so it sounded more like "I mm fnne." Gosh, that was no help at all.

I grabbed my head and grit my teeth as yet another wave drowned me in pain. I shuddered and groaned. I had no idea what was happening.

They always said that when you die, you see The Light. But someone switched my light off. It was just so dark, and then, everything stopped, even I did.

***

I woke up two days later, or so they tell me. I swear I was dead. But, they assured me I wasn't.

I remember seeing my mother, still crying, only this time my dad was holding her in his arms and crying with her. When did he get back from his business trip?

I must've done something to draw attention to myself because the next thing I knew my mom was at my bedside saying sorry.

I looked down at our hands and saw that mine had an impressive amount of tubes disappearing into it.

That's when he walked in. That oldish man with the greying hair and glasses. With a smile so nurturing and an area that brought peace.

Me being the idiot that I was, I asked if he was God. Jup, and I regret that stupid question to this day. I remember him replying in his soothing voice, he said "No honey. My name is Dr Hanning and I'm going to help you out here."

I asked him what happened and he told me the news that would alter my life in ways I never saw coming.

"Two days ago you had an attack. Your parents rushed you here as soon as you lost consciousness and we ran tests. Honey, you have something called Multiple Sclerosis. MS for short. This means that your nerves system, those little guys that fight all the bad things in your body, is confused. It thinks your brain is a germ and its attacking brain cells."

Crap. No, this is not something that happens to healthy teenage kids. I think my crying set him off because you laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder and carried on explaining.

"No baby girl, hush now. You won't die. You are a very unique case.Your body experiences the attacks but the attack didn't leave any long lasting damage. You're going to be able to live a normal life honey. We're just going to have to make some changes that mom and dad are going to help you with. And, you'll need to visit this handsome doctor every few months."

I laughed because I always found it funny when old people tried to be funny.

"That's more like it. What a beautiful smile. You're going to be OK Amanda. I'll take care of you.

I remembered his promise. Those words and that day have never died from my memory. But he was wrong about one thing, I will never be able to lead a normal life again.

****

That was when I was 14 years old. I turned 17 two months ago so its safe to say that Dr Hanning and I have become quite close through the years. I've been a good girl since then. Changed everything in my life so that I was safe and doing everything medically right.

It's the first day back to school after the mid year holidays today and I'm over caring about what I look like. My make up is subtle and my blond hair is tied up in a pony. Paired with a white tank top and my pale skinnies and I would be a typical teenager.

I may look calm on the outside but outside I'm like a freaking unicorn that's about to eat rainbows and sneeze chocolate bubbles. Safe to say that I am beyond excited to see my girls again soon.

"Manda, baby, its time for school." My mom is such a cutey, she would've been so happy if I had siblings. She just loves babies even if she is just like a kid at heart. However, she can take it over board sometimes, for example, she insists on driving me to school.

#

"Bye mom, love you tons." I gave her a quick kiss and ran up the stair to Riley High while I heard her shout "Love you too baby!" Mommy dearest always had an issue understanding what was and what wasn't an acceptable volume level. But that's what made her such an amazing supporter when she watched the hockey.

She still supports the team even though I don't play. She's been awesome in teaching me the art of making supporter posters though.

"AAAHH! It's a monster! It has risen!" I heard the voice of my bestie Jen before I saw her. I laughed and shook my head when I saw the petite Asian girl storming towards me with a look in her eye that told me I was about to experience a bone crushing hug.

"Jen, ribs. being. crushed." How she had so much strength I would never know. When she finally let me go I asked "Why am I a monster that has risen?"

"Duh, because you spent the holiday in the cave and now you've finally emerged." She placed her hand on her hip and gave me a look that said I should know this. I raised my one eyebrow at her and shook my head.

Just to clarify, the basement of my house was known as the cave amongst my group of friends. it was a place that we made our own and we spent countless hours down there watching movies and sharing gossip. Yeah, I had challenges but I was happy and I didn't want anything to change that.

We started the trek through the jungle of students in the hallway occasionally greeting someone that we knew or sending naughty looks at each other when we spotted a cute guy. By the time we reached our lockers, we had met up with our entire crew and all seven of us were arranging our lives and planning our day as we checked schedules and packed bags.

Jamie and Jess were the twins and all the guys loved these blue eyed girls because not only were they super cool but "there was one for each arm." Rachel was a transfer student from Africa and she had an unmissable accent. Caitlin was the first team goalie and had a personality that was beyond quirky and that matched her red hair. Last but not least was Aiysha, she was the right wing and was not to be messed with. She was easily the prettiest girl in the school, I mean, she looked like she stepped out of a Bollywood movie.

Together, we ruled the school. People respected us and looked at us with eyes filled with admiration. Jokes! We were a chilled group of friends who loved to cause mischief in the class and were always game for fun.

I never thought I'd need or want any friends other than them. These girls were my sisters and they were always there for me when I needed them and the other way around. If Jen had guy troubles, we would beat him up. If Aiysha was being dissed, that person had better run. And when I was sick and in hospital, they would be there. Once, they even got kicked out for making too much noise and for sucking all the helium out my "get well soon" balloons.

Little did I know that my circle of friends was about to get altered and that I would be going to a place where I wouldn't have them with me.

************************************************************************************************************

Thanks everyone who's taking the time to read this. Love my readers.

Please comment!!!! Very Important that there is a response.