Run

by David Skuy

  He didn’t know how to answer. What had he done now?

  She tilted her head. “Lionel! Joke!”

  He didn’t get it, but he laughed. “Yeah. Sorry. I’m a bit spaced after the run. You guys stop at the lights?”

  “No.”

  “I meant, at any of the lights …?”

  She grinned. “No.”

  She was acting weird again.

  He crossed his arms. “I guess I’ll get my stuff and hustle back home. What classes you got today?”

  “Same as every Thursday: English, art, science, and geography — and gym.”

  Stupid question — even for him.

  Deepak, Afonso, and Georgina came back as a pack.

  “This might sound totally ridiculous, but I almost like running,” Deepak said. “It’s like I miss it when we don’t meet. There’s something wrong with my brain.”

  “I could’ve told you that,” Afonso said.

  Deepak narrowed his eyes. “Words can hurt,” he said.

  Lionel forced out a laugh. Deepak said it to be funny, but it was true. Words hurt on the inside, way more than getting punched or kicked.

  “Are we going to run again tomorrow?” Georgina said.

  “I’m in,” Deepak said. “I need to beat Lionel once.”

  They all laughed. Lionel knew they didn’t mean to diss him bad.

  “Don’t you think Lionel should try out for the track team?” Kiana said. “We have a practise after school today.”

  There she went again — relentless.

  “You should,” Georgina said. “You’re so fast. I mean, do you even get tired?”

  “I do … I just … I was full of energy today. Normally, I don’t go that fast,” Lionel said.

  “You should definitely go out, bro,” Deepak said.

  “You’re a natural runner,” Afonso said. “I’ve been reading about it.”

  “You can read?” Deepak said.

  “The article had pictures,” Afonso said. “Lionel, you run easy, no effort. The article said some people are built to run. They have a perfect running motion, efficient. I think you’re like that.”

  “I’m too fat to be a runner,” Lionel said.

  To his horror they all stared back at him, disapprovingly.

  “You should at least try,” Georgina said quietly. “You’re the fastest one here, and with a little practise and more runs … you’ll be great, and … it would be something to do after school …”

  “You got us all running, not to mention getting our dads to get off their butts and fix up their stores,” Deepak said.

  “Not to mention getting me out of my black boots and into real running shoes,” Georgina said.

  “Which are black,” Deepak said.

  “Kinda goes with the outfit,” Georgina said, and she struck a modelling pose.

  “Not to mention how you helped my dad,” Kiana said.

  “We all helped you with that,” Lionel said.

  He needed to go. This was so uncomfortable. It’s like no one in the world could ever just leave him alone. He liked to run, and he beat Bryan in a stupid race, but he was hardly track team material. He’d look like a blimp compared to the other kids. Time to put an end to this.

  “I’ll think about it,” he said. He didn’t want to lie to them. They weren’t exactly friends, but they were the closest thing to friends he had. “Anyway, I gotta get back to my place. I forgot to ask my mom something. Sorry. I’ll get my sweatshirt from inside …”

  He was rambling.

  Lionel made himself smile and went inside the empty café to get his sweatshirt. Binny had used the marble table for the milk, cream, sugar, and cup lids. It looked nice against the wall. He’d also hung the chandelier. It was beautiful, especially when it was all lit up. Then he noticed the old photos. Binny had framed them and scattered them about. They made the place feel cozy, more relaxed.

  “Why do you do that?” Kiana said from behind, her voice quivering ever so slightly.

  He gripped his sweatshirt in both hands and turned around slowly to face her.

  “I’m not sure … Do what?”

  Kiana dropped her head and raised her eyes. “You’re always putting yourself down and … like calling yourself fat, and not wanting to run when you’re an awesome runner and you should come out for the team. And you never take credit for anything good that you do, although I get it’s good to be modest about stuff. I get that.” She pressed her lips together. “I don’t get you, though — at all.”

  “Nothing to get,” he said.

  He was just Lionel — some fat kid who got mad and won a stupid race.

