haphephobia • ed

• Chapter 1 •

•Friday•

Faintly, I hear the classic school bell ring, my classmates quickly rush out of the bland classroom; it's a Friday what do you expect. But me, I slowly pack my bag not wanting to get caught in the chaos of the halls. I place my essay in the tray on the way out.
"Harper, you do know this essay isn't due until this Friday?" Stated Miss Gibson.

"I know" The teacher looked shocked at my tone. But quite frankly i couldn't care less. I open the light wood coloured door hoping no one was roaming the halls. Especially him. Luckily, no one was. Clouds cover the car park as well as people prize possessions. Range Rovers and Jeeps all parked in rows. I shake my head at how materialistic my school is. My family can barely afford to run one car let alone another for me.

I drag my finger along the railing whilst walking, admiring the spring flowers. Spring has always been my favourite. The various flowers bursting with different bold colours. Animals finally getting their long awaited gift whether that's a chick, lamb or calf. Sunflowers have always been my favourite. Yellow reminds me of happiness, something I do not have. Girls always want roses but i find the cliche. Not only that but they remind me of the girls that attend my school; they look pretty from afar but when you get closer you realise the have sharp thorns that they are willing to use when they need to. Slowly digging the thorns into wherever hurts you the most. Because all they care about is them selves and popularity. I know I'm not the prettiest but at least I treat others with respect. However that doesn't matter in today's world sadly.

I take out my phone and go onto Spotify. Instantly clicking on my spring time playlist. I have thousands of playlists for every single mood, season or weather. Its sad but music and reading is they way i escape reality and the pain I feel internally. I grab my mint green coloured bike and hoist myself onto the saddle. My house was far from the school in a run down area. People always judge me because of it but again i couldn't care less. Most people who go to my school are rich and snobby. That's why i keep myself to myself. 7

I finally pull up to my little 2 storey house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It may seem small to other but to me its the perfect size. Nice and cosy. I open the gate to the garden and put my bike in the shed alongside my sisters. Slowly closing the door the walking inside. I smell something that makes my stomach rumble, my mothers signature lasagne. The smell is so familiar and so nostalgic. My sisters laugh echoes through the halls. I smile for the first time today. No one knows how I feel about life and myself, I don't want them knowing. They will treat me differently, maybe even get me help.

"Hello Mother, hello Primrose." I say happily to my family. My father is not around and I have no idea why. Just left one day. I'm glad because he only would have brought our family down. My mother sends me and warm smile whilst my sister runs up to me and engulfs me in a hug which I didn't know I needed.

"Hello Harper, guess what happened at school today?" Primrose spoke with her big green eyes staring into mine.

"Hmmmmmm...I don't know, what happened?" I respond pretending to think.

"I won a lollipop because i help a bird who couldn't fly!" She has such a big heart just like my mother. I think I inherited my dads; small, ugly and dark. I'm okay with that though. Know one notices when you have a big heart because they are to engulfed in themselves or their phones. Personally, I hate social media. Its a place for people who are self-centred. I mean why post pictures of yourself when there is so much more to take pictures of. If i did have social media, i know it would be filled with sunsets, flowers and my adventures.

"Dinners ready!" My mother says knocking me out of my thoughts. I sit down at the rickety table and dig ito my lasagne. Within minutes Primrose has demolished hers meanwhile i sit here not even taking my first bite.

"Whats wrong Harper? I thought you loved my lasagne?"

"I do, just not really hungry at the moment." I sen my mum a warm smile to reassure her. She nods her head and continues to eat. After 20 minutes both my mum and sister are finished and i can finally leave. I couldn't wait to get to my room and finish my book which i had started in class today. I don't tend to do work, I just sit and read. I do the work either at home or at my favourite cafe. The Wallflower Cafe.

I walk up to my bookcase and return my finished book and then walk to my school bag to take out my battered book. I engulf myself in my beanbag. Each page I read, I feel my eyes become heavy. Slowly I manoeuvre myself into my comfortable single bed and let myself drift off into dream world.

Hey guys!!!! I'm Kirsten and I like to write. I have a few other unfinished watt pad books which i don't really have the inspiration to finish. However, with this book i can already tell i have a lot of inspiration. I hope you enjoy and read on :))))