I’d watched Sam down two bottles of Coke over lunch and I know where he’ll go before making the trek across the oval to manual arts. I crouch at the back of the science building, getting a good view of the toilets. Sam waves at his mates as he makes a beeline for the toilets. I hold my breath to see if any of the boys will follow, but they all go on ahead.

I give him one minute. I time it. Then I break cover and follow him, walking casually.

‘Please be finished and washing your hands,’ I whisper under my breath as I make a last minute detour from the girls’ entrance into the boys’.

‘Oops. Timed it wrong!’

‘Jesus Christ!’ Sam flinches and does a double-take. ‘Get out!’

Since he’s facing away from me, pulling up his shorts and stuffing things back down them, I decide to stay put. I suppose I could turn away, but I’m enjoying his horror way too much.

‘Not until ya tell me what the fuck is goin on.’ I fold my arms and stare at him, pretending I am trying to drill holes in his skull. ‘Why ave ya been dodgin me?’

‘I’m not. Ya havin a paranoid girl delusion, now get out!’ He yells at the wall.

I lean back against the corrugated iron behind me and cross my ankles. I move around a lot to make sure he can hear me.

‘What are ya doin?’

‘Gettin comfortable. There’s only one way out’ve ere so ya may as well just face me.’

‘I. Can’t.’ It’s angry but I can deal with angry.

‘Why not?’ Came my best ‘butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth’ reply. ‘I thought we were a team. Why the change of heart?’

Maybe some of my hurt unintentionally slipped through. Whatever the reason he lets out a big sigh and finally turns.

‘Don’t forget to wash—’ My triumphant crowing cuts off. I’m too busy staring at Sam’s massive black eye. My wide-open trap doesn’t seem to impress him as he marches to the sink to do a quick rinse and then tries to push past me. As he draws parallel I grab his shoulder and pull him around to look at me. ‘Sam?’

I can’t find the words. As much as I consider myself tough, no one has ever hurt me like this, nor would they if they valued their life. My sister, mother, uncle and large extended family would never allow it. Those shards of glass stuck inside my gut dig deeper and I can’t stop the tears from forming. I would never understand an adult hurting their kid, any kid, this way. It is so wrong. But I know who hurt him without even asking and I have a horrible sinking feeling as to why.

‘Sam, please, tell me,’ I plead. His avoidance now makes complete sense.