~*~The Dugout~Nichole~A normal school day started as any other. One goes to school, sits through classes, and waitsfor school to to reassess all of its prisoners. We are those prisoners. It’s just how it is. Fromelementary, to collage, and even to our day to day lives at work. There is never true free time,unless we make room for it in our day today lives we never—“Hey Nicky!”I turn from writing my essay to my friend Griffon Conners, who sat next to me.“Sup.” I said turning my iPad off.Griffon was tall and had some muscle to him along with his curly brown hair and blue eyes.His skin was peachy with some tan, but that was because he was seventy five percent Jewish.Most blood Jewish people don’t have darker tan skin. Or that’s what his father told me. MeConners was a Jewish Immigrant.Griffon looked like his older siblings, which were valedictorians, and Griffon was soon tofollow in their footsteps. I had known him sense preschool, we’ve been to the same schooltogether for years, called Alexander Christian, a Private Christian School outside of NashvilleTennessee.Griffon’s whole family talked like normal people… except Griffon. Griffon had one of thestrongest country accents that I’d ever heard. He always had. Nobody really knows how he got it,but he just did.I looked at our teacher who was still ranting about her family reunion.“When ‘you play’n today?” He asked.I looked at the clock, and turned back to him remembering the Softball Preseason Game.Even if it was January we still had to play, and I loved it.“2:45. I should get out in about ten minutes to warm up.” I told him. Griffon nodded andlooked at the clock.“I should be at the fields about 3:15, or sooner.” He said softly.I nodded and copied some notes the teacher finally put up. I wrote some stuff down, andturned back to Griffon.2 ~*~“I gotta race tonight. Wanna come?”“Yeah. Lemme just text my parents.” I said hiding my phone under the table.Griffon raced Dirt-bikes. It was a very dangerous sport— whether you think it or not— buthe was pretty good. Okay, not pretty good. He was amazing at it.The intercom called, and told everyone that Varsity Softball was dismissed. I grabbed mystuff, and said goodbye.I caught the ball and ran at her. She turned the other direction, so I threw it to third. Shecame back and so did the ball, so… I tackled her.“OUT!”Three outs. Time to swap. I took off my catchers helmet and jogged to the dugout. Igrabbed my oversized water bottle and chugged it down as the third baseman gave me a fistbump.I loved this sport, and planned on Collage even though I was just junior. It didn’t matter tome, because I didn’t know then life would change.I walked up to the plate again, and held my bat. Two strike, and three balls. Lovely. I hit afoul ball again, and stepped out and looked at coach. He nodded, and put his fists together. I hadto hit no matter what. The pitch came and I swung hard.I hit!I broke into a sprint, as the ball went further and further. It was going over!The left fielder jumped over the fence… and caught the ball.I stopped running as the other team cheered. I walked back and grabbed my bat, and thecoach patted my back.“You’ll get it next time.” He said softly. I nodded and tossed my helmet down in anger andsat back.Nobody messed with me when I was mad.Nobody.Even if this was just another January pre season game I was mad. It was more than that tome.3 ~*~The game soon ended, so I grabbed my catching gear bag and my regular rolling bag. Iwalked out of the dugout after we prayed, and over to Griffon who tossed his keys in his hand.“Did you bring money?”“Yup.”“Cool. I did too.” He said as he pulled down the tailgate to his truck.His dirt bike was in the back, so I put my stuff out off the way. Griffon changed his shirtinto his racing jersey. We had been friends for so long it didn’t matter if he changed his shirt ortook it off in the heat.We hopped in, and he drove a few miles. We got to the track, and he got his bike out.“Corner left.” He said putting his armor on.“Alright.” I said with a smile.“I mean, I think I’m always corner left.” He said with a small confused look.I rolled my eyes and gave him a smile. Griffon shrugged his confusion off and smiled at meas he put his helmet on.“Here.”He walked out his truck and pulled his wallet out and handed me fourth bucks.“Griffon I brought my own money.”“I know, it’s just your a girl. I gotta be the nice guy for my best friend too.” He said with asmile.I rolled my eyes and took it from his hand and shoved the money in my back pocket.Griffon put his helmet on and kick started his bike.“See you after the race!” He said over the engine.With than he rode off to the starting gate. I gave a small smile and walked to the stands formy Mozzarella Sticks.I sat in the stands, mostly watching the beauty of a cheese stick, while Griffon raced. Iwatched as I put that amazing cheese sticks with marinara into my mouth, while Griffon was tiedfor first. He was going to qualify, but I knew he wanted that metal.I looked up and gave a smile as he kicked the speed up and took a risky move through theinside corner to the last jump.The second he landed lightning struck as rain started to poor down. I groaned and sighedas I had to throw away my cheese sticks.4 ~*~Griffon won though. That I was proud of.“I should have—” He started to say disappointedly.“Dude you won. I don’t wanna hear it.” I snapped as the rain drenched over us.Griffon gave me a small smile and reached into his truck and grabbed an umbrella. Heopened it up and handed it to me to hold.He took his muddy helmet off and sighed.“I’m not mad that I won, I’m just try’n to say I made a mistake on my fourth to last lap. Iaccidentally kicked my—”“Dude.” I said getting his attention. “I don’t know this stuff, or really care to know. I justthink you should be happy you won.”“I am happy.” He said taking the umbrella back with a smirk. “I’m also get’n us dinnerwhile we’re here, so come on.”I rolled my eyes and smiled. Of course Griffon was. He always did.We got to the concession area and stood under the roof as the rain poured outside. Griffonshook his mop of curly brown hair around and I held my hands up.“Stop! Your not a dog!”“Says who?”“I don’t know. Says genetics, says your DNA, says God, says your parents, and says me.” Isaid counting on my fingers.Griffon rolled his eyes. “Can’t you take a joke? You’ve known me long enough to knowwhen I’m joke’n.” He said with a smile.“I know, I just like being right.” I said with a smile.Griffon rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself as he walked more into the line with me.“That’s because your always right.” He said kicking his legs around like an impatient child.“Me? You have straight A’s and your taking all AP and Honers classes!” I said firmly.“That don’t mean I ain’t got no human skills.” He said shaking his head with a smile.I rolled my eyes as we walked up to the concession desk. Griffon got us cheese burgers andFrench fries.We walked back to his truck in the rain as we kept the umbrella over us.5 ~*~I got in and Griffon out his Dirt Bike stuff in the back of his truck. He came in, smiled at,me and tapped his foot.“So that was fun.”“Always it.” I said with a smile.Griffon looked down but smiled. “Good.”He turned his truck on. We left as we joked around about school and life in general. Ilooked in the side mirror and smiled. I have brown eyes, and pale freckled skin. My strawberryblonde hair was tied in a messy ponytail but I didn’t care.6 ~*~~Nichole~Griffon dropped me off back home, and I said goodbye. The cool light air always made mefeel better, even if I was fine. I walked into my house and set my softball stuff to the side. I kickedoff my shoes and looked up at dad, who was smiling at me.“Have fun?”“Yeah.”“Did you eat?““Yup! Cheeseburger and fries.” I said smiling.Dad laughed and took off his hat. He looked back down at his Bible, and told me I can goto bed if I wanted to.I did. I laid down, and looked up at the ceiling of my room. Life was great, and God wasgood.I still didn’t know I would hate the way the Lord let it happen.I went to church, like most others in our town, and loved it. I worked with the three yearolds, and broke up fights over gummy bears.I looked up at the clock, which told me I could go.