Oakley is a 13 year old girl, with AuDHD, and is paralyzed from her hips down, so she uses a bright green wheelchair. “London to New York City. That’s a long way” laughed my dad from the front seat. I groaned and lay back in my specialised car-seat. “Oh cheer up Oakley, it’s not like your leaving any friends behind” muttered my mum, from behind her phone. I’m guessing she thought I couldn’t hear her. But I have super senses, as my therapist says. I took out my phone, and messaged my friend Gizmo. He’s 16, and I met him on holiday to Croatia. “Hi Gizmo” I messaged. “Hi Oakley what’s up? :P” he replied. “I’m moving to New York.” I typed. He seemed to be on typing for around 10 minutes, when finally he sent “oh.. nice… I’m also moving to NYC” I squealed with delight. My 9 year old brother, Harry, looked at me as if I was a deranged zebra. “God Oakley, are you ok?” Asked my dad, looking at me from the rear-view mirror. “Yeh dad, I’m fine” I said nonchalantly. “Mummy can we stop?” Asked Harry, chewing on a piece of gummy bear. “Oh can you wait for 30 minutes?” She sighed angrily “we’ve only just left!” “But MUMMYYY” he cried. I glared at him, I knew he only wanted to stop so that I would have to get out to come in aswell. I’m not allowed to be left alone, even though I’m a teenager. “Hey Julie it’s ok, there’s a stop just here, it’s just toilets and a few shops,but that’s okay right Harry?” Smiled my dad. My dad is always kind and funny, and he never raises his voice. My mum however, is strict and horrible. She likes to pretend I can do everything. Like walking is just something you do everyday, no thoughts whatsoever. Saying I dislike her is an understatement. I stretched my arms out, as the car rolled smoothly into the disabled parking lot. “Out we hop, wheeling, rolling, walking, out we hop!” Sing my dad, as he grooved his way to my door, lifting me up and into my chair. As we entered the service station, I could feel everyone’s eyes flicking towards me, then quickly looking back. I wish they’d just say something like “oh I like your chair” or something. The looks just make my anxiety spike. As we waited in the queue for WHSmiths (Harry wanted some Fruitella) I saw a girl, around my age, holding an adorable fuzzy little stuffy, it wore a red harness that read “ESSA” . The stuffy was a chase the border collie Douglas, and the girl was wearing a sunflower lanyard. “Hey dad can I go over there?” I asked pointing near the girl. “Well… ok Oakley, just be careful” he replied, as he took Harry to the sweet section. I wheeled myself over to the girl. On her lanyard it read “I am autistic” I felt a pang of relief, at least they could relate to me in one way or another! “H-hello” I whispered, smiling at her, avoiding eye contact. She stared at me blankly. “Hi” her voice was low, and not very girly at all.”what do you want?” She glared at my chair. I felt scared, what should I say? “I uh.. I have auDHD…” I replied meekly, fidgeting with the strap of my bag. “What do you want- a noble peace prize!?” She barked. “I’m sorry, I just thought, that I.. um..” I mumbled. I began wheeling away, feeling utterly alone. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. “ I’m Rowan” it was the girl from before! “I’m.. sorry about a minute ago…” she fidgeted with her stuffed animal. “I thought you were someone else” her voice was hoarse. “It’s ok” I smiled, “I get mixed up ALL the time” Rowan smiled, before peering over her shoulder. “Oh.. I have to go and eat now” she said. I waved goodbye as Rowan ran off to greet her family. I peered over to WHSmiths.. but my family wasn’t there… “hello?” I called, my voice shaking. No answer. “Mum? Dad? Y-you can come out now?” I laughed nervously. The Service station seemed empty… too quiet… They had left me… ~end of ch 1~
