Chapter 1 [Dylan and Joseph]

How I wish there're other seasons in this country. I'm sick of summer. Summer mornings are always hot, even after a cold shower, I'm still perspiring at my back. I'm really really sick of summer.
Maybe it's human tendency that one will grow sick of something that's always at one's side, that's always happening around oneself.
Will it be the same for the people around us? Will we grow sick of them eventually?

I think eventually we will, but that should be after many many things have happened.

At least for now, I'm not sick of anyone yet.
Maybe Joseph. Haha.

Speaking of that Joseph, isn't he supposed to be here like 7mins 54secs ago? The ride to school takes about 20 plus minutes and assembly starts at 7.30am sharp. Our discipline master has this favourite phrase which he always repeats during announcements after flag raising,
"On time is late!"
And so anyone who arrives on the dot will be considered latecomer as well.
Great, 1 more minute deducted from our countdown.

I look at my watch, 7.14am. Surely we'll be late again. We've already been late twice this term, twice last term, and every time it's because of him. One more time this term and it'll be detention for an entire week.
Stupid Joseph.
Stupid stupid stupid.

"Dylan! Hop on!" I hear him from afar, with the sound of his bicycle chain rattling.

As soon as his bicycle is in front of me, I place my right hand on his right shoulder and do a hop onto his rear wheel and my right foot steps on the 'stepping cylinder at the side of the wheel' (which I can never remember what it is called, though Joseph told me so many times before), in one smooth action.
It's really quite a stunt, but I manage to perfect it from all the practice I get every morning taking a ride from Joseph.

Standing at the back of the bicycle is the only time that I enjoy the summer mornings. The air rushing at me, cooling off the perspiration from my body, the things around me becoming a blur as if they are not at all important anymore.
Today, the air seems to be rushing stronger and the things around more blur, I think because Joseph is riding faster?
I look at him and see beads of perspiration at the back of his neck. He seems to be quite serious in wanting to get to school in time.
Weird.
There are not a lot of things in this universe that can get Joseph serious, and getting to school on time is definitely not one of them.

As I hold onto his shoulders, I've a slight feeling that his body temperature is a little higher than usual. Or is it because the rushing air is stronger and I'm colder?

"You don't have to go so fast." I say.

No reply. Maybe he didn't hear me.

"So why are you late this time?" I say louder.

"Forgot to set my alarm clock."

No apology. Not even apologetic. Why am I not surprised?
I guess after 7 years of being classmates and good friends, since Primary 3, nothing he can do will surprise me anymore.
Although initially he does, and once I believed that there are really aliens living on Earth, and Joseph must have came from some weird planet.

"What's the time now?" He asks.

"7.21."

No reply. Maybe he didn't hear me again.

Some minutes passed and I begin to see the school at a distance. I take a peek at my watch, 7.28am. Both of my hands start to pat him on his shoulder as if to tell him to go faster, that we're reaching. I guess he knows what I'm implying and he pedals faster.
I only realize now, that his whole back of his uniform is wet with perspiration and sticking to his body. I must remember to treat him his favourite Panapop ice-cream during recess for his effort and seriousness.

We reach the gate and I hop off the bicycle. I run towards the gate which the prefect is closing.

"Joseph! You hurry go lock your bicycle at the fence, I'll stall the prefect for some tim--" I didn't finish my sentence because I heard the sound of a bicycle fall.

I turn to see Joseph sitting on the road with his bicycle lying on its side. He is facing down, eyes closed, and has both hands on his head. He looks a bit pale from where I'm standing.
I run towards him and squat next to him. I touch his hand, very warm, and wet from perspiration. His face looks very pale and covered with beads of perspiration. I use my left hand to feel his forehead and my right hand to feel mine. He's burning. Why it didn't occur to me earlier that he's having a fever?
Suddenly, I feel ashamed of myself. I don't know why. But I'm ashamed of myself for not being able to detect his fever earlier.

Joseph opens his eyes, and points to my watch. 7.29am.

"I promised you that we'll not be late anymore for this term." He says, with his trademarked silly grin.

We did make such a promise.

Stupid boy.
Stupid stupid stupid.


~End of Chapter 1~