“Um, Mrs Joy?”“Yeah?”“It’s 11:15.”Mrs Joy, the head of the three and fours turned and looked at her watch. “Oh it is, you cango! Have a great day!”“Thank you, you too!”I walked out of the room, and down the hallway with my stuff. I got in line of the café outchurch had, and ordered some coffee. I had to stay awake… those kids really drain you. I don’tknow how Mrs Joy does it, but she does.I stood waiting for my coffee, and a tingle went up my back. My shoulders were grabbedand I yelled and smacked someone across the face.I turned to see Griffon.7 ~*~“Griffon?! What are you doing here?” I impatiently. “Why did you grab me?!”Griffon shrugged. “Came with my parents! My dad is a travel’n preacher… an evangelist.”He explained with wide eyes, like I was a kid.“Dude, I think I know what an evangelist is.” I said laughing. Griffon shrugged, andlaughed.“Just for the record that slap was a ten outa ten.”We talked for a bit before serves started, and we both walked in. He sat across the churchbut it didn’t bother me.Okay maybe a little.We were friends.JUST FRIENDS!After a great service, we (my family) meet up with Griffon, and his parents. We all decide togo to his place for lunch, which was always fun.-~*~-“Another photo?”“Um… yeah.” I said smiling. I took a photo of his Painted Horse, Shiloh, and Griffonsmiled at me.Griffon’s family lived on a big plot of land. It was a farm. Horses, cows, chickens and goats.They had a small two story house, but it was homey. Currently we were by the large barn in thebackyard.Even if I had been here so many times, I loved taking photos. It was just a beautiful place.“So, I know what I ain’t gonna to show you.” He said shanking his head.I turned around quickly. “You are going to show me!” I demanded as we walked across islarge property.We got to the barn, and I saw baby goats. My hart raised and I ran and picked one up.“LOOK HOW CUTE!”“Yup… sure.” He said laughing.He got a tool, and started to work on his dirt bike, as I played with the goats.“I think their annoying. That’s why their in here.” He said shaking his head.“How can they be annoying?!”8 ~*~“BLAH BLAH BLAH! IM A GOAT AND I GO ‘BLAH’ ALL DAY, AND EATEVERYTHING!” He mocked.I rolled my eyes and smiled at him. “You need to calm down. Just relax.”“Your telling me? Huh… funny.” He said with a testing voice.I eyed him as he started to go on about his dirt bike racing. “Anyways, States are this week,and I’m gonna to be ready.” Griffon said grabbing a clothe and wiping his bike.“Oh, so I have heard.” I teased.Griffon rolled his blue eyes and tossed the cloth and tool to the side, as our parents called usall to go in.Griffon turned around, and yelled, “Wait, I’m gonna ride!”I smiled at him as he got on, and turned it on. He looked at me, and got off. He walked tothe counter and grabbed his helmet. He looked at me and tossed it and I caught it.“What is this for?”“I’m take’n you for a ride.” He said smiling.“What?!”He hopped on his dirt bike, and extended a hand. “Come on princess, lemme take you for aspin.” He said grinning wildly.I shook my head and smiled, as he helped me on. What am I doing? I had the craziest bestfriend in the world.I hopped on behind him, and he gave warnings.“Don’t touch that, that’s really hot, and can burn your skin off.”“Great.” I said as he started it up. Before I could say ‘wait’ he drove off. I grabbed him, andhugged tightly, praying.“God, don’t let me die!” I prayed.“Your fine!” Griffon hollered over the engine.Great, I thought to myself.He made a sharp turn, and I screamed. Griffon Conners was a mad man—I just knew. Hewas smart but had a crazy need for speed. You can go check all of his speeding tickets.But, that’s what I liked about him. He wasn’t afraid to take risks in life. He told me that,“Life without risk means you ain’t liv’n right.”I screamed again as he went faster and hit a jump, he and his dad made at their house.9 ~*~The dirt bike came to a stop back in the barn and I got off as soon as I could. I was coveredin dirt. I glared at Griffon, who shook his messy brown hair sending dirt flying.“See, wasn’t that fun?”“No. You scared me half to death, and I’m covered in mud!” I spat.Griffon laughed, and took the helmet off my head, and tossed it to the side. He looked atme carefully, and his eyes twinkled.“Um… let’s go inside.” He said softly.“Yes! Let’s go inside away from the dirt!” I said shaking more dirt off.“Alright princess.”Griffon said with a smile and we left the barn.It was a nice walk from the barn to where he actually lived. The tall grass was beautiful,and I wished I lived here.I lived somewhere near a neighborhood, but at the edge of the woods line. I kind of forgotthat Tennessee was split into different parts. The woods, country, towns, and cities.That was that.Griffon opened the door for me, and we peered inside. Our fathers were debating on theBible, and our mothers were talking about baking and embarrassing stuff about me and Griffonfrom when we were younger. You know, mom stuff like that.We ate lunch—which was amazing—, and I looked at Griffon who kicked off his cowboyboots.“Your done being outside?”He nodded. “Yeah. We did the chores, and I fixed up my bike up.” He said shrugging.“Im telling you that bike is dangerous.” His mom, Mrs Conners said looking up.Griffon nodded. “I know. But if it was that dangerous then why do you let me ride?”“Don’t talk to your mother like that… although you make a great point.” Mr Conners saidlaughing.Mrs Conners shot the death glare and finally rolled her eyes.“Kids gotta be kids.” My mom said shaking her head.Griffon shook his head next and stood up. “I ain’t that much of a kid. I’m one year from ading dang graduation, and rid’n is fun!”“Proper grammar.” His mom said nodding.10 ~*~Griffon corrected his statement before walking away. Naturally, I followed. His room wasnext to the stairs. It was small, had one dresser, a small bed, and a desk. He sat down at the deskand tossed his red baseball hat he had been wearing hat down.“States are this Wednesday, and I will bring that metal home to my parents.” He said softly.I knew it had been his dream to go to Nationals, which States led up to. Then, he would beset for Motorcross. I also knew that he wanted to impress his parents.I looked above his desk, and he had a few Bible Verses written and pinned to the wall.“And I bet you’ll make it.” I said smiling.Griffon smiled and looked out at the cows. To be honest I looked at them too. “Did youround them up?” He asked softly. His accent was gone, and his face was pained.I nodded and looked at him. “You know your mom isn’t here right now to correct yourgrammar right?”“Yeah. She’s in the back of my mind though.” He said laughing. Griffon stood up and puthis hat back on. “Fine then. Wanna round ‘em all up? I gotta few heifers out there that needafixen.” He said with his thick accent… that I knew was more natural for him.“Never have but I’ll try!”Griffon shook his head and snickered. “What ever. That’s the best one could do huh? Ain’tnobody perfect in this world.” He said.I nodded in agreement as he took my phone from my pocket and ran outside. I chased afterhim, with a proud smile.11 ~*~~Nichole~The days passed, and I felt it. Paper airplanes went through math class Wednesdaymorning.Griffon sat impatiently the whole class period before being called out so he can race. I gavehim a thumbs up as he was called out. He turned and said bye, and winked at me. I smiled, andas he left my face went red.“Oooooo.”“Shut up.”“You like him don’t you.” My best friend Ashlyn said.“No.” I said angrily. Ashlyn rolled her eyes, and shook her head.“Come on Nicky, I can see it.”“Ashlyn—”“The stars are shining, and you two are on his bike.” She started. I rolled my eyes as shewent on. “He looks at you, and kisses you under the moonlight.”“Ash, you really need help.”Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Not my fault your to blind to see.”