“I’m meeting Rosie, mum.” Olly said into the speakers of his phone. “No. Yes. I will. Louie is at footy club. Mum, I’ll see you after, Rosie said that she wanted to go the long way home.” Olly stepped out onto the busy road in front of the college but a deep car horn sent him springing backwards into the chest of another pedestrian. The driver cursed as he flew past and Olly replied with a flash of his middle finger. Olly could still hear his mother’s yapping down the phone while he held it by his side. He turned himself around to apologise to the startled stranger but before Olly could even form a thought the person stalked across the road with a murderous scowl. Olly, taken aback by the boy’s abruptness, watched him leave. 

Vivid red tufts poked out of the dark hood of his jacket and his long legs were still fitted with black knee pads and gym shorts. Olly put the phone to his ear, “Sorry mum, I’ll see you later on.” Olly shoves the phone into the pocket of his hoodie and ran after Theo, nearly missing the short crossing time. “Theo!” he yelled after him. There was no reply. Olly called Theo’s name again but he still didn’t turn around so Olly deduced that he had his dorky headphones on. Olly quickened his pace to catch up, annoyed that he