Lost in the Middle

First Day Introduction

It was a new year and a new school for Jack who had just moved from Northern Ireland with his father after his parent's marriage broke down. Jack had to admit he was nervous about what this new school would hold for him, would he be popular, will he get on the sports teams, will his teachers be nice he was doubtful of the last question on his mind. A burning question in his teenage sex adelled mind was would there be any beautiful girls there or even a potential girlfriend.

Either way, he was about to find out, straightening his tie in the mirror he once again double checks his hair before hearing his father yelling up to him telling him to hurry as they would be late. Jack grabs his rucksack and heads down the stairs to meet his father and his younger brother Ryan.

Luckily for Ryan, he would be joining the school with all the new intake of year sevens. But Jack on the other hand was joining a year group where friendships were already made and clicks lurked around every corner. Conor his father hands over three-pound to both his sons and tells them both to spend it wisely at lunch, meaning definitely no chips. Conor was a kind-hearted man, with a dragon-like personality but he cared for his sons and put food on their table each day.

Aine - Jack's mum had been there for him since he was born but only six months ago a bombshell rocked the family when Conor found Jack's mother in bed with her work colleague, and that was the end of Conor and Aine's marriage.
Conor and his town boys head out to the car, Jack shotgun the front seat to the dismay of Ryan who complained to his father.

The whole journey to their new school was spent with Jack in silence and Ryan talking about how he is excited about school and to use his new stationery set, kindly sent over by his Aunt Belinda."Right lads... have a grand day at school, no fighting and behave. First impressions they count" Conor speaks his Irish accent thick and heavy.

Jack pulls himself from the car, his every growing height making life difficult for him. Slinging the rucksack over his shoulder he makes his way through the school gates keeping his head hung low, Ryan rushes after his big brother, his rucksack almost weighing him now and his blazer two sizes too big. "Wait up Jack!" Ryan calls chasing his brother before finally reaching his side. "Aren't you excited?" He beams.

Jack grunts and huffs as he walks through the front entrance to the main reception where Jack and Ryan had been told to meet the principal on the first day. Soon a woman in her late thirties approaches them, "You two must be our new students from Northern Ireland, Miss Mason your headteacher. This here is Mrs. Fisher head of Geography and our pastoral care coordinator, any issues you come straight to me or Mrs. Fisher."

Jack nods and glances at Ryan who is way too enthusiastic to be here currently, "right so Jack, you will be joining Miss Spark's form group, and Ryan you have Mr. Willets. You will meet in these rooms every day for registration, and your Da told me to keep an eye on you boys" Mrs. Fisher adds as she hands the boys their timetables and a school map each. Miss Mason looks at the woman stood beside her and raises an eyebrow, "oh I completely forgot to tell you, Rach, these are my nephews," she smiles.

The headteacher nods before smiling at the young boys and sending the pair on their way Jack and Ryan are left to figure out the school themselves, soon Ryan finds his classroom. Leaving Jack to roam the busy halls to find his classroom, feeling like giving in he stops a teacher and asks for directions, "Ahh yes it's just..." the teacher is cut off by yelling at a student walking towards them, "Nicola Alexander, spit the gum out now, pull your skirt to a reasonable height and for crying out loud don't be late to my lesson French later... sorry about that Yes just follow me it's back this way," the teacher speaks guiding Jack back the way he came before he finds a science lab.

To Jack's amazement, the girl who had gotten shouted at in the corridor was heading into the same science lab as him. "Hey" Jack smiles but she completely ignores him and sits down.
Looking around the room he noticed one space left next to the girl, he walks over and sits beside her.