Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 327

Greater Bay Area
Yew Chung International Primary School, Wu, Elle Maria Jieyu - 10
“One minute and thirty seconds of school left.”
Ugenie watched as a crunchy dead leaf twirled down from the ancient tree and settled down on the open
window. She could feel the slight summer breeze brush through her hair.
“Our next field trip destination is the Greater Bay Area,” announced Mister Anderson handing out letters
to the children. “The core of Greater Bay Area is eleven cities with a total population of sixty-eight
million.”
“I’m probably not going,” Ugenie whispered to Sadie. “I’d rather stay in school doing math or
something.”
“You can always bring your sketchbook with you, that will keep you company,” Sadie whispered back as
she looked at the field trip letter full of excitement.
“It’s probably going to be loud outside, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate,” muttered Ugenie as she
glanced at her letter. “So it’s better I don’t.”
“Class dismissed!” the teacher said as the bell rang.
All the children filed out of the classroom and through the school gates.
“See you later,” said Sadie waving to Ugenie.
“Bye,” Ugenie waved back, still worrying about the trip.
The following evening, when Ugenie got home from school, Mr and Mrs Jude noticed their daughter
acting a bit nervous.
“What’s the matter Ugi?” asked Mrs Jude.
“It’s nothing,” replied the girl. “Really.”
There was a moment of silence. It was so quiet in the room you could hear a pin drop.
“Fine, there’s a school trip that we’re going to tomorrow and I’m not interested in going, but the teacher
said that we have to have an excuse for not going.”
“Your going young lady, and you don’t have a choice,” Interrupted Mr Jude overhearing the mother and
daughter’s conversation.
“Ugenie...Ugenie!”
The Day Of The Field Trip
“Huh?” Ugenie was startled by a sudden call of the register from Mr Anderson.
She had dark circles around her eyes after thinking all night about the trip. They were there, the whole
group of year eights and the teachers were at the Greater Bay Area. Once Ugenie got out of the bus, the
teenager’s mouth dropped open. She was blinded by the beauty of nature.
“Everyone take a seat, it is twenty-eight minutes past nine. We will give you a sketchbook to sketch on for
about twenty minutes,” Mr Anderson’s voice raised a little when he said the last two words.