Challenging Humanity Chapter 2

Bella POV

Tonight would be my last night as a happy child. Tomorrow my torture would start, as my friends put it.

My fabulous friends since first grade: Kevin, Chelsea, Kelly, Kristy, and my friend forever Casey. They all were 'special' like me. Disable in some way. I had been the center of attention in my old school. There were only 150 students, we all knew each other and had classes together since first grade. However, my five best friends were always in my entire friend circle. With them, I had experienced all my normal experiences.

Chelsea is blind, Kelly is paralyzed from below the waist, Kristy has blurred vision, Kevin is deaf and Casey has Cataracts (partial loss of vision). However, we never call each other that. We always believe ourselves to be special and very cool even with our disabilities. We call Chelsea, 'One who sees no one,' Kelly is 'moving only the top,' Kristy is 'see things move,' Kevin is 'hears no one to care,' Casey is 'Sees only between the lines,' and they all call me, 'silent who makes the loudest sound.'

These five people are the only ones I have shared my deepest secrets and sorrow thoughts with in hard days. Now moving here made me feel emptier without them. They all had seen the normal world once upon a time. Every one of them left school, only to come back in tears and scared to move on. I had never left my circle of disable because I never needed to. My mom was always there for me to understand my needs and wants. Whenever I voiced my opinion on joining the normal world, she would explain to me how much better I have it between disables than normal.

"You don't need to see normal honey, you are normal, look at how many friends you have and never have a problem to shed a tear on." She would always repeat the same thing.

My friends would say the same thing except wouldn't sugar coat it. "Everyone treats you like some trash or disease to hide from! They pressure you an early retirement home," or my favorite, "They make fun of you when they think you're not listening."

I want to see for myself what's the fuss about. I want to cry too, be grateful for what I have and not think about what I might be missing. When I told my school teachers about my moving to a normal place to live like a normal human being, many just disapproved, others cheered me on for my bravery. My principal had said the one thing I hadn't (Hey, I'm not sure what you meant here, but my best guess was that it was supposed to say 'hadn't') expect in all my life. I still remember when she called my over to her office on my last day.

FLASHBACK

"Isabella, I hear your moving to Washington, where you dad lives. Plus, attending a normal government high school for the first time in your life."

I nodded my head while trying to think about where this conversation is going.

"Well, I wish you all the best Isabella. You are my most confident student in all the years I have taught and I hope those confident stay with you for the rest of your life."

I smiled back.

"However, I hear you also agreeing to do this because you have challenged your friends to prove there is no humanity in this world besides the world you live in, am I correct?"

This school was too small! Word gets around to the principal too! I nodded my head again, keeping my smile. That was only the reason I agreed, I really wanted to see a normal life and be grateful for what I have.

"Well Isabella, I hope you are wrong."

I gaped at her and could feel my jaw drop.

"Because if you are not, I would see you again, but without your confidence, just as I have seen in many students in my years of work.

"I hope never to see you again in my school as a student Isabella because these walls are not the only thing that exists. Many disables can make a change in the world, but are not willed enough to do it. You need to be a fighter to live a different way, but you are always human inside the heart."

I finally nodded my head, but I was still rather confused in her logic.

She smiled, but it was a sad one.

"I have personally made your transcript, and all your student records. You should have no problem getting registered in your new school; however if there is just give them my number that I have attached to the papers. I would take that up individually with them."

I thought for a moment I saw her face go dark, but it flashed back to a polite smile, making me wonder if I imagined it.

I nodded my head again and signed to her goodbye and she returned it.

FLASHBACK END

I snapped back out of my thoughts when I checked my e-mails, every one of the students in my school had sent me one. Kelly posted it up since everyone wanted to say something to me. They all had given me advice on what to do for my normal school and what to expect.

Nathan the eighth grader's email was the most humorous one I had read, ignore people, and walk away when they are talking to you, if you don't want to talk back.

Why would I do that, it would seem amusing if I did, but wouldn't this action hurt their feelings?

Candy, the sixth grade student was scariest to read. She said to carry a knife around and if anyone looked at me I should take out the knife. Sharpen it, and while I'm doing so, look at that person and mutter, "Soon, soon...."

Wow talk about crazy, but it's not her fault; she has a bipolar disorder, (manic-depression). We call her 'malfunction only for strangers.'

