" Please ma I'm searching for my friend, Samuel... Samuel Adewale. He was rushed in here a while ago." I said to the nurse.
" Okay, come with me," she said. That was after she had scanned me from head to toe.
We walked into the ward, Sam was lying on the bed with a drip connected to his hand. A doctor was attending to him.
" Sam... Samuel!" I screamed at the sight of him. He looked so thin.
" shhh, The nurse shut me up. The doctor cast a glance at me and turned toward the nurse. She nudged me, motioning that I be quiet.
The doctor turned to me, " Are you two related?" He asked. His large eyes balls beamed a searching stare at me.
" He...I'm his friend and we are classmates. Doctor...I..."
" Okay calm down. Your friend suffered from Anorexia nervosa, which led him to starve himself. As you can see, he is malnourished."
" Doctor, what is Anorexia nervosa?" I asked confused.
" Anorexia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening-but treatable-eating disorder. It's characterized by extreme food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight." He said.
" So doctor what do I do now?"
" Just calm down. Someone has called his parents there will be here soon. He needs counseling. Psychological Therapy to be precise to address the negative feelings about food and body image. For the main time, you can keep him company." The doctor said and walked out with the nurse closely behind him.
After they closed the door behind them, I let out the tears I was holding back. seeing Sam lying on the bed weak, frightened me. I couldn't help but recall the day I went to the hospital with my mum to see my dad. He was lying in a similar position to Sam. I watched him breathe his last. I felt cold even when It was hot. Shockingly, I am feeling the same way right now. I wrapped my hands around my body and began to sob.
I was alone with Sam at least so I thought before someone placed a hand on my shoulder from behind and I jerked.
" I'm sorry Bee, I didn't mean to startle you" I turned to look at the person, it was Julian. He has been standing behind me all this time and I didn't notice.
With tears in my eyes, I tried to say something but I was choked by tears. It was embarrasing for him to see me like this. I hate appearing weak in front of others. If I had known earlier that he was standing behind me, I won't have cried.
Embarrassed, I began to wipe my eyes with my hands. He held my hands to stop me from wiping my tears and pulled me into a hug. To be honest, I was not expecting that.
Slowly, I pulled away from his embrace and look him in the eyes again I tried to say something but I was lost for words I didn't know what to say. Goodness! What is wrong with you Bee Foster, you have to put yourself together. Julian stared at me for a while, he was not at all the dashing, carefree playboy he appeared to be an hour ago. I could see fear in his eyes but I couldn't understand what he was afraid of.
I didn't try to say anything else I hugged him and buried my face in his chest and continue sobbing.
" It's okay," He said and hugged me tightly. His words were rich and warm in my ear I felt so comfortable in his arms. The fragrance of his perfume was cool and refreshing. For some reason, I felt safe. It feels like...come on Bee, get a hold of yourself don't overthink things. I was still in thoughts when Samuel spoke,
" Go get a room," He said in a barely audible voice.
At hearing him, I quickly pulled away from Julian.
" Sam" I called and hurried to his side. " You're awake. Are you okay? Dose..."
" Come on Bee, I'm not dying yet. I'm okay" He gave a hollow laugh. He tried to joke to conceal his pain. It is all my fault. I was too busy with other things that I forgot about him. We haven't spoken or seen each other for days and I didn't even realize it. I'm the worst friend in the world. I had no idea he was going through a lot.
" Hey man," Julian grinned and Sam frowned.
" Come on buddy, you need to forget about the past and move on" He giggled but Sam didn't smile. He clenched his bony jaw that was once chubby. He looks so skinny at the moment I could barely recognize him.
" I am not your buddy" He replied faintly. His lips were dry and his face looks pale.
Julian scratch his head and said, " I'm sorry man. Let's just forget about the past and move on"
Sam sighed and looked away.
" Bee, I will see you in school tomorrow," Julian said and I nodded. " Take care of yourself man," He said and walked out of the room. I stared after him until he closed the door behind him.
" When are you going to tell me that you two are dating? By the way, I thought you liked Jack what changed?"
" Um...it is not what you think. We are just friends. Best friends."
" Ha, I thought I was your best friend, lair."
" What? You're my bestie and he is my best friend"
" What is the difference?"
" Humm...By the way, why did you starve yourself?" I asked trying to avoid the question. The doctor said you have um... Anorexia nervosa. Do you know what that means?"
" I'm sorry Bee. I just wanted to be good-looking, hot and you know muscular. No girl likes a fat guy...not even you. Girls like guys like Jack, Julian, and the boys on the football team."
" And who said so? Sam, you're the cutest chubby boy I know." I said and caressed his cheek.
" Bee, you just called me fat," Sam said with a frown.
" And so, what if I call you fat ain't you fat?"
" Bee!"
