Hell & Bravery

Chapter One

The scent of freshly cut grass invaded my nose like never-ending thoughts of failure and discipline. I stared out at the green, open pastures that surrounded the entrance of St Oscar's College, and began my journey to the bustling school doors.

Adjusting my backpack over my shoulders, I dragged my dusty suitcase to the drop-off zone, praying that it didn't collapse and reveal it's contents to the rest of the students arriving for their first day. Parents were smiling at their silver-spoon, crinkle-free children, waving as they sent them off to a boarding school in the middle of absolutely nowhere.

They are smiling because it is the perfect place to offload unwanted baggage, I chuckled to myself.

The pretentious banner blatantly spread across the front doors promised positive faith, student success, and revolutionary resources. Under the banner spawned a group of student advisors, more than likely seniors seeking to add more achievements to their resumes upon graduation.

That'll be the day.

I finally made it to the doors, but spotting one of the only reasons I ever come back to this school every year. "Nia!"

The brilliant blonde swivelled her head and quickly dropped her suitcase. Cutting me off halfway, she met me with a crushing embrace.

"Hey Soph," she exclaimed. "Good to see you back for another year."

"Yeah well, someone has to keep this place on its toes."

We walked back to her suitcase, talking about our adventures over the summer holidays. She had just come back from her parent's beach house, which justified her dark skin, and the tinge of red that lined her cheeks. Picking up her bag, she made sure nothing had disappeared and joined my side as we approached a rather stern-looking teacher.

"So what did you get up to? I didn't hear from you at all," Nia grumbled. "Which is not okay, by the way."

"You'll be sure to forgive me when I tell you, I was at my-"

I was cut off by the shrill of a megaphone. A shrill that caused the majority of students to wince in pain, clamping their hands over their ears, hoping to lessen the effects their imminent deafness was going to cause.

"Attention students! Can I please have all students to the front of the college doors!"

Navigating our way to the front, Nia and I stood to the side, waiting to see what the teacher had in store for us. To my surprise, the teacher wielding the megaphone was none other than Mrs Stern Teacher herself. She stood with elegance and fragile confidence.

She's new, I thought deviously. This year might not be so bad after all.

Nia sent me a glare that said everything I needed to know. Guess the new teacher was off bounds. For now, at least. The teacher introduced herself as Mrs Hutchkins and explained that she was here to replace the old housekeeper for the girl's dormitories.

"Don't even think about it," Nia reprimanded, stopping my thoughts in their tracks.

"Come on," I sighed. "She's perfect."

"No. Now tell me, where were you over the summer?"

"I was with my-" I began.

"With those announcements out of the way, I will be assigning student advisors to age groups. Boys, if you follow Mr Nicholson, he will be assigning your advisors," as she spoke, the sprinkling of boys that had actually walked over shifted out, and followed an average looking man with square-framed glasses to the other side of the entrance.

The sun was beginning to cause discomfort among students, as Mrs Hutchkins called out grade by grade, which unfortunate senior advisor would need to tell us which dorm room we were in, and who we had the pleasure of sharing it with. Finally, she called out my grade.

"Grade 11," she stiffly said. "Please follow Hannah to your side of the dormitories."

Each grade gets a separate building, spread out all over campus. The seniors in twelfth grade had their building situated close to the school's office. They have a reason for that, believe me. Last year, the grade 10's were stuck sharing rooms with the grade 7's in the centre of campus, all because someone had set Dorm 10 on fire.

Something about a chemistry assignment gone wrong.

This year, the eleventh grade was in Dorm 11, which was located at the back of the school, closest to the football fields. This was the year to really live it up. The hall monitors were the worst, so it was beyond easy to sneak out. Not that it ever stopped anyone before. But before we get carried away, I should mention that there are two sides to the building: male, and female.

Hannah swiftly stopped outside the entrance to Dorm 11 and began the usual lectures on hall passes, curfews, and of course, safety. Looking evidently uncomfortable, Hannah shuffled from one leg to the other, as she began the next topic: Sex.

"Okay, so, basically, don't do it," she coughed out. I raised my hand.

"Yes?"

"What happens if I really like this boy and hormones just spiral and I find myself having sex?" I asked her.

As I expected, her face went pale, and then bright pink. Nia laughter was muffled by the scandalous looks I was getting from a few of the other girls in my cohort. Clearing her throat to gain our attention, Hannah dismissed my question and began assigning rooms. Nia nudged me, earning a grunt of disapproval.

"What?" I asked.

"That was mean," she replied.

"Yet, you laughed."

She shrugged her shoulders as if to say touche. I smirked, pleased that I had already made a great first impression. Hannah's voice cut through my thoughts as she called out the final dorm room.

"Room 21, we have Sophia Dearay, Shania Jackson, and Britney Smith," Hannah sent me a glare that held anything other than sympathy.

"You have got to be kidding me," Nia complained.

"This year is turning into a nightmare," I added.

"Ladies," Britney started, rolling her suitcase to our sides. "I'm looking forward to our year together."

"Please karma, can't we do this later?" I whispered, and Nia snorted with approval.