Breaking the Circle (5 page)

Whenever Serena walked into a room it was an event. She was stunningly beautiful and everything about her was perfect – her hair, her clothes, the way she walked. Maya had seen her only a
few times over the past couple of years and had to admit she’d grown even more gorgeous.

She was so busy admiring Serena, looking at her cool hairstyle and make-up, that it took a moment to see she was holding somebody’s hand. When her eyes flicked away from Serena’s
shimmering dress to the slim, dark-haired guy by her side, she gasped. His face was tilted away from her, a strand of long, black, silky hair hung over one eye, giving him a shadowy look –
just as the hood had done last night. She only had a moment to recover before Serena introduced him. ‘This is Gerard.’

Maya tensed as Gerard glanced at her. She saw his eyes narrow, a flicker of recognition, and then he smiled. ‘So, this is where all the good-lookin’ girls have been
hidin’,’ he said.

‘Smooth talker, ain’t he?’ Serena said, gripping his arm.

‘Yeah, real smooth,’ Maya answered, the words sliding slowly out of her mouth, her tongue curling upwards as she stared him fully in the face.

The Gerard that looked back at her was transformed. This guy who was Serena’s boyfriend smiled in a friendly, open manner. His brown eyes fringed with dark lashes gleamed with good humour.
Instead of the dark hoodie, he was wearing a white sports shirt, his black hair carefully combed so that it curled over the back of the collar, just one silky strand framing his finely-sculpted
cheekbones. Maya remembered his skin as sallow, but in the soft light of the living room, it took on a bronze sheen. The whole image added up to a cool, stylish guy, with an air of ease and
confidence – someone you’d definitely want to be seen with.

‘So, do you . . . er . . . wanna dance?’ Gerard asked, nodding towards Maya. And, before she could collect her thoughts, he had hold of her arm.

‘Hey, are you leavin’ me?’ Serena protested.

Gerard turned and laughed. ‘You told me, “Don’t be shy – make friends.”’ He twirled Maya round. ‘So I’m makin’ friends.’

‘Yeah, you just watch yourself!’ Serena retorted.

He gave Maya no chance to escape, pulling her away from the others and locking his arms round her back. ‘Say anythin’ and you’re dead,’ he whispered.

‘Like to bet?’ Maya snapped. ‘The last person who tried it ended up splattered.’

‘Think you’re so smart? I know who you are, Serena told me – Mummy’s some kind of cop, a government agent or some such crap, but she’s not ‘ere now, is
she?’

‘You want to be careful. You’re lucky I haven’t shopped you. Have you told the beautiful Serena you nick bags for a living?’

Gerard glanced over his shoulder and saw the others had retreated into the kitchen. Quick as a flash, his fingers snaked round Maya’s neck, digging painfully into a nerve, making her feel
dizzy. ‘You’ve got somethin’ of mine,’ he snarled.

‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Maya said weakly.

He grasped a handful of her hair, covertly twisting the strands and pulling her close. ‘You think I’m stupid. Kay told me you stole your bag back. That package was in it for safe
keepin’. Thought you’d come into a fortune, did you, or, were you gonna dob me in to Mummy?’

‘I haven’t got. . .’

‘Don’t bullshit me. Bring it tomorrow to the ice rink – two o’ clock. If you’re not there, I’ll come lookin’ for you – me and Gunner.’ He
screwed her hair tighter. ‘Don’t think you can get away with it, I got eyes everywhere, my mates keepin’ an eye out for me. Every time you walk down the street you are watched.
Next time you won’t escape.’

He jabbed his fingers hard into her neck before suddenly letting go and walking out of the room. Left reeling, Maya stumbled backwards and sank down onto a sofa. Gently massaging her neck she
heard Serena laughing in the kitchen.

‘Maya too fast for you, darlin’? Come and chill with me and Leona, we’re more relaxed, ain’t we, girl?’

When Leona giggled in reply, Maya felt betrayed. And Kay! She’d dumped her in it by telling Gerard that Maya had the drugs.

Her neck hurt. She wriggled her shoulders and attempted to make circles with her head but it was too painful. Gerard must have had training – he knew how to use minimum force for maximum
effect.

More people were arriving, talking and shouting, and she drew into a corner of the sofa where she could sit unnoticed. Part of her was angry she hadn’t hit back at Gerard or publicly
denounced him, but she knew why she hadn’t – as much as she was accepted by Leona, Evie and the other kids on the estate, ultimately she wasn’t one of them. She was different, an
outsider. And Serena was top of the heap, as far as the girls were concerned. What Serena wore was cool, what Serena said was listened to, her boyfriends admired – she had respect.

