Run

by David Skuy

  She stared up at him. “I’m a little confused. You said Kiana invited you to the party.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So how is it that you weren’t invited?”

  “She invited me because Nick didn’t believe she could get me to show up. I obviously wasn’t invited — no one wanted me there. They all think I’m a joke. Kiana bet she could make me come. I never go out. I never get invited to parties, not even birthday parties when I was a little kid. It’s like what you said …” He felt a rush of emotion and he struggled to keep calm. “I don’t ever fit in, and … Anyway, she got me there, and, of course, everyone was laughing at me because … they knew about the bet and …”

  He had to turn away. His eyes were burning. The memory of Kiana coming out of the house flooded back — and in that instant, he saw his father staring at him, mocking him.

  Three strikeouts. You’re useless.

  His dad’s voice echoed in his head.

  “Lionel?”

  He practically jumped out of his skin. “Sorry, I was …”

  “I don’t know what happened,” Georgina said quietly. “I obviously wasn’t there. But I don’t think Kiana would do that — especially to you. I … I can’t see it. She likes you, more than you think.”

  Georgina pulled him by the elbow so he was facing her.

  “I know all about hiding from people,” she said. “I do it differently than you. I hide behind my Goth armor. It’s like I’m saying, ‘Don’t mess with me. I’m dressed in black and I’m covered in skulls and tattoos and piercings. You can’t hurt me. I’m too tough.’”

  A tear fell down her cheek.

  “You hide by not getting involved,” she continued. “You literally hide from people so you won’t be hurt. You don’t go out, you don’t make friends, and you put yourself down.”

  “You don’t know me,” he said, barely louder than a whisper. “I’m … nothing. I’m just here. Other than my mom, who cares what I do?”

  “I care.”

  “You’re being nice, but … what about every kid at school …?”

  “Lionel, you drive me crazy. You drive us all crazy. You’re an awesome kid and you’ve done so much to help people, like me,” Georgina said. “You invited me to run with the Marketeers. No one else even thought of me. Only you. The Marketeers …” She was crying now. “They’re maybe the first friends I’ve had who just accepted me, who didn’t care what I wore and what I looked like. You helped Binny get over his hoarding, and Deepak and Afonso to get in shape, and Rajeev to fix Adler Shoes — and Manuel to fix up his garage. How can you say no one cares? We do, and we’re all worried about you. Deepak and Afonso sent you texts and wanted to go to your place. But we didn’t know where you live …” Her voice trailed off for a moment. “Do you live nearby?”

  “Yeah, in that apartment.”

  He pointed to the building.

  She reached out and gave him a hug. He felt awkward about it — she was a few years older — but he hugged her back. At least he had one friend.

  “Keep believing in yourself,” she said. “You’re better than you give yourself credit for, and you’re a Marketeer, so don’t even think about not running with us. And you’re wrong about Kiana. I can’t believe she would do that. Maybe you misunderstood something … I don’t know this Nick guy, but would she really do that for him?”

  She had a point there. Kiana had told him Nick wasn’t her boyfriend — and the notes seemed to irritate her more often than not.

  Georgina scrunched her mouth to the side. “Talk to her. I bet you have it wrong.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  She grinned. “She’s at the café right now. She told me she was doing some homework. Let’s ask.”

  “I’m not …”

  “Chicken?”

  “No. I just ...”

  She began making clucking noises. He tried not to laugh. It was impossible not to. Then he got mad again.

  “I’m not going. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Kiana and I are … we were … I don’t know what we were, but who cares? It’s not like she does.”

  “That’s it. You’re talking such garbage, it’s ridiculous. You and I are going to the café right now.”

  “Georgina!”

  “Either that, or I’m bringing her to your apartment.” She laughed. “You look like you’re going to faint, Lionel. Trust me on this. Let’s talk to her. What’s the worst that can happen? She laughs at you. You can run out of the café and never come back. But don’t you want to know for sure?”

