Footprints in the Sand

14. I am Alone

Despite the fact that Dad was in hospital, Mum insisted that on Monday morning I actually went to school, especially since I’d missed Friday. So, at 7.30 on Monday morning, I was woken by the angry sound of my alarm clock. I swore at it, but still reluctantly pulled myself from my bed. I dragged myself into the shower, dressed in skinny jeans, a cami top, and a zip-front hoodie. I let my hair fall down my back. I walked downstairs yawning. Rory came out of his room as I walked past. He looked me up and down as he saw me.

            “Are you out to impress someone again? I thought you and Nick were happy?” My brother asked.

            “The two kids that have Avery Shadow listed as their father at the same school, and he’s in hospital. They’re gonna want photos of how his kids are holding up. I warned Eliza yesterday; she’s getting the Blake’s privately driven in.” I explained. Rory nodded.

            “How is Carrie getting to school?”

            “She’s gonna get the bus. She prefers busses to getting harassed by the media.”

            “Have school been warned?”

            “Mum called all the big cheeses up yesterday.” I walked down the stairs and cooked the pair of us bacon for breakfast. I heard Mum stir as I cooked, and her trundle down the stairs. Her blonde hair remained straggly and fine; her blue eyes were tired, hidden behind her glasses; her skin was paler than ever, and she looked generally exhausted.

            “Do you want some, Pru?” Rory asked. Mum nodded as she sauntered over towards me. I hugged her tight,

            “He’ll be okay, Mum.” I whispered. She nodded, saying nothing. She’d barely said anything since we’d got back from Bristol, just sat staring blankly at the TV or the computer, or even a wall. She was truly shattered by the accident. I couldn’t bear to imagine what she’d be like if we really lost Dad; I didn’t even know what I’d do.

            I served up the bacon, ate, picked up my bag, and headed to the car. Rory followed me closely. He sat in the passenger seat, and looked at me and nodded. I turned the engine over and drove towards school. I got to the road to school and saw the media vans parked up along the double yellows. There were police officers lining the gates, and the second they saw my car, the gates into the school were opened. Sadly, Rory and I were also spotted by the camera men. The officers, and even the school footballers, and my friends, helped hold the prying media back to let my car slip between the hoards. The gates were shut and the media pressed against the bars. I parked the car and quickly scurried to my form room, saying ‘goodbye’ to Rory as we passed the ICT office. I got to my form room to see a notice taped to the door.

ALL YR 10-13 INTO THE AUDIORIUM, SIXTH FORM ON BALCONY.

I groaned and walked back up to the building next to where I’d parked my car. I pushed past a few hundred kids who were stuck in the bottom of the auditorium and up to the balcony. The staff had even pushed the seats back to accommodate everyone. I had never seen anyone even attempt to pack more than one year group into the 250-seater auditorium, let alone two year groups and the conglomeration of 16-19 year olds that formed the Sixth Form. All together, that made about 400+ kids and their form tutors packed into one hall. At 8.50 we were all rammed in, and the Sixth Form head of year, Mr Tally, stood before us, and silence fell in the heated auditorium, and .

            “As you may have noticed, we have half of the UK’s media hammering outside of our gates. Under no circumstances are you to interact with them. No student is to leave at lunch, year 11 or Sixth Form. It is most important that every student is in school on time.” There was a universal groan amongst the hoards. “Sixth Formers may leave the premises early if required, but when leaving the school site, they must inform a member of Sixth Form staff that they are, and must register when they arrive to school late. We enforce this for your own safety while we try and remove the men and women from our school grounds. If any of you see anyone acting suspicious or someone who does not belong here, please inform a member of staff. We are also lifting the ban on mobile phones at break and lunch, although all must be off during lessons.”

            “Why are they here anyway?” One boy from the year 10 and 11 crowd shouted.

            “As many of you heard, Avery Shadow was involved in a car crash at the weekend and is currently in a coma. His daughter attends school here, and since she no longer has her father to… protect… her, journalists believe they can get away with snapping photos of her.” Seb announced. “It is appreciated that she remains undisturbed. This time is hard enough for her as it is. If you know her, and see she is upset, prying will not help her in any way, shape, or form.”

            “Year 10 and 11, file out. I want a word with the Sixth Form.” Mr Tally shouted over the murmurs that arose around the auditorium. The kids filed out, leaving the crevice they had inhabited empty and our sets packed.

            “Year 13 and 14 stay put; year 12, come down.” Mr Tally yelled. The year 12’s descended out of the exits and reappeared below. Once silence had fallen again, Seb spoke once more.

            “I know some of you know whom I speak of at a personal level, and those who don’t, I assume who you know whom I am referring to. Miss Shadow is in school today, as is her half-brother who remains a member of staff here. Neither of them are to be disturbed for petty reasons, or harassed about either. I understand that news of siblings is not something widely known, but with this accident, it will become public knowledge.” There were murmurs circulating below us, “This girl is my niece. Leave her get along with her work, or I will get you excluded.”

            “Work hard, enjoy your day. Normal assembly tomorrow morning.” Mr Tally announced as uproar arose from every single member of the school Sixth Form. Carrie, Luce, Daisy, and Ash grabbed me and my stuff and dragged me from the hall into a practice room.

            “Your uncle just completely blew your covers!” Ash all but shouted at me.

            “He didn’t need to tell everyone he was my flaming uncle!” I shouted back as the entire Sixth Form descended onto the café below.

            “Exactly. He shouldn’t have mentioned Rory either!” Carrie added,

            “Look, I can’t change what my stupid uncle’s done to himself, but he’s right. As soon as I’m eighteen they’ll be hounding me down left, right and centre. They’ll be searching who was in the car with me, and lets be fair, it isn’t exactly hard to relate Rory to Dad anyway.”

            “Fair point.” Daisy whispered.

            “Can you do me a favour?” I whispered, tears trickled down my face,

            “Of course.” Luce smiled kindly as he came over and hugged me.

            “Someone smuggle Rory out of school this evening, please. I want him as far from the spotlight as possible.” My friends nodded.

            “Come on, let’s get somewhere quiet.” Carrie whispered, smiling kindly at me. I nodded and looped my arm in hers, and we walked from the Arts Centre towards the main building of the school. We headed to the back of the library, causing the little year 7 or 8’s to burst into noise as they saw me, knowing exactly who I was. We sat in the furthest corner of the Sixth Form section of the library, sat almost silently. I was an outsider in a place I’d once called home. 

**********

A/N

For those who don't know what a 'Sixth Form' is, it's the final two (or three, if you're unlucky) years of education in the UK, also known as college. You only do 3 or 4 subjects, and yes, this is what I'm doing with myself when I'm not being sociable or writing.

Anyway, this is the downturn of the accident for Flo. Please let me know what you think about this section (vote/comment please!)

Meggieissi xxxx