A New Beginning

"Get up, darling! You're going to be late for school!" I groaned when my covers were thrown off me.

"Geez, mum... Lovely to see you as well," I put on my best British accent as I groggily got up and walked to the bathroom to freshen up.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My brown hair curled at the ends and my hazel eyes bore right back at me. I pulled a face at myself and carried on with my routine. Honestly, sometimes being an 18 year old is simply too tiring.

"Beth, you better get your bum down here before I personally push you down the stairs," my brother yelled. Well, someone was perky today. I grumbled, pulled my uniform on and ran down the stairs, my plaid skirt swishing about as I pulled on my black jumper with a huge "E" on it.

I was to collect my results today and, boy, was I nervous. My knees shook as the car approached my school and I shakily got out of the car. "Bye, honey! All the best!" My mum blew a kiss to me as she drove off.

I heaved a sigh and entered the hall where millions of my other preppy classmates were seated. The popular girls stood at one corner, their perfectly straightened blonde hair bouncing to the beat of whatever hit single they were dancing to, a group of boys gathered around them. I rolled my eyes, and carried on to my seat.

"Beth!! You're finally here, I could not wait to see you!! I mean, like, oh my goodness it's been forever since I last saw you! We haven't spoken in, like, forever!!" I put my hand up to shut my best friend, Felicity, up before she went on further. Gosh, hard to imagine that one of the most gorgeous girls in school would turn out to be my best friend.

Her blue eyes were downcast as she mumbled an apology. I shook my head, giggled and hugged her with all my might. "I've missed you too," I heard her chuckle and it wasn't long before our dean ordered us to be seated.

"Now, children, it gives me great pleasure to announce that not only did Mason Academy produce excellent results once more," The whole hall turned into applause. "But, we've also received two highly coveted full scholarships to the University of Oxford in London." Gasps echoed around the room and Felicity turned to me, her blue eyes looking confused. I laughed.

Despite the typical slender figure, blonde hair and blue eyes, Felicity Parker was one of the most intelligent pupils at this school. I would not even be surprised if she were one of the two to clinch the scholarship that all of us wanted.

The dean cleared his throat and silence rang through out. He rolled his eyes and continued, "The two students are to be fully funded in their school expenses whilst on scholarship and transport to the University are all paid for." My mouth watered, I had wanted to enter Oxford for as long as I can remember. This was it, it was now or never.

"Without further ado, the students that received this scholarship are," Everyone was on the edge of their seats as the first name rolled off his tongue.