Breaking Hope (Finding Sky edit)

Chapter 4

I didn't think moving schools would this easy. A week or so into starting High School, all the original fears I had about not fitting in or making any true friends were blown out the window. Over the last week, I drifted around the corridors of the school, attempting to work out the system of class numbers and rooms, slowly trying to educate myself in the American Education ways as well as filling in the blanks left on my timetable. I was slowly catching up on all the work that had been set over summer, with fellow students and friends photocopying their notes from vacation. America was a lot more formal than in England. Students sat by themselves at a small desk, barely big enough to fit a book, a pad of paper and a textbook all on, compared to the more familiar English teaching style of every sitting in rows or pairs. Students were referred to by their surname, rather than their forename. All seemed well. I thought I could settle down here, in Colorado, without making a fool of myself.

That was, of course, until the rude shock of my first gym lesson. I had thought I could have adapted - I was so wrong. Miss Joyner, the evil sports teacher, sprang such a welcome and joyous surprise on the female population of eleventh grade.

I arrived early for the lesson, with my gym clothes in a drawstring bag, seeing Lauren, Amy and Ella all waiting outside the changing room. The gym department within school was set at the back of the school, near the sports hall, fitness room and sports room. I had been walking into school for the last week or so, feeling too scared and awkward asking Lauren to pick me up every day. This also meant I had to walk around trying to find them early in the morning, every morning, feeling too awkward too text them asking where they are, but feeling like an idiot aimlessly wandering around lost in my own world. As I approached, they broke conversation and all smiled at me.

'Nearly late for gym, that would have been such a shame,' Amy commented as I walked close enough to hear.

'That would have been a shame; it is everyone's favourite subject.' Ella also added, tucking her phone in the back of her jeans raising her eyebrow slightly.

'Shut up, you just get to run around!' Lauren said.

'Yeah, but get this. It's with the boys. I'd rather sit around and do nothing.' Ella added, scuffing her shoes on the floor.

'What's the issue with that, Ella? Try and get you a boyfriend at last.' Amy hit her arm slightly as she laughed.

'They're all too young for me, right. What I meant was it's nothing exciting, loads of sweaty boys acting all stupid trying to impress you when all you want to do is go for a run.' Ella replies, walking into the changing room as the bell went. I followed behind the small group, putting my bags down tentatively on the side, not willing to get changed with so many girls in one place. The others, though, didn't really care and took their shirts off, putting on another shirt they used for gym.

'I'm sure we could find you someone. You have a worse dating history than your brothers. Combined.' Amy continued, putting on a pair of shorts.

I decided I have to get changed quickly, so whilst listening in on their conversation I quickly changed as well. I didn't quite know what to bring to the gym lesson, as my old schools always had a set uniform for P.E as well - a white polo shirt and shorts, white socks and suitable shoes for the sports. However, when talking to Ella yesterday she said it's really whatever you wanted to wear as long as it wasn't overly revealing and practical. Ella had gone for a baggy men's shirt and a pair of Karrimor running leggings which I'm pretty sure she got from England, having seen that pair in many sports shop.

'Not that bad.' She mumbled, sitting down to put on her shoes.

'Shall we review your ex's?' Amy commented, sitting next to her pulling her vans on.