“See what?”She eyed me hard for a moment. We carried on with class, as the periods went by faster andfaster.I sat in history, and looked over to where he sat. I rolled my eyes and smiled. The need forspeed was always his personality… that’s probably why he was a great racer.I looked over at Ashlyn who was lifting and lowering her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes andthrew my crumbled up test at her. She threw it back and we laughed and we got detention.I didn’t care, because that’s how we became friends. We both got ourselves in detention forno good reason. Personal I thought the school rules made no sense, but at this point I didn’t careat all about it.The best part of the day was Softball Practice. Ashlyn was our pitcher, and a great one! Shepitched a change up and I got on my knees and caught it.12 ~*~“Throw down!” Coach Kile said. I jumped up and threw the softball hard and fast. Thesecond baseman backed up shortstop and they tagged the bag.———I slammed my helmet on, as I walked up to the plate, for practice. I almost hit my firsthome run, but it was ruined.Time to try again.I smiled at Ashlyn who gripped the ball on the mound.“I know your hitting weakness!” She said proudly. I shrugged and stood in the box.“Okay, then pitch some cheese!” I said laughing. “I catch your pitching, so I know yourstrategies.”Ashlyn stood up and looked at me. “Not this one. You asked for it Nicky.”She pitched the ball, and I didn’t swing. It was down the middle, but I also knew herpitching style. She pitched again, and it was right under the strike zone. A ball. I smiled and sheshrugged it off.“Get smart Ash!” Jenna, our third baseman said.“Yeah what ever!” Ashlyn said, as she pitched.I swung, and tipped it off. Foul… also a strike. I took a step out and looked at Coach whowas on the phone.Odd.Coach never had his phone out.Must have been his day job calling again, I thought. Coach Kile was an engineer, but nevertalked about work. I stepped back into the box, and the pitch came. I swung as hard as I could…and missed.I looked at a smiling Ashlyn.“Told you!” She said smirking.I rolled my eyes and shook my head.I walked into the dugout and took my helmet off. I started putting on my catching gearwhen I heard a phone ring. I looked up to my phone.13 ~*~My phone stopped in Gina as I picked it up. My eyes widened as I started at the five missedcalls from my mom and Mrs Conners— who I only had her number because we both threw asurprise birthday party for Griffon.I looked to my coach who was off of his phone.“Hey coach? I’m getting a BUNCH of calls from my mom and someone else. Can I answerit?”He looked up and nodded. “Go ahead. I just had a work call.”I nodded and called the most recent person back. Mrs Conners. The phone rang for onlyabout half a second before her voice came over in a sob.“Hey hey,” I said sitting down. “What’s wrong?”“Griffon.” She said through a sob.Time. Nobody wants to know how it happened but it did. Timing was the best, but also theworst. People have been born, and taken on Time. Time is an enemy. It’s something you can’t fixor change. It just is like God. God isn’t evil, but people believe it. Why? Nobody quite knowsexcept satan wants us to hate God. And right now, satan got his wish.14 ~*~~Nichole~A door opened. I looked up at a doctor who had finished talking to Griffon’s parents. Hismom was crying, and father was holding it in. I had driven myself to the hospital, and didn’tknow what was happening.“Oh Nichole!”Mrs Conners ran up and gave me a hug as I hugged her back.“Griffon just woke up from a surgery.” She said whiling a tear from her face.“What did they do?” I asked.She but her lipa Dan shook her head as she looked down. Mr Conners walked up andpushed his greying curly brown hair out of his face. His face was slim and shallow.“They put some screws in his back.” He said softly.He pulled out a file and handed it to me. I looked at the X-Ray and my eyes widened. MrsConners took the paper back and took a deep breath.He forced a smile and looked at me. “He wanted to talk to you.”I felt my heart drop as the doctor walked up to me.“You can come in.”I nodded and walked with the Doctor. “Mr Conners, is only temporarily blinded. We canfix that tomorrow.” She explained.“Why not today?”“Because we are backed up.” She said softly.Wow. That’s so convenient. My best friend can’t see, and they can’t fix that yet? It made mewonder what else they couldn’t do.I walked in, and my heart fell.I looked to see a heart monitor on. A nurse walked out and looked away from me.Griffon was looking up at the ceiling, and I knew he couldn’t see right now. His face wasbruised, and his arm was in a sling. His arms were over the blanket that hid his lower body. Ipulled a chair up. His head turned to me, but he was looking through me.“Hey.” I said softly.“Hi… how do I look?” He said with a weak smile.15 ~*~I shook my head as his dumb joke, and shrugged as I choked on my breath. “Okay… youlook okay.” I lied.“How do you look?”“Depressed. Mad. And um… terrible to be honest.” I said as he turned his head back upfacing the roof. He nodded slightly.“What happened?” I asked shakily.Griffon didn’t answer, which made me a little mad, I told myself this all happenedyesterday, and he might have PTSD. I pushed the anger aside, and he asked me what he missedin school.“Um… your worried about school?”“Well… yeah.” He said looking up at the roof again. “I mean… I’m fine… right?”My eyes teared up, and I shook my head knowing he couldn’t see.“They won’t… tell me what wrong yet.” He said stiffly. He extended his unbroken arm tohis right leg and shook his head. “I can’t feel my legs.”I wanted to explode and just tell him, but that wasn’t my place to say.“Yeah… your fine.” I choked out.I left right after. I couldn’t sit in that room any longer. I left the hospital and got into mymom’s car, I had brought. I looked at the small cross she had hanging off of the mirror andglared.“If you are so good, then why did this happen.”A few week passed, and at school we prayed for him, and at home we did too. Griffoncould see again, but he was getting some physical therapy done. His parents decided to have awelcome back party thing, and my family helped out. His older siblings from collage came back,and went to pick him up. Something was off. Things had been moved around to make morespace. Not to mention, Mrs Conners would randomly start crying again.“What did happened?” I asked again.Mom had only told me he had an accident but never told me what happened. Everyonelooked at me.“Nichole… Griffon was in a racing accident.”“How?”16 ~*~Mom looked held back for a second. “Griffon had done his last jump and landed. The guyin second place didn’t know that Griffon what where he was jumping to. He jumped over thejump and… he landed on Griffon.” She said softly.I looked at his parents who nodded with tears. “Griffon.. he… he’s lucky to be alive.” Dadsaid softly.The door opened, and his older sister Madison Conners held it open. His brother eldestsibling, Kevin pushed him in… Griffon was in a wheel chair.I remembered the X-Ray I was showed.His lower back was destroyed along with the nerve.Griffon was Paralyzed.He looked around before putting his hands on the wheels and pushing himself forward. Helooked around carefully, before leaving to go outside.It was very awkward.We all sat inside, and I felt more anger boil up. My best friend can’t do what he thought hewas wanted to do. Griffon couldn’t even stand up if his life depend on it.I walked outside and found him in his barn. I watched for a second, as he looked at his DirtBike that was carefully set up. His face read disappointment and uncertainty. I’m not a badfriend… but I walked away. He didn’t seem like he was in the talking mood… actually I didn’twant to talk to him.What are you supposed to say?I mean, if I was paralyzed, and my lives dream became reck, I wouldn’t want to talk toanyone either. I knew school was going to be hard on him, but my mind told me not to worry,and that he can suck it up… so I started to believe it.I walked away and froze again. I heard crying. I turned and peered back into the barn, andwatched as Griffon threw something against the wall. He put his head into his hands and cried.I turned and ran.17 ~*~-Griffon-I sat in my wheelchair tryna figure out what to do. I looked round my room and gave asmall sigh. There was noth’n to do.I struggled tryna figure out how to get the wheelchair to turn and I groaned.This really sucks.I finally figured it out and pushed myself to the bedroom door and opened it. I poked myhead out and looked it the stairs that led to my siblings rooms.The sudden thought that I can’t go up anymore started to bother the liv’n daylight outa me.I pushed the wheelchair to the steps and glanced around, mak’n sure nobody was around. I slidout form the wheelchair onto the steps and started to army crawl my way up.