Imperfections

Chapter 2

I sat there emotionless after having  cried for the majority of the night. I felt sick. Something missing within me.

BEEP BEEP - my alarm went of. 6:30 am. My hand was black and blue and swollen. It was agony. Great! I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed into my school uniform. At school we wore a tartan skirt a white top, navy jumper and grey blazer. I pulled my dirty blonde hair into a high pony tail. My hair was long down to my hips but it was thin and lifeless much like myself (not the thin part). I then packed my bag full of my GCSE folders.

I tiptoed past my dads room. He was fast asleep. He lay sprawled across the bed. Obviously he had had a late night.

I reached my little sisters room. It was a subtle pink. Her floor was cluttered with toys. I sat on her bed. I tapped her tiny frame. "Wake up Azalea. It's time for school." She slowly sat up in her  bed. Azalea was of a petite build she had chocolate brown hair. She was my 4 year old sister. She reminded me so much of her.

Her tiny arms wrapped around me. "Morning Cressie." she said so perkily. It wasn't as if she wasn't effected she was just young and managed to hide it. "Cressie what happened to your hand." she asked. "Nothing it's just from when I fell over. Come on lets get changed."

She hoped out of bed and I grabbed her matching school uniform. I got her dressed and then french plaited her chocolate brown hair. She knew our routine: get up, get dressed, hair and breakfast. After I did her hair we silently went down stairs to the kitchen.

"Cheerios?" I questioned. "yes" she replied I poured her a small bowl of cereal of what we had. I gave her a glass of water as that's all we had other than beer. "I'm not hungry" said Azalea "You have to eat or you won't grow big and strong." I said to her "But you never eat Cress" she stated a fact which I struggled to deny "I do it's just I have breakfast before your awake and I eat at school." I lied but she seemed convinced taking another mouthful.

I packed her school bag. I was so relieved that Azalea's age at school were eligible for free school meals. I grabbed out school coats and put them by the door.

Once Azalea had finished her breakfast I put her school shoes on and then mine. I then wrapped her scarf around her neck and placed her coat on top. We left the silent house and walked to our all girls private school just up the road. Azalea held my hand all the way.

When we arrived I took Azalea to my form room where I dumped my stuff. We then trudged down to the prep school. I waited with Azalea in the playground for a few minutes when her friend Lilly arrived. Lilly also happened to be Mr West's niece. The two girls played together for a few minutes.

Mr West sat down next to me. "good weekend?" he asked "um" I replied Azalea came over and grabbed my hand to follow her. "Ow" I yelped as she pulled my bruised hand "Sorry Cress I forgot about your hand." she said releasing her clasp around my bruised hand.

" OMG What happened?" asked Mr West "um nothing I um fell over." he looked at me unconvinced. "Azalea come on into early morning care I have to go" I said "Come on Lilly" said Mr West. I gave her a hug and kiss and said goodbye to her.

I walked off to my class which I prefect in the prep school. I felt as if someone was watching me. Oh well.

After 10 minutes of cutting and sticking sheets I was interrupted. Mr West! Great!  "Mrs Smith can I excuse Cressida as I need to have a talk with her." he said "Of course Cressida you can finish this of tomorrow." Mrs Smith said "It's fine I'm sure it can wait" I stated angrily "Just go Cress" said Mrs Smith.

I got up from my chair and walked to the door. "We can talk and walk up to the seniors." "OKAY but what is it?" I said confused. "Cress be honest with me. That injury to your hand is not one from falling over is it?" I hung my head in shame at his question. he knew didn't he. "Cress that injury is from punching"  ****