While I continued to read, I heard my bedroom door knock,

"Hey honey, you okay?" I could hear Charlie's concern voice. It made me laugh how much he worries for me.

I walked over to the door, with my notebook and pen in hand. I opened the door, expecting to see Charlie, instead I met face to face with a big teddy bear. (Picture on my profile.)

I grabbed the hand of the teddy bear when some sound came out, "I missed you honey, give me a hug…." The voice sounded robotic, made in a baby voice.

I smiled and gave a hug, while taking it out of Charlie's hands. He smiled when I placed the big bear on my bed. I turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I got the thing on your tenth birthday, but the stupid UPS people didn't have a big enough box. I saved that toy to give you when I could get the opportunity." He had a smile on his face, but I could sense in was forced. I didn't realize I had tears in my eyes until my vision became blurry. I ran to him full force and gave him a huge hug.

His arms wrapped around my tightly, "I missed you so much kiddo. I am very glad you came." His voice sounded as if he was holding his tears down.

I wish I could tell him that I wanted to come sooner and I wanted him to visit me, but mom had stopped me from asking him. She always said how busy he was, but right now, that seemed like such a lie.

However, my mom wouldn't lie to me. I know Renee must have thought he would be busy. I wouldn't blame her.

I slowed my breathing and felt his arms loosening around me. He turned around and grabbed something from the corner of the door. I didn't even notice the new comforter set until he threw it on the bed.

I was about to shake my head in disapproval when he cut me off, "Come on Bells, I won't have you sleeping in old sheets. Anyway these I brought long time ago, I just got them out for you. No arguing!" He was trying to sound stern, but his voice sounded like he was pleading. I smiled in appreciation.

"So, how about I take a day off tomorrow, we could take a look around town. This town is small, but afterwards we can go to Port Angles and catch a movie. I just want to hang around and catch up with you." He suggested while placing his hands inside his pockets.

As much as the suggestion was appealing, tomorrow I will want to start my school. I grabbed the notebook I dropped on the floor.

"Actually I want to register for school tomorrow. Maybe we could hang out on the weekend?" I wrote and turned the notebook toward him to read.

His face turned worried. "Honey, you just came, can't you just wait until a week or so to sign up, look around town, meet people, then maybe later you could join. Anyway, you won't be missing anything; you were in all advanced courses in your old school. Come on, how about you take online courses instead and we could hang out more during the weekdays?" His eyes were looking worry and his voice turned to plead again.

I looked at him, feeling my face turn into a frown, "Dad, I want to join school here and we have many days to hang out after school. Why would I take courses online?" I wrote back to him.

He sighed in defeat and sat on my bed, patting the spot beside him for me to join. "Baby, I know you want a normal experience, Renee told me all about it when you first wanted to come. But honey, how about you take things slow now? I want some us time too, and people know everyone here, it's a very small town. I want you to first get used to people, then join school. Just you know, I …" he looked loss of words.

I knew what he was saying, the same thing, Renee, and my friends have said. But I wanted to see for myself!

"Dad please, I want to join tomorrow, I don't care what mom has said. I want to JOIN!" I wrote in capital letters the last word. I needed him to take me seriously.

He let out a big sigh, "Stubborn like always! Okay, I'll call the school and inform them, but do you want me to tell them your…you know" he didn't finish his sentence, looking embarrassing.

I wrote my answer, I had already decided how it should be, "I want you to have already inform them. I am not going to hide the truth, and they just have to deal with it!" that is not up for compromise.

My dad gave me a proud smile at my answer, "That's my girl, they will have to deal with it, and if someone doesn't, they have to deal with me!" My dad changed his voice into a cop tone.

He hugged me again, while I laughed silently. No one would dare go against the daughter of the town's sheriff.

"Well now that's decided, what do you want for dinner? Pizza?" he gave me apologetic looks at my choices.

I laughed and nodded, Charlie couldn't cook if his life depended on it. My mom told me how he only survived on can food. One day he actually got the courage to make soup, but burned the stove instead! How he did that, even he didn't know.

"Great, then you could tell me, what is your favorite food? And your hobbies… god kid, so much about you I don't know." His gaze turned to the ground while his voice became smaller.

His actions bought more tears in my eyes, so much he didn't really know about me. I wrote my response for him, hoping to make him feel better.

