"...and then he just looked up all sad-like and asked 'But how can she wear glasses if she's deaf?'!" I join Naomi in her laughter. I know it's rude to laugh at other people, but if Kenji is really stupid enough to ask that he pretty much deserves it.
The hallways are empty, as we make our way to 3-3. Five minutes ago, they were rife with students rushing about, getting back from their lunch breaks. That meant, however, it was difficult for me to get around so Naomi and I decided to wait with a bench for the hustle and bustle to pass. Having Arthritis doesn't exactly make crowds very… comfortable. Ah, who am I kidding it's painful as hell.
Thankfully, Naomi decided to stay with me on this trek. I do enjoy her company, even if her sense of humour is a little… boisterous, shall we say? Can't complain, it's good to have someone you can actually have a little banter with, even if it does reduce itself to childish name-calling.
Above all else, I guess it's a safety thing, too. It's almost as if Yamaku itself subtly encourages students to group in pairs. I'm probably just over thinking it. Christ, I'm becoming as bad as that Kenji kid himself.
Almost there, now. We're on the right floor, just a few minutes behind everyone else. Not too bad, if I'm honest, we could have taken a lot longer.
Blame my short attention span, but I'm drawn to the architecture. Whoever designed this place sure knew what they were doing; the sunlight beaming through the skylights illuminating the corridors make for a wonderful sight. I turn to my blonde friend and find myself staring. The light coming from above makes her hair shine, whereas the same light bouncing off the floor tiles create a soft glow from beneath. I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is? Not that I'd ever tell her that though, for fear that I'd never live it down.
She turns to look at me, her eyes half-lidded and mouth slightly agape, as if she was seconds from sneezing.
Oh, how I wish that were the case.
"Natss…" is all that manages to escape her mouth before her leg jerks up towards her body, causing her to lose her balance. Unable to move quickly enough, all I can do is watch as she falls away from me towards a bench.
Her eyes are rolled up before she hits the ground, and her head collides with the wooden seat with a painful crack. By the time I can drop to my knees beside her, her Seizure is in full swing.
It's a terrifying sight. Her arms jerk unpredictably, occasionally hitting herself. Her legs kick and slam into the bench. Her body hunches over and arches back alternately. Fingers twitching, teeth grinding, mouth foaming. It's too much to bear, but when I turn away I notice something else.
That noise she's making. Oh good Lord, the sound.
The quiet, pained groan erupting from her throat, dotted with gasps and coughs.
"Naomi! Please, what's happening?!" I know full well what's happening. She's having a Grand Mal seizure. She hasn't had one before, so even if she was conscious I doubt she'd be much help anyway.
Nurse told me what to do.
I know what to do.
I have to stop…
No, I mean…
Oh god, I don't know. I really don't know.
Nurse's voice echoes through my head, but I can't understand what's said. My mind is blank. I can't think. All I can focus on is Naomi contorting and jerking before me, as if she was being possessed. My tears are now flowing freely and all I can bring myself to do is beg her. I plead her to stop, reprimanding her for pretending. This can't be real, this is just some joke! Her head is slamming against the floor, so I slide my hand under to protect it. It feels damp. She's bleeding.
I begin to whimper as all the thoughts rush through my head
Is she hurt? Does she even know what's going on? Why her? Why now?
I feel so helpless.
All I do is repeat her name and sob.
Pathetic, Natsume.
The most important person to you is writhing before you, and all you do is cry.
Really fucking useful.
I'm brought from my hysteria by the sound of a ringing and the flashing of a blue light; someone's pressed the emergency button on the wall. I frantically look up and see the weird armless girl standing by one of many large blue buttons decorating the school corridors. I look at her, thanking her with my eyes, but she just looks back at me with a blank expression. Judging me, I bet. However, my attention is drawn back to Naomi. My Naomi.
In the short time the medics take to arrive, Naomi's seizures stop and she lies still, almost peaceful. One of the medics tap my shoulder and I pull myself up from her, leaving tear stains across her shirt. Mutou begins shooing the crowd of curious students that have appeared and he informs the medics of Naomi's epilepsy. I sit and watch as her head is prevented from further bleeding and she is lifted onto a stretcher, before being rushed to the Emergency room.
Mutou waits patiently for me to stand before saying anything. I can hear him, but his words mean nothing. His attempt at a sympathetic smile is lost on me. His unsure hand on my shoulder is cold. My mind is preoccupied. The horrifying sight of Naomi's seizure, married to the fact that I did nothing to help. Not a damn thing.
"I'm sorry, but… I'm just gonna… yeah..." I interrupt Mutou mid-talk and turn to head back to the dorms so I can block out the rest of the afternoon. I guess he just lets me go, I'm thankful for that. I'm exhausted and still shaking, and my Arthritis doesn't make it any better.
I finally limp to my room and retrieve my key.
Well, by that I mean drop my key to the floor when I pull it from my pocket.
This really isn't helping. I'm almost at snapping point and the last thing I need is to crouch down. I start to painfully lower myself towards my keys, only to find I'm a lot weaker than normal. I fall to my knees with a soft thud and a dull ache engulfs my legs. Biting back tears, I pick my keys and shove them into the door and open my way to solitude. Slamming the door, I can finally let the remaining tears fall.
Thanks for reading, chaps
Like I've said before, I am looking to improve my writing, so if there is anything wrong I've done, please do leave critique. Both in spelling/grammar and overall quality.
Thanks again!
