A Chance

• Jacqui Le, Grade 9
• Short Story
• 2018

I never liked my older brother.
He was different; he was born into a world where he couldn’t walk.
I was embarrassed by him – I hated the fact that I needed to push him around in his wheelchair, and that I needed to do everything for him.
Flynn always came into my room and asked if he could play video games with me – I would always say no. I didn’t want to be near him.
Every time he came to talk to me, he would leave with a hurt look on his face.
I was so embarrassed by him, I forced my parents to attend me to a different school.
I loathed him.
One day at school, I forgot my homework at home. So I called my mum to get it for me.
What I didn’t know, was that Flynn was sick that day, and Mum drove Flynn to my school to bring it in for me.
“Excuse me,” Flynn says, “my brother forgot his homework.”
I look away from him, wishing he would leave.
Getting detention was better than this.
“Matt,” Flynn comes up to me, with a huge grin on his face. “I got your homework.”
Without looking at him, I snatch it from his hands and mutter a thanks.
I could already tell what his face looked like. It was a combination of this; hurt, disappointment, sorrow.
I wait until he leaves the room, then pick up my pencil and continue to work.
“Dude, was that your brother?” My friend, Fred, says smugly. “He can’t even walk!”
I was so humiliated – the whole class was staring at me.
After school, when Mum came to pick me up, I was in a bad mood.
Flynn was already in the car.
“Hey,” he says when he sees me. “How was school?”
“Ruined,” I say hotly. I couldn’t help myself. “Because of you!”
Flynn’s smile turned into a frown. “Why is it my fault?”
Didn’t he get it?
“You humiliated me!” I shout.
Flynn’s eyes well up, and his voice shakes. “It’s not my fault – ”
“I DON’T CARE! YOU HUMLIATE ME AND I HATE YOU!”
“Matt!” My mum says. “How could you?”
I jump out of the car and run onto the road. They would never understand.
“MATT!” Flynn screams.
I ignore him. I keep on running – until I hear the sound of a car beeping.
Someone pushes me forward, and I turn just in time to see the front of the car colliding with Flynn’s body.

“NO!” I scream.
He lied there, lifeless. Tears came to my eyes.
This can’t be happening.
I broke down – completely. All those times when he wanted to play games with me – I should’ve said yes.
He saved me. He saved my life.
It was a debt that I was never able to repay.
Flynn just wanted to spend time with me – as a younger brother, I needed that brother bond with him.
All I had to do was give him a chance.