i never meant to let you down.

chapter four

Hattie's walking down the corridor towards her English class, with Mrs Diamond following behind.

Sian looks at the girl, remembering the little 5 year old she met all those years ago, wondering where that happy little girl has gone.

"I expect it's been a bit of a shock this morning." Sian says, hoping Hattie will respond and start a conversation.

Hattie shrugs. "Yeah, you can say that again," She replies. Hattie pauses for a moment, trying to figure out how to phrase her question.

"How much do you know?"

Sian looks at Hattie, slightly taken aback by her question, and also not entirely sure what Hattie means by what she said.

Hattie senses that Sian has no idea what she's talking about, smiling a little. "I mean about Mum and Dad."

Sian nods and smiles. "Right, yes. Well, I know they've had their differences and I expect with you arriving here that.."

Hattie scoffs. "You expect a lot of things, don't you?" She laughs, hoping Sian would see the funny side as well. Luckily, she did.

The pair stop at a classroom door, and Hattie silently groans, noticing they've reached her English class. Sian knocks on the door and Hattie sighs, now realising who her English teacher is.

Mr Clarkson looks up from his desk and walks over to the door. He shouts at the class to quieten down, they're all distracted by the knock on the door.

"Mr Clarkson," Sian says, "a new pupil for you - Hattie Byrne."

Mr Clarkson looks at Hattie, he never realised she was the Head's daughter. "You." Mr Clarkson says plainly.

"Me." Hattie replies, biting back a smile.

"Right, find a seat then." Mr Clarkson says, nodding at Sian, who offers him a small smile, and he shuts the door, turning to face the class.

He looks up to see Hattie sitting at the back of the class, looking slightly too cosy next to Will Minford, the resident troublemaker of Waterloo Road at the moment.

Mr Clarkson smiles to himself - Will won't be holding that title much longer.

"Mr Minford and Miss Byrne, when you're quite finished," Mr Clarkson shouts, making the rest of the class look at the pair and laugh slightly, "I want you all to write an essay on a character of your choice and their development throughout Pride and Prejudice."

The class groan and Hattie rolls her eyes, which Will sees and snickers.

"Get on with it then." Mr Clarkson shouts, "I'm not expecting it done in this lesson, but it will be homework."

Will notices that Hattie doesn't have anything with her so he rips out a page of his jotter and lays a pen on top.

Hattie raises her eyebrows as a 'thank you' before reaching into her bag for her phone and earphones and music soon blasts through them. Mr Clarkson hears the music coming from Hattie's phone from the front of the class and he clears his throat, trying to get Hattie's attention.

Will looks up at Mr Clarkson after hearing him, and nudges Hattie to get her attention, realising it was meant for her.

Hattie sighs and rolls her eyes, pulling an earphone out of her ear, the music spilling out into the classroom. She takes a quick look around the room, realising that everyone had the same idea as her of listening to music, so she doesn't understand why Mr Clarkson's picking on her.

"What?" Hattie mouths at her teacher. Mr Clarkson smiles slightly at the teenager - thinking she'd have said that out loud. "Turn it down." Mr Clarkson mouths back.

Hattie rolls her eyes, reluctantly turning her music down. She nudges Will, who was looking out the window and hands him an earphone, which he takes gratefully - Mr Clarkson had already confiscated his phone in form this morning.

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The English lesson is almost over and most of the students have at least a sentence on their page. Except two.

Hattie is leaning on Will's shoulder, both are fast asleep. The class titters slightly as Mr Clarkson realises and walks over to the two teenagers, trying to stop a smile creeping across his face at the sight of Hattie.

He knew she'd had a hell of morning but on the other hand knew that Hattie's behaviour isn't helping her. Mr Clarkson clears his throat before slamming a book down on Hattie's desk.

Hattie forces one eye open, glaring at her teacher.
"I was awake, sir." She says, sarcastically.

"Cooler," Mr Clarkson orders, "now."

Both Hattie and Will roll their eyes, pick up their bags and walk out the room, neither teenager bothering to go to the Cooler.

Instead, they sneak outside - careful to not get caught by Mr Byrne - and Will grabs Hattie's hand leading her towards the wall behind the canteen for a smoke.

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The bell rings and Hattie's first lesson at Waterloo Road is over. Except she isn't leaving the classroom like the rest, instead she's getting interestingly close to Will Minford, with a lit cigarette in her hand.

Michael is walking through the corridors, intentionally looping past Hattie's English class, hoping to hear how she's got on. Instead, he's met by an empty classroom, all except for Tom, who's clearing up copies of 'Pride and Prejudice' from the desks.

"Tom," Michael starts, wondering how his colleague is going to respond, "How was Hattie this morning?"

Mr Clarkson looks at his boss and sighs, giving Michael all the answers he needs about his daughter's behaviour.

"Sorry Michael, I wish it was better," Tom says, "I had to send Hattie and Will Minford to the cooler after class."

Michael rolls his eyes at the sound of Will Minford's name - definitely someone he wouldn't want Hattie getting involved with. Not that he could stop her.

"Right, well, thanks Tom," Michael says with a small smile, "I appreciate you telling me."

Mr Clarkson returns the smile as Michael walks out the classroom in search of his troublesome teenage daughter.
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Hattie is lying across Will's legs as he sits on the wall, their schoolbags littered across the ground. Will smiles at Hattie, swiping the cigarette from Hattie's hand and takes a drag. Hattie giggles, realising she can't take her eyes off of Will.

"Shit." Will mutters quietly, smoke blowing from his lips as he speaks. He's spotted Mr Byrne walking towards the pair.