Field Trip (III)

Alex's class, Van Goh, was paired with Picasso. Rembrandt was with Kahlo while Michelangelo was with Monet.

The girls in Picasso were ecstatic to find out that they were to be together with Van Goh. Their eyes naturally fell on the expressionless, cold face of Alex, sighing as that abnormally cute boy stood there.

From the side, one can see the sharp jawline and it was a stark contrast with everyone else - who were pretty normal with their baby faces full of chubby cheeks.

Of course, if you looked at Alex objectively, you would be able to see that he did have that rather boyish face indicating one who is still very young. However, one would not normally look at him at face value as when his entire being screamed something different. When it was paired with his overall appearance and attitude, one tended to forget that he was but seven years old.

The only time his features softened was when he gave that rare smile that would bring out that cute dimple of his. It transformed his face completely from a cold, unfeeling boy to one that kinda looked normal and sweet.

More so if you were extra lucky enough to see him looking at his sister or friends with tenderness, for his normally ice-cold blue eyes became like the warm sea.

It was this possibility of capturing that scene that made all the girls go goo-goo ga-ga. They were young, so their interest was pure and innocent. It was like getting a surprise at the end of the cereal box.

The unexpected joy.

His normal appearance was striking enough.

His soft and sweet appearance was devastating.

Of course, feeling all those gazes on him did not make him feel better and instead, a scowl appeared on his face.

Giggles could be heard nearby.

"Face it, dear brother of mine," Aurora said smugly beside him, "No matter what you do, they are going to be fascinated."

"I'm not on display," Alex hissed at her under his breath.

Aurora laughed a bit, "At this rate, Alex, you're one of the animals on display at the shelter. In fact, you're most likely one of the more fascinating ones."

Alex grumbled under his breath, complaining bitterly in his heart.

"Daddy did tell you that you have to learn to get over this," Aurora finally said after she finished laughing, her eyes contemplative, "We're not really here to learn the school syllabus but to learn what the school can teach."

Alex knew that very well, but it irritated him a little bit to hear his sister saying it.

Even though she was his own twin sister and he knew that she had no malice in saying it - and she definitely wasn't 'showing off' in front of him to 'teach' him, but it still rubbed him the wrong way.

It was as if he wasn't capable of knowing what their father meant.

To learn to get along with people.

To learn to be the object of people's scrutiny and judgment.

To learn to make friends.

To learn to know friend from foe.

He knew that.

Why did she have to state the obvious?

Aurora rolled her eyes upon seeing the dissatisfaction on her brother's face.

Mummy was right.

Learning to read people's expressions and figuring them out was fascinating.

Right now, her brother was most likely very unhappy at her reminder. If it wasn't for the fact that she was his twin, he would most likely glare at her and turn around to leave, completely ignoring her.

Or, if he was really annoyed, he would not only glare at her, he would scowl or worse, say some cutting remarks to lower down the other person's self esteem.

Tit-for-tat, so to speak.

Like Mummy had said, Alex is very emotional.

He keeps everything bottled up inside for most part but when he acts out, he reacts very strongly and instinctively.

Aurora was the only one that could calm him down so this responsibility fell on her little shoulders to do so while they were at school.

It was something Alex didn't know and Aurora definitely wasn't going to tell him because he'd just go all prickly.

He was like a hedgehog.

No, not a hedgehog.

A porcupine.

Though both had quills or spines on their backs, the hedgehog's quills are shorter and do not fall off.

A porcupine's quills, on the other hand, would attach itself to anyone that attacks it.

Just like Alex.

He would attack the person that aggravates him or crosses his bottom line.

However, instead of feeling upset over Alex's reaction, Aurora leaned towards him and bumped his shoulder with hers, saying, "Oh come on. The sooner you get used to it, the better you'll feel."

Alex pressed his lips tightly together, the frown on his face getting deeper.

"I'll get you some ice-cream later to make you feel better," Aurora said with a smile.

This time, he turned to face her with a slight glare, "I'm not Rie that you need to coax with ice-cream!"

Aurora laughed, wrapping herself on his arm, putting her head on his shoulder.

To be more accurate, beside his shoulder.

Aurora was slightly taller than her brother but the difference was so slight that it was negligible. She was 4 feet (121.8cm) whilst Alex was 3.9 feet (121.1cm).

Despite this, Alex still did not like it. Even though he knew that girls would grow faster than boys at this age, the fact that his sister was 7mm taller than him was not nice.

Knowing it, and liking it, were two completely different things.

Which was why his hairstyle was deliberately puffed up higher to make up the 7mm difference. At least, it looked like they were of the same height.

"Well, dear brother," Aurora said softly and sweetly, "It's just an excuse for me to get ice-cream for me, so play along now."

Hearing that, Alex's mood brightened.

In truth, he loved ice-cream but he couldn't show it now, could he?

"Oh, if it's for you, then of course," Alex said begrudgingly, "Anything for my sister."

Aurora smiled, "I knew I could count on you."

It didn't matter where they would get the ice-cream. What mattered was that Alex's mood was better.

Just then, Teacher Alba started leading them forward and they followed obediently towards the dog area of the shelter.

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As they entered the area designated for dogs, the kids got excited.

As were the dogs, as was clearly evidenced by their excited barkings that filled up the area.

"Hello," came a sweet voice, belonging to a staff that was standing at the entrance to greet them, "My name is Amanda, and I will be your guide for today."

Alex couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Wow. Even in a shelter would there be people acting so formal - like it was a fancy place.

He looked around.

The area was similar to dogs that you would see in a pet store: in small boxed compartments stacked together. The front part was pure glass and there were only two 'floors'.

In each room (or dog house, if you want to call it that), there was a dog that was basically jumping around. There was a dog bed, water and food bowl, and a couple of toys.

Alex pursed his lips.

Well, it certainly did look like a high class dog shelter, so perhaps it was only natural that the people who worked here would be as 'high class'.

"These are the dogs that are ready for adoption," said Amanda, "They have been cleaned, vaccinated and dewormed, plus have gone through the rehabilitation program."

The children walked forward, seeing the dogs jumping about inside to get their attention. Some even stood on their hind legs, their paws in the air as if waving at them.

"Rehabilitation means that they have to go through treatment to get them to feel better," explained Teacher Alba.

"Yes," said Amanda as she nodded in agreement while silently admonishing herself.

She had forgotten that she would need to use simple sentences and basic vocabulary as they were still young children. Even though they were right in front of her and she could actually see how young they were, she had been so nervous that she had gone into 'automatic mode'.

Adjusting her thinking, Amanda gave a smile and continued to explain, "Dogs are very loyal and close to their owners so when they get left behind, they get very, very sad. We treat them to feel better so that they can be ready for the next family."

There was a slight sniffle and Shane turned, to see Shirley's lips curled down, quivering.

"Poor little puppies," she said, sniffing again. Her eyelashes were getting wet and without a word, Shane took out his handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her silently.

She took it and dabbed her eyes.

Then, she blew her nose on it.

With a wan smile, she handed the handkerchief back to Shane - much to her mother's horror. Holly mentally slapped herself on the head, while outwardly shaking it.

Then, when she saw Shane actually taking back the handkerchief and putting it in his pocket, she almost fell over in total shock.