NO BIRTHDAY WISHES

I didn't wait a second at the bus stop before my school bus arrived and I hopped in. The driver had a big grin on his face that was forced to stare intently at him.

"Hello," he greeted cheerfully. The attitude is all new and I wonder why he is acting informal. The mood was suspicious and it immediately occurred to me that is my birthday.

School drivers behave more dearly to students on their special day and I found it pretentious and repulsive.

Oh, god! I hope Mum hasn't done anything; hope she hasn't let everyone know of the birthday. She has kept my stories a secret from the school since I started with them. She should not disappoint me today, I pray.

Mum may have hidden my identity from the students, but she was unable to do so before the principal, Mrs. Crown.

Mrs. Crown knows everything about me. I still find it remarkable how she turned a blind eye on me; no special treatment or any sort of seeking privileges. She has also been doing a great job at keeping my identity off her speeches. She is quite fond of using the rich kids to elaborate her words, I do not know why she does that, but for all the months I became a student, she forgot the name Waldeen.

I pray Mum hasn't told her to give me that damn birthday treatment they'd give students. Mrs. Crown can go back on the secret and make a reveal as long as the instruction was from Mum. And now, she must have instructed the staff and students to ride on with it and right before me, the driver has begun with a full smile.

I can't handle this treatment. I can't. I have witnessed how everyone in school would worship the celebrant as if it is his last day, I didn't like it, it repulsed me.

"Good morning, Mr..." I responded while searching his lips to hear him say the 'happy birthday words, and I will turn and walked back home.

"Sam," he said his name instead.

I have never cultivated an interest in knowing people's names. With the drivers, I only nod my morning and afternoon greetings each time I enter the bus.

I should have known his name. I feel bad. For the umpteenth time, I don't understand why I am feeling everything today.

"I am sorry Mr. Sam, I..." I made to apologize as I felt the need to, but he cut me short.

"It is alright, Mr. Bolt. You barely talk to anyone."

He said.

"Greg, please. Call me Greg."

I see no reason for that formality from an advanced man like him, he should maintain the attitude he had earlier and say the 'birthday words' already. Other rich kids may be comfortable being addressed that way, but I am not.

"Sure, Greg. You know, I waited more minutes when I didn't see you on Friday. It wasn't like you to be late or absent."

Oh, dear! It hasn't occurred to me that he might have awaited longer for my sake. If it isn't about my birthday, therefore, the grin was a way to say he is pleased to see me today. It was too much though.

"I am sorry for the troubles. I attended to something else."

"Not a problem at all, I was only worried son. You never missed school."

Such care, I am touched. "Thank you, Mr. Sam."

"Come on son, grab a seat. You shouldn't be late now because of me." He grinned widely again.

I took my seat as he drove off to pick up other students, heading to the eye-glassed boy's residence first or should I say, second.

The eye-glassed boy entered and as usual, tucking his glasses in front of me. This time he didn't just smile, he talked. He talked to me after months of riding this bus together.

"You weren't here on Friday," he said while settling right beside me.

Another acknowledgment. I twisted my head to get a better view of his face and stared at him as usual. I mean, am I supposed to say something?

"Were you alright?" Bringing his backpack to his lap, he asked.

"I was."

I spoke as short as I can. He also noticed my absence too, I should at least say something in appreciation.

"If I had your cellphone number, I sure would call to check in."

Slow down, Mister. The care is much, don't you think? What is his name by the way? We do not have our name tags on our uniform like most schools, instead, our school name and logo were encrypted on the left breast of the uniform.

"My name is Frederick. Friends call me Fred. You can call me Fred." He responded like he heard my thoughts.

Quite a talky. I shall call him Frederick then. I don't want to be in his shitty friend zone if indeed he has any.

"Or Freddy if you want. Family calls me that."

Brilliant! Thanks for his warning. I rather not call him at all. I looked at him again before deciding to move my lips into a partial smile. He tuck his eyeglasses again and took his gaze off me after returning the same smile I gave.

School went on normally. Few teachers addressed my absence as if it is a great history. It was. Well, the only history I want to think of is the History lesson I missed on Friday. With exams commencing in a few days, I need an updated note for my studying. It is frustrating seeking other students' notebooks. I don't even know who is liable enough to take quality notes of the lessons.

Being the top student in the class makes me see others as far from the best. Even if I decide to meet Mrs. Bridget, our History teacher, she will send me back to my classmates stating it is the most encouraging method of making good friends.

If I survive this, I might consider hiring a chauffeur.

I am not a shy person. Being quiet doesn't make me shy or unconfident. I only chose to be this calm to avoid gaining attention. I have no choice but to meet the very eye-glassed boy for his note. Let's see how efficient he is in taking notes.

The eye-glassed boy hasn't been on the seat since lunch break. Maybe he has gone to his club gathering. It is club time according to the school calendar. Searching for him is useless, I do not know the one he partakes in, so I will go down to the library and wait until our next class.

I will skip my swimming club today, it doesn't reflect in the grades. Clubs are only fun activities for the students although each student must belong to one. I have to attend to Friday's assignments. It is overdue by tomorrow. I must submit it before then if I do not want a drop in my grades.

I walked into the library in search of books for the assignments. Using Google is easier, but our teachers enjoy making us go through the stress of book searching in the library. I was on the third shelf when the eye-glassed boy approached me with some piled papers.

"I photocopied these notes for you. I thought you might need it," he whispered. "And the context for the assignment as well." He added.

Huh! He has been in the computer room, copying these for me.

"I...mmm, you shouldn't have troubled yourself," I stammered in whispers.

It is a culture for every student to whisper in a library.

"It isn't a trouble," he clung to his glasses shyly. It is a huge one. I have been having trouble finding who to get these notes from and here, it is being given to me without a sweat.

"Thank you, Fred," he should be considered a friend today I guess.

"You're welcome." He smiled as he handed the neatly piled papers to me.

We stood staring at each other without a word. If he is waiting for me to say something, then we will stand here forever. I am touched by his kind gestures, I must admit, but I am done talking to him.

"I will go meet others in the club. Music club," he decided to retreat after long seconds of standing and staring.

I am not interested in his club but so, he is in a Music club. Which instrument does he play? Guitar? Keyboard? Or drum? No, no, a clumsy-looking boy like Fred can't handle a drum. Flute, that's it.

"Hmm." I nodded.

"See you in class, Greg." He said casually and walked out of the library.

I wonder when we advanced to this level of comfort. Seeing me in class now?. Wait on! He called my name. How did he know my name?

Hope I haven't begun a chat with someone I shouldn't. Well, let me see to my assignment first and then browse these lesson notes. I shall see about him later.