Chapter 10
1153 Words
AUSTIN’S POV
‘HEY, I THINK I’m getting a hand of this.’ Elena said almost too excitedly as she skated in circles around my paved backyard. Martins and Ethan were currently teaching her some basic moves while Andre, Lay and I watched them. I was still upset about the unanimous decision the guys had made to practice at my place, but it wasn’t like we had anywhere else to practice. I was even shocked she agreed.
She hadn’t asked about what happened on Saturday. Half of me was grateful and the other half annoyed. She knew something about me now; something I didn’t want anyone else knowing.
Taking note of my sour look, Andre set his laptop down. ‘Is there a particular reason why you don’t like her?’
‘I never said I hated her,’
‘Your actions prove otherwise. It’s almost like her presence seems to tick you off.’
Lay didn’t say anything but I knew he was listening from where he was resting on the lawn chair. I wasn’t sure either. Why didn’t I like the next door tomboy who could also skate? It wasn’t like we had a history together. And to think I had been eager to ask her to be my fake girlfriend. But after hearing we had been banned, my attitude towards her changed.
I paused. Maybe that was it. I was indifferent towards her because she got us kicked out of the skate park.
‘Guys, check this out!’ Ethan called, making us glance at their direction. We saw Elena gain speed on her skateboard as she moved towards a ramp that headed up. Then the board flipped backwards while she was still on air. She landed perfectly and did a high five with Martins who had been cheering her on. The guys were obviously impressed with her skills. It was either she was a natural or just a quick learner.
‘She can do backflips. Lay, have you been teaching her behind our backs?!’ Martins asked, running down to us.
The lazy ass just waved a hand.
Martins continued to praise her. ‘She’s pretty cool for a girl.’
This time Lay spoke, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. ‘Are you saying that for her chest or what?’
‘Hey, I’m serious!’ Martins defended, although he seemed to wander off in thoughts some seconds later, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. ‘It would be better if she wore tighter tops though.’
That earned him a smack across the face with Lay’s sneakers. ‘Sick pervert.’ He frowned.
‘Yo, Austin. Did you see her?’ Ethan was running up to us now.
‘Yeah, I did.’ I scoffed. So, she could back flip. Big deal. Why were the guys so happy about that? They were starting to treat her like she was a part of us and that wasn't the plan.
Ethan flopped down beside me, reaching for the bottle of water Andre handed to him. He was sweating like he had just stopped a marathon. He opened the bottle and took in huge gulps.
‘Ah, man that’s good.’ He breathed. ‘Your turn.’
I wasn't sure I heard him right. The others seemed to have, for they stared at me expectantly. We had been taking turns to teach her since practice started.
Ugh! 'Fine,' I sighed. Best to get this on with.
Digging my hands into my jean pocket, I walked towards her. She was looking completely proud of herself as she drank water out of a plastic bottle.
Standing next to each other and the silence between us got awkward real fast. I wasn’t surprised. The two of us were like oil and water. We avoided each other, avoided stares and avoided words.
From afar I could hear the guys talking. ‘Why isn’t he saying anything?’ Ethan complained.
‘Alright,’ I sighed for the second time today, annoyed with the silence too. ‘It’s my turn to teach you.’
She glanced up and for the first time she didn’t look like she wanted to smash my head against something. No agitated look, no glaring either. She looked more eager than anything.
Nonetheless, I taught her a few tricks, corrected her bad moves and I had to say for the past fifteen minutes we didn’t try to kill each other.
We weren’t in bad blood and with everything that was happening, I almost forgot about the little misfortunes I was having.
‘Do a flip again,’ I told her.
She got on her board and moved forward. However, just as she jumped off the ramp to do a heel flip, she lost her footing and found herself falling towards the ground. I was running over in a second just as Ethan’s cries sounded in the background.
She had hit the ground though before I got there. ‘That’s going to leave a mark.’ I heard her say as she sat up, rubbing her sore shoulder. I bent down to check on her. ‘You okay?’
Her eyes widened in surprise. ‘I think so.’
She tried to move her arm but then winced in pain. Removing her hand from her forearm, I saw blood begin to stain her sweater from the inside. She looked up at me. ‘Guys,’ I called. ‘Let’s call it a day.’
I helped her up though it seemed she wanted to walk without my help. So, I let her be. We walked back to where the others were.
‘Is it serious?’ Lay asked.
She gave him a reassuring smile. ‘I’m okay.’
‘Wait here,’ I said and walked into my home. What I failed to notice was the shocked and extorted expressions on the guys face, with their mouths opened wide and eyes not blinking. Even Andre who always seemed to keep his cool was a bit caught off guard.
Walking into the kitchen, I opened one of the cupboards and pulled out a first aid kit. I walked back outside to see them talking and with a new visitor.
‘Mom? Why are you here?’
‘Oh, I have a day off work.’ Mom knelt down beside Elena and took her hand away from her shoulder. She gasped when she saw the blood stains. ‘This is why I said skating is dangerous.’ She outstretched her hand to me. ‘Bandages.’
I opened the kit and handed it over to her.
As she worked on Elena's shoulder, the boys watched her curiously. So did I. Why was Mum being so friendly and nice to her? She didn't even know her. As if sensing my gaze on her, she snapped her head up, her eyes drilling into mine. 'Austin, be useful and get me a bowl of water from the kitchen.'
A vein snapped in my head as I heard the guys snicker. But I found myself heading back into the house anyway.
- Writer
