And Then There Was Us

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

WILL

As we headed to class, I felt extremely anxious. Not for myself but for Berty.
Berty is the type of guy that never got in trouble. He always followed the school's rules. " The rules are the rules." He always declared.

But outside of school, he is the complete opposite. Outside of school, berty is more fun, and more enjoyable. " learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist." Berty was always cheesy with his quotes. He had a quote for everything. I admired him for that, how educated he was.

"I hope he doesn't get in too much trouble," Daisy says.
" He'll be fine. I know he will be." I reply

The four of us had physics. We open the classroom door. " you're ten minutes late. Go to the principal's office." The teacher declared.

"There's no need for that. His assistant already saw us and told us to go to class. You can ask her if you don't believe us" I respond.

"Where's Bertrand? Is he coming today?" He raises a question.
"Berty got sent to the principal's office." I retorted.

"Why is that?" he asked.
" He got sent there. How am I supposed to know?" I acknowledged
"Are you done interrogating me now?" I added.

I would say about fifteen minutes pass. The principal's assistant enters the room. "do you think we got in trouble too?" Daisy whispers.
" Daisy, will, and sandy. I need the three of you to come with me." She declared.
On our way the three of us shared a what the fuck is going on look. " what is going on miss" I try to ask.
" The principal will tell you all about it." She replies

"Are we in trouble?" Daisy asks.
" You are not in trouble. Now stop asking questions." She answers back.

FEISTY.

As we got into the principal's office I didn't notice Berty being there. The principal tells us to take a seat.
"What's going on Mr. Greg?" Daisy inquires.

" There might have been a casualty with Bertrand." He lets out.
" casualty? What do you mean by casualty? I ask worryingly.
" Bertrand fainted. He's in the hospital. We just transferred him. " He says in response.

"Can we go see him?" Daisy asks.
" I think it's best if you guys stay in school."
"Mr. Greg, with all due respect, Berty needs us now. He needs us now more than ever. Please let us go." Daisy begged.
The principal sighs. "Fine just go to class and get your stuff.
" Thank you so much." we all say cohesively.
" Oh, poor Berty. I hope he's okay. What do you think happened?" Daisy inquires.
" I don't know. Let's just gather our stuff quickly and leave." I announce.

On our way to the hospital, I tried to think about what could have happened.
To my knowledge, Berty was fine. He wasn't struggling.
However, I remembered that night.
That night in the restaurant.
Where Berty didn't eat.

FUCK.

Berty is not eating. His eating disorder is back. I couldn't help myself but to cry. I cried quietly. I didn't want the girls to know that I was crying, because I know that they will ask questions. Questions I shouldn't be the one replying to. I tried to hide my crying as much as I could but I couldn't.
" Will why are you crying?" Sandy asked.

" I just feel so sorry for Berty. He's my best friend. I don't like seeing him suffer. I just pray that he's okay. I'm not ready to lose him. I don't think anyone is. We all still need him." I started to sob even harder now.
" He's going to be okay." Sandy says while hugging me.

As we got to the emergency room I could see him. I saw him on the bed laying on his back. His body looked soulless. Like it didn't shine light anymore. Berty didn't look like Berty. He looked different. I dropped down to my knees and cried even harder. I couldn't bear the thought of him being in that situation. Nurses rushed over to me. They picked me up and placed me on a chair. "is he okay? What's wrong with him. What's wrong with my Berty." I scream and shout.
"He's fine. He'll be okay." One of the nurses replied.

"Can you stop shouting now?" She demands. She then injects me with a needle.
This will help you calm down. She says.
I don't clearly remember what happened next. After the nurse injected everything just went blank. All I remember is me watching the nurses take Berty on a Bed. " where are they taking me" I inquire.
" they're taking him to his room." The nurse reply. Daisy, Sandy and I follow them.

" Can we go in?" Daisy asks.
" not right now. We're getting him situated."
I then notice his mom, Erica sprinting over.
" My baby, what happened to my baby?" She screams from the end of the hallway.

" Erica, it's fine. He's okay. Everything is okay. They're just getting him arranged in the room" I explain
" Do you know what happened?" she asks
" Can I actually talk to you in private?" I question her.
I pull her to the side. "Erica, I think Berty is not eating. I think his ED is back." I announce
" Well, how do you know that?"
"The night we went out for his birthday he didn't order a thing. He told us you made him eat your chicken alfredo you have made." I clarify.

" Chicken alfredo? I didn't cook chicken alfredo." She replied.
After she said that it all clicked.
"Berty" she adds as tears start to kiss her cheeks. I take her in for a hug. " he's strong. He'll get through it. I know he will." I assure her.
"Thank you, Will. I'm so thankful that my son has a friend like you. You're a good kid."

I hug her again.