*BEEEP*, the bell rang over the PA.
"nice talk you guys", Dresden said a little unenthusiastically. Although he was clearly bored, he still took the time to show his partners a little respect.
Dresden stuck out his hands, "I look forward to working with you guys"
Jeffrey didn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, so he tried to ease the atmosphere by not making it seem so formal. "I hope we get rich!", he said with a knowing smile.
"ζεεθ΄’", Preston announced! (Gongxi Facai / gong hay fat choy)
The three boys parted ways outside the classroom, Dresden did a swim move through the crowd and rushed to his next class. He seemed to be headed somewhere in a hurry.
Both Preston and Jeffrey hung back.
"You think he'll be good for the group?", Preston asked walking past the rows of classrooms.
the footsteps of kids descending from the second floor could be heard in the background.
"You invited him, Preston. Trust yourself, even if you don't. Trust in others who trust in you...", Jeffrey tried to sound smart.
Preston punched him in the arm.
"Oww what was that for", Jeffrey yelled at the seemingly unwarranted attack.
"stop repeating the things you read in books. Life is a lot more real than the stories you read, Jeffrey", Preston chastised his friend.
"Now I know you're messing with me", Jeffrey pouted at his friend.
Preston gave a mischievous smile, "That's what my Dad said about you. He's your mom's boss"
Jeffrey took offense to that, "oh yeah? Well, I'm your boss."
Preston and Jeffrey bantered as the other kids were off doing their own thing. There were times when having friends was tiring. Having being alone staring at the friendships other kids had Jeffrey cherished the fleeting moments. The present was a gift, a series of miracles, and at this very moment it was asking to give Preston a noogie.
"GET OVER HERE", Jeffrey yelled at him.
"I'll see you on the weekend, Jeffrey", Preston called out as he headed to the last class.
"Why are you so tall you're lucky...", Jeffrey never finished the sentence as the Vice Principal of the school gave him a look. He started walking towards him.
VP Robert 'Devich' Prickly was wearing a white collared shirt and blue tie.
"Everything alright", he asked Jeffrey.
"Yeah, no problem. My friend and I has a small disagreement", Jeffrey explained a little awed at the majesty of an adult, especially a school administrator that had the power to give detention.
"It's the last day of school Mr. Zhang. I wouldn't want to give anyone detention today", Mr. Devich warned him.
"Ok Mr. Devich. I'll be on my best behavior", Jeffrey reassured him.
"Oh and one last thing", Mr. Devich mentioned.
Jeffrey was a little worried he was going to get into trouble.
"Why did he call on me, it's not because of the boys bathroom incident right?", Jeffrey thought to himself.
"Is this about the informal choir session we had in the courtyard boys restroom?", Jeffrey asked sheepishly.
Jeffrey was incriminating himself. Mr. Devich looked very confused and concerned at the sudden revelation.
"The choir what?", The vice principal paused for a moment before continuing.
"You know what forget about it", Mr. Devich replied.
Jeffrey let out a sigh of relief.
"I heard about your science project with Jeffrey and Samantha. Now the primary school told me you had good grades and your previous teachers had a lot of good things to say about you when I asked. Even the librarian Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Lavery have mentioned you quite a bit", Mr. Devich explained.
Jeffrey was a little stunned at how many people had supported him. His parents always mentioned that he had low self confidence and that he had a lot of people willing to help him if he ever asked or needed it.
"Talking to the custodian Mr. John. They all suggested I let you continue with it. Although, we might need to invite you for some PTA meetings and community discussions", Mr. Devich was talking to him.
Jeffrey only nodded his head to signal he was still listening.
"Anyway, just thought I'd let you know rather than calling you to my office. We'll talk more soon", Mr. Devich finished talking.
"I've got a class to get to", Mr. Devich started walking toward a side classroom.
Jeffrey noticed that he was one of the few kids not headed to class. There were a few kids still wandering around, but his classroom was still had some ways to go. Hurrying along the patch of asphalt path he reached the advisory building next to the field.
Earlier in the day, Jeffrey saw a sign that said that his social studies teacher was sick and that they would have a substitute teacher in classroom 402.
"Is it going to be our P.E. teacher", Jeffrey wondered. The red door had closed and Jeffrey could see the other students already at their desks.
Jeffrey hurried inside.