AN: Sorry this chapter is a little short, just kind of trying to set the mood here. The entire story will bounce back and forth between past and present, but I worked really hard to make sure the changes were obvious. If it gets too confusing for you guys, let me know and I'll try to find a better way to do it. And I'll try to make sure I get at least an update or two up a week, but work starts up again this week so I'll be a little more pressed for free time.

Chapter 2 – November 2001

As I look around my new room, I immediately decide that I hate it. It's better than the room at the hospital, but I still hate it. The walls are painted a funky kinda light green and the rest of the room is a freaky mix of furniture and lots of metal junk. It makes me feel like I'm living on a spaceship or something.

'Cept a spaceship would suck less than this place.

"How do you like your new room, Artie?" I glance over my shoulder at the guy. He's a big huge black guy with no hair, but he smiles a lot and has a voice that's all super deep like Darth Vader or something. His name is Gary and he's my nurse. The way he said it, he's gonna follow me everywhere and help me learn to make my new body work.

Dr. Marshall said it's not a new body, that it's my same body only it works different. I glare down at my feet, which are just sitting there, and know he's wrong. There's no way this is my body.

"Yeah, cool," I say, not really paying attention.

Gary smiles again. "I know it's kinda boring now, but your Mama said she's gonna bring some of your things so you can make it feel homier."

I look around at the room again and frown. Nothing can make this room feel like home. The only place that feels like home is my bedroom, with the blue wallpaper and my name painted on the door and the chart on the wall that says how tall I am. But I'm not gonna see that room again. Dad said we're moving to a new house, one that's got no stairs and bigger doors and other stuff for me. He says it's gonna be cool.

I don't want it to be cool. I just wanna go home.

Gary scrunches up his mouth like he's thinking and sticks his hands in the pockets of his baggy green doctor clothes. They're kinda the same color as the walls. "You want to stay and check out your room, or do you want to get the tour of the place?"

I stare at the stupid room and I can feel my eyes getting that burny itch. I hear my mom in my head, telling me to take big breaths 'cause that'll make everything better, but that just makes me want to go home more. "How long do I gotta stay here?" I ask Gary.

His face looks kinda sad as he kneels down in front of me, and he puts his big hands on my shoulders. "Hey kiddo, I know this all seems scary but it's going to be okay," he says in his really deep voice. "Your family is going to come visit you all the time and you can make some friends here to. And you're going to be learning all kinds ofnew things. And you know, you're going to build up these huge arm muscles, you're gonna look like a rock star by the time you leave. I bet all the girls will want to kiss you."

"Ew," I protest, wrinkling my nose. "Girls got cooties."

Gary laughs. "Ah c'mon, there's gotta be at least one girl you like," he says.

My cheeks feel hot and I shrug. "I dunno, I guess," I admit. "There's this girl from church, her name's
Melissa and she's real pretty."

"Alright then, here's the deal," Gary says. "I promise before you go I'll teach you a trick you can show Melissa that'll make her think you're the coolest guy ever. Like, how about I teach you to pop a wheelie. That cool?"

I grin, imagining how awesome it would be if I could go back to church and pop a wheelie in front of Melissa. "Cool," I agree, and when Gary holds out his hand I put mine in his and shake it.

. . . . .

"Wait, wait a second." I glance over at Tina, who is grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Melissa, like Melissa Burbank?" I blush but don't answer. "You used to have a crush on Melissa Burbank?"

"Give me a break," I say defensively. "I was eight. And she used to be cute, you know, before she…" The rest of my sentence is drowned out as Tina falls over in laughter. I roll my eyes in exasperation, trying to resist my brain's natural urge to smile at the sound of her laugh. "See, this is why I don't tell you stories like this."

Tina hastily chokes back her laughs and wipes at the streaming eyes. "I'm sorry, really," she says in a rush. "I was just surprised, that's all." I raise a skeptical eyebrow that she counters with her most innocent smile. "So, I take it the wheelie trick didn't work?"

I snort derisively but that's the most elaborate answer she's getting from me. No way am I reliving that disaster.

Tina threads her hand in mine. "Well, I'd say I'm sorry but I'm not. If you'd have won her over, I might never have gotten my shot."

I try to look annoyed but I'm pretty sure she can tell I'm fighting a smile. "Thanks, Tee, I'm glad that my complete and utter humiliation was so beneficial for you," I say sarcastically.

She just smirks. "Don't be bitter, it doesn't look good on you," she says and then settles her head more comfortably on my legs. "Okay, so how does Hayden fit into all this? Was he Melissa's other love interest?"

"Hardly," I say with a laugh. "What do you think my childhood was, a daytime soap opera?"

"You are kind of melodramatic sometimes," she supplies.

"Thanks," I say and she smiles. "No, he wasn't Melissa's boyfriend, but we definitely hated each other as much at first." Tina's eyes light up interestedly and I hurry to explain. "Well you see, we didn't exactly meet with the greatest of first impressions…"