The Life of Orphans - Chapter 42

Rainie: What should I wear?

Rainie have been standing in front of her closet for almost an hour trying to figure out what to wear during the party.

Cyndi: Anything. You look nice in everything.

Rainie: Nonsense. I don't have a figure like you.

Cyndi: But you are taller than me. That's makes you look nice.

Rainie: Give some comments. Which one is better? (Holding up two kinds of dress)

Cyndi: Err.... the blue one?

Rainie: Really?

Cyndi: Err... I’m not sure.

Rainie: Come on.

Cyndi: I'm really not good at this. Why don't you ask Hebe?

Rainie: Maybe I should. I'm really excited for this party. It's not only a farewell party for the graduates but it's also a New Year countdown party.

Cyndi: But in the bright side, everyone can go to the party and not just those who were the graduates' friends. You don't have to worry.

Rainie: Yeah. It certainly was a great idea to combine both ceremonies. Then everybody get to enjoy together.

Cyndi: It's everybody or just you and Zax?

Rainie: Everybody!

Cyndi: Maybe this party is a great time for you couples to spend time together.

Rainie: What do you mean you couples? Aren't you one of them?

Cyndi: Huh?

Rainie: You and Sam. You thought we don't know?

Cyndi: What are you talking about?

Rainie: Zax told me. You two liked each other long ago but both of you just don't want to admit it. Then, lots of jokes happened between the two of you.

Cyndi: You better not listen to Zax, he talks nonsense.

Rainie: What's with you and him anyway?

Cyndi: Nothing important.

Rainie: Nothing important? Then, what's important? Marriage?

Cyndi: You are influence by them now.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the day of the party,

Sam: There are sure a lot of people here.

Cyndi: Of course there are. Everyone in school is here.

Zax: Not everyone. Some of them are still at home waiting to celebrate the New Year with their families.

Cyndi: But it's everyone IN school right?

Zax: (paused for a while) Yeah, everyone in school but not the whole school.

Cyndi: That's why I said everyone in school, Dumbo! You just wanted to argue with me, right?

Zax: Correction! I'm correcting you.

Cyndi: But it seems that I’m correct and there's nothing you should be correcting.

Sam: Ok now. End of story, ok?

Cyndi: He started it.

Sam: It seems like Jason is getting pretty close with Hebe there.

Cyndi: Yup. By the way, where is Tony? I thought we should be meeting him here.

Zax: I didn't see him anywhere. Maybe he's not ready yet. You know him, always wanted to be perfect.

Cyndi: Perfect for whom?

Zax: For his girl, of course.

Cyndi: I might not know Tony's girl but I know someone's girl is already here.

Zax: Who? (Turns around and saw Rainie) Oh! See you guys later. (Ran off)

Cyndi: Some friend he is. Saw his girl and just ran off.

Sam: Let him have the time to be with his girl just like I’m spending time with my girl now.

Cyndi: who's your girl?

Sam: You don't know? Maybe you need a hint. (Lean close to her)

Cyndi: Wait! There are a lot of people here.

Sam: Who cares?

Cyndi: I thought you didn't want anyone to know this.

Sam: They knew it anyway.

Cyndi: I still think we better go out from the hall.

Sam: Ok.

Outside the hall,

Tony: You look great! There's nothing wrong.

Angela: But I still think something's not right with my outfit.

Tony: (Hold both of her hands) I don't care if there anything wrong with you outfits or not, you're the best to me.

Angela: Really?

Tony: Of course. (Lean over and kiss her on the cheek) There. Does that give you some confidence now?

Cyndi and Sam were watching the whole thing at a corner.

Cyndi: Should I go out and have some fun?

Sam: Better don't. You saw how shy the girl was. You might frighten her later.

Cyndi: Am I frightening?

Sam: That's not what I meant. I was just... just....

Cyndi: Don't worry. I was just kidding. You should have seen your face.

Sam: You fooled me! Well, well, well, this is your punishment. (Kissed her on the forehead)

Cyndi: Tricky! (Hit his head)

Sam: Let’s go call them in. I think Zax must be very excited about Tony's girl.

Cyndi: Good thing I saw it before him.

Sam: The both of you never grow. (Sigh)

Cyndi: I heard that.

Sam quickly pat Tony on the shoulder before Cyndi could say anything else.

Tony turned around and was really shocked to see Sam at the back of him.

Tony: what are you doing here?

Sam: To see when our Mr. Sun is going to arrive.

Tony: I'm here already.

Sam: So aren't you going to introduce?

Tony: oh! This is Angela. Angela, this is Sam and Cyndi.

Angela: Hi.

Cyndi: Let's go in. Come on! (Pulls Angela's hand)

In the hall,

Cyndi: Hey Zax, Look who's here?

Zax: Angela? Hi!

