On a Leash

Chapter 1 ─ He's got a Handbag dog for a pet

CHAPTER 1  —  He's got a handbag dog for a pet

“Ouch,” I yelped, being physically yanked out of my reverie, literally.

I glared down at the old dog who was panting up at me, tongue lolling and I swear, swear, there was a smirk to his mouth. Stupid Trevor. I leant over and patted his dopey head affectionately. Sighing, I pulled myself up off the old rotting bench and directed the Rottweiler at my side down the sloping hill towards the skate park with a muttered; “Come on.”

The skate park was the centre of the public park in my little town, the sink hole to the park that kept the kempt from the rugged. No parents took their children here, no one studied in this area and no one of popular decent hung around here. This space was for the thirty year olds who wore baggy shorts that should only be in the wardrobes of Avril Lavigne and Busted members. This space was for those classed as dark and reclusive. This space was for those who didn’t want to be a stereotypical teenager in cliques and so all merged together.

As if the town was ashamed of the area, bushes grew tall – but well pruned – around the boarder of the hole, hiding the horror of the area from the public. There was only one way in and out of this hole and that was by the path that had grown shiny and slick from years of wheels rolling over it. That path alone was the horror of the park; it was where I had first fallen when getting a skateboard, rollerblades and later a Penny board.

The actual skate park was alright; tennis court flooring that a half pipe, a mini ramp placed in the centre for ‘skills’ that never happened and, to the side, a pole were all placed on. That was mainly where the thirty year olds sat and smoked talking about The Backstreet Boys and whatnot.

The skate park was also where you would find Harrison Price who was at this moment in time was joking about with his friends. In one hand was his skateboard, which he was lightly kneeing in that fidgeting way he always did, whilst with the other he pushed his friends, Jake, by the shoulder.

Harrison Price was my best friend. He was the one who stood over me when I had fallen mercilessly to the floor, laughing heartily each time. He was the one holding my hand when I got my ears pierced, when I had stitches put into my elbow. He was always there; either laughing at my pain or causing or supporting it.

The late year sun brushed over his hair and skin as he rolled his head back to laugh. He noticed me then, as I approached and that big grin of his spread across his face. “Ross!” he walked towards the grated fence that separated us, arms outstretching and nearly bludgeoning Robin Smith with the skateboard still in hand. “I see the she-dog has brought the big old he-dog.”

“Katie’s here?” Harrison sent me a pointed look and my mouth eased from a circular gape to an easy smile.

“That was quick, Thomas.” I winked and laughed, joining in with the guys who were listening into the conversation behind him. “But so you know, Katie really isn’t that bad.” I snorted; Harrison knew my feelings towards that girl. Ever since year seven there had been a power struggle between us and it had only got worse over the last six months.

“The girl had the nerve to tell me to back off my best friend!” I snapped. It was pointless wasting my breath on Katie when it came to Harrison, he was too blinded by her flowing hair and perfect curves to see the she-monster within.

“Yeah, but you acted stupidly in return. She got things into her head and she blew things way out of proportion, like girls always do.” Harrison shrugged as if it were no big deal.

I pursed my lips. “There were many things wrong with that sentence of yours Harrison Price.” Harrison groaned and placed his head in the empty hand. Behind, our friends sniggered; our group were less watch each other’s back and more laugh behind them. “One, I acted as all would; I told her to back out of my face. Two—”