Red Light

1

Phase 1
How it All Started

Thursday 6th September 2012
Picture: Kyrah

"Perfect!" My mum stands behind me in the mirror. I look at my green and brown uniform in disgust.

A Brown jumper with a green skirt and blazer. And a white shirt.

I had to move schools as my mum was worried about me. She thinks I was going through a hard time at my old school, Wallis High, because I started having panic attacks and anger fits last year. The school was shit at dealing with them as well. But anyways, I would have preferred to stay there with Zanisha, there's no guarantee that St Mildred's will handle it any better. Besides, I don't know anyone that goes here.

"Smile, you're gonna love it here! It's an all girls school and it's Church of England as well. It's filled with good Christian girls! It's perfect for you!"

Clearly she doesn't know much about girls schools lol.

I scoff. "Mum it's not too late to call Wallis, you need to tell them I'm coming back before someone else takes my place."

She gives me a tight smile "Not going to happen."

I roll my eyes and huff, folding my arms across my chest.

Ffs.

I guess this is day one.

When we get to the school, we have a short introductory meeting with the deputy head teacher, whose name I've already forgotten. I do remember that he's like 7ft and has hair like rapunzel though lol, which he keeps tied back in a massive bun. And I think he's Irish.

The deputy gives me a printed timetable and my planner, then shows me to my form.

"Here you go Miss Bell, this is Kyrah, our new student." He smiles brightly at my new form tutor, a small white lady.

She nods enthusiastically, forcing a smile.

"Welcome! Sit over there please." She points to a seat by the window.

I sigh then walk over to the seat.

I immediately lean back on the chair and put earphones in, with music on full volume. I close my eyes, sinking into my safe place.

Pow! Yea I'm Lethal da B
Pow! If u don't know about me
Pow! better ask someone quickly
Coz, pow!
Yea I'm pow!
Yea I'm pow!

Grime all the waaaaaay! Well, grime, garage and bashment. I can't wait till I'm 18 so I can go to uni raves. Well, slyly I can wait, I don't like people touching me. Zanisha dragged Justine and I to teenfest in year 8, that's as close as I've got to a proper rave.

The sound of loud banging causes me to abruptly open my eyes. Miss is now standing in front of me staring with a blank expression. I decide to close my eyes and keep listening to music, weirdo. Form starts officially at 8:25, she can bother me from then onwards. It's 8:20.

You're barking up the wrong tree
There's spotlights on me
Style of-

The music cuts out abruptly.

I sit up in my chair and see my phone now in this woman's hand as she marches off to her desk.

"Why you taking my phone?! Give it back!" I exclaim, getting up.

So annoying man. I already don't wanna be here and my earphones are the only thing keeping me sane. I follow her to the desk, standing in front of her.