Burns Academy

Chapter 1

Burns Academy was an old building. It belonged to a wealthy family in the past who generously gave the building over to the council to be used as a public school. My parents bought it over twenty years later and turned it into a boarding school.

It sat in an old town in Scotland called Rye. Where the skies were hardly ever blue.

The school was made with reddish-brown bricks with high archers and tall towers. The windows were small but plenty. It was one of Rye's best sight. If it didn't have a green post outside saying "Burns Academy" people would have mistaken it for a church. So in one word this school is grand.

Even though I get to go to this magnificent building everyday; the only place I wanted to be was out of it.

I looked around the ancient classroom and saw everyone sat fiddling while uninterestingly listening to Miss White talk about the homologous series.

Stacy was pulling her uncomfortable white shirt down and her black pencil skirt up. Rob was playing with his tie as he swung his feet and Ben was hunched over, doodling. I could describe what boring tasks everyone else was doing but I was distracted ,not even realising that today would change my life forever.

I was the only one with my chin resting on my hand. My mind numb, I looked out of the window. Beyond the town houses and motorways you could just see the green hills peaking out among the grey sky. I could just imagine walking hand and hand along the grass with my significant other while my head rested on his shoulder and his eyes gazing down at mine .

"I wish" thinking. I haven't had a boyfriend since i was 7 and that barely counts. Sighing I started zoning in on what alkanes were for.

"...used as petrol for cars-"

She paused mid sentence and looked towards the door which had been knocked on not long before.

That was weird class was hardly ever interrupted.

As the teacher walked towards the door I noticed that Miss White's uniqueness about her. It was impossible to ignore . Her busy hair sprung out about her shoulders and her pink cardigan stuck to her slim frame. She would talk about chemistry so enthusiastically that it was almost intimidating, I'm sure if her voice was less monotone and it wasn't the last period everyone would be on the edge of there seat.

From what I could see the head teacher was at the other side. The teachers had a hushed conversation which listening ears could hardly pick up. It had to be interesting what they were talking about for we only had half an hour left surely it could have been dealt with earlier on in the day.

Miss White suddenly turned round and glanced around the class but it seemed her eyes lingered on me a little too long to go unnoticed, but not before turning back to Mr Solomon.

"I'm teaching... its very important... are you sure... can't it wait...but it's nearly exams...he was late..."

Miss White was arguing.

No. way.

I haven't seen her get angry since Robert set the table on fire.

Without looking back around ,Miss White said just loud enough to hear.

" Lily, Mr Solomon needs you for a favour, bring you bag ,you won't be back"

My head snapped up in surprise but I was only met with the back of a pink cardigan and a smiling head teacher. I quickly gathered up my things while pulling my tights up. I swung my bag on my shoulder and walked out of the class.

" is everything okay?" I looked between Miss White's stiff expression and Mr Solomon half-smile.

" You can come back when you're done and pick up the homework for tomorrow"
only then did she look at me "If not, it's detention during lunch, okay?"

I nodded and walked out the rest of the door with Mr Solomon and the rest of the classes eyes on me.