So Feral!

So Feral! Read Free Page A

Book: So Feral! Read Free
Author: J A Mawter
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emptied his guts. I look at Josh, who is wearing them. Who am I to argue?
    ‘Josh wins!’ I announce.

Chapter Five
    It is the day after. We’re back at my place. I can’t believe we got away with Goop but we did.
    As usual it’s back to the competition.
    ‘How about Knockdown?’ asks Ryan.
    ‘Or Dead Leg?’ asks Elliot.
    ‘They’re both not fair,’ I say. ‘Josh’s heaps bigger than Finn. He’ll win easy.’
    ‘You saying I’m gutless?’ demands Finn, puffing himself up and grabbing my shirt.
    ‘No.’ I remove Finn’s hand and direct my next comment to both him and Josh. ‘Why don’t you two let up? Call it quits. The comp’s pretty even.’
    ‘No, it isn’t,’ interjects Josh. ‘I’m winning.’
    Finn’s shaking his head. ‘No, Red,’ he says, quietly. ‘I’m no quitter. Besides, Josh is only two ahead.’
    ‘Spit Ball, then?’ interrupts Ryan, his mind still on track.
    ‘No!’ I’m almost shouting. ‘This is getting too serious. Forget the competition. Let’s go back to having fun.’
    Then I notice that Finn’s developed a keen interest in our clothesline. ‘What about a swimming race?’ he asks, completely ignoring me.
    ‘A swimming comp is boring,’ moans Ryan.
    ‘No, it’s not,’ says Finn, which takes me by surprise because at last year’s swimming carnival Finn lost every time. Finn continues, all the while looking at the clothesline. ‘Let’s have a swimming competition. But not freestyle — butterfly.’
    ‘You’re on,’ says Josh.
    ‘Are you mad?’ I whisper in Finn’s ear. ‘Remember last year? Miss Talliope’s dress shrank when she saved you!’
    Finn has a look on his face like he remembers. But he’s smiling. ‘You game for butterfly?’ he repeats to Josh.
    ‘Sure, Sunshine,’ Josh answers. ‘Only this time the sun’ll be shining on me.’
    ‘We’ll see,’ says Finn.
    I give up. They can kill each other for all I care!
    Finn pulls down the waistband of his shorts, revealing a pair of bright yellow swimmers and says, ‘I’m ready, if you’re ready.’
    Josh frowns. ‘I’m wearing jeans. I don’t have my swimmers.’
    ‘I do,’ announces Elliot.
    ‘Me too,’ adds Ryan.
    Finn’s wearing that funny look again. ‘Can’t you borrow a pair?’ He looks around the yard. ‘Like these,’ he says, striding to the washing line and pulling down a pair of fluoro pink shorts. ‘Yours?’ he asks me.
    I shake my head and say, ‘Rob’s.’
    ‘How about these, then?’ Finn asks, holding out the shorts to Josh. ‘Colour too hot for you?’
    ‘Whatever!’ says Josh. He shrugs, takes the shorts from Finn and pulls down his dacks at the same time.
    I make a mental note to have the shorts washed and dried before Rob gets home.
    When we get to the pool, Finn throws down his towel and heads straight for the starting blocks.
    I run after him. ‘There’s still time to pull out,’
    I say.
    Finn keeps striding along. ‘I don’t want to pull out,’ he says. ‘I’m sick of Josh thinking he’s so good. And I’m sick of him calling me “Sunshine”. He treats me like a loser!’
    I stop in my tracks. I can see Finn’s point. ‘Okay!’ I call after him. ‘But swim in the lane closest to the wall. I can get to you more easily.’
    Finn flaps his hand to show he’s heard. Then he turns round and calls, ‘Tell Josh to get on the blocks and wait for me. I’ll be back in a minute!’

Chapter Six
    I head back to the others and tell Josh that Finn’ll meet him at the starting blocks.
    ‘What a loser,’ says Josh with a laugh. ‘Must be going for a leak!’
    Elliot and Ryan laugh with him.
    I don’t join in. I’m thinking of the race. Josh Carruthers and the Sunshine Kid. I know who’s gonna win.
    ‘Wish me luck,’ calls Josh, swaggering off. I watch him take his place on the blocks.
    Elliot and Ryan head to the other end of the pool to judge the winner. I hang down at the start, ready to play lifesaver.
    I look at my watch.

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