" Sam, you have to get used to it. You're chubby and so what? You have to learn to accept and love yourself for who you are. Well, it is good to pay attention to one's diet and health but you shouldn't change yourself just to fit in or because you want girls to look at you in some way. Self-love is the best love."
" You're a terrible motivational speaker Bee" He chuckled.
" All I'm trying to say is...I love you Samuel Adewale just the way you are and I want you to love yourself as much. If I have the opportunity to choose a bestie in my next life, I will still choose you."
" Auwwww," He said with a faint smile and I smile too.
" Best friends hug?" I spread my hands and hugged him.
" Don't do that again," I whispered into his ear.
" I promise I won't" he whispered back.
*
On Thursday evening after school, Bee was in the kitchen preparing dinner with her mum. While Ben was in the living room watching his favorite cartoon, PJ max.
Bee was chopping the onions when her phone rang. It was Julian.
" Hey Julian," She said after she picked up.
" What's up Bee"
" I'm good"
" Do you have plans tomorrow after school?"
" No...Why did you ask?"
" The dinner night is on Saturday and I was hoping I could take you to the salon to make your hair"
" But I have plaits my hair"
" Haha, don't tell me that hair you brought to school today is the same hair you will be taking to the party on Saturday?"
" Well, there is nothing wrong with it."
" Come on man, I can't let you take that hair to the party. It is nice and all that but, that's not the kind of hair I want you to take there. You're are my date remember?"
" Yes but..."
" Come on Bee, I have already booked an appointment with the stylist. Please,"
" Well, I need to ask my mum first"
" Do you have to? Anyways, see you at school tomorrow."
" Yeah, sure," I said and hung up.
" Hmmm," Mum said and I jerked. I almost forgot that she is in the kitchen with me. Slowly I turned to look at her. Both her hands were crossed on her chest with a raised eyebrow.
" Mum" I giggled
" Who was that" This time she have a serious look on. This only means one thing, I'm about to receive the sermon of my life.
" Who?" I asked pretending to not understand what she was talking about.
" The person you're on the phone with? I know is a guy. And don't you dare lie to me, Bee Foster." I can hear her tune raising.
" Mum...it is not what you think. We are just friends and he is my date for the dinner night." I said with my head down.
" And what did he say?"
" Mum?"
" Spill it out"
" Okay. He wants to take me to the salon to make my hair tomorrow after school."
" Hmmm, what a gentleman. Tell me, Bee, do you like him?"
" Mummy?" I lifted my head and looked at her in shock.
" Don't mummy me. I saw the way you were smiling while talking to him on the phone. Let me remind you that I was once a teenager so you can't fool me."
" Mum... Julian and I are just friends nothing more. If I have a boyfriend I would tell you right away I won't keep it secret. So believe me, Mum, Julian is not my boyfriend and I don't like him in the manner you're referring to."
" Okay na, if you say so. sweetie, I'm aware that teenage hood is exciting, you want to try on new things and do adult stuff, but don't forget that it is also a crucial time in one's life where you make choices that will either build you or break you.
Bee, I have raised you to be a strong and courageous young lady. I believe you can make the right decision in life. You're smart Bee much smarter than me at your age. It is good to listen to your heart but most times it is safer to use your brain. In summary sweetie, there is time for everything. Right now all you need to do is to focus on your studies and work on yourself to become the best version of yourself. Dating can wait sweetie till the right time."
" And you can go to the salon with him tomorrow but don't forget to text me the address of the place and call me if things goes sideways. Always have your phone by your side. This is Lagos sweetie, shine your eye." She said and returned to what she was doing.
" Thanks, Mum," I said. Suddenly, the kitchen door opened, it was Ben.
" I'm hungry Mum. When will the food be ready?
*
That Saturday was the Dinner Night, which the students always looked forward to. Bee stood at the entrance of the hall listening to the music pounding within, she felt awkward. It was her first time being in a place like this.
From a distance she could see the students; boys dressed in Black suits and red ties, Girls dressed in white gowns with a touch of red. It was the color for the day.
The entire hall was decorated with white, gold, and red. Banners hung on the walls and a glass chandelier was suspended from the ceiling.
Bee's eyes drifted to the side where Karen and her friends were standing. Karen looked exceptionally beautiful as always in her white gown and red heels that made her taller than Celine and Sophia. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail. She was the center of attraction. Celine and Sophia looked great too.
Bee was beginning to wonder why they were alone when Jack and two boys from the school football team walked up to them and offer them a drink.
When Bee saw Jack, her heart skipped a beat. She felt a sharp pain in her heart when Jack hugged Karen and lead her to a table, smiling at each other as they went.
She clenched her fist to help her relax. I wish Samuel was here. She thought. Samuel was still recovering at home so he couldn't attend the party. His parents blamed themselves for what had happened to him. They promised to pay more attention to their only child from henceforth. Mrs. Adewale, Sam's mother, even quit her job just to take care of him.
