Wrong Side of the Street by Sapphire Hughes (best free ebook reader TXT) 📕
Excerpt from the book:
After his family falls apart, seventeen-year-old gay student Daniel Crawley struggles to get his life back on track. Without a home, he moves into his boyfriend's flat on a rundown east London estate, and soon befriends Amethyst, his young Goth neighbour. However, when Daniel learns Amethyst is being terrorized by a gang of rebellious youths, he ends up another victim of their violent torment, and learns that for every action, many consequences can follow.
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- Author: Sapphire Hughes
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estate, answer to no one, earn respect simply by looking people in the eye and do whatever we want without any trouble.
Flex: I-I-I really don’t think so; Felicity and her Mum are so kind to me…
Tyler: (Suddenly angry) Listen good and clear. This estate is a two-way street. A long as you stand by them, you’re on the wrong side.
(Sound of footsteps walking away. Brief music)
Scene 8- Daniel’s Flat
(Sound of typing)
Daniel: And recent statistics have shown that…
(Sound of door opening and closing)
Tristan: Hey Daniel. What are you doing?
Daniel: I am writing a book on ‘The Reality of Homophobia and Other Bullying’. I decided that with all the bullying that has happened in the past months I might as well put my experiences to good use.
Tristan: Smart idea; the pen is mightier than the sword.
Daniel: Always full of wisdom, Tristan. I thought about getting some input from Amethyst too. She gave me some illustrations. They’re great quality. Have a look, she should be an artist.
Tristan: (Looking at pictures) Let me see…urgh. I have to say, they are not very…appealing. I mean, this one has a guy hanging from a tree.
Daniel: Bullying isn’t appealing, Tristan.
Tristan: Still…the disturbing nature of it; gives me the creeps.
Daniel: Spiders, rats, storm clouds; everything gives you the creeps. Now get changed into something more formal, because Mrs. Anderson has invited us to dinner…
(They exit. Brief music.)
Scene 9- Amethyst’s House
Daniel: This food is great, Mrs. Anderson. Much better than my own.
Mum: Glad you like it. Normally, the oven packs in or I burn everything to ashes. (To Tristan) More green beans Tristan?
Tristan: Oh, yes thanks.
(Sound of plates clinking)
Ralph: Honestly, that is the first time I have heard a youngster want more vegetables.
Mum: Always the joker Ralph. So, Daniel, Tristan, how long have you two been romantically involved?
Tristan: Oh, we met in Brighton last summer. You know; holiday romance like in Grease. Anyway, I wrangled my way into Middlesex University and offered to share a flat with Daniel, so here we are.
Daniel: (Singing) “Summer loving, happened so fast…”
(Everyone laughs)
Mum: How nice. I would like to thank you both for being so kind to my Felicity.
Amethyst: Amethyst.
Daniel: No problem. She’s a sweet girl.
(Sound of window smashing)
Amethyst: Aaaahhhhh!!
Daniel: What the hell was that?! Could a’ killed someone!
Tristan: It’s a rock. Pretty big one at that. Look, there is a note attached to it. (Reading) “You’re on the wrong side of the street.” Um…what does that mean? Who goes smashing windows just to leave freaky cryptic messages like that?
Amethyst: Someone’s trying to kill us!!
Mum: Calm down darling. I bet it’s just some passing youths who are feeling bored and looking for a little excitement. They don’t mean any real harm; all mouth and no bite as they say. Help me sweep up this broken glass before anyone steps on a piece.
Amethyst: IS THAT IT?! Is that all you can say?!
Mum: Now calm down, young lady. There is no need for shouting.
Amethyst: Oh yeah, because it seems I have to shout at the top of my lungs just to get you to listen to me! You think everything will be fine if it’s merely swept under the rug! When did you last ask me how I felt?! You don’t care as long as nothing makes you look bad!
(Sound of crying and feet running up stairs)
Mum: Darling, wait…
Flex: (Quietly) The wrong side of the street.
(Brief music.)
Scene 10- The Supermarket
Roxy: Are you sure this Flex kid will come?
