Mav was in a dilemma. Pete had been acting cold all week, not saying much about the beach or Holly. It seemed to Mav that whenever he brought up the subject of her or Sam, Pete would clam up. About midweek Mav stopped mentioning their names altogether.
He had not seen much of Sam or Craig at all that week and as for Holly, he still wasn’t sure how to approach her. While he ate his lunch, he noticed her staring at him from across the compound, but was unsure whether to smile back or not as he was under scrutiny from Pete. Tucker's appearance averted his gaze when he strolled up towards one of their classmates who sat on a bench nearby. His giant stomach wobbling with each step.
'Food!' Tucker growled. 'Now!'
The boy shuddered and stared up at Tucker with wide eyes. 'I'm on a diet.'
'Let me see!' Tucker grabbed his bag, opened it and peered inside. 'You must have something in here, you little ubbhead!' Tucker's eyes narrowed and he send an evil glare at his victim. 'You have got to be kidding me! Well I'm just gonna have to take my share in other ways.' He reached inside and withdrew the boy's pencil case. He unzipped it and pulled out a bunch of pens and pencils, which he held them in his huge hands. He grinned and with a single jerk, snapped them all.
He laughed and allowed them to drop to the ground in front of their owner. Nobody did a thing, they all just watched, their gazes transfixed on the huge bully. Mav, as much as he wanted to march over there and smack his pudgy face in, remained seated. Even Wal who sat a few feet from him took no action. Mav didn't really blame him, because so far everyone who had tried to take Tucker on had come off second best.
Mav felt there was a definite air of apathy amongst those not affected. It was the usual scenario of ‘If it doesn’t affect me, so why should I worry?’
Another Saturday came and Mav decided to cycle into Te Arawa to the domain. To get there he had to cross over a large swing bridge, which crossed the Rocky River. He had once tubed down that river as part of a community activity. It was a lot of fun with all the white water about. The bridge was nothing like the one out the back of Te Arawa College. This one was about four feet wide and sturdy, with wood and cable sidings. It allowed pedestrians to come from both ends, with room enough to pass each other. It was completely safe and even if someone did jump off the side, the river below was shallow at that point and one could easily get to the banks. Not that Mav had ever tried it.
He cycled over the bridge and it bobbed up and down as he rode, getting the sensation of being on a roller coaster. He loved it.
On arrival at the domain, he could see many people around the pool; mainly school-aged, most of whom he recognised. He parked his bike at a stand and carrying his gear, entered through the main wire gate. Mav scanned the grounds for Pete, but he was nowhere to be seen. Never mind, on a hot day like this, he was bound to turn up eventually.
‘Yo, Mav!’ Wal greeted him as he climbed out of the pool. ‘Good to see you, mate. Come on in, the water’s great.’
‘Wal, you’re alive!’ He gave a friendly salute. ‘But if it’s so great, why are you in such a hurry to get out?’
‘Gotta show off my physique once in a while, mate.’
‘Ah I see. So you want to show everybody what happens to your body when you neglect it? Sort of a warning, eh?’
‘Watch it, Mav. Any cheek from you and I’ll have to give you a few dunkings.’ He delivered an evil eye and then broke out into a smile. ‘Ha ha ha ha. Just jokin, Mav.’ He strolled off.
Mav, already in his swimming trunks and not wanting to hang around in the heat any longer, deposited his gear on the grass and dived headlong into the pool.
Ahhh! Cool water. Relief at last.
He broke the water and leant back into it some more, floating, relaxing in the refreshing, chlorine-saturated waters. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, taking in the hot summer air. The air was filled with sounds of splashing, laughter and chatter, as well as the ever present cacophony of cicadas in the trees.
He heard female voices drawing closer to him.
‘Typical, Chelsea,’ came Jacqui’s voice. ‘She wants to be part of our group at school during the week, but won’t hang out with us during the weekend or in the evenings. She always has some kind of excuse. What was it this time? Going to Auckland?’
‘Well, it might be a valid excuse,’ came an unfamiliar voice. ‘If it was me, I’d want to go to Auckland. Who wants to hang around Te Arawa all the time? Te Arawa must be the most boring place in New Zealand. In the winter anyway.’
‘Yeah, but not in the summer. We have beaches. We have this place. What’s her problem?’
Holly’s voice spoke up, ‘Give the girl a break, I like Chelsea.’ Her voice trailed off.
