Chapter 2

A Chapter by Celine

First Day Of School

Chapter 1:

My heart was pounding as my eyes shot open. I woke up from the same nightmare I usually have.

I put my fingertips to my forehead feeling sweat which was dripping down my forehead, down the sides of my face and into my eyebrows. I wiped my face with my bed sheet.

I looked to my digital clock on my bedside table; it’s red, illuminating light blinding me for a second.

I rubbed my eyes and looked at the time. It read 4:46 AM.

I sighed and walked to my bathroom to splash my face with cold water. I opened the tap feeling the cold metal beneath my fingertips causing shivers down my spine.

I cupped my hands under the flow of water, waited until they were full and splashed the cold water onto my face. I grabbed a towel that was next to the basin and dried off my face.

I looked at myself in the mirror thinking that I really look like a mess. I sighed, rolled my eyes and walked back to my room but not before seeing a black shadow dance across the bathroom mirror.

I screamed with shock not knowing what else to do. I heard my dad’s footsteps creak on the wooden floors and he walked in my bathroom. I was blank just staring at the mirror as if I was being hypnotized.

“You okay?” he asked in a groggily voice, still half asleep.

I swallowed deeply and nodded, “I just thought I saw something again.”

My dad sighed. He knows about the shadows I've been seeing lately because I've been seeing them since my mom died. He was the first person I told because I didn't know who else I could tell.

I don't even know why I see these things. I don't know if maybe it’s my mom’s ghost watching over me or something completely different. Maybe it’s just my imagination? My dad doesn't like me talking about it since its “odd” and “weird” since I was brought up as a Christian.

He’s tried to take me to see a shrink but I refused since there’s nothing wrong with me. Why would he think there is? I swear the things I see are real. I don't know what they are or how they came across me but I know they know who I am.

“I’m going back to bed, I think you should too. It’s a big day for you tomorrow.” My dad said, patted my shoulder and walked back to his bedroom reminding me that I have to go to a new school tomorrow.

To be honest, I felt scared. What can these shadows or whatever you want to call them do to me? I walked back to my bed and tried to fall asleep but I couldn’t. I felt so stupid and immature when I walked over to my dad’s bedroom and asked if I could sleep in his bed for the night.

...

I woke up to the ringing of my dad’s alarm which caused me to cover my ears with my pillow. With a groan I woke up and walked over to the bathroom to shower. I made sure I didn't dare look in the mirror. I seriously don't want to have another creepy shadow experience. I got undressed and turned the shower on.

I waited for the water to get warm then I got in feeling more relaxed than a moment ago from the warm water cleansing my senses.

When I was finished I wrapped my body in a towel and walked into my room, opened my dresser and took out a pair of black skinny jeans, red converse and my favourite Bring Me the Horizon band-tee.

I ran my fingers through my light brown hair feeling the need to straighten it so I took out my straightener and straightened the wavy bits.

I decided to go with natural make-up which I like because it brings out the green in my hazel eyes. Once I was satisfied with my look I put on a grey beanie just as an extra accessory.

I grabbed my school books, popped them in my bag and walked through our wooden hallway, down the stairs to the kitchen.

“Morning dad.” I said, sat down on one of the stools by the kitchen counter and smiled.

“Here’s breakfast.” He smiled back putting down a plate of scrambled eggs with spring onions and toast.

The spring onions were something my mom would always put in the eggs. Usually she would make breakfasts before she passed. We'd talk about what we were going to do for the day, crack a few jokes, I missed it, a lot.

“Thanks dad.” I smiled politely and ate my breakfast.

I know I’m not perfect but I’m just glad that my dad didn't give up on me when my mom passed away because when she did, it was something neither of us could bare. It did bring us together though. We're closer now than what we’ve ever been.

We both finished eating and we both grabbed our stuff to leave.

“Bye dad. Love you.” I said and gave him a tight hug, feeling our father and daughter bond. It'll never be the same bond that a mother and daughter has, but it’s all I have.

“Bye honey.” He said, kissed my forehead and went out the front door to where his car was parked in our driveway.

After he drove off I walked to the sidewalk to wait for the bus to arrive. I saw a yellow bus in the distance recognizing it since it had my new school’s logo on it.

As it came to a stop at my house I took a deep breath and climbed into the bus.

“Morning sir.” I said to the bus driver and searched the bus for an open seat. There was a seat in the first row on the right so I decided to take that one.

I heard whispers from the back of the bus. People saying things like, “Is that the new girl?”

I just took another deep breath in and clutched my bag. Please let this day go well.

The bus driver announced that this would be the last stop to pick up people then we would drive to the school.

