CHAPTER - 1

Walking down the school road, with a pale face, and the sun still on the east, the spring breeze kissed Jeremy face.

Jere : Great! Another boring years about to start. (looking up the sky) Mama, Papa, how are you two? Hope I'll be good boy this year, too. Please, watch over me from the heavens door.

Behind him, Mark calling out to him but he didn't hear him. So, finally he bumped into Jere.

Jere : (being startled) OH MY GOD, YOU ALMOST GAVE ME HEART-ATTACK. Do you mind, approaching me with a gentle touch.

Mark : Well, I've been calling you from behind, but you don't even bother to hear me out. What where you been thinking? Are you alright? You look pale. (with a concerned face)

Jere : Nothing. Just hating to start schooling again.

Mark : why? Don't you feel great. We may have some newcomers, and umm.. and there's Lily, she is the best comedian. You'll laugh all year round.

Jere : Gross. I wish if today is the last day of schooling instead of being the first day.

Mark : Don't be so pessimist. Think something which is beautiful.

Jere : I wish I could and ( interrupting his words, a new guy with his bicycle ran over a muddy puddle in which some muddy flew and landed on the pants of Jeremy). Oww (shouting)

Mark : Do you mind, mister. I'll break your neck. (shouting to the stranger with a bicycle)

Feeling being guilty, the stranger came back to him,

Stranger : I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that, I thought I would be late for the school so I just run very fast.

Mark : You little brat. (Grabbing the stranger collars)

Jere : It's okay, Mark. I'm fine. I'll clean it with my handkerchief. Mister, you can run along.

(Without any hesitation, the stranger ran along with his bicycle)

Mark : He sure is a lucky guy, if he had splash the muddy in my pants, I'll surely break his neck.

Jere : Are you sure with your words. You dont look very charming when you are angry and you were talking about optimistic (Pointing toward the school) Look, Lily is there with Andrew, hope they are dating.

Mark : People do change a lot, but I'll never leave you, I mean, I'll never had a girlfriend and leave you behind. You'll feel bad.

Jere : Looks like someone had a charming face but I surely don't need you. If you can, find someone as soon as possible.

Mark : SERIOUSLY. (Changing his facial expression)

Entering the classroom.

Mark : Hey, Jere. Lets sit at the back.

Jere : Wherever you wish for.

(They went back and sit in last third line. The bell rang and a teacher came in)

Student : Good morning, sir.

Teacher : Good morning, everyone. (Looking at the registration ) Well, well , well. Look who do we have here. One new comer, Name : Oliver. So, Oliver stand up wherever you are.

(From the last line of another row where Jere and Mark sit, there he stand, the new comer, Oliver)

Jere : (being shocked, he looked Mark) Is not he the stranger guy, the guy who splash mud on my pants.

Mark : Well, he is.

Oliver : Hi everyone, I'm Oliver. I recently shifted here.

Teacher : Welcome Oliver, welcome to our school. Hope you learn very well.

Oliver : I do hope, sir.

After the class is over, and the bell rang for a recess, the teacher went out. Jere closed his books, Oliver came to Jere,

Oliver : So, we are in the same class.

Mark : And you are here to asked for forgiveness?

Oliver : Well, sort off.

Mark : Hey, I want to go to the bathroom, wanna go with me.

Jere : Nope.

Mark : Okay. (He ran along)

Jere, keep his book inside his bag, then Oliver sit on the desk,

Oliver : How should I start?

Jere : No need to apologies. I forgive you.

Oliver : I don't talk about apologies, I'm talking about how to make you friend.

Jere : Okay, we are friend. (Pushing him off the desk) Go back to your seat. I want to sleep. ( He lay his head in the desk and cover with his hand)

Oliver : If were are friend, you can call me Oliver. But how should I call you, Mister.

Jere : The name is Jeremy, you can call me Jere. Now go away, let me sleep in peace.

Oliver : Won't it be nice, if you look at me and say it to me in a sweet tone. (But got no reply, so he sit beside Jere and slapped slowly his arms) Are you asleep. Hey, are you asleep. Can you hear me. Do you mind. Are you asleep.

Jere : Obviously not sleeping (with a rough voice). How am I gonna sleep if you keep troubling me. Do you mind giving me my privacy. ( still laying in the desk, cover his head with his hand).

Oliver : I like your shirt. Where do you buy such an amazing lovely couple T-shirt and with whom?

Jere : Im serious. Go away.

Lily : (Rushing toward Jere and sit beside him) Hey, mister Oliver, what are you doing here?

Oliver : Trying to be friendly with Jere, but doesn't seems to work.

Jere : (Lily whispering to him ) WHAT!! (Forcing himself to sit straight) SERIOUSLY? When did she say such words.

Lily : At the girls bathroom. And you're wearing the T-shirt again. Are you two dating?

Jere : Do I look like dating her? That idiot, Nancy, didn't I reject her for the 9th time. Why does she still linger with me.