“What are you doing?”I looked up to my sister Madison. Her brown curly hair was in a braid and she was wear’nher fiancé’s hoodie that definitely didn’t fit her. At least it had the right collage that she was goingtoo. New York University.“Uh… tryna… uh….”“Come on.”Madison extended a hand and I looked down as I took it. She hoisted me up and draggedme to her room and set me down on a bing bag.Madison was always the favorite. You could tell my her room. She had white carpets andtwo white bing bangs. Her walls were a light blue instead of the wood the house was made with.A chandelier was at the top of her room and by the window she had a couch bed thing. Youknow, a bed that looks like a fancy couch.So confus’n.Madison closed the door and sat down next to me and stared. I stared back, which probablymade the awkward tension.“So, why are you trying to climb the stairs like a dolphin?”“First of all, I ain’t no dolphin.” I said fold’n my arms. “Second of all, I… I wanted to.”“Mhm.”“Yep.”18 ~*~Madison nodded and rolled her eyes and kicked her legs out. Her phone started to ring andI watched her take her hair out of the braid. She placed her hair on her shoulders and held herphone up for the FaceTime with her fiancé, Jóse Kates.“Why do you try and look better for Jóse?”“Because I don’t want to look stressed.” She said answer’n the phone.Jóse had curly black hair and dark tan skin. He had large round dark brown eyes, and somedark freckles.“Hey Maddie!!!”“Hi! Uh… Griffon is here!”She tried to hand me the phone and I shoved it back. Madison eyed me hard and shovedthe phone into my hand, and I put the fakest smile I ever had on.“Hi.”“Hey Griffon! How are you?”I relayed wanted to hang up and run out, but I ain’t really able to run.“Alive.” I said with a nod.Jóse nodded with understand’n to his eyes.Man I hate it when people do that.I glanced to Madison who seemed to see that didn’t wanna talk— finally. She gave a smallsigh and took the phone back and put a smile on.I knew it was a fake one.“Hey, I’m going to go. How about we talk later tonight okay?”“Fine by me. Love you.”“Love you too.”Madison hung up and looked at me. I looked down and gave a small sigh as Madison staredat me. Seriously, why can’t I just.“Do you want to go see Kevin?”“No.”“Well, let’s go!”Madison grabbed my arm and pulled my up and I felt like my back was ready to snap inhalf— as if it didn’t already happen.19 ~*~My sister also kicked me out in a way. I could just tell she was done put’n up with my antics.I ain’t that bad as she lets on.Madison dragged me to Kevin’s room, and set me down on the floor. I glared at my sister asshe opened the door to Kevin’s room.My brother was doing pushups with his AirPods in. I could here form of the music he waslistening too. That’s how loud he’ll blast music into his ears.“KEVIN!”Madison rolled her eyes and grabbed a pen from off his dresser and threw it at him. I gottaadmit my sister was always good at throw’n stuff at us.The pen hit Kevin in the head and he looked up at us. He rolled his eyes and pulled hisAirPods out. He pushed his curly brown hair up and looked at me. He too looked like me, but hehad some face hair. He was jacked with muscle and had a stern body language, but in all realitywas a really laid back guy. He played Linebacker for ‘Ole Miss— you know, that collage inMississippi?He was on his last year of collage, and was engaged to a girl named Katie Scot. She was areally nice girl, but I’d only seen her bout a few times.I think they’re gett’n married in June.“What’s wrong?” He asked with a huff.“Griffon what’s to spend time with you!”“I never said that.” I snapped.Kevin folded his arms like always and looked straight at me. He then looked at Madisonand gave a small sigh.“Alright, now, can you get out of my room?”Madison didn’t even respond. She walked out and down the hall to her room and shut thedoor. Kevin shook his head and looked up at me.“You didn’t say anything right?”“What makes you think I said someth’n? I don’t always say anyth’n.” I said pull’n myselfinto his room.“Griffon, just stop. Let me help you.”Kevin grabbed me and picked me up with ease. He set me down on his bed and he satdown next to me.20 ~*~“So, what’s up?”I gave a shrug and sat there as Kevin stared at the wall. With all honesty I did too.“Noth’n.”“Cool.” He said simply. “Don’t be bother by Maddie. She’s just dealing with this a littledifferently.” Kevin said softly.“I know. She deals with a lota stuff funny.” I mumbled, look’n down.Kevin nodded in agreement and shook his head. “So, you really wanna go back to schoolearly?”I nodded and looked down. “Yeah. You’ll help me get up right?”Kevin nodded and gave me a small smile. He nudged my shoulder and rolled his eyes. “Wecan talk more tomorrow, but right now if you get caught up here… whoa.”“Whoa?”“Yeah. Look, mom and dad are gonna kill all three of us.”“Ain’t that the truth.” I said look’n back up at my brother.“Come on. Let’s sneak you downstairs. I’ll help you up tomorrow okay? Just shoot me atext.”“Gotcha.”21 ~*~-Griffon-I opened my eyes and went to sit up, but couldn’t exactly do that. I laid back down andlooked up again. I didn’t want to wake my parents for help… or sibl’ns that had came to see me.I grabbed my phone that was charg’n by my bed. I sent a text to my brother, Keven, whoalways had his phone on vibrate.And let me tell you it wasn’t on this time.A large dung sounded through the house, and my face heated up.Just lovely, I thought to myself.I heard thumps come down the stairs by my room and the door opened to a tiered Kevin.For a big strong guy he looked ready to hit the deck.“Why are you always up so early?” He asked through a yawn.“Why ain’t you?” I asked try’n pull myself up.Kevin rolled his eyes and helped me up, and to the wheelchair.“Thanks.” I said softly.“No problem. I can officially call you my special needs brother.” Kevin says softly. I lookedup and he blinked. “I mean— I’m sorry that sounded bad!”“Nah, it’s fine.” I said smile’n.For some reason my smile always cheered him up.I looked around my room. “Can you hand me my backpack?” I said point’n to the closet.Kevin nodded, opened the closet, and handed it to me.“You really want to go back to school?”“Yeah. Better than sit’n around all day… even though thats all I can do now.” I said with ahint of annoyance.Kevin turned on the light, and looked at me. “Look dude. Be thankful your alive. Not manylive through that stuff bro… it’s a miracle from God.”“So-I’ve-been-told.” I spat slowly.Kevin opened the door and turned to leave, but looked at me. “I know I sound like dad, butit is a miracle whether you like it or not.”“I never said I didn’t like it.”22 ~*~“You know you don’t like it.” Kevin said fold’n his armsI nodded, but it wasn’t really in agreement as Kevin left. I pushed myself out, and got intothe hallway before remember’n I needed a ride.Even better, I thought.I couldn’t drive, walk, run, ride the horses, chase the goats… or even ride my Dirt Bike. Myback always hurt, no matter how much stupid therapy I had. You may be wonder’n, ‘How does ithurt if you can’t feel your lower back/Butt/Legs.Simple.The nerve is try’n to reach that area, but can’t get there, send’n a shock through my body.I pushed down the feel’ns, and got to the kitchen, and saw dad study’n for his sermon in afew days. He looked up at me, put in a book mark, and closed his Bible.“How are you feeling?” He asked carefully.I shrugged. “Felt worse.”“Yeah… the school said when you want, you can call us and leave. Okay?”I nodded my head and grabbed and apple. I never did have the biggest appetite forbreakfast.“Griffon?”I looked up at dad, who had a worried expression. “Yeah?”He looked at me, head to my immovable feet. He took a deep breath, and placed his handon a necklace he kept hidden in his shirt. He met my eyes and gave a small smile.