“He must’ve had some good in him to do what he did for me.”
Levi shook his head. “That man’s evil as far as I’m concerned. What he did to Ash is sick.”
“What’d he do?”
“Can’t say, I promised Ash, and he doesn’t deserve anymore grief.”
“I understand, and I’m sorry I hurt him.”
Levi frowned. “You hurt him?”
“I kneed him in the nuts at my last game.”
With a faint smile, Levi shook his head. “I can’t criticise after what I did to you.”
“I deserved it.”
“Yeah, you did, you prick.”
Isaia smiled, then a serious expression fell over his face. “I guess it’s too much to ask if we could be mates again?”
Levi exhaled. “I can’t, I’m sorry; I’m not good at forgiving, ‘specially when it comes to Tiana gettin’ hurt.”
“Fair enough, it’s what I expected, well, not really, I thought you’d try to bash me.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Isaia held out a hand. “Then, how ‘bout we call ourselves not enemies.”
Levi stared at Isaia’s hand for a moment, then shook it. “Okay, I can live with that.”
Smiling, Isaia let go. “I should take off now, don’t wanna be here when your sis shows.”
“True, plus now I hafta change schools cos of you.”
Isaia frowned. “Why?”
“Cos you’re not goin’ to Tiana’s school without me bein’ there.”
“I told ja I wouldn’t go near her.”
“Not enemies doesn’t mean I trust you. You hafta gain that back, then I might not worry ‘bout Tiana bein’ in the same place as you.”
Isaia hunched his shoulders, then a slow smile crept across his face. “Tell Brett to change schools too, then we could all be together again.”
“I’m not changing schools to be your mate,” Levi snapped.
Isaia grinned. “Then, I guess I hafta win you back.”
Levi shook his head in bewilderment. “I ain’t an ex-girlfriend that needs to be wooed.”
Isaia’s grin widened. “You were always the weakest one of the group, so describing you as a girl ain’t far off.”
“Arsehole,” Levi said, unable to stop from smiling. “And I expect loads of chocolates if you’re gonna romance me, you poofter.”
Isaia laughed, and held out his hand again. “Deal, mate.”
Levi shook it. “We’ll see.”
“No probs.” Isaia walked past him then stopped. “If you get into Wera there’ll be no more Gangsta High for either of us.”
Levi rolled his eyes at their nickname for Claydon High. “It was only called that cos we went there.”
“Then, I guess Wera High will be gettin’ a new name.”
“That’s only if I get in, cos I’m the biggest gangsta outta us.”
Isaia shook his head. “You always did need an ego check.”
“Huh! My ego is just a reflection of how great I am. Just ask the ladies.”
“Then make sure Wera lets ya in. My advice is to bash Brett’s ear, then you’ll have no probs.”
“I’d do more damage to my hand than his concrete head, you cheeky bastard.”
“True.” Laughing, Isaia saluted him then headed for the driveway entrance. He stopped as Tiana and a bloke with dreadlocks came around the corner. Isaia held up his hands as Tiana screamed. With a loud “Sorry” he ran around them, disappearing up the road.
Tiana turned towards Levi as he stopped in front of her. “Why were you talking to him?” she shouted. “And why was he even here?”
“He came to apologise, and…” he stopped, not sure if he should tell her about Isaia’s change of schools.
“You better not have accepted it.”
“I compromised.”
“Compromised?”
“Said we aren’t enemies anymore, but I’m not comfortable bein’ friends either.”
She huffed, “I should think so after what he did to me.”
“What’d he do?” the boy next to Tiana asked.
Levi recognised the kid as one of Ash’s mates. He was Maori with features that were a bit too pretty for a bloke, his dreadlocks and scruffy appearance the only saving grace stopping Levi from calling him a girly twat. “What’re you doin’ ‘ere?”
The guy lifted his chin, his upper lip twitching with irritation. “Apparently my best mate can talk to you, but not me. I wanna know why?”
“That’s his business, not yours.”
“You tell me now or I’ll knock it outta ya.” Dreadlocks took a step forward. The boy was a few inches shorter than Levi, but his demeanour told Levi the kid was a rough li’l shite, the type that would fight dirty, but then again, Levi would too.
Levi leaned his head forward. “Just try it and see how long your girly face stays pretty for.”
