This is a story about how I met my best friend, Naomi. It was after our summer break. Ferdinand and I were excited to go to school again. I'm always looking forward to learning new things in school and meeting my teachers.
As usual, Ferdinand and I sat at our desk together with Lisa. Our new class teacher, Mrs Woods entered the classroom, wearing a lace blouse and a pastel pink pencil skirt, and carrying a history textbook in her arms.
"Okay class," she chirped. "Today you will have a new student in your class."
"You may come in now," she called outside the door. A girl, clad in a pink dress walked into the classroom and bowed. She had jet black hair, styled into a straight bob and her eyes were as big as a glass marble. She seems friendly and jovial. "Konichiwa," the girl greeted, with an accent. "My name is Naomi Watanabe. It's nice to meet you."
Archie raised his hands. "Where are you from?" he asked. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnThG7BypP
"I'm from Kyoto, Japan," she answered. "I used to live in a terrace house, where we had a garden, until my dad was offered a new job at the factory. I look forward to meeting all of you."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBmaiWSDlc
"You can sit anywhere, Naomi," said Mrs Woods. "Oh, and class, please make Naomi feel welcome here. She's doing her best to understand our language and culture. Our country is built by immigrants as well. It is our duty to make everyone welcome here, regardless of background."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkVMtqDVna
She sat opposite of me, next to Lisa. Ferdinand offered his hands. "I'm Ferdinand Lau," he introduced himself. "And this is Meredith Tan, but everyone calls her Bugsy. The one next to you is Lisa Yearns."
Naomi shook hands with Ferdinand and Lisa. "A pleasure to meet you all."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNY2G2iOjd
"So how was it like in Japan?" I asked. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMZkPUqARz
"It’s a bustling city in Kyoto compared to Slaborough," replied Naomi. "Here, it's much quieter and serene."
"Not really. I find it boring here."
"Alright class," Mrs Woods announced. "Today we are going to learn about the Cold War. Before that, did you guys hear about the Cold War?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cAqMcjpVd
The whole class was filled with silence. She looked at me with delight. "Bugsy," she called my name. "Did you know anything about the Cold War?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJDpHmvgdy
I sighed. Why do I always have to be chosen by teachers? "The Cold Wars started after World Wars 2 and ended in 1990, which was seven years ago."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf2Czhh57H
Mrs Woods gleamed. "And who was involved in the Cold War, Bugsy?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDENyEEiV0
"The United States and the Soviet Union."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmBet7nYz9
"Thank you, Bugsy" she smiled. She glanced at Archie, who was more focused on his harlequin novel. "Archie, do you know why the US and the Soviet Union were fighting?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQHYqo4csc
Archie put down his novel and glanced at Mrs Woods, scratching his head. "Because they hate each other," he answered, confidently. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPkIaoiU1y
The whole class erupted in laughter. "You're close, Archie," Mrs Woods commented. "But that's not the reason why they were fighting."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHQpjwL87a
Lisa raised her hands. "Is it because they both wanted to be a superpower country?" 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQn6U9l2Y4
Mrs Woods looked at Lisa and approached her desk. "Maybe, maybe not," Mrs Woods replied. "Are you confident with what you just answered, Lisa?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRml9elqIPN
Lisa gulped and flipped open her textbook, frantically searching for the answers. "I guess so, Mrs Woods."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzmUIlsaD1
"Is it like the Bowan War, with Blanca and the Separatist states, where Blanca is like the US while the Separatist states are the Soviets?" questioned Farouk. "Where they are fighting because of different ideologies?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrZPCp6PvI
Mrs Woods nodded. "Something like that, except the US and the Soviet Union didn't use weapons to fight. Instead, they competed with each other such as the Space Race in the 60s."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz4BqdrgD9
"Mrs Woods," uttered Naomi. "But what is the Bowan War?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFHtoJze4o
"It's a war where our country, Blanca is fighting with the newly Separatist states," explained Mrs Woods. "Its called the Bowan War because the states that seceded from Blanca is called Bowan."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYSzjEFbqM
Naomi nodded, understanding the topic she discussed with Mrs Woods. As the whole class discussed the Cold War, the first bell of the day rang. The whole class stood up and rushed outside the door for their first break.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6tvdsY5ry
"Class," she spoke loudly. "Please keep yourself updated with the Bowan Wars. We are witnessing history in the making."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOQJubFW5A
Ferdinand and I sat outside the building, munching on our snacks when Naomi approached us. "Can I sit with you?" she asked.