“Go try. Even though it’s hard, trying is the best thing one can do. Now, go try בֵּן .” He sayssoftly.I nodded at him. He always did this odd thing where he would speak Jewish/ Hebrew. Imean, dad is pure Jewish by blood, but Christian by faith.Makes sense right?Ma ended up somehow wake’n up, and took me to school. The lady can never wake up inthe morning, but somehow she did. The second I got in school, the hallway stopped talk’n, andmy face drain, and filled with that dumb red stuff. (I really don’t care for what it’s called).The school moved my locker down, but I still couldn’t reach. It was on the floor, and well…I can’t bend over and get on my knees you dumb ding dongs.23 ~*~I looked up and smiled. “Hey Nicky! Can you—”She immediately hung her head, clutched her books, and sped off. For a split second itlooked like she was cry’n or some’n like that.Huh… wonder what’s up with her, I thought to myself.I got to science, and ended up sit’n alone. The tables were to high, but I could see overthem— look I ain’t that small without legs— I could really only poke my head above the table.(But we don’t talk about that).Classes went by, and to be honest I felt alone. Nobody talked to me, and if they decide notto be a bug ona pickle then they would be all like,‘Oh, how are you?’or‘What is it like with no legs?’or‘Hey, how are you gonna race again?!’That one hurt the most. I couldn’t ever race again… no matter what them people told me.On tv they show these people who are paralyzed like me, doing cool stuff, which is half true.Race’n on a Dirt Bike is different. You physically need your legs, no matter how it looks on tv, orwhat people tell you. Well… sorta.My family couldn’t afford the stuff needed for me to race.I got to GYM class, but couldn’t do anyth’n. I sat in my stupid wheelchair off to the sideand watched everyone play Swamps and Gators. (Which is dodge ball). I ended up tossing thedodgeballs, that got out of bounds back in.It was really down right boring. The worst part was, Nicky didn’t talk to me. You see, I’veknown the crazy softball catch’n lady from preschool, and well, I caught some sorta feel’n for herin fifth grade. (Long time to have a crush right? I’m a Junior).It don’t matter right now, I told myself on repeat, no matter how much it did to me. Ma didn’thelp much either. She called me a lot throughout the day ask’n if I wanted to go home.I did.I really did want to leave, but told her I was fine.My back started to hurt again, but I didn’t want to tell a soul. Getting stuff out of my lockermade it worse. All I want to do is—24 ~*~“Mate!”I turned my head and looked at Austin. He was blonde with silver like eyes, and the bestwing man/friend in history.“How you been mate?” He asked running over.“Been better. My back is kill’n me.” I said simply.Oops.I practically did a face plant into my hand, and Austin raised an eyebrow. Austin Baker wasfrom Australia. He had no clue why his parents decided to move to Tennessee but, he was here.“You want the nurse dude? What’s wrong?”“Well… I don’t wanna be tell’n people I’m in pain. I don’t want them people to know, orask. I don’t want to be here, but I missed my friends. I don’t wanna sit around. I want to rideagain and I WANT TO WALK AND—!” I stopped talking.I didn’t think I wanted all of that much….Austin gave a small kind smile. “Mate… you’ve been through enough recently. I’m just gladyour here, and well… half way alright?”I nodded, and shook my head with an embarrassed smile. Austin gave a chuckle, andoffered to give my arms a rest from pushing the wheelchair all day. I told the lunatic no, but Iphysically didn’t know how to stop him.He pushed me, towards history class, and we talked. “You know that trip to Germany is stillup for us. I’m going. What about you?”“You mean the holocaust one?”“Um… sure? I don’t really know mate.”I shrugged. I was seventy five percent Jewish and twenty fiver percent Polish, (from Ma.She’s half and half.) so I didn’t know how it would work out.Well, mostly because I didn’t know how the wheelchair could get around places.“Sure. I don’t know how Ma would like it, but I wanna go somewhere.” I said simply.“Good! I think Nicky is going to.”“REALY?! I mean… really?” I said with a red face of excitement.Austin burst out laugh’n like a horse. “Mate, I don’t get why you won’t just ask the girl out!Just because you don’t have legs, doesn’t mean you don’t have game!”25 ~*~My face fell. I looked at my dumb legs. Austin got silent as we got to history class. “I’msorry… I didn’t mean to…”“No… it’s fine. To be honest… I couldn’t bring myself to do it with legs… what makes youthink I can without? God does things for reasons… this I hate, but still. I gotta get over the girl.” Isaid softly, looking up at her.She looked pretty with her strawberry blonde hair covering her face, while she was on herphone.“Or, my favorite option. You ask her out! Oooooo ask her in Germany!!!” He saidenergetically.I turned my country head to her. Huh… maybe I could.She didn’t say a word to me the rest of the day.26 ~*~~Nichole~I turned around and chucked the softball at Ashlyn. Luckily, she caught it, but I was stillmad… sad. Sad-mad? I DON’T KNOW“Nichole!”I turned to the coaches who didn’t know wether to be mad, or not. “Why are you throwingso hard? She’s right there, and we’re warming up!”I turned my head to Ashlyn, who was a few yards away. I closed my eyes and took a deepbreath.Practice didn’t go well. I made great throws to second base, but they jumped out of the way.I wasn’t throwing that hard… fine, I lied.I was throwing as hard as I could.We all split up into groups, and I was put into the batting cages with Ashlyn. I slapped myhelmet on, as Katie went into the cage to hit.“Hey… are you okay?”I looked at Ashlyn. “I’m fine.” I said rolling my eyes.Ashlyn raised an eyebrow, and looked at me. “Okay… I saw Griffon was back today! Imean he’s not looking all that great, but—”“Shut up. Just shut up… please.”Ashlyn looked at me carefully. Her brown eyes were soft and warm, but I literally didn’tcare. I didn’t want to.“Nichole… are you… okay?”“I told you I’m fine.” I snapped bitterly.Ashlyn looked hurt, but gave a slight nod, and started pulling at her hair.“Next.”I got into the batting cage, where my batting coach, Coach Jakes, smiled at me. He alwaysdid not matter what.“How was your day Nicky?” He asked kindly.27 ~*~Sometimes I really want to grab kindness and throw it out of a window. It can make orbreak you. That day, it broke me.I burst into tears, and dropped my bat. I don’t know why I did though… or I didn’t want toadmit why. Coach Jakes stood up and hugged me, as I balled my eyes out.Someone else hugged me too, but I was blinded from my tears. “Do you want to talk?”I shook my head, and pulled away. I whipped my face, and Coach told me not to hit yet.Ashlyn went in instead of me, but I placed a hand on my back.“It’s gonna be okay… trust me. I know.” She said softly.I didn’t say or do anything but just sat down. I was done… I was done seeing Griffon likethat. I felt empty as a bottomless pit, that wanted something.I hung my head, and whipped my eyes again.I got home, and went to my room, and sat down on my bed. I looked down, and wanted torip all of my hair out. I looked up, at my wall full of photos. I looked at one of me and Griffon.He had just won a trophy from racing… which won’t ever happen again.I looked at my Bible… I don’t know why, but I got mad. I walked over, and stuffed it in theback of the closet. I sat back down and glared at the floor. The door opened but I kept my headdown.“Hey… how was school?”“I… I don’t want to talk about it.” I said softly.Mom looked at me carefully. “Well… I made some chicken and rice. Come and eat.” Shesaid softly.I nodded and walked past her, and closed my bedroom door.28 ~*~-Griffon-“Ain’t all that bad.” I said as Ma helped me out of the car. We decided to go out to eat as afamily before Madison and Kevin head’d back to collage. We went to go for Mexican food, andto be honest when we got in the smell of amaz’nness filled my nose.“Well I’m glad it was an okay day.” Ma said give’n a relaxed smile.I nodded, and dunked my tortilla chip into the salsa.