Tiana stepped in between them as Ash’s mate went to lunge at Levi. “Don’t you dare touch him, Joel.”
Joel bared his teeth. “He called me a girl.”
Levi sneered. “If the hair fits— Ow!” He brought a hand to his arm where Tiana had pinched him. “Why’d ja do that for?”
“We came here to talk ‘bout Ash, not have you cause a fight,” she said.
“I’m not the one who started the threats.” Annoyed, Levi turned around and stalked across the front lawn. There was no way he was telling them anything, he’d given Ash his word, plus it was none of their damn business.
Ignoring Tiana’s high-pitched “Levi!” he unlocked the house and went to his room, slamming the door behind him. He hoped his mother came home soon, so he could ask her about enrolling in Wera High. Yeah, she’d be mad, but after the way she’d helped him out this morning he was sure she would understand once she’d heard about Isaia’s news.
He dumped his bag on the bed and pulled off his jumper and shirt, then spun around as his door opened. “Get out! I’m undressing.”
Tiana stepped inside. “I’m not leaving ‘til ya tell me why you’re talking to Ash over the phone. You were on there for almost an hour last night.”
“I told ja, that’s none of your business, and you’re not even goin’ out with the guy anymore.”
Her lips quivered. “You said he still loves me, and I love him, so I have every right.” She glanced at the doorway as Joel entered. “Joel has a right too.”
“Neither of you have any right. That shit was done to Ash, not you.”
“But I can’t help him if I don’t know what happened. Same with Joel. All we know is his mother got stabbed and that Ash was sick for a week from gettin’ drunk.”
“Drunk?”
Joel pushed past Tiana. “Yeah, he told me he got drunk and remembered nuthin’.”
“Then, that’s what happened.”
“Bullshit, you know sumpthin’ more, so tell us.”
Levi exhaled. “Just piss off.” He pulled open the top drawer of his cabinet.
“Not until ya tell me why Ash has been phoning you.”
“I already told ja, I ain’t squealin’.” He tugged a shirt over his head.
Without warning, Joel smashed into him, taking Levi down. Tiana screamed as Levi’s head hit the wall under his window, the jolt sending pain through his damaged ear.
Joel grabbed the shirt hanging around Levi’s neck, yanking his head forward. “Tell me now!”
“Get off him!” Tiana screamed.
Joel swatted her hands away. “Not until he tells me.”
Getting his senses back, Levi shoved Joel off, accidentally pushing the guy into Tiana’s legs. She fell backwards, squealing as her shoulder hit the corner of his bookshelf.
“Shit.” Levi scrambled past Joel to get to Tiana. “You alright, sis?”
She ignored Levi and lunged at Joel, giving the guy a smack across the head. “I hate you. Get outta my house!”
Swearing, Joel scrambled to his feet and spat at Levi, his face twisted and no longer pretty
. “Ash is more of a brother to me than a mate, yet I’m told nuthin’. Nuthin’! And you’re told everything.” He turned to Tiana. “You say you love him, yet you didn’t even know him last year. I’ve known him all my life! I deserve to be told, I’m his family, not you, bitch, or your bloody brother. And if ya wanna know, he’s real family, a cousin, yet my dad and me weren’t allowed to go to his mother’s funeral, bloody Hunter thinking he has more of a right than we do. I spend more time with Ash than that bastard.” He turned back to Levi. “So, tell me or I’m gonna go over to Ash’s house with a bat and bash it out of Hunter!”
Levi raised a hand to his sore head. “You really don’t wanna know, so don’t go near Hunter, all he’s doin’ is protecting Ash.”
“I do wanna know! It’s driving me crazy. I know Hunter’s lying to me. I also know Ash pushed Tiana away cos he thinks he’s disgusting. I just don’t know why? And I wuzn’t bullshitting, I will take a bat to Hunter if ya don’t tell me.”
“But Ash doesn’t want anyone knowing, and he didn’t tell me what happened to begin with, I guessed.”
“How?”
“On the night of the party he totally lost it, screaming ‘bout what Salma did and telling me I should’ve shot him.”
Tiana gasped.
Levi tensed, not knowing whether he was doing the right thing, but he believed the guy in regards to attacking Hunter, because the dude right now looked bloody crazy. “If you talk to Ash ‘bout Salma, he might let things slip again.”