Tyler: Roxy baby, after that rock stunt we pulled, he knows not to double-cross us. I’ve met guys like him before. Inside, they’re weak, insecure and lack confidence; they’ll do anything to look cool and be a part of something. Here comes Flex now. (Flex enters) Hey, buddy, you didn’t chicken out after all.
Flex: No, but I am only doing this once. To prove I deserve to be in the gang, then you must agree to let them be.
Tyler: Agreed, unless I change my mind.
(Daniel and Amethyst enter)
Roxy: Amethyst and Daniel are leaving the Swift Store.
Tyler: Go on, Flex; your time to shine. If you drop out last minute, we promise to make you suffer like them.
(Flex groans. Sound of walking.)
Daniel: (Talking to Amethyst) Really, that colour looks good on you…hey Flex, Amethyst wants your opinion on her new black highlights.
Flex: I am so sorry. Forgive me.
(Flex punches Daniel. Amethyst screams. Daniel falls to floor. Brief music.)
Scene 11- Amethyst’s House
Mum: AND STAY OUT!!!!
(Sound of stuff being thrown to the floor)
Flex: Please Mrs. Anderson…
Mum: Oh, don’t you ‘Mrs. Anderson’ me, pretending to be all sweet and innocent. Felicity told me what happed between you and her friend. Do you know where she is at this moment? Crying her eyes out into his arms! Daniel had to have six stitches. I trusted you. I let you into my home. I gave you food, picked up your dirty washing, went shopping for you, never asked you to do chores because you were still grieving and never once did I ever pester you about finding a job and standing on your own two feet! And how do repay me? WITH VIOLENCE!!
(Sound of more stuff being thrown.)
Flex: Careful with that. There’s a Nintendo DS in there.
Mum: Take your DS! Take your filthy washing! Take everything you own! Just leave and STAY OUT!!
Flex: But Mrs. Anderson. When my Mum was dying, you promised her you would take care of me. If you toss me out, you are breaking your promise to her.
Mum: I promised to take care of Flex Ravens. He was kind, polite and grateful boy. I look at you and I don’t see Flex Ravens. While you act like this, I do not care where you go or what you do, just keep away from here.
(Sound of door slamming. Brief music.)
Scene 12- Roxy’s Flat
(Sound of door opening and slamming)
Roxy: Tyler, I’ve been texting you for ages. Where have you been?! What’s wrong?
Tyler: I was catching the tube back here, when I saw Flex sleeping in the station like a hobo. He said the Andersons had kicked him out.
Roxy: Those Freaks ought to…hold on, what can I smell on your breath? Alcohol? You’ve been drinking? Without telling me?
Tyler: I was angry. I needed to clear my head.
Roxy: You’re lying! I can always tell from the way you don’t dare to look me in the eye. Why do you always have to lie to me?!
Tyler: Okay, so I went for a few beers with a buddy of mine. Why does it matter to you?
Roxy: You promised not to drink without telling me first! How do I know what you’ll get up to when you’re wasted! You could screw any girl!
Tyler: Shut it; I’ve got a headache like hell.
Roxy: But you promised!
Tyler: I said SHUT UP!!
(Tyler hits Roxy)
Roxy: You hit me! I thought you loved me! Ever since I met you, I have strived to make myself look perfect, for you.
Tyler: I do love you, when I want to. I need some air; I’m going to the park.
(Tyler exits)
Roxy: This is Amethyst’s fault…
(Brief music.)
Scene 13- Ralph’s Flat
Ralph: (On the phone) Marlene, I am not in the police force anymore. I retired. You’ll have to call the station about your missing cat. Goodbye.
(Puts phone down. Daniel knocks on the door.)
Ralph: Who could that be?
(Answers door. Daniel enters with Amethyst.)
Ralph: Daniel, Amethyst; shouldn’t you two be at school?
Daniel: We were walking towards it but Roxy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and attacked Amethyst with a pair of scissors. She screamed something about Tyler hitting her because he was so angry for her Mum kicking Flex out. The look inside her eyes was insane. Amethyst got a cut on her finger and lost part of her hair. Her Mum is at a job interview and Tristan isn’t answering his phone so I decided to come here.
