I trudge my way downstairs, hair straightened and makeup applied ready for another day in the boring old land of the Thompson's.
As I open the kitchen door, I'm greeted by an all too cheery face for 7am on a Tuesday morning.
"Good morning." My dad sings as he manoeuvres his way around me with the two usual cups of tea; one for my sister and one for my mum.
I mumble a quiet 'morning' before pouring myself some cereal and milk, making sure to drown it all in sugar.
I sit at the breakfast bar and munch my way through, gazing out of the window at the cloudy grey sky cloaking England once again. But hey, at least its not raining.
After my quick breakfast I slip on my favourite black acid wash jeans and a grey T-shirt with my tatty old white converse. Once I'm happy with my appearance, I again make my way down the stairs and call up to my family.
"Right I'll see you later." I shout as I shrug on my leather jacket and pick up my bag. I look up to see my mum standing at the top of the stairs, putting in her earrings.
"Bye darling, have a nice day. I'm on a late so I won't be here when you get back and Emily will be around Sam's but Dad will be back around 6:30 okay?" She asked.
"Okay yeah that's fine. I might go round Sarah's anyway." I wait for her 'okay' and then smile and wave before leaving.
Mum has been working extra shifts at the hospital for a while now. Dad has been staying late at work. As much as they try to hide it, I kow my parents are having some financial problems. But, I never give any hint I am aware of this as I don't want to make them feel even more pressured than they already are.
So brushing off the fear and dread for our financial future, I get in my car and drive to sixth form.
Once parked in my usual spot in the corner of the car park, I begin the trek to my first lesson.
My English Literature teacher, Mrs. Hughes, drones on and on about Macbeth for what seemed like hours until the bell finally rings and I can sprint my way out of the door and bump straight into some asshole stood right in my way. I am about to throw some insults until I realise the asshole is actually my best - well, only - friend here.
"The day you start looking at people and not at the floor is the day you are going to see the world from a whole new perspective Charlie, I'm telling you. It's bound to happen. Maybe you should try it one day." Sarah smirks at me while she picks up the last of my books.
"Maybe there's no one worth looking at." I state, and give her a plain look as we stand.
"You are unbelievable." She shakes her head at me but smiles anyway.
"How was English lit?" She askw as we begin to walk down the corridor.
"Well, I thought up a few more ways to escape Mrs. Hughes' monotonal voice. Suicide came out on top. How was psych?"
"Yeesh, that bad? And yeah great actually. I got paired with Tom for a project!" She suddenly squeals and jumps around, not caring for the weird looks she acquires while doing so.
Tom Denford is a transfer student from a different school taking PE and psychology, totally unaware that Sarah is head over heels in love with him. At least she thinks she is. Although, her commitment only goes far as his six pack and rippling pectorals.
"Wow that's great. Maybe you'll actually get into his pants this time!" I encourage sarcastically, patting her on her shoulder.
"Shut the fuck up. At least I've actually spoken to a guy before, little miss Virgin Mary." She retorts, scoffing in the most unattractive way.
Just then a small figure comes round the corner, colliding with us before stumbling backwards.
"Mrs. Apfill? Are you okay?" I ask the receptionist, who I had never actually seen leave her desk before.
"Charlotte, I was just coming to find you." She sighs in relief and tries to catch her breath, as if she had ran a marathon not a few metres.
"Miss Abbleton would like you to go to her office. Immediately." She hurries out before breaking into another fit of ragged breathing and coughing which is actually quite concerning.
"Okay thank you Miss." I say, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion as to why the head of sixth form would want to see me. In 13 years of education I have never once been called down to the headteachers office. I turn to Sarah.
"I'm gonna stay and make sure Mrs. Apfill is okay. Just let me know what its all about as soon as you can." Sarah says, looking equally as confused but also concerned about the quiet coughs coming from the stocky lady in front of me.
"Okay. Love you." I say as I walk away, turning back to look at her.
"Love you too, Char. Good luck with the evil queen." She smiles sympathetically and I begin making my way to Miss. Abbleton's office.
I knock on the large door and the sound resonates through the walls. After waiting for a few moments, I hesitantly push the door and poke my head around to see a completely different scene that I had imagined. Not only are my parents sat in two of the seats on one side of the old wooden desk, Miss. Abbletons face is plastered with a strange look that almost resembles a failed attempt of a smile. And it is being aimed straight at my Dad. Oh boy, this could not be good.
