Mission: PT&PR

New Friends

They were sitting on a lunch table in the cafeteria. Yaya and a girl that wore blue glasses were talking with each other, a big boy with another boy wearing an orange cap was munching down on a stick of bread, a boy with sharp hair, probably gelled, whom wore glasses was going through his maths textbook quietly. Everyone turned their attention to Ali as he sat down beside Fang with a wrapped packet of nasi lemak.

"Hey, tell us a little bit more about yourself, new kid." the big boy took a bite from his bread and chewed on it as tiny little crumbs fell on his pants.

"Ish, you really have no respect. Call him by his real name lah," the sharp-haired boy said.

"Oh," the fat boy chuckled. "Sorry. Tell us a bit more about yourself, Ali."

Ali froze. He had to think up of a story. Anything. Anything that could link up with the reason why he was here.

"Uh...OK." Ali said, his voice shaking. I came from somewhere...-"

"Where's that somewhere?" Yaya asked.

"M-my dad said I can't tell...or else I would be punished..."

"Oh...we understand. Continue?" the boy with the orange hat said.

"We actually came here temporary because my uncle- dad, I mean, has business to do here. But since my mom passed away already, he had to bring me along here too and enrolled me in this school that Yaya suggested."

"What does your dad works as?" the girl with glasses asked.

"He uh...he work as a business man."

"Ooh...I see.." The sharp-haired got back to his book and it went quiet.

Only the sounds of metal cutlery clashing together, soft chattering, and birds chirping were heard. Ali's eyes flickered everywhere, finding a topic to talk about.

"Mind telling me a bit of y'all?" Ali asked.

Ali gasped as the table thumped heavily. The fat boy seemed to be the one whom caused the sound because both his hands were laid sprawled on the table.

"Let me introduce myself first!" the fat boy exclaimed. "My name is Gopal! I live with my dad, and I'm the class' assistant monitor. I'm also 12, like you, but because of my dad forgetting my birthday year, I was misplaced in standard 5. Best friend? Boboiboy ler..."

Gopal grabbed the boy with the orange hat neck with his arm and rubbed his hat. Boboiboy scowled, but when he made eye contact with Ali, he gave a crooked smile and chuckled as Gopal let go of his grip of him.

"Name's is Boboiboy. I'm 11, and I live with my grandpa, Tok Aba. My dad is an ambassador, and my mom tags along with him. So I was left here to be taken care by Tok Aba."

"Your family is in a high position then?" Ali asked.

Boboiboy smiled crookedly. "Yeah...in a way."

"I'm Ying!" the girl named Ying squealed. "I'm 10, but I'm moved up to standard 5 because of my results being too best!"

Yaya immediately glared at her when she mentioned about her results. Ali didn't know why, but he didn't dare to ask about it.

"I also live with my grandma and I'm very good friends with Yaya!" Ying ended.

Yaya grinned then. "And you know me right? I'm 11 and the class monitor. I also like to make delicious biscuits, you wanna try some later when we get back?"

Everyone face went poker. Ali's eyes flickered to everyone before making a decision. Yaya was still grinning, probably hoping that he would say yes.

"Uh...OK. Sure, sure," Ali said unsure.

Yaya cheered. "I'll give you a free packet of it if you like it!"

"Oh, OK."

The sharp-haired boy cleared his throat and stood up straight facing Ali, he was like standing to attention to a General or someone in a high position.

"Name's Private Pang, or rather, you can call me Fang."

Ali raised an eyebrow and opened his jaw to show his confusion.

The boy sighed. "Meaning, my real name's Pang, but you can call me Fang."

"What's the Private for?"

Fang chewed his lips. "I..."

"Don't worry, I will explain it when we get home," Yaya interrupted, as if something were to go wrong if she doesn't.

Fang looked down guiltily as he sat down and continued reading his maths textbook. Ali wanted to ask what's wrong but he knew Yaya would explain it later. And some more, it looks like if he asks so the situation will get worse for Fang.

Everyone paused what they were doing when the school bell rang loudly from one of the pillars of the cafeteria.

"Hey, it's time's up. Let's go back to class." Boboiboy hopped down from his seat and waited for the others to get ready.

"Let's go!" Ying squealed.

All of them hopped down from their seats, including Ali, and walked back to class.