  She shook her head. Her eyes tightened. “You need to be the Lionel who picked himself off the track and dusted Bryan like he wasn’t even there. That was you, in case you forgot. That’s what you can do when you try. And your story was awesome. Why’d you wait so long to read it out? Everyone else read theirs. It’s okay to be shy. Like I said, nothing wrong with modest. But you take it to an all-time level.”

  “I’m … sorry,” he stammered.

  “What are you sorry about?” she yelled, tossing her hands up.

  “I … don’t know, but you’re mad at me.”

  “I’m not mad at you. I’m frustrated with you and … you’re letting your life go by. What’s wrong with you?”

  Like Brent said. He was a Do-Nothing. “I’m sorry,” he said, barely louder than a whisper.

  He needed to go. His chest pain was back and he felt that sick feeling rising in his throat. He headed to the door.

  “Like that’s the solution,” she said. “Run away and don’t deal with things. You’re the one who showed my dad to face his problems.”

  Lionel reached for the door handle.

  “You’re not even going to look at me when I’m talking?”

  He turned. “I read my story. That’s what you wanted. I did it, for you, and now I’m getting pummeled at school, and it’ll get worse if I run track. Trust me. It’s not your fault. I did it to myself. But what do you want from me?”

  Tears formed in the corners of Kiana’s eyes.

  “I gotta go,” he said.

  He pushed the door open. She pushed it shut.

  “Lionel, wait.” Kiana smiled and shook the hair from her face. “I’m sorry. I’m being pushy, like I always am. You’re right. I shouldn’t be telling you to do something you don’t want to do. Sorry. Forget it. Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to ask what you’re doing tomorrow.”

  What was she going on about?

  “Tomorrow? Usual — going to school. Did we decide if we were running in the morning?” Lionel said.

  “I meant after school … at night?”

  “Um … nothing. Not sure. Probably nothing.”

  “Good!” She clapped her hands lightly. “Come to Rashmi’s. She’s having a party, not a big deal, just some kids. You know everyone. It’ll be fun — and you said you weren’t doing anything.”

  He didn’t know where to look. He was never invited to parties.

  “I’m … not much of a party guy,” he said.

  She tilted her head and lowered her eyelids. “Not a huge surprise. But … it won’t kill you to come out. I want you to. We’re just hanging out, talking, listening to some music. No big deal. Come for a little bit.”

  “Well … maybe. I’m not sure what my mom’s doing.”

  She laughed. “Okay, if you’re not going to spend the night with your mommy, then come by at eight or so.”

  “I … don’t know where she lives.”

  “I’ll text you the address,” she giggled. “It’s close to school. I’d go with you, but I’m helping Rashmi set things up and stuff.”

  His knees felt weak. “Okay. Maybe. Anyway, I gotta go
… like I said. I’ll see you at school.”

  “And tomorrow night,” she said.

  He mumbled a “goodbye” and left.

  Friday: 7:55 p.m.

  Lionel still couldn’t believe he was here. He was actually standing in front of Rashmi’s house. The two Lionels had gone to war, with Kiana texting him ten times telling him he had to come. Finally, he said yes. He wasn’t sure why. Did he want to, or was he scared of Kiana somehow? Why would he be afraid of someone half his size? She couldn’t beat him up, and she never yelled at him, except maybe yesterday morning in the café.

  The sweat was dripping down his neck. That’s what this party needed, a fat, drippy, smelly loser. He dug a tissue out of his pocket and wiped the sweat off. He rubbed his cheek with his upper arm, a trick he’d learned to see if his armpits smelled without looking like he was sniffing them. He’d gone crazy with the deodorant. His heart was sure pounding hard enough, worse than when he ran. He felt so calm when he ran.

  Why go to a party if it made you sick?

  But he’d promised Kiana.

  He was scared of her. He might as well admit it.

  Lionel crossed the street. Rashmi lived in a nice house. She could walk to school. It had dark red brick, two storeys, with a big porch out front, and stairs leading up to the door. He stopped at the stairs and took another deep breath. Kiana would be happy to see him. He’d show her he wasn’t afraid of showing up. He’d do it for her.

