Read Online Specky Magee by Felice Arena - Free Book Online Page B

Danny about his planned meeting with CHRISkicks.
    ‘Are you crazy?’ asked Danny. ‘It could be anyone, a real freak or something.’
    ‘Yeah, I know, I know. That’s why I’m telling you both. He’s going to give me some information on adoption and stuff,’ said Specky.
    Specky’s friends disapproved of his planned rendezvous with this so-called online friend, so they decided to tag along with him, just in case.
    During the second quarter, Geelong made a minor comeback, bridging the score by only two goals the difference. Danny’s family, as well as most of the Collingwood supporters, blamed it on the umpires.
    ‘Get glasses, Ump!’
    ‘No way, Ump! How much did they pay you!’
    ‘You’re blind, Ump!’
    ‘How many freebies are ya gonna give ‘em?’
    By half-time, there were only five points separating the two teams, and Specky, Danny and Robbo scampered off to meet the CHRISkicks kid.
    ‘So where is he?’ asked Robbo impatiently.
    The three boys were all hanging out around the entrance of the Barassi Bar, as planned.
    ‘Well, maybe he thought I was some cyber freak. I told him to look out for my blue cap,’ answered Specky.
    Suddenly, Specky got a tap on the shoulder. He turned to see a girl, about his age, smiling at him.
    ‘Are you Footyhead? Or should I say Specky—you were the one playing Superbikes, weren’t you?’ she asked.
    ‘Yes, I am. But who are you?’ asked a confused Specky.
    ‘I’m CHRISkicks!’
    ‘ You’re CHRISkicks?’ Specky was blown away. He never thought that his online footy friend could be a girl.
    ‘Yes, I am. My name is Christina. Chris for short—CHRISkicks!’
    Robbo and Danny sniggered to each other.
    ‘Oh, and these are my friends, Emily and Sophie.’ Christina introduced Specky to her friends. ‘They tagged along, just in case you ended up being someone creepy…’
    Robbo and Danny chuckled again. Specky then introduced them to Christina and her friends.
    ‘Anyway, here’s that stuff I promised,’ said Christina, as she handed over some pamphlets to Specky. ‘There’s a number in there you can call if you ever decide to search for your biological parents.’
    ‘Um, thanks, thanks a lot.’ Specky was still surprised. He couldn’t get over the fact that all this time he had been chatting to a girl. And not just any girl, but a girl who was just as passionate about footy as he was. Christina could see that Specky felt more awkward about the whole situation than she did, so she tried to make friendly conversation.
    ‘So, are you guys enjoying the footy? You reckon Collingwood will win?’
    ‘You bet!’ quipped Danny. Robbo nudged Danny in the ribs. He knew that the question was directed to Specky.
    ‘Y-y-y-yeah, I am,’ stuttered Specky. ‘So, where are you sitting?’
    ‘I’m up in the corporate boxes,’ replied Christina.
    Specky glanced over to his friends. They raised their eyebrows at him—they were impressed.
    Christina continued. ‘Yeah, my dad’s a TV director—he directs a lot of the televised matches.’
    Specky couldn’t contain himself. ‘Wow, that’s what you meant by him working here. That’s cool!’
    No one was sure what to say next.
    ‘Um, well, it was nice meeting you, Specky. I’ll see you online sometime,’ said Christina.
    ‘Yeah, okay,’ mumbled Specky.
    Christina and her friends turned and headed back towards their seats.
    ‘Oh, and thanks again for these!’ yelled Specky, holding up the pamphlets.
    Christina glanced back over her shoulder and waved. Specky watched her disappear into the crowd, feeling totally gobsmacked.

16 SPECKY’S SEARCH
    Robbo and Danny stirred Specky about his reaction to meeting Christina.
    ‘A girl, huh! You should have seen your face, Speck,’ teased Danny.
    ‘Yeah, it was so red, just like it is now. That’s because you like her, big time,’ added Robbo.
    ‘Get real! Watch the game, will ya,’ coughed Specky, wanting to change the subject, as quickly as he could.
    All the