‘You OK?’ Zac bent down in front of her.

‘Yeah.’

‘Do you wanna dance?’

‘Not really.’

He held out his hand. ‘Come on through to the kitchen, then,’ he said, pulling her up. ‘Let’s get a drink.’

The kitchen was packed. Leona and Serena were sipping some lethal-looking cocktails.

‘Have some,’ Serena said, ‘it’s wicked.’ She was giggling as she poured more from the jug into the stemmed glass Leona was holding.

‘I’m not good with alcohol,’ Maya said.

‘Chill, girl! There’s only a bit of vodka in it. The rest is juice, but don’t tell no one.’ Smiling, Serena pulled a glass from the worktop, filled it and handed it to
Maya. ‘Nice to see you. You look cool. I like that top. I can tell Gerard’s well impressed.’ She turned and looked over her shoulder. ‘Hey, baby!’

Gerard had appeared in the doorway. He came over and draped an arm around her.

‘How long have you two known each other?’ Maya asked.

‘Seven weeks, five days,’ Serena answered, with a smile. She looked up at Gerard, nuzzled into his neck and whispered something to him.

He kissed her hair and said softly, ‘Yeah, babe. Course I did.’ His fingers stroked her cheek. ‘Wouldn’t let you down, would I? Bring your friends outside.’

Maya watched as Serena whispered something to Leona and Evie, then they all went out of the back door.

‘What do you think’s going on?’ she asked Zac.

Zac shrugged. ‘Some kind of surprise, maybe.’

Maya looked doubtful. ‘Don’t think so. I’m going to see what’s happening.’

Putting down her glass, she motioned to Zac to follow her and they hid behind the half-open door, peering through the crack. Her friends were gathered round Gerard, standing with their heads
bent, eyes focused on something he was holding. Then Leona leaned back slightly and turned to look at the house. In the split second before she dodged back, Maya saw Gerard drop something into
Evie’s hand.

Maya didn’t hesitate. ‘Hey, what’s happening?’ she asked, charging out into the yard.

Her friends looked guilty. Leona shrank back, shuffling her feet.

‘Oh, er . . . nothing. Gerard’s just . . . telling us . . . stuff.’

‘Stuff,’ Gerard echoed, with a wide grin.

‘Sure,’ Maya nodded, tugging at Leona’s arm.

‘What?’ Leona asked.

‘I want to tell you something.’

‘So, tell me.’

‘Bit of a disaster in the kitchen. Help me sort it.’

She dragged Leona inside, past Zac’s startled eyes and into a corner. ‘Don’t trust him,’ she said urgently.

‘Who, Gerard?’

‘Yeah. He’s vile. Yesterday, when I was coming home from school, he was the one, the thieving moron who nicked my schoolbag – took everything, mobile, money.’

‘No way,’ Leona exclaimed. ‘Gerard’s not like that!’

Maya shot her an impatient glance. ‘Listen! I took a short cut down the alley to the estate and he was waiting – Gerard. He had a vicious dog and he threatened me – if I
didn’t give him my mobile and schoolbag he’d set his dog on me.’

Leona looked stunned. ‘No way, not Gerard. He wouldn’t want your stuff. He’s always got money and he’s generous with it. Must have been somebody else. Did you get a good
look at him?’

‘Yes, I did and I’m sure it was him. Does he have a dog?’

‘Well, yeah, he does but. . .’

‘That’s him then,’ Maya said. ‘You should warn Serena.’

‘She’s crazy about him, reckons he’s the one.’

Maya raised her eyebrows. ‘I kind of got that by the way she was draped all over him.’

‘What’s got into you?’ Leona asked, picking up on Maya’s stinging tone. ‘You never used to be so suspicious.’

‘Suspicious! The guy robbed me! And he’s a dealer. Have you looked at Serena’s eyes lately, her pupils are like marbles.’

Leona pursed her lips and looked away. ‘She’s excited is all, got a new man, yeah?’ She made a pleading face. ‘Give Gerard a chance, he’s cool and he’s a
laugh.’

Maya bit her lip, thinking of things she’d like to say, but before any words were spoken, Leona broke contact, turning away and shouting over to Zac, ‘Hey, Zac, give this girl a
drink.’

‘What’s goin’ on?’ Zac asked, as Leona slipped back outside.

