Ignite

Chapter 5

When detention ends that afternoon, I make my way over to Randwick Boys High, kicking rubbish and praying that by some strange coincidence, Sylvia hasn't checked her phone since 1pm.

My prayer is smashed to dust when I round the bend and see Sylvia's rusty blue Corolla hovering on the side of the road, the windows down and the driver glaring at the school gates. Aunt Sylvia sees me at the same moment I do her, and she gestures me over.

I walk to the car, sliding into the back with my head down. I expect Sylvia to start yelling the moment I close the door, but she remains silent. Her hands grip the steering wheel, eyes glued to the front of the school as we wait for Jake.

"Sylvia—"

"Do not try to rationalise that fight to me, Claudia. Just don't. I can't believe that after everything this is the way you choose to start your school year. It's absolutely disgusting."

I flinch at the sharpness of her words.

"I'm sorry."

"Saying sorry isn't good enough. I know you and Jake have had a hard few months, but that doesn't excuse this behaviour. I expected more from both of you."

I shrink down, mortified by the tears stinging the corners of my eyes, but I don't apologise again. I've lived with Sylvia long enough now to know it's pointless when she's in one of these moods.

We sit there in tense silence until Jake appears from around the side of the building. His face is swollen and angry, and he's limping; bag hanging over one shoulder as the other arm dangles by his side.

I jump out of the car and run towards him, ignoring Sylvia's hiss to come back.

"Jake!"

I'm out of breath and wide-eyed when I reach him. He looks even worse up close.

"Are you okay?"

My hands flutter uselessly by my sides. I want to grab his face, to bring it close to me and examine his injuries, but even though one eye is almost swollen shut, I can tell he's glaring.

"I'm fine," he grunts.

"No, you're not. Here, let me—"

I'm reaching for his bag when he wrenches it away.

"I don't need your help, Claudia, okay? I'm fine on my own."

His words make me freeze. He's only called me Claudia twice in my entire life, and both had been when I'd completely infuriated him.

I just wasn't exactly sure what he was furious about this time.

"Jake — " I begin, bewildered, but he pushes past and limps to the car, slamming the door behind him.

I stand there in shock, knowing Sylvia is about to yell at me. But then a shadow falls over me and I turn and come face to face with Lewis Kozak.

His eyes are red-rimmed, his nose swollen and bloody, and the sight of it catches me off guard until Jake's injuries flash through my mind again.

"I thought you went to the hospital," I say, voice hard.

"I did. I had to come back to get my stuff."

For a moment, we're caught in a silent stand-off, but then the car window rolls down and I hear shuffles and a muffled 'ouch' from Jake.

"Is that the boy you punched, Claudia?" Sylvia yells.

I cringe at the sheer volume of her words and turn to find her leaning out the car window over Jake. Jake himself ignores us, shrinking down in his seat and staring ahead.

"Yes!"

"Well, then apologise."

I sigh and turn back to Lewis.

To my annoyance, there's a smug amusement on his face. It's subtle. If I hadn't spent so long staring at his nose, I wouldn't have noticed it at all. But it's definitely there.

"I'm sorry I punched you," I say, but even I can hear the lack of remorse in my voice.

He eyes me for a moment longer and then nods.

"Thank you."

I expect him to make his own apologies then, but he just continues to stare, as if I should have more to say. This makes me inexplicably furious and I take a step closer, lowering my voice so Sylvia won't hear.

"But just so we're clear, I'm not sorry enough that I won't do it again if you lay another hand on Jake. Got it?"

Lewis snorts and then cringes in pain, his hand moving to his nose and prodding it experimentally.

"You don't need to worry about that. I prefer my balls attached to my body."

His voice is low, the kind that vibrates through you. I try to ignore this.

"Okay, we have a deal, then. Stay away from Jake and I'll stay away from you."

"Fine with me."

But then, confusingly, he steps closer, lowering his voice to match mine.

"But between you and me, I'd tell your brother to watch his mouth. I wasn't the only one who wanted to punch him today."

And before I can say anything else, he's moving past me, turning around the school gates and walking out of sight.