FELICIA'S POV

You can't tell me people comfortably live here. I wouldn't use the word disgusting because it really isn't their fault and it's such a rude thing to say aloud but it's disgusting to be here.

Last I checked my left, This boy who I can roughly guess is about nineteen, was spitting out blood mixed with rice, or whatever it was before I looked away.
And now this pregnant woman is screaming about how the head of her baby is coming out, or how the leg is kicking. I'm too tired to even turn right, a whole lot is still unfolding.

"Are you in pains?

"No" I muttered, knowing fully well she wouldn't believe me.

Oh, I forgot to tell you the school sick bay called my mom and urgently asked for her presence claiming I was dying.

Imagine the word they used, Dying.

After the Religious teacher left, I only felt sharp pains on my right ankle, and soon the pains had spread all over the leg. I wasn't sure what happened, but my eyes slowly started shutting and I got weaker and I fell.

I didn't Die, I wasn't dying.

Of course, my classmates started shouting and ringing the emergency bells. I wonder why they cared that minute.
I was rushed to the sick bay, and I can't remember what happened afterwards.
I tried opening my eyes but it was easier to leave them shut.

I could only hear noises, voices..
I couldnt agnize the voices, just one was familiar, my principal!

Heavens, bad news travel faster than good.

What could they be saying anyway? Funny how they can't hear my thoughts, but I can hear their voices.

"Let's ask the Lord to stretch his healing hands and revive her"

"Oh lord, please heal your daughter"

On and on, I kept hearing different voices praying.

Is this that serious, that they would call a whole church to pray?

My high school is owned by a church, so I wasn't hundred percent shocked.

They kept praying and I just decided to sleep.

I woke up here
Remember the disgusting place?
A hospital, a private hospital.

"Here's your card, you'd go in next" a nurse said handing over a card to my mom.
She nodded and looked at me, that look where you see she's getting drained.
Oh please, I hate the look.

* * * *
"So you mean I'd stop going to school?

"Not completely. But for now, YES"
My mom replied as we stepped into our three bedroom apartment.

"I don't even know what to think about all these" I replied, wanting the conversation to end.

I heard her sigh and I went into my room with the white nylon filled with drugs.
I fell on my bed honestly wondering if this wasn't too much for a fourteen years old.

Fucked up memories

* * * * *

" He likes you" Princess teased

"Shut up" I fired back not wanting to be caught blushing.

"I'm not even joking, He's been asking about the lessons you attend lately, I think he might come for you there"

I used my pillow to cover my ears but deep down I was impressed that someone actually liked me or whatever princess was saying.

It's been two years since I stopped going to school and registered for classes in one of the lessons in our neighborhood.
I stopped the lessons after my Waec examinations and decided to wait till the following year before resuming for Jamb examinations.

"Don't you think everything is perfect now?

"How? I asked

"You'd be writing Jamb in less than two months, and in few weeks you'd be turning seventeen too" she said, already on her feet making funny movements with her legs like the Disney princesses or whatever they're called.

"So? I rolled my eyes at the answer she gave. I've been seventeen since I was Fourteen, nothing new"
I stood to meet the already disappointed Disney princess. I gently made her sit on the bed.

"Hmm, I was just trying to make you feel better knowing you could have a boyfriend"

I looked at the clown of a friend I have and burst into laughter.

"Spare me that, you've been having crushes since you came out from primary school" I laugh again

"Not crushessss, I mean a real boyfriend"

"sounds like low jamb score to me" I smiled at her face without smiles.

"Is this about your-

"No" I snapped
I'm going to get eggs outside, I'd be right back"

I didn't mean to yell at my childhood friend like that, but she was supposed to know me better than that. I hated talking about my health, and worse of all saying it's the reason for why I'm not excited about things like a normal teen should be.

"Two eggs please, shey it's fifty naira each? I asked the girl almost my age as she gave a nod in approval and took my money to get me the eggs.

"Take"

"Thank you" I replied.

Just in case princess would want to eat eggs too, I just spared her the stress of coming back here while I ate without waiting.

I calmly walked out of the shop and headed to my wonderful abode. Just as I was about opening the gate, a voice called.

"Hey, sick girl"

Did I just hear right?

"I'm calling you" the voice got louder

Fully aware he was referring to me, anger grew in me. He must've heard gossips or whatever for him to have such boldness to call me that.
I'm really going to warn him.

"Are you stupid or should I say your parents did a stupid job raising you? I flared

"Woah" another guy who was a bit fairer, taller and had his hair dreaded said looking at me.

I turned to look at his friend who hadn't said a word to his friend and I only got more disgusted.

"Why are you so angry, I only called you that because I don't even know your name"

"That's your problem, don't you dare call me that again" I said looking at his face still beaming with smiles

"You called my parents, and I didn't even react this way Sick ass" he smirked and walked away, with his friend..

I felt defeated, I felt like the ground should swallow me along side it's lunch this hot afternoon.

I felt hands on my shoulder and I made a quick turn. my mom.

"It's fine Felicia, let's go home"

I took her hands off my shoulder and proceeded to my room.
Two things I would not want is anyone's pity, and Princess eating all the Noodles.