Townies, Tate said. At full throttle, by the looks of things.
The bus driver kept his hand on the horn, lazily.
Surrender, Webb yelled. Send out your leader!
You get off this road or youll be the ones surrendering your little arses, the driver yelled back.
The doors opened and after a moment a boot appeared on the road and then another.
Tate and Webb exchanged looks. Narnie felt her heart knock against her chest.
A Cadet stepped out from behind the bus door, dressed in full military school uniform. He strode towards them, only looking back once when he realised that the car that had been making the ruckus up the dirt road was almost upon them. He reached the trio and searched their faces.
Ive never understood the strap across the chin, Webb said. It has to be the most moronic thing Ive ever seen.
How can we take you seriously? Tate said.
Bloody uncomfortable, too, Jude agreed, taking it off.
When the shooting got louder they all turned in the direction of the on-coming car.
Fitz?
Psychotic as ever. He got expelled from his school about three times this year.
And you know how excited he gets when you come a-calling. Tate grinned.
Jude grinned back. He punched Webb in the shoulder and Webb punched him back.
Where are the others? one of the Cadets called from the bus window.
Parent weekend, Webb called back. Were the only ones around.
As the bus drove off, a car swerved around it, twisting to a halt. Then Fitz was out of the car, jumping on Judes back with the feverish madness they were all used to.
Why havent they arrested you yet? Jude said, throwing him off and diving on top of him. They wrestled until Fitz victoriously had Jude straddled.
Loving that position, are we? Tate laughed.
Webb helped them both up and the five of them made their way down the Jellicoe Road towards the school.
Guess what? Fitz said.
I dont know, Jude said. What? Narnie smiled?
He glanced at her for the first time.
When you guys see a Narnie smile, its like a revelation, Webb said, gathering her towards him.
Jude stopped in front of her and, with both hands cupping her face, tried to make a smile. Narnie flinched.
Leave her alone, Tate said.
I need a revelation, Jude said. And youre the only one that can give me one, Narns.
Lets get back to Guess what? Fitz said, hyped beyond control.
What?
Phase one of the tunnel, Webb said in a low voice. Its finished.
Every year the town puts on a welcome for the
Cadets and invites us along for the gala event, if one can give a sausage sizzle and rugby league game such a title. I get word halfway through the day that a meeting is to take place between the three factions after the official part of the ceremony. I send Ben around to gather the other House leaders and we work out our strategy, which none of us can agree on. In the end we decide that a rental of the river may be allowed; however, the numbers of Cadets using it at any one time is to be no more than twelve.
As usual, the Cadets are in their fatigues and the bulky frame of Jonah Griggs stands out among them. He surveys the field and beyond, handling his team as he would his troops. I can tell that his team is first-class. Santangelo is tenacious and what his team lacks in skill, they make up for in endurance and speed. Our league team is abysmal and, halfway through the round robin, I realise that we are not even players in this whole territory war.
When the games are over, the official part of the ceremony begins. Behind the microphones, a band sets up and I see the Mullet Brothers tuning their guitars alongside a girl with dreadlocks and heaps of piercings.
Santangelos mother is the mayor and I hear her whisper, Behave, to her son as she lines us up for a school captain photo. Shes indigenous, which makes sense when I think of his colouring. Even for an Italian, his skin seemed dark. We have photos taken with her and then they place the three of us in front of the stage and take more photos.
Chaz! Santangelos mum is trying to get his attention from where shes standing with some of the school officials. She mouths smile , waving her fingers under her mouth.
Chaz, Jonah Griggs says snidely. Your mum wants you to smile.
And yours wants you to eat shit and die.
Im standing between these two intellectuals while the local photographer snaps away, asking us to say words like holidays and pornography .
Yours thinks you should loosen up, Griggs continues to bait.
Really?
Yeah. She told me last night.
The first strains of the national anthem screech across the stage, causing everyone to wince.
What did you say? Santangelo asks quietly.
Your mum. Nice lady. Really nice .
Santangelo flies into it first. Fist straight into Jonah Griggss stomach and next minute theyre both rolling on the ground pounding each other. Then theres a war cry and its a free for all, present company excluded, of course, and believe me, I do feel excluded but there is no way Im joining in. The leader of Murray House goes flying through the air and lands at my feet, groaning. I try to help him up but then I realise hes getting off on this. They all are. Its like some Neanderthal skirmish for the pathetic. Some of the Townie teachers try to stop it. Big mistake. It gets boring for at least four more minutes and even the girls from Jellicoe High acknowledge me with a roll of the eyes. Judging by Santangelos mums expression, I wouldnt want to be at her dinner table tonight.