‘What?’ Jacqui asked. ‘Who are you…? Oh, I see. It’s him. Shit, Holly, why don’t you just go and talk to him? Stop acting like such a geek.’
Mav guessed they were talking about him and came to his senses. He righted himself in the water, but pretended he didn’t realise they were there. He didn’t want them to think he was eavesdropping on them.
It seemed that Jacqui’s urging had done the trick. Holly waded up to him, so he turned to face her.
‘Hi Mav.’
‘Hi, Holly. We really should stop meeting in places like this.’
Holly blushed. ‘Yes, we should, shouldn’t we?’
‘Are we going to continue from where we left off last time?’
Holly reddened even more. She avoided eye contact and made no reply.
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to embarrass you like that.’
‘That’s okay.’
‘I was rather surprised, that’s for sure.’
‘So was I. Surprised that I actually did it that is.’
‘Ah, I should have known. Something just took over you. In reality I was the last guy in the world you wanted to kiss.’
‘Well you might say that, but it’s not really what I meant.’ Holly smiled.
‘Ah, I see, so you actually confused your hand with your lips?’
‘What?’ She couldn’t help but laugh.
‘You were really trying to slap me in the face.’
‘No, of course not! I...’ She glanced away again then turned back. ‘I thought that you…. you know… weren’t very happy with me for doing what I did.’
‘Why would you think that?’
‘Well, I don’t know. Just the impression I got.’
‘I’m definitely not impressed with your impressions.’
She beamed.
A disturbance, over on the grass, delayed any further conversation. Tucker and Wal faced each other and looked as if they were ready to fight.
‘Scrap!’ someone barked. ‘Wal and Tucker!’
Mav leapt out of the water. Already there were people crowding around the two boys, eager to see fists fly and it looked as though they were not going to be disappointed.
‘I’ve had a guts full of you, you ubbhead!’ Tucker scowled, his fist clenched.
‘A guts full? Funny that!’ Wal glared back. ‘And I’ve had the same with you. The only thing is my gut isn’t so bloated!’
‘Right!’ Tucker snarled. ‘It’s time I dished out a much needed ubbering.’ He took a swing.
His swing missed by miles.
Wal, with quickness as well as strength, got stuck into Tucker. He pounded away at Tucker’s body with fast furious blows. Tucker staggered back under the barrage. Wal followed up with quick powerful jabs to the huge teen’s flabby face. Tucker stumbled back still further, so bamboozled he couldn’t retaliate. His face had turned to horror as Wal continued to blast him with a rapid assortment of jabs and punches.
The spectators stood amazed, unable to believe the lack of offence Tucker offered. A final hook sent Tucker reeling and crashing back onto the ground with an earth shuddering thump. He raised his hands to his face, blood pouring from his nose. Much to the amazement of everyone began to blubber for mercy. ‘Please. No more! I’m sorry. Don’t hit me a
ny more!’
A silence fell over all the spectators and for a few seconds only the sounds of cicadas could be heard. Wal stared down at Tucker with a puzzled frown.
‘Please…’ Tucker sobbed. ‘I’m sorry.’
Finally, someone muttered, ‘He’s a spineless wimp.’
‘Can dish it out, but can’t take it,’ sneered another.
Others in the crowd agreed and made similar comments.
Wal had a look of contempt on his face. ‘Not so tough now, are you, Pyles? Can’t take the punishment, can you?’
‘I’m sorry!’ grovelled Tucker.
‘I kicked your butt didn’t I, Pyles?’
‘Yes. You kicked my butt, Wal.’
‘You’re a wimp, aren’t you, Pyles?’
‘Y…Yes. I’m a wimp.’
The spectators chortled with delight. Wal delivered his defeated opponent one last scowl and stepped away. Others started to drift away as well, but not after throwing a few sarcastic comments and jibes Tucker’s way.
Mav didn’t say anything, but not because he feared Tucker, but because he was still amazed with what had happened. It seemed once someone got the upper hand on Tucker, he immediately backed down, which was often the case with bullies. Tucker’s true colours had come out.
Tucker still lay on the ground, sore and bleeding and didn’t seem to have any energy to sit up. Mav was about to walk away and let him wallow in his defeat when Colin Hewes and Joe Ashby arrived on the scene. They were two tough guys, who Mav knew from Akato. He never had much to do with them, but was surprised to see them concerned with Tucker’s wellbeing. The three exchanged some friendly words, but Mav couldn’t make out what they were saying.