“So… did anyone say anything?” Madison asked.“About what?”“Your um…” She nodded to the wheelchair I was in.“Oh… no. Not really. Only Austin when he decided to take me on a rollercoaster ride.” Isaid laugh’n.I soon stopped, when nobody else laughed. Man, my family really needs some humor in theirsad boring humorless life— I’m not trying to be disrespectful!Austin had filled some of that void in me for my need for speed. What’s wrong with that?“Well… that’s… good?” Kevin said getting some water. I nodded, and got some morechips, and salsa. It started to get awkward, but I know their try’n. I mean, I’d feel the same if itwas Kevin or Madison.“So was Austin the only one talking to you?” Madison asked carefully.“Maddie, I don’t think that’s what Griffon meant.” Ma said with a scowl.I shrugged and nodded. “Yeah. Pretty much.”My family looked at me. I felt my face flush with more of that dumb red stuff.“Not even Nicky?” Dad asked, with full attention.I scratched the back of my neck, and nodded slightly. It really did hurt. Her not talk’n tome was the weirdest thing.“Not even a ‘hi’?”I shook my head, and hung it as my family continued to stare at me. “Well… that’s stupid,just like her.” Kevin said folding his arms.“She’s not stupid!” I snapped looking back up.29 ~*~Madison looked at me carefully, but then I figured out she was trying to make me feelbetter. You see, it was one of those weird girl things.“Sorry…” I said softly.“No… it’s fine bro.” Kevin said giving a smile.I nodded and picked at the chips again. We ordered some food, and I just got some cheesequesadillas, with guacamole. (What a bore’n food choice, look’n back on it).“Um… I want to go on the Germany trip.” I said softly looking at Ma and Dad. Ma gaveme the ‘Really?!’ look, and dad just looked at me.“Well, I thought we’d give you more time but—.”“That’s great! I’ll tell the school about it. Frea, sorry I cut you off, but this is great! Goingout of his comfort zone.” Dad said with a wide smile.Ma looked at him funky, and forced a smile. “Wauty… can I speak with you… outside?”She said firmly with that fake smile.“Sure אהבה.” He said with the same tone. They stood up and walked out together, and leftme, Kevin, and Madison.“Oh no.” Madison said hanging her head.“I read lips.” Kevin said poking his head up to watch.“Don’t… I think we might get twenty bucks.” I said smiling.In my family, if you said a bad word, we all got twenty bucks from the person who said theword. My dad says it’s “Paying the price.”Well… I already can tell tonight is gonna be a special, odd, night. To be honest… all ofthem were going to be different.30 ~*~-Griffon-Great news! I’m go’n to Germany! But with great good news, bad news comes. I have topick people to help me out, because apparently I can’t do anything on my own. That was thestupid part.I definitely wanted Austin to help.Ma can’t go on the trip, because of ‘Adult Stuff ’, but I don’t care. Dad agreed to come, tolook after me.Look, I got a month till the trip. I got a month to make a plan to… y’all understand at thispoint.I woke up and completely forgot I was paralyzed, which is great until to try and get upfrom bed. I fell flat onto my still bruised face. I did an army crawl to my wheelchair andattempted to pull myself up. That didn’t work. I just kind of sat there for a while, glad it wasSunday.ITS SUNDAY?!Wow, my first day back to church and I’m on the ground half dead like a lame horse…literally.I sat their and waited for the sun to at least come up. (What? I wake up with the rooster). Ilooked around my room, and army crawled over to my nightstand, and grabbed my phone. Iwent ahead and texted Austin ask’n if he would mind help’n me in Germany.I laid back and looked at my legs. My pants started to look baggy, and I didn’t really knowwhy. A few minutes passed and I heard someone walk down the hall.“Um… hello?”Footsteps came to my room, and dad opened the door and looked at me. I gave anawkward smile, and waved. Dad gave me the same smile and waved back.“Boy, what are you doing on the floor?”“Um… sleeping.”31 ~*~Dad shook his head and helped me up into the wheelchair. He helped me get my clothes forchurch on, and I couldn’t help but look at my legs. They were getting thin, and I got nervous.Dad must have seen the look on my face ‘cause he kept saying that it’s fine.I got eggs, and headed out to the barn, and fed the goats and chickens. I got to the horsesand mine looked at me. It was the look of, ‘Well are you gonna ride or not?’.I shook my head, and looked down again. “It ain’t happen’n.” I said softly, head’n back tothe barn.I got the cows fed… sort of. It was hard and I dropped the bag into the pen. I got back tothe barn and stopped at my bike. It looked amazing… and I wanted to ride.God made people walk….I went to stand up, but hit the ground hard. I sat their and looked at my bike as stupid weaktears filled my eyes. I looked up at the light.I looked up immediately at dad. I whipped my face, and he helped me up. His eyes weresoft, but I avoided them.“Griffon… I… I know your mad.”“Really? Really?! IM MAD?! WOW I HAD NO IDEA!”“Griffon… I know your mad. Me and your mom have been fighting about it, but youHAVE TO believe and trust.” He said looking at me.I scoffed. “Really? Wow, easy for you to say. Your out preach’n all over Tennessee, whatnext? Go’n to Florida?!” I spat.“Griffon—”“I hear they got killer gators down there!” I said with an eye roll. “Then they got snakesthat eat the gators!”“Griffon let me just—”“It’s hit and muggy and I swear that Florida is weirder than Ohio.”“GRIFFON!”I looked up to dad as he took a deep breath. We were silent for a bit but he took a deepbreath and looked down.“Do you know what your name means?”“Unclean bird in Hebrew, hooked nose in Latin.” I said eye’n him.My dad was Jewish… he should have named be better than ‘Unclean Bird’.32 ~*~“Do you know the Irish version?”“Um… no. I’m not Irish.” I said shrugging with sarcasm.Dad gave a smile, but shook his head. “Your named after the Irish version, which means,prince.”I raised an eyebrow. I’m the furthest thing from a prince! Has he even met me?! I mean, I’mthe definition of Cowboy! (Or I was).Dad stayed silent for a while before talking again. “Here… take this.”I looked up at him, and he took off his necklace he always wore. He handed it to me, and Ilooked at it carefully. A brown thick string made a loop, and wrapped around a wooden cross.“That wood is from Bethlehem. You know what’s so special about that place right.”I gave a slight smile. “Yeah yeah. Jesus was born there. Wasn’t he kicked out of there too?”Dad smiled and laughed.“Yes he was, ironically. But… remember grandma and grandpa?”“Barley.”“I was born in Bethlehem, before moving here to the US. I was able to get a small treebranch. When we got here my mother made it into a necklace for me, so I’d always rememberhome. Now this is my home, and I’m giving it to you.” He said pushing his shaggy greying brownhair up.I looked at Dad carefully. “Are you serious?”“Am I?” Dad said standing up and walking out. I looked at the necklace in my hand, andback at my dad, I put the necklace on, and chased after my dad in the wheelchair.“Dad wait!” I yelled after him.Dad turned and stopped for me to catch up.“Yeah?” He asked smiling. I looked at him, lost for words. Dad chuckled and saidsomething in Hebrew. He looked at me and smiled. “Read. It helps.” He said tossing me a pocketBible. I tossed it back.“I already got one. Plus that one is old like you.”“Old like me?! Ha! I’d like to see you when your my age and say that.” He said laughing. Ishook my head and smiled again. “Come on, we got church.”“I thought you were going to GRL’Church.”“No, I’m coming back to home base. I’m preaching at our church today.” He said smiling.33 ~*~~Nichole~I went down to the three year olds again, and still felt empty with their cheerfulpersonalities. Sometimes it annoyed me when they talked about stuff and I wanted to leave.“Nichole, are you alright?”I looked at Ms Joy and nodded slightly. “Yeah… I’m okay.” I said passing out papers.We didn’t talk for a little before I finish passing out papers. I part of me feels like she knowshow empty I feel.