You Don't Know Me

Last Minute Revision

CHAPTER 24

I wake up to someone shaking my shoulders with force. It takes me a while to realise that it's Lily. 'Get up! Have you forgotten that we have our exams today?' I scrunch up my face in confusion, before leaping out of bed with all the energy that I have.

 'What time is it?'

'Nearly seven.'

'What? So why did you wake me up? I mean, it's not like we're late or anything. The exams start at nine!'

'I am aware of that, you know, and to answer your question, there is nothing wrong with being early is there?' I just shake my head at her and don't bother replying. I thought we were late. I rub my eyes and look at her properly. I notice that she's dressed in her school uniform.

'You're dressed already. Gosh, what time did you wake up?'

'I woke up at six. You should consider yourself lucky, as I considered waking you up but decided against it.' I give her a sarcastic smile; showing her that I'm not really bothered. I walk out of the room and head for the bathroom. I pass Lucy, who is also dressed in her uniform.

 'You're finally up; I thought you were going to miss your exam.'

'With Lily here? No chance.' She chuckles lightly before saying 'you should get ready.'

'That was my intention,' I mutter as I walk to the bathroom.

Seen as we have to be in school by half eight; there is no time for me to have the long, hot shower my body is craving for. Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.

I brush my teeth and hop into the shower. I release my hair from its messy bun and let it hang loosely over my shoulders. I just stand there; for a few minutes. Just admiring the perfect temperature of the water. However, that is before the exams that I'm taking spring to mind. I quickly put soap all over my body, while scrubbing and rinse it out. I shampoo my hair, without even bothering to massage my scalp or even condition it; as I immediately step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my wet body. I practically sprint back to the guest room and I'm not surprised to find Lily and Lucy sitting on the bed. Both, tapping their feet impatiently against the carpet. 'Finally!'

'What?' I ask innocently, pretending that I have no clue about what Lucy's talking about.

 'Don't give me that, now hurry up and get dressed!'

'I'd love to, but you see, I cannot do that with you in the room.'

'We're not leaving the room Kiera, there is a toilet right there,' says Lily while pointing to the door, to emphasise her point.

 'And?' I reply waiting for her to continue.

'And, you should take your clothes and get dressed there.' I know Lily is not going to back down, especially with Lucy backing her up, so I go the toilet, grabbing my uniform from the wardrobe.

I seem to lose track of time because before I know it Lucy is banging on the door, yelling 'hurry up!' I'm nearly finished anyway.

 'Okay, two minutes!'

'Two minutes my ass! Get out!' Wow, Lucy really wants me out. She's worse than Lily. I unlock the door to face her annoyed face. 'It's twenty past seven.'

'So?'

'We're planning on going early, so you better have your breakfast and be ready to leave in ten minutes.'

'What? Ten minutes? I need to blow dry my hair and that takes forever!' She rolls her eyes and simply says 'towel dry it.' I roll my eyes, who even does that? Looks like I'm going to be skipping breakfast this morning. Lucy heads back downstairs and I go into Lily's room, grabbing her blow dryer. I plug it in and begin using it. Ten minutes later and my hair still isn't fully dry and it looks curlier than usual.

I don't have any more time so I put it away and put my hair in a ponytail. Then I start applying some light foundation as I look like ridiculous. I'm beginning to apply mascara when Lily and Lucy both come upstairs and give me a shouting. I hurry up and put the mascara away. I grab my school bag and folder before running down the stairs. 'Good morning Kiera.' I turn around facing Anna and say 'morning.'

'Good luck with your exams today,' she states and I nod my head. I turn back around and walk to the door really quickly before she can comment on me not having any breakfast. ‘Finally!’ 

‘Oh shut up Lucy,’ I sigh as I roll my eyes. She doesn’t bother replying to my comment because she stays silent. ‘We’re too early.’ I mutter to no one in particular.

 ‘Yeah, that is the point!’ Lily retorts sarcastically. I pretend to not hear her and just stay silent. I check the time on my phone, which reads quarter to eight. I sigh in frustration as I can’t function this early without proper sleep. 

As I intend to slip my phone into my back pocket, it vibrates in my hand. I open up the text that I’ve received and notice it’s from my dad. I automatically feel sick. I open the text and I instantly feel nothing but regret. 

Im soooooo sryy Kiaera fro evrytihng & gud luk wiv your exms 2day! –Dda

I feel my eyes start to swell up and I’m thankful that Lily and Lucy are walking in front of me, in a conversation. I know for a fact that my dad is drunk. I don’t know whether to feel happy that he remembered my exams or angry as he’s brought up unwanted emotions. ‘Kiera, are you okay?’ Lily’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I quickly wipe the tears away but judging by the look on their faces, they already know I’m crying.

‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ I croak. They share a look which shows that they don’t believe me. Lily walks towards me and asks ‘what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing, I’m fine.’

‘No, you’re not fine! The sooner you realise that the better!’ Lily shouts and immediately more tears quickly flow down my cheeks. ‘No, I didn’t mean t-‘ 

‘It’s my dad.’ I state quietly. They both look puzzled so I just show them the text message I just received from him.

‘Is he drunk?’ Lucy asks and Lily nudges her with her elbow.

 ‘Yeah, he is.’ They both give me sympathetic looks and there is nothing I hate more than sympathetic looks. ‘Don’t look at me like that!’

‘I’m sorry, but he’s an idiot if he’s texting you while he’s drunk.’

‘No Lily, he’s an idiot for being drunk in the first place!’ Lucy snaps but mumbles a ‘sorry,’ afterwards.

 ‘Let’s just get today over and done with.’ Lily says, guiding me onto the path. 

We arrive at school at 08:10. The text I received is probably what slowed us down. We walk into our form room and see that Joe is already there, sitting at the back row. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ 

‘Well, Lucy, some of us actually revise for our exams.’

‘On the day of the exam? Well, some of us actually revise way before the exam day!’ I try not smirk at her reply and he just scoffs at Lucy's comment.

I sit next to Joe, with Lucy and Lily beside me. ‘Please don’t distract me.’ Joe begs and I’m guessing he’s talking to me because Lucy is reading her biology revision guide and Lily is on her phone.

 ‘I won’t.’ I say, which causes him to smile and get back to his last minute revision. I don't have the energy to revise but I occasionally glance at Lucy's revision guide.

I feel sick from all the information after a short while, so I just sit in my chair and wait for everyone else to arrive.