He woke up to someone pouring cold water on his face.
“What the hell happened, dude? I've called and texted you a trillion times.
“Are you okay?” Jack helped Sal to a seated position.
“Did you and the locker have a disagreement?” The dent in the blue metal could not be denied.
“I slipped," Sal lied. "The floor was wet.” He'd never lied to Jack before.
“Hmm…” Jack wasn't convinced.
“What are you doing here, anyway?”
“The music store. I broke my guitar, remember? I couldn’t find you, so I figured you'd be here.”
“Right. Sorry. It's been a strange day.”
“Yeah, sorry, dude. Rosie told me about Robin, but I think you dodged a bullet.”
Sal was dizzy. “I need something to drink.”
“I'll get you something to drink if you promise to cover up.” Jack got up, found a water bottle, and went to a sink.
Sal gazed upon himself and realized what Jack had meant. In the heat of the fight, he'd dropped his towel, leaving him completely naked on the floor.
“I haven’t seen you naked in like ten years. Not since the kiddy pool in my backyard.
"You've grown, dude.”
Sal put the water to his lips and drank with greed, as if he hadn’t had a sip of water for days.
“Come on. Get up," Jack said. “If someone walks in and finds us like this, they’ll think I've finally succumbed to your charm and good looks.”
Sal got to his feet and started to get dressed. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“No worries. It's what friends are for,” Jack replied. “But maybe, sometime, you'll tell me what the hell really happened in here?”
Sal bowed his head in shame.
Jack wanted Sal to see a doctor. His face was swollen from the many encounters with the basketball, his nose looked bloody, and his swan dive into the locker couldn’t have felt good. Sal refused. The doctor would only call his parents, and his mother would get in her car and risk her fellow citizens’ lives to get to him. She'd cry and get worried. Besides, she was herself a doctor. At home, it was easier to avoid the panic.
They walked to the minibus, got in, and drove toward Main Street, with all its cafes, trendy restaurants, shops, and welcoming neighborhood vibe. None of them said anything for a while, so Sal decided to break the silence.
“I was attacked!”
“By whom?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t see his face.”
“Why would anyone want to attack you? You’re tall, muscular, and you could charm anyone to death with those eyes.” Jack batted his eyelids.
“Could it be the angry spouse of one of your dates, perhaps?”
“I don’t think so. There was something strange about this person. He was wearing a green hoodie—at least, I assumed it was a dude. It sounded like a dude. He was just as tall as me, and it was something he said or did that freaked me out.”
“What did he say?”
“He wanted to know if I really was a wizard, and he called me Harry.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you a wizard?” Jack grinned. “I've often wondered if Slytherin wouldn't be the right place you. You are murderously delightful.”
“He was strong, Jack. Really strong. I need to know who he is.”
“I’m here for you,” Jack said without grinning.
They parked in front of the music shop. Neither Sal nor Jack noticed the stranger in the green hoodie watching them, inspecting their every move. They also didn't notice the blue BMW M3 passing behind them on the street, causing the stranger to leave his position in front of the music shop.