𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑, harry greene

𝟎𝟏. The School Year Begins

𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐇𝐀𝐌 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋

Monday, 11th of January 2021

7:02am

The sun casted a warm glow across her bedroom wall as Josephine slowly woke to the sound of her alarm clock blaring on her bed side table. She groggily rubbed her eyes, feeling a brief moment of calm before a mix of anticipation and nervousness started bubbling up inside her.

Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in her schooling — Year 11. The thought of the unknown thrilled and frightened her at the same time.

She was reluctant to throw off her cozy comforter, but did anyway. Josephine swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched her arms up towards the ceiling, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. As she made her way to the bathroom, she caught a glimpse of herself in the hallway mirror. Her long copper hair was a bit disheveled and her eyes were heavy. 

After having a shower, she quickly brushed her teeth and splashed cold water on her face, feeling a renewed sense of energy. She did her usual morning routine, deciding to put a light base of make-up on, which accentuated her features and made her feel more confident.

She soon got dressed into her school uniform. Her skirt fell just above her knees and her white blouse was tucked into her skirt. After pulling her blazer on, she took one final at her appearance in the reflection of her mirror. Closing her eyes, she took one last deep breath, loosening the tie that had now started to feel constrictive around her neck. 

Josephine grabbed her school bag on her way out of her bedroom and descended the stairs, the familiar scent of freshly brewed tea wafting through the air. Her Mum, a short but elegant woman with gentle eyes, stood in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

"Morning, Mum," Josephine greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Her Mum replied, turning around to face her. "Excited for your first day of Year 11?"

Josephine nodded, though a small knot of nervousness still lingered in her stomach. "I am! It's a big step."

Her Mum smiled warmly, placing a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of her. "Time does fly, doesn't it? But you've grown into such a remarkable young woman. Year 11 will bring new challenges, but I have no doubt you'll handle them."

Josephine appreciated her Mum's words, feeling a surge of confidence course through her veins. She took a seat at the kitchen table and began to eat her breakfast.

As she finished her breakfast, her mind began to wander to the new experiences that awaited her at school. Year 11 meant choosing her final subjects, making decisions that would shape her future. The weight of those choices felt heavy, but she reminded herself that she had the support of her teachers, friends, and family to guide her along the way.

After bidding her Mum goodbye, slipping on her shoes and grabbing her school bag, Josephine stepped outside into the crisp morning air. Her street was still quiet, with only a few early risers making their way to work or school. 

Walking briskly towards the bus stop, she allowed herself to be swept up in the energy of the new day. She breathed in the cool air, loving the way it felt.