Читать книгу Fuse - Sally Partridge - Страница 11

Kendall had always been a loner, but he had his brother to keep him company when he got home. Besides, he found the rest of the students at Percy Fitzpatrick poor company anyway. Why would he want to hang out with someone who teased him about the way he acted or looked?

So Kendall spent every break in the library reading books or listening to his brother’s iPod. He kept out of the way of other students, and it suited him fine.

That’s why it came as a surprise when a boy he didn’t know asked if he could sit down next to him one afternoon during break as he was listening to music in the library. Kendall was instantly suspicious.

“What do you want?” he asked, giving the new arrival the once-over.

The boy had black hair tucked behind his ears. He wore a spiked dog collar underneath his shirt and black nail polish on his bitten fingernails. Bad idea in this place, Kendall thought to himself. I give him a week.

“Was just wondering what you were listening to,” the boy said in what he probably thought was a nonchalant way.

“Why?” Kendall asked bluntly, not caring if he sounded rude.

“Trying to make friends,” the boy shrugged.

“Well, if you’re trying to make friends in this place, you’re getting off to a bad start talking to me.” And wearing that collar, thought Kendall.

The boy laughed.

“I’m Craig,” he said. He didn’t extend his hand to shake, but shoved both hands in his pants pockets instead.

Nicely done, thought Kendall, I would have done the same.

“I’m Kendall. I’m listening to Hellfire. It’s a black metal band from Norway.”

“Yeah, I know, I just downloaded their latest album. I was hoping you’d like the same bands as me, actually.”

Kendall’s eyes lit up. “Really?” He took another look at the boy and wondered if maybe, just maybe, there was a kindred spirit standing before him. He lowered his defensive walls a fraction and smiled.

Craig took the smile as an invitation and sat down.

“You in grade eleven?”

“Yeah.”

“Awesome, me too. What other bands do you like?”

“Well,” Kendall began …

And the child who had never had a friend in his life found that it was easy to talk to someone after all. Later that day while Justin and Kendall were walking, Justin asked, “Who was that weirdo I saw you talking to today? The guy with the collar.”

Kendall’s cheeks flushed. “Craig. He’s new in school.”

“Be careful of that guy, he looks a bit odd.”

Kendall stopped walking and glared at his brother. “Why, because he wears a collar? You can be such a jerk sometimes. I think he’s pretty cool.”

Justin stared at Kendall with his mouth open. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. What’s wrong with me wanting to have a friend?”

Justin irritably swept his fringe out of his face and pulled his brother aside as a couple of girls walked past. “I just don’t think he’s the right person for you, that’s all.”

Kendall looked at his brother in disbelief. He couldn’t work out whether Justin was trying to be protective or mean. “Why?”

Justin frowned, causing his fringe to fall over his eyes again. “Look, I’m only saying be careful of the guy, that’s all. I wouldn’t be your brother if I didn’t tell you stuff like that.”

Kendall managed a smile. “Yeah, okay.”

Justin grinned and shoved Kendall affectionately. “On the other hand, it’s about time you started speaking to other people. I’ve been telling you that forever.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Too bad it had to be that guy.”

Kendall rolled his eyes.

“Okay, sorry,” Justin grinned.