The two teens helped Tucker to his feet and there seemed to be no animosity between them, in fact, Tucker looked quite grateful. Joe dusted down Tucker and gave him a pat on the back. Maybe Tucker did have some friends at this school after all?
Joe and Colin continued on their way, leaving Tucker where he was, but Mav couldn’t help but have an uneasy feeling in his gut.
A vicious shove sent Mav staggering sideways. ‘What the…? You! What the hell do you want, McLeod?’
Craig pushed him again, sending him back another step. ‘I’ve got a bone to pick with you, Maverick!’
‘Oh, we’re not still upset about how I showed you up at the beach last week, are we?’
‘Showed me up?’ scoffed Craig. ‘You could never show me up, you’re just a stupid little freak who thinks he’s tough, but he’s just a complete and utter loser!’
‘I wonder if Samantha sees it that way.’ Mav knew that would get a bite and it did.
‘You leave Samantha out of this, you runt! She’s my girl and I’m not having you trying to take her from me.’ He paused and snickered. ‘Not that you could. She’s dedicated to me, you know? She’s not interested in a useless yellow belly like you!’
‘I’m amazed she’s still with you, the way that you made such a jerk out of yourself the other day.’
‘Why you…’ Craig lifted his fist in the air as if about to strike him. ‘I ought to smack you out right here and now!’
‘I see. Is that what you do when you realise you’re dealing with a superior mind?’ Mav would never be so arrogant to actually believe that, but he knew that saying it would certainly rile Craig up.
‘That does it!’ Craig withdrew his fist. ‘I’ve had about all I’m gonna put up with from you. A test, right here and now to see just how good you are.’
‘A test?’ Mav smirked. ‘You really must see me as a threat.’
‘Don't make me laugh. There isn't a year eleven student alive who can better a senior of my calibre.’
‘Seems to me, like all you’re shooting is blanks.’
‘We’ll see about that!’
‘So what’s this infantile test you want me to perform?’
‘A running race. Through the bush, across the river and back across the swing bridge.’
‘A running race?’ Mav nearly laughed. He expected something a little more physically challenging and dangerous than that, all though admittedly the crossing of the river might end up being a bit of a challenge. ‘What’s that going to prove?’
‘It’s going to prove that I am superior to you.’
‘And where abouts do we cross the river?’
‘It’s a shallow part of the river. The worst that can happen to you is a few bruises or grazes. Even Samantha wouldn’t object to that.’
‘So where is she now? I would have thought that you would want her to see you win?’
Craig smirked. ‘I’m glad that you’re already admitting defeat. Not that that’s going to get you out of it though. Samantha’s not here, but it doesn’t matter. Everyone else will see me put you to shame.’
‘See you put yourself to shame you mean. Even if you win this race, you’re still going to look like an idiot. A running race doesn’t prove anything.’
‘If I was someone else, I’d smash you right here and now, but that’s not the way I do things. I prove my dominance in other ways. If it’s by running race, so be it.’
‘Fine! Let’s get on with it, shall we?’
Craig wasn’t about to compete until he had an audience. Less than a minute later, a large group of spectators, many who had witnessed the beating Wal gave Tucker, assembled to watch the contest. Holly was amongst them.
‘Come on, Craig, put that Year-Eleven douche in his place,’ said one of the older swimmers.
‘Show ‘em what you’re made of, McLeod!’
At least Mav had Wal there for support. ‘Come on, Mav, you can beat that stuck-up jerk!’
A senior took responsibility for starting the race. Some others had already gone to the various checkpoints of the race so that there would be no doubt as to where Mav and Craig were to go. Seconds later, they stood at the starting line, near the main gates to the domain. A few of the spectators whistled, while a few others shouted out encouragements.
‘On your marks…’
‘You’re going down, Maverick!’
‘Get set...’
Mav glanced sideward. ‘I’ll have a drink ready for you once you get back.’
‘Go!’
Craig raced out ahead, opening the gap right from the beginning. Mav didn’t worry, as he ran into the bushes after Craig. One thing he had learnt from Mr Harris’s PE classes was to pace yourself. It seemed unlikely that Craig would be able to keep his pace up for too long and eventually he would slow down, allowing Mav to catch him.
