Page 10 (1/2)

The last class ends and we churn out, shouting, laughing, cursing Norh, but today I head deeper into it There’s a five-a-side soccer tourna, and I’, but it’ll beout on the streets

Kray, Elephant, Trev, Linzer and I wind our way through the labyrinth of corridors Our school’s massive It holds over a thousand students, and it used to be even bigger It wasn’t always the cesspit it is now Once upon a ti on new rooms It’s not very wide but it’s deep Takes several et from one end to the other

No outdoor spaces apart froe roo, solid walls all around, a few narrow skylight s high overhead, lots of artificial light The phys-ed staff keep it in good shape You can play soccer, basketball, hockey, badminton They have foosball and pool tables stacked at the sides - they bring them out at lunch for those who are so easily ayame has kicked off The teaive the to distract theer and we cheer

"Bloody idiots," I laugh "Running round like aues He loves soccer but hasn’t played in ages, still recovering fro his foot a few months back

"Beautiful waste of tiaet bored quickly and look around for soroup to our left, cheering on the players, a mix of kids from different years I don’t know most of them, but one catches my eye - Tyler Bayor

My dad had a bust-up with Tyler’s oldfrom his son It was true - I took money froirl today, because Tyler’s soft and the cash was there for the taking - but I denied it until I was blue in the face

My dad was furious that a black guy had dared point the finger at ed Tyler’s dad outside, fought with hiot nasty We retreated with our heads held high, and Tyler’s dad didn’t push the charges any further

I stopped stealing frohfart of a kid I didn’t stop because I’d been challenged I stopped because I knewTyler because of his race I wasn’t I picked on Tyler because he eak and I could get aith it But I felt uneasy, seeing h my dad’s eyes, like I was the same as him

I never told any of the others about what happened, which is why Vinyl didn’t realize it was personal when I was having a go at Tyler in the park I’uess I was asha it into a racial thing

Even though I don’t steal froht of hi up to Tyler’s oldproud and ht on by Tyler not keeping his ood victim should

"Hey, Tyler," I shout "Why didn’t you coht?"

Tyler looks atI’ll let it drop But I’nore hs

"You bloody are"

The kids around hiet sucked into this

Tyler gulps and facesfor a mate He wasn’t there So I left"

"But you didn’t even stop to say hello," I reme on

"I know your kind aren’t thea few steps towards the sood manners to - "

"What do you mean, your kind?" soirl has stepped forward She’s glaring at -or-other

"You got a proble in front of Tyler, who can’t believe his luck "You just said that blacks are uncivilized"

"Not rin

"Yes you did," she huffs "I heard what you said Your kind"

"Maybe I was talking about his family," I chuckle "Or the fans of the team he supports"

"No," Nancy says "I know exactly what you ot hts, but I can’t admit that in front of the others It’s not in my nature to back down You can never shoeakness You have to fight every fight that co picked on, like Tyler

"Let’s say you’re right," I drawl "So what?"