| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
Supposedly the wish of everyone.
Matt held Danny’s hand and brought him to school. At the entrance, Danny grabbed onto Matt and did not want to go in, so Matt walked to the classroom with him.
“Where’s your seat? Here?” Matt scanned around. He went to pick up Danny after school many times for a short gathering at McDonald’s or something, but this was his first time going into his classroom.
Danny curled his lips. He threw down his bag on the desk and sat down. He took out a book and started reading alone, without greeting any other kids in the room.
Matt looked around. This school accepted special needs students of different levels of conditions. Some kids were screaming and struggling on the floor. It sure exhausted the two teachers to take care of them. Barely any teaching could be done in this classroom. It was so different from St. Peter’s School where, most students were of mild conditions like Danny, and the program focus was on integrating the special needs with learning and interactions like ordinary kids. Danny enjoyed the school, because he loved to learn.
No wonder he was not happy with this special needs school at all.
Matt left the special needs school and wandered on the street. He was already late to his own school, but he was not in rush. He actually did not feel like going to school at all. It was unusual on the obedient top student Matt.
He passed by a small produce shop. Two men were chatting casually.
“How can he just leave like that?” The younger one said.
“He said he found another job with better pay. ” The older man looked frustrated. He was the owner of the produce shop.
“You are the nicest boss I’ve ever known of.” The younger man was a long-term shopper of this neighbourhood produce shop.
The old owner sighed, “I know it’s hard work and he had to help taking care of everything at the shop. But hey…this is just a small business and I can’t afford to hire like 10 other people. I thought I’ve been really nice to him…on top of the pay I supply him with 3 meals and a place to sleep over at the back room of the shop. He still complained and left. Nothing else I could do.”
“You posted up this paper for hiring for a few days. Any luck to find someone yet?” The shopper asked.
“A few came over and asked about the job. When I tell them every morning at 4am they’ll need to go with me to the central market to load fruits and vegetables, lots of heavy duty work at the shop, and have to watch over the shop until closing at 9pm, they get scared away. So lazy young people nowadays.” The owner frowned, “All I’m looking for is a young and hardworking guy to me help me out. There’s a pay plus free meals and shelter. Pretty good huh? You know back in the days…”
“But kids nowadays don’t think that way, oldie.” The shopper teased.
Matt stood there and listened to their conversation. He fell in deep thoughts.
The two men kept nagging about the past old days.
“Excuse me.” Matt politely approached, “Are you hiring? Are you really providing 3 meals and a place to sleep over?”
The owner and the shopper looked, “Yeah. You know someone?”
“Me.”
“You?” The owner surprisingly scanned the teenager up and down, “Look you’re in school uniform. Gosh how old are you?”
“I’m turning 15.” Matt made the number sound a bit bigger.
“Aren’t you suppose to be in school?” The owner wondered, “What’s up with you looking for a job? I’m looking for full-time worker, not kids working a bit after-school for pocket money, you know?”
“Yes I understand. I’m looking for a full-time job.” Matt bit his lips.
“You should be staying in school.”
“I am not doing well in school. I thought I should start working instead.” Matt told the biggest lie in his life. But he really did not want to reveal his story.
The kind and gentle owner did not doubt on his answer. He looked at Matt closely.
“I will work very hard. I promise.” Matt asked, “Only if I could ask to have my brother to stay with me also. If both of us could have the meals and shelter…”
“What brother? I only offer the job and the benefits to you and no one else. Now you’re tagging someone along. You and your buddy are trying to goof around at my shop?! I ain’t stupid, kid.” The owner heard it and quickly changed his mind, thinking Matt was a naughty boy or something. He was afraid Matt was involved with youth gangs.
“No no no! I really need the job! Please! And my brother has to stay with me! I have to take care of him. There’s no one else who’ll take care of him!” Matt begged, “You don’t have to give us 2 sets of meals…I can eat less and share mine with my brother. One bed is fine…we share or I can sleep on the floor. And pay is not a problem as long as it’s enough for my brother’s school tuitions and therapy! I will work very hard! I promise I promise!”
*******************************
Matt picked up Danny after school. Danny clinched on Matt’s hand and tailgated closely. They walked by a bakery and Danny hauled his steps. He stared at the fresh steaming buns.
“Hungry?” Matt asked as his stomach was growling for skipping lunch, “Excuse me. Two…” He looked at the coins in his hand, “…I mean one sausage bun, and one plain bun please.”
They sat at the park and ate.
