"We should start studying for the History test today," Mike told his classmates Greg and Tate.
"No, we won't be taking the test today," Greg replied as he closed his locker. "Because the 3 of us have a basketball game."
"What do you mean? The game is tomorrow," Mike said.
"Well, according to the note, it's not," Greg replied as he pulled out a note. He unfolded the note, which said "Please let Greg, Tate and Mike out of school at 1300 hours. They have a basketball game today. Yours truly, Mom."
"Smart thinking," Tate said. "I do not want to take that test. I have been busy playing my PS5 that I did not even study for it." He and Greg then hi-fi'ed each other.
"Let me see that note," Mike said as he took the note from Greg. When he read the note, he frowned.
"Your mom didn't sign this, you did," he said in a loud voice. "Keep your voice down," Greg said. Just then, the boys saw their Mother Tongue teacher Miss Yip pass by. They nervously greeted her. Once Miss Yip had walked far, Greg turned to Mike.
"Are you trying to get us into trouble?" he asked in a low but menacing tone.
"You're going to get caught anyway, especially because this note looks so fake," Mike replied. "What are you talking about? Let me see that," Greg said as he snatched the note from Mike. "Well, first of all, you signed it 'Mom'. No parent would ever sign it that way."
"Oh, he's got a point," Tate chipped in.
"Fine, I'll make a new note and leave you off of it," Greg said as he crumpled the note. Just then, the school bell rang. "Don't forget what your mom says," Mike reminded him. "What happens in the dark will always come to light." He then walked off in the direction of the classroom. Greg and Tate mocked Mike behind his back. "Whatever. Have fun doing the History test, loser. We'll be at the plaza enjoying ourselves while you crack your brain in the History test." They then walked to the staff room of their History teacher Miss Chan and showed her the new note.
"Your truly, Mrs Ho," read Miss Chan. She then eyed both Greg and Tate suspiciously and asked, "Both of you have a game?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Tate replied.
"It's too bad," Greg chipped in pretentiously. "The last thing we want to do is skip school."
"That's not what I mean. I mean, why does this note look like it is written by a primary school kid?" Miss Chan asked. Greg and Tate fumbled for words as they tried thinking of how to explain themselves.
"Oh, that's because his mom works at a hospital," Tate said.
"Yes, that's it," Greg added. "You know how bad a nurse's handwriting is." Tate laughed. Miss Chan did not seem to believe them, but suddenly, she laughed.
"You're right," she said. "I got this prescription yesterday and I can't read a single word on it." She laughed together with Greg and Tate, and continued, "But still, given your track record, maybe I should call your mom just to play it safe."
"No, don't do that," Greg said.
"Why not?" Miss Chan asked as she picked up the phone. "Are you hiding something from me?"
"No, no, no, not at all, it's just that...," Greg once again fumbled for words.
"Yeah, didn't you say your mom was working at the ER today?" Tate continued.
"Oh, yeah, that's it," Greg replied, trying to keep up the charade. "She's probably operating on someone right now."
"Yes, that's right," Tate added.
"You wouldn't want to risk a person's life just because my mom has to answer a phone call, right?" Greg said.
"I guess not," Miss Chan said as she put down the phone. "Well," she continued and stamped the note using the approval stamp. "Good luck at your guys' game."
"Thank you," Greg said as he took the note. "See you on Monday." He and Tate then left the staff room and went to the plaza they frequented. There, they treated themselves to Western food. They ate to their hearts' content.
"This is the life," Greg said as he took a mouthful of pasta. "While everyone else is cracking their brains on the test, we're relaxing and eating Western food."
"Man," Tate sighed. "I wish every day could be like this." He then turned to Greg. "So, what should we do next?"
"I brought my iPad," Greg said. He then took out his iPad from his school bag and turned to Tate. "Minecraft?"
"Yeah," Tate replied. "Let's..." Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Greg's father approach. He nudged Greg. "Isn't that your dad?" he said. Greg froze upon seeing his father. "Come on, let's go," he said. The boys picked up their belongings and rushed towards the nearest boutique, where they hid behind some women's apparel. Just then, a sales clerk approached them.
"Can I help you boys?" she asked.
"Uh," Tate stammered.
