A misunderstanding

If you can’t tell the truth

it’s better not to say anything,

so in Ms Wilson’s office

I play dumb

and shrug my shoulders

time and time again

like I have a nervous tick,

while Angelo bullshits

about a misunderstanding.

He’s happy to apologise –

right now,

in front of the principal –

where no-one else can hear him.

Wilson buys his bluff.

Angelo even has the gall

to offer me an outstretched hand.

It takes me longer than it should

to shake,

even with Wilson’s prompting,

so I look like the guilty one.

We walk out of her office.

I remember when Angelo asked me

over to his place

all those years ago,

before Patrick arrived.

‘You’re nothing

without your stupid mate,’ Angelo sneers.

I fake a smile.

‘I’ll ask Manx about that,’ I say.

His cockiness disappears in an instant.

I shrug and stroll away

protected by Manx,

yet again,

without him being anywhere in sight.