George: leave it to me.
....
(They were in the principal's office. William was standing beside George while his head was down and George stood like he was about to pee his pants. Why were they so scared? Well the reason for this was George's father. Hao, also known as Rowan chen. Wubin was trying to calm him down while the other two were just standing, looking like they are about to die. Well, their father thought that George is forcing this poor kid (William) into class bunk. His father was a nerd, he hated skipping classes. That's one of the reasons of his success. He always teaches his sons to be a bit more like him, not only from face but from their way of living too. Wubin is trying his best while George's just nonchalant. He doesn't care about these kind of things. He just wanted to be loved, not for his appearance but for his heart, his innerself, his True self. He was about to say something when his father cut him off)
Mr. Chen: what are you doing with him?
George: nothing ba. He is my friend.
Mr. Chen: (scoffs) so you have friends now? How can i believe that? George has friends?
William: yes sir i'm his--
(Mr. Chen didn't let him speak and shouted to which William flinched and backed away)
Mr. Chen: did i tell you to speak?
George: ba why are you shouting at him? William, You wait for me in my car. I'll come back in a few minutes. Ok?
(George handed him the car keys and he nodded. He went out of the office and got out of the campus leaving the father and sons trio in the room)
Mr. Chen: so you two are a thing?
George: no ba i told you he's my friend.
Mr. Chen: i can't believe it.
George: i know you don't ba but i'm telling--
(He was about to complete his sentence but his father didn't let him. Wubin kept his head low)
Mr. Chen: i was once your age too. I know the difference between love or friendship. Stop trying to fool me.
(George looked down and let out a heavy sigh)
George: i'm sorry i lied to you. Yes, i do like him.
Mr. Chen: i'm glad you told the truth..... I just shouted at him. Poor thin must be sacred. I don't know why i feel like i know that kid.
George: why do you think so?
Mr. Chen: i've seen him somewhere, i know it. He looks so familiar.
(Both brothers kept quiet. Their father thought about something for a long time and then let out a gasp. Like he remembered where he saw William)
Mr. Chen: Conan!
Wubin: who's Conan ba?
Mr. Chen: Conan Watson, a very great friend of mine. Unfortunately he died two years ago. He's a carbon copy of that man.
George: ahhh yes! I saw his father's photo with him. He is just like his father. But how did you become friends with his father?
Mr. Chen: we grew up in the same neighbour. He was a foreign kid. So, he was treated differently most of the time. Like he was some sort of celebrity. He didn't like that attention and i was the only one who didn't treat him like that. We eventually became best friends. But after college, we lost contact. He got busy in his life and i got busy in mine. Then i got to know about his funeral two years ago. Although, i couldn't go because i wasn't in the area that time. And then nothing. Well that wasn't the topic. Tell me about him, does he like you back?
(George sighed and looked down, faintly smiling while his brother felt bad for him knowing their love-hate situation)
George: ba, he doesn't like me, in that way. He just became my friend today. I can't risk our friendship because of my feelings for him.
(Mr. Chen's breath hitched at the sudden change of behaviour in his son. He was in deep shock, unable to process that the person standing in front of him was actually his son, the rebellious boy who didn't give a shit about anyone, just did whatever he liked. He let out a small laugh, sincere and genuine smile tugged at his lips after a long time for his son. He stood up from the chair and walked towards him. George prayed for himself thinking he'll get slapped in the face but the frightened face was replaced by a shocked face when his father hugged him. He got happy and hugged him back. Wubin smiled)
....