latch // luke h (on hold)

four

Zara.

It's been three weeks since I started school and my lack of sleep has been getting worse. I've literally tried everything, but nothing working.

Usually I go down to the playground and just watch the sun rise. I have to be careful to get back home before My Mother wakes up. There was this one time where she came super close to seeing me come in the door. She was coming down the stairs just as I locked the door and boy did I sprint into the living room.

I could've given Usain Bolt a run for his money.

This Morning the sky was blood red when the sun rose. You know what they say; Red sky at night, a shepherd's delight. Red sky at morning, a shepherd's warning.

I'm not a superstitious person, it's just my Nana used to say it to me a lot.

As I looked into the mirror this morning I was disgusted my appearance. My skin was sickly pale, my hair was tied up in a greasy knot and the bags under my eyes were absolutely massive.

I jumped into the shower and tried to rid the tiredness of me, but I nearly fell asleep when conditioning my hair.

When I got out my skin was slightly red form the heat, but it was better than being white as a sheet. I dried my hair and put it into a small ponytail, not bothered to do anything else with it.

I put a truckload of concealer under my eyes to try to cover up my tiredness, but I don't think it really worked.

I then got changed and went downstairs to eat some cereal. Oh look! There's a note on the table from Mam saying she'll be late tonight and money's on the counter for dinner! Who would've guessed!

I ate the Cornflakes then walked out the door, locking it behind me. As I made my way down the road Luke joined me. We haven't talked much since we walked home on the first day. In the hallways at school he would sometimes mutter under his breath "Green Day", and I'd respond with "Arctic Monkeys".

He's been at the playground sometimes too, but we don't talk, just acknowledge each other's presence.

"Good morning, Zar," he said brightly, taking a mint out of his pocket and popping it into his mouth. He was being waaay too cheerful for my taste.

"I honestly beg to differ," I responded, rubbing my eyes with the sleeve of my sweater. "And don't call me that," I added, referring to his nickname for me.

"Someone obviously didn't get enough sleep last night," he joked. He was getting on my nerves now.

"Can you just drop it?" I snapped at him harshly. He put his hands up in surrender but stayed silent for the rest of the walk.

Once we reached the school we went our separate ways. He had Maths of something and I had to get to History. I liked History, but the History of the Ancient Egyptians wasn't the most interesting topic. It's literally gonna take everything in me not to fall asleep.

* * *

It's the end of the day and I'm in Chemistry and I'm proud to say that I haven't fallen asleep. I'm close to know though. Professor Brooks was rambling on about the Periodic Table, a topic where my interest was non-existent. It wouldn't hurt of me to close my eyes for a second now would it?

After what seemed like a few seconds later the girl next to me started prodding my shoulder. "Hey, wake up," I heard her say quietly.

My head came up off the table in a flash. Oh no, how long had I been asleep?

All the eyes in the room were on me. I looked up at Professor Evans timidly. He did not look amused. "Now that you're back with us, Miss Hyde, answer this; what does the symbol "K" stand for in the periodic table?"

Oh God. I racked my brain for the answer but I just couldn't find it. "I don't know, sir," I mumbled.

From behind me Luke stifled a laugh. It took so much willpower for me not to punch him then and there.

Professor Evans looked less than impressed with my answer. "It stands for Potassium. I will not tolerate sleeping in my class, Miss Hyde. Come with me, you're going to the principal's office."

I groaned silently as I got up off my seat and went to join him on the walk down to the principal's office. After going through a few corridors and a flight of stairs I found myself staring at a door with a gold plaque saying "Principal".

"Sit there and wait," Professor Evans told me, gesturing to the chairs. He knocked on the door and went inside. A few minutes later he came back out and told me that I could go in. I went inside and there the principal was sitting at her desk.

She was in her mid-fifties/early sixties at a guess. She was a very tall woman with a very prim and proper manner. She was wearing a ridiculously expensive dress suit with sophisticated high heels.

Long story short, she looked like a swot.

"Take a seat dear," she said with a kind smile. I sat down on one of the leather chairs wearily.

"My name is Principal Butler," she introduced herself. "Now, Professor Evans has been telling me that you've been sleeping during his classes, am I correct?" she asked. I nodded my head.

"To be honest I can't blame you. That man is so boring and dull, I'd hate to be in his class." I raised my eyebrows at her comment and laughed a tiny bit.

"When you first enrolled here we had your old school back in Ireland send us your files. I read through them personally so I know what happened, do you understand me?"

"What's that have to do with anything," I said quickly. She read through my files, how much does she know?

"We asked about your medical history too, Zara," she informed me. That means she knows everything.

"It isn't back, I'm better now," I told her. I was absolutely positive I didn't have it anymore. I've had so much treatment I'm probably immune to it now, or at least I hope.

"That's good, I'm glad to hear that," she smiled. "Looking through your grades, you were never good at Chemistry, were you?"

"Not really," I answered. Chemistry was always my worst subject ever since First Year.

"Hmm, I'll talk more with you soon. The bell's about to go, get out early," she said with a smile.

I smiled back at her before getting my coat and leaving the room.

Wow, I was really judgemental back there. When I saw what she looked like and what she was wearing I immediately assumed she was gonna be swotty and posh, but she was actually quite nice.

You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

When I was outside the school office the main door was opened and I turned around to see who it was. My breathing hitched when I saw the oh so familiar face.

It was My Mother, and she had the same look as Professor Evans when I woke up.

I hope you liked it :)

Sorry I havent updated in a while. I have a really bad chest infection but I'm slowly getting better :)

So yeah if you could maybe vote and drop a little comment telling me how I'm doing I'd be super greatful ily.