John-John does not treat Maleeka very well.  She has very dark skin and John-John regularly teases her about it, and sings songs to her about it, even though his skin is also black.  Whether he likes Maleeka or not isn't quite certain.  His behaviour certainly lends support to the conclusion that he does not like her, however, his torment of her comes across more as a reflection of his shame and discomfort with his own skin colour than it does as a reflection of his feelings towards Maleeka.  The fact that he isn't the only black kid in the class tormenting Maleeka for being the blackest lends support to the conclusion that there is a sense of shame that these students have for being black.