Chapter 2
For the next few days, Rina tried her best to stay under the radar, avoiding all possible places that Joanna and her gang would possibly hang out. Even after school, she went straight back home instead of hanging around the shopping malls. The mental stress of being ambushed and confronted by Joanna was driving Rina crazy every time when she was on her way home.
Suddenly her handphone vibrated. It was Adrain.
Adrain: Ehh kann sian leh now, wanna take 5?
Rina: You treat is it? My one just finished.
Adrain: I treat you 2 packs enough bo?
Rina: Ok I want Dunhill.
Adrain: I only have Next Chill, you want then I come to fetch you.
Rina: Ok lo. 2 packs ar!
Adrain: Where you?
Rina: Reaching home soon.
Adrain: Ok I wait for you at the multi-story carpark in 5 mins.
Rina: See ya.
5 mins later:
As Rina walks toward her neighborhood, suddenly a motorbike horn at her from behind. It was Adrain. He signals Rina to hop onto his bike and without a helmet for her, they drove off to a multi-story carpark a few blocks away and settle at the familiar staircase where they have smoked and chill many times before.
Rina stretching out her palm asking: Where's my 2 packs?
Adrain pulling up his tee shirt and walked closer toward her replying: Nar! Lim peh 6 packs for you la. 2 where got enough?
Rina slap Adrain's arm and said: Eeek! Er xing. Quick la.
Pulling out from his jeans, Adrain finally throws the 2 pack of cigarettes to her.
Rina: Wa liao, why this pack already opened?
Adrain: Wa liao, si pei kp leh u. I just now smoke 1 stick buay sai ar? you want later I let you smoke 1 bigger stick lo.
Rina: Eek bu yao. Er xing leh u.
They both laughed and lighted their cigarettes, puffing away while having small talks like a couple in the staircase. Their conversation mainly involved small gossips and some gang stuff which led to Adrain telling Rina that she would be accepted to be a part of them but she would need to go through some traditional ceremony on the coming Monday.
Rina: What ceremony? For what one?
Adrain: Ai ya it's a tradition la, all gang members must follow one. You just give a joss-stick offering to ancestors then Ah San (the head) will brief you about some rules lo.
Rina: Orrhh. Ok.
Adrain: So on ar? Monday 10am go down to the clubhouse then after that, you officially siao eh lang (gang member) liao.
Rina finally felt relief not knowing what she is getting herself into.
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It's 8:30am and the school bell rings, signaling the end of the first lesson. School time was just getting started and Rina's phone was vibrating. It was a message from Adrain with the address of the Clubhouse, ending with "don't be late ar!"
Rina just remembered her appointment. She knew she had to do the usual thing of skipping school again. She packed her bag and swiftly disappeared from her class before the next teacher comes in. She's good at skipping class, and within mins, she was already out of her school back fence lighting up her first cigarette of the day.