“5mins before Ms Sophia arrives. That’s plenty.”

Ruth grabbed Syndesi’s handphone from the front compartment of her bag discretely.

“A 4-digit password? Simple.”

Ruth recalled the pattern Syndesi’s thumb followed to unlock her phone. Down, Up, Down, Up. (0202 on the number pad) Ruth correlated it to Syndesi’s birthday just a few days ago and it was an identical match. As expected of the most intelligent person in class.

After unlocking her phone, she swiftly scrolled through the apps and entered the messaging app. Searched for the class group chat and Bingo! She instantaneously drafted a message that sounded like an exact copy of Syndesi. No one would have imagined a quiet and introverted mouse like Ruth could ever sound like that. Or should I say, type like that.

heyyy everyone!! I brought a box of cookies to share with everyone today!! I rushed to heat them up at 6am in the morning and dashed to school. But...because of that, the cookies were all crumbled and shattered. They are no longer in one piece but if you still like to try some, look for me at my desk during recess and ill be more than happy to give you some!! im sorry that im too embarrassed to say this in person and have to type this out. Remember to look for me if you want some okay! Alright, let’s quickly keep our phones before Ms Sophia comes in!

Sent!

“Ding!” Everyone received a notification and checked their phones right before Ms Sophia came in. At that point in time, everyone understood why Syndesi ran out of the back door earlier...for the wrong reason.

Ruth immediately deleted the evidence from Syndesi’s phone and turned off her notifications for the day. Her secret mission was almost complete. All she had to do now was return the phone and close the zip. But before she had the chance, Syndesi came back into class via the back door.

There were only two options now. Ruth could place the phone back in this short time frame and risk getting caught by Syndesi or wait for a better timing.

“It’s now or never!”

But before Ruth could even react, Syndesi was already back at her seat.

“Damn that cheetah!” Ruth thought to herself.

“Phew!! I made it back in time! Otherwise Ms Sophia would have ripped me into pieces. Thank you for looking after my belongings Ruth!”

“You’re welcome” was what Ruth said to buy herself some time. In her mind, she was analysing all the possible choices available to her. It was fortunate that Syndesi had yet to discover her missing phone and half-opened bag.

“All I need is a distraction!”

Ruth deliberately dropped her eraser and propelled it with just enough strength so it would roll to Syndesi’s 4 o'clock position. It was just barely out of her reach and she would have to stand up, get out of her chair to retrieve it. That would be Ruth’s opportunity.

She tapped on Syndesi’s left shoulder and whispered.

“Sorry Syndesi, I accidentally dropped my eraser to your right. Could you please help me pick it up?”

Syndesi stared at Ruth dumfounded.

“Um, could you help me pick it up?”

“Yup! I‘m sorry. I am just so glad and shocked that you asked me for help that I didn’t know what to say.”

Ruth pondered. “Was this how I look like to others? Hmmm...not that it matters.”

Knowing Syndesi’s helpful demeanour, there was no way she wouldn’t help a classmate in need. In this short window of opportunity, Ruth briskly slid the phone back to its original position and closed the zip.

Perfect execution. Nothing more needs to be said. With that, all she had to do was wait till recess and watch the show.

“Here you go Ruth. Your eraser.”

Ruth was once again reminded of why she took so much effort to help Syndesi.

Her authentic, genuine and sincere smile with her mildly puffy eyes. It was oddly similiar to Buddy.

And for the first time in school, the wise owl expressed her gratitude...

“Thank you Syndesi.”

"And happy belated birthday.”

But Ruth would never have imagined that this interaction would change her life.