Chapter 2
I had every reason not to want to go to school. That first day was horrific. My new form tutor was a sharp woman called Mrs Fretwell. My choice of clothing didn’t go down very well with her so I can’t say I made the best first impressions. She complained that I looked more like a “drunken prostitute” than a sixteen year old school girl. How charming!
Science wasn’t much better either, though seeing the look on Talia’s face when we were told we’d be dissecting a rat was priceless. Mr Fisher the biology teacher seemed like a very well composed man considering one small blonde girl fainted when he cut the rat open. I’d never seen anyone faint before. It sent me into a state of panic and I had to leave the room. I thought she’d died.
“I really don’t understand why you have to be so melodramatic!” Talia stated, clearly talking to me. “The poor girl is clearly disturbed; making a big fuss about the fact that she’s fainted isn’t going to help anyone.”
The rest of the day up until last lesson passed by in a blur of laughing teenagers, prison-like walls and frustrated teachers. It seemed like everyone still had their little groups of friends from their old schools. I didn’t have anybody.
Last lesson came around and I slumped off to find the religious education classroom. After ten minutes of rushing around and realising that I was late, I ran into a prefect who told me that the religious education block was in a separate building to the south of the campus.
As I arrived at the classroom, I shyly knocked on the door.
“I’m sorry that I am late. I couldn’t find where I was supposed to be.” I apologised as I entered the room.
“Come in, not to worry. You must be Ingrid Brooks. I’ve heard a lot about you. I understand that this isn’t the easiest of lessons to find on your first day. I’m Miss Honey, welcome to religious education at Cimorella High School. If you could, please take a seat over there next to Ryan at the side of the classroom.” Miss Honey indicated to my place.
I dreaded religious education. It was always my least favourite subject at my old school. Some of the things we used to talk about upset me. Especially after dad died and we had to talk about life after death. I was never very comfortable at in the religious education classroom at my old school either. It made me feel uneasy and exposed, like everyone would get to know your personal beliefs and feelings. The classroom was a patronising, pale purple colour. The room was narrow and the ceiling was high. The windows were too high up to see out of, and the classroom was outlined with rickety display cases filled with textbooks.
“Err... hi.” The boy next to me pulled out my chair and ushered for me to sit down. “I’m Ryan.”
“Thanks, I’m Ingrid.” I whispered in reply.
Once everyone had settled down and Miss Honey was taking the register, I realised that Talia wasn’t in my class. I sighed, half out of relief and half out of concern that no one from my old school was in my class. This was good in the way that no one could judge me because they didn’t know my past, but at the same time a little scary because I knew no one, and if I broke down, there would be no one that would understand why.
“Alright class, quiet please.” Miss Honey ordered, finishing the register. “Today we’re going to be recapping on a topic that I know most of you will have done in your old schools: life after death.”
“This can’t be happening!” I thought, whispering to my conscience.
“Now I know this topic can be a difficult one to process in your brains but I think starting with this recap will help you all to feel at ease in my classroom.” Miss Honey encouraged.
I knew straight away that I couldn’t sit there and listen to this lesson. I broke down in my old school and although it’s been three years, it’s something I still feel very strongly about.
We didn’t write anything in that lesson, just talked about what people could remember from our old schools. I sat at the side, put my head down, and said nothing. I tried to block out the words of my fellow students but it was too hard. Towards the end I had to fight back tears when the discussion turned to the idea that there was nothing after death and the fact that nothing was probably the most realistic. Miss Honey looked at me with understanding eyes and I knew what she meant when she had said she’d “heard a lot” about me. It surprised me that she didn’t say anything about my dad.
“Well done class. You’ve all done brilliantly today. I can tell that you’re all an extremely clever bunch of young people.” Miss Honey continued. “I’d like to set you some homework for next week.”
My heart sank.
“You are to meet up with a partner from this class and tell each other your personal views about life after death and why you believe what you do. I will be asking you next week to tell the class your partner’s views.” Miss Honey finished.
Shortly after, the bell rang and class was dismissed. I hurried out of the classroom before anyone had a chance to say goodbye and wandered off to find which bus I had to get on.