On reaching the crossing point at the river, Craig pulled himself up onto the bank at the other side, soaking wet and looking out of breath. Mav still felt fresh and determined that the river would not be too much of an obstacle. It looked shallow and rocky with a strong current and bursts of white water, but he didn’t see it as a problem.
He leapt over the bank and plunged into the water almost toppling over when his feet hit the rocky floor of the river. It was deeper than he had thought - the water right up to his waist and it took a few seconds to steady himself against the current and get a good foothold.
He begun to wade through the waters as quickly as possible, but it was tough going and difficult to keep his balance. At one stage, he slipped on the rocks and plunged completely under. He had to struggle to pull himself back up to avoid being swept further down stream.
A few more times he slipped and banged himself on the rocks, but he made good time and soon reached the other side. He climbed up onto the bank and off he went, back to the steady pace, with only a three-minute run to get to the swing bridge.
There was Craig, only twenty or thirty metres up ahead and he was struggling. The path wound directly along the side of the river and began to incline, which made the going more difficult.
Craig turned his head and a look of panic came over him when he saw Mav advancing. He tried to up his pace, but Mav came right up alongside him, puffing, but still with plenty of strength left. r />
Mav egged him on, doing his best Mr Harris impression. ‘Come on soldier; move it, move it, move it!’
Suddenly Craig made a sideward lunge at Mav, colliding with him, sending him toppling over the bank into the river. Fortunately, it was a little deeper there, so the rocks didn’t hurt him. When he surfaced, he looked up to see Craig standing at the banks with a smirk on his face. ‘That will teach you to mess with me!’ He continued his way, at a more casual pace, along the path leaving Mav wallowing in the river.
The current being weak at that point in the river, allowed Mav to get to the bank and once there he stopped to get his bearings. He spotted a senior standing by a tree not far away and this made Mav’s eyes light up. The look on the boy’s face told Mav that he had seen what had happened, but would this senior side with him or Craig?
There was still a chance Mav could beat Craig if he took a shortcut. Sure, Craig might accuse him of cheating, but Mav hoped this witness would back him up, and then Craig would accept defeat graciously knowing that turnabout was fair play.
Yeah right, thought Mav as he splashed through the shallow waters in front of him to get to the opposite bank. He could see Craig approaching the swing bridge with only a very small portion of the run to go. Mav leapt up onto the bank and cut through the trees at high speed. When Craig saw him, a look of horror came over his face and he quickened his pace, shooting across the swing bridge as fast as he could.
Both competitors merged onto the main path at the same time. Craig tried to shove Mav aside, but Mav darted ahead. He sucked wind, but knew that Craig would be struggling too.
Out of the trees they came, with Craig only metres behind. Crowds of students were there waiting and went into an uproar when Mav appeared first. Dead ahead, he saw the finish line and there was no way Mav could lose now.
He crossed!
Craig clambered through five metres behind him exhausted. Nevertheless, he still had enough breath in him to protest. ‘He cheated! The lousy blighter cheated!’
‘Me?’ scoffed Mav. ‘You have got to be kidding!’
‘He jumped into the river and took a short cut!’
‘Jumped?’ Mav glared. ‘You lying git!’
‘Oh yeah?’ Craig scanned the trees behind them and saw the guy who had seen the whole incident emerge from them. ‘Matthews! You saw this ass hole cut across the river, didn’t you? He jumped into the river and took a short cut. Tell them Matthews!’
Everybody waited in anticipation for Matthews to speak, Mav in particular He really hoped that Matthews would be honest about the whole affair and expose Craig for the cheat he was.
‘What are you talking about?’ Matthews asked. ‘He went across the swing bridge. Just like you did.’
Craig’s jaw dropped and he gaped at Matthews. The spectators had looks of disgust on their face and glared at Craig condescendingly. ‘You cannot be serious! You saw him do it! He took a deliberate short cut! You were there, you saw him!’
‘Sorry mate. The guy won fair and square.’
Mav couldn’t help but smile broadly. It felt so good that one of Craig’s own classmates had taken Mav’s side. It was great that on this occasion justice had prevailed. It was just disappointing now that Sam was not there to witness it.
‘Lying jerk,’ someone said.
‘You lost, McLeod. Take it like a man!’
‘Beaten by a year-11er. What an embarrassment.’
‘Good job too.’
‘Bad luck, McLeod.’ Mav smirked, eager to rub in the victory. ‘Looks like you lose again.’