Fragile Hearts by Colleen Clay Read Free Book Online

believe you!"
    "What the hell are you talking about?"
    "You know how much I hate being noticed. I
get the sweats just thinking about speech class. There's no way I can take
center stage in a competition. Those events are videoed and all kinds of
crap."
    "You're being ridiculous."
    I can't believe Tyce is being so insensitive and
I feel stupid tears welling up. I jerk my wheelchair around. My nose sounds
stuffy when I say, "I don't want to talk about it. You just don't
understand. Please leave."
    I hear my half-size fridge open."
    I twirl my chair around. "Didn't you hear
me? I asked you to leave."
    He pops the top on a V8. "Would you like
one?"
    I'm seeing red I'm so mad.
    Tyce almost smiles when he says, "Just let
me have my say and then I'll leave."
    "Do I have a choice?"
    He gives me his heart-stopping grin. "In
this instance—no."
    I cross my arms over my chest and wait.
    Slowly, he reaches and drops the brochure in my
lap. I refuse to look at it.
    He says, "Sometimes, life is unfair."
    I smirk, "Ya think?"
    He ignores my remark and continues. "And
we're faced with making decisions that will affect the rest of our lives."
He kneels in front of me and it reminds me of the first day we met. My heart is
tripping all over itself. He keeps talking. "Because you're my friend, I
want to help you make the right decisions when I think that you're not."
He reaches and caresses my scarred cheek.
    My heart is hammering.
    He says, "You're a beautiful woman." He
pauses, studying my face. Then he continues, "Kaylee told me about your
desire before your accident to try out for the Olympics."
    I move my eyes away from his. He trails a finger
down my cheek and neck, to the top of my collarbone. In a voice choking with
emotion, he says, "Don't let your dream go. The Paralympics are just as
competitive and fulfilling as the Olympics. Don't you understand that life isn't
about winning or losing, it's about doing?"
    Suddenly, Tyce stands and says, "Just read
the brochure and think about it. That's all I ask." Without saying
goodbye, he leaves, softly closing the door behind him.
    For a long time I don't move, and then I place
my hand over my collarbone where his finger had rested. As much as I've guarded
my heart, I know it's too late. I've fallen for Tyce.
    I pick up the brochure and slowly open it.

10: Surprises
     
    Professor Wilkes says, "The only person who
hasn't told a funny happening from childhood is Morgan." His words
surprise me and the book I'm holding crashes onto the table.
    Several students turn to stare at me, which
makes me feel sick to my stomach. I remember my conversation with Professor
Wilkes and I wonder what he's doing. He says, "Morgan, I don't think you
need to come to the front. We can hear you from where you are. And rather than having
you tell us what happened, I'd like to do something different. I'd like to ask you
questions. Is that all right with you?"
    I don't know where the Professor is headed, but I'm
ecstatic about not having to roll my chair to the front of the room. I nod my
agreement.
    He asks, "What's your earliest memory?"
    I think about that and then reply softly,
"My four year old birthday."
    "Did you have a party?"
    "I did."
    "Did you blow out candles?"
    "Yes."
    "Open presents?"
    "Yes."
    "Do you remember any of the presents?"
    I furrow my brow while thinking about that.
"I remember receiving a dart board."
    Professor Wilkes laughs. "A dart board—were
you a tomboy."
    "No. Actually, just the opposite."
    "So who gave you a dart board?"
    I smile. "My sister. She was the tomboy and
wanted a dart board, so she convinced our mother that I was the one who really wanted
one."
    "Did you pretend to like your gift when you
opened it?"
    I can't help but laugh. "I did, but then I
got back at my sister on her birthday, which was only a week after mine. I told
our Mom that she wanted a Princess Barbie doll. I think Mom was on to our
little game, but played along anyway."
    I glance around at the students watching