Bee and David Ch. 04

"Where am I?"

""You are at the University of Chicago's hospital. You've been admitted for exhaustion and dehydration."

"My stomach cramped up on me--," she tried to explain.

"So badly that you passed out, and according to my chart, you were exerting you're muscles and running on an empty stomach with a severe lack of energy."

"I feel fine now," she tried to sit up but her body still had a slight ache.

"We've been pumping nutrients into your body. I've prescribed vitamins for you to take daily. We've also got a hospital shrink, if you need someone to talk to."

His eyes stilled when they met hers.

She shook her head, "No, I'm fine."

"Very well. I would like for you to get some rest. It also seems as if you are struggling with stress related issues that has your blood pressure through the roof. If you don't get a handle on it, you can become very very ill," he looked back at her. "As soon as your friend returns we can release you."

He abruptly turned and walked out.

"What friend?" she called, a tad too late.

Laying back on the hospital bed, an empty feeling once again, creep through her. She heard muffled voices on the other side of the door. A few minutes later it flew open.

"Hey, love."

He approached her with a relaxed smile. She sat up and opened her arms wide. He dove in and a hug that lingered on the bridge between friendship and true love balanced. He pulled back and she stared up at him.His tawny brown eyes rippled as he took her in. His first love.

"Mamì, talk to me."

She sighed then looked down. "Its back, Lane," she said above a whisper finally admitting her faults.

Lanely pulled the chair closer to her bed. He sat up straight and leaned over. "It's gonna be okay, mi corazòn."

"I'm sorry, I've been such a bad friend lately."

He grabbed her hand, "No, No, Bee, stop blaming yourself. Tell me what's going on."

She reached over and ran a hand through his wavy shoulder length hair. A habit she developed whenever they talked one on one.

"I've drifted again," was all she could manage, twirling a strand around her finger. Her voice seemed mystical.

"You stopped eating?" he asked.

She nodded.

"You look sick, sweetie. What on earth would make you think you're-----," he stopped as a single tear tainted her cheek.

Her hand dropped and he pulled her into another hug.

"What's wrong with me, Lane?" she sobbed.

He gently stroked her back and whispered positive affirmations in her ear.

"Its gonna be okay, Bee. Don't think you're alone, cause you're not. I'm here," he pulled back and used the back of his hand to wipe away her tears. They ceased for the moment, as his wide eyes bore down a heart warming compassionate gaze.

"I haven't held you like this since we were 12. You're usually so strong, babydoll. What made you break?"

She searched her brain for an answer.

"The anniversary of her death was last week. And I just---. It brought back so much pain and--. Lately, I've been feeling unfulfilled, like I'm not good enough. I need more control over my life. I need to be thinner, faster, smarter."

"Why, so you can run again?" he accused.

She gasped, "You remembered that?"

"Of course I do. You ran right into my arms that day."

"I thought I'd never see you again, Lane."

They stared at one another while the memory of her running away to find him burned through their vision.

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* 11 years earlier*

"Moved?!" she screamed at CoCo through the phone.

"Bee, he left yesterday. You never called us back," a high pitched CoCo responded.

"He can't leave, Co!"

"He and his family moved into that big brown house on Green and Halsted. Its only 5 blocks away. But, Bee......"

She dropped the phone and ran.

She knew exactly where the house was and she had to see him.

She jumped into her converses, threw on the hoodie he had bought her from Disney world last year and left the house.

It was almost Mine o'clock and if her grandparents knew she was leaving out so late, they'd have tanned her hide. But she needed to see him and as soon as her feet hit the concrete, she ran. Then the rain started and she became invincible.

The twists and turns of her neglected neighborhood bore no competition for a sharp, young agile mind. She turned a corner and willed herself not to slip as she fuddled her steps then hopped over a puddle. Stopping on the corner of Green and Halsted, she climbed the steps.

The heavy rain poured down with no remorse. Sharp raindrops bruisef her face and drenched her clothes. Bianca didn't know what she was gonna say to him, she just knew she had to see him. As she climbed the steps, she picked up speed, eager to reach her destination.