“Eat slowly. Drink down some water and don’t choke yourself, huh?” Matt said softly.
Danny dropped down his head and munched his favourite sausage bun.
It was Matt’s favourite too. But that’s ok. Matt nibbled his plain bun. It’s as good, he thought.
Danny held onto the bun. He did not say a word, but satisfaction glowed on his face.
“Danny. Let’s move out of the orphanage.” Matt whispered, “What do you think?”
Danny did not respond.
“There will be no more orphanage, no more adopted home, and no more bullies.” Matt told him the plan, “Matty won’t go to school anymore. Matty found a job and will work from now on and take care of Danny, ok?”
A question mark arose in Danny’s eyes as he turned to his brother. He looked restless and concerned.
“It’s ok. Don’t worry.” Matt comforted.
Danny trusted him. He was very reliance on Matt, the only person in the world he could rely on and being protected by.
Matt softly stroked Danny’s hair.
Danny handed his sausage bun to Matt to share with him, like he did in the past.
That was a good sign on Danny. Such little move of Danny touched Matt already. Matt gladly took a bite on the sausage bun.
*************************
“We hope you can consider about this again.” Sister Maria said caringly, “If moving out is a good decision for you and Danny. And you really shouldn’t quit school. You’re only 14.”
“I’m in Form 3. The Law says we only have to stay in school up to Form 3.” Matt was packing up.
“You haven’t finished yet.”
“Only a few more months to go. What’s the point of dragging on if I will quit eventually? I’d rather start working sooner especially I found a job already.” Matt was not moved at all.
“Not only for yourself. How about Danny?” Sister Maria continued to persuade, “The Chang’s couple promised to sponsor Danny while he stays at the orphanage until age 21. He can continue schooling even all the way to college. He can get allowances too…”
“They’re just faking! It’s all fake! Danny doesn’t need to beg money from them!” Matt was angry as soon as the Chang’s couple was mentioned, “We don’t have to rely on anyone. I’m big enough to go independent. And I’m Danny’s brother. I’m his only family. I will take care of him. I won’t let anyone hurt him anymore. Period.”
Matt did not trust the adults anymore.
“Everyone in our orphanage cares so much about you and Danny. Look…this is a card drawn and signed by all the kids for you and Danny. The little 4-year-old Carl drew this happy face. And Sabrina doesn’t usually give away her stuffs but look how she put her favourite ‘prince’ sticker here and says it’s for Danny…”
“Please thank them for us.” Matt took the drawing, but his mind did not change.
Sister Maria knew she could not stop him. She did not want to be too forceful on this tough and stubborn boy. It might turn to negative result. She softly sighed.
Matt understood she was very worried about him, “Sister Maria, you’re a very kind lady.”
“I feel so sorry. I haven’t done enough, my dear child. I can’t even help you and walk you through your difficult times.” The compassionate nun felt bad.
Matt looked at her seriously, “Sister, if you really want to help me and Danny, may I ask you to do one last favour for us at St. Peter’s School?”
*****************************
At the principal office, St. Peter’s School
“Sister Maria had a long talk with me on how you wanted Danny to be enrolled once again to St. Peter’s.” The principal Mrs. Yip said.
“Sister Maria’s been very nice in helping me on this.” Matt sat across from Mrs. Yip. He said graciously, “And thank you for letting Danny back to the school. When I brought him to the classroom, he saw his teacher and friends once again. He looked really happy.”
“We have Danny back, but we are losing you.” Mrs. Yip sympathetically looked at the top student, “If you stay in school, I’m sure you can continue your good grades, and go all the way to university. That’s your future. That’s what is important to you.”
“Nothing is more important to me than the well-being of Danny.” Matt shook his head.
**************************
“Matt! Matt!” His friends ran out and chased behind him.
Matt turned around and smiled at them.
“We have a little gift for you.” His friends handed him with a small red pocket with some money.
“Lucky money? Gosh it’s granny stuff…must be Don’s idea…” Matt squeezed out a chuckle.
“…from our allowances.” His friends said.
Matt refused and turned them down, “No…aren’t you saving up to buy the new video game? And you…”
His friends stuffed the money into his bag. They knew he was in needs now.
“…then. Thanks.” Matt was touched.
“We’ll miss you…” The young guys uttered. The whimpy Don even cried, “…woo…woo..”
The determined and strong Matt patted their shoulders. He waved good-bye to his friends, his teachers, his classroom and his basketball court.
Good-bye to his school days.
Matt walked out of the school without turning back. He will not regret.
* End of flashback *