The Blaze: Worlds Apart

Chapter 3

May 2011

Red Tree Primary smelt of glue and light perfume. Already it was insanely different from White Hare School; not just the actual building but the people. They all stared coldly at the freakishly identical twins and none of the teachers acted like they wanted to be there. The southern accent that echoed round the school also seemed mean and judgmental, not like the singsong tone that the twins were used to up in Bolton.

"I already hate it here" Roxanne hissed at Brick.

"Don't do this again Roxie. You can't keep walking into new schools and deciding you hate everyone before you even get to know them. You are the kindling to your own fire; you simmer in your own crazy thoughts until they take over you completely. Please Roxie. I need to go to lesson. Stay out of trouble. This is our last chance starting over: don't mess it up for me again"

***

"Gooooooood morning everybody!"

"Good morning Mrs Rosewell"

The main hall was heavingwith bodies. Children fidgeted and squirmed on the shiny plastic floor and teacherswore wide smiles, trying not to let the drag of being at school show on theirfaces. Assembly was always painful, especially when it was being taken byheadteacher Mrs Rosewell. The plump woman chirped her way through the infiniteadmin and other announcements, never once dropping her flashy grin that neverseemed to leave her face. She was always happy. Annoyingly happy. She was the type of woman that could not understand why anyone would not want to be in school. In her eyes, just like everything else in the world, it was perfectly fun and exciting.

"Children I do hope that you are enjoying your year so far and all of the fantastic opportunities that Red Tree Primary is bringing you. I am so lucky to be able to guide every single student in this room on a beautiful learning journey." Mrs Rosewell chuckled "I look at you year sixes at the back of the room and I can't believe your journey at this school is almost over! It feels like only yesterday that you were all sat at my feet, looking scared about starting school. And what a long way we have come! I would also like to mention how well our new twins are settling in. I know how hard it is to start a new school, especially midway through the last year. Roxanne and Brick have only been at this school for a couple of weeks and it already feels like we know them so well. Would you two please stand?!"

Brick rose sheepishly from the bench. He looked like he was going to vomit.

"Actually Miss, I'm not sure where Roxie is."

As that sentence trickled out Brick's mouth, a wisp of black smoke slithered through the wooden double doors. Brick could see a glowing red flame licking the small window of glass at the bottom of the door. Suddenly the room got very hot. And then, almost as if the thought alone summoned it, the loud, piercing alarm went off.

Fire.