All of a sudden the door flung open and there stood a very surprised Lanely. He quickly opened the adjoining screen door and she fell into his arms, weeping.

"Oh Lane!" she cried out.

He closed the screen door and used his left foot to swing around and close the front door.

"Bee, what's happened?" he wildly asked.

Thank goodness his parents were away at relatives for the night. Being an only child came in handy. He ushered her up the stairs to his room and peeled the soaking wet hoodie off. She wouldn't stop crying. The soaked tee clung to her young body. As did her waist length curly hair. She looked so fragile. He shuffled around the room as she stood shivering in his bathroom doorway. After pushing basketball shorts and a short sleeved shirt into her hands, he pushed her into the bathroom and closed the door.

His heart beat a mile a minute as he waited for her to step out. He ran a hand threw his short brown hair. Seeing his room in disarray, he quickly tidied up until the bathroom door opened.

She calmly walked out, cradling her old clothes then threw them in his hamper and looked up. Their young eyes met and he froze while she walked over and sat next to him.

"Lane," she started. "I thought I lost you, too."

His hand grasped her face. "Never, Bee! I was gonna come visit tomorrow, I told CoCo to call and give you my new number. I wouldn't, I wouldn't just leave you, Bee," he told her.

Her eyes softened, "You wouldn't?"

"No!"

Pulling her into a hug, he stroked her back and smiled. The rain couldn't wash away that coconut and flowery smell he loved about her. She held him tight.

"You're my bumblebee. And I---I---I," he paused and pulled back. Her deep eyes squinted at him, confused as to what would come next. "I love you."

Her eyes popped. "Love?"

He shrugged a thought away and leaned forward. His brown lips puckered up as he kissed her. Her eyes grew wider and they stilled for a few seconds, her heart shaped lips smushed against his brown ones.The innocence and treasure of their first kiss. He snapped back and tried to gauge her reaction. She just sat there staring through him. Her hands reached up and she ran a hand through his hair.

"I love you too, Lane," she looked over into his eyes. "You're the best friend I've ever had."

She'd deal with the consequences later but for now she just needed comfort. She needed him.

She moved into his bed and beckoned him to cuddle with her. He shut off the lights and climbed in.

"Hold me," her voice quivered.

His arms stilled then he wrapped them around her. He stroked her hand and sung her favorite song as she silently cried herself into the deepest sleep she ever had.

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(Present)

He couldn't help the way his heart did cartwheels whenever he was around her; the way her hugs sent shivers down his spine and made his face grow red hot. Lanely knew it was deeper than he'd like to admit, it was a crush when they were kids but now, now he knew within his heart it was love.

Looking back to Bianca, he caressed her cheek, "You're always gonna be special to me, love."

"Did you know I was coming?"

He nodded. "CoCo called me. God, I can still hear the screech in her voice."

She laughed and soon enough he joined in. After a few minutes it ceased and they continued to stare at each other.

"The doctor said I can leave whenever," she reminded him.

He stood and grabbed his jacket.

"I'm gonna have a couple more words with him while you get dressed. I'll be waiting outside," he told her.

She watched his lean brown figure leave. After dressing, she couldn't help but glance at herself in the mirror. She blanched as her once bubbly eyes looked weak. She straightened out her posture before squinting at herself again. She lost control just for a second and vowed to never let it happen again. Oddly enough, the only person she could think of at that moment was David.

"Fuck!" She scolded herself. She was in deep.

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Her hand made a slithering motion as she let it wave in the wind and the breeze curled through her fingers. The night air felt nice. They gently sped down the street in his sleek Lexus. Lanely made a left on the corner of King Drive.

"You're not taking me, home?" she asked.

"Nope, you need to clear your head."

After a few more minutes they pulled in front of the all too familiar 2 story home.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

She grinned and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Definitely. And thanks Lane. I love you," she whispered in his ear.

Grabbing her belongings she eased out of the car and towards the house. He watched her go, his cheek still burned with that kiss.

"She's mine, Crete," Lanely mumbled driving off.

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*Hoped you enjoyed this chapter and that you'll stay tuned to the rest of Bee and David. All comments and feedback are appreciated. I hope to have Chapter 5 out by this time next week-CoCo*