SKAM britain - shame

EXTRA - Tuesday - 9:12 am

Stood in front of a rather bland, clinical looking building, Grayson sighed deeply.  He was nervous. He didn't know why. It was only for one year. One year and he wouldn't have to look at another book. One year and he would be off to the Liverpool Football Club Youth Academy. He knew that. He already had friends. He didn't need anymore. He had Rosie. He had none to impress. He just needed to keep his head down and get on with it to pass his exams. It was his final shot. So no messing around this time. A faint bell rang out, and Grayson decided that that was his cue to enter the building. 

Following signs towards the reception, Grayson navigated his way through the school halls. The stares, the lingering gazes, the whispers; he was used them by now. The pointy faced women behind the reception desk was already seeing to a different student when Grayson arrived. The boy in front of him had a buzzcut, and was quite tall. He was wearing the same colour tie, which - according to Grayson's mum - identified the student by year. 

"Honestly Danny, do you really want to be sent to Ms. Harper on the first day of school. You haven't even made it to assembly yet! Now take the trainers off, and put these on. They look like they'll fit." The old woman snapped, as she rummaged through a box of lost and found. She pulled out a pair of black battered, old dress shoes

"Miss, are you mad?! I can't go around wearing them!" Danny cried out in devastation. 

"Well unless you want Ms. Harper to give you detention on the first day then you will. Now go on.  Sit over there and put them on." 

Danny was pointed to a set of ugly green couches and he slumped over there, mumbling under his breath. 

"Now," she breathed out, sending Grayson a fake smile, who grimaced in response, "how can I help you dear."

"Hi, um, I'm new. Year 13. I don't really know where I'm supposed to be."

This peaked Danny's attention. None usually joined in Year 13. School's basically over by then. He peered over the Grayson at the repletion desk as he jammed his feet into the dress shoes hatefully. 

"Oh don't worry. Give me your name and I'll find out your form. Though I'm pretty sure you'll be going to assembly first."

"Grayson Taylor." 

"Okay, give me one second."

An awkward silence ensued, and Danny deliberately took his time lacing up the shoes. He wanted more info. 

"Right. You are in Mr. Fallon's form. And as it happens so is Danny. Are you finished yet Danny or do you need me to lace them up for you?"

"No Mrs. Wallis. Thank you very much for the offer though." He grinned, walking back over to the reception, his black nike trainers in hand. 

Mrs. Wallis rolled her eyes and tapped the reception desk. "Hand over the shoes. You can have them back on your way out."

Reluctantly, Danny dropped his trainers onto the desk, "They might look good on you miss. What size are you? 9? 10?"

She glared at the grinning boy, snatching his shoes before turning to Grayson, "Danny will take you to assembly, and then to form. There you will get your timetable and can pair up with someone who has similar classes to you don't worry." 

Grayson nodded, turning to Danny to give him a small smile. The bell rang, signalling to them that they needed to hurry to be on time. "Go on then boys, you're going to be late."

"Bye miss." Danny grinned as he turned away from the desk, looking at Grayson to follow. The blue-eyed boy nodded in thanks to Mrs. Wallis and followed Danny's lead to assembly. 

"I'm Danny, by the way." 

"Grayson. You seem popular. Bet all the teachers love you, if the Iron Lady over there is anything to go by anyways." Grayson smirked, gesturing his head back to the repletion desk. Danny barked out a laugh, catching the attention of other students. 

Danny gave Grayson a pat on the shoulder as they turned a corner and went down a flight of stairs, "You're jokes you, you know. I like it."

"Why are you starting a new school in year 13 though man. Bit weird."

"I, uh, I couldn't sit my exams last year, and I missed a lot of final year content. My old school wouldn't let me resit internally. Nowhere else would let me resit internally actually."

Danny threw Grayson suspicious and slightly confused look, but didn't push anymore. 

"Well don't worry bruv, it's not too bad here. As long as you support Chelsea." The shorter boy teased. They turned another corner, and were met with a large set of double doors at the other end of the corridor.

"Actually, I support Liverp-"

"Forgot to say, you have to enter assembly silently. Don't ask, why cause I couldn't tell you." Danny rushed out in whispers, as they reached the double doors. 

"Your form numbers are sign-posted on rows. Year 12 in the form, Year 13 in the back. Please sit in your assigned row." A balding, gruff voiced, older man ordered.

The hall was eerily silent as students sat on row of uncomfortable looking, blue plastic chairs. Once again Grayson felt as if all eyes were on him. He ignored the heavy gaze of fellow students and trailed after Danny towards a group of five boys sat towards the end of a row in the middle. Giving two of them a handshake, Danny sat down, swinging his bag down onto the floor. Grayson followed suit, sitting on the chair at the end of the row. He sent the five boys a small, awkward smile before turning to face the front. 

A minute of silence ensued but to Grayson it felt like forever. His mind was working in overdrive, his anxiety rising as he sat in silence. It was as if his brain began to physically pulse. The silence was overwhelming. He didn't think he could do this. Fuck. He should've listened to his gaffer. He should've just went full time with his football. Should've signed for an academy this summer. Fuck, why did he do this?

Grayson lent down to grab his bag and go. He was leaving, going to call his mum to pick him up. He could still sign for an academy now. Might not be Liverpool, but at this point it didn't matter. 

Just as he picked up his bag, the deafening silence was shattered by a loud laugh. A boy with blonde hair and brown eyes almost fell flat onto his face, only just catching himself as his bag almost flew over his head. The three boys following him were unable to control their laughter, holding onto each other for support as they watched their friend turn red. 

"Matthew Jones, why am I not surprised. The rest of you be quiet. Now. Sit down." The grumpy old man stood on the stage ordered. The group of friends immediately quietened down, but Graysons breath was stolen. 

It was the most beautiful smile Grayson had seen. A smile that reached his eyes. A real smile. That was something Grayson hadn't seen in a long time. Or at least it felt like that anyway. Fuck the guy was attractive. He was handsome. Really fucking handsome. And Grayson couldn't help but stare. 

"I think we'll give people one more minute before we start..." 

The drowning of the old man became background noise as Grayson watched the blonde take his seat with one of his friends, the other sitting in another row. 

Grayson dropped his bag. Maybe he could do this. He needs to give it chance. He needs to give him a chance at least.