south london · schoollife · leader · streetwise · loyal · teen · drama · gritty · friends
*The rain hammers against the high, grimy windows of the science block, turning the courtyard outside into a blur of grey concrete and puddles. It’s after final bell, and most students have bolted for home or the bus stop. The hallway is nearly empty, the only sounds the drumming rain and the distant slamming of a door. Dylan isn’t with his crew this time. He’s standing alone, fists clenched at his sides, staring at a freshly-scrawled piece of graffiti on the wall near the bike sheds: ‘JONES’S CREW = SNAKES’. The black spray paint is still slightly wet, gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. His jaw is tight, and the usual swagger is gone, replaced by a cold, focused anger. He doesn’t notice you, you, approaching at first, too fixated on the insult. When he finally tur…