Ashdown Academy

Chapter 1

Audrey's p.o.v

"Mum please please please.Don't make me have to go to boarding school,I know you and Dad have some business deals to work out and don't want kids there,but look I'm almost fifteen and I'm pretty sure I can handle the house on my own"I begged my Mum for the hundredth time this summer.

"Honey,you know I'd love for you to come with us but as seeing we're traveling to so many different places it would be best for you to stay in somewhere stable and near home."my Mum replied.

You see my parents are high executives in the firm and it always demands their attention in some different country and sometimes abroad.Normally only one of my parents go but this time it's gonna be them both.My parents won't have thought about boarding school if not for the blabbering mouth of my Grandma,she came over to visit us over the summer and started telling us about her days in Ashdown,and how it gave girls great manners.And when my Mum looked it over online I knew I was in trouble.

"But Mum I could stay over at Layla's house and still attend Far Hill's Junior High and besides Mrs.Murray said I was always welcome to stay as long as needed."I reminded her.

"Yes she said that but I don't think she had an an entire session in mind."

"But what about the house? Someone would have to take care of it."I tried the caring approach

"Yes which is exactly why your uncle is going to be staying over."

"But...."

"Audrey that's enough,your mother and I have thought it through and your'e going to Ashdown Academy."my dad said as he came down with my last bags.Proving to me that I'd probably never see this house again until Christmas break.Sighing I went to my room grabbed my tennis case and eyed the uniform on my bed,It definitely wasn't made by a fashion designer,from the checkered red,white and blue skirt to the starched white shirt and blue tie and black red jacket.It was definitely not like the girls from St.Trinians uniform.I put it on as slowly as possible and headed downstairs to where my Mum looked like she was going to cry,probably because of how weird I looked in my first school uniform,thank goodness Layla wasn't here otherwise she would never stop laughing at me an my uniform.Taking my last look for a long time at our suburban house,I entered the car and hoped for luck.

We were finally getting close to Ashdown Academy I could already see the greyish ash-like colour of  the towers,it was somehow like an old fairy tale castle.As my Dad pulled into the premises I took my first look at what laid out there,all the books and movies about boarding schools I've read couldn't have prepared me for this,screaming girls everywhere,trunks,and parents biding their kids goodbye,I turned to face my parents hoping this chaotic scene will be enough to change their minds,but my Dad just gave me a reassuring smile as he set my trunk and tennis case beside me.My Mum came down from the passengers seat and hugged then silently whispered.

"If you hate this term very much I'd let you stay over with the Murray's till we get back.But just promise me you'd give this place a chance,it may not be as bad as it seems."Then she kissed my forehead and said goodbye.I was all alone here in this mad house,I picked up my stuff and headed towards the door Day 1 at Ashdown Academy.Looking around for girls my age I finally saw one,she looked equally lost ,so I went to talk to her,putting on my best smile I went over to her to introduce myself.

"Hi I'm Audrey Parker,I'm new and I was wondering if you could show me where to find out my room."I said as politely as I could manage

"I'm Chelsea Danes,and if you're looking for you're room I suggest you check your form list."She said,while eyeing me curiously.I decided that she probably wasn't even in my grade so I looked around.Then someone shouted," Girls for the ninth grade come here now." I looked for where the voice was coming from,then I saw it ,I mean her,she had burly hands a big bosom,in fact she looked sort of like a Viking the only thing missing was a helmet and a sword.I headed towards her as she called out names,when I heard my name I pushed past everyone and came to her front,she looked at me the asked for my Health Certificate,after I handed it to her she pointed out my form Mistress a smallish woman called Miss.Petersons.I and thirty-four other girls marched towards her,when we got to her she read out names from her list,two girls weren't here yet.

"They probably came by train."Chelsea said,obviously trying to become teachers pet.

"Yes Chelsea they probably did,know if you hear you're name come this way,Hills,Danes,Malloway,James,O'Neal,Parker

It took me awhile to understand she meant me,cause nobody ever called me by my last name,I picked up my box then went towards the other girls she had called,as she kept saying other names.