  “Okay … um … you sorta have to be invited,” Nick said.

  Bryan and Mohamed followed Nick up the driveway. Lionel gripped the handrail. Nick kept coming until he was almost nose-to-nose with him.

  “Didn’t I tell you not to mess with me — like that time you threw Kiana’s note on the floor in math?” Nick said. “That was a smooth move. Kiana was seriously mad at me. Cost me a bundle at Pearl’s to apologize.” He pushed Lionel in the chest. “You should pay me back for that. You owe me twelve bucks.”

  “I …”

  “I … I … I …” Nick chanted.

  Lionel took a step back.

  “This idiot tossed a note from Kiana onto the floor,” Nick said. “Mr. Bore saw it. He freakin’ read it out in class and Kiana was all over me, like it was my fault that this loser can’t throw a piece of paper two feet onto a desk.”

  “He didn’t exactly read it out,” Lionel said.

  Nick charged and smashed a forearm into his chest. Lionel tripped over a low hedge and fell to the ground.

  “Hey, Nick-man. Let’s be cool,” Mohamed said.

  “I am cool, Mo,” Nick said. “This stiff owes me twelve bucks. I want it. Make it fifteen, with interest.”

  He had twenty dollars in his pocket. “I can pay you on Monday, at school,” he said.

  He’d stay home and maybe Nick would forget.

  “Make it twenty,” Nick sneered. “I’ll take Kiana out again.”

  Lionel groaned inwardly and got back up. He reached into his pocket for the money.

  “What are you doing here, anyway?” Nick said.

  “Kiana invited me,” Lionel said.

  Nick’s eyes got bigger, and then he burst out laughing. Bryan and Mohamed laughed a bit, but not too hard.

  “I can’t believe she pulled it off. I owe Kiana five bucks,” Nick said.

  “What for?” Bryan said.

  “She bet me she could get Lionel to show up at Rashmi’s party,” Nick said. He shook his head as if in disbelief. “I told her no way he’d show — but here he is.”

  Lionel head began to spin. “Why would she …?”

  “You gotta come in,” Nick said. “Kiana will laugh her head off. This is perfect. Bro — do you even know anyone here? Seriously? You’re like the perfect brainless loser. I thought Stephane was clueless. You’re the King of Clueless.”

  The front door opened. Kiana and Rashmi came onto the porch. Kiana was laughing and she waved.

  “Hi, Lionel. I knew you’d come,” Kiana said.

  Lionel stared up in horror. That was why she’d sent those texts.

  Lionel raced across the lawn.

  “Green Machine, come back,” Nick shouted. “I want those shoes.”

  He ran down the sidewalk, pumping his fists to push himself faster and faster.

  Get away.

  Run.

  Lionel turned the corner and headed down the street. His breathing got regular and he slowed into his usual pace. The bus stop was to his right, but he kept going straight. He needed to run, and so he kept going and going, weaving his way through the streets until he was at the top of the Market. He finally stopped, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. His chest heaved painfully. He’d never run so hard for so long.

  Lionel walked along the familiar street, but it felt very different: alien, cold, unwelcome. He passed Adler Shoes. He’d been working hard with Rajeev to fix it up. They’d put in a new floor, and a front desk, and some shelving. He’d also helped organize the stock room, labelling everything so they could find the shoes faster. Deepak said this morning that his dad was like a new person, excited about the store and how it looked.

  “For the first time, he’s proud of it,” Deepak had said.

  Lionel could tell Deepak was proud of it, too.

  He stopped across from Big Ray’s. Since his mom started him on the Runner’s Diet he hadn’t had a single slice of pizza, or a burger, or ice cream. He’d eaten a salad with baked chicken before heading out to Rashmi’s. He was starving after running home, though. He crossed the street. The smell was so intense his mouth began to water. He needed a treat — one slice. After what happened tonight, he deserved it.

