Understanding Me

The Fire

I woke up to an obnoxious bang followed by obsesent screaming, must be mum and dad again. I rolled my eyes and just ignored them, continuing my slumber until my alarm went off, signalling it was 7:30. I begrudgingly lifted myself out of bed and dragged myself to my closet, I scanned through my clothes and picked the first thing I could get my hands on, which happened to be my ripped jeans and checked red and green shirt. Grabbing my clothes, I quickly went for a shower and washed my face then slipped on my jeans and shirt, smoothing the corners and folding the collar. Finally, I grabbed my pre-packed bag and headed for the door. I crept past the kitchen, trying at all costs to avoid my parents and avoid getting dragged into another one of their arguments, and left through the front door. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents more than anything, but I just think sometimes they could cool it on the shouting.

Once I reached the school grounds, I was greeted by my best friends, Daisy, Jess and Charlie. We talked about college, our lessons and teacher, we also finalised our plans of travelling to Bristol and shopping around Cabot Circus. After about half an hour of chatting, the first bell rung, giving us five minutes to get to class. Charlie, Jess and I made our way to psychology, while Daisy went to business studies.

As I entered the class, I headed directly for my seat next to the large window. The seat gave me a good view to the school, seeing as the class was on the top floor, it also gave me a great sight of my village. So, when I would get bored, which happened a lot, I would look outside and just think about the world away of England and how different everything would be. Personally, I'm more of the 'stay where you are' type of girl and 'change is bad', but a girl can still dream! After a while of psychology, I got bored and looked out the window thinking of pointless stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with social influence.

"Maddy?" Mr Bowan asked.

"Maddy..." Sir asked once again, this time with a harsher voice. I was so focused on watching the already drunk men at the pub, and the old lady crossing the road, and the florist laying out flowers that I didn't even register sir saying my name. I quickly turned my head in sir's direction, only to find him glaring at me, a face that told me he wasn't impressed, the face my mum makes when she realises I haven't tidied my bedroom. I quickly scanned the room, hoping someone will tell me the question, or at least signal it in some way. I looked to Charlie, she's also glaring at me but also trying to mouth something, but I am hopelessly bad at lip reading and she was clearly bad at sending signals. Unfortunately, I couldn't read what anyone was trying to say so I had to ask the most embarrassing question a student could ever ask.

"Sorry, Sir. What was the question?" I said with a hopeful look on my face. He just scowled at me.

"Name the three types of conformity's." As sir finished asking the question my mind went completely blank. Let's face it, I didn't know the answer. Therefore, I would have to say the most embarrassing statement a student could ever say.

"I don't know, Sir." I said begrudgingly. He just looked at me with disappointment. I knew I wasn't the smartest kid in the class, and I don't live to be, but I still try, probably not as much as I should but still!

"The answer is compliance, identification and internalisation, you would know that if you weren't staring out the window during my entire lecture. Maddy, you have real potential but fail to see it, I hope one day something will drive you to do something good, and I dear god hope it won't be too late." Although I hated what he said I knew he was right. I wasn't driven to do anything good, I didn't want a statue with my name in bold letters at the bottom, or a building with my surname on the top, all I wanted was to get through life with as little problems as possible. With that Sir turned around and stalked back to his desk without another word. I knew I probably shouldn't, but I went right back to staring out the window. However, this time, instead of seeing the usual blue, I saw grey smoke consuming the sky. It looked like it had come from the village. Instantly my heart dropped as all the tragic scenarios started rushing through my head. What about a family whose child was at school and parents at work who came home to a burnt down house, or a teenage boy who accidentally set fire to his home and had to explain to his parents why they no longer have a house. Maybe a girl's mum and dad were trapped and died in the fire... my heart goes out to that little girl, whoever she may be.