Shadowed Scales

Chapter 4: Friends In Low Places

_CHAPTER FOUR_

Friends In Low Places

The question really caught Sameer off-guard. Before this, his parents never asked him about his friends. Not once has he invited anyone over to play or do homework together. Not even Hazrul.

Like most reptiles, they were very private with their own lives. He noted that most mammals like Canidaes and Felidaes along with herded herbivores loved to sleepover at each other's homes. But hearing his father asking about his so-called 'friendship' with Arthur made his stomach clenched.

"Um...he's not really my friend, Baba," Sameer tried to explain, coiling himself even more. "I just helped him because he can't see and he asks too many questions!"

His father only chuckled, taking out on of the cigars from a wooden box beside him on the table. He didn't light it up but simply inhaled it. "How will you learn if you don't ask questions, my boy? Well, do you know anything about him?"

"He's blind and that's all I know about him."

"Ah, but I know about his father," said Judge Nadir with another inhale of the cigar. "The young bat's father, Dr Kirk, he is a well-known astrophysicist at LSE."

Sameer mused at the thought. LSE or Leviathan's School for Engineers is an established university for those that pursued science, engineering, law and economics. The entrance into that university was difficult due to its intense entrance exam.

He had heard rumours about his parents sending him off to LSE once he turned eighteen. That made him even more worried because he wondered if his life was nothing but plans that were made by others?

"Oh..." was all that Sameer could utter out. He wished to be in his room with his pet tarantula at this point. But his father's steady gaze was not making the tension any easier.

"So, I suggest you become friends with that bat while I try to settle things with his father. After all, science and law intercept with each other."

Sameer only nodded, just wanting to get out of this conversation. When he was dismissed, the young Egyptian cobra slithered upstairs to his room, coiling himself around the lit-up terrarium.

"You're the only one who understands me," Sameer murmured, taking out his fuzzy arachnid companion. The said tarantula began to scurry itself onto his back. He wanted nothing more than to play with his pet, maybe read one of the Mr Twilight series or just lay in his bed.

He had no mood to finish his homework but promised himself to get it done before bed.

After all, his mother would always check if he was asleep every night.

...

"Okay class! Today we are going to do a little fieldwork relating to plants." The science teacher, Mr Dhakala, a gharial was conducting the class in the morning. A chorus of groans were heard.

Most of the boys were not fond of plants as they saw it as a girl's subject.

But their teacher decided to rapt their disinterest by placing a strange-looking plant on the desk. It was sickly green with gaping mouths that resembled maws of a carnivore. The herbivores stared at it reluctantly while carnivores craned their necks to get a better glimpse with awed expression.

Sameer noted that Arthur only tilted his head in confusion, standing very far at the back. Maybe it's better that way, the Egyptian cobra thought to himself.

"Now, please find a partner," said Mr Dhakala, gesturing the class. Immediately, herbivores paired up with other herbivores and the same could be said for carnivores. Sameer merely rolled his eyes.