Oliver : (In awe) Who is Nancy?

Jere : You don't need to know. Mind your own business.

Oliver : Oops.. that hurts.

Jere : Sorry, I didn't mean too. The thing is she proposed me but I reject her. She give me this t-shirt, all my other t-shirt been dirty so I had to wear this. This make her think that I like her.

Oliver : You don't like her?

Lily : She is a nasty. Even if Jere like her, I would do anything to stop him from loving her.

Oliver : I see.

The bell rang, everyone gather inside the classroom. A female teacher entered.

Students : Good morning, miss.

Teacher : Good morning everyone. So, tell me. Who topped the class last year final exams.

Student 1 : Jeremy

Mark : I'm sitting with him, miss. He is very hot and his voice is very sexy. (Everyone laughed).

Jere : (Punching Mark arms) stop it, idiot.

Teacher : Well, Jere you did very well. And Mark, you shouldn't be teasing your friend like that. Okay, student, today we will talk about Life science. How life began from non – living .

The last bell for the day rang. With a happy smile the students came out from the school campus. Jere, Mark and Lily were walking out happily through the school gate.

Lily : Jere, you become fatter, what did your gran-gran gives you to eat.

Mark : How was the village? And how did you spent your vacation?

Jere : Well, my gran-gran wants me to stay there forever, but I insist. So, I come all alone.

Lily : What about gran-gran? Will she stay with you this year?

Jere : She will be coming next month.

Behind them, Oliver came running.

Oliver : (Calling out) Hey, Jere. Wait for me!

Jere : Oh, no! There he is, again. (Holding both Lily and Mark hand) Let's go a little faster, that idiot is insane. (But Oliver caught them up, as he was running as fast as he could)

Oliver : So, you're the class topper. I was so lucky to have you as a friend.

Mark : What do you want from Jere? Mister Oliver.

Oliver : Nothing. We are friends. Didn't he tell you about me?

Lily : Of course not! Why should we be friend?

Oliver : Well, the thing is. Umm.. He say to me that we can be friends this afternoon, in the recess.

Jere : Guys, Chill. Let him be. Afterall, he is the only newcomer in our class. (Looking to Oliver) Yeah, we can be friend.. um.. I mean we are friends.

Oliver : (Squeezing Jere cheek) Oh! You are adorable.

Mark : (Pushing off Oliver hand from Jere cheek) Are you crazy! He will get hurt.

Oliver : It's just a squeeze.

Mark : (Pointing Oliver with his index-finger) behave yourself with your stupid hand.

Lily : (Watching them with her hand folding and said calmly to herself ) This is why I hate to stay together with boys.

Jere : (His hand touching Mark arm) It's okay, Mark. You don't need to be so protective, see I can take care of myself. I'm already grown up.

Mark : (Staring deathly at Oliver) I don't like you. Maintain your boundary.

Oliver : So, mister Mark is the fairy God-mother of Jere. (Laughing all alone)

Lily : Okay, guys. We got problems. (Pointing toward their way, on a shed, there stand Nancy with her gang).

Jere : (Seeing them) Oh, no! what should I do now? Lets go back to the classroom. I don't want to face Nancy. The last time I face her, her gang almost eat me up, alive. What should I do. Oh, Lord. Help me.

Oliver : Why are you so scare of her. She ain't a monster that will you alive. (mockingly)

Mark : She is the Principal daughter, the talk of the town.

Lily : What should we do? Jere, think something!

Jere : I wish I don't wear this shirt.

Oliver : Oh, if that so.....

Jere : (Interrupting) What do you mean?

Oliver : If that the case.. I mean if it is because of the shirt, ( stripping off his shirt) here take out yours and wear mine.

Jere : But

Oliver : Dont worry. I got my vest (adjusting his inner vest).

Lily : Thats a very good idea. Hurry up, Jere, they are about to come here. (Holding Jere hand and shaking)

Mark : (As Jere was about to take Oliver shirt, he take it and throw back in Olivers face. Then he stripped of his shirt) Here, Jere. I don't trust this boy. Put mine.

Jere : But you don't have inner vest.

Oliver : Dont be cocky, Mark. I have a vest but don't.

Mark : Whatever. (Looking to Jere) Hurry up.

Jere do as he was told. He stripped off this shirt and wear Marks shirt, hiding his own shirt in the bag. They go onward and Mark suffered as he had no shirt. On their way, Nancy and her gang stop them.

Nancy : Didn't you wear the couple t-shirt that I gave you this morning. Mister Jeremy.

Jere : Yeah! But I burnt it down in the school campus.

Nancy gang 1 : You are so shameless. You have nothing but your ego reach the sky by burning down the shirt.

Nancy gang 2 : You have no face, Mister Jeremy. She is a diva and you treat her like a dirt.

Nancy gang 3 : You should be thankful for she let you still stay in the school.