Angela: Hi Zax.

Rainie: Hi.

Angela: You are Rainie? The volleyball team captain?

Rainie: Yup. We are in the same school but it's really weird that we hardly meet each other.

Angela: Yeah.

Tony came in and straight away holds Angela's hand.

Zax: Wow! Wow! Wow! Wait a minute! What are you doing?

Tony: I didn't do anything.

Zax: What's this? (Pointing and Tony's hand which was attached to Angela's)

Cyndi: Something you always wanted to know.

Zax: Oh! So you are the one!

Angela: Which one?

Rainie: Tony's girlfriend!

Angela: Err... (Blushed)

Cyndi: Oh, come on. Now everyone has known each other, let's go eat!

The Life of Orphans - Chapter 41

Zax: Hey, the school is going to hold a farewell party for students who are graduating.

Tony: How did you know? The notice isn't out yet.

Zax: Do I need a notice to know anything?

Cyndi: Of course. Without a notice, you know nothing.

Zax: You! Fine! The notice will be out shortly, I’m sure Sam will get the notice because he is one of them.

Rainie: Hi! (walking towards them)

Cyndi: Hi!

Tony: Hi!

Zax just smiled at her shyly.

Rainie: What are you guys talking about?

Tony: About the farewell party for the students who are graduating this year.

Rainie: Oh. It's almost time for the party to be held. Wonder what is this year's theme?

Cyndi: Theme?

Rainie: Oh. There's a theme every year, it's like a slogan or something. Then the students who are involved will have to do something about it.

Tony: According to the theme?

Rainie: Yes. (Nodding)

Cyndi: Oh, now I know.

Rainie: But only students involved with the party are allowed to participate. And they are only allowed to bring about five friends. I always wanted to go but none of my friends are involved every year.

Tony: Sam is, this year.

Rainie: Really? (Smiled excitedly but frown a minute after that) Only five friends are allowed.

Cyndi: I'm sure there is enough.

Rainie: No, it's not enough. You, Tony and Zax make three, Hebe will make four.

Cyndi: And you will make five.

Rainie: Oh yeah! I get to go anyway. But what if he has any other friends?

Cyndi: You don't have to worry about that.

Tony: Wait!

Everyone looked at him.

Tony: Look, if plus Rainie we'll make five then what about ... (swallowed back in) Why are you guys looking at me like this?

Zax: What about whom?

Cyndi: Oh. Somebody finally open their mouth.

Zax: What?

Cyndi: You were surprisingly quiet when Rainie came in and didn't even mention a word when she started talking.

Zax and Rainie looked at each other at the same time and faced away almost immediately blushing hard.

Cyndi: Aww...

Zax: So what?

Cyndi: Nothing.

Zax: Fine. Back to the actual topic, Tony who’s the who you are talking about?

Tony: Who?

Zax: I know! Tony, you are not dating someone behind our backs, are you?

Tony: I have the right not to answer.

Zax: I'll take that as a yes. Who is it?

Tony: I'll not answer that as well.

Zax: Ok, I’ll take that as a we'll-soon-find-out.

Tony: Whatever.

---------------------

At the take-away shop where Tony worked.

Tony was loading the stuff which he was supposed to deliver, when someone tapped him on the back.

Tony: Hey! You're late today.

Angela: I'm sorry.

Tony: It's ok. Do I look like I mind that?

Angela: Yes, you do.

Tony: Fine.

Angela: You don't really mind that, do you?

Tony: Of course I don’t. Get on, we're getting late, you know?

Angela: Oh, ok. First stop is quite near. Just turn left when you reach the park.

Tony: Yes, madam!

Angela: (taps his head) Be serious when you are working.

Tony: I am serious.

In the afternoon,

Tony: This is the last one.

Angela: Ok.

Tony: Then we'll have lunch together.

Angela: Deliver this first.

Tony: Yes. Madam! (Salutes)

Angela: Be serious.

The Life of Orphans - Chapter 40

Jason: Good morning!

Selina: Good morning, Jason.

Jason: Is the manager in there?

Selina: Oh, I think so. You'll just have to find out yourself because I’m off to do my work now.

Jason: Ok. (Knocks the manager's office door)

Voice: Come in.

Jason: (mumbles) Yup, he's in there. (Open the door and went in)

Voice: Jason. Can I help you?

Jason: Mr.Chang, I was wondering is the restaurant short of waitress?

Mr. Chang: Hmm.... We are not short of waitress. Why? One of your friends is interested?

Jason: Oh, yes, Mr. Chang.

Mr.Chang: Well, although we are not short of waitress but its school holidays now, we are having more customers than usual, so another waitress isn't a bad idea.

Jason: That means... It's ok?

Mr.Chang: I guess so. When can she start?

Jason: Anytime.

Mr.Chang: And her salary will be the same as yours.

