“You are here because you owe a debt to society.”

The lineup glared at the parole officer with the fervour of a full-blown storm, our canary yellow overalls radiating against the drab, concrete walls of the community centre—some would say we looked like supermodels, moody, gorgeous and wearing outfits nobody else would be seen dead in—but to most, we were just a bunch of scummy ASBO’s who would've been better off in prison.

The parole officer clicked his pen and scribbled something onto his clipboard, his chest puffed and proud in the pinstriped suit and badge he wore, and he added, “Vandalism, unsocial behaviour and... Whatever vile act Adam did is unacceptable, disrespectful and outrageous.”

Rocking back pretentiously on his heels, a wicked grin split across Adam’s gaunt, waxen face, and he said, “I needed the loo, nature called to me, and the kid's pool happened to be the closest thing; it's not my fault if that youngster thought it was chocolate.”

“That isn't something to be proud of,” the parole officer grimaced, and he shook his head, his skin tinging a peaky, sickly green.

“It really ain't, mate,” said the lad next to Adam, the sleeves of his overall rolled up to his elbows, an art exhibition of intricate tattoos on each arm.

Adam then turned to the girl next to me, but she ignored him, shoving her gem pierced nose up high, and as if to swot him away, tossed her whip-like ponytail into the air; at her obvious disgust, Adam pursed his lips, his smile gone—sewn shut—and he crossed his arms tight over his slim chest like a scolded child (but hopefully not like the one who ate the forbidden chocolate).

“I will be recording everything that happens here,” the officer said, his pen clicking continuously as he patrolled the line, and I caught a whiff of the cheap, spiced aftershave radiating off his skin. He stopped in front of me and sneered, a sliver of green foodstuffs slipped from between his teeth before he added, “So I expect everyone to be on their best behaviour and complete the tasks given to them with precision and respect, so, if you all start walking that way, I will follow along shortly.”

Nodding my head along with the others, I followed behind as we walked right, hoping against hope that no one discovered what I had really done.