It happened on a normal school day, just 2 weeks before the March holidays. The classroom was dead silent. The teacher was walking around. For once, the class felt so serene and peaceful. It was total silence, except for the sound of the pens and the teacher's footsteps. Not a single voice could be heard.
It was our first common test.
--
The common test was announced a week before by our teachers. It was late February and I have already got to know the entire class, some a little more than others.
Being average students in an average school streamed in an average class, you could guess our reaction was not-so-enthusiastic about the news and some were unwilling to sit for the test. Of course, we had no power to push back or abolish the test, thus we took it, like it or not.
Some studied for the test but most did not. I was one who certainly studied. After all, my aim is to stream out of that godforsaken class.
I was the first in my family to step foot in the Normal(Academic) stream. All my other cousins ( 23 older cousins or something around that number ) went to either Express or Special. To make matters worse ( for me ), almost half of that went to an " Elite " school. I had cousins who went to RI and RV. Being in a neighborhood school, naturally, I was looked down upon ( Although they don't say it but I know from their feelings and reactions when I had to tell them eventually. Next time I'm going to sit away from the reunion table.)
The maths test was a breeze for me. I could not understand how could anybody fail a maths test. Maths, for me, is all about practice. It's one of the easiest subjects to score, seeing how other schools score A's in Maths like it's a giveaway.
I was getting ready to hand in my paper. The teacher said we had 5 minutes more. I checked through for any careless mistakes.
" Stop writing. " The teacher said.
As she collected the student's test from row to row, I felt something kicked me at the back of my chair. It was the person sitting behind me; It was Lexi.
" Hey, what's your answer for question 7? " he whispered.
( Great! Excellent! This shit again. ) - I thought.
I was caught cheating back when I was primary school in an exam. It happened because the girl sitting next to me sucked at Maths. I did not know exactly why I helped her but I was caught in the process. 2 years later, the same shit happens. Coincidence, much?
This time, however, I kept silent and continued staring at blank space in front. Lexi kept kicking my chair. Each kick got more violent. I could tell he was getting desperate.
Luckily, the teacher had collected his paper before he does something else to me. It was then that it was safe to look back. Other classmates were already chit-chatting when their paper was collected.
" Fuck you. " He said.
Great! I don't help - I get hated. I help - I get caught.
Why must my life be so sad? Why do I always seem to get caught in situations like this ?
--
A week later, we got back our tests. I scored a near perfect 85%. It was not easy surviving that 1 week after the test. I was often targeted by him along with his " gang " -- Golden, Lexi, Fang, Fin and LeiJit. ( There may be more but I've forgotten the rest. )
==
Chapter 5 end.
Author's note :
We all know that I pulled through and posting my story with no actual or permanent harm done.
Although I was the target of their malice, I've now become great friends with some of them. Others - not so. You could say that each one of my tormentors got their Just Desserts.
Anyway, I hope you will continue supporting my story.
Don't go MSN-ing/FB-ing/SMS-ing or whatever-ing me " HEY WHOSE XXXXXX ON UR STORY? IS IT ME? OMFG I ALREADY SAID IM SORRY OKAY? " or " HEY WHOSE XXXXXXXX ISSIT XXXXX? I THINK I KNOW THAT GUY. " or " CAN U PLS CHANGE MY NAME ON UR STORY TO SOMETHING ELSE? I DUN LIKE THE NAME U GAVE ME. "
Stuffs like " Hey, nice story. " or " I enjoyed reading your story. " are accepted.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Chapter 4 - Comrade
It was one of the unavoidable events that had to happen in secondary school.
One event that I wasn't good at - Making friends.
In the previous few chapters, it was given that my characteristics include being an introvert.
Therefore, it can be assumed that I was bad at making friends.
It was them who approached me first.
--
It was a normal February afternoon in school. The class was in chaos as the teacher was gone. The fact that it was a Friday afternoon made the class even more rowdy. It was time for the last period of the week - Contact Time.
Contact Time is a period where the teacher hands out forms and other stuffs. It is a period where the teacher is suppose to bond with the class. In short, Contact Time is as good as Free Time.
The teacher stepped into the classroom, 5 minutes late. She cleared her voice and politely asked the class to sit down and listen to her but to no avail. She repeated her orders a few time, then started to get pissed.