"Of course you can. You're one of us now," chuckled Ferdinand.
Naomi sat beside us and opened the lid of her lunchbox, breaking her chopsticks into two.
Naomi indulged on her onigiri and looked at me, offering me one. I took a bite into the fluffy, white rice and my eyes widened. The salty seaweed goes well with the rice and the sausage inside, oh my. It felt so juicy. I have never had anything like this in my life.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEstIxAAmhV
"Did you made this yourself?" I was stunned by the taste.
"Yeah, with my mother," beamed Naomi. Feeling touched, I offered my tuna sandwich to Naomi.
Naomi munched on my sandwich and gave a thumbs up. "Where do you live, Bugsy?" she wondered. "I live above Little Owl Coffeehouse. How about you?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhmrxA4Idg
"A few kilometres away from downtown. You can come by and visit if you're not busy studying."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m0gDmSnmY
I let out a small laugh. "Studying? We don't have exams until we're 16."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8pdJu7KNa
Her jaw dropped. "No exams? Seriously?" 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuech8iNVK4
Ferdinand patted her shoulders. "Of course. We have homework though, which is mostly researching from the library for the topic we're going to discuss."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjL3VFRK1w
Then, the bell rang. Looks like our first break is over. "Let's get back to class," I told Naomi and Ferdinand.
The last bell of the day rang as we walked together back home, chit-chatting about whatever was in our head. "I never knew your family-owned Little Owl Coffeehouse," said Naomi.
"I know right. It's the best coffeehouse in town," bragged Ferdinand.
I chuckled shyly. "I'm mostly standing at the counter, brewing coffee and tea, although I have plans for the future."
"What kind of plans, Bugsy?" Naomi was curious. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIKLV0VBoF
"Bugsy wants to improve the lives in Slaborough, Ferdinand explained. "She wants to be the Governor of Slaborough."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryOsD8T4td
I blushed profusely. "Oh stop it, Ferdinand.”
"It's true," Ferdinand ignored me. "She always said that the people's needs are often neglected, and she wants to change that."
Naomi let out a small cough. "Governor of Slaborough? I'm impressed," she praised. "You seem perfect to lead us in the future."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CUh61pgOy
Then, I felt a drop of water on my head. I looked up the sky and noticed the cloud turned gray. Rain poured from the skies, causing the three of us to rush towards a nearby tree for shelter. Naomi shivered as she wrapped her arms around herself, blowing her warm breath on her body. Her pink dress and ribbon were soaked from the downpour, along with her frilly socks and the inside of her Mary Jane shoes. "How long will the rain last?" her teeth rattled.
I glanced at my watch. The long hand was pointing at 9 while the shorthand was pointing at 2. "A few hours, I guess," I replied.
"I don't think I can last for hours," Naomi rubbed her palms against each other. "It’s freezing and my mother's probably waiting for me."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkK9LnW6oW
Ferdinand shook his head. "What choice do we have, Naomi?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDvMMBqewM
I watched Naomi's reaction as she sat and rubbed her arms to keep herself warm. I opened my backpack, revealing a transparent raincoat inside. I held it in my hands and gave it to Naomi. "Here, you can have mine.” I sympathized with Naomi. "You need it more than I do."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8WAeMthy6
A smile curved on Naomi‘s lips, and she hugged and thanked me. She put on my raincoat and ran into the storm, waving at me and Ferdinand. We waved back and leaned on the bark of the tree, waiting.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08BrhLCtER
Ferdinand brushed his hands against mine as I rested my head on his shoulders. "The rain has been getting heavier every hour, Fern," I stated. "I'm starting to worry about Naomi."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTw0SYYazY
Ferdinand wrapped his arms around my shoulders and leaned closer to me. "My thoughts exactly, Bugs," he agreed. "We have to look for her."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeI0ynLuAt
Ferdinand squatted, glancing at me. "Hop on my back, Bugsy."
