descended into an all out snowball fight. They collapsed onto the snow at the end in fits of laughter.
Saturday July 13th
The airport was packed with people. A lot of them going on holiday or just going on business trips. In the sea of people Gunter and Debbie bid farewell to his parents and his brother and sister. It was the best vacation he had ever had. Debbie said that it was hers many times over too, and had thanked his parents profusely.
Gunter’s mom gave him one last hug before they went through security.
“Be safe, my pumpkin, see you for Christmas.”
“Don’t worry, mum. I will.”
She gave him a huge kiss on the forehead.
Monday July 15th
That morning he had art class and Gunter was glad that he was able to catch up with Siswe. Not only had his friend come third in the race during the holidays he had also caught the eye of a bike racing team and was offered a sponsorship for the rest of the year and maybe even beyond.
“Thanks so much for that bike, Gunter,” said Siswe. Even though he had only been away for a few weeks he could see that Siswe was in much better shape, and looked the part of a professional biker. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
“A pleasure, my friend. I can’t think of a person who deserves it more than you.”
Siswe’s holiday hadn’t been the best in other respects. He said that Melody had broken up with him because “he acted too much like a child”.
“It’s a shame, she seems like a really nice girl.”
“I know, I doubt if I will find anyone like her again.”
“Chin up, my friend. I’m sure you will.”
Sunday August 25th
It was the last game of the season. The Heathwood High School team was in the final. Ryan and Gunter’s partnership in the game had made them local heroes. Half the town had shown up for the game. It was the first time the team had been in the regional final for almost fifteen years. Even all the Johnsons had come out for the game.
Gunter felt really nervous. He had gotten used to the ever increasing bigger crowds over the last few games, but this game was different. The whole season and all the games in it had led up to this game. He would be more than happy with second place himself, but he knew the team and the school wanted the win. He wanted the win too, but he knew it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they didn’t win.
Before the game, he sat back and relaxed. He had to calm himself down. Ryan seemed to be not phased by it all.
The whistle blew to say that it was the end of the first half. The other team was very skilled and had many good players. Gunter and the rest of the team were having a hard time, defending their side never mind trying to win the game. They were nine points behind.
After some refreshments, coach Peterson came up to them. “Boys, we’re in a tight fix here, their defenders are just too fast for us. Whenever we try send someone through they catch them. Ryan was lucky to get through the two times that he did.”
“You’re telling me, Coach! These guys are tough.”
Gunter thought of an idea. “May I suggest something, sir?”
“You can.”
“I know someone who can out run all of these guys.”
“Who is it?”
“My friend, Siswe, he’s a professional bike rider and he has calf muscles made of steel.”
“I’ve heard of him, and he’s good, but he can’t play if he’s not on our player-list.”
Ryan stood, “Oh, but he is, before his injury, he had signed to try out for the team, and if I remember correctly, you left all the people who didn’t make the team as reserves. There was always the chance we might not have enough people for a whole team.”
“I think you’re right,” said the Coach with a glint in his eyes. “Ryan, I want you to go get our player register, and Gunter go find your friend, we only have ten minutes left of the break.”
Gunter ran up to the stands. He ran from side to side looking for Siswe, but he couldn’t find him. After a minute or so the crowd started to notice his efforts. He felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around. He hoped it was Siswe.
“Hey, Gunter,” said Debbie with a smile.
“Hey, Debbie.”
“Who’re you looking for?”
“Siswe, you seen him?”
“As a matter of fact I did.” She took his hand and led him to the back of the stadium. He turned the corner. Standing there before him was Siswe and Melody. They seemed to be having a heavy make out session.
Gunter didn’t have time to wait. He cleared his throat loudly.
Siswe disengaged and looked around. He smiled sheepishly. “Oh hi, Gunter. How are you?”
“Great thanks. You still remember how to play rugby?”
“Yeah, why?”
“We need you out on the field.”
“Me? But you guys have much better players.”
