"I'm sorry, sweetie," said Mrs. Rankin, "But you can't go." Natalie's face froze as she digested the words. I can't go?

"Wh - why not?" But she had a feeling she already knew the answer. Mrs. Rankin swallowed, clearly uncomfortable, but in that moment, Natalie didn't care. Her stomach was filled with dread.

"Our school buses don't have ramps, so there'd be no way for you to get on and off, or bring your chair with you." Natalie blinked, fighting back the annoyance. "Can't you just order a new bus? Or rent one, or something?"

"Tha - that - the expenses for a new bus simply aren't in our budget right now." Rubbish, Natalie thought. But she didn't say that. Instead, she looked down."