I sit in front of my house, on the cement front steps leading to the front door. The sun is out, birds are chirping and flying around in the trees above. Some of them chasing one another and others just exploring, content with their little life. A pang of jealousy rings through me as I watch them fly around, their wings spread wide without any type of constraint. Nothing binding them to one set place.

Must be nice.

My eyes cast downward to my outstretched legs. The sound of laughter drifting over a small breeze draws my gaze to the neighboring yard where kids run around, playing to their heart's content. My jealousy turns to that of bitterness as I click my tongue in annoyance.

Must be really nice.

I sigh as I reach up and pull my long, brown hair to rest on my right shoulder giving my neck some time to breathe. Despite it being November in Oregon, it's unnaturally hot. Even sitting in the shade provided by my house doesn't do much to relieve the heat.

Leaning my weight back on my left arm, I fan myself with my right hand. From behind me, inside the house, I can hear my mother humming away as she does housework. More bitterness flickers to life within me.

If I weren't here she wouldn't be doing that.

My eyes move back to my legs stretched out in front of me, unfeeling to this god awful heat. A strong breeze blows and my hair lifts from my shoulder and whips around my face. I reach up trying to tame the wild mane when someone speaks up.

"Hey, I see you here every day. Do you just never do anything?"

Rather than startled I'm more shocked.

Is someone approaching me? Me?

The wind dies down and I manage to look up at this curious stranger. He's tall. It's the first thing I notice about him as my eyes travel up and up and up until they land on bright, baby blue ones. The stranger smile's down at me and it's clear he doesn't have a clue about who he's talking to.

Just go away. Save us both some time and trouble.

"I do what I want," I said looking away from him. Apparently, he doesn't get the hint as he takes a seat beside me. I scowl at this unwanted person.

"Ooh, a rebel with a cause. I like that."

I roll my eyes and rest my chin on my hand, looking out at my front yard.

That's what you say now, but your mind will change.

I narrow my eyes at the yard as I remember back to a time when I was younger. Lot's of people said they liked me and then, one by one, they left.

Or, maybe, I just couldn't keep up.

My hand curls into a fist and I grit my teeth together. The guy just pushes further.

"So, why do you sit here every day? Don't you want to do anything?" He asked and I wish he'd go away. I wish he'd leave me alone so I can get back to...

To what? Observing life go by because you're too broken to keep up?

My anger sparks to life and I look pointedly at this guy sitting beside me as I say,

"No, I like the quiet." He's either too stupid to understand a hint when it so obviously smacks him in the face or he just ignores it. I'm going with the latter as his eyes take on a mischievous twinkle and his grin grows.

"But, that must get boring after a while."

It sure does.

My eyes move back to the kids playing next door. Running around. Laughing. Enjoying their life. Bitterness comes back coating my mouth and insides like a foul medicine. I hate the feeling. I don't want to be that type of person.

I think that boat has sailed.

My eyes bounce between my legs and the kids until mystery guy jumps up beside me. I've never met anyone with as much energy as him before. I hate to admit it, but it's nice. I raise an eyebrow when he holds his hand out to me.

"What?" I questioned when he starts flailing his fingers at me.

"I want you to take my hand, duh."

I snort and cross my arms over my chest not having any of it. I'd rather spend the rest of my days alone than trust someone who'll only regret their decision later on and pull back.

Been there, done that. I'd rather not have a second go. No thanks.

"Yeah, no, not gonna happen."

I don't want to be abandoned again.

I look away from the mystery guy as my stomach turns over making it feel as if I'll be sick. Memories of friends I used to have filter through my mind. Memories of hands, I used to take.

Time keeps moving.

My eyes move to my legs and I sigh.

And what's broken stays broken.

Out of the corner of my eye, there's movement and a second later his hand is latching onto my wrist. Mystery guy tugs it forward, drawing my hazel eyes back to his.

"Come on, I'll show you something amazing."

He starts pulling me up and my heart rate accelerates because I know what's about to happen. Sweat forms on my brow and my mind goes blank. A lump forms in my throat as I open my mouth to speak.

"Wait, no don't-" I'm cut off as he yanks me toward him. My eyes squeeze shut as I fall forward onto the cement. Pain blossoms in my forehead, but it doesn't hurt as much as the embarrassment. Everything around us is silent, neither of us speaking.

God. Just laugh. Laugh like all the rest at my pathetic state of being. It's so much better than the silence. Just laugh.

I begged in my thoughts as I bite down on my lip to stop the tears of shame from falling. Shame at what I am. At what I can't do.

"Why'd you fall? Do you really not want to go that badly?" He asked and my shame and embarrassment turn to what I've come to know best over the past years. Anger. I look up at him with all the malice and hate I can muster. I'm getting tired of his over energetic personality. He crouches over me, making me feel even more pitiful in my current state.

"No, you freaking idiot! I can't walk!" A few choice words leave my mouth as I try to push myself up on weak arms. It doesn't work and I find myself lying back on the cement walkway.

Just laugh. Just stop looking at me.

"You're disabled?" I meet his eyes before looking at the grass, my hands curling into fists.

"Give the boy a medal."

Leave me alone. Walk away like all the rest.

I hear him move and my chest tightens.

Good.

Despite the word the tears threaten. I knew it would happen. It always does.

Who wants to be around someone who can't keep up? Who can't so much as sit up on their own?

Before the tears have a chance to fall I feel his hands slip under my armpits. A moment later I'm being lifted and placed back in my seat. My brows furrow in confusion and disbelief paints my voice as I say,

"Thank you."

Maybe he's...

My eyes narrow and my mood falls as I watch him take a seat beside me. The look on his face says it all.

Not so different after all.

"It's the least I can do."

Yeah.

I look away from his solemn features, his blue eyes less bright from earlier and now filled with pity for my broken body. It's not the only thing I seem in them, though. Underneath the pity is something much worse. It's something that has me hating this person whose name I don't even know. There's a relief in his eyes that he's not like me.

"Sorry." He said and I look away from him.

So am I, but it won't fix my legs.

I play with the frayed edge of my shirt. The memories of friends I use to have fill my mind once more. Their smiles and their laughter and their eyes always filled with joy. The images are soon replaced by their frowns and the laughter now filled with cruelty and their eyes filled with pity. The memories have me wanting to puke.

I'm sure I'm sorrier than you.

"Hey Sandy, lunch is ready." My mother said as she opens the front door.

But that won't fix anything.

She comes to an abrupt stop, surprised to find me sitting with someone.

Just laugh at me.

"Oh, I didn't know we had company."

Mystery guy stands up and smiles like Prince Charming at my mother. I snort, bitter and annoyed at how fake it is. At how fake he is. Why leave an impression when all you're going to do is leave and never come back?

Just go away.

"I was actually just leaving. Have a good day."

Just leave me alone.

He's gone before my mother or I can say anything. I huff out an annoyed sigh as I rest my chin on my hand, watching his retreating back as he gets further and further away from my house.

"Who was that, Sandy?"

Time goes on.

I pick up a strand of my light brown hair as I look down at my legs, disgusted.

"Beats me. The moron never introduced himself."

And what's broken stays broken.