  He did more than she’d ever know. Was it possible he’d misunderstood?

  He groaned. “This is gonna be painful.”

  Georgina grinned. “Let’s run, then. Take your mind off it.”

  “I’ll be all sweaty.”

  “It’s less than ten minutes away. That’s not even a warmup for you.”

  He took a deep breath. “Okay. A little more humiliation can’t hurt me. But you have to come with me.”

  “Of course,” she said. “Oh, and one more thing. If you’re wrong about Kiana, you have to try out for the track team. Deal?” She held her hand out.

  He shook her hand without thinking about it.

  All he could think about was Kiana.

  Despite all that had happened, he still wanted to see her. A little humiliation would be worth it. Humiliation he could take. He was an expert on that.

  He set off beside Georgina as they settled into an easy pace.

  Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

  Fear he knew — but never like this. The café door seemed like a massive castle gate, and the sidewalk an alligator-filled moat, like in his video game. He barely remembered running here. His mind had gone blank. He couldn’t imagine what he’d say.

  “We sorta … gotta go in … if you want to talk to her,” Georgina said.

  He groaned again.

  She laughed and began to push him. Her hands were so tiny. He was a mountain compared to her.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll go,” he said.

  He stepped inside. It was fairly busy. A line of people snaked along the counter waiting to order. Binny was standing behind the espresso machine.

  “Lionel! Bro! How are ya?”

  “I’m good, Binny.”

  The people in line turned to look at him.

  “A day off and you can’t stay away from me?” Binny said to Georgina.

  “You’re irresistible,” Georgina said. “I needed to see your face. I also need to deliver Lionel. Is Kiana here?”

  “Kiana and Rashmi are in the corner,” Binny said. “I heard you were sick, Lionel. Was it like a twenty-four-hour flu?”

  “Something like that, I guess. I’m okay now.”

  “Two mango-banana smoothies, then?” Binny laughed.

  “Can you make mine a latté?” Georgina said.

  “Consider it done,” Binny said. He turned away to the coffee grinder before Lionel could object.

  “To the corner,” Georgina whispered.

  “I didn’t know Rashmi was here,” he said.

  “Neither did I,” Georgina said. “Now man up and talk to her.”

  He walked over, barely feeling the floor under his feet.

  Kiana saw him coming. Her face turned serious and she waved him over.

  “What happened?” Kiana said. “You just ran off, and then you didn’t come out for our run yesterday. I’ve texted you twenty times, and so did Deepak and Afonso. You didn’t answer once.”

  “I wasn’t feeling well,” he said.

  “But … why …?” Her voice broke. “What’s going on, Lionel? I was so worried I didn’t sleep last night.”

  She was exaggerating, obviously. She didn’t worry about anything. What could she be worried about?

  “Ask,” Georgina said,
poking him in the ribs.

  He glared at her.

  “Don’t give me the eyes,” Georgina said. “You ask or I will — and get ready for that tryout.”

  “Ask what?” Kiana said. “And what tryout?”

  Georgina gripped Lionel’s forearm. “Out with it.”

  Lionel quieted his nerves. It couldn’t get worse. His reputation was mud at school anyway. Nick and his crew were going to chirp him forever.

  “Nick told me,” he blurted.

  That didn’t get the reaction he expected. Kiana screwed her eyes tightly and stared at him.

  “He told me,” he repeated.

  “I’ll ask the obvious question. Told you what?” Kiana said.

  Lionel began to turn away. “I knew she’d …”

  Georgina stopped him. “Lionel thinks you bet some kid, this Nick, that you could trick Lionel into coming to the party so you could all make fun of him.”

  Kiana sat back in her seat. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

  “Lionel, you’ve lost it,” Rashmi said. “Kiana asked if she could invite you and I said sure, why not.”

  Kiana remained perfectly still. Two tears had fallen.

