The Replacements

Chapter 1: School Field Trip

~Nicoli's POV

Today was going to be a great day! The sun was shining and the birds were chirping as I walked into the school gates and into the tennis courts. Yes, a day without doing any strenuous exam preparation or the stress that came along with it. Finally a day of freedom for the year 11s! School field trips were really rare for our year, you know.

"Well, I see you've made it...remember last time?" It was Robert, one of my best friends who always had a something to say, well he did.

"Seriously, stop reminding me," I said a little annoyed that he always reminded me of the time I had been late, but then a flash of red hair crashed into me from behind.

"Sheriden!" I laughed as I turned to hugged her.

"Nicoli! Have you read my story yet?" A figure with dark curls in a pony-tail and clear blue eyes called out. Alice, one of my mejor amigas (bffs).

"Of course! And Al...it's bloody amazing! Future best-seller Susan, watch out world!" I exclaimed with my arms spread out. "Wait, where's the other guys?"

"Ah...Connor and Ben went to the toilets. Christine and Jake are upstairs in the Sixth Form area. Edward still hasn't arrived yet...the others, I don't know," replied Rob.

"Oh, alright. So what time are the coaches suppose to go?" I asked looking at the 4 coaches parked in the school lot.

"In fifteen minutes. And we get to sit all together on the same coach by the way. Isn't that great?" Sheriden said and we all agreed happily. They usually assigned us in travelling groups but we didn't always end up with our friends or anyone we knew so today...we were lucky.

We decided to go into one of the coaches early as we waited for the rest of our friends to arrive. I decided to play some music on my phone, listening to it with one ear-bud as I talked to Alice who sat behind me. Soon the coach started to fill up as teachers started hounding the students to hurry up and find their seats. It was then that Ben, Connor, Christine, Catherine and Jake announced their arrival. After that, Monique, Jade, Edward and Jadie came up the coach's steps and we all had our usual introductions of 'hi', 'hello' and 'how are you?'. We all sat in rows and columns next to each other at the front of the coach because the "chavs" were at the back, but we weren't near the teachers. First, it was Catherine and Jake, to their right was Ben and Connor. Second, was Christine and Robert, I sat to their right on my own by the window. Next was Monique and Jade with Alice and Edward to their right, and that left the cousins Jadie and Sheriden sitting with each other. Then, the teachers did the register and we set off after they told us the rules and some other important stuff like putting on your seat-belt. Reclining in my seat, I decided to relax and take a nap since it was an hour and a half drive so I turned up the music, placing both ear-buds in my ears as Muse played...neutron star...collision.

"Nicoli!" Someone shouted in front of me. I slowly opened my eyes, taking out my ear-phones. So much for a little rest. Oh well.

"Yes?" I said, looking up.

"Ah, sorry for disturbing you...I told you she was sleeping Ben." It was Connor with his shiny glasses and slightly shaggy, blonde hair and next to him was Ben who looked like the child of Ron Weasley and Ed Sheeran (LOL!) - my ginger friend! They were both peering at me from their seats in front.

"Well, she's awake now. Alright...so Connor here told me that Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy are actually related...but I'm like...NO WAY! That dude is a ferret," Ben stated. I immediately started laughing. Anything related to HP always had the power to boost my happiness levels up.

"Ha, she's laughing now...that means I'm right Connor," bragged Ben.

"Actually...no, Connor is right," I said while trying not to laugh.

"WHAT! HOW? WHY!" Ben demanded while Connor started to smirk in triumph.

"Well, Ron's dad - Arthur Weasley; his mother was originally from the Black family and who's in that family? Narcissa Black...well Malfoy after marrying Lucius - making her Draco's mother. A lot of wizarding families in Harry Potter are closely related through blood or marriage," I explained.

"Oh..." said Ben, left speechless as he turned and sat back down into his seat, followed by Connor who was chuckling to his-self. Well, that was fun.

BEEP-BEEP. The coach swerved to the right on the motor-way, barely missing a speeding van. What the hell? Who would do that, especially with school children in here...but then other cars from behind us started to beep their horns as they tried to get pass us. What?

"Look!" Someone yelled at the back of the coach, pointing behind us.

What I saw...was the end. A large, blue tank was hurdling towards us at high speed. It was then that everyone started to panic - even the driver. The teachers tried to gain some control and order but it was drowned out by the screaming and crying of people; the driver revved the engine, flinging us into our seats. I was shaking as I held on to dear life but...CRASH! A truck that was on our left had breaked and spun as its heavy mass smashed into us, causing our coach to flip around until it was on its back on the side of the road. It wasn't only us that were affected...I could hear other cars screeching their tires against the asphalt road and colliding with each other. Then there was a sudden...BOOM!

After that explosion, a smell of smoke started to stain the air, making me cough. Smoke? That means there's a...FIRE! I had to get out of here. I wasn't the only one with the idea as I could hear other people moving to escape. I fumbled around, looking for the lock on my seat-belt as I sat upside down. I pressed on the 'release' button...nothing happened. I tried again with more force. Nothing. I tried tugging at the strap and wiggling out of the belt, but it was no use. I was even more stuck than before as the belt tightened around my waist.

"Dammit!" I snapped as a line of fire began to climb up on the side of the coach and as the temperature surrounding me rose.

"Somebody, help me! Please!" I yelled. This was life or death. God help me. "Please...help me! Anyone!"

I spluttered as more and more smoke started to spread with the fire growing stronger. I couldn't breathe. My lungs felt like they were burning as they heaved in my chest. Tears started to spring from my eyes. Oxygen. I need oxygen.

"Help me! Help!" I wailed desperately as I began to feel like I was slowly losing myself. I started to bang on the window next to me and kick the chair in front of me, trying to garner attention but there was no response from anyone. Had they all left me? A wave of exhaustion hit me...should I just give up? My vision was blurring, I was beyond my limits and my senses, they were disappearing. I guess it's my time. Good-bye world and to my family, please take care...I'll be watching over you...I love you. I closed my eyes, finally succumbing to what path fate would lead me...losing all consciousness. *BLACK OUT*

~~~~~

So...what did you think of it? This is the first complete chapter of The Replacements! Please comment and vote! And thank you for all of your support! :D

*Also if you're confused about the HP conversation...Well, in short - Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy are related because they are descendents of the Black family.

Until next time...

-Author Nix