I've gone forward about 2 weeks so it's September 1st, Rye's birthday. I feel like I spoil you guys sometimes.

I wake up to a birthday cake with 15 candles on it. I see the smiling faces of my mom, Callee, and my dad. "Happy 15th birthday!" they say in unison. I get into my wheelchair(it's been a while, I've gotten used to the thing) and give them all a hug. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you," whispers my dad as he hugs me.

"It's ok," I whisper back. My parents go downstairs, leaving me with my brother. "What're you gonna wear?" he asks. "Does that concern you?" I say back, looking at the jumble of clothes in my closet. Callee is silent for a few minutes, watching me find my outfit. Then he opens his mouth. "Rye, I did some research. About paralysis." I turn to look at him. "And-and it said that it's possible you could walk again. If there's swelling in your spine, then…"

I throw my head back. "Callee," I groan, "I am permanently paralyzed. The dog somehow damaged the nerves that make me walk. Understood?" He keeps going. "But…"

"Callee! I will never walk again!" He looks at me with his eyes wide, tearing up. "I'm sorry," I wheel over to him, wrapping him in my arms. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired." I feel him nod. "Happy 15th birthday," he mumbles against my chest.

I let him go and turn to my closet. "Hmm… what to wear…" I say to myself. I end up picking out skinny jeans and my favorite red flowy top. My brother helps me with the waist down, even putting on my flats for me.

I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, comb my hair, and put on a red headband. I apply makeup and take my small little elevator downstairs. I still want to know how they got that thing installed in 3 days. And how much it cost. The cake waits on the kitchen counter, its decorated flowers and bright colors done only by my dad.

"Cake for breakfast?" I ask him, sitting at the counter. "Happy Birthday" is his response. I cut a slice and take a bite. It is REALLY good. I finish up and take my backpack, filled with all of my school supplies and my lunch. My dad puts my backpack on the back of my wheelchair.

I go to the door and wait for Callee, then we head out. I start to push myself, but he stops me. "Let me. It is your birthday," he says. "Thank you, Callee." We get to the school, its big "Welcome Students" banner up. Callee runs to join his friends, leaving me in the dust.

"Rye!" I hear a familiar voice, and see Rana running to me. "Hi, Rana!" I wave to her, good to see a face I know. She leans down and hugs me. "Happy Birthday! Talu, get over here!" She gestures towards a pretty, blonde haired girl among all the people waiting for the bell to ring.

Talu runs over to us, a smile on her face. "Hey Rye," she says, holding out her hand. "I'm Talu." I shake it. "Nice to meet you." "You too," I say.

"Rye! Hey, Rye!" I turn my head to the voice, belonging to none other than Dariush. He is running over to me, his brother following. I've always had bad feelings about Cassius. Dariush has bandages all over his body. At least that was the only damage done to him.

Dariush leans down and gives me one of his tight hugs. "Missed you," he whispers. I notice Rana and Talu are giggling. "He is just a friend," I tell them. "Right?" I ask Dariush, looking up at him. I hope he says yes. I might have been attracted to him before, but I am not ready for a relationship.

"Right," he says. Good. I feel him grab my chair, pulling me behind a handball court wall. "What do you mean we're just friends?" he whispers. "I thought we had something." I grab his wrist. "We do," I whisper back. "I'm just not ready for anything. I just became paralyzed."

He looks hurt. "Dariush," I take his other wrist, tightening the grip I have on them. "Look at me." He refuses to look me in the eyes. "We're hunting partners. We're friends." His eyes finally meet mine. "Well then what was that in the hospital?" he asks, raising his voice. "You said you loved me. You said it."

"And I do love you, Dariush! As a friend!" I see a tear slide down his face as he wrenches his wrists from my grip. "I just thought we had something more." His voice catches in his throat. "Happy 15th birthday," he grumbles as he walks away.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry," says Talu. "It's ok," I say, "I just…feel bad." I watch him join his friends, who all have smiles on their faces. Douches. Way to start my birthday.