I feel… relaxed. Wow. Gabbie stretched out, wincing slightly as the muscles of her casted leg twitched, un-used to activity. It had been two weeks since she’d come home from the hospital. Two weeks where she’d done nothing but think. Well, and have nightmares, but that was beside the point. Gabbie was tired of sitting quietly and thinking. She wanted to get out and DO something. Her sense of calm wouldn’t last very long if she stayed cooped up in her room worrying her soul like a puppy with a rag toy. No, it was time to get out and do something. Something for herself. Something where her crutches and leg wouldn’t get in the way. Closing amber eyes in thought, Gabbie considered her options. She didn’t feel like walking anywhere, and cabs were expensive. And sadly, none of her friends drove.

But you do have that bus pass, she reminded herself. And as long as she could sit near the front, her leg wouldn’t be a problem on a bus. Running her fingers through her hair and pulling out the snarls, she lit up. Her hair. She’d go get her hair cut and get a new style. There was that new Fabulous Snip in the mall. She could afford the $20 to get her hair done. And as long as she was at the mall, she could do a little retail therapy as long as she didn’t overburden herself with bags. Yes. That’s what she would do. She’d go to the mall and be a normal teenager.

Rolling carefully out of bed, she fetched herself a bowl of cereal and ate quickly, showered, brushed her hair and teeth, dressed and stumped out the door. For a weekend, the bus she got on was blessedly empty and she was able to get a seat near the front. From there, it was cake to get to the mall and comfortably stump around until she found the hair place. And even better, the wait was five minutes. If that.

Once she was in the chair, a towel tucked firmly around her shoulders, she studied herself in the mirror, studied the damp, fall of hair. Really, thigh length was a little too long and unmanageable. It was more than time for a change.

“Chop it,” she ordered the girl brusquely. “Let’s cut it to oh, mid-back or so. I just need something new and sleek.”

While the stylist worked, Gabbie relaxed into the chair and considered the other things she could do today. I always wanted something pierced, she thought. And… a new dress and some cute shoes. That would be about all her saved allowance would allow for today. Once her hair was done, she tipped the stylist, paid her bill and hobbled through the mall until she found the piercing place. As she studied the jewelry, she wondered at herself. Apparently it took being beaten to a pulp to make her consider herself and her own normal happiness. So… I’m healing in more ways than just the physical, I guess? There was still such a long way to go though. Absently, she selected her jewelry and sat in the chair while needles were rammed through her nostril and ears. After being slammed against a wall and having bones broken, the needles barely registered on her Pain-o-meter. And once those were paid for, she realized she was tired.

Hell, new clothes could wait until tomorrow, she decided as she made her way to the bus stop and home. For now, she just wanted to go home and rest, maybe do some homework, work on her scrapbook. Normal things. It was amazing how wonderful being normal felt. Even if it was only for a day.