  “He told me … Nick … that you bet five dollars … to get me there … to Rashmi’s,” Lionel said.

  “There was no bet,” Kiana said.

  She wiped her tears. Her eyes were ablaze. Lionel felt them burn into him.

  “I’m going to check on those smoothies,” Georgina said.

  “I’ll help you,” Rashmi said.

  They both got up and went to the counter. Lionel sat at the table.

  “You think I’m that kind of person?” Kiana said.

  “I … don’t think … It’s …”

  “It’s what?”

  “Nick said …”

  “If Nick said I was a mass murderer would you believe him?”

  “Obviously …”

  “Obviously what?”

  “Obviously not … I don’t think … I …” He sat back and closed his eyes. “Nick said there was a bet and I believed him. I guess that’s it.”

  She leaned forward. “Why would you think I’d do that … to you of all people?”

  “I guess … It made some sense to me at the time.”

  “I don’t understand you.”

  “You’re so nice. You don’t chirp people or gossip, even though you could because everyone likes you. You let me run with you guys, which is fun because … sometimes it’s fun to run with other people and not by myself all the time. I don’t know why you bother with me. I appreciate it, but I don’t get it. You’re the most popular girl in grade eight and I’m … me. I guess that’s why I believed him.”

  He put his hands on the table and lowered his head.

  “Lionel,” she said softly.

  He raised his head. She put her hand on his and looked into his eyes. “I’d never do that to you. You have to believe me.”

  He didn’t know what to believe.

  “I don’t understand why you’re so hard on yourself,” she said. “You get so embarrassed if I say you’re a fast runner, which you are. You won’t accept that for some reason, like …” She leaned forward. “You’re different from other boys. I can talk to you, and I feel like you understand me. All the time we’ve spent together has been …” She suddenly began to cry again.

  Her hand was so soft and warm, like a piece of velvet.

  “I’m sorry, Kiana,” he began. “Nick got on me and I …” No point hiding the truth. “I’ve spent my life avoiding guys like Nick — and I’m good at it. Guys don’t bug me much because they don’t notice me. Obviously they get on me a little, you can’t really be invisible, but you sort of can. When you came out of the house, and I thought you’d bet Nick, I felt like I was in a spotlight and the only way out was to run. Nick somehow knows a person’s weakness and goes for it … and it’s like there’s no way to fight back.”

  Lionel noticed Georgina and Rashmi were talking at the coffee counter.

  “I wonder where those smoothies are?” he said.

  “Do you remember when I said I wouldn’t mind having a boyfriend, if he was the right boy?” She put her hands in her lap, slumped her shoulders. “Do you think … maybe … you would be the right boy?”

  This was impossible. It couldn’t be happening.

  “Are you sure?” he said.

  She straightened up. “No, Lionel, I’m just saying it because I’m that kind of girl.”

  “I’m sorry …”

  She pointed her finger at him. “And you have to promise not to say sorry all the time. It bugs me. You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

  “It’s a bad habit, I guess.” He looked over to the counter again. “Those smoothies are taking forever.”

  “Lionel, a girl just asked you out and …”

  “What does a guy say in this situation?” he said, helplessly.

  She put both her hands on his. “Look at me,” she said.

  She was so beautiful.

  Kiana gave him a gentle kiss, so soft, like a breath of warm air.

  “I think you’re a wonderful person, the kindest, nicest, most honest boy I’ve ever met, and I feel comfortable with you — and one day you’re going to have to accept that,” she said.

  Georgina and Rashmi came back to the table. Each of them held two smoothies.

  “Mango-strawberry-banana for Kiana,” Rashmi said, handing it over to her.

  “And one mango-banana smoothie for Lionel,” Georgina said.

  They sat down, both grinning away.

  “Shut up,” Kiana said, laughing.

  “You lost a bet,” Georgina said to Lionel.

  “What bet?” he said.

  “How quickly you forget … after one little kiss,” Georgina giggled. “You said you’d try out for the track team if you were wrong about Kiana.”

