5+Gen+Daniel+Low+Yu+Hian

Character Profile

Darron Lim: A flamboyant, gregarious, audacious 10 year old who looked the opposite what one would expect him to look. He is a puny, untidy boy wearing thick glasses. A mischievous practical joker who is not only popular but also brilliant in his studies and kind at heart.

Howie Chua: timid, shy and clumsy classmate who avoids others because of his habit of stuttering.

Everyone in Primary 4 Goodness could remember their first day in their new class. Mr Tan, their form teacher, walked into the class and introduced himself. He talked about how he had always wanted to be a teacher and then he suggested that as the class came from different schools, they could introduce themselves to one another and talk about their ambition. Everyone could remember this first day all because of one person. And it was not Mr Tan. When he asked for volunteers, everyone started squirming in their seats and tried to fade into the background. Suddenly someone with a loud booming voice yelled:”Me! Me! Me! Me! I want to go first!” Everyone else spun around to look at where the voice came from. He was a scrawny little boy with an oversized head, wearing thick glasses which magnified his eyes several times but it was not just his size and face that made his classmate gawk. He wore his school uniform half tucked out and his sleeves were stained with what seemed like chocolate smears. Everyone wondered how such a boy was so audacious to go first. The teacher promptly called him and he stood up. He rushed up to the front of the class and announced:”My name is Darron Lim. When I grow up, I want to be a professional comedian.” “Wow!” everyone said in unison. He continued:”And I’m preparing for it right now. In fact, I make it a point to tell a joke every day and this seems to be the most opportune time.” Then, he started to tell a hilarious joke which made everyone laugh until they were on the verge of falling off their seats. Even Mr Tan had to stifle his laughter and tell him to stop. One of the last to be called was a rather big sized boy but one could not really tell at first because he walked with a very slow gait and with his shoulders all hunched over. He had barely managed to stammer his name: ”Er…eermm…m…my name is erm……Howie Ch…Ch..Chua” when suddenly, “Rrrrrinnnnnggggg……………”The bell rang before he could finish. Not even a month passed by and Darron showed his mischievous streak of playing pranks on people. He would put gum on one of the seats and wait for that person to stand up and bow to the teacher. He would even hide everyone’s textbooks just to get a laugh. However, he never played tricks on the quiet ones in class. He also managed to get away with minor chidings from his teachers because his schoolwork was always top-notch and he aced his tests with ease. His gregarious nature made him very popular in class; even with his victims except for those bullies who sat at the back of the class. They scowled whenever he was around and made snide remarks about him behind his back. Howie admired Darron’s courage and good results but he never mustered the courage to talk to him. He mostly kept to himself, preferring to bury himself in a book than to socialise. His big size made him as clumsy as a bull in a china shop; he frequently knocked over his classmates’ books and would whisper a quick “sss…sss.so…sorry” before retreating to his seat. One day, while rushing for his school bus, Howie was caught by the neighbouring Primary 6 class bully for accidentally tripping over his bag. He hauled Howie by the collar and claimed that Howie had broken his water bottle. Being a very shy and lonely boy, Howie apologized profusely. Tears fell from his eyes but that apparently was not enough for the bully until Darron suddenly stepped in. To appease the guy, Darron gave him all his money, which was his allowance for the next two weeks. The thug snatched the money and left with a smirk on his face. Howie only managed to stutter “Th…th…than…thankk yyouu.” He had this habit of stammering that made him afraid to speak, so much so that he was even failing his oral exams. Darron smiled and Howie was grateful that Darron never mentioned a word of the embarrassing incident to anyone. Soon, it was the day before Darron’s birthday and everyone in class knew because when the teacher came in, Darron chorused:”Tomorrow’s my birthday!” Later that day, Howie needed to go to the toilet but he was too meek to ask during class so he waited till the change to the next period before he went. Just as he was about to leave the cubicle, he heard chattering of people entering the toilet. He immediately recognised them as his classmates’ voices. These were the notorious gang that hung out at the back of the class. Howie cowered in fear and listened with bated breath as their conversation continued. “Now it’s time to give him a taste of his own medicine.” Iain said. “Let’s give him a birthday he will never forget!” Han Wei sneered. “Agreed!” Gau Ge readily replied. “What shall we do then?” Han Wei contemplated. “Let’s sneak in class just before our CCA and smear mud on his seat! You know what people will think of him, that he clean himself after going to the toilet.” “Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Good idea!” Suddenly, there was a bang on Howie’s door and he was stunned by the face of brutish Iain popping from the top of his cubicle. “It’s H…H..Ho…Howie!” he mocked. Then twisting his face in a fierce expression, he stared into Howie’s face as he warned, “You’d better make sure you didn’t hear anything, or else!” Then they left before Howie slowly crept out after them. At this point, Howie was stuck in a dilemma. Should I tell Darron or not? He debated. If I tell, the bullies will surely turn on me. Howie shuddered with fear at the thought. How will I be able to defend myself? But if I do not, Darron will surely be embarrassed and that is the worst thing that can happen to him especially on his birthday. Howie was at a total loss. He went back to class, his head hung low and all through the rest of the lessons, he could barely concentrate, his mind tossing between showing his gratitude to Darron and trying to conquer his fears at the same time. At the end of the school day, he finally made his decision. Glancing around to make sure that the three bullies had left, Howie approached Darron. “Ex…excuse mm..me..I…I…need-to-talk-to-you-about-something-in-private,” he blurted. “Why, what is it?” Darron said as he stepped aside. “Erm… the-gang-at-the-back-of-the-class are plan..ning … to-smear-mud on your seat-today!” Howie spilled the beans on the bullies’ plan. Darron thought for a minute and then, with a wink, said confidently, “Never mind. I’ll handle it!” Although Howie was very nervous and worried, he was glad that he had done the right thing. After all, Darron had done him a big favour the last time and it was only right that he returned it. It was the weirdest moment ever in his life as he had never spoken up for himself, let alone for others. He felt more relieved than he had ever felt in his 10 years of life. The next day, as Howie came into the class reluctantly, he stole a glance at Darron’s seat. It was pushed up to the desk and he could see nothing. The bullies were already there, waiting anxiously. A short while later, Darron burst into the class with a birthday cake in the shape of a clown. He set down on the teacher’s table before getting to his seat, pulling out his chair and plonking down on his seat casually. Soon Mr Tan walked in and on seeing the cake, said “Oh yes, it’s daring Darron’s birthday, isn’t it?” Darron, why don’t you come up to the front so we can sing you a birthday song?” Howie could sense the bullies’ anticipation as Darron stood up. Howie then saw Iain and Han Wei’s mouths agape and he turned quickly to look at Darron’s back. To his surprise, his pants was as clean as a whistle. The bullies turned to face him but could tell by the look on Howie’s face that he was just as surprised. As Darron reached the front, he apologised to the teacher, saying “I hope you can forgive me because it is my birthday. I know I was not supposed to but I came back to class yesterday evening after playing football and accidentally spilt Coke all over my desk and chair. I must have dirtied my pants at the football field because my seat was full of mud. I cleaned my seat up but I didn’t finish the job. I promise to clean it up today.” Mr Tan accepted his apology and after the birthday song, Darron then started to tell another joke. Howie could only heave a sigh of relief and marvel at Darron’s ingenuity.

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Comment by Ken Zho:

Hey! this is a nice story! I like it that you made the decision so tense! The characters follow up pretty well. Nice work!