“I heard about your friend… I’m sorry.” She said softly.I felt anger boil, and I looked down. “It’s fine.” I said through clenched teeth.I didn’t want to snap… not at church at least.I walked out the second I could, and drove myself home. I obviously told my parents, sothey didn’t worry, and just told them I didn’t feel well… which was a half truth. I felt terrible onthe inside, which made my stomach hurt.I sat down in my dark room, and continued to bottle up more and more feelings. I just feltso betrayed it hurt. I couldn’t even bring myself to talk to Griffon about it. I couldn’t stopimagining how it happened. Somehow, the rider behind him came over the jump and landed onhim. The rider behind to him was okay?!It was unfair.I looked down and felt a silent sob start. I pushed it back… I have to be tough. I’m a catcher. Ihave to be hard, I told myself. That’s what catchers are supposed to be… right?I ended up leaving my dark room, and got an apple.Practice.That’s all I wanted to do. If I can practice… I can forget about everything for a little bit, I thought tomyself. It convinced me, so I went outside and did squats, and threw a ball against the wall andcaught it repeatedly.“Nichole?”I looked up, then at my watch. I had been doing this for an hour… and still felt terribleinside. “Yeah?”34 ~*~Mom looked at me carefully with her soft eyes. I hated that about her… her eyes could seethrough anyone. “Nicky… are you feeling better?”“No.”Mom raised an eyebrow. “Okay then. If your feeling ‘sick’ then why are your practicing?”She said with a small tone. I wanted to roll my eyes, but with my mom you’d be making your owngrave.I shrugged. “I can’t sit still.” I explained softly. Mom nodded slightly.“Oh how I know that. You wouldn’t happen to be feeling… anxious, nervous, andbroken… would you?”There it is. She saw right through me. Skin and bone… this is what I get for having atherapist for a mom isn’t it? It really sucks because she wants to ‘Talk It Out’.She looked at me carefully. I was the odd one after all. My parents had brown hair and eyes,and I was a strawberry blonde.“Nichole… you will go to Germany—”“WHAT?!”“And you will talk to someone—”“I’m sorry what?!”“And you WILL be friends with him again, and stop bottling up what happened.”I raised an eyebrow. How did she know I was avoiding Griffon?! I swear, moms have somesort of psychic thing going on. I wanted to yell back, but I didn’t have a choice. What mom saidwent, and what I said only would make mom want to send me more.I groaned and walked inside.“Love you.” She said in a playful tone. Dad walked up beside her.“Your gonna break that kid.”“You can’t break what’s broken. Germany is going to fix her. She’s like a puzzle, Mike.They start broken, but but back together they are beautiful.”“Don’t they break again?” My father had asked my mother.“Don’t say that.”35 ~*~~Nichole~School was depressing as normal. Classes went by, and I didn’t talk to Griffon… well Ididn’t have classes with him yet. I walked down the hall when I heard someone.“Hey Nicky!”I started to walk a little faster, not wanting to talk.“Youhoooooo NICKYYYYYY!”I picked up the pace, as Griffon started coming after me. I stopped walking as he sailedforward. He yelped, and I couldn’t help but give a slight smile. He got control after a minute ortwo and came back.“Hello! Today is a great day and I—”“Hate it?”He looked at me curiously. He then eyed me. “Good to see your not mute.” He said softly,with some anger.Wow… that hurt, talk about dagger to the heart right?I shrugged, and looked at the ground.“What? Is it not cool to talk to me or something?” He said softly.I shook my head, and pushed back tears. I glanced at him in his wheelchair, and lookeddown again.“I… I just… I… can’t talk about it now.” I said softly.“About what? What happened? I don’t wanna talk about it either.” He said pointing to thewheelchair. I looked into his blue eyes that showed pain. “So… what’s up?” He said lookingdown.I shrugged. “Nothing really… how’s life?”“Um… my siblings went back to collage. Still getting used to the whole… ‘Your Paralyzed’thing.” He said softly.I looked down as well, and silence started for a bit.“We should… we should get to class.” I said softly.He nodded in agreement, and I ended up walking with him to history.“How about we forget this ever happened? Alright?” Griffon said with a small smile.36 ~*~I gave a small smile back and nodded. “Whatever you say.”I held the door open for Griffon as she got into the classroom. I sat down, and looked atAshlyn who had a broad smile.“What?” I asked hiding a small smile.“See you two are talking again.” She said giving a devious smirk.I rolled my eyes, and smiled. “Yeah, and?”Ashlyn raised her eyebrows up and down, with the devious smirk.“No! I don’t like him.” I hissed, knowing Griffon sat near.Ashlyn rolled her eyes at me. “Sure, and it’s not like he likes you back.”“He does?!”She smiled at me, and shook her head. “You are so blind.” She said laughing.My face got red, because it seemed like she said that out loud.“Anyways, I also got a date.” She said turning red.“With who?”“Austin Baker.” She said turning more red.“You mean the goalkeeper for the soccer team?” I said giving her the same smirk she gaveme.She nodded and glanced at Austin. “Face it Nicky. The guy is hot. He’s the hottest kid inthe grade! He even likes me back!” She said excitedly.“That’s because you’ve liked him since last year. Trust me, he may be ‘hot’, but he’s notcute.” I pointed out.She nodded and laughed. To be honest, I had never seen her so happy.“Then who is cute?” She asked with w smirk.I felt my face heat up, and I found myself glancing to Griffon.“Uh-huh. So, you think the guy who, you ‘totally don’t like’ is cute?” Ash taunted.My face heated up, and I looked down.We both glanced back at the boys, who we’re talking about something. Austin was a smallshade of pink, while Griffon was red as a tomato.“Isn’t Austin from Florida?”“And Australia!!!”37 ~*~I raised an eyebrow. Maybe it was because I never talk to him much, but I didn’t think hehad an accent. I looked at them, and my eyes fell on Griffon.“Austin’s may be hit, but Griffon is adorable.”“Because you like him.” Ashlyn said smiling.“Yeah…— what?! Nope! No way.”The girl had tricked me. She tricked me into confessing everything I didn’t want to admit. Ihad to say, Ashlyn was a great pitcher, but she would make a great detective or spy.Ashlyn smirked. “It’s been obvious since ninth grade Nicky. I’m not that dumb.”(Griffon)I looked up at Nicky who was shrug’n, and talk’n to Ashlyn about someth’n. I turned toAustin, who was drawing on his paper.“Why do girls always huddle when they talk?”Austin looked up at the girls and shrugged. “Great question. I um… I dunno know!” Hesaid with fake energy.I laughed and we watched them a little bit longer. “I asked Ashlyn out.”“What did she say?” He went pink and smiled. My eyes widened. “She said yes!? To you?!”He nodded and sat back.I leaned back in the wheelchair and shook my head. “She said yes because your good look’nhuh?”“No, she actually likes me back for who I am. So take that you dry little dingo.”Austinsnapped with a grin. He then pointed to Nicky. “Saw you two talking. She’s right up your allymate.” He said putting a hand on my shoulder.“I don’t know. It was kinda awkward, and—”“You bother, she was blushing.”“She wasn’t… holy tatdor tot she was!”“EXACTLY MATE!” Austin said shaking my shoulder. “She gave you a green light! Shelikes you dude!”My face went red, and we both looked away when the girls looked over. “Stop talk’n soloud.” I hissed at him.38 ~*~Austin gave a smile and shook his head. “I can talk as loud as I want. Look, we got threeweeks until Germany. Three weeks for you to plan, and three weeks for me to be your wingman!” He said smartly.I nodded in agreement with him. I looked down at my wheelchair and my stuck as themuck legs. “You think I gotta chance?”“Think?” Austin said breathlessly. “THINK?! MATE, YOUR SET UP FOR—!”I turned around and covered his mouth. “Shut up!” I hissed at him. I glanced at Nicky whowas talk’n to Ashlyn Kertcher about someth’n.Austin licked my hand and I pulled it off of his mouth. “THATS DISGUST’N!”