Down to the last few weeks, tenth grade drawing to a close,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not quite the end of the road, still a couple of years before the final boss,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, junior high\u2019s ending, formal just around the corner, final exams beckoning, prior to graduation,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PE Class on a head-start, a test of life-saving skills at the local pool,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two days of drills, everyone had a go, an afternoon pool party was the reward,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For teachers and students alike, for a brief period they were equals, some splashed about, others baking under the sun,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the midst of it all, Brett and his camera did the rounds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking a few snaps, Lord knows what for, yearbooks done and dusted by now, but only the committee know anyhow,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked some to smile and pose, quite liberal with the candids,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God help ya if you\u2019re acting out, guaranteed he\u2019ll capture that shit,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally met his quota for the day, Brett puts his toy away to hang with his mates,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They stood by the pool, a decision Brett would come to rue,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maxie Wilkins splits from his tribe, they were camped near a fence<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s heading for the facilities, had to use the gent\u2019s,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon exiting he trudges back towards his homies, but from the corner of his eye catches an opportunity for mischief,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spots Brett by the pool, chopping with his boys, with a glint in his eye charges at \u2018em like a runaway horse,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beelines for the target, shoves him into the drink,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was quick as lightning, the victim barely had time to think,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Embarrassed but unbowed, fuelled by vengeance and rage,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brett springs from out the water, sprints towards his attacker, that fool gotta pay,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Takes a spill along the way, skins his leg but barely noticed it, nor the laughter from his fellow pupils,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Took Maxie unawares, talk about returning the favour, on the grass they tussle, limbs flying in all directions,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quick as a flash they\u2019re the centre of attention, the jock against the geek,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFight! Fight! Fight!\u201d they\u2019re screaming, like the audience from some talk show on TV,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The brawl is on before the teacher\u2019s intervention, demanded an explanation, Brett fired up without hesitation,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe pushed me in the pool in all me clothes!\u201d said he, resisting the urge to curse,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was just a joke,\u201d retorted the other, \u201cdidn\u2019t mean to hurt him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teacher wasn\u2019t buying it, heretofore combatants ordered simply to keep their distance, their last taste of leniency before exams come knocking,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Off Maxie goes to rejoin his crew, laughs and high fives all around, while Brett finds his boys, soaked but strangely proud,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blood ran freely down his leg, his uniform\u2019s a mess, yet he gallantly fought back, had to be proud of that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Down to the last few weeks, tenth grade drawing to a close, Not quite the end of the road, still a couple of years before the final boss, Nevertheless, junior high\u2019s ending, formal just around the corner, final exams beckoning, prior to graduation, PE Class on a head-start, a test of life-saving skills at the … <\/p>\n