Ralph: Oh my Lord. I’ll call your Mum.
Amethyst: (Faintly) No. I don’t want to trouble her.
Ralph: Felicity, I mean Amethyst, ever since this harassment started I have not told anyone ever since I first caught them hassling you. Yet that was almost a year ago now, and the more you stay silent the more you help them gain the advantage. You need to tell your Mum, then the authorities.
Amethyst: Ralph, please, give me time.
Ralph: Fine, I’ll give you two days to tell her or I’ll tell her myself. I’ll go find you a plaster for that cut.
(Ralph exits)
Daniel: How are you feeling? Wait, that was a bad question right now.
Amethyst: I can’t cope.
Daniel: I know; that’s why I want to ask you something. Tristan and I are going to Brighton for the half-term holiday, he thinks that sea air is good for his skin, and I want you to come with me. You need a break from all this fear and stress. What do you say?
Amethyst: Sounds great. (Pauses) But I can’t see how it’ll make anything better.
Daniel: Listen, last summer, my parents were having awful financial trouble and it really pushed their relationship to breaking point. Listening to them arguing all the time, I feared that they would get divorced. I desperately wanted someone to talk to, but I had never felt so alone. Then, my Mum noticed how sullen and reserved I was, so she paid for me to spend three weeks in Brighton, away from their constant rows, which was the last decent thing she did for me before she vanished. And do you know what happened?
Amethyst: You met Tristan.
Daniel: Exactly. Ah, those three weeks were like heaven. From the moment we laid eyes on each other, we connected, like some weird kind of energy pulling us together. We would lie together on the beach on the beach and watch the Sun go down, and then at night we’d go dancing on the promenade beneath the colourful array of fairy lights. I was head-over-heels in love- hey, we still are- and never for one second in those three weeks did I think about what happened at home.
(Tristan enters, having heard the conversation.)
Tristan: When I met you, I truly believed in magic.
Daniel: Tristan! When did you get here?
Tristan: My phone was dead and when I finally got it charged all your messages came up, so I came right over here. You two okay?
Daniel: Yeah, I’m just asking Amethyst if she wants to come to Brighton. (To Amethyst) Do you want to come?
Amethyst: Alright, you’ve persuaded me.
Tristan: Great, now come, let’s go to dinner; my treat.
(They all exit. Brief music.)
Scene 14- Amethyst’s Bedroom
Amethyst: Let’s
Flex: I-I-I really don’t think so; Felicity and her Mum are so kind to me…
Tyler: (Suddenly angry) Listen good and clear. This estate is a two-way street. A long as you stand by them, you’re on the wrong side.
(Sound of footsteps walking away. Brief music)
Scene 8- Daniel’s Flat
(Sound of typing)
Daniel: And recent statistics have shown that…
(Sound of door opening and closing)
Tristan: Hey Daniel. What are you doing?
Daniel: I am writing a book on ‘The Reality of Homophobia and Other Bullying’. I decided that with all the bullying that has happened in the past months I might as well put my experiences to good use.
Tristan: Smart idea; the pen is mightier than the sword.
Daniel: Always full of wisdom, Tristan. I thought about getting some input from Amethyst too. She gave me some illustrations. They’re great quality. Have a look, she should be an artist.
Tristan: (Looking at pictures) Let me see…urgh. I have to say, they are not very…appealing. I mean, this one has a guy hanging from a tree.
Daniel: Bullying isn’t appealing, Tristan.
Tristan: Still…the disturbing nature of it; gives me the creeps.
Daniel: Spiders, rats, storm clouds; everything gives you the creeps. Now get changed into something more formal, because Mrs. Anderson has invited us to dinner…
(They exit. Brief music.)
Scene 9- Amethyst’s House
Daniel: This food is great, Mrs. Anderson. Much better than my own.
Mum: Glad you like it. Normally, the oven packs in or I burn everything to ashes. (To Tristan) More green beans Tristan?
Tristan: Oh, yes thanks.
(Sound of plates clinking)
Ralph: Honestly, that is the first time I have heard a youngster want more vegetables.
Mum: Always the joker Ralph. So, Daniel, Tristan, how long have you two been romantically involved?
