A New Start.

Chapter.2 The P.R.U

Chapter.2 The P.R.U

Michael's office was big, decorated in dull shades of grey with big windows that looked out on to the school yard with his desk centered to the side of the room. 

"Harriet, sorry to keep you waiting so long out there. That was Waterloo Road's newest family the Barry's. Are you alright now, you seemed out of character earlier?" Michael said sympathetically. 

"Yeah i'm fine now, i told you i just needed some air. And how many times do i have to tell you it's Harri!"

"Don't use that tone with me, at school i'm your head teacher; you'll treat me with respect do you understand me? But anyway back to the matter at hand; due to the lack of schooling and disruptive personal life recently we've had to put you in what's called the P.R.U." Michael said giving Harri a moment to let it sink in.

"Though it may not be ideal as we also have two of the Barry children in there. It is the only way you could even think of being able to pass your exams. You need to make this work okay?"

 "What's the P.R.U ? I'm not stupid if that's what your thinking. What's wrong with the Barrys they seemed orite? You're the one who said this was a new start so quit telling me to make stuff work!" Harri replied angrily.

"The P.R.U is to help students who otherwise would drop out and/or not be able to continue with their studies, it gives those students a chance to get the grades they need. Will you watch that tone! I've asked Mr Clarkson to walk you down to the P.R.U if you need anything then don't be afraid to just pop in i've told Sonya that you may come up to see me at some time today, so don't worry and good luck."

With that there was a knock on the office door, Sonya came in with Mr Clarkson ready to take her down to the P.R.U. When Tom, Mr Clarkson saw Harri he was shocked, this was not what he had expected her to look like. He gave her a quick tour around on their way down to give Harri a chance to collect herself. 

"It's Harriet... Knight right?" Tom questioned.

"It's Harri, but yeah.  So what's the deal with this P.R.U i mean what's it like?" She asked.

"Um well it's new, it's to help students who otherwise would drop out or aren't doing so well in the mainstream schooling, Mr Byrne explained why your there right?" Tom explained.

"Yeah he did but i don't see the point of it." Mumbled Harri.

As they arrived at the P.R.U it reminded Harri more of a prison than a classroom, due to the security door with the actual classroom door again having another lock. Mr Clarkson walked her in and introduced her to Nikki Boston. The room had fallen silent, all attention was aimed at her. But she wasn't the only new student there that day, the two Barry boys who she recognised from the office where there. 

"Harriet, i'm Miss Boston i'll be your teacher here at the P.R.U take a seat there next to Barry please i'll be over in a minute." She said pointing to a seat next to one of the Barry Children.

"It's Harri." Harri mumbled as she walked past Nikki to take her seat.

"Okay folks this is Harriet Knight as well as Barry and Kacey Barry." Miss Boston announced to the rest of the class, which all sniggered at Barry Barry's name.

"So, if he's Kacey Barry your Barry Barry?" Said one of the students next to Barry.

"Yeah, you think it's funny do ya?" Barry replied sounding annoyed.

"Barry Bary has your mum got a stutter or somthin' or just no imagination?" Another girl added as the class continued sniggering.

"I'm so good they named me twice." He replied smoothly.

"Stop the chatter!" Called Miss Boston.

"Not a fit bird in sight... Well maybe one exception." Barry said as he turned to look at Harri sitting next to him.

"Yeah 'cause you and your brother are well fit!" The girl now starting to get annoyed.

"That's my sister your being funny about, you got something to say about that... Chubbster?" Added Barry sounding more aggressive.

"I mean it settle down!" Miss Boston shouted, as she attempted to keep some peace.

Miss Boston came over to the table where Harri, Kacey and Barry where sat. She introduced who everyone was, The boy opposite her was Phoenix Taylor, the girl who had been arguing with Barry was called Rhiannon and the girl next to her was Jodi Allen or Scout as she liked to be called. She then continued to explain why they were there and gave them the work they needed to catch up on, Harri was surprised at how much she was starting to like the P.R.U, everyone seemed friendly enough but one stood out to her; Barry Barry. She was  intrigued  and just couldn't get enough of him. Miss Boston has just left the room to fetch some things she needed for them when...

"Harriet Knight yeah? Didn't your boyfriend murder your dad after your mum overdosed or something?" Rhiannon shouted from across the room and everyone fell silent. 

Everyone was starring at her now, she could feel their eyes watching every breath she took. She was starting to panic, she couldn't make her words work but she knew she had to answer because this wasn't going to be dropped easily. 

"So what if he did, what's it to you chubbster?" Barry replied for her, but he wasn't looking at Rhiannon as he said it. He was watching Harri the way her chest moved when she took a breath, how she pulled at bracelets and tried not to catch his eye.

"I wasn't talking to you Barry, he was like the head of some criminal gang in Liverpool wasn't he, i saw it in the paper last week. I thought i remembered your name fromm somewhere." Rhiannon announced to the room.

"My family's none of your business you stupid  bitch!" Harri snapped at her. 

The room went silent again, Barry told Rhiannon to wind her neck in and everything went back to how it was before. But now he wanted to know more about this girl, little did he know that she felt the same. Both had so many things they wanted to ask but neither daring to. Even Barry felt he shouldn't ask the hundreds of questions he had building up inside.