It's All In Your Head {Sequel to STCG}

Chapter 11 - A Nighmare Becomes Reality

The sound of Mum's footsteps coming to wake me was like waiting for my doom. Every step closer towards my door made me groan in my head, made me fight back tears. I felt like screaming and locking her up in her room so she couldn't make me go to school, but dreams don't come true.

And neither did this one.

My bedroom door creaked open and I peeked over to see Mum already dressed. I tried to close my eyes before she noticed I was awake but I was too slow, and cursed myself as she grinned widely. Clapping her hands excitedly, she ripped - literally ripped - the covers off me and left me shivering on the cold sheets.

"Ooh, your first day at a new school! I'm so excited!" she exclaimed brightly. Wearily, I replied with, "well you must be the only one." That earned me a sarcastic look.

"You know, if you actually tried to smile you'd probably be happier."

"How can I smile when I'm going to school? Is that physically possible?"

Strangely, she smiled at this.

"That's exactly what your old self would've said! You must be getting better."

I looked away immediately, holding back a tear or two. She was far from correct, as I wasn't "better" at all. In fact, everyday I felt like things were getting worse. Each second lasted a minute, each minute an hour, each hour a year. My life was a constant drag and I felt like ending it all. Only then would things be "better".

I trudged over to my wardrobe to look for something to wear when Mum spoke up again. "Here's your uniform."

Just. Great.

~

We drove along in silence as the radio babbled on in the car. Occasionally, a song would play but none of which I liked. My uniform was bearable; a white blouse, black skirt and dark blue jumper with the school logo on. I chose to wear black tights as the wind would nip at my legs if I didn't, and my shoes were of a plain style.

"It's a bit chilly, are you sure you don't want your coat?" Mum asked, concerned. I shook my head absentmindedly and focused on the road ahead. Look at that tall tree over there... And a squirrel!

"Well... I guess you're old enough to make your own decisions now. Right?"

There was silence.

"Right, Emma?"

"Oh yeah sure," I snapped out of the trance as we pulled up beside the school. A sign was at the gates, saying 'Welcome to Rosetree Secondary School for Girls'.

"Rosetree sounds very posh...," I said uncertainly.

"That's why I picked it, your last school was full of rascals. Atleast this one will be- What the.."

I looked to where she was gawping at, and my jaw dropped in an instant. Posh? Rosetree may be a posh name, but it definitely didn't contain posh students. Girls with skirts barely past mid-thigh strutted past, laughing loudly and swearing at other students there. I think I even saw a year seven smoking.

"Mum, please don't make me go here!" I pleaded desperately. Homesickness had begun to sink in and was making me feel sick. A whole seven hours away from home, away from Mum and with these people? The thought made me want to cry.

Sure enough, tears pricked at my eyes and threatened to fall. I felt myself wiping them away quickly but holding them back only made it harder to cope. The last time I was at school was when I left for a school trip and you saw where that got me - with Leather Face.