Beautiful hearts, minds, and souls (might change the title later)

Prolouge

Prologue

Chloe

Two days before my junior year of high school started, my mom got the phone call which changed my life. I was right there and could hear her end of the conversation while staring guilty and longingly at the fridge.

Ring! Ring!

My mom burst into the kitchen and picked up the receiver.

"Hello Principal Stottlemeyer! Yes, this is Chloe's mom. What's up?"

"Oh I see, well I'm sure she would love to! Let me check with her and I will call you back tomorrow. "

"No, thank you! Good-bye!"

"What was that about?" I ask.

"That was the principal from your school, honey. He called to say there will be a new student starting at your school in the fall. He was wondering if you would be willing and able to be this boy's welcome buddy."

"What does being a welcome buddy mean?" I ask.

"It just means being this boy's friend: walking with him to his classes, saying hello if you see each other in the hallways, eating lunch with him, etc."

I try not to let her see me tense up at the words "eating lunch."

"Does Principal Stottlemeyer want me to be this guys' welcome buddy just because he is new?"

"Well... sorta. This is the first time this boy would be in a mainstream school. He has Down syndrome and has been homeschooled up till now. He could use a friend to help him ease into the new learning environment."

"OK, well yeah, I guess I can do it. I have never talked to someone who has Down syndrome before but will try my best."

"Great! I will call him tomorrow and let him know. I'm sure he is just like all other boys and people you age. Talk to him like you would talk to anyone else."

My mom kisses me and leaves to finish the laundry. I pick up the keys to drive myself to cheerleading practice. As I walk out the door, I stare at myself in the mirror and think about how I need to lose at least five more pounds for the fall season.

Carter

I guess all parents cry on their parents' first day of school. For most parents though, it happens when the kid is four, five, or sx years old. I'm fifteen years old and am about to experience that finally in two days. I can hear my parents discuss this as I play video games in the living room.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Matthew?"

"Catherine, we can not keep protecting him forever. He has to face the real world one of these days. Why not three years before turning eighteen?"

"It's just...high schoolers can be cruel."My mom sobs.

"I know, honey. It'll be OK!" My dad pulls her into an embrace.

"I only want to do what is best for him," my dad clarified.

"I do too, Matthew. I do, too," my mom replies.

"There are so many stereotypes out there about kids with disabilities being burdens to their families. I can honestly say, with Carter, that could not be farther from the truth. He has brought intimidate joy, love, and blessings into my life. He has taught me we all have value and humanity. He has taught me we all deserve to be loved unconditionally. He has always been there to give me a hug, kiss, and other aspects of comfort when I needed it the most. I love him to the moon and back with all my heart and want to give as many opportunities to shine as possible."

I'm just not sure if your idea of what is best for him is true," she finishes.

"We'll give it a shot. If it does not work out for whatever reason, "

"OK, I guess."

"I'm sure after your home schooling, he will be able to handle it."

"Maybe but..what about the social aspect of it? What if he gets bullied?"

I don't hear my dad's reply, too busy imagining the beauty this world would be if we could all just be kind to each other. Down syndrome might cause me to have a congenital heart defect but maybe, just maybe, mine is not the weakest heart someone can have.