Fiction: Group 3
Mr. Cooper
Hong Kong Academy, Chan, Sophia - 12, Fiction: Group 3
eter Reid was the type of person that likes class time more than break time. You would often spot
him at the library with his nose stuck in a book, and you might notice he has no friends to talk to.
He is not caught up with the popular trends and didn’t care for them either. You might think Peter
chose to be this way, but the truth is he didn’t. Perhaps it was his oddly shaped glasses or the way he corrects
people’s grammar that is the reason people do no talk to him.
“Peter, can I see you for a minute?” the principle asked. Peter slowly trudged into the office and sat in the
small brown chair.
“Am I in trouble?” Peter asked. “ I’m really sorry that my book was overdue, it’s just that I forgot!” he
explained.
“Oh no, it’s nothing like that,” the principle replied. “I just wanted to talk to you, you seemed a little
lonely.” He went on. Peter frowned at this news, it had seemed it reached the point when he would have
to spend his all of his lunches with the principle.
“No thank you, but I would rather read my books and study maths if that’s alright,” Peter said.
“If that’s what you want. But try to make some friends,” the principle encouraged.
“I do have friends! … Mr. Cooper!” Peter argued. The principle sighed and waved Peter out of the office in
disappointment. It was true, Peter’s only friend was the science teacher, Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper was strict,
kind, cross and humorous all at the same time. He was also the only person willing to be Peter’s friend. Mr.
Cooper had a handlebar moustache, great big specs and a large, ghastly nose.
That evening as Peter sat at the dinner table reading his favourite book, his parents arrived. It was known
throughout the school that Peter’s family was quite rich. They lived in a large mansion with the finest
furniture from all over the world. Peter’s father had traveled all over the world and talked about living in
Hong Kong.
“Hello Peter!” his Mother said. She sat down and shot a look at Peter’s father.
“Your mother and I need to talk to you,” his father said sternly.
“Now Peter, this may come as a shock to you…” his mother explained.
“We are moving to Hong Kong,” Peter’s mother and father said at the same time.
“What?!” Peter exclaimed. Everything was going too fast. How could his mother and father be hiding this
the whole time?
“It’s not so far away, and you can still contact your friends,” his mother reminded.
“That is if I
had
friends,” Peter said grumpily as he excused himself from the table. He rushed to his
bedroom and dialed Mr. Cooper’s number.
“Mr. Cooper!”
“Peter - what’s the matter?” Mr. Cooper asked, concerned.
P