"I don't know how to play sports, you think you could help me with that?" I hope my clumsiness come in the way. I really wanted to play some sports with him.

I became rewarded with a loud laugh, "Oh Bells, how about I give you some pointers on walking without tripping instead." He teased back.

I gasped, but couldn't wipe the smile off my face and swatted his arm playfully with the notebook, making him laugh more.

"I'm kidding squirt, you're on. I'll teach you how to play football, and even if you fall it wouldn't be a problem." He laughed more. "Come downstairs, I'll start making some calls to your school for tomorrow and we will have dinner." I nodded while standing up.

Once we both had dinner, I taught Charlie some easy signs to remember. He actually is a fast learner. He just needs more practice to speed up his signals. Throughout the night, he never once got impatient or tired. I realized for the first time, I had spent a full day with my dad without feeling anything but happiness. Charlie is the complete opposite of Renee. Renee is much more childish, always needing comfort. On the other hand there is Charlie who is always the protector and caretaker. He is very easy going but doesn't express himself in words, only in his actions.

When I tried to do the dishes, he refused. It was a change for me not to take care of anyone. I am used to caring about Renee like a child. Charlie wasn't as picky on needs. He just did the minimum chores as possible to only comfort himself.

I explained to him during dinner how Phil and mom were. It made me sad to see sadness in his eyes when I mentioned how she met Phil, when I apologized he explained that he was sad because the Renee he married is really gone. The Renee I am talking about is not the same woman he fell in love with it. He is happy for my mom's happiness.

My dad and I had one same thing in common; we both are happy for anyone else's happiness.

I told him about my friends and our weekend sleepovers. All my friends use to come over every day after school just to hang out. I actually never felt other than normal when they were around.

He told me about his friends. There is Billy Black and his son Jacob and Harry and Sue, another old couple he is friends with. He loved to fish on the weekends with his friends. I couldn't help rolling my eyes at him. I smiled, as he turned defensive on it.

"What? What's wrong with fishing?" I just shook my head wrote down my answer.

"Nothings wrong, only wasting hours of life when you could visit an aquarium, or museum, spend the day as if there is no tomorrow instead of on a boat!" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again.

"Hey sitting on a boat is very relaxing you know. It's like sitting in a garden and enjoying the view." He grumped.

I knew my logic was reasonable and so did he. "Dad, fishing is what old people do for retirement. Young and strong men, especially cops, spend their time on enjoying what life can offer." I smiled in my victory answer.

He groaned. "Oh fine, you win, what do you want me to do on the weekend instead of fishing?"

Now he is speaking my language, "I want you to go to some amusement park, sit on most fun rides, and look at all the people and just enjoy a good atmosphere." I smiled at the picture I created on doing the activities.

"We can do that on a boat too! Go boat riding, fast, and make ripples in the water." He was trying to get me on a boat again.

"NO BOAT! At the end of this week, we will find you a new hobby!" I decided.

"Sure Bells, sure, whatever you say…" he rolled his eyes. I shook my head at him, he didn't know how stubborn I could be. His 'sure' will change into 'fine' very soon.

I decided to leave the conversation at that. I was going to bed when Charlie called me back, "Hey kid, wait, I want to show you something." He opened the front door and told me to follow.

I was wondering what happened when I heard Charlie told to cover my eyes. I didn't want to, but I wanted to speed up the time for what he wanted to show me.

"No peeking! Bells. Okay turn to your right and open you eyes very slowly." I followed his instructions.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a big Chevy truck. It was old but classic. I completely fell in love with it. If I could squeal I would have broken all the windows. I started jumping up and down like a five year old who was getting candy.

I heard Charlie laughing behind me, "I guess you like it?"

I shook my head without taking my eyes off the truck, "You love it?" He guessed. I nodded and turned to hug him. "Well, that's good, it's yours, but I should warn you, it's slow and you have to be patient with it. Other than that, it's all good. I thought you would like to drive on your own and I already have your old license transfer to this state. I didn't want to embarrass you on your first day of high school here in a police cruiser. I've heard it is humiliation to last a century?" He laughed while I nodded in agreement. A century wouldn't even cover it.

I kissed his cheeks in appreciation while he blushed. I couldn't wait for tomorrow, my first day in Forks High School. The first and only disable there. I anticipated the challenge of what the world could throw at me.