walking chaos

002

The next morning was chaos. Turns out my father's threat to send me away wasn't empty at all.

At six in the morning, I was awoken to him slamming my bedroom door open. He was scowling as usual and all he said was "Pack your stuff." Before he left.

I did as I was told, too tired to put up another fight. I feel as though I spend my whole life fighting.

Since I was still half asleep, I was just throwing things that looked important into my bags. I had no idea where I was going or how long it would be for so I just grabbed a mix of everything. By the end of it, I had a suitcase filled with clothes, a duffel bag filled with art supplies and books I had yet to read. I also made sure to tuck my trusty pocket knife in the pocket of my duffel, just in case.

I changed from my pyjamas into a pair of baggy black jeans, a white bralette, black boots and my jacket. I added a couple of necklaces and scraped my hair into two little buns on the sides of my head. I added eyeliner and made sure I looked somewhat decent.

As I left my room, I sighed at it's bare walls. "I wish I could punch you one last time, but my knuckles hurt." I breathed out then continued walking.

I dumped everything at the bottom of the stairs and went in search of Ophelia.

I found her sitting in the living room with a frown on her face. The TV was off and she was just staring at the wall, a piece of my heart crumbled.

"O?" I called out to her, her face lit up as she ran at me.

"I don't want you to go, it's not fair." She mumbled into stomach.

"I know, princess. I know." My hands ran through her beautiful red hair. "But hey, I guess this means you can raid my chocolate stash now. There's no way I can take all that with me." I chuckled.

She lifted her face to look me in the eyes, a wide grin growing when she realised I wasn't lying. "I know its gonna be tough, but I'm only a phone call away. And if you ever miss me, you're welcome to chill in my room. There's a few hoodies on the bed that you can take. You always liked 'em."

We hugged for a little longer until dad interrupted "Time to go. I ordered a cab and my friend knows you're coming- he runs the school."

"Where am I even going?"

"Uh, Hawkling High." He averted his gaze and looked away, almost guiltily. He never looks guilty for anything so this is saying something, I'd have to look the school up on the way. "The car's here."

After he left the room to talk to the driver, I returned my focus to Ophelia.

"I love you so much, O. I'll check in with you as often as I can but if you don't hear from me for a few days, don't worry, okay? I don't know the rules of this place and I'll need to get settled. Call me whenever, I'll always be here for you."

"I can't believe this is real. I love you, Des." A tear streamed down her face.

"Me neither... But," I wiped her tears, "just promise me you'll be good and everything should be okay."

"I promise." Her pinky finger extended to mine and we swore a sacred promise.

"I have to leave now. Go raid the chocolate stash, I know you're dying to." She giggled and stared running away, "Not too much though!"

"Goodbye Des, love you." And then she was gone, probably munching away happily already.

The car took off as soon I got in and I didn't say anything to my father other than "You better take care of Ophelia."

Now, sitting alone in the back of an unfamiliar car, travelling to an unfamiliar school, I could feel a slight tingle of anxiety. To distract myself from the feeling, I decided to research my new school.

'Hawkling High for troubled teens.'

Ouch. A delinquent school. My father must really think low of me.

I stopped reading about the school after I read through the rules which I would definitely be ignoring, if they're sending me to a delinquent school then I may as well act the part, have a little fun.

The ride seemed quick, I'd read through the whole of 'Looking for Alaska.' My all-time comfort book and I felt calm. A little out of place and a little lost but calm nonetheless as we pulled up to the school gates.

I have to admit, it didn't look awful.

Gloomy? Yes.

Miserable? Also yes.

But I'd always managed to find beauty in the sad before, today would be no different.

The vines curling up the brick walls added character and made the building look slightly less intimidating. The trees circling the perimeter blocked sight of the gate which caged the school, making it appear less threatening. And the fountain in the centre of the closest field looked almost pretty.

I say almost because the water was a little murky. Maybe it was just the light...