Matt does

‘Mari?’ She jumped, realising too late she had been lost in thought and not paying attention to what was going on in the cupboard.

She flicked her eyes up and stared into Matt’s face.

‘Oh, hi, Matt,’ she said. A pathetic start, but at least it looked like the other guys had left.

‘You do know just hanging out with the equipment doesn’t count as doing gym, right? He said, a small smile on his face. But it wasn’t in a mean way, and she smiled back wryly.

‘I’m good at gym,’ she admitted, ‘just terrible at cheerleading; thought I’d save your girlfriend the trouble of straining her vocal muscles shouting at me.’ Matt looked uncomfortable at the mention of Helen. It wasn’t a secret Mari didn’t get on with a lot of the more popular girls.

‘I know she doesn’t give you the easiest time; she’s not the easiest of people.’ He looked around, ‘I guess this is as good a tactic as any to avoid her displeasure.’

‘Says the boyfriend?’ Mari said, raising an eyebrow. Matt laughed, but it sounded ****.

‘Something like that.’

For a moment, they stood in silence. Mari was very aware of how close they were stood in the dark space.

‘Is it true what Jimmy and Mitch were saying?’ she asked suddenly. ‘That Helen won’t let you touch her?’ Even in the gloom of the cupboard she could see him frown. She felt his shoulders tense up.