More Than Friends | The Crocodiles #1

Prologue

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

Welcome to the English edition of More Than Friends!

This story was originally written and published in German. Rather than translating it word for word, I'm adapting the English edition so that the dialogue and narration feel natural while the characters, events, and spirit of the original remain the same.

The story is inspired by the German Crocodiles films and follows ten-year-old Hannes and Maria at the beginning of their friendship—before either of them fully understands that it might already be something more. Familiar characters and moments provide the starting point, but the story also develops its own scenes, relationships, and ideas.

You don't need to know the movies to follow the story. If you do know them, you may recognize some familiar moments from a different perspective.

This is an unofficial fan work. I do not own the original characters or the world they come from. All original scenes, developments, and additional characters belong to me.

Thank you for reading. Comments, reactions, and constructive feedback are always welcome!

HappyEpilepie

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HANNES'S POV

Hi, I'm Hannes Burgsmüller, and I'm ten years old.

Two months ago, my mum and I moved to Dortmund. She's studying nearby because she wants to earn her business degree. And me? I just want to have fun and find a little excitement.

That's why the Crocodiles caught my attention at school right away. They're a real gang, with a secret hideout and everything. I know about them because three of their members are in my class: Jorgo, Elvis, and Maria.

I get along really well with them, too. Jorgo is the joker and always has some stupid comment ready. Elvis is the cool, laid-back one. And Maria...

Maria is simply amazing. We get along so well. She isn't stuck-up like some of the other girls. She's kind and always ready to help. She has just as much of a smart mouth as I do, and she isn't afraid to speak her mind or get her hands dirty.

I could lose myself in her brown eyes every time I look at her.

Just thinking about Maria makes me smile. Well, now you know a little about me.

MARIA'S POV

I'm lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. A bag of gummy bears keeps flying back and forth between me and my brother Olli. And, once again, I'm thinking about Hannes

He's the new boy at school. He moved here two months ago and lives only a few streets away.

When he introduced himself to the class, he said, "Hey, I'm Hannes Burgsmüller. It'd be great if one of you could show me the skatepark. And in case anyone's wondering why I'm still coming to school two months before summer break: my mum and I live alone, she has to work, and otherwise I'd be bored out of my mind."

Then he sat down beside Jorgo at the desk right next to mine, and the two of them started talking right away.

He's funny, he's smart, and he's the bravest boy I know. Even braver than Olli and the others. And I can't stop thinking about his camouflage eyes.

"Uh, Maria, what exactly are camofludge eyes-or whatever you called them?"

Did I really just say that out loud?

"It's camouflage, and it's a special kind of eye colour. It means you have two colours in the iris. Most people have brown and green, or brown and turquoise, Olli."

I smile, because explaining them only makes me think of Hannes again.

"Doesn't Hannes have eyes like that?"

I feel my face heat up. Luckily, Olli can't see it because of the wardrobe between our beds. I accidentally raise my voice. "How should I know? Do you think I pay attention to things like that?"

"What's wrong with you? I just thought you meant someone in particular."

"N-no, of course n-not!" I answer, getting even redder.

Now Olli leans around the wardrobe and looks at me. So much for keeping my crush secret.

"So it is about someone. Hannes?"

"No, of course not! He only just moved here."

It shouldn't be possible, but my face gets even hotter.

Olli studies me and grins.

"Your face says otherwise, Tomato Girl. So it is Hannes."

"OLLI, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Olli flinches a little.

"Sorry, little sis, but I need to know who my little sister likes—and whether he's good enough for her."

"Come on, Olli. I don't even know whether Hannes feels the same way."

"Okay, first: have you ever seen the way he looks at you? Second: the two of you already get along really well. Third—and this ist the most important one­–what do you see in him?"

I stare at him, completely confused. Olli doesn't seem to have a problem with Hannes at all. He's talking to me as if he's some kind of dating expert.

"Fine, but only this once. You already know about his eyes. He's funny, and unlike most of the others, he actually has a brain. He's also the bravest boy I know—and you should have seen the way he introduced himself."

I'm practically melting all over again.

"I assume you forgot to mention that he's good-looking. Jorgo already told me about the introduction: just the right mix of funny, cool, and able to laugh at himself."

He tosses the gummy-bear bag back to me.

"And as for the courage, there are already loads of stories after only two months. The time he took on those sixteen-year-old skaters at the skatepark, all the stuff he's pulled in the schoolyard..."

I laugh as I remember Hannes riding his skateboard first across the ping-pong table and then down the stair rail as if it were nothing. And I melt all over again when I remember how many times he's already stepped in front of me and stood up for me.

Olli pulls me out of my thoughts.

"He's got pretty much everything it takes to be a Crocodile. Being athletic is just a bonus. Look at Frank and Jorgo."

I laugh. "Do you think he even wants to join?"

"He's already hanging around with us all the time. I'm sure he'll be a Crocodile soon."

Olli grins.

It's the kind of grin that tells me he's hiding something. I know him well enough to see it, but he clearly isn't going to tell me what it is.

Whatever he knows, I'll find out soon enough.