"Uh yeah, can we try this on?" Greg said as he picked up a blouse.
"But that's a girl's blouse," said the sales clerk.
"That's OK," Greg replied as he put his hand around Tate's shoulders. "He likes to dress like a girl sometimes." He then looked at Tate, signalling for him to keep quiet.
"Right this way," the sales clerk said as she led the boys to the changing room.
"What, get off me," Tate said as he pushed Greg away.
"You want to get grounded? Come on," Greg said. Tate took the blouse from the sales clerk and went into the changing room. Greg wanted to go in, but the sales clerk stopped him.
"Only one person is allowed in at a time," she said.
"But he needs me for...emotional support," Greg said. The sales clerk relented and allowed him to go into the changing room. "Thank you," Greg said as he entered the changing room. As the sales clerk closed the curtain, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"I like to dress as a girl sometimes. Seriously?" Tate threw the question at Greg.
"What? I had to say something," Greg replied.
"Why don't you say you wanted to try it on?" Tate asked angrily.
"Well," Greg said as he put his hand on Tate's shoulder. "If I'm being honest, between the two of us..." Before he could finish his sentence, the curtains were drawn. The boys screamed and turned, only to see Greg's furious father.
"Dad?" Greg said in shock.
"You're in big trouble, young man," Greg's father said angrily, pointing at him. He then pointed at Tate. "And so are you. Just wait till your dad finds out about this."
"It's not what it looks like, we had a half-day at school. You see...," Greg lied, but before he could continue, Miss Chan appeared.
"Miss Chan?" Greg said in shock.
"You were saying?" Miss Chan said angrily.
"What's the matter, Greg? You can't think of any more lies?" Greg's father asked angrily.
"How did you find us?" Greg asked.
"I went to the hospital to fill my prescription. That's when I happened to run into your mom," Miss Chan said. "When I asked her about the game today..."
"Your mother had no idea what Miss Chan was talking about," Greg's father continued. "Then she showed your mother this." He then showed the note to Greg. "I can't believe that you made up a fake note and signed your mom's name."
"I'm sorry," Greg said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was all Tate's idea."
"What? Mine?" Tate said in shock. "I'm the one that tried to warn you what happens in the dark always comes to light."
"No, you didn't," Greg argued. "You're the one that said..."
"I didn't want to hear it," Greg's father said angrily. "Let's go."
"Wait," Greg said, still recovering in shock. "How did you know how to find us? Like, where?"
"Well, I guess you forgot about the time you misplaced your iPad, and we set up, Find my iPad," Greg's father replied angrily.
"Are you serious?" Tate asked in a loud voice.
"And don't think you're getting out of taking that History test," Greg's father continued. "I already talked to your teacher, and we arranged a time for the both of you to take it tomorrow."
"But, tomorrow's our basketball game," Greg tried to protest, but to no avail.
"Well, it's too bad you didn't get it done today, huh?" his father said. He then turned to Tate. "Tate, I'm taking you home, and we're going to have a little chat with your dad, OK? Let's go."
The next day, Greg and Tate were taking their History test under Miss Chan's scrutinity when Mike walked in.
"Hey, Mike. How's your game?" Miss Chan asked.
"Great," Mike replied. "I made the winning shot right at the buzzer."
"What? We won?" Greg exclaimed.
"That means we're going to the playoffs," Tate added in excitement.
"Yes, I've been wanting to do...," Greg continued, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by his father's angry voice.
"Don't even think about it," he said. Tate's father appeared behind him.
"Yeah, the only place you two are going is home," Tate's father added as he folded his arms.
"Yes, and we already told the coach not to take you in," Greg's father added, folding his arms.
"What? No, please," Tate cried.
"We've been working so hard to get to the playoffs," Greg added. "You can't do that to us now."
"Oh, basketball isn't the only thing we're taking from you," his father replied.
"That's right. No Minecraft, no PS5, and no more play dates for either of you," Tate's father added.
"Really hope you both learnt your lesson this time," Greg's father said.
"Urh, this is the end of me," Greg pouted and made a face. He then pushed his test paper onto the ground, while Tate banged his hand on the table and laid on it. Mike shrugged his shoulders as he watched the scene unfold. After all, Greg and Tate had gotten what they deserve.
