Julia Lelieveld and the fifth element

~16~

I was glad to be outside, I took a few deep breaths in and out. I became a bit clearer in my head again.

I tried to put my mind to something else. I had to go to school, because the match started in half an hour. There went my chance to refresh myself at home. I looked around to see if my bike was somewhere, I couldn't remember where I put it either. Until I realized he was at school. Oh great, that too, it is certainly still a half hour walk.

After a fifteen minute walk I came to a quieter part. It was actually an industrial area between the old center and the school. They were all old factories and office buildings. And beyond that lay a forest.

It was all quiet, probably many were already out of use. I started walking a little faster, because I didn't feel comfortable. After I was completely startled by a cat jumping out of an alley, I heard a glass break behind me. I looked around and saw a group of boys walking towards me from the corner. They had beer bottles in their hands, one of which had just fallen to the floor. Okay, I thought to myself, don't panic, this doesn't have to mean anything.

I just thought to myself it couldn't get any worse, especially after that thing with Dad. It ran through my head all the time. But alas, I was wrong. I walked even faster, hoping to get to a busier section soon.

I heard the boys singing and laughing, probably they were all quite drunk. I didn't dare look back to draw attention to myself, but it sounded like there were three of them.

Suddenly I heard a voice that seemed vaguely familiar. He yelled something, but I didn't hear it. I was too busy trying to get myself out of this situation. I heard his footsteps coming faster toward me. Now I could understand what he was.

"Hey wait a minute. You're detention girl, aren't you?"

Automatically I turned around, I could kick myself to see who was calling me. He was not ten feet away from me now and before I could say anything he was standing in front of me.

When he stood in front of me, I remembered him again. During my first week of detention, he nearly knocked my brains out with the furniture from the detention room. I had to be honest, this didn't really make the situation any better. I tried to stay calm and give him what he wanted.

"Yes, that's right," I said to him, trying to laugh a little.

"Olaf, isn't it?"

"Geez, despite being a bastard, you remembered my name." He seemed a little shy. Well, at least he admitted that he'd been a bit of a jerk, which was actually kind of weak.

"Sorry I almost hurt you, I wasn't really at my best then. And thank you for not hooking me up with the teacher." He scratched the back of his head with his hand and staggered slightly on his legs.

Suddenly he looked young. I estimated him to be about 15 or 16, but he was just really, really big for his age. He looked at me expectantly.

"Yeah, that's good dude. But if you don't mind, I'm late, so." I pointed behind me with my thumb over my shoulder. He looked over my head for a moment.

"Are you going to the game at school?" he asked me. I'd better be honest and be his friend, because I don't think you should have him against you.

"Yes, indeed, they are waiting for me." He seemed to think for a moment.

"Well, my moped is around the corner, I can take you there?" He looked away for a moment, a little shy again.

A moped? Well then he had to be 16 years or older.

He came across as endearing. "Do you remember where to find the school with all that beer?" I asked him. He shook his head. "No, I don't drink. I'm not going after that old man of mine," he said with conviction.