Rigby Taylor
Chapter 1. Zeno Skinny-dipping with Raylene’s friends was not Zeno’s idea of a fun night out. He’d only agreed because he wanted to seem tough, and hoped if he felt her up in the water and fucked her afterwards her mates would stop spreading rumours he was queer. The cars screeched to a halt at the boat ramp. Everyone piled out and headed for the small beach until Bob’s girlfriend reckoned there’d be eels and leeches in the river, so she refused to go down. Then the others also chickened out, saying it was too dark, probably dangerous and a stupid idea. ‘Fuck you lot are wimps’, Raylene yelled, grabbing Zeno’s hand and dragging him down to the strip of sand. A half-moon provided enough light to see, and it was hot and humid so Zeno kicked off his sandals, dropped his shorts, jocks and shirt on a rock and ran into the water, calling to Raylene to follow. The river was wide and deep at that point with little current, so he swam upstream a few metres then drifted back expecting to meet her in the water, but the beach was empty. She’d wimped out like the others; all talk and no action. Not too many brains either. He waded out in disgust and found himself in the spotlight of half a dozen powerful torches. ‘You’re a pathetic wanker, Zeno,’ Raylene’s sharp voice sneered. ‘Did you really think I’d want to be with a creep like you? Crawling up teachers’ arses to get top marks. You think you’re so bloody smart but you’re just a creepy faggot who reckons he’s too good for us—won’t even play footy with the boys!’ Her tirade was interrupted by a high-pitched giggle, ‘Bob, get your hands off my tits!’ Boozy laughter. ‘You’re a total reject, Zeno, even your name’s a fuckin’ disaster,’ one of the guys sneered. Loud cheers and the clink of bottles. ‘Piss off back to the city, arsehole. We don’t want your sort here.’ Laughing drunkenly they ran back to the parked cars and drove off. Zeno remained rooted to the spot, too stunned to react. As the noise of revving engines faded and visi
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