Tricky Heart (Wattys 2024)(English)

Chapter 3 - The Test

I like this school: the courtyard is huge. There must be a thousand people there now.
Lucas laughs with a boy belonging to the basketball team. He has blond hair. Is his name Michael? Yes, I think his name is Michael.

The other four I can't remember what their names are. One is named Mark, but I can't remember which one.

The principal has been talking for ten minutes already, but no one is really listening to him.

"... Also, I wanted to point out that the courtyard has been renovated."

I turn around and many flower beds color the edges of the courtyard.

"Old and new students, as you can see we have put many flowers..."

I recognize the lavenders, the red ones I think are tulips. The yellow ones? I don't know, never seen them. Anyway, they are beautiful.

A gust of wind brings a pleasant smell. If I am not mistaken, it is lavender. I close my eyes and relax.

"I am pleased to announce, the installation of as many as four benches under the oak tree."

A bump makes me open my eyes again.

Lucas looks at me. "What are you doing? Are you sleeping?"

"No, just relaxing a bit." I smile. "Then, I'm listening to the principal. At my old school, they didn't give any commencement speeches."

"Forget about the principal. You haven't missed anything, he always says the same old things. He welcomes us. We fixed this, we improved that..."

The blond suddenly blurts out. "They put flowers! What are these flowers for?"

I like flowers: they give color.

The blond continues. "Instead, of fixing the basketball court..."

Lucas takes the floor. "He's right Mike..."

Okay, his name is Michael. I guessed.

"...They should redraw the field lines. You can hardly see them anymore."

I scratch my head. "At the old school, we didn't even have hoop nets."

Lucas wraps his big arm around me. "Now, you're with us. We have nets, we know that for sure. What we don't know is how you play. You're so skinny." He shakes me hard and they all laugh.

I give a half smile too. "I may be skinny, however, maybe I'll pass under your legs and make a basket."

Everyone rumbles and laughs at the provocation.

Lucas looks around, but doesn't flinch. "Ah, that's right, huh? Do you know that last year I was the best defender of the year?"

I pat him on the back. "So you should be thankful I'm not playing against you this year, so you can earn your title back."

The others laugh among themselves, Lucas is amused.

"You talk a good game, let's hope you play the way you talk." He shakes me again.

Michael stops laughing. "Lucas, don't forget about the Test."

The big guy takes his arm off my shoulders and turns serious. "True, you must first complete the Test."

Oh God, I'm scared. "What is the Test?"

"It is the tradition of the team: all of us have gone through the Test. Every time there is a different one."

Michael approaches. "It must be about thirty years now that all team members inherit a list of ten Tests to pass. The new guy has to do one of those Tests." He points to the black boy to his right. "Last year Marc joined the team and had to egg the principal's house. This year you are the new guy."

Everyone looks at me amused.

"And what is this year's Test?"

I am afraid to hear the answer, but Lucas opens his mouth. "This year you need to sneak into the principal's office and steal an item from his drawer."

"That sounds like an impossible thing to me."

"Yes, I know. But unfortunately this year you have this thing to do."

I don't think I'm capable of doing such a thing.

Marc pats me on the back. "Take advantage of the fact that you're skinny, right?"

"But I've never done such a thing."

"There's always the first time. Lucas told us that he had to go into the principal's office, open the window and try to make a basket from there."

Lucas laughs. "Of course, I didn't make a basket. However, I can teach you how to open the office door."

Should I thank him? "Okay, then I'll take lessons from the best, so maybe you can teach me something finally."

I laugh and instinctively turn to my left. I cross Martha's gaze. Why do I like this girl? I don't even know her that well. She has something magnetic about her.

A fist from Lucas lands on my shoulder. "Ouch." I turn back to him. "Are you dumb?"

"Call me Master from now on?"

"Master, are you dumb?"

They all laugh. What situation have I gotten myself into? Why did I agree to it? If the principal catches me, I'll definitely get a few days of suspension.

How do I tell mom then. I can't let her down after what she went through with Dad's death.

But I've accepted it now. I can't back down. I just have to be careful. "When do I have to take this Test?"

Michael turns to me. "The Test takes place the day after the principal's speech."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow."

"But I don't know how to break into a door yet, so I guess we'll have to reschedule."

Lucas scratches his back. "Are you afraid? Are you backing out?"

"No, I'm not afraid." Yes, I am afraid. "It's just that I don't know how to open locked doors." And I don't want to be suspended on the second day of school.

"I'll show you how to do it today, don't worry. Remember? I'm the Master."

Why do I have to listen to these people here? Maybe, I shouldn't play basketball this year. Maybe, I should just focus on studying and make new friends. No trouble, no Tests that would make me lose the year.

They're looking at me, expecting me to say something cool. "Okay, Master. So, are we having classes today on how to break into bank safes?"

Lucas smiles. "Let me teach you how to rob banks further down the line. Let's start with the basics."

"Okay, Master."

I turn around and Martha is looking at me.
How long has she been looking at me? Does she like me or am I just the novelty of the school that I will soon be replaced with who knows what other novelty?
That's it, I don't have to stare at her anymore. I wouldn't want her to think I was weird. Then again, I like her, but I don't know if she feels the same way about me.

Lucas says something to Marc, but I don't understand what he's saying. All I can think is that I would like to be near Martha now. Maybe, make physical contact. I would like to hug her.

I don't have to turn around, I don't want to be pushy. But, why do I have this urge to see her?
Stupid magnet!