Thank God the siren rang for recess – and not a moment too soon! I was starting to feel rather uncomfortable being in the same classroom as Preston, receiving his sublime nary death threats! And even though I should really rush outside to save my skateboard, I felt I was safer being in here, taking a bit longer to pack up – even if that did mean being called in by the teacher. I’d rather that than having to face Preston outside alone.
‘Karris!’ Bingo!! Like I thought, summons by the teacher! The look I got from Preston was priceless – the fish (meaning me) got away again!
‘Yes?’ I answered innocently.
‘What school did you used go to before?’ Mr Gunning asked.
‘Oh, ah… Yarris Senior High School, in Yarris Park.’ I reluctantly answered.
‘Oh, Yarris Park?’ said Mr Gunning. ‘Down toward the K7 bypass there?’ he asked, but he knew exactly where It was.
‘Yes, that’s the one.’ I said, taking a quick sideways glance at Preston who seemed to be packing away his things slowly as if to be waiting for me. I had to keep Mr Gunning talking a bit longer. ‘It’s really well known for its. –‘
Mr Gunning interrupted me as he knew what I was going to say next, ‘legendary ‘Daredevils Mountain’s’ demon race track and skate ramp-dips – the mother of all incoherent daredevils who obviously have a death wish or who prefer to perform their stunts in a wheelchair?’
I just paused for a moment to comprehend what Mr Gunning had just said. I couldn’t believe that he knew all that stuff! ‘Well… I couldn’t have put it better myself.’ was all that I could think of to say.
I had just finished packing my things in my schoolbag when I realised that my trademark beanie was squashed up in the bottom corner of my bag. I reached in to retrieve it then had to flick off the mouldy, smelly breadcrumbs and pencil shavings that notoriously gets stuck to wool. I then zipped up my bag and swung it over my shoulder as if to now end our conversation.
‘Preston, did you want to see me about something?’ Mr Gunning asked, ‘It’s not like you to stay behind after class. Did you want me to give you extra homework or something?’
Preston shot me a filthy look. ‘I was just leaving, Sir.’ Was all he said as he stood up, shoving his chair backward out of the way before storming out of the classroom first. I knew I had to quickly follow as the mere thought had crossed my mind that Preston would be looking for my skateboard, but before I did, I turned back for a moment and called out to Mr Gunning, , ‘How come you know Yarris Park so well?’
He just looked at me, his Mr Kotter moustache smiled the Mr Kotter smile and said, ‘from personal experience.’
‘Oh.’ I answered back. A hundred things flooded my mind with what it could possibly be. What sort of personal experience was it? Was he a skater boy, too, once? Who knows? Only time will tell, but just then, I had made it my secret mission to find out. I placed my beanie on my head and adjusted it to my eyebrows, then picked up the bombie that Preston had previously thrown at me, before walking out the door.
‘My skateboard!’ I exclaimed loudly to myself as I dropped to my hands and knees to take a more thorough look for it underneath the bench where I left it last. I was furious! The first person to cross my mind who I assumed must have stolen it, was Preston.
‘Oooh, what a slimy, snaky, son-of-a-thing to do.’ I stood up, ripped my beanie off my head, threw it onto the ground, stamping my foot hard with anger and frustration at the same time before kicking my schoolbag about five meters into the air. And where it landed… was right next to the rubbish bin. I buried my face in my hands as I tried to hold back the tears. Changing schools really sucked! I really miss my best fried, Tracy and I felt completely home sick. I managed to compose myself by taking deep breaths in and exhaling slowly to release the anger at the same time. After about five of these anti-hyperventilating breaths, I was OK again so I went over and picked up my bag and slam-dunked the bombie into the bin… ‘The bin! Oh, hohohoho… the bin…’ I sobbed as I nearly broke down crying which then very quickly turned into tears of joy as I had only just remembered that I hid my skateboard behind the bin – and it was still there!
