There's nothing in the world I love more than the freedom of flying. Nothing. I never let being handicapped get me down- I wouldn't let it. But one day, I couldn't help feeling left out. Aang was visiting, something I always loved. Today he was actually teaching people some beginner airbending moves. I knew I couldn't do that. Then I saw a girl sitting under a tree, examining a closed glider in her hands, as if she was making sure it was absolutely perfect without a single scratch. She looked my age and she had brown hair and green eyes. She wore a pale yellow shirt with orange leggings and brown boots. I pushed my wheelchair over to her.
"Hi," I said.
She looked up. She only spoke loud enough so that I could just hear. "Oh... Hi."
I wasn't sure what to say. "Um... Nice glider."
She blushed. "Thank you. I... I made it."
My eyes widened. "You made it? Wow."
She blushed darker. "Who are you?"
"My name is Teo."
"I'm Skyler."
For a second neither of us said anything. I have to say, I felt like a moron. Then I got kind of confused. "Why aren't you with the others? Aang is teaching them some beginner airbending moves. Or, he's trying to... Doesn't look like he's having much luck."
Skyler blushed. Again. "Um... I don't... I can't really... Uh..."
"It's okay if you don't think you'd be good at it. No one else over there really is."
She looked down. "I just... I... Can't... Go over there right now. I... Don't have many friends."
I felt bad for her. "Well... We're friends, aren't we?"
Skyler's eyes widened as if she wasn't expecting that. "I just met you."
I shrugged. "So? I'd be glad to be your friend. I mean, I like most people, and you seem nice."
She smiled. "Oh... Okay..."
I tried to think of something else to say. Then I got an idea. "Hey, do you wanna fly?"
Skyler looked me questioningly. "You mean with the glider? But..." She trailed off.
I knew what she was thinking, she just didn't want to say it.
"It's okay," I replied. "I know I'm in a wheelchair. But watch."
I pulled a lever on my wheelchair and my glider immediately unfolded. That was a new feature. Before, someone would have to help me attach it, but that was annoying, so my dad made it so that I could do it myself.
Skyler smiled. "Okay. You're on."
We were off. Skyler must've had years of practice, because she was really good. She did all kinds of spins and flips in the air. I could copy some of them, but others, I had no chance. After a while, we landed. Aang had left by then, so people were gradually returning to their houses. Going by the looks on their faces, none of them had any luck with airbending.
"That was fun," I said. "You're really good."
"Thanks," Skyler replied. "So are you. I should get home now. My mom is probably wondering where I am."
I nodded. "Okay. Wanna meet back here tomorrow?"
"Sure! Bye, Teo!"
She left, her glider in her hand, running to wherever she lived. I stayed where I was for a minute, thinking about how she was so good at flying. There was something about the way she moved through air that was... Different. She was hiding something. And I was going to find out what.