I look up and see Matt walking towards me, eating a slice of pizza. He takes a bite and a string of cheese splats onto his chin. I laugh.

‘Keeping it for later,’ he says with a smile.

‘How’s year nine?’

He shrugs and leans against the wall, his elbow bumping into mine. ‘It’s okay, I guess. Everyone knows each other, so I’m the weird loser with no friends.’

‘Sounds familiar,’ I say, feeling better that I’m not the only one.

‘Where are your friends?’

I shrug and he holds out the pizza to me as if a bite of it will make me feel better. I’m so tempted. It is my favourite food, after all. ‘I’m good, thanks. I think I have Vegemite and butter on bread with no crusts to look forward to.’

‘Yummy.’

I pull out my lunch bag and open it. Sure enough, there’s the familiar sandwiches, an apple and a Tupperware container full of crackers. Then I remember Maggie’s cake. Of course, it’s squashed pretty thin by now, because it was wedged between my maths and science books, but it still tastes delicious.

‘Can you cope with this place?’

‘For a while,’ says Matt, finishing his pizza and wiping his greasy cheese hands down the front of his jeans.

I check my phone but there are no messages. I’ve scanned every face and there’s no Bridge or Ellie. I don’t know where they could be.

‘You feeling left out?’

I shrug, shake the last of the crumbs into my mouth and screw up the baking paper. I don’t know how to answer so I fiddle around with my lunch bag again, hoping Matt will forget the question.

‘Call them,’ he says.

‘Nah.’

‘There’s a hotel with a pool not far from here. I’m keen if you are …’ He’s grinning at me like it’s a big joke.

‘No way.’

‘Chicken,’ he says quietly.

‘What are you, five?’

‘It’s not dangerous. It’s not hurting anyone. It’s not really illegal. And it’s heaps of fun!’

‘Cracker?’ I hold out the plastic tub so he can take one. He takes a bunch.

‘You’re really good at not answering people’s questions,’ he says.

‘Yes. I really am,’ I say, surprised at how bold I feel with him. ‘Isn’t rooftopping usually about taking selfies in dangerous places?’

‘Depends who you talk to. Some rooftoppers believe that everyone should be able to enjoy buildings, provided we don’t damage or change them in any way. I’m not doing it to show off. I’m doing it because I like it.’

I nod. Matt makes it sound so appealing.

Then he elbows me lightly. ‘Have you been googling?’

I laugh. ‘Maybe.’