The Misfit

Chapter 4

Jane was reading on her phone waiting to be called into the deputy principle's office for her schedule and introduction to the school. She was so absorbed with the story that it took secretary at the front desk to call her name 3 times.

She jumped up grabbing her bag and walked down the hallway to Mr King's door. As she was about to enter she stopped to turn her phone off and collided with another student exiting the office.

"Sorry!" they both said in unison.

The other student had a hand on each of Jane's shoulders, to steady her. She looked up to see familiar grey eyes lined with those thick dark lashes that made most girls envious.

"Hey, Jane," Alex said with genuine enthusiasm.

"Hey, Alex, I didn't realise you went here," She said smiling back. She felt hope finally. Perhaps this wasn't going to be the worst year of her life. It could in fact turn out to be the best.

"First day, looks like we can pop our Wilston State School Cherry together" He waved his pink piece of paper in his hand.

"Alright guys, glad you know a familiar face but I have a lot to do this morning so you need to hop out of my doorway. Come on in Jane," Mr King commanded in a deep voice that makes you cringe like a dog in trouble.

Jane sat in the deputy principle's office. She  was asked to choose her electives for this year. There was a huge selection so she chose one for herself which was IT. She wasn't the best at it but found it interesting and knew it would be useful.

The second subject she chose was purely for her mum or at least to use against her mum. There is no way she would normally chose this subject but she hoped it could come in handy to either win her favours or to get her off her back when she nagged about her lack of femininity, or lack of anything that would make her a perfect wife. Such an outdated notion but one her mum held so close it might as well have been a chip on her own shoulder.

Rose could be blamed for that. She was social, loved to cook and entertain, looked the part with her perfectly feminine features and always dressed for the occasion. Jane never missed the pointed looks from her mother following a compliment to Jane's success at growing into the woman that Jane never would. Sometimes she wondered if she had of been born a son her life may have been a bit easier.

Mr King, the deputy who was greying and had only smiling wrinkles had checked it over and emailed someone.

"Ok, Jane, I have just enrolled you into IT an Home Economics.  Quite interesting contrast there," he observed.   "At our school new students in year 10 generally mean that they have been transferred thanks to expulsion at another school," he sighed, "but looking over your academic transcripts I am very pleased to have you here," smiling enthusiastically.

"You are not on any of the roll calls yet so I will give you this pink slip to show each of your teachers today and tomorrow . As this is your first week I will expect you to return to me next Monday to check in how you are doing," He said standing up from his desk.

"Thanks, sir," Jane responded standing also.

"Do you have any questions?" Mr King asked.

"No thanks sir," she responded with anxiety starting to grow in her stomach. This was it. She has to make new friends now or be a loner forever. At least she knew Alex and he seemed cool. He seemed genuinely happy to see her here.

"Jane, one last thing before you leave. I notice your previous school history and I know Alex's past with schools. How do you two know each other?"