Joel spoke up. “What’s Salma gotta do with his stepfather?”
Levi turned towards his sister. “Tiana, leave.”
She shook her head. “If you’re telling him I’m staying.”
“But, I promised.”
“You’re breaking it anyway to tell Joel.”
“Cos he’s threatening to bash Hunter.”
“I don’t care, and you might as well tell me, cos I’m gonna find out anyway, I’ll make Joel talk.”
“Ash will go nuts if you know.”
“Then I won’t let him know you told me. So, what has Salma gotta do with his stepfather?”
Levi exhaled in resignation. He’d known it was an unrealistic promise when he’d made it, because Tiana was always going to get it out of him regardless of how he felt. “That sick bastard did sumpthin’ similar to what Salma did, but Ash was unable to stop it cos he was drugged. Ash was…” he couldn’t say the word with his sister staring at him like that, plus he didn’t want to. And if he didn’t say it, then technically he wouldn’t have broken his promise, although he knew that was wishful thinking. “When Isaia attacked you, Tiana, what were you afraid he would do?”
“I thought he was gonna…” Tiana gasped, the expression on her face telling him she understood. “No, that’s not possible, Ash is a guy.”
“It is possible.”
“What the hell are you goin’ on about?” Joel cut in.
Levi continued talking to Tiana, “Be careful round Ash, he’s unstable, so don’t push him, just understand that you can’t talk to him ‘bout that night until he’s ready. And don’t try to touch him, he can’t handle it.”
“I don’t understand any of this shit,” Joel said.
Tiana turned and left the room, her bedroom door closing a second later. Levi frowned at Joel. “Ash was… He’s scared you’ll think he’s gay. He told me last night.”
“Why would he say that for?”
“If a guy forced a kiss onto you would you be gay?”
Joel stepped back. “Don’t you dare.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “Moron, I’m not gay.”
“Then stop talking shit, and tell me why Tiana’s upset.”
“Ash is afraid that you’ll be revolted with what his stepfather did to him, that you’ll think he’s gay cos of it.”
“You’re not making sense!”
“God, how many clues do I hafta give ya before your thick skull understands?”
Joel stepped towards him with clenched fists. “It’s not my fault; you’re the moron for not telling me straight. What has Salma and Chaz gotta do with each other?”
“I already told ja, they did sumpthin’ similar, but Chaz took it a lot further. Have you heard of a roofie?”
“It’s a date-rape drug.”
“That’s why Ash was really sick. Chaz dropped one into his beer.”
Joel looked confused for a moment, then his eyes widened. He shook his head, his voice merely a croak, “Chaz raped Ash?”
Levi nodded. “Don’t let Ash know what I’ve told you. I think he’s suicidal, so I wouldn’t risk upsetting him more.”
Joel raised his hands to his head. “This is unreal.”
“He’s not handling his mother’s death either, and blames himself cos she tried to stop Chaz.”
“That’s not his fault.”
“Just tread carefully.”
Joel nodded.
“Good, now I’ve gotta check on Tiana, so bugger off you li’l shite.” Levi rubbed his head, still annoyed at Joel for attacking him as well as breaking his promise. “And don’t come back.”
“Cunt.” Joel sneered at him, then left.
Levi headed for Tiana’s room and knocked on the door. “Tiana, can I come in?” When she didn’t answer, he opened the door and poked his head in. Frowning, he pushed it open fully, surprised that Tiana wasn’t there. His eyes moved to the open window.
40
Tiana
Tiana heard Levi calling her name as she ran up the alley. She exited onto the back of Claydon High, then leaned over and covered her mouth, trying her best not to throw up. When she felt better, she slid down the fence and sat on the damp grass.
A noise came from her left as Joel walked out of the alley. He glanced down at her, embarrassment clouding his features. He wiped at his cheeks furiously, replacing his tears with a scowl. “What’re you lookin’ at?”
“Nuthin’.” Even though she’d been furious with him for attacking Levi, his pained outburst had softened her anger. She’d always thought of him as nasty and crude, someone who often lashed out for no reason, but after today she wasn’t so sure, his hurt over Ash painting a different picture.
“You gonna see Ash today?” she asked.
