Skater Squad

Chapter 9

Evan
I slam my locker shut, sliding on my bag and practically skip down the corridor in excitement. Today, after school was my scheduled lesson with David. And in return, I would teach Joe how to be a good boy.

The afternoon sun hits my face as I exit the main building. The crowds disband and I begin the search for the tall brunette. I hoot in surprise as a hand seizes my arm and tugs me for the crowd, hiding me behind the corner wall.

I smile brightly as it was the familiar solemn face of David.

"Did you tell anyone you're meeting with me?"

I shook my head, recalling when we left the noodle shop yesterday; He desired to keep our meetings secret for whatever reason. He was still cryptic and intimidating, so I had to keep my mouth shut.

He grunts in approval and guides us to the back parking lot. This area was usually reserved for teachers or parents.

"Stay here," He orders flatly.

I obey, standing still on the pavement while he crosses the dark asphalt lot, towards a posh grey car. He smiles at the driver, who was on closer inspection, I recollected was his mother.

I giggle cutely as she lands a kiss on his cheek, much to his horror before he leaves, carrying out an item from the vehicle. He groans a few words before waving and returned back to me, wiping red lipstick from his cheek.

Joe leaps from Davids arms and claws at my jeans. "Hi, buddy! Yeah, I missed you too!"

-•-

"Joe..... sit!" Davids instructs, wiggling the treat in his hand. Joe listens after twenty times and brings his butt to the ground. David's face lights up, a grin stretching itself on his face. I feel myself hold my breath as I stare at the stars in his eyes but exhale as David turns to me.

"He finally did it!"

"I told you, patience pays off in the end."

My smile fades as Davids stands up, his hands on his hips. "Aight then. Ready to start your lesson?"

"Wait, now?"

"No next week, yes now!"

I rub the back of my neck. "I would've thought you would want to teach Joe some more commands."

"Nah, it's alright. If we fill too much information in his head in one day he might forget it the next."

With that said, David grasps my board and hands it to me.

"I wanna teach you to perform an ollie."

I purse my lips, feeling myself get uneasy at the request. "That seems a bit difficult..."

"That's why I'm teaching you."

He shoves the board into my chest rather harshly and stepped aside to give me space to jump onto my board. I glide around the empty parking lot to gain a feel before slowing down.

"So how do I do it?" I question.

"It's rather simple, it's basically, hop, drag and then ollie."

My mouth gapes but no sounds follows up as I try and grasp an understanding of his instructions. David sighs and went into detail, I hardly understood him so when it came to the part of me performing the act, I was much unprepared.

David executes a perfect ollie on the spot as a demonstration and I finally understood.

I lift the board slightly under my feet, drag my other foot down the board as it lifts but on the last step I fumble and collapse with clutter and my board skating away on it own.

Joe was at my side before David, the puppy granting me little licks of comfort before David boosts me to my feet.

"Not bad, at least you got half of it right, just don't fumble it next time," David instructs, checking me up and down.

"Yeah, I wanted to fall on purpose and hurt my hand."

"You hurt your hand?" Davids blurts worriedly, snatching my palm with his hands to inspect.

I feel my face burn as David's hand touches mine. Davids quickly moves away, rather embarrassed at his actions and chuckled nervously. "You'll be o-okay...! Just keep pr-practising!"

The session went on like normal, except David constantly needing to catch me when I fumbled the trick. It was rather pleasant to have David have my back and it proved to be a fun experience.

At the end of the day, I felt more of the need to learn about David. At this point, I couldn't decide if I just wanted to know more about this boy or just had to quench the thirst to be near him.

I eventually did an ollie but it wasn't as grand or clean as Davids but at least It was progress. Joe thinks so too.

It was late afternoon, the sun was dropping into the ocean and the sky was painted a pretty orange. There were no clouds in sight except a chilly breeze and birds soaring around to head home for the approaching night.

David was silent as we tread the sidewalk, our bodies barely touching. We were nearing my street before David cut through the silence.

"When are you free to do another lesson?"

"I don't know, I'll have to tell you next week."

"If only we could organise it when we're not at school," David explains, purposely dramatic.

I gaze at my feet to hide my smirking face. "If you wanted my number, you could've just asked."

David visibly jumps, laughing nervously.

I made both of us pause at the end of my street and type my digits into his phone as well as add each other on SnapTalk.

David appears satisfied as I return his phone. He hands me mine before waving farewell. I wait until he was out of view before jumping giddily on the spot while clutching my phone to my chest.

I couldn't explain my excitement, only knowing I was sure to spam photos of Emily to him. I feel as if I was skipping on-air as I rushed home, a warm feeling glowing in my chest.

I greet Emily when I'm home and practically charge upstairs to my room. I toss myself on my bed before scrolling through my phone to see Davids name and number in my contact list. I stare at it for a moment before giggling again.

•David Nagle:)
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•David Nagle❤️