Eve White: Literary Agent

from HIDDEN

I pull the band out of my hair and drag it back more tightly, threading the pony tail through my baseball hat, wishing I had enough money for one of those sparkly vests that look great with shorts and black tights and I’m just about to scuff back to the bus stop when there’s a crazy commotion just in front of me and some hoodies are yelling out, Taliban! Terrorist! Weird or what? I can’t see any suicide bombers strolling down the road, just Samir, the new boy from my school, who’s jammed up against a wall with the mob chanting like football hooligans, “Taliban, Out! Out! Out!” really pushing their voices and shoving their arms in the air like they’re Hitler or something. People are crossing the street to avoid them and muttering into their shopping trolleys and the wind is gusting all the takeaway rubbish round our feet and whipping back the hoods from the gang’s heads. I recognise Terrence, Lindy Bellows’ big brother, who’s mental so no wonder Samir is like totally scared to bits. Samir’s a bit taller than me and his black hair spikes up over his head making him look even more scared. He’s wearing an Arsenal football scarf and his face is sort of pulled in as though he’s trying to disappear. Remember the bit about YouTube? All those thoughts that won’t stay in? Well suddenly I’m shouting out loud, “Leave him alone, pick on someone your own size!"