Borlosanti: Genesis

Part 2

Nathaniel, Wayne and Christopher walked into the playground. A group of girls on the right were playing hopscotch. Another group to the left were playing pat-a-cake. A few of the boys were playing British bull dog, and at the far end of the playground, eight white boys were surrounding Ravi. One of them, Dean Davis, grasped Ravi by the collar. Nathaniel ran towards the commotion, and Christopher and Wayne followed. When they reached the group they barged their way through them and stood beside Ravi.

"You better get your hands off Ravi, Dean," insisted Nathaniel.

Dean smiled and looked at Nathaniel and his friends. "Or what?"

"Or we'll make you," said Wayne.

Nathaniel sniffed. The scent of stale body odour came from Dean. Nathaniel clenched his fists and looked at the boys surrounding them. Christopher stood in a Karate stance and glared at Dean's gang.

Wayne took a step forward and clenched his fists. "This is yer last chance. Wot's it gonna be lads?"

Dean's gang took a step backwards. Dean glanced at them and stopped smiling; sweat ran down his forehead, and his eyes filled up with fear, like a deer surrounded by a pack of hungry lions.

He took his hands off Ravi and said, "whatever, I was going to let go of him anyway. His lot stink."

Ravi said, "oh please, you can't be serious, Dean. I mean you — you of all people are telling me that I smell... Huh. When was the last time your skin touched soap or water?"

Ravi's friends laughed, and some of Dean's gang sniggered.

Dean lunged at Ravi.

Nathaniel grasped Dean's neck and pushed him backwards. "I'm tired of playin' wid you idiots. If you don't back off right now, you're gonna get hurt."

"Whatever, four of you against eight of us," said Dean.

Wayne grinned. "Yer right, four of us against eight of you ain't fair. Why don't you go and get yer selves a couple of more lads to even things out?"

Dean's gang edged backwards. Dean looked at them, shook himself free and walked off. His gang followed.

Wayne asked, "are you alrite, Rav?"

Ravi said, "yes, I'm perfectly fine, thank you; it will take more than a smelly bully with inadequacy issues to get me down...would any of you like a hubba bubba?"

They all nodded. Ravi gave them each a square of gum. Nathaniel un-wrapped his, put it in his mouth and chewed, and then he turned towards Wayne. "We weren't lyin' about der dreams earlier, you need —"

Wayne shook his head. "Ahh, change the record mate. A dream can't have any effect on the real world."

"Look, Wayne, you don't have to believe us, but please promise us that you'll at least try to prevent yourself from falling asleep, until we say otherwise," said Ravi.

Wayne looked at Ravi. "But —"

"Please, Wayne, just do it," said Christopher.

"Alright, alright, keep yer bleedin' hair on lads. I promise, but you better not be lying to me, coz I've gotta practical boys brigade test tomorrow" said Wayne.

Nathaniel smiled. "Thanks."

Wayne smirked. "Don't mention it mate. Wot are you doin' after school?"

Nathaniel said, "I'm going out wid my mum. Wot about you."

Wayne said, "I've got boys brigade at six o'clock... Wot have you got planed, Christopher?"