The Secret Legacy of Pan - English Translation

Chapter Ten

JOGGING LESSONS

Since Lee had been acting as my permanent bench mate, I was not willing to look like the awkward, podgy loser beside Mr Universe. I had been debating with myself for days, but today I finally took the courage.

"Corey, can you do me a favour?" I caught up to him in front of the boy's bathroom.

"Did you shower?" I grimaced. Was it that obvious? "I'm just asking because you usually smell like whiskey on Wednes..." He probably saw my gloomy face and abruptly changed the subject: "Of course, City, what do you need?"

"Can you teach me how to run properly?" He looked at me as if I had asked him to take my virginity. I fidgeted with my hands and looked at the ground in embarrassment. But since I had already started this, I would also finish it. "You know that I always get a stitch and don't have any drive."

"City, that's an understatement. You wheeze and sweat like my granny's tea kettle after a few metres."

"Thanks a lot", I murmured sarcastically.

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just facts. But do you think I'm the right guy?" He scratched the back of his head and looked at me sceptically.

"Who else? You play football and were always the best in track."

"Yeah, Lee maybe. He's on my football team now. I can't keep up with him."

"No!", I yelled. Corey looked at me in surprise. I let my fingers glide through my hair. "No, I would feel terrible beside him. I'd hoped you would help me. We've known each other for longer and you know how bad I've always been in P.E. I wouldn't feel completely miserable if it was you."

Corey did not seem like he was convinced. "I don't know, City..."

"Oh, come on, Corey. I'll write your biology paper about DNA for you." He was chewing on his lower lip. Now I knew I almost had him. "I promise I won't complain no matter how hard you are on me." Corey raised his eyebrows flirtatiously.

"I'm still talking about running", I hissed.

"Okay, okay. But you take care of that essay."

I beamed at him. "Of course. Promise. When do we start?"

"Saturday at ten, Apsley House. Don't be late."

"I won't. Thank you. You're a treasure and would give you a kiss if I wasn't too embarrassed."

Corey grinned. "You know what, I'll get Jayden to join us. Three of us would be even funnier." Why not? Jayden would probably make me look sportier than I was. But I doubted that he would join us in anything that was not the walk to the canteen or his desk.

"And also! The peach scent is great."

In time for biology class, I handed Corey his essay. I had taken me two nights to complete. Well, not just his, but mine as well. But it had been a work load, because after the first one I had been out of ideas for what to write. Now I knew how an author with writing block just before a deadline had to feel.

Jayden and I were standing by Apsley House at Rotten Row in the Hyde Park at ten o'clock, just like we had agreed. Corey was the only one missing.

"Typical", Jayden complained. He wore a ridiculously shiny blue-silver tracksuit and had fixed his long hair to his forehead with a headband, like a footballer. I felt pretty stupid myself, even if I was not dressed as boldly. Black leggings with a red jacket. I had gone out to the market at Camden yesterday and had sacrificed my seven pounds from the tutoring lessons just to buy it. I was bursting with the zest for action, but no Corey was in sight!