Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 19

Friendship
International Christian School, Lam, Hannah - 8
As Natasha’s classmates raised their hands high, Natasha dipped her head low. “Uh, I can’t think of
the answer!” She thought anxiously. Suddenly, she thought of the answer! “56!” She shouted out. Her
teacher said, “Sorry. Natasha, the answer is 69.” Natasha blushed. A slight giggle came from the class.
“Pfttttttttttt!” A spitball came flying and went “SPLAT!” on her face. Her classmates giggled even more.
Natasha embarrassingly looked at her feet as she covered her head with her arms. “Why in the world did my
mom tell me to come,” she said gloomily. Then, the bell went off. “RIIIIIIIIIIIIING!” “LUNCH
BREAK!” Her classmates screamed as they rammed out the door. Natasha sighed as she dragged her feet
towards the door.
“Bang bang.” Natasha placed her lunch, Khichdi on the table. Despite her unhappiness, she had her
favorite meal.
. “What in the world are you eating?” “MASHED SOGGY DOG FOOD?” a girl asked sassily.
Natasha sighed. “It’s khichdi.”
“Khichdi! Khichdi! Natasha eats Khichdi!” The girl said to her friends.
“Ewwwwww…” they said as they scrunched their nose. Natasha headed slowly towards another
table. Lonely and sad, she ate her lunch thinking with a heavy heart : “Maybe khichdi isn’t so good after
all.”
The next day at lunch, “Gulp.” “The last bite… hurry! You don’t want anybody to see your
food!” Natasha’s mind told her. Then she pushed her box of Khichdi away.
“Excuse me, may I sit here?” a girl’s tiny voice said. Natasha jumped a bit on the bench. “Um…a… I guess
so,” “Oh, I’m Sasha and I come from Russia. You a newbie too?” “Yeah, it’s hard being a newbie.”
Natasha replied. “Yeah, people bully you for what you wear,” “ Also what you eat,” Natasha cut in. “Be
aware of the mean girl, Zhi Ruo, she has a popular group and is mean to newbies. My older sister Nadia at
boarding school in England warned me all about bullies. Sasha replied. “Oh, I think that was who teased me
about eating this, Khichdi.” Natasha said pointing to her food. “Ooh, seems interesting... Sasha said as she
put her nose close to the box of khichdi and opening the box. Natasha was expecting Sasha to think it was
bad, but instead: “Hmmmm… this smells pretty good. May I try?” I’ll bring some tomorrow, but… hey!
Could you come to my house tonight? I’ll tell my mom I have a new friend. “You bet!” Sasha said as she
smiled. “Which class are you in? I haven’t noticed you today. “I’m in 4C.” Sasha replied. We’re in the same
class!" Natasha excitedly. "Yes! Sasha said as she raised her fists in the air.
“RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!” The bell went off. The quietness broke into a cluster of noise. “Okay, time
to go to our homeroom!” Sasha said with a wink. Then the two girls skipped quickly and quietly into the
classroom.
Natasha’s mind told her: No matter what, you and Sasha’s friendship will never end. No matter what.