So Dear To My Heart
A/n: yay! I finally updated! Though I still don't know where this fic is going. I'm trying not to make it too short, but I don't have many ideas in mind. Oh well, enjoy chapter 2
……………………………………….
Even though I know
I say to myself
"Even though I knew"
what I didn't know
was that I had a lot to give
all those things I never said
keep flowing in my head
all those things I never said
are now overflowing in my mind
yet i…
…am well aware, and it hurts
………………………………………….
Chapter Two:
Awareness5 more agonizing minutes of Chemistry…300 seconds of "Electon Arrangements." Why do we need to know this honestly? I think I can go to an Art Insitute without learning how many electrons lie in each orbital of an element. But, according to my counselor, I need this class to graduate…whatever. As long as I get to go to that institute.
Mrs. Labanon stands over the projector and places the periodic table on the screen. Great, another "test" to see which victim in this room will not be able to answer the question.
"Last question before the bell rings, class. What is the electrons configuration of the element with the atomic number 7?"
What's that Mrs. Labanon? Electron configuration of Nitrogen? That's way to easy. Anyway, there are only 180 seconds left until freedom from your "wrath."
"No one? It's not that hard…Alright, I guess I have to chose someone," she finishes as she looks at her seating chart. "Andrea, please answer the question"
"Nitrogen…1s square, 2s square, 2p cubed…" I answer without hesitation. Mrs. Labanon seemed a bit surprised that I gave her such a quick answer. Maybe she didn't expect that I would get it right on my first try. Teachers…suckers.
"Correct, now that we understand the material, your homework is to write the whole electron configurations for elements 10 to 70. This should be no problem if you were paying attention."
Why does my action always cause a reaction. Oh yeah, because it's one of those laws that Mr, no, Sir. Issac Newton discovered. I knew science would come back to punish me. The class groaned as the bell rang. I could swear that they all gave me death glares as I walked out the door. Finally, I can get out of this hellhole they call "Chemistry 1A"
…
Mono was just exiting the school gates when I caught up with him.
"Hey Mono, where are you going?"
"Actually, I need to go to the bookstore to buy a cassett tape on a book that just recently came out. Wanna come with?"
"Sure, I need to catch up on my Kingdom Hearts manga anyway."1
"Okay…"
The bookstore down the street from the school is never very crowded. Except on Friday, which happens to be today…
I looked over at the Graphic Novel section and noticed all the junior high students that had apparently invaded the isles.
"Y'know what? I decided to delay my catching up of my manga. I'll just stay with you, alright?"
"Fine by me. That way you can help me instead of an employee. I don't want them to waste too much time on me."
Mono! The employees are there for a reason. To help you in any way possible. Use them till they drop dead for all I care. You shouldn't have to worry about how long they've been helping you, they're getting paid for it!
I walk to the other side of the bookstore with Mono in tow and head toward the audio books."What exactly are you looking for?"
"I heard of this new book by an author named, Sean Whin. Can you see if it's here?"2
Sean Whin? I think I've read one of his books recently. Maybe this is the one Mono's talking about. Speaking of books, Mono has tons of those audiobooks! I envy him seeing that he doesn't have to suffer papercuts or losing---
"Ugh…" A moan had escaped Mono as he lost his balance and hit a nearby bookshelf causing some books to fall over. He placed his hand on his head as he tried to regain his balance.
Dropping some selections, I ran over to him and held him up. "Mono! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just a headache."
Headache? I didn't want to take a chance, the flu has been going around and Mono's probably become another victim of the contagious illness.
"Let's take you home. You're probably getting a fever from all the walking."
"Alright," he replied, not arguing with me as I gave him his cane, "thanks."
……………….
I was very glad that Mono didn't live too far. I didn't need him to walk any further that he already is. Plus, the rush hour traffic wasn't helping at all. I folded his can and placed it in his backpack seeing as he didn't need him as I was guiding him home.
I noticed that Mono wasn't even paying attention to his surroundings. It seemed like he was just a walking toy and I was controlling him. That's when I noticed that there was beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
"Mono, are you feeling well?"
He didn't answer me the first time so I called him again, this time I shook his arm that I had in mine.
"Mono?"