The bus braked and the automatic doors opened to let the last pupil in. It was a girl about medium height with platinum blonde hair, blue eyes and she was wearing an outfit similar to mine.

She scanned the bus for seats and saw that there were no empty seats apart for the one next to me so she plopped down next to me.

“Hmm…you don’t look familiar.” She said and looked at me as she put her bag down by her feet.

“Yeah, I’m new to this school, to this area actually.”

“Oh! Well nice to meet you! I’m Ashley and you are?” she asked, put her hand out for me to shake it and smiled.

I shook her hand and smiled politely back, “Katrina. It’s nice to meet you too.”

“So how long have you been here?” she asked and turned in her seat to face me.

“A couple of months, you know, just to move in and get used to the place before I come to school.” I said as I took my phone out of my pocket.

“I understand. Since you’re new I can help you around the school. Show you your classes’ excreta.” Ashley said and smiled.

“Thanks! I would really appreciate that.” I smiled widely then looked out of the window into the distance, seeing all the tall sycamore trees as we drove past a couple of houses nearing the school.

I could see a large brick building in the distance and assumed that it was most probably the school.

As I predicted Ashley said, “ Oh look! We’re here!”

I looked out the window and my jaw dropped open as I saw how many cars and people there actually were.

“Come on!” Ashley said and gestured for me to get out the bus.

I closed my mouth, got up, took my bag with me and walked out of the bus.

As my feet hit the tar I started to feel nervous, I looked around and a few pairs of eyes were on me.

Ashley could feel my awkwardness and hooked her arm with mine, “Just chill okay? Stick with me and you'll be fine.”

I took in the scene. I have never been to a school this, well huge. It was like some academy for the pristine arts.

There was a long beige tiled walkway leading to the front entrance of the school.

The school had a light grey exterior and many windows. You could see a few staircases and the classrooms.

Let me just say that it does not look like your average school. It looked more like a fancy ultra-modern mansion to me.

It was amazing.

To the right and left of it was parking for the teachers and students. The grass was luscious and green; I’m not surprised considering it’s the best part of summer here.

After gaping at the school Ashley had to snap me out of it, “Hello? Katrina?”

She waved her hand in front of my face.

“Sorry.” I said as we made our way towards the school. My heart stopped as a red Ferrari Italia Sport zoomed past us.

“Gee! Hello? Could you not see us?” Ashley shouted as the car drove past and sighed out of frustration.

“These guys, just thinking they can drive however they want and almost kill us!” she exclaimed directing her words to the driver who got out of his car.

She rolled her eyes and hooked her arm back into mine as we walked towards the front entrance.

I looked around the squad looking at all the people that I would now call my peers. You could already see most of the learners in their cliques. The fit boys and popular students were in their large group as if they were vultures scavenging on an animal and the rest of the pupils just minding their own business, chatting with their friends.

As we walked past the group of the “popular” kids there were a few scowls and name calling directed to us.

“Is that the new girl? Damn, she’s ugly. What a freak!” they all whispered amongst themselves.

“Hey! You guys! Shut up!” Ashley defended me.

“Shut up!” one of the boys in the group mimicked Ashley rudely.

“Kyle, go to hell.” Ashley said, rolled her eyes and ushered me into the school’s front door.

“You'll have to excuse Kyle, he’s just a jerk. So…”

Ashley put her hands together and rubbed them, “This is the front office or the reception if you will. Here you just inform the receptionist that you’re new and she will give you your timetable and tell you which class you can pick. For today you can just tag along with me because that’s what we do with every new kid that comes to the school.”

I nodded, “Okay thanks. I really appreciate your help.”

“Hey, no problem!” she smiled widely and we walked to where the receptionist was sitting.

“Morning mam, we have a new student here, Katrina…” Ashley trailed off not knowing my surname yet.

“Brambly.” I said with a polite smile.

“Well! Welcome to the school Katrina! I’m sure you will enjoy it.” The receptionist said enthusiastically. I thanked her even though I was a bit unsure of myself.

“Brambly, Brambly.” She repeated while scrolling through her computer for my name to check if I’m on the “newcomers list”.

“Ah, here we go. One second let me just get your timetable.

I'm sure Ashley can show you around and show you your classes.” she said as she turned around and opened the storeroom which was behind her.

From what I could quickly see it contained cabinets which probably had each students file in it.

She came out the store room with a few papers in her hands. As she came closer to us I read her nametag: Miss Greene.

“Okay, here is your timetable, on this page.” She held up the second page which she held in her hand, “Is where you can tick off which subjects you would like to take this year.”

She handed the papers over me and I took them with a smile, “Enjoy your day.”

