Half life

The New Boy

**School Dismissal**

"Hey, what do we do about our project?" Tamara asked as we sat in class alongside other students also waiting for their parents after school closure.

"I have no slightest idea!" I said, throwing my hands into the air with reckless abandon

" Huh! What did you just say Miss?" Tamara asked pulling her right ear slightly

"Well I said I have no idea about the project so go ahead and tell me whatever you think" I replied, breathlessly

"Man you're kidding me right?" She asked with a furrowed brow

"Huh! Of course I'm not. I'm as serious as the school's bursars" I whined

"Stop it Amanda! You're so funny" Tamara said amidst a soft chuckle

" Naa… I'm not funny I'm serious here!" I yelled giving Tamara a cold glare

"Please will you stop the noise. I'm trying to wrap my head around something here" Came a voice from the backseat and we both turned towards his direction.

There he was, James the new comer sitting with his back turned to us and a novel in hand while a gigantic book lay on top of his locker.

He must have been reading some texts before I distracted him.

"Umm… sorry James! I didn't mean to distract you" I said moments later, after finding my voice.

" It's okay." He said with a smile plastered on his face

"Yeah. thank you" I muttered then turned to face Tamara who has been struggling to stay calm as her body wriggled with laughter

"What's funny Tamara?" I asked glaring at her

"Nothing ma'am I'm sorry" she said clasping her hands together apologetically

"I don't need any of that silly head" I sneered looking away

"Ok your majesty" she cooed

" Now back to my question, what do we do about the group project?" She asked casting a quick glance at me

"Well we have to select a flowering plant first" I said calmly

"And that will solely be your responsibility right?" She asked looking at me in anticipation

"We have a garden at home and our housekeeper is a self made floriculturist so she may decide to help us out with the project if we plead with her to" I added solemnly

" Wow. Then we have no cause to worry!" She exclaimed in delight

" Yeah obviously we don't" I replied

" So will you be able to come over to my place by weekend?" I asked

"Umm… sure if my parents permit me" she replied stealthily

" Are they not going to allow you? " I asked

" No. They may. It's just that I can't leave the house on my own accord, I'll have to take permission first but I'm afraid they may not permit me to" She said

"Oh I see. Just go ahead and tell them first you can't be certain about it already. They will allow you just tell them the purpose as well." I counseled

" Ok I'll do just that. Thank you" she said

"You're welcome" I said flashing her my white set of teeth

" Umm… excuse me guys" James called from behind

"Yes" we chorused, turning towards his direction

"Umm… I heard you two, talking about the group project and I wanted to ask if you would permit me to join you guys" he said with a smile

" Umm… you want to join us? " I stuttered

" Yeah. I'd love to" he said with a nod

" It's fine you can join us if you wish to. " I said looking at Tamara, who just nodded in approval

" Thank you guys. I'll try to be as productive as possible" he muttered, beaming with smiles

" It's nothing but you're welcome" I said as he stood up and began to walk towards our direction

"Ummm… my name is James… Tim James and we just moved into this city about a month ago. This is my third day in this school" He said, drawing an imaginary line in the air with his hands as he stood beside our locker

" Wow. In essence, you're a new student aren't you?" Tamara said looking up

" Yeah I am" He said stealthily

"Sure. You're welcome to our group and I'm Tamara Whitson, over here is my friend Amanda Edwards" She said solemnly pointing at me while I looked on in silence as they both shook hands

"Oh yeah Tamara Whitson" I said sharply, shaking his hands as I noticed I'd have been lost in my own thoughts and kept his hand hanging in the air for way too long

"So why haven't you guys gone home yet?" He asked, after a minute of awkward silence have passed

"Well we are both waiting for our parents to come pick us up" we both said but at different pace

" Are you both twin sisters?" He asked after a nodding his head

" No. Why did you ask?" We both chorused

" Umm...because you guys act like one" He said stealthily, scratching his red fluffy hair.

