Last chapter ;(

❝ Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have -life itself. ❞

-Walter Anderson

___________

I just stared as he walked towards me; slow at first and then in haste all at once.

The butterflies- who am I kidding? The whole zoo was let out in my stomach and my body was sent into a frenzied overdrive.

I wanted so badly to meet him halfway, but I couldn't.

Once he reached me, he kneeled down in front of me, a hand on my covered knee and tear filled eyes.

"Loni," his voice cracked, and he looked down momentarily before looking back up at my awaiting gaze. "I'm so...," he swallowed. "I'm so sorry."

I couldn't say anything, and for the longest time, I was frozen, stuck staring at him while biting my lip. Eventually, the numbness thawed from my hand like a winter's frost at the turn of a beautiful spring, and I reached up to touch his face.

The second the pads of my fingers touched his soft, cold, and very real face, I breathed out, relieve.

Yet, there was still a part of me that dreaded re possibility that this was all a dream, and I dared not blink in fear than when I reopened my eyes, my fingers would only be running through air.

"How?" Was all I needed to ask, searching his face for an answer.

"My dad let me come home. The move was hectic and I hated being up there knowing that you weren't alright," he told me softly.

"I'm staying with my cousin right now," he hesitated but then continued, " and I have to go back soon."

I nodded, the rock in my throat all too familiar. "I'm just glad you're here now," I spoke, my voice wavering. "I missed you," I said softly.

He gazed at me with tired but gentle eyes. "I missed you too."

He hugged me, and I hugged back with everything that I had. Because to travel all the way back for me, well, he deserves everything that I have.

And so we carried on like old times.

It didn't matter to Max that I was in a wheelchair, and when I was him, I didn't really feel like I was either.

Because for the first time since my accident, I felt free again. The burden on my shoulders from all of he unanswered questions lifted sweetly, and there was nothing but a gentle nagging every now and then.

We drank our coffee, shared laughs, and dos everything we used to do. Maybe it was a little bit slower than before, but he was patient, and that quality was growing on me.

Steve Jobs was still a main topic in our conversations, and a few tears popped up every now and then, but they were tears of joy.

Tears of joy right then and there, with no handicap and no separation. We were just two normal teenagers with a special bond which made them feel infinite.

I took every opportunity I could to tell him how much I appreciated him, and he did the same for me.

It was funny how often I took my life for granted when in the moment a few weeks ago, it easily could have been taken from me. I am thankful to be alive, even if that meant a wheelchair.

And my wheelchair was starting to grow on my a little.

Max came over to my house one day bringing art supplies, and decorated my wheelchair to my liking, smiling whenever I beamed at him.

My chair was super cute, and I although nervous to go to school, the little art project made me feel better about it.

The whole atmosphere in the house shifted back to normal, and the happiness that had always been there floated back into place.

Ala was still dating Omar, and seemed to be happier than she had been in a while. Max and I had to admit that they were a cute couple.

Max really helped me get back on track. He made me feel normal. He even took the time to go to therapy with me.

I was going to miss him dearly, but this time, it wasn't so much overwhelming sadness as much as bittersweet goodbyes.

"And don't forget to wear layers. It's super cold up there," I told him, stalling.

We were waiting in the airport for his flight. I bit my lip in anxiousness. I hoped his flight will be okay.

"Quit worrying," he chastised gently, and I sighed, looking down at my hands.

"I know, I'm sorry. I can't help it though," I admitted.

The airport was full of people traveling back home. The end of the holiday season had fallen upon us.

"Just," I said after a moment, struggling for the right words. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will Loni," he told me quietly, fiddling with his bag.

"Promise?" I asked, sticking out my pinky and thumb. He wove his pinky through mine, making sure to maintain intense eye contact.

"Promise," he said, before we both kissed our individual thumbs and separated.

I smiled up at him, and he down at me, just as the invisible voice called for his flight.

His gaze morphed into one of sadness and with a pained expression, he said, "I have to go."

I smiled softly. "I know."

"And I won't say goodbye because you hate goodbyes."

The smile was still on my face. "I know."

He leaned down in front of me, his face inches from mine. "Well, I'll tell you something you don't seem to know."

I looked at him curiously, my hands wrapped tightly around each other at his close proximity.

Taking my silence as a note to continue, he whispered, "You are extraordinary Loni, and I wish you knew that. You can light up the world with your beautiful smile, and even more beautiful heart."

My breath caught, and I didn't dare breathe, but I couldn't alter the path of my gaze. "So do me a favor?" I nodded breathlessly.

"Don't you dare hate who you've become. You're the most extraordinary being in the world."

I was speechless, and he knew it.

He kissed my cheek, his lips warm with the promise of a return, and with a trembling heart and wet cheeks, I sent him off.

But I tried not to be sad, because I knew I would see him again, and that was all that mattered.

I laughed a genuinely to myself, brushing my damp cheeks.

How wrong I was about Max being a Plain Jane. He was beautiful, and lovely, and everything I strived to be, everything anyone should strive to be.

In all of my darkness he was the light, and he shined brighter than anyone I had ever met. A genuine soul like his was one in a million, and I was thankful that I had met that one soul.

I thought that being in a wheelchair would change everything. Where it did change a lot, it did not change everything. My life was far from perfect, but also far from terrible.

My friends, my family, Max, they all still loved me unconditionally, and didn't treat me like I was incapable. They treated me like I was still me, because, in essence, I still was.

It took their help for me to finally realize that.

Life may still be hard without my legs, but I didn't need my legs to accomplish the goals I had set out for myself, and I didn't need my legs to identify when a person possesses amazing character.

I smiled to myself as I left the airport. Max taught me the value of appreciating everything that I am, even if the world doesn't. He taught me that even the plainest of Janes had the ability to become something extraordinary. And because of him, I felt beautiful.

So to answer your question, yes.

I am happy to be a Plain Jane.

T H E
E N D .
_____________

:')

Wow, what a remarkable journey this story has been. From the beginning I had been excited for it, but somewhere along the way lost interest.

Because of specific readers, I became eager to once again to build this story instead of just throwing it away.

I'm not going to lie and say that it wasn't hard, but you all made it worth it, and the difficulties that come with writing just make the final result that much more precious.

I want to thank each and every beautiful reader out there who laughed, cried, and felt the ultimate feels with my characters. I can't say enough how grateful I am to all of you.

And if at any point, you feel like you aren't good enough, know that someone loves you and they believe that you are extraordinary.

You are all beautiful in my eyes even if I don't know you, and you all hold a special place in my heart.

I'll leave you with one last quote:

❝ It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure. ❞

-Ernie Harwell

[ Love Always,
Jean Margaret ]