“Four of our men are out with injuries, and their defenders are too fast for us to get past. We need your legs.”
Siswe looked at Melody with a questioning look. It seemed like Siswe couldn’t decide.
“Five minutes before the end of the break.“
“Okay count me in, where do I go?”
“We put together a kit for you in the changing rooms.”
“Cool see you on the fields.” Melody ran off with him.
Gunter strolled back to the field. After the hectic game so far, it was good to relax, and hold Debbie’s hand. Just as they were about to reach the end of the grandstand Debbie pulled back on his hand. Before he knew what was happening she kissed him on the lips. Gunter kissed back. He reluctantly pulled away after what seemed like minutes, he had to get back to the bench. “That was nice, what was that for?”
She gave him a blushing smile. “You’re playing a potentially deathly game, I had to kiss you before you maybe go get yourself killed.”
Gunter chuckled. It was the first time he had properly kissed a girl. He now knew even though in a couple months time they were going to be in other parts of the world he was going to make sure that they spent as much time together as possible.
“Be careful!”
“I will!” Gunter ran off.
Siswe was there to meet him. The makeshift kit looked a little funny on him. The shirt was a little too big for him, and he said the boots were a little tight, but he said he would make do.
The game resumed. Siswe was to be substituted for another player a few minutes into the game. Gunter and the others concentrated on defending their side for now. They just didn’t have the overall strength to go on the offense just yet. If it was possible the other team seemed to be more ruthless after the break. The coach seemed to have a hard time convincing the ref that Siswe was on the team, but after a few minutes of talking, and the ref inspecting Siswe’s rugby kit he let him on the field.
The game went down to a scrum. Ryan managed to get hold of the ball, he threw it to Gunter, he ran with it, and passed it again at the last second. Siswe caught the ball. He ran for the other team. There were only two defenders in his way. He dodged past the first, and was caught with a glancing blow by the last; it was too late for them. Siswe was at the try line. He twirled away from the defender and planted the ball firmly in the other team’s territory.
The crowd exploded with cheers, most of them wondered where the new player had come from. They were just four points behind. Gunter failed to score the conversion. His foot slipped a little on the wet surface and he lost his aim.
But it wasn’t too much of a problem as their team was on the offensive now and the other team didn’t seem to be able to regain their momentum again. With just a few minutes left in the game, Gunter managed to get hold of the ball. He ran for the other side. A player from the other team caught him around the legs and took him down, before he slammed into the hard ground, he threw the ball in the general direction of his team. As he hit the ground and the wind flew out of him he saw
that Siswe had seized the ball. He sprinted past Gunter. Siswe had half the field to go. There wasn’t much time left, the rest of the team followed him. The other team had grown wise to Siswe’s speed and had three players go after him, but this left their other flank wide open. Siswe threw the ball, and almost on the other side of the field Ryan caught it. All Ryan had was one defender in front of him and a few scrambling after him. He put his head down and charged forward.
He got past the defender by knocking him down, but just at the last minute one of the other defenders caught up with him and tackled him from the side. Thankfully Ryan was a quick thinker, he twirled around in mid air and landed over the try line. He had scored the try that had won Heathwood High the game and the league. The crowd went crazy. The noise was deafening. Ryan was carted off the field by the other players. He was the hero of the game and the season.
That evening they celebrated in the school hall. It was a celebration and game everyone would never forget.
Friday December 6th
It was a sad day. Gunter had to say good bye to all his friends and the Johnsons. He couldn’t believe his time was up already. He was going to miss them all.
“Gunter, I want to thank you so much for coming over and visiting, you were a joy to have around. I hope you can visit us again sometime soon.”
“No, thank you, Mary. You were like a second mother to me.”
He hugged her and said his farewells to James, Amy and Fred. They promised to keep in touch via email.
He gave Siswe a big hug. “I’m going to miss you, my friend. You’ve been an inspiration to me.”
“I have?”
“You