"Don't you find this ridiculous?" I asked giving Tamara a quick glance

"Probably I do" she said with a shrug

"We aren't twin sisters but we're best of friends and seatmates" I explained softly looking at James

"Well noted ma'am" James blurted out, teasingly

"I'm not Ma'am but Tamara" I corrected, quite irked

"Sure I'm sorry" James said apologetically

"It's okay" I said

"Hey! don't mind her ok? She can be a nerd sometimes" Tamara said giving me a cold glare

" So don't you ever take her talks to heart she isn't up to a cent, a serious human being" she added solemnly

" Sure I understand" James replied with a smirk

"So will you be able to make it to my house during the weekend?" I asked peering at him

" The thing is…" He stuttered, not sure of what to say

"Oh I get it. You don't know your way around here yet right?" I asked

"Umm… but I can come if you perhaps give me your address and a little description of your house" he added with a sly smile

"Well that's no big deal. I'll get you the address by tomorrow" I said calmly

"Ok Thank you" he said

"Sure. You're welcome buddy!" I replied

"Ever heard of Zombies?" Tamara asked giving James a quizzical look

"Yeah" he replied

"What about Zombies" I asked Tamara with an arched brow

"She is a Zombie so stay far away from her. She's evil" Tamara said with a cocky smile

"You aren't serious Tamara!" I said, laughing hysterically

" I must confess, you both are crazy" James said calmly

"Well now we know" we both replied chuckling

"Ok. So why haven't you gone home as well?" Tamara asked folding her hands across her chest

"I'm still waiting for my Dad just as you both are doing" he replied absentmindedly

"Oh really?" I asked

"Yeah.i guess he will be here in no distant time" he added, walking towards the window by the left side of the class

" Okay" Tamara whined

" Amanda!" She called softly

"Yes" I replied looking at her

" What is his name again?" She asked in hush tone

"Whose name?" I asked, half yelling

" Lower your voice man!" She said in a sober tone

" Ok" I cooed looking towards James direction

" Now what is his name?" She asked, pointing at James this time

" Oh him? He is James. Tim James actually" I said

" Okay guys. I'll be on my way now my Dad just drove in. See you all by tomorrow. Bye" he said, interrupting our discussion before running towards his locker to get his books and backpack then dashed out of the class

"Alright bye!" I muttered as he ran out of the class

"Oh well he seems to be a nice guy. Isn't he?" Tamara asked after he left the class

"Sure he is. And I'm here worried about something else so stop disturbing me" I said, letting out a sigh in irritation

"Just be patient dear they'll soon be here and we'll all go home" Tamara said calmly

" Let's just go wait outside for them" I said, standing up and Tamara also got up and both walked out of the class with our backpacks strapped to our backs

Reaching outside, we both waited for half an hour before Dad drove in

" I'll be going now. See you tomorrow then" I said waving at Tamara and began to walk towards Dad's car the moment he parked it

" Hey isn't that your friend over there?" Dad asked, immediately I got into the car

" Yes she is. That's Tamara" I replied then sat down

" Go and call her let's see if we can give her a lift home" Dad commanded while I got down from the car and headed to go call Tamara

"What is the problem?" Tamara asked as I walked back to her

"Nothing. My Dad asked me to call you" I muttered and without any question,we both trudged back to the car

"Good day Sir" Tamara greeted cheerfully as we approached the car

"Hey how are you doing Tamara?" Dad asked

"Fine sir" she replied

"Why are you still in school?" Dad asked

"I'm actually still waiting for my Dad" she replied calmly

"Oops sorry about that. Why don't you come with us so we can drop you off at your place?" Dad suggested with a tone, full of concern

" Umm… I would love to but I'll just hang on and wait till my Dad comes" Tamara replied with a smile

"Alright then if you insist" Dad said

and started the car engine while I got in then he reversed and drove out with Tamara waving at me while I waved back through the window