Part 1

"Was it an accident?"

"Was she born without it?"

"What a freak."

I stared at my desk refusing to return everyone else's stare. I liked my desk, it was easy to focus on, and it didn't care about if I had half an arm or not.

I looked down at my left arm. my denim jacket had been rolled up to match it's length. it's not like I was a deformed monster who wanted to eat everyone, we aren't back in the 50's. I hated my arm, I could do what everyone else could, only differently. I could braid my hair, put my clothes on, and drive just like everyone else without any help.

"Is she special needs?" someone whispered.

I sighed, most people would be exited to come into the new school year. they get to meet with their friends more often and actually have something to do, but me, I had no friends. the new year was just another year of pain and loneliness. People feel awkward around me I get it, but, I'm sick of it. my mom used to tell me my arm was a gift that it was something to be grateful for, she was the only one who could bring me to like and accept my arm. But when she was gone I was left with my older brother and father, who still (after 17 years) did not know how to act around me.

"What a weirdo."

I turned around, "How about you focus on your work and not my stupid arm!" I hissed.

"Whoa, it's just an arm." the kid said.

"So shut up about it!" I turned back around suddenly wishing I had just kept quiet like I normally do. I heard more whispers and snickering, and I wanted to shrink, 'only one more class today, one!' I thought to myself.

A crumpled note fell in front of me, I snatched it up so I wouldn't get caught by the teacher. I opened it up. there was a stick figure drawing of a girl with half of a left arm and one full arm. the caption read, 'I'm Chelsy, I have no friends, no smarts, and no left arm.'

I crumbled the note back up and stood and walked out of the class room. I hated my school, I hated my life, and this stupid note. I through the crumbled note to the floor. Hot tears burned in my eyes and I furiously wiped them away. I leaned against the closest locker I found and sat down. I buried my face in my knees and let the silent tears fall.

I couldn't stop them for being the way they were, but I wished I could.

Once I thought I was through I stood up and took a deep breath and began my walk back to class studying the floor. the funny thing was, was that the note was gone. I didn't care. when I re-entered the class my teacher didn't say anything, all I tried to do was ignore the staring.

"Did you have any trouble driving home?" Nick asked as soon as I walked in.

"No, I never do." I said shutting the door behind me.

"What about a year ago?"

"When I fist got my license and sneezed and accidentally swerved?"

"Yup."

"I sneezed and accidentally swerved." I said trying not to laugh.

I knew Nick meant well, all brothers where over protective of their younger sibling, when said younger sibling doesn't have half her arm it only gives more to worry about.

"How was work?" I asked falling onto the couch.

"Okay." he opened the fridge and took out a carton of milk and drank from it (Another reason why I hate milk), "Any trouble at school?"

"No." I lied.

"Cool, I'm gonna go down to the bowling alley and meet Bill do you want-" he stopped and looked down, "I'm sorry."

"No I want to go." I didn't but it was always good to feel like a normal person.

"Oh...Okay. let's go."

I made a mistake going, too many people from school where there. when I first stepped in the smell of food and the ear bursting music overwhelmed and I almost walked out. I followed Nick to get the bowling shoes and bowling balls. he made an attempt to finding the right weight for me but failed, so I just chose the first brightly colored one I saw. and we went to find Bill.

Bill was pretty nice to me, he can't ever be a gentleman so he treats me like one of the guys, which I think is pretty cool so I talk to him just a bit more than I do Nick.

"Chel!" someone shouted from a booth on the other side of the building, I looked and should have guessed, bill was waving his arms trying to get my attention, I waved back.

"Common Nick." I told him, we walked quickly to him and sat down and began to put our shoes on.

"Hey guys how's it goin'?" he asked.

"Good." Nick told him.

Bill watched me kick off my converse and awkwardly tie the bowling shoes.

"You got to teach me how to do that, you know in case my arm gets chopped off."

"Bill don't be so insensitive." Nick mumbled.

I stood up and grabbed my bowling ball.

"You sure you want to do this?" Nick asked.

"Nick," Bill groaned, "She's not two."

"Thank you."

I walked up to the alley, breathed, aimed, and shot my arm forward watching the ball roll straight down the alley and knocked down all the pins.

"GO CHELSY!" Bill shouted.

I smiled and sat down.

"Lucky shot." Nick mumbled. he stood and grabbed his bowling ball.

"Awww, she can do something." a girl said in the next booth.

Bill whipped around and glared at them until they looked away, "Hard day again today?"

"Yeah, another hard day." I said staring at the floor.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good story. Are you going to write more? I like the story line and the characters. I like the internal thinking about the arm and the ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent chapter. Made me wish to read more.
Coyote