At least, that's what I thought. I didn't even have to get as far as class for anything to go wrong.
"Hey Tash!" I called as I joined her at the lockers. Unusually, she didn't greet me back and instead fidgeted uncomfortably where she stood.
"Uh, Rob," she said, gesturing around us. I didn't have a clue what she was trying to tell me until I followed her gaze and noticed that all the other kids in our vicinity were staring and whispering.
"I am wearing trousers, aren't I?" I asked Tasha, but she didn't react. The door swung open and as Kim walked in all the whispering ceased. My heart stopped. Oh no...
Kim had noticed the others' strange behaviour too. "What's going on?" he asked. I shrugged.
Just then Duncan entered and Tasha's look said it all. This was all Duncan's doing. He had a huge smirk on his face and I knew then that the sound in the bushes last night hadn't been the wind.
"Ah, the two lovebirds," Duncan drawled in a sickly tone. "Kimberly and Roberta. I hope you enjoyed your date last night, all cosy on the beach."
I wanted to melt into the ground just to get away from there, but Kim had a different idea. Immediately as Duncan finished his little speech, Kim pounced and began to lay into him, shoving him up against the lockers and throwing punches.
Looking around, I realized Kim had probably just confirmed everything Duncan had told the other kids, banishing any scepticism they may have still harboured. After all, Duncan wasn't exactly renowned for his truthfulness.
The fight didn't last long. Some teachers heard the commotion and rushed out to break it up. Despite being beaten and bruised Duncan still managed to give me an evil grin before he and Kim were led off to the Principle's office.
I made it through the first few classes before recess. As soon as the bell rang, I rushed out of class to find Kim outside. "What happened?" I asked him as he leant back against a tree.
"Dad just gave us both a warning. Although, naturally he thought it was all my fault. Luckily Duncan didn't tell him what it was about." He frowned at the memory.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, feeling this was partly my fault.
"Rob, you didn't do anything," he said gently. "It was me who proved the jerk right. But don't worry about it." He smiled warmly and I no longer cared what anyone thought.
Kim's gaze slid over my shoulder and his expression became one of disappointment and anger. I spun around and was met with the sight of a large group of our schoolmates heading our way. Duncan was leading them.
They stopped when they reached us and gathered around, Duncan stepping up to face Kim. "You're sick!" he spat.
"And you are a worthless loser," Kim replied calmly.
Tasha appeared by my side. "Why don't you just shut up Duncan, nobody cares what you think," she said. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure that was true. Duncan grinned.
"Ah, Tasha. Your boyfriend left you. For his best friend!" he laughed and looked at the kids gathered around him for their approval. Some of them joined his laughter and I began to wish I were anywhere but here.
"I'm happy for them," called a voice from the amassed kids. I looked over to where it had come from and saw Max pushing his way to the front of the crowd flanked by Henry and Matilda. Matilda looked a bit disgusted but Henry supported Max.
"Yeah, it's their choice, good for them," he said. Matilda scowled in our general direction but I had learnt to ignore her.
The members of the crowd slowly began to agree with Max. Duncan stared at them as if they had all gone mad.
"You're all crazy!" he shouted. "This whole town is full of losers!"
Nobody backed him up. Instead people began to shout back, the general gist of their words being that he was a jerk and should get lost.
"This is sick," Duncan said, now looking a little more unsure of himself. Kim smiled at him then in one fluid movement, grabbed me, pulled me towards him, and kissed me. Hard. In front of everyone.
I had closed my eyes but I opened them when I heard people cheering. Duncan was storming away and I guessed that was partly why everyone was so happy. Someone in the crowd wolf-whistled. Kim broke off the kiss.
"Very funny guys," he said sarcastically to the wolf-whistler and his friends.
I just grinned. And I didn't stop grinning all day.
Das Ende
I have started to come up with another story to which this one is an introduction of sorts. The sequel should be a bit more dramatic (but with less Duncan!) and be from Kim's POV. If you want me to post it on here, just say so and I will.
Drifter