Untitled - Andras Pinkava

I was walking down the street and I saw, out of the corner of my eye, some other kids my age. They were gathered around a half-pipe ramp, with two people on it. Both of them were amazing on their boards. They both did tricks and stunts I’ve seen in movies and games. One of them was very tall, and the other is shorter, and is very obviously female. She’s wearing a helmet, with the words “UP YOURS!!” stenciled across the front in neon pink. From what I can see, she’s wearing green lipstick, and a simple hoodie-jeans combo. Both riders’ tricks get more and more crazy, right up until one of the kids in the crowd throws a rock at the girl. The rock is fairly large and hits her right in the helmet, knocking her off balance. Without even realizing what I’m doing, I push through the crowd, pausing only to punch the stone-thrower in the balls. I make it to the ramp in time to catch the girl mid-fall. Unfortunately, the impact throws me out flat, knocking my head into the pavement, and knocking me out. I come to what seems like only minutes later. The ramp is gone, and the skaters as well. I have a note in my hand, reading “thanks a shitload. Color me kinda impressed. –V” scrawled below it, almost like an afterthought, is a phone number and a tiny penciled-in heart.