Cassy:
When Jared and Neil get back to the tent almost an hour after Neil left, we are all relieved to see that it looks like they've sorted out whatever it was that were bothering them. Justin kept putting wood on the fire, not wanting to start to braai the meat until they got back.
"Is the meat ready?" Neil asks the minute they get to us.
"Not even close," Justin replies, "We were waiting for you."
"So what you waiting for? Let's get the meat on the fire. I'm starving!" he says, going to stand next to Justin.
At the same time, Tanya jumps up to go and get the meat. My mum was kind enough to make us two salads, a potato salad for the boys and a green salad for the girls. We also bought hotdog rolls to eat with the meat and boerewors.
After Justin puts the meat on the braai grid, we all pull our chairs closer to the fire. While we are quietly chatting, Sonya, one of the student body members, walks up to us.
"Hi guys," she greets us.
"Hey, Sonya," we all greet back.
"Are you gonna take part in the Boere Sports tomorrow?" she asks.
"Shit, we completely forgot to put our names down," Justin says, "Of course we're going to compete," he continues.
"Great. Here's a list of all the games we're going to play tomorrow. Just put your names down under the games you want to compete in. For the Apple Forwarding and Tug of War, you need to be six in a team. When you're done, drop the form off at the marquee tent, preferably before 22h00. We still need to work the schedules out for tomorrow, and we really would like to get some sleep tonight," she says, handing us a form.
"Will do," Ashley says before Sonya bits us goodbye.
"Ok guys, the team games are Tug of War, Three Legged Race, Egg Throw, Wheelbarrow Race, Apple Forwarding, and Water Bombs," Ashley takes charge.
Jared comes to me and asks, "So are we going to team up?"
"If you don't mind losing, I'm in," I say, thrilled that he asked me.
Eventually, we decide to compete in all the games.
There's also Arm Wrestling, Catty Shooting, Pillow Fight and Apple Bite for individual competitors.
The guys agree they have nothing to prove and decide to forego the individual games.
Once done, Jared offers to take the form to the marquee tent.
"Walk with me?" he asks, holding his hand out for me to take.
Taken by surprise, I take it and let him help me up.
"So you've ever taken part in a Boere Sports Competition?" he asks as we start to walk towards the marquee tent.
"Once long ago. I was visiting my uncle on their farm, and they had a Boere Sports day in town. It was a lot of fun. And you?" I ask, not able to imagine him doing Boere Sports.
He doesn't look like the type of guy that would enjoy something like that.
"When I was in primary school, we always ended the year with a Boere Sports day," he surprises me.
"So where's your uncle's farm?" he asks after we walk in silence for a bit.
"Actually, not far from here. It's just outside Herbertsdale. We used to visit every July and December holidays. That's where I learned to ride bike," I tell him.
"You actually can ride a bike?" he asks with disbelief.
"More like used to. I haven't ridden a bike in years and only dirt bikes. Once we moved to Cape Town, we didn't visit as much as I would have liked to," I tell him.
"So where did you stay before Cape Town?" he wants to know.
"Mossel Bay."
"You're joking. We used to compete against Park Primary," he says, shaking his head. "I take it that's where you were."
"Jip and then to Point High until the middle of Gr 9 when my dad was transferred to Cape Town. I hated the city," I continue.
Just then, we reached the marquee tent. Once he gave Sonya our form, we turn around and start to walk back.
"So, have you always stayed in George?" I ask, eager to get to know more about him.
"We stayed in PE until I turned six. My parents used to take me with on their excursions, but when I had to start school, they moved to George. My Granny stayed here, so when they had to go on their trips, I would go and stay with her. I was in George South Primary, and then off course I came to Outeniqua," he tells me.
"How long have you been friends with Neil and the others?" I ask again.
"Neil used to stay next to Granny, and he was also in George South. We've been friends for as long as I can remember. Justin, we met in Gr 5. We used to play rugby against him and the girls we met in Gr 8," he explains, and now I understand the bond between him and his friends.
"I had two best friends in Cape Town. Chelsey and Jonathan. We used to do everything together. I really miss them. I hope they can come and visit in April," I say, missing the times we've spent together.
Just then, our tent comes into view, and if the smells are anything to go by, the meat is ready.
YOU ARE READING
The Boy Next Door.
RomanceMoving to a new town is difficult, but when it happens in your final year of school it's even more difficult. To make matters worse Cassy also immediately dislikes their new neighbor's son. With his long hair, tattoos and whoring ways, he's definite...
