Free My Kiasu Teenage Life in Singapore by Ee Lin See Page A

morning.
    I was so itchy yesterday. At night I was afraid that I’ll see ghosts ’coz you told me that we can see them if we’re sick. So I didn’t dare to open my eyes. My stupid chicken pox is really very severe! I hope tomorrow it doesn’t get worse! Oh please God, help me now, I’m suffering!
    Cried ’coz I was afraid my chicken pox would get worse and worse till none of my skin can be seen anymore.
    Love, Pei Yi
    Glossary
    Hari Raya Malay the day celebrated by Muslims signifying the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The celebration is determined by the sighting of the new moon.
    Wednesday 8 April (6.30 pm)
    Dearest Mei Yee
    Hi! Wow it’s been four months since I first came to Singapore! It doesn’t seem that long. I used to cry and cry during the first month! I hardly cry now. The last time I cried was when I found out ’bout the makeover and a few days ago when I was so afraid the chicken pox would keep spreading until I have no skin left visible.
    Well, my chicken pox is still bad but not that itchy anymore. I think I’m going to have a lot of scars on my back. I estimate there are 800 spots on my body. No, maybe 500.
    Usually, people who get chicken pox in my hostel will go back but this year, Jen Nee and I didn’t. Jen Nee said that Sunny said that Alisa said that Jen Nee and I are inconsiderate ’coz we stayed here with chicken pox. They can hate me, I don’t care. I’m fed up with hearing “They shouldn’t stay here”, “They will spread it to everyone”, “Why don’t they go back?”!
    I feel very grateful to Jen Nee and Sunny for caring for and helping me while I had chicken pox. Especially Jen Nee. Why is she such a nice girl? Jen Nee was enjoying herself reading and lazing around when she was ill. I couldn’t enjoy myself ’coz I felt quite sick, but now I feel quite OK. I hope I’ll fully recover soon. My case is a lot worse than Jen Nee’s. I thought of phoning you tonight but I can’t leave my room.
    I’ve read The Prom Queen, Falling Into Darkness and I’m now reading Final Friends II by Christopher Pike. He’s a very good author!
    I’m missing school and what is being taught. I like Maths period best. What about you? I dislike PE. I like Malay period too, not ’coz of the teacher but ’coz I sit with Jen Nee.
    These few days, I haven’t been doing much ’coz I wasn’t feeling too good. I heard a lot of nice songs on the radio though. I listened to “I Love Your Smile”. Actually I heard it sometime ago but I didn’t know it was that song. I like these songs (I’m not really sure ’bout the titles), do tell me whether you like them, if you know them:
    1  “Crying”
    2  “I’ll Be There”
    3  “If You Go Away”
    4  “Heal the World” (Michael Jackson)
    5  “Beauty and the Beast” (Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson)
    6  “What Becomes of a Broken Heart”
    7  “Masterpiece”
    8  “The First Time”
    9  “Heaven”
    10  “Heal the Pain”
    11  “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” (Diana Ross)
    Anyway, I no longer like Niles.
    The guys who are quite nice are: Cheng Hoe, Matt. The others I seldom talk to but they’re also nice. Actually I hardly talk to guys.
    It’s now 7.10 pm. Jen Nee just brought my porridge. Tasteless porridge—yucks. So unappetizing. Luckily Sunny bought chicken rice for me for lunch and Jen Nee bought me a ham roll. I think I better eat my porridge now.
    Waiting for your letter.
    Love, Pei Yi
    Thursday 9 April
    Dear Mei Yee
    My dad came this morning. He went back in the afternoon. He really cares so much for me. I miss family life. Especially after being in this room for seven (?) days.
    Physics is driving me crazy. I missed the lesson on action–reaction