Jason: No problem. Thanks, Mr.Chang.

Mr.Chang: You’re welcome.

Jason went out of the office and meet Hebe who was having a conversation with Selina.

Selina: So, you're Jason's friend. I'm Selina.

Hebe: Hebe.

Selina: Looking for a job? Don't worry, Mr.Chang is a nice guy. You'll sure get it. That's why a lot of students work here during the long holidays.

Hebe: Oh.

Jason: Hebe.

Selina: I'll go back to my work now. See you.

Hebe: Is it ok?

Jason: Of course. You can start work straight away, right?

Hebe: Yes.

Jason: Ok. But now, you'll have to go and see Mr.Chang first.

Hebe: Ok. (Sounding nervous)

Jason: Don't worry. He's a nice guy.

Hebe: Ok.

After a couple of minutes, Hebe came out of the office.

Jason: What did he say to you?

Hebe: He told me to enjoy my work here.

Jason: That's good. Come. I'll show you around.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Rio: Miss, you're not a worker here. Please don't do what we are supposed to do. If our boss finds out, we'll be in big trouble.

Cyndi: Don't worry. I just want to help.

Rio: No! you just sit here and do anything you like except entertaining customers.

Cyndi: Is your boss that strict?

Sam: Just let her be.

Rio: Sigh. I just have to pray that boss won't come back all of a sudden.

Sam: There's a time when a customer drop some of the rackets down and helped pick up. Rio was doing some other things and didn't help him. The boss saw that and thought he wasn't doing his duty, he almost got fired.

Cyndi: Oh. That's why he's so overreacting.

Sam: Our boss demands that our customers have the best service.

Cyndi: I see.

Sam: He doesn’t want to loose his job after loosing five.

Cyndi: Five!!

Sam: Shh!! (Looked up and saw Rio arranging the basketballs) Hold it down. He doesn't like people mentioning that.

Cyndi: Oh, sorry.

Sam: That is why he is so freaked out when you help out with the customers.

Cyndi: I know that now. I won't do that again.

Sam: Good. Now, you would just sit here and do whatever you want to do...

Cyndi: Except serving customers right? (Cyndi helped Sam finish his sentence)

Sam: Correct. Smart.

Cyndi: I always am.

The Life of Orphans - Chapter 39

The Life of Orphans

Chapter 39
Someone knocks Jason's room door,

Jason: Come in.

Cyndi: Hello. Are you free?

Jason: You mean now?

Cyndi: No, yesterday.

Jason: Why would you want to know that?

Cyndi: Sigh. I was just kidding. Are you free, NOW?

Jason: Yes. Anything?

Cyndi: Yes. There are loads of things.

Jason: Ok.

Cyndi: Firstly, I want to know that have you fall in love with anybody before?

Jason: Huh?

Cyndi: Do you know what love is? Something like umm.... like.

Jason: Like?

Cyndi: It's a torture talking to you. I mean do you somehow rather like a girl before?

Jason: I think not.

Cyndi: Are you going to?

Jason: Maybe. Why are you asking me these?

Cyndi: Just to know you better.

Jason: Really?

Cyndi: Or else?

Jason: Maybe you like me?

Cyndi: Haha. I just noticed you do have the sense of humour.

Jason: That is?

Cyndi: Of course I like you as a friend. A really close friend. Or maybe as a brother.

Jason: (confused)

Cyndi: Ok now, I’ll go straight to the point.

Jason; You should ages ago.

Cyndi: Fine. What do you think of Hebe?

Jason: Hebe? Hebe Tian?

Cyndi: No, Hebe Wang. Is there any other Hebe's you know?

Jason: I don't think so.

Cyndi: So?

Jason: Huh?

Cyndi: What do you think of Hebe?

Jason: She's cute, smart, nice ...

Cyndi: That means she is good?

Jason: She is good.

Cyndi; Ok, that does it.

Jason: Does what?

Cyndi: Something you don't have to know.

Jason: Ok.

Cyndi: It's dinner time. Let's go to the canteen together.

Jason: Ok.

In the canteen, Hebe was chatting with Tony, Zax and Sam.

Sam: Here they come.

Cyndi: talking about me?

Zax: Yup.

Cyndi: What's that? (Sat down)

Zax: When you were my "girlfriend"

Cyndi: What? What were you telling them?

Tony: Is there anything you don't want us to know?

Cyndi: Nothing, that is. Nothing I want all of you to know.

Everyone laughed.

Sam: Speaking of girlfriends. Where's yours, Zax?

Zax: Huh? You mean Rainie?

Hebe: Is there any other?

Tony: There must be.

Zax: Don't crap. I think she's on the way here.

Cyndi: Aren't you guys hungry? I’ll go take my dinner.

Tony: Wait for me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the dinner, Hebe went back to her room.

