Page 65 of Christmas at the Movies
‘Don’t be,’ said Julia. ‘I don’t even remember her, and my dad’s great.’
As Julia read her book, Nick went back to his drawing. He shaded dark shadows under Kanjo’s eyes. Nick was so engrossed in his drawing that he didn’t notice Julia watching him until she spoke again.
‘Why does the boy look so sad?’
‘He’s an empath,’ explained Nick. ‘He can suck out someone’s sadness and make them happy again. But he has to carry those feelings around with him.’
‘Poor guy,’ said Julia sympathetically.
Nick looked at her more closely. Her hair wasn’t really black – she’d dyed it. There was an inch of blonde roots growing out of her scalp. Her eyes were ringed with black liner (which was also against school rules), she had chipped black nail polish on her fingers, and there was a ladderin her black school tights. But despite her slightly gothic appearance, she had a friendly face.
Nick tore the sheet out of his sketchbook. ‘You can have it if you want.’
Julia grinned. ‘Are you sure?’
Nick shrugged. ‘It’s no big deal. He’s just a character that I’m working on.’
‘Thanks,’ said Julia, unzipping her backpack and putting the drawing carefully inside. ‘How did you learn to draw like that?’
‘Mostly just reading lots of manga and watching YouTube videos.’
‘Do you like anime too? LikeSpirited Away?OrMy Neighbour Totoro?’
Nick nodded enthusiastically. ‘I’ve seen all the Studio Ghibli movies.’ Nick hadn’t met many other kids who were fans of the Japanese animation studio. ‘How did you get into anime?’
‘My dad used to take me and my brother to the Saturday morning Kids’ Club at Plumdale Picture Palace. They show all sorts of cool movies. Ever been there?’
Nick nodded and gave her a shy smile. ‘Yeah, I actually know it pretty well.’
Julia dragged her beanbag closer to Nick’s. Now he could smell her shampoo – it was the same coconut one his sister used. ‘So what’s that character for?’
‘I’m trying to create my own manga, but I haven’t really worked out the story yet.’
‘Maybe I could help you,’ offered Julia. ‘I’m no good at drawing, but I like writing stories.’
‘That would be cool,’ said Nick, trying not to sound too excited. It seemed like she might actually want to be friends.
Mrs Holmes, the librarian, shushed them good-naturedly, so Nick went back to his drawing and Julia to her book. Nick could smell Julia’s minty gum and hear the rhythmic sound of her chewing, but it didn’t bother him.
Just before five, Julia stood and shoved her book in her bag. ‘I’d better go. Football training will be over now. See you around, Nick.’
‘Bye.’ Nick watched Julia lope out of the library, with her backpack slung across her back. He knew he should head home, too.
Nick quickly gathered up his things, but before he left school, he checked the sports noticeboard to see what days the Year Seven football team practised – Monday and Wednesday. Maybe Julia would be in the library again after school on Monday. Although next time, he’d wait until the coast was clear to avoid another run-in with Damon.
When he got home, Nick could hear his mother’s voice drifting out of the living room. Peeping in, he saw his auntie Pari’s face on his mother’s laptop screen. His mum’s back was to him; she hadn’t heard him come in.
‘It feels amazing to be writing again,’ Mum said. ‘I sent Noa the first act and he was really happy with it. I feel like we have a real connection, you know?’
‘I’m sure the fact that he’s easy on the eye doesn’t have anything to do with that,’ teased Auntie Pari.
‘He’s even better looking in person than he is in photos,’ gushed Mum.
Pari chuckled. ‘I think someone’s got a crush.’
‘Stop!’ Mum giggled. ‘Our relationship is purely professional.’
Nick frowned. Mum sounded giddy – like Holly and her friends when they were talking about the boys theyliked. He knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop but couldn’t force himself to move.