Bee took a deep breath and adjusted her glasses as she walked into the hall. As she walks she could tell all eyes were on her. She could hear the students whispering and murmuring amongst themselves.
" Wow I thought Karen was the prettiest girl at the party but I guess I was wrong. Bee looks drop-dead gorgeous."
" I love her gown"
" I haven't seen anyone who looks this stunning with glasses on"
Bee walked to a table and sat down. Jim, the head prefect walked up to her.
" Hi Bee, care for a drink?" He asked politely with a smile.
" Yes, I..."
Julian cleared his throat and patted Jim's shoulder from behind. Jim turned to look at him.
" She is my date man do you mind stepping aside," Julian said
" I'm sorry Julian but...I will leave right away" He adjusted his suit and left. Julian made a shooting motion after him and Bee laughed.
" You look stunning milady," Julian said. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her hand. Bee giggled.
" Thanks. You're not looking bad yourself." She said and pulled her hand back.
Julian frowned but quickly replaced it with a smile. " What do you want to drink?"
" Orange juice is fine"
" Orange juice it is. I will be back in a sec." Julian stood up and left to get the drink.
Karen, Celine, Sophia, and their dates were seated at the table adjacent to Bee. Karen has been watching her and Julian the whole time. She was filled with rage and jealousy. She felt like pulling Bee by the hair and dragging her onto the floor. Her hatred for Bee grew with each passing day. Seeing her with Julian makes her blood boil.
Julian could date anyone else but not Bee. She was her worse nightmare and her mortal enemy for life. Karen clenched her jaw in anger she was about to go over to Bee's table and pull her by the hair when the Dj's voice boomed through the microphone.
" Ladies and gentlemen this party isn't rocking, grab your partner and let's rock this party!"
Soon the dance floor was filled with students dancing with their date. Some teachers were watching them closely in case of any misconduct.
" Let's dance Karen" Said Jack with his hand extended. Karen reluctantly took his hand, faked a smile, and stood up. They walked to the dance floor but that was after Karen shot Bee a hard glare and both their eyes locked. Bee didn't flinch instead she glared back at Karen and it made Karen even angrier.
" Bitch!" She muttered under her breath as she walked with Jack.
Minutes later, Julian came with the drinks.
" What took you so long?" Bee pretended to be angry.
" I'm sorry milady, please pardon me" Julian made a bow. " Let's dance?" Julian said with his hand extended.
" But...I don't know how to dance" Bee said embarrassed.
" Don't worry, I will guide you" Julian stretched to his full height and flashed his Mr. Cool smile. Bee smiled.
She must admit, although Julian can be a pain in the ass, he is cute not as cute as Jack tho but he is cute.
Soon they were both dancing. Bee kept on stepping on Julian's shoes with her red heels, each time she stepped on him, Julian will Yelp in pain, she would apologize and they will both laugh.
" They look like a perfect couple," Jack said.
" Who?" Asked Karen.
" Julian and the new girl, Bee" Jack replied and turned to look at Karen. Karen faked a smile.
" Ahhh,"
" I'm sorry Julian, I did warn you that I don't know how to dance."
" Well I didn't think you were this bad" Julian teased and they both laughed. Not long a lot of people were looking at them with Karen and Jack included. Karen was fuming with anger as she watched them dance. She felt like slapping that smile off their face.
I know Julian is doing this on purpose, he is trying to make me jealous. Karen thought.
Why do I feel this way? I don't understand why I'm feeling this way. Seeing Julian dancing with Bee breaks my heart. Knock it off Jack, Karen is the one you love besides there is nothing special about Bee. Jack thought. Throughout the dance, they were both staring at Bee and Julian with hurt and jealousy in their eyes.
After the dance, all the students returned to their table. It was time for the Kingslayer to perform. With a clapping ovation, the Kingslayer band was welcome to the stage. Some girls were already screaming and calling Julian's name.
" Good evening ladies and gentlemen we are the Kingslayer." Julian's voice boomed through the microphone and everyone applauded.
" Today I will be doing a song dedicated to someone special and dear to my heart. The song is titled, 'All of me ' by John legend."
While Julian spoke the entire hall was silent. All eyes were on Bee. Bee was so embarrassed that she wished the ground could open and swallow her. How will she explain to these people that Julian and she are nothing more than friends.
The keyboard started playing Softly. And Julian began to sing. All eyes were still on Bee. In embarrassment, she stood up and walked out of the hall to the lady's room. A few minutes later, Karen also excused herself and made for the lady's room as well.
As Karen went, Julian stared after her heartbroken. The song was dedicated to her but she was leaving. At that moment he felt the urge to drop the mic and walk off the stage but he didn't. He didn't want to embarrass his bandmates and fans so he kept singing.