"Ethan is sick?" I asked to confirm.
"Yep," Joshua replied, patting my back before leaving my worried self. Ethan is sick? How is that possible?' I questioned myself as I felt concerned for him.
I saw him this morning and he was looking hale and hearty. We talked as he even tried to convince me to come to the school hostel. I even forced him to revise his Biology. We concluded the Biology and the next thing was that he was nowhere to be found.
I quickened my pace as I hurriedly went to the sickbay. I walked slowly down the corridors of the sick bay when I heard some known voices of some of my classmates.
I moved towards the open room as I glanced slightly to see Ethan covered with a bed cover with some of my classmates around him, mostly girls. I felt nervous suddenly, sweat treading my face.' It won't take you more than a minute to greet him", my subconscious said.
I grimaced at how nervous I am right now. I don't know why I'm this nervous. I was worried about him like a minute ago but I suddenly feel somehow just saying a 'Get well soon greeting' to him.
'Ethan. How are you feeling?. I hope you get well soon before our next exam in two days, I practiced on my head. That sounds so ridiculous. Total nonsense right? The girls would laugh at me surely on bringing an examination into such a 'Get well soon conversation''. I tried to practice the other few lines to say but I only got dissatisfied at how pathetic my choice of words was.
I quietly left the sick bay as I made my way to the library. With my uneasy mind, Joshua and I talked for some time. He scored 285 in JAMB, making him the highest JAMB scorer in the Science Department, and second-highest overall in the school. We don't know Rachael's score yet but I believe she will perform well.
Just sitting at the library with my Geography textbook which looks rather unread, my mind went to how weak Ethan looked on the bed. The brief seconds I saw him, I felt worried because of his sick nature. I hope I will have the chance to talk to him today, I kinda miss him.
It was around evening time when I felt the need to see Ethan since most of my classmates were playing games. The school scheduled playing different games for an hour, games like Scrabble, ludo, football as well as other activities were performed by the SSS3 students.
My body itched, as I went downstairs toward the sick bay only to catch a glimpse of Ethan lying on the pavement near the school cafeteria. He crawled up with his eyes slightly closed.
A smile crept to my face as my left hand found its way to his cheek. I could feel his body vibrate due to the contact as I strode to his side.
"Don't tell me the great Ethan is not feeling fine", I said not sure I was the one who spilled those words when I was feeling nervous some hours ago.
He chuckled lightly as he tried to raise his body. I rushed to his side, as I readjusted his body so that he would feel comfortable. My body warms up, as my hand mistakenly touches his chest. I stared at his face which looked a little bit pale but cute', I thought.
"I just hate to be sick. I feel weak but I am getting better now", he said as I raised my eyebrow.
"You need some of my slaps now, you need to rest, better still, leave the school hostel and rest at home. You can use your prescribed drugs, take some injections and drips", I advised maintaining a little stern face. He is feeling better my feet" I mocked inwardly
"Ah! You look quite good with your speech but to those things you just mentioned, I say CAPITAL NO. I hate drugs, and drips are not my friend either. Drips keep me restrained, and trust me finding your veins is another painful experience", he stated and I laughed at his words.
"You are a scaredy-cat. I hope the nurses at the sickbay gave you some medications", I asked as he nodded.
"Yes, two sets of injections that still hurt my butt. Not only that, I was given some medicines. I doubt I will even use them", he said as a frown crept to his face.
"Fine, you win. You should go for a checkup then. I think it would be better if the doctor attended to sassy Ethan who fell sick", I commented as I winked at him.
He stared at me as he gave out air from his mouth.
"Ok, I will take drugs. We have a family doctor who knows I hate injections and drips. I will just have to swallow the drugs without feeling nauseous", he said as his face showed irritation. I guess he just imagined swallowing the drugs.
"Oh! You are surely a novice in drug usage, quite hilarious. Why don't you try putting the drugs inside a swallow either cassava swallow, wheat, or something solid? It will pass through the esophagus easily without any problem.", I advised.
He chuckled lightly.
"Ok, sir. I will do just that, my special adviser", he stated and I blushed lightly.
After some minutes of talking, I realized something. He looks alone and in a bid to get rid of that boredness and loneliness, he seeks fun.
I looked at him as I caught him staring at me.
"Urm, is anything the problem?. Why the staring?" I almost felt flustered inside of me.
"You are quite gentle and do not have a lot of friends. Your life must be boring", he stated and for some reason, I did not feel angry, as I just stared at him.
"I'm sorry.." I cut him off as I raised my hand slightly.
"My life is like an open chapter of a book, transparent to be precise. I am gentle and do not have a lot of friends for some reason. I like to choose the right kind of friend, the one that will build me intellectually, morally, and spiritually wise.
As for the boring life, my life is not boring. There are some things I do for fun, writing, cooking, and reading. I never for once thought my life was boring", I explained as he wore an amused look.
"You know you are the best. I was once like you but I changed into a bad guy because the gentle lifestyle seems boring to me. Being an only child, I craved for a younger sister that I can protect too", he stated as I sigh.
I could feel that sincerity coming from him. It is not easy to be an only child, no older or younger one to talk to, but is there still a probability you would change from the bad guy thing?" I asked looking at his figure
"I doubt, this new me rocks" he stated as I tried to wear a calm expression.
I decided to evade the question, but only comforted and gave him some piece of advice.
Going home that evening, I reflected on my discussion with Ethan. I learned a very important lesson. I can only try to change someone but every decision lies solely on that person. Just like I decide my life, it is left for Ethan to make his. Either to continue with his bad-boy aura, seeing everything as fun, or make the right choice. I hope that someday, I will get over my crazy attraction for Ethan.