It was cold and already past midnight.
The three of them were walking down the empty road. While Suvro and Ashraf were chatting about their plan, Noor was lost in his own thoughts.
I can't believe she helped me. I know she's mysterious and looks terrifying for some reason… but she's not a bad person. But when we first met, she called me weak and pathetic. Maybe she was pissed about something and took it out on me. Who knows…?
"Hey, Noor."
"Noor!"
"What—?" Noor startled.
"Man, you were lost in your thoughts. I called you four times," Ashraf said.
"Oh… sorry."
"Is something bothering you?" Suvro asked.
"No, it's nothing."
"If you keep stressing like this, you'll lose the rest of the hair you have on your head," Ashraf teased.
"Oh, come on…" Noor groaned.
"Guys, time's up. We need to get to work now," Suvro said.
"But the gate is locked," Noor said, confused.
"We have to climb it."
"Seriously?" Noor asked.
"Yes," Ashraf replied.
"…Okay then."
Ashraf climbed over the gate easily.
Suvro followed right after.
But Noor froze.
"Guys… I think I can't do this."
"Come on," Suvro encouraged.
Noor's legs were shaking. The gate felt way too high.
"Alright, looks like he needs help," Suvro sighed.
He climbed back over to Noor.
"I've never climbed anything in my life. I think it's impossible for me…" Noor trembled.
"Don't worry. I'm right behind you. Just take the first step— I won't let you fall," Suvro said.
Noor took a deep breath and started climbing. Suvro supported him from behind.
"Noor! Step on my arms, I'll support you," Ashraf called from the other side.
But Noor slipped—
—and all three of them fell to the ground.
WHACK!
"Ouch…"
Luckily, no one was seriously hurt.
After a second of silence—
They burst out laughing.
"See? I told you—you did it," Suvro said.
"But you two helped me," Noor replied.
"No matter how high you climb, I'll always support you from falling. Just believe in yourself," Suvro said.
"Seriously, we can't climb mountains, haha," Ashraf laughed.
"Maybe Noor will one day," Suvro teased.
"What??" Noor asked.
"Ah, it's nothing. Let's go."
They sneaked into the school.
"It's already past midnight and we're sneaking in like criminals… Suvro, do you really think this is a good idea? What if security catches us? Also, they say there's a ghost in this school…" Ashraf whispered, scared.
"Ghosts? Are they real?" Noor asked.
"Ah, come on guys, we've got a lot of work to do," Ashraf muttered, annoyed.
"See the trash bags? Let's open them."
They opened them.
"What—banana peels?! How did you get so many?" Noor asked, amazed.
"I paid some kids money to do it. Since nobody in their right mind would help us with this hilarious idea," Ashraf said, scratching his head.
"Then let's throw them all across the field!"
They started spreading banana peels everywhere.
"Huff… huff…"
"Phew… that's done at last," Suvro said.
"Man, I really need some water," Noor said.
"Here." Ashraf passed him a bottle.
"Well… what about the cycle track?" Noor asked, still panting.
"Chill, bro. It's already taken care of before we came to pick you up. Want to take a look?" Ashraf asked.
"Okay."
A few seconds later—
"SERIOUSLY—what is this?! A person can't even walk here properly! How will they ride a cycle through this?!" Noor shouted.
"Looks like we overdid it…" Ashraf admitted.
"Hmmm," Suvro added.
"Shhh! Somebody's coming! Maybe it's the security guard!" Ashraf whispered.
"Let's hide there!"
A guard was patrolling nearby.
"Let's go ninja style," Suvro said.
"What?" Noor asked.
"Just copy us!"
While the guard looked around confused, the three of them slipped behind him and ran away silently.
"H-Huh? Wh-who's there…?" The guard shivered, turning around—but saw nothing.
By then, the trio had already climbed past the gate and ran into the road.
"Huff… huff…"
"Hahaha—!"
"We did it!"
"Yeah…" Noor panted.
"Let's get you safely back home," Suvro said.
Some time passed.
Noor sneaked into his room without anyone noticing.
He threw his exhausted body onto the bed and finally closed his eyes.
Beep… beep.
Beep… beep.
Noor opened his eyes, still tired.
"It felt like I slept for a second…"
Later at school
The whole school was filled with visitors and students from many places.
It was clear everyone was excited for the festival.
Meanwhile, Noor, Ashraf, and Suvro sat tired in a corner like zombies.
"So you two also didn't get enough sleep?" Noor asked.
They shook their heads.
"I'm still concerned… how will everyone react to the rules? Did the management team even explain this to the principal? Who knows…" Noor muttered.
They shook their heads again.
"Are you guys even listening? And where's Jamil?" Noor sighed.
Suddenly—
"Attention everybody! The most awaited sports event is about to begin!"
Then—
"Wait—why is the track covered in banana peels?!"
"WAIT—WHY IS THE TRACK COVERED IN BANANA PEELS?!"
A wave of confusion spread across the field.
"What the hell…?"
"Is this part of the game?"
"Bro, is this Mario Kart?"
"Someone's gonna break their spine!"
Noor covered his face.
"Oh no… we're dead… We're so dead…" he whispered.
Ashraf gulped. "Maybe… maybe they'll like the creativity?"
Suvro crossed his arms confidently. "Relax. People LOVE chaos."
"No they don't!" Noor hissed. "People love normal races! Not… slip-and-die tournaments!"
Before they could panic more, Jamil came running, sweating
"THERE you are!"
"Woah, calm down," Suvro said.
"Calm down?! The principal wants to talk to you! Right now!" Jamil yelled.
Noor felt his soul leave his body. "We're going to be expelled, aren't we…?"
"No, no!" Jamil gasped. "He wants you at the opening ceremony!"
"What? Why? To punish us publicly?!" Noor panicked.
"No! He… he actually likes the idea."
"…Huh?"
Ashraf blinked. "Wait… the principal likes the banana peel death zone?"
Jamil nodded aggressively. "Apparently he said it would be 'fun for the kids.' That old man has issues. But that's not the point—GO TO THE STAGE!"
"O-Okay! We're going!" Noor said.
The school field was packed.
Parents, teachers, random visitors—everyone was taking pictures and recording videos.
Noor, Ashraf, and Suvro stood awkwardly behind the stage as the principal spoke.
"Welcome to our most creative sports festival ever!"
The crowd cheered.
"And this year's management team… our brilliant young minds…"
They braced themselves.
"…NOOR, SUVRO, AND ASHRAF!"
Spotlights hit them.
The crowd clapped.
Noor froze like a deer in headlights.
Suvro waved like a celebrity.
Ashraf smiled awkwardly while fixing his glasses.
"Now!" the principal said proudly, "the first event—the Banana Survival Race!"
Everyone gasped excitedly.
Parents whispered:
"Oh my god, this looks fun!"
"My child better not die…"
Noor sighed.
"This wasn't supposed to be exciting…" he muttered.