He sat down next to her and released the band holding his dreadlocks. His matted hair fell forward, hiding his face from view. “I can’t; he’ll suss out sumpthin’s up before I even open my mouth, and if he doesn’t I’ll pro’bly blurt it out by accident.”
“I didn’t realise you guys were related,” she said, not knowing what else to say, and not wanting to talk about what had happened to Ash. She didn’t understand how a guy could get raped, never thought it was possible, let alone thought about it at all.
Leaning forward, Joel wrapped his arms around his knees. “We’re third cousins on his dad’s side.” He turned his head towards Tiana, his dreadlocks partially obscuring his face. “Do ya think Ash hates me after today?”
“Why would he?”
“I fucked that bitch right after she tried to force him, then to rub things in she wuz all over me today.”
“You didn’t know.”
“Yeah, but if I hadn’t left him alone at the party Salma pro’bly wouldn’t have tried to hook into him. Plus, right in front of Ash I wuz mouthing off at Marko ‘bout fags taking it up the…” He grimaced. “You know what I mean.”
Tiana didn’t, but kept quiet, getting the feeling that she wouldn’t want to.
“I don’t think ‘bout half the stuff I say or do, it just happens,” he said. “Fuck, I’m a moron. He’s gotta hate me after today.”
She nodded.
“So, ya think he hates me?” Joel said, looking hurt.
Tiana shook her head. “I wasn’t nodding at that, just agreeing that you say and do things that aren’t very nice.”
His lips pulled tight. “Yeah, I regret loads. I’m always worrying that people will take things the wrong way, like Lavinia does. I just ho
pe that Ash doesn’t.” He banged the back of his head against the fence. “Shit, your bro wuz right, I wished he didn’t tell me, cos I can’t handle knowing.” He refocused on her, his gaze intense. “And don’t tell anyone ‘bout Ash. No one else can know.”
She felt insulted. “Of course I wouldn’t.”
“Good, cos not everyone will react like us, ‘specially Ant. That gay-bashing bastard would pro’bly turn on Ash if he knew, and even more so after what Salma said.”
Tiana couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You can’t be serious? Why would Ant turn on Ash for bein’ raped?”
“Ant and Ash fight loads. They used to get on okay, but since Ash stuck up for Llewellyn Davies Ant has been using any excuse to shame Ash. And in the locker rooms straight after lunch, the bastard said he thought Salma wuz right ‘bout Ash. Marko went off his head at Ant over it. Ant then shoved Marko, and that was it, a full out fight. You should’ve seen everyone run for cover, cos they didn’t care who got in the way, and those two are best mates. I’ve never seen them do that before. Yeah, they rough house a lot, but nuthin’ like that. Guess everyone’s on edge since the attack.”
Tiana couldn’t imagine Marko losing his temper; the guy was so easy going. “I don’t get what Llewellyn Davies has gotta do with things, and Ash has had loads of girlfriends. So, why on earth would Ant believe Salma?”
“I told ja why, Ash stood up for Llewellyn, and Ant hates fags just as much as bein’ challenged. He picks on Llewellyn all the time, pushes him around in gym class and yells at him in the changing rooms, calling him a pervert.”
“Llewellyn’s gay?”
Joel tucked a dreadlock behind his ear and smirked. “You’ve gotta be deaf, dumb and blind not to realise that.”
Tiana clenched her jaw, refraining from snapping at him, but what he’d said made sense, the memory of tasting Cherry ChapStick on Llewellyn’s lips at the rehearsal coming to mind.
Joel continued, “Llewellyn tries to stay outta Ant’s way, but Ant goes lookin’ for him half the time. I feel sorry for the kid, but there’s no way in hell I’d say anything or Ant would call me a fag too. One time Ash yelled at Ant for yanking Llewellyn’s pants down in the changing rooms. In retaliation, Ant called Ash a fag, which ended in a major punch up. Yeah, they still hung out together afterwards, but it wuz bloody intense for a while, and it didn’t help that Ant constantly made snide remarks whenever he saw Llewellyn, saying, ‘Here’s your boyfriend, Ash.’ Ash would always reply that it wuz Ant that liked fudge packing, but Ant just laughed it off, saying it wuz with Kelley and not a guy.”
Graffiti Heaven (Graffiti Heaven #1) Page 25
