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emophil81 · 25 minutes

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Thanks to @imaganatomy who was inspired by my last story „The Return“ that I posted here and kindly sent me this picture of armless Stephen, the main character of the story.

So here is the story again, for you all to enjoy together with the picture of Stephen made by @imaganatomy:

The Return

I'll never forget the day I returned to school. It was like walking into a nightmare, only it was my reality. A year ago, my life was forever changed in an instant. A freak car accident took away my arms, leaving me with nothing but a sense of loss and uncertainty. But today, one day after my 18th birthday, I'm back, and I'm determined to make the most of it!

As I stepped out of my mom's car, I could feel the weight of every gaze on me. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anxiety that had been building up inside me. My mom gave me a reassuring smile and a gentle push forward. "You got this, Stephen," she said, her voice laced with a mix of encouragement and nervousness.

I made my way towards the entrance, my feet carrying me with a newfound confidence. My flip-flop sandals were a familiar comfort, and I was grateful for the freedom they gave me. I had grown accustomed to using my feet in ways I never thought possible, and it was amazing how much more agile I felt.

As I walked into the school, the hallway was suddenly quiet. Students turned to stare, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. I felt like an outsider, a stranger in my own world. My heart raced as I scanned the familiar surroundings, taking in the sight of lockers, classrooms, and teachers who had known me before.

I spotted my old friend, Jake, standing by his locker, his eyes fixed on me. He looked like he had seen a ghost. I knew he had heard about my accident, but I wasn't prepared for the impact it would have on him. Our eyes met for a brief moment before he quickly looked away, his face etched with a mix of emotions.

I made my way to the office to register for my classes. The secretary's eyes welled up with tears as she greeted me warmly. "Stephen, it's so good to see you back," she said, her voice trembling.

The principal came out to meet me, his expression serious but kind. "Welcome back, Stephen," he said. "We're glad you're here to continue your education. We've made some adjustments to accommodate your needs."

I nodded politely, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. The thought of being able to adapt to this new life was overwhelming at times, but I was determined to make it work.

As I made my way to my locker, I noticed some students whispering and pointing in my direction. It was like they were trying to process what they were seeing – an armless teenager navigating the hallways with ease. I felt a surge of determination rise up within me. I would not let this define me.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was my new reality, and I was ready to face it head-on. Little did they know that this armless teenager had become quite adept at using his feet like hands. In fact, I had grown so skilled that I could do most things with ease – writing by holding a pen between my toes, typing on my phone, even playing video games.

But despite the challenges that came with being armless, there was something liberating about it all. I loved the fact that I had to use my feet now, and the challenge that came with figuring out how to do normal things that others took for granted.

As I walked into my first class of the day – algebra – I could feel the weight of judgmental eyes on me once more. But this time, I didn't let it faze me. I knew that I was not defined by my disability; I was defined by my determination and resilience.

I took a seat at my desk, feeling a sense of belonging wash over me. This was my new normal now – adapting to this strange new world where feet were hands and hands were... well, no longer present.

I looked around at my classmates, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me. They didn't know what to make of me yet, but they would learn soon enough that I was still me – the old Stephen just with a few extra tricks up his sleeve.

Or rather, in his feet.

And that's how it all began – my journey back into high school life as an armless teenager. Little did anyone know that this new chapter would bring its own set of challenges and triumphs, but one thing was for sure – I was ready to take on whatever came my way.