Maya shook her head. ‘I’m not sure, but I don’t trust that Gerard guy.’

She slid behind the door again, watching the girls clustering round him. Serena had both her arms clasped round his shoulders and Leona was laughing hard at something he’d said. She leaned
forward to catch his words.

‘Seein’ ‘ow it’s you – a tenner.’ He tapped her gently on the nose. ‘Now you can really party, girl.’

Maya stood in the kitchen, feeling lost and helpless, as her friends came trooping back in.

‘Come on, let’s go and dance,’ Leona shouted, making a grab for Maya’s arm.

‘Yeah, in a minute,’ Maya said, fending her off. ‘I’ll just finish my drink.’

‘OK, baby,’ Leona giggled. She lurched forward and reached for Zac, dragging him towards the music, with Serena and Evie following. The back door slammed and, turning round, Maya saw
that Gerard had come in. Moving forward, she barred his way.

‘Are you selling drugs to my friends?’ she asked quietly.

He rocked back on his heels and smiled smugly. ‘What’s that got to do with you?’

‘I want you to leave them alone.’

‘I don’t think they want me to leave them alone. They’re just learnin’ ‘ow to enjoy themselves.’ He grinned, but when he stepped closer, his eyes were as hard
as stone. ‘You don’t belong on this patch. Bring me my stash tomorrow – then keep away. I got somethin’ goin’ ‘ere and you are not gonna mess it up.
Understood?’

Maya glared at him. ‘There’s plenty of people you can sell drugs to – not my mates. I know people – cops, I could. . .’

Gerard’s face sharpened, his eyes narrowed, his hand reached into his pocket. ‘You don’t wanna try that, girl.’

Suddenly his fist was in front of Maya’s face. She reeled back when she saw a knife blade glinting.

Gerard grabbed her arm. ‘Mummy can’t protect you now, can she?’ He dug his fingers into her flesh. ‘Deliver that package to me, two o’ clock tomorrow or
you’re dog meat.’ Then, after looking over his shoulder, he leaned forward. Maya felt his hot breath on her cheek. ‘You owe me. I got a big bill to pay to fix up Gunner’s
paw. I told Kay you was trouble.’

Maya stood her ground, trying to stop trembling and keep her voice controlled. ‘Where is Kay?’ she demanded.

‘She ain’t comin’ out tonight,’ Gerard laughed, his spit landing on her cheek. ‘She’s got business to take care of.’

‘I thought she was your girlfriend.’

He smirked. ‘Kay? She’s anybody’s.’

‘You don’t care, do you? You don’t care about anything or anybody,’ Maya snapped.

‘Smart, ain’t you?’ Gerard sneered. He touched the knife blade to the tip of her nose. ‘Two o’ clock sharp tomorrow, or I’ll have to punish your friend Kay
for tellin’ me lies.’

Cold shivers ran over Maya’s skin. As if from a great distance, she heard Leona’s voice behind her.

‘Oh great, you two have made friends,’ she trilled, seeing their heads so close together.

Gerard’s face softened. He closed his fist, slipped the flick knife quickly back into his pocket and patted Maya’s shoulder. ‘We was just talkin’ over what ‘appened
last night. My mistake. Should ‘ave known that girl Kay was up to no good. She’s scum. We understand each other now, don’t we, Maya?’

Maya just stared.

* * *

What felt like a million hours later, Maya sat with Zac in the garden. The warmth of the day had gone and she shivered. Zac took off his jacket and placed it round her
shoulders.

‘So, how do you feel now?’ he asked her.

‘Don’t know. Not much different, a bit hyper, twitchy. Somebody must have spiked my drink.’

‘Make sure you have plenty of water before you go to sleep or you’ll have a stormin’ headache tomorrow.’

‘Yeah, thanks. I hate feeling like this; I like to be in control.’

‘I gathered that.’ Zac took her hand, gently massaging her fingers. ‘How come you’ve stayed friends with Leona and this crowd – you’re so
different.’

‘Am I? Sometimes I’m not sure where I belong,’ Maya said, ‘not sure I fit in anywhere. But at least Evie and Leona accept me for who I am. We’ve been best mates
since junior school, ever since I punched a boy who kept throwing sand in their faces.’ She laughed at the memory. ‘We’ve always done stuff together – picnics, skating,
sleepovers, netball – we were the best netball team, no other school could beat us. Actually, Evie’s brilliant at sport, a good hockey player, but don’t let on I told you.
We’ve got more in common than you might think.’