Finally, she gave up and waited until it was 5 minutes left to dismissal. It was then which the class understood that she had something to say to them.
The teacher waited. Even though the class was now quiet, she waited. It was then 5minutes past dismissal time. The students were either confused or angry. Finally, one student had the guts to shout out " Why are we waiting? "
The teacher stared at him. She stood up and lectured the class. After the 10 minutes lecture, everything went back to normal - it was finally silent so that she could speak.
" Alright class, it is time we decided on who to nominate for for the key class positions. We have to nominate a treasurer, an Audio-Visual assistant, subject representatives, the Vice-Chairman and finally the Chairman. " She announced.
The class took less than a minute to consider. The positions were given randomly. Not much thought was given into the representatives, the treasurer and the AV assistant. It was more like a game of sabotage instead of actually considering who was fit for the positions.
The Vice-Chairman and the Chairman were chosen by the teacher herself, as she had received nonsensical nominees from the class. Such important positions, students who represents the class, had to be chosen by the teacher herself.
" And thus, the Vice-Chairman shall be Xenon and our Chairman shall be Leinad. "
She wrote down the names on the forms to submit. She then dismissed the class - 20 minutes after dismissal time. There was a strong feeling of discontent coming from the students.
Of course, everybody plays a part in the class community, I was also given a position.
It was a position that no class can do without - the in charge of cleaning the class on Wednesdays.
==
Chapter 4 end.
One event that I wasn't good at - Making friends.
In the previous few chapters, it was given that my characteristics include being an introvert.
Therefore, it can be assumed that I was bad at making friends.
It was them who approached me first.
--
It was a normal February afternoon in school. The class was in chaos as the teacher was gone. The fact that it was a Friday afternoon made the class even more rowdy. It was time for the last period of the week - Contact Time.
Contact Time is a period where the teacher hands out forms and other stuffs. It is a period where the teacher is suppose to bond with the class. In short, Contact Time is as good as Free Time.
The teacher stepped into the classroom, 5 minutes late. She cleared her voice and politely asked the class to sit down and listen to her but to no avail. She repeated her orders a few time, then started to get pissed.
Finally, she gave up and waited until it was 5 minutes left to dismissal. It was then which the class understood that she had something to say to them.
The teacher waited. Even though the class was now quiet, she waited. It was then 5minutes past dismissal time. The students were either confused or angry. Finally, one student had the guts to shout out " Why are we waiting? "
The teacher stared at him. She stood up and lectured the class. After the 10 minutes lecture, everything went back to normal - it was finally silent so that she could speak.
" Alright class, it is time we decided on who to nominate for for the key class positions. We have to nominate a treasurer, an Audio-Visual assistant, subject representatives, the Vice-Chairman and finally the Chairman. " She announced.
The class took less than a minute to consider. The positions were given randomly. Not much thought was given into the representatives, the treasurer and the AV assistant. It was more like a game of sabotage instead of actually considering who was fit for the positions.
The Vice-Chairman and the Chairman were chosen by the teacher herself, as she had received nonsensical nominees from the class. Such important positions, students who represents the class, had to be chosen by the teacher herself.
" And thus, the Vice-Chairman shall be Xenon and our Chairman shall be Leinad. "
She wrote down the names on the forms to submit. She then dismissed the class - 20 minutes after dismissal time. There was a strong feeling of discontent coming from the students.
Of course, everybody plays a part in the class community, I was also given a position.
It was a position that no class can do without - the in charge of cleaning the class on Wednesdays.
==
Chapter 4 end.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Chapter 3 - C.C.A.
It was 5 PM on a normal January day. The school was crowded - flooded with freshmen and their parents. It was like a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds and motion. It was no ordinary school day.
It was the day which I had to decide which club I had to join.
Freshmen were accompanied with their parents to decide which CCA to be taken. I was no exception. Seniors from respective clubs would entice the freshmen with hands-on experience and/or free candies.
As I walked pass the stands, I set the requirements for the clubs that I want to join; No or Minimal outdoor activities and no physical CCAs. This leaves me with the IT clubs ( AVPA ) and the Library club.