  “Li – o – nel,” Big Ray called out from behind a steel counter. He was rolling out some pizza dough. “Haven’t seen or heard from you in ages. I thought you’d turned on me. All I see is you running past me every day.”

  “Sorry — I was running a bit, for fun, nothing important. Kinda stupid, but it was fun.”

  “No need to say sorry. Good for a kid to work out. You run for the track team?” Big Ray said.

  Lionel shook his head. “I’m too slow for that.”

  “You okay?” Big Ray said.

  Lionel felt like he might cry. He blinked rapidly. “I was running and … I have some sweat in my eyes,” he said.

  “Here’s some paper towel,” Big Ray said. “No worries.”

  Lionel turned away and wiped the tears aside. The smell of the pizza dough was overwhelming, almost sickeningly sweet, like he was covered in flour. He coughed a few times. He had twenty dollars to spend.

  “I’ll have a two-litre Coke,” he said, “and a party-size pizza, with extra sausage, onions, peppers, and double cheese.”

  “Coming right up,” Big Ray said. “You having a party?”

  “Yeah, my mom has some friends coming,” he lied.

  His mom had a bookkeeping class, and then she said she was going out for a drink with some of the other students. She had to write a test tomorrow morning, and this was the last class for the first course.

  It would be a party of one.

  “Help yourself to the drink from the fridge,” Big Ray said. “It’ll be a few minutes for the pizza. Is this delivery or are you going to wait?”

  “I’ll wait,” he said.

  Lionel sat on a stool and stared out the window trying to ignore the massive knot in his stomach. He was so hungry he could barf. Ridiculously hungry. It had been so long since he’d eaten something good. Pasta and chicken and rice and vegetables — enough already. Stupid, this running thing. Jumbo the Elephant lumbering along the sidewalk in stupid green shoes. So stupid.

  “What’s up with the running? You in training for something?” Big Ray said.

  “Nope. Something to do. Not doing it much anymore.”

  Big Ray spun the d
ough in the air. Lionel took a big sip of Coke. It burned the back of his throat. He took another drink and kept drinking until half the bottle was gone. Big Ray was laughing.

  “You’re one thirsty dude,” he chuckled.

  “I guess,” Lionel said.

  He wanted to finish it right then and there, but Big Ray would think he was weird.

  The door opened and two men walked in. One of them turned and grinned broadly.

  “Check it out, Fergus. It’s my ol’ buddy, Lionel. How you keeping?”

  Brent stumbled slightly and reached out and grabbed Fergus to steady himself.

  “You look a bit different,” Brent said.

  He was slurring his words. Lionel figured he and Fergus had spent some time at the Uptown.

  “You’re not nearly as fat as you used to be. You working out?” Brent burped and he began to laugh.

  “Not really,” Lionel said.

  He turned his head away. Brent’s breath was rancid.

  “Yo, Big Ray. Two of your freshest slices, my good sir,” Brent said.

  Fergus leaned against the wall, his chin on his chest.

  “You and Charlene having another pizza dinner?” Brent said.

  “I guess.”

  “Tell your mom the job is going great,” Brent said.

  “Okay.”

  Brent craned his neck and looked out the window. “Foster and Tanner are heading over. Let’s scarf these and go back,” he said to Fergus.

  Fergus shrugged and folded his arms. Lionel thought he might actually be trying to sleep standing up.

  “Tell your mom I bought a car, too,” Brent said. “Brand new one. Fergus and I are gonna go down south when winter hits. We get tons of vacation.”

  “Here are the slices, boys,” Big Ray said.

  “Pay the man,” Brent said to Fergus.

  Fergus awoke with a start and stumbled to the cash. Brent grabbed his slice. He folded it in half and took a massive bite. Tomato sauce dripped down his chin.

  “Tell your mom … I’m with someone, a young beautiful girl, so she shouldn’t get her hopes up about me coming back.” Brent poked Lionel in the arm. “Tell her she can forget that.”

  Lionel couldn’t look at him.

  Brent poked his arm. “Tell her, okay?”