Hero sped towards me down the path between the ageing tennis-cum-netball courts and the even older science block. He couldn’t see me, of course. Behind him, there she was, as expected.
Felicity Shagwell. What are we going to do with you?
My brother hurtled past me and through the double doors towards the lunch hall. I stepped out from my hiding place, and the red-faced Fi sprawled over me.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry,’ she squealed, dropping the book she was carrying.
‘Not at all. It’s not every day that I’m accosted by a beautiful girl,’ I said with a gallant smile.
Her face became an even darker red, almost purple.
You girls really are so shallow.
‘James,’ she said. ‘Where did you come from? I didn’t see you.’
‘Don’t worry about it. I’m always in the place you least expect me.’ I bent down and picked up the book she’d dropped, Pride and Prejudice.
‘What do you think of it?’ I asked, slowly handing it back to her. Needed to buy him more time to get ahead of her.
‘It’s good.’ She snatched it from me.
‘Who’s your favourite character?’
‘Mr Darcy.’
As expected. So shallow. When she returned my gaze, she had that hazy, faraway look of the lovelorn. I was taken aback by the intensity of it.
Hmm, I’m going to need a long-term plan for you. What the hell have you done to this girl, bruv?
‘I’m sorry, I’d love to chat, but I’m in a hurry.’ She squeezed past me.
‘For lunch?’
‘I’m hoping to meet someone.’
Hopefully not.
‘Who? Not Hero? Tell him I said hi if you do see him.’
She scurried away like a dog chasing a rabbit.
I continued on my way to the library. A blond boy about Fi’s age in a white lab coat was standing at the windows which ran the entire length of the chemistry lab, watching my every move. He slowly twisted a conical flask in his hands as he glowered at me. From the size of him, I guessed he must be in the rugby team. I returned his glare until he averted his eyes. One must never back down.
I smiled with satisfaction. A handsome athlete for the lovely young lady.
Well, well, well, Mr Blonde, you might be exactly what I’m looking for.
Chapter 10
Hero
‘You’re going to need to get fit. Very fit.’
Hero tried to look confident, but he was so nervous he’d barely slept the previous night.
‘Why?’ he asked.
‘There’re many reasons,’ said the Light Master. ‘Firstly, because the mind and body are linked. The healthier you are, the more you can focus and the faster you’ll be. Secondly, because your body needs to be able to handle this pace. Your bones need to be able to cope with being able to move very fast without breaking, and you need to be very flexible. You’ll need to do yoga to stretch your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. And last but not least, everyone loves a guy with a good body. Now you’re not going to tell me that doesn’t motivate you at least a little bit, are you, son?’
Hero laughed nervously.
‘Okay, well, let’s get started, then. James?’
‘Come on, bruv. Let’s take a short run.’
Hero was silent. His chest tightened as memories of past attempts at running during PE zipped through his mind.
I feel sick.
He sat down next to James to put on his trainers. James opened a cupboard and took out two watches and two elastic straps with a black box in the centre.
‘What’re those?’ Hero asked.
‘Heart rate monitors. Put the watch on. The strap goes around your chest like this.’ James demonstrated.
Hero followed suit and, sure enough, his heart rate was soon showing on the watch.
‘Right, then. A 10K should be good for starters,’ James announced.
‘What?’
‘Only joking, bruv. Let’s start with two miles. An easy one.’
Two miles? An easy one? For you, maybe. I’m carrying around a lot more extra padding than you, mate.
‘Seriously, I don’t think I can run a hundred yards.’
‘Come on, stop being a tart.’
The cold night air was sharp on his tongue, invigorating to his lungs. James looked so loose and svelte that it was difficult not to admire his elegance. I hope I don’t see anyone I know, especially Tom. He’d be laughing his tits off tomorrow.
Before they’d reached the first corner, his trainers were grating against his heels and his shins were crying out in terror of the pavement. The air stabbed cold daggers into his lungs.
He slowed to a walk, coughing and trying not to vomit. ‘James. Got to stop. Can’t do this.’
‘Yes, you can, bruv.’
‘I can’t. It hurts.’
James put his arm around his shoulders. ‘Bruv, everybody hurts the first time. Do you think I didn’t collapse in a heap on my first run?’
Hero raised his eyebrows incredulously.
‘It always hurts the first time, but the pain goes away. That’s why we’re going to take it easy. Every time it hurts, we’ll stop and walk. Then when you feel better, we’ll jog again. Soon you’ll be running 10K before breakfast.’
He can’t be serious.
‘Do you trust me?’
No. ‘Of course.’
‘I promise you, it will happen. You’re going too hard at the start. Everyone does that. Keep your heart rate between one fifty and one seventy. If it goes higher, slow down. If it goes lower, speed up. Simple. Now come on, bruv, stop titting around, and let’s do this.’
Hero started to jog again, one eye on his wrist monitor. His brother was right. At one hundred and seventy-two, his legs and lungs started to burn. He slowed down and felt better almost immediately.
So that’s it, then. I really can do this. Why did no one ever tell me this before?
It was the rush again, only this time it was no dream. Hero felt it every time he came here, every time he trained. It was as if it was meant to be. His heart had started to open, and he realised he was exactly where he was supposed to be at this point in his life. Lightness, acceptance, and joy burst through him like high- pressure water into a previously uncharted network of pipes.
The one hundred and twenty-eight moves of the t’ai chi long form took a while to move through, but it gave him time to think. The term ‘t’ai chi’ always made him laugh. Trust the Chinese to label a martial art ‘the supreme ultimate fist’. They’re always so literal.
What’d been almost impossible over the first few weeks now felt easy and natural, as though he’d been doing it forever. It had become so natural that sometimes he imagined meeting up with Fi again. She would put his hand on his chest. Her eyes would widen, and her lips would moisten a little. He would pull her closer in his strong, manly arms—
He opened his eyes as he finished the forms. The Light Master stood in front of him wearing an enigmatic smile.
‘Let me introduce you to our special room,