First encounter

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Hidden on the hill side of Tin Hau Temple Road, the sun was casting its golden rays upon the city, marking the beginning of a new week in September. It was a Monday morning, crisp and sunny, and the energy of the city was palpable. Among the throngs of people making their way through the busy streets, two lives were about to intersect in an unexpected way.

 

James, a new student at the school, stood patiently on the sidewalk, awaiting his ride to school. Philip Chan's mom was supposed to pick him up, and as James scanned the street for any sign of her car, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about his first day. Dressed neatly in his casual wear school uniform, he looked every bit the part of a good obedient student ready to embark on a new chapter.

 

As James stood there, looking somewhat lost in the chaos of the morning rush, a sudden movement caught his eye. Out of nowhere, it seemed, a girl darted into view, her eyes fixed on something ahead. Before James could fully register what was happening, she had reached a taxi that seemed to have appeared out of thin air, and with a swift motion, she hopped inside.

For a moment, James could only stand there in surprise, watching as the taxi pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the flow of traffic. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at the thought of “What if that was my Taxi”. But as he glanced around, trying to make sense of what had just happened, his eyes met those of the girl who had taken the taxi.

 

Alison, too, looked back with a hint of guilt, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realised what she had done. She hadn't meant to steal anyone's ride, but in the hustle and bustle of the morning commute, she hadn't even noticed James standing there.

 

It wasn't until later that day, when James and Alison found themselves in the 6th floor IB centre, that they realised they attended the same school. Despite their rocky start, they soon found themselves crossing paths more and more often, drawn together by a series of chance encounters and shared experiences. And as they got to know each other better, they discovered that sometimes, the most unexpected meetings can lead to the strongest friendships.