𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗼 Shorts

♔ BSK - D x OC - 3

I knew I had made the right choice in wearing old clothes and sturdy walking boots the next day. There was an excited thrum in the air, and spirits were running too high for someone not to get wet in the river that ran through Beanotown park. I just hoped it wasn't going to be me.

The sun beat down mercilessly on my dark hair, making it hot to the touch. Bash Street wanted to save money, hence why we were walking down to the river rather than using the ancient minibus.

I wasn't quite convinced that the Bash Street kids were all that disastrous. All I saw were teens like me, with problems and worries and hobbies and friends, like any other students.

I walked next to Wilfred on the way there. He didn't say a word, but I got the impression that he was less shy and more clever than he let on.

Once we got to the river a good half-hour later, Teacher set about finding shade to sit under.

"Go and have fun," he grumbled, heading away towards a small copse.

I searched for a similar place, and saw a tree overhanging the river, providing a perfect little haven.

"Come on, Teach," Plug protested. "We're going to teach you how to have fun!"

I paused and turned back. Perhaps I could just watch this... After all, it was bound to be amusing.

I put my bag down safely away from the river, and ventured after the group cautiously. Wilfred turned around and made a small, subtle 'come on' gesture with his fingers, but I caught it and bit the inside of my lip.

Should I..?

Before I knew it I was standing next to him and right next to the river, eagerly standing on tip-toes to see over their heads.

"Watch and learn," Danny said grandly. "Spotty, are you ready?"

Spotty, who was standing next to the river, nodded. Sidney was next to him - he had crouched down to look at a frog in the reeds.

Spotty cleared his throat and grinned. "This is the Bash Street way of feeling happy!"

With one quick sweep, he had pushed Sidney's shoulders, unbalancing the other boy and causing him to topple into the river, head first, with a huge splash.

"- watching someone else get pushed into the river!"

Spotty fell about laughing, and the others were stifling bouts of laughter too.

Teacher, however, seemed mystified.

"Funny, huh?" Spotty asked Teacher, between guffaws.

"Hilarious," Sidney muttered as he picked himself up out of the water, sopping wet.

"Come on Teach!" Danny threw his hand up in the air. "Doesn't that make you feel a little bit happy?"

Teacher turned confused eyes onto Danny. "Well..."

Teacher suddenly reached out and shoved Danny backwards. The boy gave an almighty yell as his heel went over the edge of the river bank and he fell backwards into the river.

"You're right!" Teacher cried. "It does!"

He proceeded to run along the river bank, pushing the students in when he passed. Fatty was down the line, so he took one look at Teacher and simply stepped into the river, letting his trousers get wet but his shirt staying dry. I had the good sense to take steps backwards so Teacher passed in front of me rather than behind, but Wilfred wasn't so perceptive and ended up in the river too.

"Quick!" Spotty demanded. "Give me those!"

He took 'Erbert's glasses and put his hands behind his back, looking small.

Teacher pushed 'Erbert in, then paused to look at Spotty.

"You wouldn't shove a boy with glasses, would you?" He asked.

Teacher grinned. "Wrong again Spotty!" He gave the biggest push yet and Spotty fell in, dousing the others in a fresh wave of river water.

"People with glasses should especially be pushed into rivers," Teacher stated triumphantly.

Smiffy, standing near Teacher, overheard, and a brightness of understanding overtook his features as he observed Teacher's spectacles. Smiffy stepped forwards and BAM, Teacher was on all fours in the water.

Danny waded over to the man with his hands on his hips. "Well!" He said. "Are you happy, now?"

Teacher launched to his feet. "Yes!" He exclaimed, whipping Danny's cap off of his head. Danny made some shocked complaint and jumped too slow as Teacher tossed the cap to Plug.

Smiffy stood on the sidelines, looking as confused as I felt.

"Give me my cap!" Danny demanded of Plug.

Plug grinned cheekily, swirling the cap round his forefinger. "Come and get it!"

"Here, Plug - to me!" Teacher called, and when he caught it he sloshed through the water away from a raging Danny, holding the cap high.

I glanced to the other end of the river just in time to see Spotty attempting to climb out of the river. I debated on warning him about the approaching Sidney, but Sidney put his finger to his lips with an evil smirk and caught ahold of Spotty's long tie, dragging him back into the water with a yelp.

"Funny, huh?" Sidney mocked, and Spotty spat a mouthful of water at him.

A call caught my attention and my gaze swivelled back to Teacher. Toots and Plug were vying for the next catch of Danny's cap, clamouring for his attention.

"Over here, Teach!"

"No, here!"

"Here! To me!"

Teacher threw the cap to Toots, but Danny made a well-timed jump for it and managed to return it to his head with a satisfied smile, despite the fact that he and it were dripping wet.

"All right," Teacher said. "We'd better dry off before we eat lunch."

Danny glanced up and caught my eye, and sent me a smile. He broke it to wring out his shirt, showing a sliver of pale stomach.

I averted my eyes and heaved a sigh before moving myself away from everyone. They had started to splash Smiffy because he didn't go in, and I didn't want to meet the same fate.

I reached the tree that I'd spotted earlier and parted the branches. It was even prettier inside the dome of foliage, with light dappling the soft moss and a gap showing the sparkling river. It was cooler too, sheltered from the heat of the midday sun.

I checked my watch, and it read 11:47AM. Not quite time for lunch, yet not enough time to get absorbed by my book...

I sat down on a and laid back on the springy mattress of moss, admiring the colours of the canopy. Ever so slowly, my eyelids began to lull, until I closed my eyes fully and let the sound of the river and the birds relax me so fully that I fell asleep.