  “You did?” Kiana beamed. “That’s awesome. We have a practise on Monday after school.”

  “It’s too late for me …”

  “You lost the bet,” Georgina said. “Now drink up.”

  Monday: 3:40 p.m.

  Lionel pressed his back against the school wall and closed his eyes.

  “Do it,” he said to himself for the hundredth time.

  Every time he tried to go to track practise, something held him back. He looked around the corner again. A few kids were sitting beside the track, stretching. He rolled his neck. He was being such a wuss. He’d told Kiana that he would come, and she made him tell Whellan after English. Whellan looked a bit surprised, but he said Lionel was welcome to come out for a run. Kiana had gone on about how fast he was, which was embarrassing. Some of the other kids had snickered, and he could only imagine the fat jokes once they were out of earshot.

  He ran a hand over his stomach. It didn’t hang over his belt anymore. He could even feel his ribs. He obviously wasn’t thin, but maybe fat was a bit harsh.

  He’d eaten lunch with Kiana and Rashmi in the cafeteria. It was the first time he’d eaten lunch with people. It was fun, and they’d joked around. Rashmi was nice. He’d never spoken to her until yesterday at the café, and they got along like old friends. She was funny too, in a dry sort of way.

  A few more kids showed up at the track. He needed to do this. It hadn’t been a bad day, surprisingly. Nick and Bryan didn’t pay him much attention.

  “Hey, Lionel, how’s it going?”

  Stephane had snuck up on him.

  “Hi, Stephane. It’s going okay, I guess. What about you? Um … like … What are you up to? Going home?”

  “No, I want to do some homework. I like watching track practise while I’m working. Gives me something to do every once in a while.” Stephane smiled and nodded at the track. “You should run with
the team. I watched you race Bryan. Jaime and I couldn’t believe how fast you are. You have a lot of natural talent.”

  “Thanks. I lost my temper. Went a bit mental.”

  “I think it’s more that you’re a fast runner,” Stephane said.

  Lionel figured he should compliment him back. “You did pretty good playing basketball in gym. You guys won.”

  “Ach, I’m useless,” Stephane said. “I just pass the ball to Nick, and he scores. I’m completely uncoordinated. He takes it so seriously I have to laugh.”

  That awkward moment had come. It always did when he talked to someone — other than Kiana and the Marketeers.

  “I probably should get going … and you have your homework,” Lionel said.

  “Sure. Have a good day. See you tomorrow,” Stephane said. He pulled on the strap of his backpack and nodded. “I’ll get to it.”

  He took a few steps towards the track. Lionel could tell he still wanted to talk. They did have one thing in common — Nick. May as well ask the obvious question.

  “Does Nick bug you a lot?” Lionel said.

  Stephane stopped. “I guess. I’m used to it.”

  “You should talk to a teacher … or Ryder,” Lionel said.

  Not like he’d ever do that. All of a sudden Lionel couldn’t understand why he’d put up with Nick, put up with all the bullying all these years. Why not talk to a teacher or the principal? Was it better to get picked on every day?

  “Like I said, I’m used to it,” Stephane said. “It doesn’t bug me so much. Maybe a little, like when he’s throwing things or snapping his towel or … I get that he doesn’t like guys like me.”

  “I’m not one to give advice on this, and Nick gets after me too, but I don’t think we should take it because he thinks he has the right to chirp at guys,” Lionel said.

  This was most definitely the new Lionel talking.

  “All I’m saying is … I’ve had it with him,” Lionel said, “and Bryan and Mohamed, although those two aren’t nearly so bad. Maybe … we should see Ryder together … or with Jaime, too. We could talk to Whellan …”

  Stephane got very quiet.

  Lionel was still afraid of Nick. He always would be. He was still afraid of Brent and the Hombres — and his dad. He just liked the new Lionel more than the old one — a lot more.