My name is Angel and this is the story of my excruciating love.

It all started when my parents and I went to watch Cara’s Hockey tournament. Cara is my best friend. She lives with my parents and I because her parents are constantly travelling around the world. My parents, Lilly and Matthew Smith told me I should go to the playground while they watched the tournament, and find something to do since I don’t understand sports. I thought that was a ridiculous idea since I was sixteen and they were sending me to a playground, but I went anyway. I walked onto the playground and plonked myself down on a swing and gently rocked myself back and forward. A guy walked up to me. He was tall and skinny and had red hair. He bent down to the level I was at and told me I was beautiful.

This was very unusual since I did not think I was beautiful. I am short and very skinny, I have black hair with a purple streak through it and I am very pale.

I arched my eyebrows and replied,

“And you are?”

He casually swung himself down on the swing next to me whilst still keeping his eyes on me. After a few seconds he said, “My name is Dallas, Dallas Williams. And you are?”

This guy was cute!

“I am Angel Smith,” I said. “So how old are you?”

“Sixteen,” he replied boredly.

“Oh so am I,” I said. “What school do you go to?”

“Just started at London High School, moved here from Devon.”

“Oh that’s where I go, so I guess we will have some classes together.”

He asked for my phone so I gave it to him. He handed it back to me saying that he had added himself to my contacts and forwarded my number to himself. He stood up saying that he would call so we could see each other again and waved goodbye as he walked away.

I heard Cara’s voice behind me, “Who was that? Don’t worry you can tell me later we have to go.”

I was emotionally exhausted and couldn’t wait to get home. I was fast asleep as my head hit the pillow.

The next morning I awoke to Cara shaking me by the shoulders then shoving my phone in front of my face. I had two missed calls from Dallas. I tried rolling over to go back to sleep but Cara wouldn’t have that. She punched me on the arm and said, “Don’t you dare go back to sleep. Call him back.”

“Fine! But first let me get out of bed.” I said.

I got dressed and brushed my teeth before phoning him back. I did not want to come across as overly excited. Dallas answered the phone almost immediately.

“I thought you didn’t want to answer my calls.” he said.

“I was sleeping,” I said casually.

He responded with, “I was wondering if you would like to come over. We have a stream in our garden and I can pack a picnic lunch. It’s really pretty and I love sitting there and watching the birds.”

“Sure!” I replied.

“Great, I will ask my dad to pick you up. Send me your address and I will see you just before lunch.”

Sure enough just before lunch a car pulled into the drive and the doorbell rang. I went to open the door. I was taken aback as Dallas stood there holding a large bouquet of roses. He said, “These are for you.”

I thanked him and asked Cara, who was eavesdropping, to take them to the kitchen and put them in water. She grabbed them and mumbled under her breath as she walked away.

Dallas had to help me climb into the large ford truck parked in the driveway. Like I said, I am short. The man in the driver’s seat looked like an older version of Dallas. Dallas hopped into the seat next to me and said, “This is my dad.”

“Hello Mr. Williams,” I said.

“Ah, you must be Angel. Well come on then let’s get going.”

When we arrived Dallas showed me around the house. We went up to his bedroom.

“So this is my bedroom, my closet, my bed and this is Edward,” he said pointing at a small cage with a hamster in it, “he’s fat and lazy and all he does is eat and sleep.”

“Well I think he is adorable,” I said.

“Let’s go,” he said as he led me to the backyard. It was huge with beautiful manicured lawn and deep green trees. There was a small wooden fence and the stream was dark blue. We walked down to the stream where we laid the blanket down and ate the food he had prepared. He told me all about the school he came from. Then he leaned forward and kissed me. He smiled nervously and I smiled back. I heard a rustle coming from the tree above, then a boy’s voice came from the tree.

“Dee’s got a girlfriend.”

“Come down Zee! and quit spying on people,” said Dallas.

The boy jumped down from the tree. It was unbelievable, he looked identical to Dallas.

Dallas said, while pointing to the boy, “This is my twin brother Zack whose hobbies included spying on people and being as annoying as hell.”

“Hello Zack,” I said.

“Come on, I should probably get you home. I have a motor bike with a side-car. We can go via the back roads and I will drop you off at home.” said Dallas.

I climbed into the little side-car and Dallas helped me put the helmet on. We started up the road and it felt good to have the wind on my face. I began feeling a bit uneasy as the motor cycle was shuddering and the engine sounded like it was getting louder and louder. I remember hearing Dallas say, “Oh hell! something is wrong…”

Before I could scream we had hit the car in front of us and instantly, I felt a horrible pain. The Next thing I can remember was waking up in the hospital. I looked around the room and could see everyone sobbing around me. My mom, dad and Cara where there. I didn’t know what was going on but I could tell by their faces it was not going to be good news. The Doctor came in next to explain to me, that I had suffered a spinal cord injury. I was paralyzed from the waist down.

Nothing could prepare me for what came next.

I tried to move my fingers but nothing! No movement and no feeling! It was the scariest thing I could possibly imagine. Never to be able to run or walk again.

With the help of my friends and family, slowly I was able to rebuild my life again. It took time to get used to a wheel chair. Cara added her touch by connecting a set of speakers and phone holder to my chair, and did I mention the ridiculous number plate?

It’s been a long and tough journey to get to this point, but it’s been worth it. Not only are Dallas and I still dating, but Cara and Zack are too. After all, they are on the same hockey team.

I have learned that nothing in life is impossible with a positive attitude.