Chances

Chapter 2 (Chances)

I slept through my alarm.

Big mistake number one.

When I finally woke up, there were ten minutes to spare to get to the airport. I tried to protest to my dad on the way down to the chauffer's car.

"But dad, I didn't pack! I had no idea I was taking a flight, I just assumed-"

"It's alright love, Brenda packed everything she bought for you" my dad said simply.

I had forgotten Brenda had gone shopping to get me stuff.

Big mistake number two.

"Don't worry, I've got the delivery man to bring all of your books and your bookcase with you, on a seperate flight." My dad smiled at me, hoping he'd done something right.

Who was I to crush his hopes? "Wow, thanks dad!" I cried and threw my arms around him, biting my lip in the process.

Big mistake number three.

Boy, was I making mistakes that I would regret today.

"It's alright," he said gruffly.

"Oh no, don't you start crying on me! You're the one sending me away!" I scolded.

"Well it wasn't really my idea..." he said sheepishly.

"....What." I said, in a dangerous voice.

"I..Well...Your mother wanted you to-"

"STOP," all emotion had drained from my voice.                                                                                   "Brenda is not my mother" I hissed, climbing into the taxi and slamming the door behind me.

I left my father there, standing in the rain. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brenda walk out of the house, and put her arm around my father's shoulders, guiding him back indoors. She threw a nasty smile at me behind his back. I gawped at her. That evil bitch. She just wanted my dad all to herself! I was right all along!

I sighed and leaned back into the seat. My shaggily cut brown hair barely reached my shoulders. I had a boyish frame, and practically no bust at all. I hadn't even started my period yet, and I was sixteen for Christ's sake! Mind you, hearing the stories that's more of a good thing...

The car ride passed quickly, and soon I had boarded the plane. I was going to Ireland apparently, somewhere in the south. It was going to be a hell of a lot different to London...

I plugged in my headphones and dropped off to sleep.

A few hours later, I'd arrived. As soon as I walked into the airport I spotted a guy with a sign saying 'ASHLEY KNIGHT, WESTBRIDGE ACADEMY'.  This couldn't be me, could it? The guy holding the sign was extremely old, and it looked like he was going to fall over any second. I hobbled over to him, trying to carry all of my bags at once.

"Hello, I'm-" I began.

"Yes, yes" the man snapped, "hurry up."

I glared at him as he took my bags and placed them in the boot of the car. I clambered into the backseat and kept on glaring at the back of his head the whole ride. Man, take a chill pill dude! I thought. No need to be so rude...

I could see the outline of the school on the horizon now. As we neared it, I saw bold lettering frame the doorway.

"Westbridge Academy for Boys".