Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 303

The Discovery
Victoria Shanghai Academy, Lo, Maxine - 10
I sat on my seat, looking out of the window, watching all the concrete buildings pass by. I was
getting close to Willow Creek Elementary, my school. Just then, I noticed a boy sitting next to me. “Hey
there, what’s your name? Where are you from?” I asked. “My name is Shen, and I’m from Shenzhen, how
about you? Are you from Hong Kong, Jacob?” Shen asked. “I’m from Hong Kong, and… how did you
know my name?” I questioned. He gestured his hand to my schoolbag, and he whispered: “Your name is on
it.” We both stared at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to say next. “We’re both in the GBA!” we
both realized.
I picked up my school bag and started looking for my book. I kept looking, but I couldn’t find it. I
suspiciously looked at Shen, who was hugging a book. MY BOOK! “Hey- that’s MY book!” I shouted.
“Oh, really! This is my book, and I think YOU stole it!” Shen insisted. A confused look spread across
Shen’s face, and he started looking for something in her school bag. “Oh. Sorry. I think we both have the
same book, ‘The Greater Bay Area’.” Shen apologized. I didn’t want to make Shen feel sorry, so I had to
start a conversation.
‘Wait. If we both had the same book, it might mean that we’re both interested in the same thing!’ I
thought. I started reading my book while Shen was reading his. “Are you interested in the GBA too?” I
asked. Shen widened his eyes, mouth hanging. “YOU TOO? Gosh, I thought no one would be interested
in this sort of thing. Oh right, I remember, your book! How could I possibly forget to start the conversation
earlier?” Shen grinned.
The school bus doors opened, and one by one, all the students on the bus hopped off except for
Shen and I. We were so ‘into’ the conversation, that we didn’t realize the school bus was ALREADY in
front of Willow Creek Elementary! “It was nice talking to you, Jacob! I WISH we could continue talking
about GBA…” Shen sighed. “Hey, will you have Geography class again?” I asked. The bell rang, which
meant that school was about to start. Shen ignored me and said, “Gotta head off to class!”
Once again, I was by myself in the hallways of Willow Creek Elementary. I looked at my timetable
and remembered: Geography class was first! I had promised myself NOT to be late today because I was
going to learn about the Greater Bay Area! I checked my watch, and I was a minute from being late for
Geography class. I could NOT miss this class. I ran as fast as I could to the Geography classroom. I couldn’t
wait!
Phew! The lesson had just started. I quietly sat on my chair, waiting for the teacher to come. Then,
I saw Ms. Wu jogging towards the front of the class with a huge rolled-up poster, and announced: “I guess
this is what you’ve all been waiting for: A lesson about the Greater Bay Area!” I started cheering, but other
students remained calm and gave me a ‘look’. I sat back down, feeling embarrassed. “So, as you know, the
GBA, also known as the Greater Bay Area, is in the original, an idea that had emerged in 2015 as part of
China Belt and Road Initiatives which was isolated originally, as a district project.” Ms. Wu explained. I
yawned, looking at my watch. This lesson was WAY more boring than I expected.
All the teacher was only explaining what I already knew about the GBA. “The initial intention of
GBA is-” “To lead and guide all existing as well as future developments within the regional nations!” I
interrupted. I covered my mouth, while everyone stared at me. Ms. Wu lowered her glasses, staring at me.
“Oops. Sorry for interrupting you. I didn’t mean to, really.” I apologized. “No, no it’s okay.” Ms.
Wu replied while hanging up her poster. “If you already know that, then you must know some other facts
about the Greater Bay Area!” Ms. Wu assumed. She shoved me in front of the huge map of GBA. “Please
fill in the class with some facts on the Greater Bay Area.” Ms. Wu mumbled to me. I stood blankly in front
of my geography class, not knowing what to do.
“The Greater Bay Area was initiated in China’s 13th Five-Year-Plan from 2016 into the latter of
2020, which is just around the corner!” I told. As I spoke, the more and more excited I got. “... and all the
cities in the GBA shall serve as core engines!” I exclaimed, all excited. The bell rang once again, and I
realized that I had been talking for about half the class.
“Hmm… where’s Shen?” I wondered. “Oh, there you are! I HAVE to tell you something!” Shen
shouted across the boisterous cafeteria. He sat down at a table and waved me over. “How was your day?
Mine couldn’t have been better!” Shen said. “My day was awesome! The teacher asked me to go up in front
of the class and fill in the class on GBA!” I beamed. Shen laughed, and chuckled “Oh, that must’ve been
embarrassing!”. I shook my head in disagreement. “In fact, it was really enjoyable! And you know what? I
got to talk about GBA for about half of Geography class!” I insisted. I opened my lunch box and saw a
rotten apple. “Here, have some of my sandwiches. I’m not that hungry anyway.” Shen offered.