One Girl, Boys Boarding School

Awkward Dinners

// Image is what I imagine Joe to look like //

"Don't worry, dinner here isn't actually all that bad, foods good and you can sit with my mates, they'll like you. You know people are gonna be surprised you're here, having a girl around, never happened before. I guess as the principal's daughter you're the exception aye-" Joe started to talk like there was no tomorrow, I enjoy a good conversation but am usually too shy to make the first move with words, I find it easier to show my thoughts through actions.

Joey led me through the vast hallways of Eastern Boys Academy. The tall ceilings, intricate artwork hung on the walls and vast stair cases had me lost in a minute, Joey seemed pretty sure of himself though, weaving through the halls like this was his real home.

As we got closer to the sound of a chattering crowd, glasses being clung together and footsteps, a group of boys appeared to our left. "Ayyye Joe! Who's this?" One of the boys called out.

"This is Sophie, you know the new person I'm sharing a room with." Joey had a proud smile on his face, like I was meant to impress his friends or something.

All of the boys faces suddenly changed, to amazement. "Wait a minute. This is a boys school how-"

"My dads the principal... treat me as you would any other guy friend, okay?" I don't want them to see me as a guy but it'll be easier than them all staring at me and treating me like an alien.

"I don't think you want that as much as you think, plus you're far to pretty for us to treat you any other guy." A smooth talking, slightly squeaky red head with light freckles put his arm around me as we continued to walk to dinner.

"Is that right?" I started to flirt, don't know why if I'm honest, I really shouldn't get into something this early with any guy. It's just an innocent flirt right? Plus this guy was kinda cute, his name is Lenny. The rest of Joey's close friends included Tom, Xavier and Peter. They seemed like decent guys I guess, at least I had some people to sit with that weren't complete dicks.

It started to feel kind of normal, until we entered the dining hall and walked past each table to reach Joe's usual spot. I felt dozens of eyes on me, whispers started to break out through the boys. I felt like a piece of meat. I wanted to crawl up into a ball. Some guys had the audacity to call out things like "hey pretty mamma what're you getting up to later?" and the like, or smack my arse. Thankfully only two did before we finally reached our table, I sat down next to Joe, and sunk down into my chair as low as I could.

The school couldn't get a uniform for me, so I would have to wear my own clothes for at least the first 6 months, in a sea of boys wearing suits of navy blue and a deep red. I guess wearing my own clothes helps out with me keeping my identity and feeling completely myself, but it was another reason I stood out like a sore thumb, apart from the fact that I am a girl.

My father welcomed all to the dinner, went through a number of topics, and left introducing me to last, "I would like to welcome a new student, my daughter Sophie." All eyes turned to me once again, "I understand this will be an adjustment for some of you, please treat her as any other pupil. Let us begin!" He sat down and started to eat, and the rest of the teachers and student followed.

I wasn't hungry, after experiencing being the centre of attention, every person looking at me like I was a piece of meat. I can already imagine the things those boys are going to say about me.

"You aren't hungry?" Joe seemed concerned, it was like he was being a super invested parent, checking on me and asking me so many questions.

"I'm gonna go back to the dorm room, I'll be fine alone." I already knew he was going to ask to come along.

I quickly made my way out of the dining hall and struggled to find my dorm but got there eventually. I put on some pyjama shorts and a soft t shirt, curled up in bed, and wished for my mum to come back. It's times like these that I need her most, and I'll never be able to talk to her again.

I slowly drifted off to a reckless sleep.

~~~~~

Thank you for reading the second chapter! I'm kinda new to this so please leave any recommendations for what you'd like to see in the next chapters, they might end up in the story!  Please vote and comment Xoxo continue reading, new chapter out very soon!