Broken Bad Boy
13

PERCIE

Eight months ago.

Emma had been practicing her race on weekdays for five months now since her application was accepted. Her neurosurgeon cleared her to join the Paralympics after running some tests. She was not the best or the fastest, but I was so proud of her determination to join the race for a cause.

We'd been visiting her every Saturday for five months. Still, no words from my parents. I almost got caught when they didn't show up on Friday. Instead, they visited her on Saturday just like us. I didn't insist on asking permission from them to see Emma since everything about us was doing just fine. I didn't want to give more trouble to Emma more than I already did. She had to focus on racing.

Emma extended another couple of months in rehab just to let me visit her every Saturday. She'd been busy with her blog as well. She encouraged paraplegic patients to join sports. She'd meet her followers every month, especially those who were near or within the city. I could say Emma was getting back on track.

I heard the overhead pager calling for our flight. I already had our boarding pass through an e-boarding online. I pushed the cart to the line that started to line up. I had only one traveling bag, two for Emma, another two for my grandparents, plus her manual wheelchair for her race.

Our parents didn't have any idea where we were traveling today.

"Em, do you need anything before we board?"

"Nope. I'm good." She was grinning with excitement.

"Make sure you'll win tomorrow, Em, or I'll leave you alone in New York if you lose." I sneered. I wanted to annoy her a bit, and she looked funny when she flushed with anger.

"Like I care if I win or not. I just wanted to enjoy and see New York." She giggled.

I knew that was what she wanted-not to win but to enjoy. Despite her being disabled, it didn't stop her from enjoying her life. She even said once if she didn't get the injury, she wouldn't have experienced this. She wouldn't think of encouraging disabled like her and not even thought of joining any sports.

I chuckled. "What is the point of racing if you know you'll only lose?"

Someone hit my back, startling me.

"Stop annoying her, Percie. We'll go to the boarding area. Just follow us when you two are done bickering." Grandma checked her wristwatch.

"Fine. See you later."

They moved to the boarding area while I checked in the luggage. Emma was right, I wouldn't be here if not because of her injury, but I couldn't say I was grateful because if I still got ten seconds to change that night, I would still not choose that to happen. We may still be like those ordinary college students, and we could still do something for a cause in different ways. Maybe, not today, but soon.

But I guess everything happened for a reason, and that night happened for a reason. It was for Emma to experience different ways of life. And for me to value life and live life independently. I found a job in a car repair shop near the school. After a month of training, I learned somehow about mechanics.

At the jet bridge, Emma went first, then my grandparents. I followed them with her handy bag. She liked the window seat, so I chose that for her.

"You okay with your seat, Em?"

She grinned.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop doing that. That's annoying."

"Buzzkill."

"How are you feeling? Really."

"I'm good, Perce. Thank you for doing this for me." She squeezed my hand.

"Anything for you. And you've been thanking me for the umpteenth time, and you're welcome for the umpteenth time, too." I squeezed her hand back and didn't let go yet.

"It means a lot that you're here with me."

"You know that I'm so proud of you, right? I know you didn't join this race to win. I was just messing with you earlier. I'll always support you in everything you want to do, but your safety is my priority too." "I know, and you're gonna miss your classes because of me."

"I can make it, Em. It's only just for three days. I already informed my professors that I have to come with you. They gave me special consideration, assignments and I will take special exams next week. Don't worry about it. Either they mark me absent or give me D in my final grade, I don't give a damn. This, what we're about to do, don't happen often."

"You really are the best, Perce. The one and only." She leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I'll do anything for you, Emma. You should know that."

She looked up at me with a smile on her face. "I know Perce, and I would do everything for you too, in a heartbeat. I may be paraplegic, but I'm not completely useless."

My heart ached every time she said that word. "I know, Em. I know."

She slept after the plane took off. She must be too excited not to get some sleep last night.

We arrived at the hotel almost dinner time.

I helped Emma in the bathroom, even though she was already capable of doing it by herself. I was just scared for her that she might fall.

She rolled her eyes when I didn't move before her. "Perce, get out now. I need to shower and change, idiot."

I scratched my head. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Don't you know that I did this by myself in rehab? You don't wanna see me naked, Percival."

"Silly." I wrinkled my nose. "Fine. I'll go and hit the shower in grandpa's room. I'll be quick."

"Seriously, Perce. Take your time. My stomach is growling, and I need to do this. Now, leave. Shoo. Shoo."

I went to my grandparent's room. "Can I use your bathroom? Emma is using the shower in our room.

"Why can't you wait till she's done? She might fall in the bathroom. The bathroom in your room is not intended for her," Grandma explained.

"You know how stubborn she is. She's hungry." I could see the worries on their faces. "Why are you both so worried? She'd been doing that by herself."

They didn't say anything. Now I wondered if there was something else I didn't know about.

"Grandpa, what's going on? Emma is going to race tomorrow. What's with the worried face?"☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