“And you let me go. Listen mate, if we’re going to do this, we plan now. Period.” He saidpointing a finger. “I read it in a book. I’m practically a genius on this stuff.”I nodded and whipped my hand on his uniform. He looked disgusted at first then shrugged.“Alright. What’s the plan?” I said nervously.The bell rang for class to start, and Austin looked at me. “Tell you later.” He then looked atme. “Take what you can mate.”“And give noth’n back.”39 ~*~~Nichole~I walked out of the school, and started heading over to the aftercare stuff. If I didn’t go, I’dget Saturday School. Simple. Mom or Dad couldn’t pick me up, because they were busy withsomething, and I didn’t have a car yet. I always drove mom’s.“Hey Nicky!”“Yeah?”I turned and looked down at Griffon, who was coming up behind me in his wheelchair.“Wanna come back with me and Austin? He’s com’n with me.” He asked nervously. Ishrugged. It was better than staying at school.“Yeah! Thanks…”“Anytime.” He said looking down. I looked at him carefully, and his shaggy brown haircovered a red in his face. We met up with Austin, and he flung his backpack over his arm.“How’s Ashlyn?” I asked smiling.“She’s fine… I think. WAIT IS SOMETHING WRONG?!”The guy got so nervous, and freaked out. I burst out laughing with Griffon, who patted hisfriend.We helped Griffon into his mom’s car, and me and Austin hopped into the back, as I textedmy parent telling them where I was going.The drive was fun. We all played ‘Spot the Animal’ which was something Austin said heplayed with his younger brother in Australia. Now that I talked to him, it was kind of clear hehad a small accent.We got out, and helped Griffon out, and set our stuff inside. We headed out, and all walkedheaded to the barn. I looked at Griffon who looked tired.“Hey… I can push the wheelchair for you if you want.” I offered.“No. I’m fine.” He said softly. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at Austin, who wasmouthing ‘Just Push it’. I walked up, and started to push and Griffon went silent.“Thanks.” He finally said.40 ~*~“No problem.” I said softly. He scratched the back of his neck again, and his ears went red.I looked over to see a smirking Austin, and my face went red.“Anyways… we’re all going to Germany right?” Austin asked.“Yup.”“Uh-huh!”I smiled, knowing Griffon got to go. We got to the barn, and I ran to the baby goats. Istarted to play with them, and wrestled the elder boy of them.“Be careful. That guys gets crazy.” Griffon warned coming over to me.“It’s a baby goat. I think I’m fine.” I said laughing. Austin followed Griffon and watched. Ismiled but then the goat did go bonkers. It started jumping everywhere, and head buttingeverything including me.I turned around and jumped out of the small enclosed area. I sat on my butt and watchedthe goat stop going kookoo Cocoa Puffs.“Told you.”I looked up at Griffon, who was laughing. “That is not a goat! If it is then that thing ispossessed!” I said staring wide eye.The boys bursted out laughing, and started to mock me. I shook my head.“Whatever!” I snapped.I stood up and walked out as the boys followed. I leaned against the fence to the cows pen.Austin and Griffon came over.“Hey can I ride one?” Austin asked.Griffon looked up, and I raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, ride one of the cows?”“Um… yeah. Thought it was clear enough.” Austin said nodding. I wanted to say, ‘um no’,but Griffon had a different idea.“Of course! Ride that one right there.” He said pointing across the field to a big bull.“Thanks mate!” Austin said hopping the fence. Griffon and I watched s he raised throughthe cows.“He’s going to get himself killed.” I said with a singsongy voice.“I know.” Griffon said with a smirk.41 ~*~-Griffon-We burst out laugh’n as Austin got bull dozed. I looked up at Nicky who was dying laugh’n.If I’m be’n honest… she was really pretty while laugh’n. I couldn’t help but watch her, and whenshe looked over I looked up.My face got hot, as I felt her stare at me.Come on… just ask her!“So here’s an idea… I um… need two friends to help me around in Germany. Austin isum… one but I wanted to know if uh… u’d want to eh… help?”She looked at me. Her brown eyes stared through me. I cleared my throat and looked up asmy face went more of that stupid color.“Um… yeah. That would be nice.”I looked up at her. “Huh?”She started to laugh again and my face got more and more of the stupid feeling like color.Austin came running back and me and Nicky pulled my wheelchair back. I flung out of thechair, as Austin hopped the fence (and luckily, he hopped over me).It hurt a bit, but I didn’t show it.“I’m sorry!” She said instantly.“It’s fine. Happens a lot.” I said roll’n to my back.I winced in pain and felt the screws in my back press against whatever they were press’nagainst.Austin and Nicky helped me into the wheelchair again. I looked at Nicky who seemed tofeel bad.“It’s fine.” I told her softly.She looked up and nodded slightly. I couldn’t help but smile at her before my cheeks filledwith red chlorophyll.I scratched my neck, (that’s what I seem to do when I’m embarrassed or nervous. I don’tknow why I do it thought) and looked down again.“So uh… I say we all get some drinks. The bull did not like me.” Austin said.I agreed and we headed back.42 ~*~Ma seemed to already had fresh orange juice made for us— which tastes amaze’n! I chokeddown my juice and looked at Nicky. Her head was hung and see seemed like a bump on a pickle.She stood up and walked towards the bathroom.“Nicky wait!”“Dude… she probably wants to go to the bathroom.” Austin said put’n a hand on myshoulder. I looked at Austin, who smiled slightly. I shrugged and looked down.“I don’t want her to feel bad. I mean, it happens when you take me for a ‘joy spin’.” I saidsoftly.“True mate. You are fine right?”“Yeah. Just my back.” I said rubbing it.Austin sat up and got more juice. He was quite for a second, before looking up. “Look,think about it. The plane to Germany is like 12 hours. I’ll set you up in a seat with her, okay?”I nodded. “Okay. I’ll get you and Ashlyn—”“Already happening Mate. I’ll hit an old lady with a book if I have to.” Austin said pickingup one of Dad’s books.“That got real dark, real quick.” I said laugh’n.Austin gave the ‘I’m the smartest man alive’ face and chuckled.“All it is, is a leap of faith mate.” He said smiling. I nodded, and for some reason glanced atour family Bible. I looked down at my legs, then back at the Bible.“Yeah… a leap of faith.”43 ~*~~Nichole~“We understand that you are in high school, but you will not.”Groans exploded in the room. All of the Juniors were gathered to talk about Germany,which is just a few days away. I looked over at Ashlyn who looked at me. We already madearrangements to be roomies. All of the countless sleep overs— from this year—finally led to this.She smirked at me and we did a handshake.“Softball gals back together for another sleepover, baby!” She whispered.I laughed, and looked at her watch. “You gotta a text from the Australian Shepherd Boy.” Itold her.She looked at her Apple Watch, and smiled. I grabbed her wrist, and texted back to Austin.Ashlyn bursted out giggling with me, as we looked up. Austin after a minute looked back atus with his eyebrows raised. Griffon grabbed his wrist and looked at what I sent. His face heldback a laugh, and he looked at us.“What did you send?”“ ‘Your mamma is so fat her weight is her phone number.’ ”Ashlyn’s eyes widened as she turned her watch on. Austin had texted back.‘At least my ma has a number. Your ma so ugly I see the resemblance in you. Griffybiffy-bruski ;4)’We looked up at the boys again who looked ready to die of laughter. I rolled my eyes asAshlyn turned her watch off.Why are boys dumb? Even Griffon! He’s smarter than the grade but acts like an idiot.I found myself staring at him before Ashlyn nudged me. I looked up and sat up straightwith a red face.“Uh… I don’t know.” I said pulling out my phone.I looked at the weather forecast for Germany, and it was going to be nice.“Probably some sweaters would be good.” I told mom, standing up.She nodded and tossed me a jacket. It was really nice Tan Leather Jacket, and it was moms.“You can use it in Germany.” She said smiling.44