"Hmm? Sorry I wasn't listening…"
I put my other hand on his forehead and the temperature worried me a little. It was al most sunset so it was getting cold.
"Here, take my sweater. Don't worry about me, you've got a fever."
Mono relunctantly put the black sweater on as I put his backpack over my shoulder.
"You're almost home, okay."
I took Mono's arm again and pulled him closer to keep him warm. I was hoping his mother was home so she could check him out. I knew little of Mono's past hospital visits and didn't want to give him anything that he's allergic to.
We were only two blocks away when I suddenly felt Mono's weight pulling in the opposite direction as he began collapsing to the floor.
I gasp as I manage to take hold of his arm to prevent him from crashing to the cement sidewalk. "Mono! What's wrong?!"
I bend over to see his face and noticed that he became limp.
Oh, crap. He's passing out!
"Mono, wake up! I need you to open your eyes! Mono!"
It was no use, he couldn't stay awake. At this point, I was glad Mono was lighter in weight than most boys. I gently placed him on my back and let him lay against me, giving him a piggy-back ride.
I hoope your mom's home!
I walked as fast as I could down Mono's street and ran through his driveway. I kicked the door as I yelled for someone to open it.
"Mrs. Ruze! Open the door please! It's Mono!"
Charging footsteps could be heard behind the door as I was catching my breath. When Mrs. Ruze opened the door, her eyes had widened at the site of her son's condition.
"Andy what happened?" she asked, somewhat panicked.
"I think Mono had a fever, he passed out on the way here and I carried him."
Not wasting another minute, she directed me to his room, which was just around the corner and told me to lay him on the bed while she went for a thermometer. Mono moaned as I began to lower him onto the bed.
As I placed a couple of covers over him, his mom came in with one of those thermometers that you place in their ear. She placed it in Mono's ear and waited until is beeped to take it out.
"101.2 degrees…not much, but a fever nonetheless. Thank you Andrea for bringing him here."
"No problem Ma'am. I would do anything for Mono. He's a good friend."
She smiled as she guided me out of the room saying that he should sleep it off. "I'll take it from here Andrea. Thank you for what you did, I'll check on him in an hour alright."
I walked out the front door as I said my goodbyes. "Alright then, I'll go home. May I pass by in the morning?"
Mono's mom smiled again as she replied, "of course."
"Goodnight then…"
……
Saturday morning came very slowly. Not like I got much sleep anyway. I knew that Mono was in good hands, I was just worried about the condition.
What time is it?
I picked up my digital watch to read 8:27am. I should get up and take a shower so I can pass by Mono's house. So I grab a change of clothes (some navy sweats covered with orange striped on the sides) and plugged in my radio on the bathroom counter AWAY from the bathtub.
I always listened to the radio in the shower. It soothes me down and I even start singing along with it. "You'll be in my heart" is currently playing, sung by Usher.
This bond between us can't be broken
I'm gonna be here, don't you cry
You'll be in my heart
You'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forevermore
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be right here in my arms…always3
The song had finished when I got out of the shower. After I blow dried my hair and but it into a braid, I got out of the bathroom and headed out the door.
My mom suddenly called me from the living room."Adrea…?"
"Yeah" I reply
"Were you going over to visit Mono?"
"Uh-huh," I nodded, "I wanna see if he's feeling better."
She came into the hallway and looked at me sadly. Not depressed, but a look that says 'I need to tell you something, and I don't think you'll believe me…'
"Mom, is something wrong."
She begins to tug on the sleeves of her colored fleece sweater; a bad habit of hers. But now, I was even more nervous of what was going to come out of her mouth and about to process into my mind.
…
"Mono's in the hospital…"
……………….
A/n bun-bun-BUN! Cliffhangers! You gotta love them (it gives you time to build a good climax, ne?)
1 A Kingdom Hearts Manga does exist. But only in Japan I believe. Though I've been reading the translations online.
Kingdom Hearts is property of SQUARENIX, not me. And the manga belongs respectfully to the manga-ka him/herself.
2 Sean Whin is not a real author, just some name I came up with.
3 "You'll be in my heart" Phil Colins-sung by Usher; property of Walt Disney Music Company