I was once a scout in my primary school days. I hated it. CCA were held every Saturday morning. For a primary school kid, going to school on Saturdays and Sundays were like...pure torture. Besides, I wasn't that friendly with the rest of my ex-club mates. They called me names like "Mucus boy " or " Bugs Bunny ". I didn't really care though. My sinus probably caused me a lot of trouble back then. Couple it with two huge front teeth and my life was probably what you can call a " Living Hell ".
Thus, you can see why I refuse to join such clubs which requires "teamwork" and "communication skills with friends". I'd rather go for something more solitary.
The library club suited me most. Spending days in the air-conditioned library playing bored games and reading books. The Cabin was also on par with the former. I listed them down in my CCA form.
Photography and IT clubs were also enticing but not good enough. I was never good at computer stuffs. Programming and stuffs like that looks difficult to me. Even editing a simple picture in Photoshop proved to be too much a hassle.
Thus, I listed my 3 options of CCA and handed the form in to my Teacher-In-Charge.
--
2 weeks later on a normal afternoon, I found myself in an air-conditioned room. 95% of the whole club are female. There were only 3 males in that entire club, myself included.
"Welcome to Entrepreneur club, I shall be your CCA teacher. You can call me Ms. Ice"
==
Chapter 3 end.
*** If you didn't read what I wrote back in my previous chapter, I changed the names of ALL characters/landmarks in this story to protect and respect their privacy. Thus you will find some of the names a little...weird( lawl Ms Ice ).
Nevertheless, the names are of little concerns in my story. Only my name shall be true in this story.
Enjoy the rest of the story coming up soon!
It was the day which I had to decide which club I had to join.
Freshmen were accompanied with their parents to decide which CCA to be taken. I was no exception. Seniors from respective clubs would entice the freshmen with hands-on experience and/or free candies.
As I walked pass the stands, I set the requirements for the clubs that I want to join; No or Minimal outdoor activities and no physical CCAs. This leaves me with the IT clubs ( AVPA ) and the Library club.
I was once a scout in my primary school days. I hated it. CCA were held every Saturday morning. For a primary school kid, going to school on Saturdays and Sundays were like...pure torture. Besides, I wasn't that friendly with the rest of my ex-club mates. They called me names like "Mucus boy " or " Bugs Bunny ". I didn't really care though. My sinus probably caused me a lot of trouble back then. Couple it with two huge front teeth and my life was probably what you can call a " Living Hell ".
Thus, you can see why I refuse to join such clubs which requires "teamwork" and "communication skills with friends". I'd rather go for something more solitary.
The library club suited me most. Spending days in the air-conditioned library playing bored games and reading books. The Cabin was also on par with the former. I listed them down in my CCA form.
Photography and IT clubs were also enticing but not good enough. I was never good at computer stuffs. Programming and stuffs like that looks difficult to me. Even editing a simple picture in Photoshop proved to be too much a hassle.
Thus, I listed my 3 options of CCA and handed the form in to my Teacher-In-Charge.
--
2 weeks later on a normal afternoon, I found myself in an air-conditioned room. 95% of the whole club are female. There were only 3 males in that entire club, myself included.
"Welcome to Entrepreneur club, I shall be your CCA teacher. You can call me Ms. Ice"
==
Chapter 3 end.
*** If you didn't read what I wrote back in my previous chapter, I changed the names of ALL characters/landmarks in this story to protect and respect their privacy. Thus you will find some of the names a little...weird( lawl Ms Ice ).
Nevertheless, the names are of little concerns in my story. Only my name shall be true in this story.
Enjoy the rest of the story coming up soon!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Chapter 2 - Introduction
The days after orientation were quiet. The shy ones would sit in one corner of the classroom, just minding their own business. The more sociable ones would have already made a couple or three new friends already.
As most would expect, I fall under the introvert category. I also sat at the corner of the classroom, the row furthest from the door and in front of the teacher's table. Sure, I knew some classmates back from primary school but did not made any effort to get to know them better.
Recesses were lonely in the first few weeks in school for me. I could still vividly remember which stall I ordered from in the first few weeks of school, Western food.
Western food was a stall that didn't exist back in primary school. Chicken chop, each plate costing at a pricey $2 and given at a miserable portion, was my favorite back then.
