Life Beneath The North

Chapter One

Morning grew closer, yet I was still awake.

It was the first day back to college after the uneventful holidays and I couldn't be any less interested. My mind wasn't focused on the working aspect of college, however I seemed to be dwelling around the social commitments I would have to fake. The simple imitations of a smile I would forcibly shape onto my face would fool my so called 'friends'. Yet I could hardly call them my friends as I am nothing but a stranger; hiding behind the bright wallflower I've embodied.

It's just a front of course, well, at least most of it is. I summarize it as being 'shy' but that's only because it makes it easier to explain. Nobody expects anything from me, but that doesn't put me to ease. But I guess being a recluse to society isn't that bad when you're acing all your college courses.
My teacher, Mr West, insists that I try to make friends rather than try to out smart him, it's funny how I feel closer to him than most people. He is the only person I look forward to.

Speaking of which, I have a double lesson with him today; I could really do with his witty humour.

I briefly glanced towards my clock before returning my eyes to my bedroom ceiling which had me fixated with all its patterns. "Great" I whisper to myself acknowledging that I had five minutes till my alarm breaks the silence.

Sitting up I looked over to the other side of my bedroom; the gentle kiss of daylight started to highlight my twin's flawless features as she lay peacefully in her bed. Olivia had always been blessed with good looks and a memorable personality. Of course I often had bouts of jealousy, it's not my fault my un-identical twin was ridiculously popular and had pretty much every boy wrapped around her finger. I don't hate her for it though, even though I should. She hardly ever acknowledges me around college and when she does its only a brief satirical encounter. Therefore, i am labeled a freak. A misfit.

The alarm momentarily stunned me as though I wasn't expecting it to ring. Olivia began to stir, her hands pressing her pillows to her ears. "Turn it off" she groaned peeking at me through her one opened eye. I stood up, relieved the alarm from its ringing, reached for my pillow and threw it towards Olivia. "Oi, it's time to get up. It's our first day back" I reply whilst she batted my pillow away from her head.

I walked towards my mothers bedroom; I had agreed to wake her up daily seen as I'm the person who always seems to be awake first. "Mum, it's time to get up, I'll make you a cup of tea" I offer as I poked my head around her bedroom door, her head managed to lift and give a slight nod. That's my cue to make sure every body's day had a good start.

The cold tiled floor in the kitchen ensured that any tiredness that still existed in my body had disappeared. After making several round of toast and a cup of tea, my mother appeared in the kitchen. "Why can't we have heated floor boards like the nice family in the catalogue have?" I teased pulling a overly dramatic puppy dog face. "Because we don't have the money to be spending on luxury things like that otherwise I'd be visiting a spa every weekend" she said whilst raising her eyebrows towards me, making me giggle. I passed her the cup of tea and a slice of toast, whilst I took the remaining toast to Olivia.

"Thanks, leave it on the side" she muttered as the brush she was holding glided through her hair. I was jealous of how straight and shiny Olivia's hair always appeared to be, mine was an awkward wavy/curly combination, making it hard to work with. I spent an hour trying to make my hair presentable, and finished my look with my black ripped jeans, vest top and leather jacket. I was also known for my notorious eyeliner and choker which I wouldn't go a day without.

"North! It's time to go! What are you doing?" my mother called to me from the bottom of the stairs. "I'll be there in a minute" I replied, rushing my eyeliner which I had accidentally smudged. It's a good thing I'm good at art, it makes me a lot quicker at fixing it. "Dakota Leigh Webb you hurry up young lady, I have no time to be waiting around!" she snapped. With that I did as I was told and followed to her call.