Tristan: Oh, we met in Brighton last summer. You know; holiday romance like in Grease. Anyway, I wrangled my way into Middlesex University and offered to share a flat with Daniel, so here we are.
Daniel: (Singing) “Summer loving, happened so fast…”
(Everyone laughs)
Mum: How nice. I would like to thank you both for being so kind to my Felicity.
Amethyst: Amethyst.
Daniel: No problem. She’s a sweet girl.
(Sound of window smashing)
Amethyst: Aaaahhhhh!!
Daniel: What the hell was that?! Could a’ killed someone!
Tristan: It’s a rock. Pretty big one at that. Look, there is a note attached to it. (Reading) “You’re on the wrong side of the street.” Um…what does that mean? Who goes smashing windows just to leave freaky cryptic messages like that?
Amethyst: Someone’s trying to kill us!!
Mum: Calm down darling. I bet it’s just some passing youths who are feeling bored and looking for a little excitement. They don’t mean any real harm; all mouth and no bite as they say. Help me sweep up this broken glass before anyone steps on a piece.
Amethyst: IS THAT IT?! Is that all you can say?!
Mum: Now calm down, young lady. There is no need for shouting.
Amethyst: Oh yeah, because it seems I have to shout at the top of my lungs just to get you to listen to me! You think everything will be fine if it’s merely swept under the rug! When did you last ask me how I felt?! You don’t care as long as nothing makes you look bad!
(Sound of crying and feet running up stairs)
Mum: Darling, wait…
Flex: (Quietly) The wrong side of the street.
(Brief music.)
Scene 10- The Supermarket
Roxy: Are you sure this Flex kid will come?
Tyler: Roxy baby, after that rock stunt we pulled, he knows not to double-cross us. I’ve met guys like him before. Inside, they’re weak, insecure and lack confidence; they’ll do anything to look cool and be a part of something. Here comes Flex now. (Flex enters) Hey, buddy, you didn’t chicken out after all.
Flex: No, but I am only doing this once. To prove I deserve to be in the gang, then you must agree to let them be.
Tyler: Agreed, unless I change my mind.
(Daniel and Amethyst enter)
Roxy: Amethyst and Daniel are leaving the Swift Store.
Tyler: Go on, Flex; your time to shine. If you drop out last minute, we promise to make you suffer like them.
(Flex groans. Sound of walking.)
Daniel: (Talking to Amethyst) Really, that colour looks good on you…hey Flex, Amethyst wants your opinion on her new black highlights.
Flex: I am so sorry. Forgive me.
(Flex punches Daniel. Amethyst screams. Daniel falls to floor. Brief music.)
Scene 11- Amethyst’s House
Mum: AND STAY OUT!!!!
(Sound of stuff being thrown to the floor)
Flex: Please Mrs. Anderson…
Mum: Oh, don’t you ‘Mrs. Anderson’ me, pretending to be all sweet and innocent. Felicity told me what happed between you and her friend. Do you know where she is at this moment? Crying her eyes out into his arms! Daniel had to have six stitches. I trusted you. I let you into my home. I gave you food, picked up your dirty washing, went shopping for you, never asked you to do chores because you were still grieving and never once did I ever pester you about finding a job and standing on your own two feet! And how do repay me? WITH VIOLENCE!!
(Sound of more stuff being thrown.)
Flex: Careful with that. There’s a Nintendo DS in there.
Mum: Take your DS! Take your filthy washing! Take everything you own! Just leave and STAY OUT!!
Flex: But Mrs. Anderson. When my Mum was dying, you promised her you would take care of me. If you toss me out, you are breaking your promise to her.
Mum: I promised to take care of Flex Ravens. He was kind, polite and grateful boy. I look at you and I don’t see Flex Ravens. While you act like this, I do not care where you go or what you do, just keep away from here.
(Sound of door slamming. Brief music.)
Scene 12- Roxy’s Flat
(Sound of door opening and slamming)
Roxy: Tyler, I’ve been texting you for ages. Where have you been?! What’s wrong?
Tyler: I was catching the tube back here, when I saw Flex sleeping in the station like a hobo. He said the Andersons had kicked him out.