The first two weeks. Although I had limited friends, I was happy. Everybody was on the same standing, thus making it easier for me to finally score well and promote to the EXPRESS stream.
Lessons were easy and every first lesson starts off with an introduction from the teacher. Homework was rarely given.
By the end of the second week, I have gained a couple of new friends.
Of course, most would expect by then. No school life would be completed without CCA ( Co curriculum activities ) . Forms and leaflets were given out to freshmen, enticing them to join their club.
" Which should I join? " I wondered.
==
Chapter 2 END
As most would expect, I fall under the introvert category. I also sat at the corner of the classroom, the row furthest from the door and in front of the teacher's table. Sure, I knew some classmates back from primary school but did not made any effort to get to know them better.
Recesses were lonely in the first few weeks in school for me. I could still vividly remember which stall I ordered from in the first few weeks of school, Western food.
Western food was a stall that didn't exist back in primary school. Chicken chop, each plate costing at a pricey $2 and given at a miserable portion, was my favorite back then.
The first two weeks. Although I had limited friends, I was happy. Everybody was on the same standing, thus making it easier for me to finally score well and promote to the EXPRESS stream.
Lessons were easy and every first lesson starts off with an introduction from the teacher. Homework was rarely given.
By the end of the second week, I have gained a couple of new friends.
Of course, most would expect by then. No school life would be completed without CCA ( Co curriculum activities ) . Forms and leaflets were given out to freshmen, enticing them to join their club.
" Which should I join? " I wondered.
==
Chapter 2 END
Chapter 1 - Ice breaker
The speech was finally over as the principal ended her message with a " Finally, I hope that you will enjoy your four or five years here. "
Class by class, we were dismissed from the hall to our classrooms. A tall, slender lady was waiting for us at the front of the row. She had spectacles and had long hair. She was in her mid 20's, I estimated. You would have guessed by now - She was our teacher.
She waved her hands, trying to get the class to follow her. We went down the staircase and in to the classroom. The classroom had a different feeling than the one before. The floors were not tiled. It was simply cemented. The classroom was dark and there was not a sign of vibrancy. That was expected, though, as most of us were still complete strangers. At the very least, the classroom was clean.
We all took our sits. Those who are friends would group and sit together. Those who had none are forced to sit with strangers. I didn't really care about who I will be sitting next to; I just took a place which I liked.
" Alright class, welcome to Aspire Secondary School. You can call me Miss Lucy and I will be your form teacher for this year. Now then, I believe that all of you must be very nervous as it is the first day of your secondary school life. I think we should get to know one another better before embarking on our learning journey. "
She walked to the table on the extreme end, nearest to the door.
" You, I would like you to introduce yourself to the class. Please tell the class what is your name, what school were you from and what is your hobby. "
The student stood up. We could all see that he was nervous. Everybody was. He spoke almost quietly. So quietly that nobody ( maybe except the person sitting next to him ) could hear him. Nobody dared to complain that it was " too soft " or shouted to him to speak " louder ".
The teacher did not want to force him to speak up either. Even though she herself could not hear him , she said " Good. Next person please. "
One by one, we stood up and introduced ourself. Some were prepared but most were not. We had to put on a confident front. It would be shameful to make a fool out of oneself during the first day of school.
Soon, it was my turn. I stood up and introduced myself. The fact that majority of my classmates were from the same primary school made me relax a little.
I then begun introduced myself,
" My name is Eugene Goh. I was a student from Achievement Primary School. My hobby is investigating the paranormal. "
Yup, I wanted to make other people think that I'm an interesting character. Strangely, the bulk of hobbies my classmates have were " sleeping "," playing computer games " and " watching TV ".
Others include " swimming " and " reading books ".
None were as awkward as mine.
=
Chapter 1 - END
*** The names of the characters in this story, schools in this story and other names are changed for privacy's sake. Thus, if you know what this story is about, don't go asking me why I changed the name of the schools or why I changed your name.
This is based on a true story, with real people and real events. Only the names of most characters/landmarks are changed, except mine. Well, cause you know my name already so there's no point changing my name to Akiyama or sorts.
