Billy and Ant Fall Out by James Minter

Author:James Minter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: friendship, pride, argument, school, peer pressure, retaliation, revenge, attitude, chapter book
Publisher: Minter Publishing Limited
Published: 2016-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

7 - Billy Steals A Bike

“Stu came around the other night.” Tom kicked a stone across the playground as he and Ant headed toward the main school entrance.

Ant shuddered at the mention of Stu.

“He’s not that bad,” Tom said. “He even asked me if you want to have a go at skateboarding. He said to bring you along this Saturday, and he’ll teach you some tricks. What do you think?”

Tom checked his watch; break time had nearly finished. “Tell me later. I’ve got Miss Tompkins for PSHE, and she’s always grumpy.” He sprinted off across the playground.

Ant wandered back toward his classroom. Billy stood near the entrance. He wanted to ask him what to do about Stu. When he drew closer, Billy looked away. You’re not the only one who’s mates with year nines, Ant thought as he shuffled past. He made up his mind to go.

********

Saturday dawned a clear, crisp day. The sun came out, and the wind dropped. Piles of leaves heaped by the roadside. Tom and Ant enjoyed riding through them.

Tom came first through the park gate. “Look, Stu’s over there.”

Ant nodded. He pushed hard on the pedals to keep up with Tom. Several boys had gathered at the ramp, but Ant couldn’t see Billy. It pleased him to be able to practice without his ex-friend seeing, but he felt surprised that he hadn’t come. After all, it was Saturday, and Billy had his own skateboard now.

A pile of abandoned bikes lay near the ramp; Tom and Ant added their bikes to it.

“Stu!” Tom waved as he called to him. “Ant’s just coming, but take it easy; he hasn’t got much experience.” Tom slapped Ant on the back and pushed him forward.

********

Stu ambled over to where Ant stood. “So, you reckon you can be a boarder?”

Ant hesitated. His cheeks glowed red.

Tom smiled. “Go on. Stu’s the best around here.”

Ant spoke softly, “I haven’t even got a board.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ve got a spare. Now, watch me.” Stu scooted to one side of the half-pipe. “You need to get up the curve, change direction, and come down again.”

Ant followed his every move.

From the corner of his eye, Stu noticed Billy sneaking across the field with Ant’s bike. Soon, both Billy and the bike had disappeared behind the Crazy Golf hut.

“Okay, one more time,” Stu said, wanting to maintain Ant’s focus. “So, scoot, pump, and shift your weight, then pump again. See, it’s easy.” Stu stopped where Ant stood. “Right, it’s your turn.”

He looked past Ant. The back end of his bike vanished between the two bushes that marked the path to the park’s side gate.

Stu smiled inwardly; getting the twenty pounds would keep him in Eddy’s favour for sure.

********

Billy rode Ant’s bike the long way home to avoid Ant’s road, and Tom’s house, too, in case Max played outside with Katie. He just wanted to get the bike off the road and out of sight. After all, he had stolen his former best friend’s bike. His sweaty palms slipped on the handlebar grips.

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