Bend in the Road

We were sixteen. Exam pressure weighed on most of us. At the time, I thought that's why you seemed down.

You ambushed me by my locker Friday afternoon. "Let's do something."

"OK," I hauled out my PE kit, "What?"

"Bikeride. Tomorrow. Ciara and Becky will be up at the Whale with some booze. Come on, man. I need to let off steam."

You knew I fancied Ciara. I shrugged, like I didn't care who might be on Whaleback Ridge.

Saturday morning, you waited for me out front. Helmet on, sun at your back.

On the hill, our conversation petered out. Ah, Ciara, long hair, bare legs... I switched gears, pushed harder. You fell behind.

There's something hypnotic about cycling. In my head, I was miles away. The crash behind me brought me slamming back. Brakes squealing, I twisted round.

You weren't there.

In a moment, I knew where you'd gone. Off my bike in a second, chucking it aside, running to the edge. Don't look, said the coward in me.

You weren't moving. The drop was high and steep enough that I could've barely got down there, but close enough for me to see the mess of you. The mangled bike lay a little way away. The river washed by, casually picking up red swirls.

"Chester!" It was nearly a scream. Nearly a sob.

I called emergency services. Had to give a statement. It was ruled an accident. Your folks still blame me. Guess they gotta blame someone.

I swam through the following days, still stunned.

Becky showed up, eyes red.

"Why'd you do that!" she screamed. "Dragging us into it! Telling them we were up there waiting for you? Now they think we're involved somehow. Why would you lie like that?"

Why did you lie, Ches? I dunno why I'm asking. You can't answer.

I should open this surprise you left in my locker. Bit of a shock, seeing your handwriting, like you're writing from the grave. Except you're not dead. Just can't move, or talk. Or recognise me.

There's a petition to put a guardrail on that bend.

I see you sometimes, out the corner of my eye. Smiling, helmet on. Sun behind you.

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Word count excluding note: 366

Submitted on Saturday 10th August at 15:28

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