I bit my lips. "Are you sure about this, Ferdinand? I might break your back, and besides, we can’t see anything in the storm."
"Just trust me, Bugsy," insisted Ferdinand. "You only have 8 toes. It'll hurt you in the long run."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthTXHkg2z0
I climbed on his back and was lifted, with both my legs held by him and my arms around his shoulders. We ventured into the storm and called out Naomi's name numerous times, only to hear nothing but the whispers of the strong wind. My blonde locks were drenched as I felt a small puddle filling up my Dr Martens boots. Ferdinand, on the other hand, was covered in his plastic raincoat, except for his socks and sneakers. "Naomi-chan," I screamed her name. “Where are you?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJdKQC5cOM
The booming thunder erupted as we searched for our friend, with the heavy breeze pushing us back. We fought our way into the storm, with my eyes covered and my arms held tight around Ferdinand's shoulders. My heart was filled with guilt as Ferdinand tried to hold me steady on his back. If this goes on, Ferdinand might get himself injured, or worse.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2hF9uSVDc
"Maybe you should just put me down," I suggested. "I can walk on my two feet."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Krys0SXJr
"No," denied Ferdinand. "You'll get yourself hurt, like what happened during our Scouts activity."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWINkCyilQ
I sighed as we continued finding Naomi in the storm. In a moment, the blizzard grew rougher, and we were forced onto the ground, causing me and Ferdinand to land on our backs. My elbows stung as I crawled towards Ferdinand, who was unable to get up. "Ferdinand." I shook him up. "I need you here right now."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn4j4OLqt2
He rubbed the back of his head as he grasped my hands and lay me down. He stood up and lifted me with both his hands, my arms around his chest. "We can't give up now, Bugsy," he stated. "Naomi is depending on us to rescue her."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjv9VDw0tk
I took a deep breath as I murmured a small prayer, hoping that Naomi doesn't get killed. Even if we just met today, I don't want her to meet the same fate as Jessie. I can't afford to lose another friend of mine.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFypkVCZ70I
As I stared into the hazy surrounding, a luminescent lime orb emerged before our eyes. I squinted my eyes as I stared at it, whispering in my ears. "Follow me," it spoke. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkrOpKfPa7
My hands cupped on Ferdinand's cheeks. "Did you see the light?" I pointed out. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSDBgtUuU6
Ferdinand cocked his eyes and nodded his head. "I see it, Bugsy."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W8i8sheqC
I convinced him to follow it, and he submitted to my request. We tailgated the orbs and felt the gust grew softer as we went farther from our path. As we followed the orbs, the storm we encountered earlier grew calmer. We followed it all the way into the forest, where the trees around us sang harmoniously and high-pitched voices burst through the forest. The glowing orbs we followed through the forest surrounded us, revealing a human-like creature with wings on their back.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXsdDoNkvE
It was the faeries. I remember my mother used to tell me about them as a bedtime story before she passed away. One of the faeries stared at me and sat on my head with her legs crossed. "Where am I?" I felt bewildered by my surroundings. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjDtMydQlz
"You and your two friends are safe now."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsJJO4mRmp
The faeries in a green dress hovered above my nose and flew some fairy dust at our faces. Our visions went black.
When I was awoken, I found myself laying on the grass, with Ferdinand and Naomi next to me. "What happened?" I groaned, stretching myself.
Naomi gave a tender look and clasped tightly in my arms. "Don't you remember?" she expressed her appreciation towards me. "You saved me from the violent storm."
No words came out of my mouth. "You were a hero, Bugsy," Ferdinand praised me. "If weren't for you, we would have perished during the terrible storm."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kvVkiePwI
Huh, I don't remember saving my friends from danger. My last memory was meeting that fairy girl wearing a green dress, who blew a speck of fairy dust on my face. Regardless though, I thanked the Lord for sparing Naomi from the storm on that day and forming my friendship with her. For once, luck was on my side.
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