Chapter 7 How having a friend feels like

• The moment Mate left the place, the nurse turned to me. "Are you being bullied? Was he the one who pushed you down those stairs?"
• Seeing how serious she looked made me want to Laugh, but I dare not do that.
• Not for her sake, but for my poor stomach that's currently paining me. I can't afford to have more self-inflicted pain on myself.
• "No. Mate isn't like that. He protects me like a kid brother. He can't push me down."
• Mate saved me. He's not one to hurt me. In the same way, he doesn't allow anyone to try hurting me.
• "Kid brother? Aren't you both in the same classes? Isn't he of the same age as you are?"
• "He is." I nodded.
• I hate people that don't mind their business. People like her are those who talk of things that don't in any way belong to them.
• "Why..."
• "Ouch! " I immediately cradle my stomach to stop her from talking more.
• I don't think I can endure hearing more words from her. I don't have the strength to answer long questions I would have preferred not to answer. Questions get on my nerves.
• "What's wrong?" She lightly touched my shoulders. "Are you okay?"
• "Do I look okay? How can you ask that?" Instead of treating a poor person like I who came for treatment, she's asking unnecessary questions.
• "I'll get right to it."
• *****
• "Where are your parents?" The nurse asked when she finally completed my treatment.
• "You want to report me to them? You think I'm bullied?" I raise a brow.
• Outwards I look confident and smug, but inside, I'm dying of nerves.
• "Your body says otherwise. You don't have a scar on you. My options are two, it's either you're not bullied, or the bullying recently started.
• So, can I get your parents' number?"
• "That's not possible. I don't think they have a phone wherever they are right now." I don't even know if they're alive or dead.
• "What are you trying at?"
• "They're probably dead. I live in the orphanage."
• I said those words with my entire focus on my legs. I hate telling people about my parents.
• Parents I don't even know if they're alive.
• "Sorry..."
• "You don't have to feel sorry about anything, you're not the one that killed them." I turn my face to the side to show her my words aren't up for some debate.
• This is one of the reasons I don't let anyone know about my parents. I hate it when they say the sorry word as if they're the ones who killed them.
• ******
• "How are you feeling?" Mate asked as he felt my forehead.
• "I:m okay."
• "I can see that." He nodded.
• The school have currently closed for the day, and Mate came to take me back to the orphanage.
• "Are we good to go?" He looked rather impatient to leave.
• It was as if he doesn't want to spend more time than necessary in here.
• "You can go ask the nurse." I tried sitting up.
• "Don't you dare." Mate glared at me. "Lie still, I'll go check on the nurse.
• I'll be back before you know it." He dropped our backpack on the ground before he left.
• I turn to look at both of our backpacks. Compared to mine, his is far neater and newer. It looks as if it was recently bought.
• This is one thing I've not had the honour of having. All the things I make use of are handed down to me that's why I most times wear oversize clothing to school.
• My bullies all make fun of me whenever they see me in one of the oversized clothes I put on to school.
• ******
• "Let's go." Mate helped me sit up. "She said you can now leave."
• With his hand on my back, he helps me down. "Can you walk, or do you want my help?"
• "I can walk." I take the first step to make sure I:m not feeling any pain, and I sure felt none.
• I don't feel any pain in my body.
• "Let's go then." Slinging both our backpacks on his back. Both of them were on each of his shoulders.
• ********
• As we walk towards the orphanage which is near the school, I can't help but think about these two days of having Mate's support.
• He's to me like a ray of sunshine. He came at a time I needed him the most.
• Had it not been for him, those bullies would have taken my locket. They probably would have thrown it away by now.
• "Thank you." I smile at him the moment we stop in front of the orphanage.
• "For what?" He tilted his head as he continued up the stairs of the ancient orphanage.
• An orphanage that looks neat Despite the ancient looks it has.
• "For being there for me. I don't know what I would have done had you not made an appearance." I look down in embarrassment.
• I just can't afford to look straight into his beautiful eyes. Looking into them will make my heart beat faster.
• I really can't tell why my heart beats fast whenever he's near me, or he looks into my eyes, but I like the feeling. I might not know why it's so, but I like the warmness of my body whenever he's near.
• Is this how having a friend feels like?
• "You don't have to mention it. I had to do that. Saving you is what a good friend does." He smiles brightly.
• "Thank you for being a friend. You make me feel warm."
• I'm in no way crying, but I can feel tears running down my face.
• "Stop, you're making me feel mushy. Let's go." He slowly wiped my tears before taking my hand into his.
• "Aren't we going to say our goodbyes here?"
• I don't know how he got to be here yesterday, but I'm glad about that.
• "Why should I do that?" He looks confused. "You don't want to be seen walking in with me?" He sounds hurt
• "That's not it." I rush to add. I can't afford to have him think I don't want to be with his Friends. "You've Brought me back, do you need to go in?"
• "Why shouldn't I? This is where I now live."