Читать книгу Fuse - Sally Partridge - Страница 8

Justin waited for his brother every day after school so that they could walk home together. Despite the fact that Kendall was perhaps the uncoolest person in Percy Fitzpatrick High and that being seen with his brother jeopardised his own popularity, Justin made that one concession. He understood only too well the cruelty of his fellow students, and if his brother didn’t make it home safely each day, he would never be able to forgive himself. It was a promise he had made to himself when they were both younger.

One of the many characteristics that had secured Justin’s popularity at high school was his unflinching attitude in confrontational situations. He would never back down from a fight. He never quite noticed how much his behaviour mirrored his father’s. He did, however, notice how this macho stance affected the female population of the school, who giggled and looked away each time Justin walked past. It also earned him the respect of the other boys, who could hardly look down their noses at somebody who could easily break them for doing so.

Despite his willingness to use his muscle, Justin was usually quite placid. As long as no one crossed or upset him. So the other boys learned not to mention his less popular brother in case they earned his wrath. Besides, Justin was a far better companion when kept in good spirits. His aggressive streak didn’t make him a bully – he never picked on the school’s handful of geeks and weirdos. He knew too well how it felt to be a victim, although his friends would never have guessed that.

It was summer, a time of year that Kendall hated. It was always stifling in the classrooms, where the open windows were the only source of ventilation and the heat of the day seemed to loiter in the air, wrapping the passages in a warm haze. The outside quads and fields offered no respite – the sun blazed down, burning his face and neck, and the heat-soaked tar scalded his backside when he sat down. Justin, on the other hand, was happiest in the summer term. Summer meant short-sleeve shirts, sport and longer days to spend with his friends. In Kendall’s mind, his aversion to the season just increased the gulf between him and his brother.

It was hot, so Kendall waited politely underneath the pine tree by the school’s front gate for his brother to finish kissing his girlfriend. He wasn’t exactly sure what this one’s name was, because there seemed to be a different one each week. She was prettier than the last girl, and had a black ponytail that bounced up and down as she talked. She probably had the personality of a rattlesnake, but his brother knew how to handle girls – he just passed from one to the next without getting too emotionally involved.

Justin strolled over to his brother, grinning cheekily.

“How long have you been with her, then?” Kendall asked nodding towards the girl who kept glancing at Justin to see if he would look back.

“Two days,” he replied. “Is she looking?”

“Yes.”

Justin grinned. “Okay, let’s go home.”

They crossed the road without looking back, Justin giving his brother some sage advice about girls. “You act as if you have no interest in them whatsoever, and it drives them mad.”

“What’s her name?” Kendall asked.

“Michelle. I met her at Simon’s house on Saturday. She seems alright?”

Kendall shrugged. He had no idea what characteristics in a girl made her alright. Justin lit a cigarette. “Did Mr Hawkins give you any more grief about that Satanism crap?”

Kendall laughed and pushed his hair behind his ears. “He did, actually. He got hold of me after geography and said that next time someone wants to speak to me, I should think twice about setting my brother on them.”

“What the hell was that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. That guy is a jerk.”

“Screw him.” Justin spat as they walked down a familiar street with its neat row of identical houses.

They reached their street and the boys unconsciously slowed down. “You going out tonight?” Kendall asked, looking at his nails.

“No, I don’t think so. You want to do something?”

“Yeah, I don’t have much homework or anything.”

“Okay, cool.”

Justin started whistling. It had a nervous high-pitched sound. They had reached their house, and it looked as if their father was home early.