Neale found himself standing outside the gates of Kamala Melik's home. Now that he was there, the difficult part was getting into the property, since he was being questioned by the guards right now.
"You say you're here for Kamala's birthday party? Are you one of the workers son?" The guard questioned, he was a large and muscular guy who looked like he had plenty of experience in his job.
"No, I'm Kamala's classmate," Neale patiently explained. He sighed internally, he should have expected this type of treatment. He hadn't dressed too extravagantly today, and that was why he wore a simple black hoodie and a pair of jeans. He had arrived with a taxi, since he was trying not to attract attention. He couldn't arrive with his father's expensive vehicles.
The guard burst into laughter for a few good seconds before speaking.
"So you want me to believe that you..."The guard gave Neale a mocking scan before continuing." That you, attend the prestigious Eagle Bay secondary school?"
" Well, yes, "Neale said in a matter of factly tone.
" Please, just clear off before I drag you off myself," The guards smile disappeared as he spoke, and his tone took up a bit of seriousness.
Neale felt annoyance build up within him, but he quickly crushed it. He had to stay composed. Furthermore, if he was in the guards position, he couldn't imagine that he'd react differently. The guard was simply doing his job. Neale decided to take a different approach.
"I'm a sponsored learner. You can phone Kamala to confirm,"
"I'd rather not disturb the missus."
"But wouldn't she be upset if she found out that you chased a classmate away?"
After witnessing the guards hesitation, Neale simply pulled out his phone.
"Leave it, I'll phone her myself."
Just as he was about to search for Kamalas number on the class group so he could phone her, he heard someone call his name.
"Neale!?" A feminine voice called.
Neale looked up to see that on the other side of the gates, behind the guards was a girl. Her curly hair rested on her shoulders and there was a redness to her cheeks. Her skin was of a light color, and her brown eyes were widened in surprise.
"What are you doing outside? Is there a problem?" She asked coming over to the gate.
From Neale's experience, Kamala was a very sweet mannered person. She never mocked or avoided Neale like most of his classmates, but instead she'd greet him every morning when she saw him. She was polite and well mannered and she was in the fantasy world of many boys within the school.
Neale appreciated the respect she had, not just toward him, and that was the only reason he'd bothered coming to the party.
"Oh young miss! Is he really in your class?" The guard asked with surprise.
"Yes, of course! Please let him in quickly!" Kamala replied to the guards who hastily complied.
"Thank you," Neale said to the guards respectfully before walking up to Kamala."And thank you Kamala."
"Don't worry about it. I should be apologizing for your poor treatment." Kamala seemed to be genuinely feeling bad with how Neale had been treated.
"Don't stress yourself, I understand that the guards were simply doing their job."
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved. Still though, sorry."
"Ah, it's no problems." Neale said, before stopping himself from prolonging the subject. On the way into the home, kamala and him spoke about various topics, though mostly about school and homework. Soon Neale was escorted into her house and to the large living room. Then she excused herself to sort out some matters.
Fin glanced around the living room before spotting Fin, his companion. Fin and him were both isolated from the class since they both supposedly came from non-wealthy backgrounds. That was no longer true for Neale, but of course nobody knew that.
"Hey, " Neale greeted Fin who looked up at him in surprise.
"Wow, you're here?" Fin's eyes grew as large as saucers.
"Did you expect otherwise?"
"Well, you're a boring guy so I thought you never liked parties and stuff."
"I'm not boring. You're just too..." Neale searched for a word.
"Fun?"
"No, you're too energetic."
"What?"
"yeah."
"I'm hurt."
"And I don't care."
"that hurts even more."
"Again, I don't care."
"You're like an old man."
"And you're like a child."
Fin stared at him in disbelief, "You know what? I give up. And since when could speak so much?"
Neake shrugged his shoulders.
"I always could. I just never did. I'm not you, you know."
Fin was about to say something smart when suddenly, the chattering of numerous people filled the room. In came Felix and some of his friends.
Felix stopped talking when he spotted Neale, who stood next to a sofa, on which sat Fin.
Felix began walking toward Neale, and Fin immediately stood,probably out of fear.
"Hey you!" Felix called out, as he stood face to face with Neale.
"I've a name, you know."
Felix ignored Neale's statement and continued. "Did you really join the boxing club?"
"So what if I did?"
Felix stayed silent a few seconds before speaking.
"look, I don't want to fight. I just want to have a normal conversation. Did you really join us?"
Neale hesitated before nodding.
"Yes."
"Then let's forget our feud. You're my teammate now, so we can't be fighting."
Felix outstretched his hand, an offering of peace.
Neale stared at Felix's hand in surprise. He'd already assumed Felix to be a very petty individual, and thus he hadn't expect him to just forgive Neale for humiliating him so easily. Even then, Neale wondered whether he could just forget everything so easily. After thinking for a few seconds, Neale figured it was better to have less enemies.
Neale lifted his hand, and gently pushed Felix's hand down.
"I can't just forgive you so easily. Not after how much you bullied Fin."
Fin had been in the school longer than Neale, and back then there'd been nobody to help him. That meant he'd been bullied unendlessly by Felix.
Though Neale could easily forgive Felix, he couldn't imagine how betrayed Fin could feel. Fin had a simple yet sensitive personality. He had considered Neale a companion and that showed in how much he hung around him. He trusted and respected Neale, so Neale could just not betray Fin's emotions.
Fin had to forgive Felix before he did. It was only then, that Felix would have his peace treaty.