Give Me Wings

Chapter 1

It’s been a week since we moved here and this damn rain hasn’t stop pissing down. I dread opening my eyes but I do, slowly, as if I kept them closed longer I wouldn’t need to wake up. But I do. A faded light shines through the gap in the curtains and shimmers on my bedroom door as if it’s some sign from God to tell me to get off my lazy ass and go get ready for my first day of school. I groan as I roll out of bed, shrug on my summer gown and walk out the door. My father’s snores echo through the house and as I walk past his room I see he didn’t make it to bed. He lies next to it in a mangled heap, an empty bottle of vodka in his hand. Charming.
My dad use to be a successful lawyer back home until he turned to the drink to drown his sorrows. Rather pathetic if you ask me but I guess I understand. He always said my mum was his whole world… a year ago his world was ripped away from him.
I quickly make some toast and stuff it into my mouth before going into the bathroom to make myself look half decent for school. My hair is a tangled mess atop my head and it takes at least 3 minutes of brushing to get it nice again. My straight chocolate brown hair falls just below my armpits. I wash my face, brush my teeth, floss and then stare at myself in the mirror. I didn’t want to go to school and anyone looking into my eyes could see that. My blue hazel eyes quaked with fear as they gazed back at me. I sucked in my lips making a funny sound in the process and bushed myself away from the basin back into my room. The new school I was going to, Edmond High, didn’t have a uniform like my last school which was great yet daunting. My mind was a storm full of thoughts about what to wear. I didn’t know what this town was like, what the teens liked and how they acted. I was terrified of being judge. I always have been. I wasn’t exactly the most confident 17 year old girl even for someone who loved cheerleading. I’d even been nominated as cheer captain before my father decided to drag me away. I finally settled for some stressed denim shorts that I thought were extremely cute, a brown woven belt and a basic, loose, white long sleeved shirt. I tucked it into my shorts and rolled up the sleeves. I slipped on the brown boots that waited for my at the end of my bed picked up my black ruby and kit backpack and begun mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. School was a 7 minutes walk down the road and it was fast approaching 8:45. Before heading out the door I stopped outside my dad’s bedroom and stared down at him, my heart flooding with pity. “Dad.” I half shouted. He didn’t stir. I walked closer and kicked him in the stomach, praying he wouldn’t throw up on me. “Dad.” I said again and I was answered with a moan only just sounding human. “I’m going to school now…” I muttered. He rolled over onto his back and opened one eye. “Shit, Manda.” He grunted as he shuffled him self up into a sitting position. “I’m sorry, Gal.” He rubbed his eyes with clenched fists as he yawned. I shook my head and started towards the door “Don’t worry. I’ll be home by 4.” As I shut the front door behind me I swear I heard a faint “I love you.”

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As I approached Edmond High I took a deep breath. I’d been past the school multiple times yet the size always amazed me. Coming from Okato with a population of 500, more or less, to Greymouth with a population of 13,000 plus was terrifying. I dreaded walking through the entrance to greet the last year of my highschool life. In Okato I had 2 friends and that was it, plus it took me a whole year to actually become comfortable with them.
It was February 2nd the first day back at school for everyone and the start of a new era for me. I made my way to the administration building dodging skaters, rugby balls and people rampaging there way around the campus. The shrill sound of the bell rang out as I walked up to the student office and I prayed I’d be here long enough to miss out on the first two periods of class. I approached the lady at the desk and almost cringed as she smiled at me. The bright pink lipstick that marked her mouth although marked her teeth. I cleared my throat “Uh, I’m Amanda Maxis. I have a meeting with the dean.”
“Ooooh yes! Welcome dear! I’ll just call her for you.” She shrieked sounding almost like a dogs chew toy. I turned my grimace into a polite smile. As she put the phone down a tall lady with a neatly done black bun and black dress suit come down the hall. At 5 foot 4 it wasn’t hard for people to be taller than me but she had to be at least 6 foot or more. She beckoned at me to follow her and I did. We entered a plain office. The walls were white, the desk was white and the chairs were white. The only thing that added any colour to the room was the laptops wallpaper which was the default picture of yellow tulips. I looked around nervously as I tapped my foot waiting for the dean to speak. After what seemed like an eternity she finally spoke. “I’m Mrs Williams your year 13 dean for this year.” Her voice was the complete opposite of lipstick teeth ladies. She spoke in a deep monotone and honestly it kind frightened me. “Here is your timetable,” she handed me the small slip of paper “This is your locker number” her french manicured finger nail stabbed at the number on the top left of the slip. “This is your form room” her finger glided to the other side and I read the name David Shrall “and Mr Shrall is your form teacher. You’ll go to him for everything.” She lay her hands in her lap “Of course being a year 13 you’re probably accustomed to this by now.” I nodded sheepishly and smiled making eye contact to be respectful. Her dark brown eyes seemed to dig a whole right into my soul. “I’ll show you to your class then.” She stood up quickly and strode over to the door throwing it open and trotting on through and back down the hall; my little legs had to go double time to keep up with her. As we came to the office Mrs Williams stop abruptly and I almost slammed straight into her. I stumbled backwards and looked around her to see her scolding at some boy. “Late again.” She said with a little emotion. The boy rubbed the back of his neck and laughed awkwardly. His laugh was cute and I smiled to myself. He wore a dark navy button down shirt and black slim jeans. His blonde hair was shaggy and curly, framing his face perfectly. “Well, you can show Miss Maxis to her class then.” Mrs Williams turned around and left back to her office leaving me standing and staring at this completely stranger. He raised an eyebrow at me and it peeked over the rim of his glasses. “All righty.” He muttered as he stretched out his tan hand and I watched his veins pop out slightly. I looked at it for a while before realising I was meant to shake it. I mentally kicked myself and reached out to grab his hand. “Lucas.” he smiled at me, an actual genuine smile and I grinned back too. “Amanda.” He pointed at the crumpled slip in my hand. “Can I see that?” I shrugged and passed it to him. He clicked his tongue loudly and I swear I saw lipstick teeth lady roll her eyes in my peripheral vision. “Huh,” he said “We’ve got every class except for P.E together… Don’t know why anyone would want to take that.” He muttered the last statement before his eyes grew wide and he being to stammer. “I mean, no offence, I-it’s fine totally I just…” I laughed and shook my head. “It’s alright, I get you.”  He sighed and waved his hand towards the exit. “Well, we can be late for English together.” He looked down at my slip again. “I can show you to your locker first if you want. It’s 2 away from mine.” I nodded “Sure.”
“All righty, follow meeeeeee.” He dragged out the ends and started to skip away. He looked ridiculous but slightly cute at the same time. I followed him down the school corridors and thought maybe today won’t be as bad as I thought…

Auntors Note:
So what do you guys think so far? Feel free to leave a comment and any feedback :)