Losing Hope

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The world's most annoying sound drags me from my rare slumber and I bury my face under my pillow, tugging my thick duvet over my head. The noise continues and I realise that I have no hope falling back to sleep.

With a groan of annoyance, I throw my covers back and slap my alarm quiet. The room falls silent and I sigh deeply, dreading the fact that I have to get out of bed. A noisy yawn escapes past my lips and I don't bother trying to stifle it, instead, I arch my back and stretch.

I glare at my alarm clock before rolling to the edge of my bed... And onto the floorboards with a heavy thump. I hear the sound of someone hurrying up the hallway and I look up just in time to see my father swing open my bedroom door, his face tense.

I look up at him through my long, dark hair and smile childishly. His icy blue eyes meet my own as he looks down at me, a small smile pulling up at the corners of his lips.

"Morning Daddy..." I mumble sheepishly.

He wanders into the room and offers me a hand. I accept it and let him pull me to my feet. He glances down at my wrist and relief washes over his features.

I smile and wrap my arms around his middle. He hugs me back and rests his head on top of my own.

"I'll take it Jennie has left for work?" I ask, pulling away and taking note of how relaxed dad is now. He nods and a mischievous smile tugs at his lips.

My smile broadens and I kiss his on the cheek. He ruffles my already messy hair before leaving me to change for school.

Ugh...

Reluctantly, I wander across my bedroom to my wardrobe, pealing my pyjamas off as I go. I open my wardrobe and pull a white school shirt off its hanger and tug it over my head and sliding my arms through the sleeves. I step into my navy skirt and zip up the side.

I stand in front of the full-length mirror stuck to the inside of my wardrobe door and examine my appearance.

Hmmm... Okay... Except for.. Pretty much everything.

I frown at my reflection before kneeling down and digging through the basket I keep beside my wardrobe. I pull out my brush and yank it through my matted hair. I screw my face up as I work, wishing I could shave my head.

Eventually, my hair is half-tamed and I tie it up in a high ponytail. I chuck my brush back into the basket before climbing gingerly to my feet, shaking my legs one at a time as a sensation of pins and needles floods through them.

"Get a move on!" My dad calls from the kitchen, or maybe the lounge room...

I rush out of my room and hurry into the kitchen, attempting to skid to a stop on the floorboards, but instead, I stumble and am about to full-on face plant, but I grip the breakfast bar tightly to hold myself up.

My dad chuckles and I smile at him. He makes to ruffle my hair, but I duck beneath his hand and hiss at him.

"No no no no no. Not happening! Not again," I protest, backing out of his reach.

He laughs full-out now and shakes his head. "Finish getting ready, you goober," he teases, a huge smile on his face.

And, with that, I head back to my room to fully prepare myself for school.

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The moment I walk up the stairs and into the canteen area, I'm already wishing I'd stayed in bed. I hoist my bag higher onto my shoulder and reluctantly cross from the stairs, through the crowd of people at the canteen, and over to where a decently sized group of year ten students hang around, chatting and laughing.

I adjust the volume of my music and pull out an earphone when I'm within range of my group of friends are. The first to notice me is John and he smiles broadly at the sight of me. I smile in return and we hug each other in greeting.

"Good morning little sis," he chirps, petting my head. I hiss and duck away from him, disliking how everyone finds it amusing that I hate my head being touched.

"It was a good morning, until I saw you," I snark teasingly, smiling sweetly at him.

He fakes offence and presses his hand to his heart. "Ouch, Hope. That was harsh," he responds before hugging me again, laughing a little.

I pull away and greet the rest of our group: John's girlfriend Ellie, my childhood best friend Lucy-Rose, and my other two closest friends Percy and Clara, along with a few acquaintances. Once everyone's been greeted, I dump my bag at my feet and lean against the brick wall and chat with everyone while waiting for the bell to ring.

When the bell finally does ring, I fling my bag onto my shoulder, bid majority of my friends farewell, and walk with Ellie and Clara to role call.

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A/N: hi guys! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story.

Also, I apologise if this all gets confusing, as this is my first time doing what I'm gonna try and do with this story.

I also understand that this first chapter is probably not what you were expecting after seeing the cover and reading the description but it will all make sense in time.

Anyway, I'll try to have a new chapter up every Thursday, and if I fail to post, you can punch me in the throat.

Okay, that's all from me, for now.

Stay amazing
~ Leesha