YouTube High

Melissa (part 1)

I rested my head on the window beside me. To say I was on a long haul flight I didn't expect the seats to be so small. I was cramped beside a young boy and an older woman. The young child next to me clung onto their mother, her attention occupied with the magazine in her hands. Realising his mothers low patience, the boy loosened their grip. There was a moment of quiet until he turned to me and began telling a story.

This was going to be a long 10 hours.

The kid tired themselves out after about 3 stories and I could finally enjoy the rest of my flight. Thinking about what to do my thoughts went back to what happen 7 months ago.

It was January 10th 2004, my 16th birthday. It started out as usual; opening presents, eating cake and other birthday stuff. Then my parents handed me an envelope with contents that would change my life.

I looked into my mothers dark, emerald green eyes, they gave a look of sadness but also told me to open the envelope. My dad was better at containing his emotions but he still had a smile on his face and mouthed the words 'go on'.

The envelope was plain and white; the only writing was my address and name. I thought it was just a random birthday letter, how I was wrong. Slowly turning it around, I stared at my mum. A tear escaped from her eye, rolling down her smooth cheek.

Once the envelope was open I read it from top to bottom again and again. I couldn't believe it. Slowly I read it again.

"Dear Melissa Kathryn Berry", I winced at my middle name for the third time. "You have been accepted into YouTube High, congratulations! Since you've come from another country here are some organisations to help find people who would let you stay with them."

I couldn't believe it, I was actually going to my dream school!

I stared at my parents, my mums eyes glistening with small droplets of water. Engulfing me in a hug I felt wet patches form on my shoulders from both my parents.

I had used one of the sites listed on my letter and found a nice young woman who would let me stay with her. She lived 20 minutes away from my school in a 3 bedroom house. From the few pictures I've seen it looked well kept and homely.

After an agonizing flight I finally arrived in Stockton airport. The busy room filled with rushing families and individuals. My eyes began to close as I sat waiting. The darkness consumed the light and before I knew it I was asleep.

Being awoken by a light tapping on my shoulder, I looked to the side seeing a young familiar face. The kid from before stood there as his parents smiled behind them. "You fell asleep before the cases came but they are here now", the child grinned. I smiled, got up and  thanked them, leaving to collect my case.

Once I got my bag I stared around the deserted airport. A young woman stood in the distance checking her watch and sighing. I ran over as fast as I could with my bags. Seeing me she smiled.

Reaching her she grabbed my bag and opened her mouth "my cars over here, what took you so long!" We started walking over to her car and I stood staring at it from the back watching her walk to the left side. "What's wrong now? Have you forgot something?"

"It's nothing... just the car," I ended my staring contest and walked to the right side.

"Would you care to explain," she asked as we both got into her small car. I reminded her that I'm from England, she understood from there.

"So Megan, why do you live in a 3 bedroom house on your own?" I asked the young 20 something year old sat next to me.

"It was mine and my boyfriends, but he broke up with me," pausing she concentrated on driving as we turned a corner. "Do you want to listen to music?" We sat and listened to music in silence for another 20 minutes.

First day at school

Students normally sigh at the sound of the bell but not anyone here. The air was filled with chattering and excitement as we all sat waiting hear what our new principal was about to tell us.

A tall, youngish man stood before us. He was casually dressed and not what we were expecting. His hair rested peacefully on his shoulders swaying slightly as he looked at the hopeful faces before him. "Good morning everyone, I'm  one of the founders of YouTube. You are all here because you've been selected to join us in our project for a brighter future." He paused for a second before continuing. "You're all probably wondering how this'll work. Well... You will all be divided into random groups this week to be assessed. This school won't be set out like normal schools, you won't be put with just your age group, you'll be put with people of the same ability. So there might be a 13 year old and a 18 year old together but don't worry! Trust us, we know what we're doing." He let out a small chuckle then continued.  "You will all be the first users on YouTube. This'll give you an advantage to success and set the standards for the content on the website."

A voice from my far right spoke "So will others still be able to post content from the start without going to this school?" We all looked towards the boy, he was stood up from his seat, the baggy jeans he was wearing hardly hanging onto his small frame. He had big, black hair that was sculpted around his face.

"Well not on the first year but after that they can,"

"So, what's the point of this school?" The boys eyes watched the principal. Many followed his gaze awaiting a response.

The older man seemed taken aback by his question. After awhile of pondering he replied "you will be the ones we feature to promote how we want the videos standards to be"

The young man sat back down seeming satisfied with his answer.

Once we were let out people were crowding the boy. I waited till everyone had left to speak to him "Hey, that was brave to speak against that guy."

"Well he wasn't some guy, he's our principal but I guess you can call him what you want," he laughed pushing some hair from his eye. Up close I noticed that his hair was a dark brown, like his eyes. "My names Anthony."

"I'm Melissa"

"You don't come from around here do you?"

"No, I come from England"

Just as he was about to say something else another boy walked up, poking Anthony and pouting, "you already replacing me with someone else."

The boy had a slightly lighter hair color than Anthony and was shorter. His hair had a bread shape to it but hung around his face the same as Anthony's does. His pout soon changed to a grin as he looked over to me.

"Ian this is Melissa, She's from England."

I waved at Ian and we all spoke for a while until the bell rang for our first lesson.