Class by class, we were dismissed from the hall to our classrooms. A tall, slender lady was waiting for us at the front of the row. She had spectacles and had long hair. She was in her mid 20's, I estimated. You would have guessed by now - She was our teacher.
She waved her hands, trying to get the class to follow her. We went down the staircase and in to the classroom. The classroom had a different feeling than the one before. The floors were not tiled. It was simply cemented. The classroom was dark and there was not a sign of vibrancy. That was expected, though, as most of us were still complete strangers. At the very least, the classroom was clean.
We all took our sits. Those who are friends would group and sit together. Those who had none are forced to sit with strangers. I didn't really care about who I will be sitting next to; I just took a place which I liked.
" Alright class, welcome to Aspire Secondary School. You can call me Miss Lucy and I will be your form teacher for this year. Now then, I believe that all of you must be very nervous as it is the first day of your secondary school life. I think we should get to know one another better before embarking on our learning journey. "
She walked to the table on the extreme end, nearest to the door.
" You, I would like you to introduce yourself to the class. Please tell the class what is your name, what school were you from and what is your hobby. "
The student stood up. We could all see that he was nervous. Everybody was. He spoke almost quietly. So quietly that nobody ( maybe except the person sitting next to him ) could hear him. Nobody dared to complain that it was " too soft " or shouted to him to speak " louder ".
The teacher did not want to force him to speak up either. Even though she herself could not hear him , she said " Good. Next person please. "
One by one, we stood up and introduced ourself. Some were prepared but most were not. We had to put on a confident front. It would be shameful to make a fool out of oneself during the first day of school.
Soon, it was my turn. I stood up and introduced myself. The fact that majority of my classmates were from the same primary school made me relax a little.
I then begun introduced myself,
" My name is Eugene Goh. I was a student from Achievement Primary School. My hobby is investigating the paranormal. "
Yup, I wanted to make other people think that I'm an interesting character. Strangely, the bulk of hobbies my classmates have were " sleeping "," playing computer games " and " watching TV ".
Others include " swimming " and " reading books ".
None were as awkward as mine.
=
Chapter 1 - END
*** The names of the characters in this story, schools in this story and other names are changed for privacy's sake. Thus, if you know what this story is about, don't go asking me why I changed the name of the schools or why I changed your name.
This is based on a true story, with real people and real events. Only the names of most characters/landmarks are changed, except mine. Well, cause you know my name already so there's no point changing my name to Akiyama or sorts.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Secondary Saga : Day One.
PROLOGUE
--
It was 7AM in the morning.
I stepped out of the car and braced myself for what's ahead.
I continued forward and went up the staircase.
Three doors were open. They were waiting for my arrival.
I walked into the hall, trying to blend in to the secondary school atmosphere.
Everything felt so different from what I experienced back then.
Blue chairs were set up near the stage of the hall. Each chair had a class tag on it.
I could still remember where my class was situated at.
I walked towards my class. There were about twenty-odd people there already.
I sat down in the middle of the row. I felt alone.
I probably wasn't the only one who felt alone anyway.
It was the first day of school anyway.
I looked around me, hoping to see some familiar faces.
There were a few from the same primary school but they remain a minority.
The minutes passed by slowly.
Alone and quiet I sat there.
I looked at the blue chair at the front of the hall again.
There it was - my class of that year; 1/2.
==
PROLOGUE END
--
It was 7AM in the morning.
I stepped out of the car and braced myself for what's ahead.
I continued forward and went up the staircase.
Three doors were open. They were waiting for my arrival.
I walked into the hall, trying to blend in to the secondary school atmosphere.
Everything felt so different from what I experienced back then.
Blue chairs were set up near the stage of the hall. Each chair had a class tag on it.
I could still remember where my class was situated at.
I walked towards my class. There were about twenty-odd people there already.
I sat down in the middle of the row. I felt alone.
I probably wasn't the only one who felt alone anyway.
It was the first day of school anyway.
I looked around me, hoping to see some familiar faces.
There were a few from the same primary school but they remain a minority.
The minutes passed by slowly.
Alone and quiet I sat there.
I looked at the blue chair at the front of the hall again.
There it was - my class of that year; 1/2.
==
PROLOGUE END
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Mai Choices
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