I wrote this for something else, but decided it would be cool to post it here.
I used to skateboard a lot. I also had a slightly over protective mother, so anytime I went to a skatepark I was that scrawny kid in full pads. I didn’t give a fuck, it meant I got to skateboard.
Anyways, I think I was 13-14 at the time, I’m minding my own business, probably trying to do a super stylish boneless in a quarter pipe (don’t hate, old school tricks are rad). I see this dude bail and just lie in the bottom of the bowl area while his board flew out onto the deck. He was a few years older than me, was obviously not hurt seriously, and there with several of his buddies.
Being a nice dude, I grabbed his board which had rolled close to where I was and rolled it back to him. I skated away not paying attention, then I hear him call out “WHO DID THAT?!”.
Apparently the board had rolled into his side while he was facing the other way. There was no way it had hurt in the least, I had made sure to roll it at a safe speed to him. As I turn around to see what the shouting was about, I see his buddies pointing at me.
“HEY YOU WANNA FIGHT?!” He shouts at me.
Now you don’t know me all that well, but you can imagine I should be feeling slightly intimidated. And to be honest, I prior to this situation, I always thought I would have been intimidated by a bully. Thankfully the situation gave me some much needed perspective. I had just done this dude a favor, and he wants to fight with me? What the fuck right? Is he serious?
“If you wanna fight I’m right here.” I reply with no hesitation.
He just kinda stared at me for a second. Then turned away. I heard his buddies giving him a hard time, and it was like a joyous chorus of angels.
I felt like I owned that fuckin’ skatepark for the rest of the day.
