Is forever for R.E.A.L?

Chapter 2- All about Rehan

Rehan Khan was the new student in St. Thomas High School. It had been one year since he ran away from his old orphanage. Knowing he was very independent and would find a way to live alone or find someone to help him, the people at orphanage didn’t seem to worry about him and had let him go. As he had some contacts outside he prepared for a forged leaving certificate and got a job in a nearby cafe. With the huge amount of money his parents had left for him, he took a very small room in the nearby locality. Being faced by different extremes of life, he adjusted in the small room. By hook or crook, he took admission in St. Thomas. He already had his parents money and also he started getting good salary. He didn’t have many luxuries others of his age certainly had but he never craved for burgers and pizzas when he got free daily roti sabzi from nearby dargahs.
 
Even though not much good at academics  he was a natural at sports. With tanned bulging muscles and rock hard abs no one would even wish to face him in a fight. He, too was not interested in unnecessary fights and brawls and would stay away from them unless he needed to. As he entered the school the first thing he enquired about was the sports played in the school. He signed up for the football team and left for his class.
“May I enter sir?” he asked at the threshold.
“Sure. I guess you are the new student here. Rehan Khan. Take any vacant seat here. We will start the attendance in a minute.”
Rehan had a gash on his cheek because of the car accident in which his parents died. It was a miracle that he was alive as his parents faces were disfigured and they had died on the route to hospital. He never tried to hide his scar as he never gave any attention to his looks and clothes. All he cared about was passing the school and college with good percentage to get a job and survive in his life. 
As he walked to the back of the class, several students stared at his scar and whispered assumptions about how he must have got the scar. At the last bench, while the whole class was murmuring about Rehan's scar, a boy was still writing his notes and without a word shifted aside to let Rehan sit. Rehan silently decided to make that boy his first friend and  started talking to him.
“Hey! I am Rehan.”
“Larry. Can we talk after the class, attendance will be taken soon and I need to pay attention.”
Even though surprised from the sudden curt reply, Rehan decided not to talk until Larry says something. He didn’t want to offend his supposed first friend.
After the lecture, Larry asked Rehan if he was interested in having lunch with him in canteen. Rehan agreed happily and followed Larry.
“Where are you from?” Larry asked breaking the awkward silence.
“I am from Kashmir. My parents died when I was 11. I was in a orphanage for 3 years until my father’s best friend brought me here. I am staying alone in a one room apartment nearby. I work in my uncle’s cafe for which he take cares of my school fees. What about you?”
Larry gaped at Rehan for a while shocked at the casual tone with which he talked. Even though it had been 8 years since his mother’s death, he still couldn’t control his tears while talking. He also had his father still who loved him dearly. They often slept together crying and remembering his dear mother.
“I am from Goa. My mother died when I was 8  and I am living with my dad. I am basically a nerd and often be awkward with everyone. But I hope I won’t be much of a loner now because you are my new friend. You are my friend right?”
“Of course I am.”