Second Bite of the Apple

Chapter 2: Time to Face the Music

Chapter 2: Time to Face the Music

"Back to your old habits I see, Sian", a piercing voice cut through my thoughts.

"Sorry, Mrs Stanford", I muttered, scrambling to remove the wires from my ears and attempting to stash them unconvincingly into my pocket, whilst also putting as much distance between myself and the stuck up deputy headmistress (who was obviously still convinced that she owned the place).

Oh how I'd love to tell her exactly what I thought of her and her blatently bodged botox. Stupid cow.

I can't believe I'm back here, but on a more positive note, at least I only have to endure one more year before I can finally get away from it all. Don't get me wrong, this place is actually kind of beautiful. The old stone buildings look like something from a Victorian period drama with the gabled roofs and bay windows. Of course, a lot of it has been restored since the building was originally built but the mix of old and new kind of works well. And don't even get me started on the grounds. They stretch for miles in all directions and at the far end there's a vast oak tree. I spent most of last term hidden beneath its branches attempting to find some sort of solace.

It would be perfect here, if it weren't for the people. I don't know which are worse; the students or the teachers. Either way, everybody seems to have a place here. Everybody seems to fit somewhere. Everyone except for me. 

I checked my watch. 8:35am. Five minutes until the bell,  suppose I'd better put my face on and head to registration. I quickly popped into the loos on the way and checked my reflection in the mirror. Hmm, maybe just a touch more eyeliner. I pulled my make up from my bag and ran the kohl pencil along my lower eyelids. It's funny how much better a little war paint can make you feel isnt it? Just one last thing. I reached into my blazer pocket and pulled out a small red pin badge: 'Head Girl'. Another label, just what I need. But in line with expectations I carefully affixed it to my lapel, adding a small dash of colour to my otherwise obsidian attire.

Did I want to be Head Girl? Of course not! Did I deserve to be Head Girl? Not if they knew. That's the problem though, nobody knows me, not really. The last few years I've been living a complete lie. I'm a shadow of the girl I used to be but a perfect replica of the girl everybody expects me to be. My grades are high. My appearance is polished. My attitude is... well, it's sufficient. It gets me through the day, but it feels like I'm going nowhere. Every day is the same. I know I should be happy, but I guess that's human nature, we always want more. It's almost worth getting burned just to feel the heat of playing with fire. 

RIIINGGGGGG! 

Urghh. Back to reality.

After ducking around some rather irritating first years, I got into form before the second bell and was still the first one there. I headed to the front desk and slung my bag onto the floor just as the cliches started to arrive.

First the geeks, consisting of an all male group, all of whom were still milk bottle white despite the gorgeous summer we'd just parted with, probably due to the fact that they'd spent the entire holiday in each other's basements studying Further Maths or discussing some new scientific breakthrough.

They were closely followed by the 'preppy' girls. Oh who am I kidding, they're all complete sluts. As usual, they all came tottering in wearing mini skirts, 6 inch heels and carrying oversized tote bags (yet without a folder or textbook in sight).

And right on cue, the football freaks (because you must be a freak to enjoy football) came barging in. You can always count on them to be one step behind the sluts.

"Alright sexy", was Jackson's greeting to Lindsey (Queen slut), accompanied by a slap on her ass.

Lindsey tossed her long blonde hair (and by hair, I mean extensions) over her shoulder and giggled. God, I'd love to knock her out too. Fake bitch. Immediately all of her fake little friends followed suit and started flicking their hair around and sticking their chests out to catch the boys' attention. It really was a sorry sight.

"Settle down, settle down" boomed a familiar voice.

Mr Kennedy - our form tutor - was late as always. Not that any of us cared.

"So welcome back everybody, I hope you all had absolutely splendid summers."

And yes, he is always that jolly in case you were wondering. It's rather unnerving actually.

"Right, start of term notices, let's see... Oh yes!" His face suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree. "Our very own Miss Sian Bailey has been appointed as Head Girl this year."

I could hear Lindsey's crew sniggering at the back and felt myself go red. Mr Kennedy remained ignorant and carried on regardless.

"Let's have a round of applause please."

A polite smutter of applause met this request but could not block out Lindsey's sarcastic drawl, "Oh look boys, we've got ourselves a new HEAD girl".

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. Thankfully no one could see my clenched fist below the table. When I opened my eyes again, Mr Kennedy had resumed reading out the usual start of term notices and Lindsey had shut up. I kept one eye on the clock, watching the second hand crawl it's way around. Just two more minutes and then I can get away. 

Tick, tick, tick.

One more minute.

Keep it together Sian. I had music second period and had already planned to spend my first free locked up in one of the department's practice rooms. After the old oak, it's the only other place in this school where I truly feel like I belong.

RIIINGGGGGG! 

Freedom. At last.

As I made my way towards the other side of school,  I kept my head down. Only pausing to exchange pleasantries - as expected - with certain members of staff. Other than that, nobody bothered me, which suited me just fine. Pushing open the glass panelled door (one of the more modern additions) to the music department, I felt a sense of warmth and security wash over me. The familiar smell, which was a mixture of centuries old sheet music and rosin, encased me and for the first time, I was glad to be back.