we run this ⇒ cel, kbh & mnz

welcome to pittsburgh high.

                 

"Hurry up, Chlo!" Paige shouts up at me from the bottom of the stairs.

I huff. "Calm down, I'm coming." I strop whilst applying some mascara in front of my mirror. My eyes are large, the dark brown colour so deep that it makes the pupils blend into the iris. I never really noticed the intensity of them before, but looking at them now I realise why my father always says I got the best genes when it comes to eye colour.

After finishing the last coat, I rush down the stairs, my new Nike trainers squeaking with every step.

"How do I look?" I ask, twirling in my new denim skirt and striped vest top I bought yesterday with Paige. "I like the skirt you picked."

"You look great. Now hurry up. We're going to miss the bus!" Paige exclaims in a rush, swinging open the door and practically pushing me out.

I look over at her to see that she has her hair in the exact same hairstyle as me (as per usual) and roll my eyes. Why does she always have to copy me? I should probably take it as a good thing - like my mum tells me I should - but it just annoys me so much. I grip my bag quickly and sling it over my shoulder, pulling out my perfectly arranged fishtail plait so that my hair flows down in spirals across my shoulders.

We run down the road to the bus stop, where the bus has already arrived and jump on. Carefully, I scan my student bus pass before slinking down to the end of the bus. I turn my nose up as kids throw various pieces of paper and food at each other and try to dodge it. I'm glad when I finally reach an unusually clean seat and perch myself down on the edge, Paige following my lead.

"For gods sake. Why did my mum have to have a stupid work meeting? I'd much rather she took me to school like usual. How come your mum couldn't take us?" I say, turning to Paige and waiting for her to give me an answer.

"Oh, she had to take Brooke to college. It isn't that bad, is it?" she asks so innocently, yet I feel like tearing her throat out. There's just something about her that's so irritating, but I can't quite put my finger on it. She's my best friend, but sometimes I just wish she would start to take in more about the real world and stop acting so childish.

"Not really. I'm rather I saw Kalani without popcorn stuck in my hair," I say as a piece of popcorn flies past my face and I edge back, my head hitting the back of the seat.

"Oh don't worry about that. We've known her since we were five. I'm sure she won't care if you have one tiny piece of popcorn in your hair!" she laughs, attempting to catch a second piece that soars past but missing by a long shot.

Gradually, the bus slows as we approach the school and I dash off as quickly as possible; I'm getting out of this gross tin can.

I waltz into school and go straight to the main reception, just like how I had been instructed to do so yesterday.

"Here's your timetable," I hear Mrs. Willows, the receptionist, say in her croaky but sweet voice. "And here's your locker key" she continues as she rounds the corner with a tall brunette.

"Thanks miss," the girl replies calmly.

"Kalani!" I scream as she sees me.

"Chloe!" she screams back, running over to me and wrapping her arms around my neck. She encloses me in a tight hug, her lips pressed up against my ear as she whispers; "can you get me away from this crazy teacher?"

I almost giggle but manage to keep a straight face. "I'll take her to first lesson." I say, turning around with Kalani's hand in mine, not even waiting for a reply before rushing out the room.

We run out, laughing and leaning on each other, out of breath. We're in such a state that we almost don't notice Paige waiting for us eagerly.

"Hey Kalani!" Paige says excitedly.

"Hi." Kalani replies promptly. "So this is Pittsburgh High, eh? It's not very exciting, is it?"

"I guess not. But it's the best we've got" I say with a smile.

"Mhm," Kalani mumbles, unimpressed. "By the time I'm done here, it'll be far more exciting."