Chapter 32: The Dog Prince
Present
‘Look, there goes the freak. He’s shaved his hair to look tough, but he’s still just a freak.’
Jeremy didn’t stop to see who’d spoken. Chad’s dislike for him had infected the entire school. It could have been anyone. Now, when Jeremy looked at the other boys, they were indistinguishable. He was in a school of sharks and he hated them all.
Jeremy walked out to the schoolyard and sat on a bench. All the space around him was empty, a clearing. Boys watched him from the periphery. Jeremy was ignored but he was no longer unnoticed.
He scowled and pulled out the lunch Jan had made. It was a ham sandwich. A lump of nausea leapt up into his throat. Jeremy tossed the sandwich into a nearby bin. A younger kid, who was passing by, turned when he heard the thunk.
Jeremy glared. ‘Piss off.’
The kid’s eyes grew worried and wide. He hurried away.
Jeremy sat for a moment, listening to the growl of his stomach. When it got too loud, he made his way to the canteen and bought a can of soft drink. Something about the combined taste of sugar and chemicals made him feel better. He’d been stupid to say he didn’t like soft drink.
Jeremy patrolled the school corridors, sipping from his can and scowling at anyone who looked at him…