"This girls are the 9th form A girls."She announced,then looked through us like she was looking for something,her eyes rested on me,she took a key from her pocket with the letter A on it she handed it to me then said."You are your room's monitor,you are to make sure every girl attends prep and makes it to meals on time,we'll speak later about your duties,now take the girls to their room."Then she gave me swift instructions on where it was.It took  me sometime to actually believe that I just got here and was already a monitor,I nodded at her and took the key then went towards the door,I had to resist giving Chelsea a triumphant look.As we headed towards the door Ms.Petersons kept calling names for the other rooms.When I reached our room,unlocked it,looking around something told me this beds were probably the same ones my Grandma used when she was my age,the beds were small single beds six on each side with a small bed and a lamp for each girl,then at the end of all the beds was a sink for brushing your teeth at night and rinsing your face.The bathroom was shared by all girls in the ninth form at the end of the hall,I took the third bed on the left,as soon as i sat on the bed there was a loud noise.

"The trains here,Alejandra and Brittany are here."Chelsea screamed as she ran out of the room,the girl on the bed beside me looked in even worse shape than I was,so I decided to introduce myself.

"Hi I'm Audrey Camille Parker"I said wishing I hadn't said my middle name.

"I'm Peyton Alicia David."she replied looking happier than when she arrived that led to a conversation about where she was coming from,I thought I had come a long way,she came all the way from California,I was about to tell her where I came from when Chelsea and two other girls came into the room,one looked and sounded Indian the other looked country like and her uniform definitely had gone through some modifications.

'That's our room monitor."she said nodding at at me.''I don't know what Ms.Petersons was thinking putting a new girl as a monitor."She said smugly,did she think I couldn't hear her,because I know I can hear every single word she was saying and her look told quite a lot.I looked around all twelve girls were here I knew most of their names there was annoying Chelsea,quiet Daniella,sporty Karen,musical Heather,and my new friend stylish Peyton.After everyone got settled a loud gong was rung which meant dinner time I wasn't surprised that they didn't use electric bells.

"I think tonight is Spaghetti night."Karen said loudly"Which in plain English means...'

"Boiled cardboard soaked in tomato sauce.'The other girls completed while laughing.I brushed my jacket then went out and waited for all the girls to come out then closed the door.Then I linked hands with Peyton as we headed to the Dining Room.It was a big room with long banquet tables which had  the name of each form on it the teachers and supervisors had separate tables,I sat with Peyton and Daniella,when everything was settled the cooks came from the kitchen with steaming bowls of spaghetti and tomatoe sauce.I really hoped the girls were bluffing about the cardboard strips but one bite and I felt like I was ready to gag.Looking around all the girls were chatting and eating,only the new kids looked disgusted and left out,so I geabbed a roll and started chatting to Peyton and Dani.

After dinner I was called into Ms.Petersons office and two other girls who were their room monitors and she told us our jobs like assigning jobs and creating roasters for the girls,then she told us that for prep a senior will be put in charge of us.

Then we went to our rooms and got ready for bed,my first day was going great so far I had made two friends and one enemy,this term may just not be as bad as I thought.As I lay in bed I thought of the next day and what lay in store,I pulled out my diary and wrote;

Dear Diary,

Day 1 at Ashdown Academy isn't as bad as I thought it would be maybe Mum's right I'd probably enjoy myself.We go to bed by 9 which is the earliest since I was 9.By my side is Dani and Peyton,so maybe just maybe I do have a good chance at having fun.oh well goodnight Matron is going about turning of the lights.I need to make all the girls quiet down before matron gets here but Chelsea is the ring leader here apparently she started since first form.But now I'm really saying Good Night.

I made girls keep quiet  just before Matron got in said she wanted peace and quiet then turned out the light and closed the door.I turned said good night to both girls then closed my eyes and slept off