Across The Border

Kalbe And Quin

"What was that all about Mark?" I asked slightly peeved, "I was making friends!"

Mark looked away and muttered under his breath, " Friends alright... Until they-" I heard him and wanted to know more, I mean of course they weren’t my usual gang of people, but they seemed like alright blokes to me.

"Here we are." He said gesturing towards a big car park, I noticed a few reserved parking spaces and wondered who they could be for. The forest surrounding the school gave it an eerie look, one I wasn't used to, all this green. It was unnerving.

Back at home we had long dry grass that swayed in the wind, tall gum trees that had the most unique scent and everything was either a yellow or brown. The grass crunched under your feet, except for where the cow poo was.

The mountains were blue, not green, at home.

Mark began to walk away, "Wait! Where is your school?" I asked not wanting to walk into my first day with no friends.

"Uh.. Over there." He said pointing across a joint oval and courts to a bunch of building that must of been his school.

"Do ya' want me to walk with you?" I asked, more for myself than him.

He raised an eyebrow, "No." He answered slightly questioning.

"Uh... Okay, well I'll see ya' later."

Walking off, a bit embarrassed with my head down, I had a fleeting thought that maybe there was a uniform.

Panic overtook me. How embarrassing to walk into school out of uniform. I shuddered and thought of reasons why I was right. The other boys weren’t wearing uniform. I saw no one else with a uniform. But it just felt so unnatural!

I tugged at the bottom of my shirt and walked forwards.

Dustin had driven me to school every day in his Toyota ute, I missed those days already, I wondered if he was driving to school today. Alone?

I let out a sigh of relief as I saw a girl walk by with casual clothes on.

"Excuse me!" I heard a loud voice from behind me call.

“Move it!" A horn beeped.

I jumped out of the way just in time, just as a stream of cars flittered through the gate. The shock wore off quickly and I was already feeling tired. I just wanted to get back to my bed and sleep.

Contrary to my wishes I continued to walk towards the building labelled "Front Office", this time I stuck to the path cautiously.

I heard a bell ring and ran now as the parking lot began to empty.

Breathless as I reached the door, " Hey, um... Can I have my time table?"

"Hello, I'm Mrs. Turner. What's your name honey?"

Finally a friendly person! "G'day, My name's Amber, Amber Douglas."

“Oh. You’re the new girl from Australia." Sympathy in her eyes she smiled at me. "I'm sure you'll be very welcome."

I crossed my legs over and leaned against the entrance while we waited for my timetable to print.

I heard light footsteps behind me but decided not to turn around; from the way the steps were placed I could tell it was a boy.

His footsteps came closer and my breath hitched as his arm brushed mine as he walked past, I fought the impulse to flinch away. I felt the muscle tense and he turned to look at me, a ferocious expression on his face, it quickly turned to one of shock as he glanced at Mrs. Turner and then to recognition and finally, shame faced he smiled.