The Edge (On Hold)

Part 1: Last First Day

(Picture is Variel)

31st October 2012

Those eyes. So dark with worry. I remember when I first saw him. So empty, so emotionless. But now, as my breathing gets more ragged and forced, they freeze with horror. My mind slips away. 'I'm sorry,' I think, wishing I could say it aloud. "Variel! Stay here! Don't you dare leave me! Don't you dare..." His distant sobbing makes my heart break.

I regret lying to him, how it would all turn out fine. I guess some things you just have to do, no matter how bad it hurts. So instead of focusing on that, I remember all the fun times we had instead. And I smile inside. Then, my mind closes.

1st February 2012

Variel POV

My mother worries too much, I tell her that.

"Nonsense! It's your first day at your new school. You must look purrrrrrfect." I chuckle at how she draws out the 'r' like a cat purring.

"Mum, thanks for the offer, but I think I can get dressed by myself. I'm 17 not 7."

"I know honey, but it's Year 13! Your last first day at school! And it's going to be awesome!"

She looks so excited and I sigh. "Fine, but I'm picking my bottoms and shoes, you can pick my top."

We quickly agree as always, seeing as we have had to for a while now, seeing as my Dad died after one of his visits when I was 13. We have had to get around by ourselves for a while, and it can get pretty tough.

Turns out, my outfit wasn't that bad, and before I know it, I am driving down the road to my new school.

I can see the sign a little up the road, it looks a lot bigger than my last school in Dunedin. I guess that's to be expected when you move to the Capital of your country, which for me in New Zealand (NZ) is Wellington.

I can already feel the knots in my stomach tighten as I look up through the school gate and pull into one of the student parking spots.

I take a deep breath, then I grab my bag and follow the signs to the office, my stomach tangling into a more complicated mess with every step.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I head up to the front desk where the lady gives me my timetable and a map of the school. I thank her and head out the door--to bump into another Year 13 girl with short white/blonde hair, blue eyes and a pretty face. After I apologise and she says that's ok, she looks me up and down.

"Have I seen you here before?" She asks me.

"No," I smile. "I just moved here from Dunedin." After a blank look for a second, her face erupts into a relaxing grin. "Oh wow Dunedin? That's awesome. Have you made any new friends yet? Trust me, I know what its like to move to a big intimidating school like this one. If you want, you can hang out with me and some of my friends. We usually sit at the barn, its like this big shelter in the middle of school."

I smile again. "Sure!"

She grins even more, "Ok cool! Here is my number in case you get lost or need anything."

I like this girl, she is bubbly and friendly, so I take her number without question. As she turns to leave I quickly say something.

"You wouldn't happen to know where C2 is? I can't read this map to save my life!" She smiles before answering.

"Sure, just follow this pathway until you come to a gray building on your left. Second floor on the end."

"Thanks!" I say slightly relieved. "What's your name again?"

"I'm Aria Williams."

"I'm Variel. Variel Devlin."

"Well Variel I got to run but I'll see you at break!"

After she walks away I take the directions she gave me, eventually making it to the top floor of the C Block. I look around for C2 but only see C4 and C5. "Ughh where is it?" I mutter. I walk down the hallway to come to a sharp turn that I didn't notice before, and at the end of it, C2.

I re-check for when class starts which is at 8:30am. 10 minutes to go. I decide to grab out my phone and lean against the wall as I text my old friend Lara from back in Dunedin. This is what I say :

'Hey, I'm at school, 10 minutes till it starts. How are you?' She replies quickly as always.

'Hey girl! How are you at your new school? Is it big? Meet any cute guys? I have! His name is Shaun and he is a sweetie! Although I wouldn't say it to his face, he doesn't like it when I call him that, says it doesn't suit him LOL.'

Trust Lara to find a new guy I think to myself. I type back quickly, knowing that Lara is impatient.

"Yeah, the school is great, a lot bigger obviously, and I will probably get lost 5 times a day. And no I have not met any guys Lara, I just got here, plus its not really on my priority list right now. And cute! Good luck with Shaun!'

As soon as I hit send the bell rings above my head. I quickly text goodbye and open the door to my class. I'm the first one in so I go sit in the back corner next to the window, overlooking the school, and waited for the first lesson to start.