Seeking Perfection

Chapter 1 - Part 1

The downtown streets of London were busy this time of year. A new year. A new start.

The people rush by in a blur of colour, a mumble of voices that surround you like a background voice on repeat.

It was cold, and wet. The usual English weather. Ducking into a near by cafe, to rescue myself the blasts.

I'm never going to make it back by curfew I thought to myself.

The boarding school I live in allows us to go to town, and socialise as we please, as long as it's within our hours allocated. We have to be back by the time the street lamps are lit, and the stores begin to close. 6pm, to be exact. 

Looking at my watch, it reads 5:18pm.
I'm still a good half an hour away from school. Why did I have to go so far away, I thought. You know why.

The cafe is bursting with life, everyone is huddled up at a table, with steaming hot cups of hot coco. It needs marshmellows. Maybe I should order one with extra, extra marshmellows, the sweeter the better. Maybe a slice of cake to go with it?

The bell to the door dang, as a bunch of boys my age rushed into the store.
Soaking, I guess it's not letting up, I figured.
The boys ordered their drinks, and took the table to my left. I really wanted something, I just feel so nervous, and cake would help so much, and I'm already late anyhow.

The girl behind the counter didn't smile as I approached, instead she looked bored.

"What can I get you?" She asked, rolling her eyes in my direction.

"Could I get a slice of chocolate cake.. please.." I mumbled, feeling completely embarrassed.

"Are you sure?"

I could feel my face heating up with shame, "I'm sure".

Turning her back to me, the waitress gathered my cake, not bothering with to acknowledge me when handing it over. It didn't phase me, I was use to this kind of behaviour. It's why I travelled so far today.

Sitting back down at the table, I spoon up a piece of cake, it smells so good. I can see the three boys looking at me out of the corner of my eye, ignoring them I eat the cake it about four mouthfuls. It was so rich, and relaxing.

"Oink oink"

Looking over at them again, this time they weren't just watching me, they were laughing.

They were laughing at me.

One boy used his finger, to pull up his nose, while his friends repeated it, "oink oink".

The shame was back, how could I have just eaten that in front of all these people? How could I have eaten another slice in the span of not even an hour. Pushing the plate away, I ran for the door. I can still hear them laughing.

The rain is pouring outside, but at least it's cool. Running into the alley beside the cafe, I found the darkest spot I could, huddled up and cried.

An hour or so had passed. I watched the boys leave, laughing, not realising the hurt they inflicted, just by being themselves. I sigh. I'm so dead when I get back to campus.

Standing, I try to wipe the wet dirt off my bottom, but it's useless, I'm soaked.

It's now 6:40 at night, forty minutes past our curfew. 

I go to Oakland Highs Boarding School. It's a co-ed school, but the boy dorms are over the other end of the school grounds.

Sneaking in the glass door, I look at the nightguards office door, shut. Thankfully, I thought.

The only other obstacle is the Dorm Supervisor, she's the one who is in charge of getting us all to bed, and just generally keeping us organised, and our dorm a drama free zone.

I've only been here a week, but I've already heard the other students calling Ms Mallardi the dragon lady. Apperently she's not friendly, hates trouble, and has the best hearing around.

Her door was open as I tried to sneak past, peaking my head in slightly I could see her looking at a book. This is probably the only chance I've got a sneaking past her, so I attempt to take it.

"Aurora Johnson, come in" Her voice echo'd down the hall.

Sighing, I make my way into her office. Peaking at the clock, it's now 6:50pm. Everyone would be in independent study, until dinner at 7.

Looking at me expectantly, Ms Mallardi taps her fingers on the page of her novel. "Well, Ms Johnson? Are you going to explain yourself, and why you missed the check in at curfew?"

"I'm so sorry, the storm just started pouring! And I didn't take an umbrella because it looked fine when I left this morning, it was just bad time management and organisation, there's no excuse" I said, honestly.

"Well, I'm glad your deciding against making excuses. I'll be frank, Ms Johnson, I don't, and won't tolerate this behaviour here in my dorm. You either make it to check in, or you get detention. If that still doesn't work, then you'll be out. It's my job to ensure your safety, if I can't do that, you'll need to leave. Do I make myself clear?" Her voice was stern.

"I understand, it won't happen again."

"Good. Now, I understand it's only your second weekend here. But as of tomorrow, holidays are over, classes begin. Due to that, and your reckless bahaviour, I can't let this go unpunished"

"O..okay"

"I understand you have your own room, correct?"  She asked,

"Yes, I like my own space" I replied honestly.

"Well, not anymore you don't. As punishment, you'll be taking a roommate, that way I know your in the dorms when your meant to be, and can keep track of you.

Now, dinner is starting in a few minutes, and I hope your up nice and early tomorrow for your first day. You're excused".

"Yes, yes, okay. Thankyou" I replied, turning my back and hurrying out of the room and into my own.