The Revolt | Amanda's POV

Chapter 1

"And done!" my mum said as she tightened my left pigtail. I grinned in the mirror. 

"My little princess is going to school!" she said, as she kissed my cheek. 

I was always my mum's princess, and my dad's little angel. Sure, I loved their affection and praise, but I really didn't like being a princess or an angel. I wanted to be their warrior, their little superhero! But I guess I would continue to be a princess unless I decided to speak up. Slim chance though.  I was always nervous and uneasy to speak up. 

"Come on!" my mum called. 

I got out of my daydream and looked at the house door. My mum was holding it open. I collected my bag and lunch. I ran out the door and onto the bus. I hugged my mum and my dad before I left. My mum shed two warm tears on my head. I sat at an empty place on the bus. A taller kid with blonde hair sat next to me. A red berret was adorned on her head. 

"Are you in the bottom class?" she asked.

I nodded. I didn't speak.

"So this is your first time going to school here?" the girl adjusted her hat. 

I nodded again. Why is she asking so many questions?

"Try not to be noticed by the Trunchbull." she said. 

She reached out her hand and grabbed one of my pigtails. She petted it softly and twirled it before releasing it from her grip. 

"What's your name, little girl?" asked the big kid.

"Amanda," I mumbled.

"You're going to have to speak louder than that!" she shouted.

I grabbed my pigtail and gently stroked it. That was how I calmed myself.

"My name is Amanda Thripp!" I yelled at the kid.

She looked at me, shocked. "I never knew you had it in you to speak louder,"

The truth was, I never knew I had it in me either. The girl giggled softly. I turned away, and stared out the window. Trees and buildings flew by quickly. 

"I'm Hortensia Buckett," the girl said. "I can be your friend, and maybe give you a few pointers on how to survive Crunchem Hall."

I didn't respond. Hortensia exhaled. 

"So I guess you don't want my help?" she asked me.

Finally, I turned to her. "I do want your help, Hortensia,"

"Glad to hear that," she said. "Firstly, you need to remove those pigtails. They'll get you in serious trouble with the Trunchbull. You don't want that, do you?"

I nodded. Hortensia asked to fix my hair. I allowed her to do so. She undid the braids, and brushed through my long, blond hair. Hortensia put it in one braid and made that braid into a bun. She then grabbed a pink berret out of her book bag and placed it on my head in the same fashion as her own.

"There!" Hortensia said, slightly adjusting the hat's position on my head.

The bus slowed to a stop. A little girl with long, brown hair boarded the bus. She held a thick book in her arm. I couldn't read the words. They wiggled a little. 

A blonde girl then got on the bus. She sat next to Hortensia. 

"Hello!" the girl exclaimed. "I'm Alice!"

Alice had a cheerful tone, and always seemed eager to talk. 

"I'm Amanda!" I said, trying to sound just as cheery. 

"It's a bit cramped over here," Alice said. "Wanna come with me to the back of the bus?"

I looked at Hortensia. She gave me a thumbs up, so I decided to follow Alice.

The whole bus ride, Alice just talked.

"So my friend is named Nigel" Alice began. "I've known him since we were babies. My mum used to babysit him. He is going to this school, and so I think that maybe-"

I began to think. Alice's voice became faint. I was overwhelmed. I began breathing heavily. I closed my eyes. 

"AMANDA!" a voice screamed. 

I had fallen asleep on the bus. Or perhaps I passed out. Alice had been talking to herself for the whole bus ride. She thought I was listening, but I wasn't. 

"AMANDA!" the voice called again. 

I looked and saw that It was Alice.

"Amanda, did you like my story? What was your favourite bit? Oh and we are at the school! My favourite colour really depends on the day I guess, but_"

"ALICE!" I shouted.

I had yelled at her. I never knew I had it in me to yell at someone with such force or tone.

"Yes?" she asked, looking at me.

"Can you please be quiet for a minute?"

She nodded. I took a few deep breaths. Kids were getting off the bus. I grabbed Alice by the arm and ran off the bus as fast as possible. I stood with Alice on my left, and Hortensia on my right. 

"Look!" Hortensia said, pointing at a very buff woman. "That's the Trunchbull,"