CHAPTER 5 (WEIGHT ON MY BACK)
Okay.
Calm down Norah. He's not dead. He's not dead.
Maybe I should give him CPR!!!
Aaargh! No! That's the one for drowning!
Heimlich maneuver!!! Thingy!!!!
Yeah. I'll choke YOU Norah.
Okay. I guess I have no choice but to bring him to the clinic.
Okkkaaaayy Nate. On my back now.
I tried to put him on my back, and I am telling you it was HARD. He was kind of heavy, but I could support him. I carried him carefully on my back when I managed to do so. He slipped off my back from time to time but I was careful to keep him on my back.
I carefully made my way towards the door. It seemed like a really gruelling task, and it was. But I managed, much to my surprise.
I pushed the door open and went outside.
Perfect. Now for the nurse's office.
I walked along the corridor. The nurse's office was a floor down, so I have to take the stairs.
Stairs… Shoot.
This was even harder than I thought… But I'll manage. Nick was nice to me, it's time I return the favour.
I clumsily made my way towards the stairs. Each step brought a fresh pang of pain to my body but I didn't mind. I had to get Nick there.
I looked at him. Poor guy.
What made him faint anyway? That was so odd.
I was already a maladroit person, so this made things worse. I was like a baby learning her new steps.
Heaven was evidently with me as I managed to reach the stairs. I was panting and I felt so tired but I pushed my body to go further. I climbed down the stairs, careful not to fall or else it would mean the end of my life.
Careful… Careful now…
Doink!
Nate's head hit the metal railing. It wasn't anything serious, but it did hurt. Nick didn't move one bit. He was still unconscious.
"Oops. Sorry Nate," I whispered to him.
His forehead was a bit red but I was sure that would go away soon.
At least I hoped it did.
Aaahh. To the nurse's office now.
I looked down. It seemed an awful long trip…
Oh what the heck! I can do this!
I…
I can….
Do this…
Come on…
I was at the end of the stairs now, and at the end of my agony. Only a few steps more and I am officially free from my pain.
One step…
My foot moved.
Yes!
I was finally free from the stairs! Now… To the nurse's office!
I arrived at the nurse's office in a few minutes. Thank God it was a bit closer. I didn't have to suffer immeasurable pain before getting to my destination.
I opened the door, panting. "Miss! He's fainted!"
The nurse hopped off her chair at once and seemed to dither as soon as she saw Nick. "Oooh. This is the third time now… Set him on the bed dear. I'll go get something for him. He'll be fine."
Third time?
This dude faints all the time?
I set him on one bed that was just right for him. He looked paler than ever but I'm sure that the nurse will fix him up.
I grabbed a chair and sat beside him.
Poor Nate.
The nurse went to him and began injecting some fluid into his body. I didn't know what and I was still a bit too tired to ask about it.
"He'll be fine now. Thanks for bringing him in dear," she smiled.
I nodded. "Sure thing."
"Nate! What's going on now?" I heard a familiar voice.
I froze.
Oh no.
Not him.
What the bloody hell is he doing here now???
A guy with short, black hair went in.
Jeez. He was still as handsome as always. He could still sweep a girl off her feet just with his looks.
But why was he here?
He looked surprised to see me. I could see the way his eyes dilated. "Norah?"
I shrugged. No escaping now. "Hi Shane…"
We were silent this time. Boy was this awkward.
How long has it been? Five years? Aack. I cannot believe it.
But wait…
Why is he here??
"What're you doing here?" I asked him.
"Oh. Nate's my brother," he replied.
Brother….
Brother…
B-R-O-T-H-E-R…
Of the same family… Sharing the same parents…
Hold on a sec!! They're BROTHERS?!?!
Nate's his brother???
"Brother?" I echoed in disbelief.
He nodded. "Yup. He's my younger brother…"
"Oh…"
Inside, my mind was in a state of anarchy.
OH MY GOSH!!! Nate is Shane's brother???
Oh my gosh!! Cripes!! Motherbullpoppyrazz!!!!
Oh gosh…
Calm down Norah…
Past is past…
But this is still freaking awkward!! I haven't talked to the guy in years!!
Oh….
I decided to keep calm before I could start to blab about my thoughts. Which I normally do on a regular basis. The incident at the classroom wasn't a first, and I'm sure it wouldn't be the last.
"Does he faint all the time?" I asked Joe.
He nodded. "A bit. I guess he got too tired today. You see, he has diabetes. His body can't absorb enough energy from his sugar. I warned him not to tire himself."
Diabetes? Nate had diabetes?
The fool. He already looked exhausted as he went inside the Music Room. And he still helped me?
Idiot… Bloody, dotty, idiot.
But somehow…
I found that sweet…
Aaaargh. Norah. He is Shane's younger brother. It would be offensive…
Shane pulled up a chair beside me.
Huh. When was the last time we were this close?
"What happened?" he asked me.
I told him what happened in the Music Room.
He shook his head. "Ah. Nate. Always helping others… Typical of him… But thanks Norah for taking care of him. Really. Thanks a lot."
I smiled. "He was nice to me before. I had to return the favour."
"You do have a heart."
"Whatever Shane. Hey, I wasn't THAT mean."
"Kidding. Anyway, it's nice meeting you again Norah. I missed you."
"Aw… I miss me too."
He lightly punched me on the shoulder. "You always did answer back."
I stuck my tongue at him. "Of course."
I looked at Nick. He was such a sweet guy. Probably even my type.
But he's related to Joe… And things would be awkward…
Nah. We'll just stay as good friends. Maybe that's how things were supposed to go down.
Too bad. I had a crush on him already.