After by Sue Lawson Page A

movement he turned his back and pulled down his shorts, wiggling his bare backside at CJ.
    CJ hooted with laughter while Maddie squealed.
    ‘That’s disgusting!’ said Bec, face in her hands.
    ‘Stu Rogers! Pull up your strides, now!’ Burbridge hurdled the chain fence, stopping between the hysterical class and Stu, facing CJ. ‘This better not have anything to do with you, CJ.’

CHAPTER 16
    Luke stood by my bench, bread roll in one hand and bin in the other. I plonked my butt down and unwrapped my sandwich. Grated cheese and Vegemite. Again. What did Nan have against lettuce or tomato, even an avocado?
    Luke sat beside me. I sighed and bit into the sandwich. Luke inspected his roll and sighed before biting it. He watched me while he chewed. Luke’s constant copying was seriously annoying.
    As soon as he finished his roll, he stood. ‘Let’s go. Oval today’
    ‘Can’t we clean up around the library?’ I shoved the last bit of sandwich into my mouth. ‘Or the office?’
    ‘Don’t talk with your mouth full.’ He shook his head. ‘Start there, then go to the little kids’ classes, now the oval.’ He outlined his cleaning plan. Luke was into order in a big way. He liked to work from left to right. I had to admit, his plan was logical.
    ‘Let’s get it over with,’ I groaned.
    ‘Stop complaining,’ he said, lifting the bin.
    I sucked in a deep breath. So far today I’d avoided Frewen. Picking up rubbish on the oval would put me right in the hot zone.
    Luke and I started at the forward flank, where the little kids sprinted after the ball. Mr Agar stood on the wing watching them. He wore a bright orange vest, like a road worker, a straw hat and had a green bum bag around his waist.
    ‘How’s it going, guys?’ he asked.
    ‘Nice bag, Sir.’
    ‘Thanks, Alexander.’ He patted the bag. ‘First aid stuff. You two know what you’re doing?’
    ‘Luke has it under control,’ I said, trying to keep Luke moving. I didn’t feel like having a conversation with Mr Agar.
    ‘After the oval, we do the toilets,’ said Luke.
    I wasn’t looking forward to that.
    ‘You don’t have to clean up for all of lunch time, you know,’ said Mr Agar. ‘You could play footy with the others.’
    I bristled. ‘It’s all right.’
    ‘Yeah, it’s all right,’ said Luke.
    Mr Agar’s expression changed. ‘Got to go. Problem by the toilets.’
    Luke turned to see what had caught Mr Agar’s eye. ‘Whoa, big trouble.’
    At the bubble taps by the toilets, two little kids were squirting anyone who passed. They leant against each other, roaring with laughter. Nic and I had done the same thing at primary school. Only we didn’t get caught.
    ‘Hey, you two,’ yelled Mr Agar, jogging towards the giggling pair.
    ‘They’re gonna get it,’ said Luke.
    ‘Heads up!’
    The call came too late. The footy smashed into Luke’s back, the impact so great he stumbled forward and dropped the bin.
    ‘Watch it, idiot,’ I yelled. ‘Are you right, Luke?’
    ‘I’m okay,’ said Luke, his eyes filled with tears. He bent to gather the rubbish that had spilled onto the oval.
    ‘You’re right, aren’t you, Luke,’ said Frewen, strolling over. ‘It was an accident.’ He snatched the bin and spun around, scattering rubbish, and tossed the bin at Luke.
    Miffo and Klay cackled and slapped their knees.
    ‘Great joke, losers,’ I muttered, picking up the bin.
    ‘What did you say?’ asked Frewen, striding towards me.
    ‘I’m okay. It’s okay,’ said Luke.
    Frewen stopped centimetres from me. I could feel his breath on my face. ‘Did you call us losers?’
    Feet apart, I steadied myself. ‘Yep.’
    Frewen snorted and sneered. ‘We’re not the ones picking up rubbish with a retard.’
    ‘The only retard around here is you, Frewen.’
    ‘Me?’ He snorted. ‘Hey Lukie, who’s the retard around here?’
    ‘Me,’ said Luke, head bowed.
    I dropped the bin and shoved Frewen in the chest. ‘That stinks.’
    Frewen