Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

Chapter 4:"you're funny"

I walked steadily through the classroom area of the school, looking for the grade 10 science department.

I always wondered why things were so different in my country. Why did we have to make a huge decision about what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives at such a young age. At barely age fourteen, we already had to figure out what sector we wanted to build our career in: The science, commercial or art sector.

I thought it was quite ridiculous actually that if I made the wrong choice now- even though my brain isn't fully developed and im not yet clarified on my interests and passions- It would be difficult or almost impossible to change it in the future when I'm finally clarified.

However, I already knew from a quite young age what I wanted to spend my whole life doing.

I was ten when my sister had the worst asthma attack of her life. We were alone at home. My Mum was stuck in traffic, my dad was out of town. One moment she was laughing, the next she was on the floor, gasping, eyes wide, lips turning blue.

I tried the inhaler, but it slipped through my shaking hands. I screamed her name. I prayed. I panicked. Then I ran barefoot to our neighbour's house, blood from a stubbed toe trailing behind me. They got her to the hospital just in time.

She survived. But I didn't.

Something in me changed that day.

I'd never felt so useless, so terrified. I remember sitting by her hospital bed, listening to the soft hiss of oxygen through her mask, and making a quiet promise: I would never feel that helpless again.

One day, I'd be the one who knew what to do. The one who saved someone's breath.

That was the day I decided I would become a doctor. Not because of ambition, but because love left me no other choice.

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Now that I was in the classroom area, I could take a good look at the school compound. It was actually very large. There were about eight buildings in the classroom area, both bungalows and storey buildings,all painted in cream and wine. Cream and wine were the school's signature colours.

The buildings were divided into rows of three. They contained classrooms, labs, computer room and the library. In front of each row of buildings was a small garden with trees and grass and colourful flowers, adding to the aesthetic of the school compound.

I looked around. There were so many students, walking around, chatting in groups, hugging each other, laughing, way too loudly. But of course, I was alone. My sister had found her class and followed a friend there. I wanted to ask for help, but I didn't want to talk to anyone, classic me.

"Are you lost?" I heard a voice from behind me. I looked back and saw a tall, muscular figure towering over me. The guy's uniform was already bursting tight because of his taut muscles. I was annoyed but at the same time,mesmerised.

"No, I'm not, please mind your business".
He looked confused as I walked away , feeling really stupid. I really needed help and I blew it. The guy must have seen me wandering about like a lost puppy and decided to help me.

Lucky for me, I found the class the next minute. I guess I didn't really need to ask for help after all. I walked in gently. There were a lot of people inside and they all turned to look at me as I walked in.

I heard whispers: "is that the new girl?", "what's her name?" , "she's pretty", "she's kinda flat though".

Yeahhh, I get that last comment a lot. I admit, I didn't have that conventional feminine figure that most girls my age had. I was not so short, but my body was awfully straight like a boys'. My wide shoulders didn't even help matters.