Reinvigorated

Chapter 1 :A very important first meeting

‘Right, now if you just fill in these papers and then I’ll talk you through some things you need to know about the school. I won’t tell you everything as the deputy head of house will talk you through everything and answer any questions on your first day, I’ll just give you some basics.’ said Miss I-can’t-remember-her-name as she handed out the forms to my dad.  It was a lot, they do things a lot more thoroughly here in England than in Spain. One of the things I miss about it, they don’t make a big deal about stuff and things get done quicker. They don’t take 2 months to process a school application and make you start 3 weeks late. Its bad enough having to start a new school in a new country half way through high school, but having to start 3 weeks late when everyone’s settled? I mean, what if everyone’s got their own groups and friendships and don’t want to be friends with me? What if Im really behind in all my work and as a result I fail my GCSEs, I don’t get in a good college and fail my A-levels, I don’t get into a university and end up as an ugly cleaner scrubbing dirty boys toilets at 11pm at night, who obviously no one wants to date, therefore I don’t get married therefore I don’t raise a family, therefore I…..

‘Laurena..’ said my dad for the like third time.

‘Hmm? Oh sorry I didn’t hear you, what did you say?’

Mike shook his head in exasperation.

‘Fill this form out, you’re better than me at these things.’

I took the paper from his hand and gestured for the pen which Miss Powter..? handed me with a slight look of amusement.  ‘Thanks’ I said and smiled. I look down at the paper and start to fill in my full name (Laurena Elizabeth Tavitian), date of birth (August 9 2000), address (21 Rosewood Crescent) , emergency contact numbers (dad, mum and Auntie Isabel), well yeah you get the idea, all the basics. Turn the page. Medical history. Easy. Next page. Race and languages. Done.  Next page. Favourite subjects- what? Is that necessary…whatever. Simple, English, history and chemistry. Least favourites……..maths and physics. Qualities I posses. Hobbies. Problems I’ve had in the past, what is this? Please to hell with that, what you expect me to write down all my secrets on this piece of paper for you to file? Why is this information relevant anyway? I  finish writing up my form and hand it to my dad, who quickly checks it and then hands it to Miss….Parkins? Was that it? Whatever it doesn’t really matter. We all sit in silence, waiting for Mike. I start looking out of the window, trying to spot any students. Why are they wearing different coloured ties? And why does that sign say Amundsen that way? What the heck is ‘Amundsen’? My brother finally finishes his paper and hands it to Miss….Porpton?

‘Right so let me explain a few basics. Rivemoore High School is divided into four houses: Rowling, Edison, Amundsen and Calormen,’ Wait hold up. Rowling? As in J.K.Rowling? As in Harry Potter? Oh my days if Im in Rowling….

 ‘ I am head of Rowling, which is the house you two will be put in,’ Oh yeash man!

‘we don’t separate siblings within the house but we do with tutor groups.  The school building is also divided according to house, which will help you find your classrooms easily. On your first day, you will have a ‘buddy’ who will show you around. You need to be here at 8:15 and then the deputy head of house will go over things in more detail. Rowling house specifies in the arts, drama, dance, art and music. If you have a talent in these things, you shall be expected to contribute to your house with them and make your house proud…’ Miss Topton carried on talking about things but she sort of lost me. Its not my fault I get distracted easily, I’ve just got so much on my mind that I haven’t got space for everything that’s going on around me. Man, summer was awesome, best summer of my life- so far. One day, I’m gonna travel with my best friends all over the world during summer. When I am, say, 23. We’re gonna go to Greece, Canada, India, Israel, Russia, Sweden, Japan, Malaysia, Albania..- Albania...Man, Albania has the most gorgeous beaches Ive ever seen on google images. Plus everything is so cheap and since its like near Italy it has some amazing pizza. Pizza, I love pizza so much…I wonder what mum’s made for dinner I really hope its something like…-‘