Hebe: Hmm.. a pretty good start.

(Flashbacks)

Hebe: (whispered) Hey.

Jason: (look at the back of him before he answered) Talking to me?

Hebe: Yes.

Jason: Oh, anything?

Hebe: Just want to ask you how were your holidays?

Jason: Nothing special about it. Just as normal as everyday life.

Hebe: Oh.

Jason: What about you?

Hebe: Who me? I think it's even more normal than yours.

Jason: Even more normal?

Hebe: I have nothing to do at home. Just hanging around in my room and sometimes out for shopping.

Jason: I didn't know normal can be more than normal.

Hebe: Huh?

Jason: It's ok. No one really understands what I say. Sometimes, even I myself don't.

Hebe: Oh. I was just wondering...

Jason: Yes?

Hebe: Is the restaurant you're working short of waitresses?

Jason: I'm not very sure about that. Are you interested?

Hebe: A little. There's still a few weeks till school reopens.

Jason: I'll go and find out for you.

Hebe: Thanks.

Jason: No problem. You want to come with me to the restaurant tomorrow?

Hebe: Can I?

Jason: Sure.

Hebe: Ok.

Cyndi was watching the both of them from her place and smiled to herself. Hebe was the only one who can make Jason talks so much. They were really made for each other.

The Life of Orphans - Chapter 38

In the morning, there was a loud knock on Cyndi's room door.

Cyndi: Who's that? (Went to open her door)

Voice: Surprise! Didn't expect to see me, right?

Cyndi: Hebe! Why are you here? There's still a long way before school reopens.

Hebe: I missed you.

Cyndi: Oh really? Or you missed someone...

Hebe: No! I missed you.

Cyndi: I doubted that.

Hebe: Ok fine. I came back because my parents were going on a business trip. I'm allowed to
follow but that's boring. I can't just stay at home alone so I decided to come back earlier than
usual.

Cyndi: Oh, ok. You came back the wrong time. Jason is working now.

Hebe: So?

Cyndi: Are you sure you sure not back because of him?

Hebe: I regretted telling you this.

Cyndi: Chill. Just kidding. Boredom could make someone go nuts.

Hebe: Then I didn't come back on the wrong time after all.

Cyndi: Why?

Hebe: Let's go out together.

Cyndi: Really? Oh good. Let's get going!

Hebe: Are you really that bored?

Cyndi: I am. Don't waste time. Let's go! (Pull Hebe's arm)

Hebe: Alright, alright. I can walk, thank you.

Hebe and Cyndi went to the nearest shopping complex and started shopping until its lunch time.
They went to a restaurant and have their lunch.

Hebe: So, how are you doing lately?

Cyndi: Nothing much. Eat, sleep, walk, talk.....

Hebe: Don't crap. Who don't do those things?

Cyndi: But that's what I did during the holidays.

Hebe: I mean anything special happened?

Cyndi: Me or someone else?

Hebe: Will you stop that?

Cyndi: ok, ok. Well, as you've known, Zax had found his family.

Hebe: Oh, yes. I forgot about that. How are they doing now?

Cyndi: Fine. They get along well.

Hebe: That's good news.

Cyndi: Yup. There's another thing about Zax.

Hebe: What's that?

Cyndi: He's now with Rainie.

Hebe: Rainie Yang?

Cyndi: Yup. The one from the school volleyball team.

Hebe: I didn't know that he was after her.

Cyndi: I didn't know either. Maybe it's just fate.

Hebe: What about him?

Cyndi: I thought you won't ask. Him? Ummm... working, as usual. Quiet, as usual. He is just too
quiet to have anything special happening to him.

Hebe: Then while he is working, does he.... ummmm.... you know.

Cyndi: Know what? How am I supposed to know if you don't speak it out?

Hebe: Well, he..... Anyone?

Cyndi: who?

Hebe: Ok, fine. Did he like.... go out with any other girls?

Cyndi: Yup.

Hebe: What?! Who?

Cyndi: Me.

Hebe: You! (Knocks Cyndi's head.)

Cyndi: Ouch! That hurts. You should have seen your face.

Hebe: Haha. Very funny.

Cyndi: Ok, ok. I'll be serious. As I told you, he's a stick! He doesn't really have the courage to talk
to anyone that he doesn’t know apart from his customers, of course but that is just official
business.

Hebe: What about the ones he knew?

Cyndi: You mean me?

Hebe: No! Not you, other girls that he knows.

Cyndi: He doesn’t really dare to talk to anyone especially girls. Too shy.

Hebe: That means you don't know what kind of girls he likes?

Cyndi: Not really. But I can find out if you want to.

Hebe: I'm not so sure about this.

Cyndi: Don't worry, he won't know. The secret is safe with me.

Hebe: Hah! It's you whom I worry.