CHAPTER 27

Skatey Video

Three months later Alex got the chance to be in a skating video. Not an amateur job either, but a professional one made by the Zen team. The team had asked permission from the Logan City Council to use spots around Beeton, and the mayor thought it would bring good publicity and gave it the all-clear.

Of course it was Casey and the other pros in the team who were the stars, but Alex was given a small but important part. He was going to boardslide the courthouse stairs.

“Five minutes,” said the director.

“You know what to do,” said Casey. “Trust yourself and your body will find a way.”

“How many cameras are there again?” asked Alex.

“Three. But forget about them and the people watching.”

Alex looked down at the carpark. The landing area was cordoned off and a number of curious observers stood behind the rope. He could see his mum and Chief watching anxiously. His mum hadn’t wanted him to be in the video but Alex talked her into it. “It’s no worries, Mum. I can do this trick in my sleep.”

He wasn’t lying. In his sleep he never missed a trick. It was in real life that he had problems.

Chief was just back from Russia, bringing home strange but interesting presents. Alex received a Russian rap CD and Sam a traditional folk-dancing costume. Chief had an excellent time and loved telling the story of how Ben, behind on points, knocked out the Russian champion right before the final bell.

Jimmy looked up and waved. He said he would build an Alex Jackson web page if Alex weaselled his way onto the Zen video. “I’ll only take 50 per cent of the money and 100 per cent of the girls,” he said.

John was on Jimmy’s left, talking to no one in particular. Probably rapping. Alex, John and Jimmy had been hanging out together lately, going to the gym every Friday night for boxing training with Chief. John loved it, even though he had learnt the hard way to keep his hands high when he was popped on the nose sparring. His English was improving, as well as his temper, and he wasn’t picked on as much at school.

Sarah was next to John, talking to a friend. Though she was not the same old Sarah, and probably never would be after her dad left, she was one of the group again. She and Jimmy even talked about getting back together (Alex called him a pushover), but they agreed it would be best to be just friends. For now. She was getting A’s again — which had to be a good sign. She was happy being smart.

The friend Sarah was talking to was Becky. Being apart for so long made it easy for Alex to see how she had changed. Her curves were more noticeable and she had a hint of red in her long, black hair. Alex could just make out the necklace that hung down to the top of her chest. It was a purple stone in the shape of a heart. He had to smile. He was the luckiest guy in Beeton.

There was another face he knew, right at the back of the crowd. She ducked her head when she saw him look, but it was definitely her. I wonder if she hopes I’ll fall? He would probably never know, but he had a feeling she wanted him to nail it. Even if she didn’t, it made him feel better to think she was on his side.

He remembered something. “Hey Casey,” he said, “do you know a boarder called Ryan McTeigue?”

Casey looked sideways at him. “Who told you about him?”

“When you were away I skated with his brother, Steve. He said you two are friends.”

“We were. We used to skate around Beeton together, doing crazy stuff and getting into trouble.”

“You never told me,” said Alex.

“I’m not proud of it.”

“Where is he now?”

“Ryan?” asked Casey.

“Yeah.”

“You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Ryan died,” he said. “He was hit by a car on his board, skating away from the cops.”

Alex was stunned.

“He was an unbelievable skater, better than me, but totally out of control. He had no respect for anyone or anything. It taught me a lesson. I was heading down the same track.”

Casey sighed. “What’s his brother like?”

“Pretty much the same.”

“I’d like to meet him.”

“Come back here Friday night.”

The director yelled out, “It’s time. Everyone in position. Take one.”

Take one? If there needed to be a take two he was in big trouble. They might have to film it from the Logan hospital.

Alex Jackson pushed off, felt the rush as he gathered momentum across the smooth slate tiles, and knew once more that all was right with the world.