Chapter 1
I shuffled through the large iron gates with a sour look on my face. The large stone building looked old and big, it looked like they were doing some work on it around the back, adding on some new buildings. I sighed, another school, another uniform. It was the same old thing.
The move had gone well, I think we had moved enough times now to know how everything works.
No body was looking at me as I walked through the busy corridors. No one even noticed me, yet I still walked with my head down and my heart racing in my chest.
I hate it. I hate starting a new school with no friends and not knowing my way around. It had always been my fault of course - all the moving I mean.
And to top it all off, tomorrow is my birthday. Not just any birthday either.
This year I had a lot of pressure on me, maybe it was a good thing we moved. It would have been difficult telling my friends I wasn’t doing anything for my birthday this year and not being able to explain why.
When I finally found the reception area, I wandered up to the desk with a fake smile placed upon my lips.
“Bridget Gasson” I said.
“You’re the new girl?” The woman who sat behind the desk asked. She had greying hair and her glasses fell slightly down her pointed nose as she looked at me. I nodded as she shuffled through some sheets of paper.
Soon enough I was sat in the principles office, staring blankly at the painting behind his desk.
His office smelled of polish and mint, I noticed he had a bowl of sweets on his desk. I looked at them, trying to name each kind as he spoke to me. There were Mint Imperials, Humbugs, Soft mints and Chocolate Limes.
I love chocolate limes. I was itching to reach out and take one, but I know it’s rude to take things without being offered, or at least asking first. Instead, I drifted my gaze from the sweets and tried to focus on what my new head master was saying.
These things always went the same way, I’d be asked a load of unimportant questions, half of which I would have to answer with lies. After that I would be shown around before being shoved into a class full of judgemental teens, half an hour late.
I repeat, I hate starting at a new school.
When I finally got to class, most of the students were half asleep. The door slammed shut behind me and suddenly everyone was alert again. They were all sat upright in their seats, watching me.
The teacher stopped mid speech, turning to look at me.
“You must be Bridget.” He smiled warmly. It was rare that a teacher would smile at you when you interrupt their lesson, new or not. “I’m Mr Richardson, go find a spare seat and I’ll get you a book.”
I nodded before scanning the room with my eyes, there was only one spare seat and that happened to be at the back, beside the one person who was looking at me with disinterest. Everyone else was sizing me up, just like all teens did when someone they don’t know comes along, they were trying to decide whether I was going to fit in or not.
I slumped down in my seat before turning to the guy beside me.
“Hey.” I whispered. The boy turned his head, raising his eyebrows before turning back to face the teacher who was now walking towards us with an exercise book in hand. The book slapped down on my desk before Mr Richardson walked back to the front of the classroom.
I sighed as I watched the boy beside me through the corner of my eyes. This was going to be a long day, that much I was sure of.
By lunchtime, I had made a friend. Well, that’s not all true. A girl had offered to show me around after I had sat beside her in our last lesson. She didn’t seem to be too bothered about speaking to me and making me feel welcome, but she was nice enough.
Her name was Leah, she had long blonde hair with black tips and the sleeves of her jumper were frayed. I like her, so far at least.
“So, this is the two headed monster that I call my best friends. Chiley.” Leah said as she gestured to the - I’m assuming - couple in front of me.
“I’m Cherie” The girl rolled her eyes, “And that’s Riley.”
Riley gave me an awkward smile before digging into his lunch. I said nothing as I took a seat beside Leah, I wasn’t sure if any of them wanted me to join them, but it was better than sitting alone.
I reached into my bag, pulling out the lunch I had packed this morning while listening to the conversation that was going on around the table.
“No, I think I’m just going to go round to Riley’s tonight.” Cherrie was saying.
“What? You said you’d come with me!” Leah whined.
“I know, I know! But Riley’s parents are out tonight and we haven’t had any alone time in weeks.” She said. Leah made gagging noises and I blushed, I had never been ‘with a boy’ yet.
“Do you guys have to slobber all over each other while I’m trying to eat?” Leah complained as they started to kiss. Leah turned to me, rolling her eyes. I couldn’t help but laugh with her as I tried to hide my flaming cheeks with my hair.
Oh dear, I’m a prude!
