Jennifer

Chapter 1

"Jennifer, I know you're not happy about moving to Hartford but it was too big an opportunity not to take. You understand that, don't you?"

"I love how you always put your career before your child. Do you even care about the fact I won't make any friends?"

"It's not my fault you're an unsociable person. It's up to you to make friends, not me."

"Thanks Dad. Filling me with confidence here."

We had been in Hartford one week, unpacking and settling in, and tomorrow was the first day at my new school. Just the thought of it made my insides churn.

I had just started to feel comfortable in my old school and everything got turned upside down. The minute I'm happy my mother and father decide to move us 60 miles away from home.

I couldn't say I was going to miss home, however. There wasn't much to miss. I had a few friends there but no one really significant. The thing I was worrying about was making friends and settling down in my new school.

I wasn't the most attractive girl in the world. I had short, wavy brown hair and dark hazel eyes which had sort of sunken into my face after the many sleepless nights of staring into the darkness trying to stop my mind from thinking of everything I'd ever thought about .

So anyway, the first day of school I had a shower and got dressed into my uniform, a black pleated skirt, white shirt and maroon red blazer. I even put on some eyeliner to try and make an effort.

"Try and smile, Jennifer. No one will like you when you look like that." My mother mocked when she dropped me off at the school gates, noticing the frown on my face.

I smiled sarcastically and got out of the car. The school dawned down on me and an overwhelming feeling of panic washed over me. There were big tall trees surrounding the building, letting the sun peek through. There were people everywhere, completely oblivious to me of course, but my mind wouldn't stop making me believe they were staring. I felt so out of place and just wanted to run after my mum's car as she drove off.

I walked inside the school and to the office.

"You okay, darling?" the rudimentary reception lady asked as she chewed on her chewing gum.

"Um, yeah thanks. I'm new, I was told to come here." I fiddled with the ends of my blazer.

"What's your name, love?" she asked, flicking through paperwork.

"Jennifer Winters." I told her.

"Jennifer Winters, Jennifer Winters," she repeated until she found the intended piece of paper. "Ah! Here you go, darling. This is your lesson timetable and the name of your form room. It's just around the corner, go have a look and it'll say on the door."

"Thanks." I muttered.

I wandered around the corridor until I found the door I was looking for. I peered in and a female teacher with curly auburn hair was sitting at a desk.

"Can I help you?" she smiled politely.

"I'm new. I was told this is my form room." I explained.

"Oh, Jennifer isn't it?" she got out of her chair.

"Yes."

"Well Jennifer, I'm Mrs Dudley. I'm your form teacher and I also teach drama. Now don't panic, you'll fit in just fine."

The door opened and two girls came in. "Oh Lily and Carissa, perfect! This is Jennifer, she's new. Could you please befriend her and make her feel welcome?" Mrs Dudley smiled.