Oliver : (Seeing Jere being broken down emotionally) I think Jere is lucky enough not to date such a nincompoop like you. I wonder how your parents taught you at home. You know what, you show me how poor your family disciple is.

Nancy : Well, well, well. Who do we have here. Mister Oliver, right.

Oliver : And youll never be wrong with my name.

Nancy : So, you are the star among this tiny team.

Oliver : And we will never lose to you.

Mark : (Seeing how Oliver fought for Jere, he felt bad) We don't have time to argue with you, we are a very busy people. Lets go.

They began to start moving.

Nancy : ( To Oliver) Let me see how long you can stand for them.

Oliver : Until my dying breathe.

They departed from that place. On their way,

Jere : Thanks, Oliver.

Mark : (Being jealous) That's his duty. Duty to stand and fight for you.

Oliver : Its nothing. And Mark, don't be quirky.

Mark : I'm not quirky.

Oliver : Well, guys. I'll be going this direction. Hope to see you all tomorrow.

They bade goodnight.

Mark : I don't trust this Oliver. He's acting smart.

Jere : Don't be so over protective over me.

Lily : One thing you must never do is, Mark, don't compete with Oliver. He is too smart for you.

Mark : Hey, who is competing whom?

Lily : We all know it.

Jere : Well, guys. See you tomorrow in school.

Jere entered into his house while Lily and Mark, after bidding goodnight to Jere, they went on arguing.

That very night, Lily and Mark visited Jere for they were separated due to vacation. They enjoyed drinking.

Jere : Seems like good old days. (Bringing juice and sat at the table)

Lily : This year, my charm fade away. You know, that idiot James, he shifted his school. Damn him.

Mark : What happen? Do you like him?

Lily : Never in a million year. But Elina (the girl who sat with Lily) say to me that the way he look at me, he likes me. But once I confronted him, he insist saying he will never like a girl like me, instead of being in love with me he rather be gay.

Jere : What the..... (Laughing vigorously). You somehow deserve it.

Mark : Don't worry, Lily. You can apply for a nun. (laughing all alone)

Lily : You nasty little brat. (with a rough Voice) What do you know about me. You know what, that stupid David sitting in front of me and Elina, he look at me with something, but I feel very sorry for him cause I'll never go out with him.

Jere : Oh! Come on, he was just looking at you. Maybe by chance. Or just because he turn back to look for someone. Or maybe he was staring at Elina.

Lily : Nah! You know nothing. I asked him if he had never seen a such charming lass like me. (Yawning) In which he reply that he was counting the total strength of the student. Well, it was embarrassing but umm .. you know.. I overcome it.

Jere : I feel you, buddy. ( they all laughed)

Lily : Its nothing. Im alright. You know, the last time Ive been to the groceries store, I saw a guy on the street, he was on the opposite side of the pavement. Im sure he was waving at me, so I wave back to him thinking I can co-operate with him. Then, he call out Amor. I was wondering and turn back in which I saw his Amor. They were waving each other. Oh, God! I wish I could die at the spot. I just scratch my forehead and ran away.

Jere : (laying his hand on Lily shoulder) Dont cry, babe. ( Both Mark and Jere laughed wildly)

Mark : If I were you, I'll never come out from home. I'll just cover myself with the blanket and sleep the whole year.

Then their door was knocking.

Jere : Who could that be. ( Looking at the wall clock) Its already pass 9 pm.

Mark : Who is there?

Man from outside : Its me, Oliver. Can I come in.

Jere : What? What are you doing here at this hour?

Oliver : Can you just open the door. I'll explain everything inside.

Mark : ( As Lily went and open the door) No! Lily. You shouldn't open.

Oliver : (Running toward Jere and hugged him) Oh, finally Im in your home.

Mark : (Piercing his hand between Jere and Oliver, and pushing Oliver away) I already warn you to maintain your boundary. ( And smote Oliver face)

Jere : Are you crazy, Mark. Why did you hit him. (Going toward Oliver) Are you okay?

Mark : Now, you are taking his side again.

Jere : Its not like that. What is your problem? Why are you so protective, why don't you see me growing up. I can take care of myself.

Oliver : I'm alright. Why don't we talk about something.

Lily : Mister Oliver, why are you here at this late hour?

Oliver : I was going for a night stroll, then I lost my way. But luckily, I saw one of our classmate, my bad, I didn't even know his name. I asked him your house direction and look at me. I'm here.

Jere : Why don't we sit at the table and had a little chit chat.

Mark : (As Oliver was going to the table without any hesitation, he pulled back him with his back coller) I don't like you. ( And they go together)

They talked for a while, laughing but Mark don't seems to be very happy. Then, Oliver phone rang.

Oliver : Oh, It's my Aunt. (Going out to the door and picking up his phone) Hello, Aunty.

Aunt : You can come back now, they are gone. But be very careful on your way, they might still linger in this area.

END OF CHAPTER - 1