Opening Act || Calum Hood

Chapter One

The sound of the college bell ringing signalled the end of the day, managing to get the attention of all of the students. Everybody reached down to pick up their bags, standing up from their seats in sync, despite the teachers protesting that there was a minute of teaching remaining. Students began engaging in loud conversation with each other as they opened the classroom door, heading for the exit. 

I lifted my backpack, swinging it over my right shoulder. The sound of all of the students talking in the corridor and classroom filled the once silent room. Just as I was about to make my way towards the door where the rest of my classmates were crowding around waiting to leave, I heard a voice call my name.

"Eva," The voice called, my head quickly turned to the direction of the person who called my name. I was faced with my teacher.

"I was wondering if you could stay behind for a minute," She questioned, giving me a soft smile. 

I made my way back to my previous place at my desk as students still continued to flood out of the classroom. 

"Um, yeah sure. No problem," I responded. I sat on the desk where I usually sit as I waited for the classroom to empty, which would take longer than usual considering it was a Friday. 

During enrolment every student is given their own timetable which is tailored according to their courses. Friday's were the only exception, all students were obliged to attend classes from 9am until 4pm. This meant that the college was exceptionally busy in the mornings and at the end of the day, it was almost impossible to get out of a building without feeling like you've been thrown into a wrestling match.

Whilst the remaining students left the room, I glanced around the classroom, examining it as though it was the first time I had seen it. In all honesty, it probably was. I had a problem with paying attention in class. 

I looked at the posters which were held up on the boards by safety pins, examining them as though they'd only just been put there, even though they'd probably been hanging there since before I even left the womb. 

My eyes glanced to the text book cupboard, my eyes scanning the various different chunky text books which occupied the shelves. Hopefully I'd never have to read them. As much as I enjoyed reading, I didn't enjoy reading information I was not in fact, interested in. 

My eyes then turned in the direction of my teacher, who was gathering her seemingly endless pile of papers she had to mark over the weekend. I did not envy her. She was a nice teacher, from what I had experienced anyway. She was petite and blonde, she was very warm and welcoming and actually very caring for a teacher. She always refers to her students as the children she never had. As kind as she is, she could also be very strict. We were aware of her limits and the students respected that, knowing not to cross the line. 

I watched as the last remaining student left the classroom in a hurry, the door being just as quick to close behind him. 

"Come on then, take a seat anywhere you want," Her voice broke me from my thoughts, I turned my head in her direction. She waved her hand, signalling me to take a seat at a table nearby. I stood up from where I was sat on the desk, making my way towards her.

As I reached the tables towards the front of the classroom, I pulled a chair backwards before sitting on it. Taking my bag pack from my shoulder, I placed it on the grey carpet at the side of the desk.

Miss Davies took a seat on her computer chair, she concentrated on her computer screen for a few seconds, clicking the mouse a few times. 

"Right, all done!" She chirped, slapping both of her hands on her thighs. She started wheeling herself towards me, sitting at the other side of the desk I was at.