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25
Sitting in Art class two weeks later, I sketch ideas for my project whilst mentally plotting my revenge. After the ‘accident’ things appear to have quietened down between the opposing gangs, at least that’s the way it must look to Mr Carmichael and the faculty.
Of course, it’s all bullshit.
If anything, there’s an undercurrent of violence that’s just waiting for the opportunity to explode, a ticking timebomb counting down to zero. I’m pretty certain we’re nearing that moment. The tension around the school is intense and it’s no different today. We all feel it, even if the teachers are oblivious.
Sonny’s due back any day now after undergoing an operation and recuperating at a private hospital in London to fix his broken arm. Getting the best medical care money can buy is a bonus of having rich foster parents, I guess.
“That looks great, Asia,” Ros says, snapping me out of my thoughts. She peers over my shoulder at the sketch I’m drawing. It’s just a rough outline of a graffiti piece I’ve decided to do for my project, with a selection of different colourways that I may or may not choose. Ros has somehow managed to persuade Mr Carmichael to let me use one of the garage walls as my canvas. Not sure how she pulled that off given Camden’s stunt last term, still I’m grateful to her, nonetheless.
“Thanks,” I mutter, distracted by Camden who’s sitting opposite me. He’s been unusually quiet all morning. In fact, since that night of the fight, he’s been completely withdrawn. I’ve been unable to get him to open up at all. I only know from Ruby that Monk was so high on skunk that night that he can’t be certain if he banged his head and knocked himself out like Camden had told him or if he was punched. Either way, no one’s talking which is just as well because Camden’s mum doesn’t need to pay for all our mistakes.
“Make sure you label your sketches with your intentions for colour. I need to understand your thought processes, Asia.”
“Sure.”
“Okay, good work. I’ll let you carry on,” she singsongs, wandering off to another student working on the other side of the room.
“Want to tell me what’s up?” I ask Camden the second Ros is out of earshot.
“I’m good,” he responds stiffly not even bothering to look up from his sketchpad.
“Yeah, and I want to shag Monk.”
Camden’s head snaps up and he narrows his eyes at me. “Ha fucking ha.”
I smirk. “Seriously, Camden, there’s more chance of me fucking Mr Carmichael and he’s married, old, not to mention gay.”
He looks at me for a beat, sucking in his plump bottom lip whilst simultaneously tapping his pencil on the table. Brooding, he’s brooding.
“Worried about Monk?”
“No.”
“So what is?”
He shakes his head, dropping his gaze and starts sketching. I watch him as he concentrates on the image in front of him, blocking me out entirely. He mucks up, throwing his pencil down in frustration. “Fuck sake,” he spits, thumping the table with his fist.
“Jesus, Camden, calm the fuck down. No need to take your frustrations out on that beautiful drawing.”
His eyes snap up to meet mine. “You think it’s beautiful?”
“Yes.”
His lips pull up in a half smile as he allows himself a moment to bask in my compliment. Then it fades as he watches me carefully. “I hear Sonny’s back tomorrow…”
“And?”
“And… trouble’s brewing.” He blows out a breath then stands, walking away from me and into the art store cupboard. When he doesn’t come back out, I follow him inside. Ros is too busy chatting with another student to even notice we’re no longer at our desk.
“Camden?” I say, heading inside the dimly lit room. “You wanna grow some balls and tell me what the fuck is up?”
“I’ve got plenty balls, Asia. Blue balls actually,” he says, meeting my gaze as he pushes off from the wall, stalking me. I stand my ground. I’m not sure what’s brought on this sudden show of dominance, but I’m not about to let him intimidate me.
“Don’t expect me to do anything about those,” I respond, pointing in the general direction of his crotch.
“Why not?” he insists, getting closer than is comfortable. I can feel the heat of his body through the layers of my clothing as he stands before me. Any closer and those blue balls and his dick between them will be pressed into my damn stomach.
