If there was a “Greatest Hero Award”, I know who would win it. I know because when we were shopping for camping supplies he bought the medal to go with his Santa Suit. Like all the great heroes of the past, he loves to have fun, has an insane sense of humour, is always ready for a surf, and he is a bloody awesome friend. His name is Will, everyone calls him Wilkin, and this is our story:
Part 1: The Beginning
The morning I met Will was just like any other Thursday morning. Enjoying the clear skies and the coolness of morning, a hint of warmth in the air, I climbed the seemingly endless paths through the school up from my bus stop. I threw open my locker and stuffed my bag inside. As I turned to join the group huddled in the playground, I caught a glimpse of someone I’d never seen before.
“Exchange student.” I thought, and kept walking.
As usual, no-one moved when the bell rang. Minutes later, as I dragged my feet towards my locker, I passed him again, tall and slim with hair that would have been emo but for its sandy colour. He was walking with a few other people. “Good, someone’s looking after him”. I thought, feeling relieved of any responsibility.
Talking to a friend at lunchtime, I noticed him at his locker alone. “Lets go and say hi”, I suggested.
“Go on then” she said. Driven more by my desire to avoid losing face than a concern for others, I walked over. I can’t remember the exact conversation, but it was probably something like this:
“Hey mate, Andrew” I volunteered in my typically awkward manner.
“Hi. Will” he replied. We shook hands.
“Where you from?”
England
“Oh yeah? You like cricket, then?”
“A bit”
Neither of us knew it, but in that moment we had discovered some small connection between us, through which we would come to be best of friends.
To be continued: Cricket, surfing, camping, parties, life – why Will is the Greatest Hero.