Roxy: Those Freaks ought to…hold on, what can I smell on your breath? Alcohol? You’ve been drinking? Without telling me?
Tyler: I was angry. I needed to clear my head.
Roxy: You’re lying! I can always tell from the way you don’t dare to look me in the eye. Why do you always have to lie to me?!
Tyler: Okay, so I went for a few beers with a buddy of mine. Why does it matter to you?
Roxy: You promised not to drink without telling me first! How do I know what you’ll get up to when you’re wasted! You could screw any girl!
Tyler: Shut it; I’ve got a headache like hell.
Roxy: But you promised!
Tyler: I said SHUT UP!!
(Tyler hits Roxy)
Roxy: You hit me! I thought you loved me! Ever since I met you, I have strived to make myself look perfect, for you.
Tyler: I do love you, when I want to. I need some air; I’m going to the park.
(Tyler exits)
Roxy: This is Amethyst’s fault…
(Brief music.)
Scene 13- Ralph’s Flat
Ralph: (On the phone) Marlene, I am not in the police force anymore. I retired. You’ll have to call the station about your missing cat. Goodbye.
(Puts phone down. Daniel knocks on the door.)
Ralph: Who could that be?
(Answers door. Daniel enters with Amethyst.)
Ralph: Daniel, Amethyst; shouldn’t you two be at school?
Daniel: We were walking towards it but Roxy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and attacked Amethyst with a pair of scissors. She screamed something about Tyler hitting her because he was so angry for her Mum kicking Flex out. The look inside her eyes was insane. Amethyst got a cut on her finger and lost part of her hair. Her Mum is at a job interview and Tristan isn’t answering his phone so I decided to come here.
Ralph: Oh my Lord. I’ll call your Mum.
Amethyst: (Faintly) No. I don’t want to trouble her.
Ralph: Felicity, I mean Amethyst, ever since this harassment started I have not told anyone ever since I first caught them hassling you. Yet that was almost a year ago now, and the more you stay silent the more you help them gain the advantage. You need to tell your Mum, then the authorities.
Amethyst: Ralph, please, give me time.
Ralph: Fine, I’ll give you two days to tell her or I’ll tell her myself. I’ll go find you a plaster for that cut.
(Ralph exits)
Daniel: How are you feeling? Wait, that was a bad question right now.
Amethyst: I can’t cope.
Daniel: I know; that’s why I want to ask you something. Tristan and I are going to Brighton for the half-term holiday, he thinks that sea air is good for his skin, and I want you to come with me. You need a break from all this fear and stress. What do you say?
Amethyst: Sounds great. (Pauses) But I can’t see how it’ll make anything better.
Daniel: Listen, last summer, my parents were having awful financial trouble and it really pushed their relationship to breaking point. Listening to them arguing all the time, I feared that they would get divorced. I desperately wanted someone to talk to, but I had never felt so alone. Then, my Mum noticed how sullen and reserved I was, so she paid for me to spend three weeks in Brighton, away from their constant rows, which was the last decent thing she did for me before she vanished. And do you know what happened?
Amethyst: You met Tristan.
Daniel: Exactly. Ah, those three weeks were like heaven. From the moment we laid eyes on each other, we connected, like some weird kind of energy pulling us together. We would lie together on the beach on the beach and watch the Sun go down, and then at night we’d go dancing on the promenade beneath the colourful array of fairy lights. I was head-over-heels in love- hey, we still are- and never for one second in those three weeks did I think about what happened at home.
(Tristan enters, having heard the conversation.)
Tristan: When I met you, I truly believed in magic.
Daniel: Tristan! When did you get here?
Tristan: My phone was dead and when I finally got it charged all your messages came up, so I came right over here. You two okay?
Daniel: Yeah, I’m just asking Amethyst if she wants to come to Brighton. (To Amethyst) Do you want to come?
Amethyst: Alright, you’ve persuaded me.
Tristan: Great, now come, let’s go to dinner; my treat.
(They all exit. Brief music.)
Scene 14- Amethyst’s Bedroom
Amethyst: Let’s
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