“You too, I hope you find this school a pleasure to stay at.”

With that the two of us walked down the hallway, through a set of glass double doors into a room that contained a set of stairs and two double glass doors.

It’s all so fancy.

“It should say on your timetable what number your locker is. Can I have a look?” Ashley asked and held her hand out for the papers I received.

“Sure.” I said and handed over my timetable.

She scanned the papers briefly then handed them back to me, “Okay, locker number twenty-eight in block A. Let’s head there right now!”

“If you're wondering what’s up there.” She pointed her fingers to the stairs, “It’s where the principal’s office is and the “VIP” teachers and secretaries’ offices are.”

I nodded. “What about those doors?” I asked pointed towards the set of double doors that were on either side of the stairs.

“Oh, they lead to the hall, come let me show you.” She walked us over to the door, opened it and we walked inside.

My eyes went huge. It was way bigger than any other hall I've been in. It even had a stage!

“This is where the parties happen, such as Valentines Ball or just normal socials we have here. We also have assemblies here.”

I nodded and looked around.

She could see that I was pretty much flabbergasted, “Yip, we’re pretty fortunate to come here hey?”

I nodded. I looked around again seeing there were three sets of doors on each side of the hall.

We both decided to walk out using one of the sets on the right.

“Here is where we usually chill. As you can see there are a few tables.”

There was a fountain and a few concrete tables and benches were scattered around the area. It all looked quiet neat. We walked back through the hall, back into the foyer and there were another set of doors straight ahead from when we walked out of the reception. We went through them and I saw that there were sets of grey lockers on each side of the room, all organized very neatly.

“This is block A. Now we just have to find your locker.”

We walked for a little while until we came across locker number twenty-eight.

A bell ringed.

“It’s time for first period! Come on its English!”

We happened to both have English together every day so I was relieved that I didn't have to scurry off and try to find my own way around this ginormous school.

We walked and made a few turns until we came across a classroom.

A18 Miss Kingsley

I took a deep breath in and stepped into the class. My eyes went wide again when I saw that everyone was already in class. Every single pair of eyes was on me. I turned bright red, feeling very uncomfortable.

Ashley and I decided to take seats in the back row.

As soon as some other late comers arrived Mrs Kingsley walked confidently into the class and stood in front of the board, “Welcome class! To a new year! This year will open up a window of many prestigious opportunities for all of you. Study hard, listen in class and this year will just fly by.”

People were still staring at me and I decided to get up from my desk and walked over to her awkwardly, “Morning mam.”

“You’re new here aren't you? Well, we must introduce you to the class at least!” she said.

“This is…” she started.

“Katrina.” I finished for her.

“Katrina. What a lovely name. She is new to this school so please make her feel welcome here.” She gave a nod, put her hand on my shoulder then went back to her desk.

I smiled and made my way back to my seat quickly, my face burning with heat as I sat down.

Mrs Kingsley walked into her store room and came out with sets of textbooks, “These will be your textbooks for the year. Please cover them neatly and bring them to school every day.”

She came around to every desk and put a textbook on each table.

“Thank you.” I said as she came around to my desk and set the textbook on the corner of it.

After everyone had gotten a textbook and a normal workbook, mam explained what we will be doing for this term.

The bell rang signalling the period has ended. I packed up my things after the teacher dismissed our class and then Ashley and I made our way out of the classroom.

I took my timetable out of my backpack and checked which subject I had next, Math with Mr Manson in class A8.

Ashley looked over my shoulder, “Maths I see. Hmm, I have Science. Need I to show you to the class?”

“Yes please, I’m sure I’m going to get lost in here.” I said and laughed at myself.

“Don’t worry; just give yourself time to settle in. It’s not that bad.” She said and smiled.

We made our way to A8 trying not to get trampled by other students as they made their way to their classes.

I couldn't help but look at the perfectly finished walls and the stylish black staircases.

“Here it is.” Ashley said as we stopped in front of the class. “I might not see you in the next period so we can just meet up at lunch okay?” she said and smiled.

“No problem. I'm sure I'll find my way around. Thanks by the way, for helping me and all.”

“It’s a pleasure! See you at lunch!” she said whilst looking over her shoulder towards me as she was walking to her class.

“Bye!” I waved and smiled enthusiastically.

I walked into the classroom up to Mr Manson’s desk, “Morning sir, sorry I’m just new to the school so I was wondering where I could sit?”

“Welcome. Just find any open seat.” He said while writing something down.

“Thanks sir.” I said and scanned the class for open seats. I turned bright red again as the classes’ eyes were solely on me. I don't get it, what’s with the staring?

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