''Charlotte, we need to discuss something.'' Marcia said over the breakfast table. Two days had gone by since the little incident between me and her, but luckily, things had turned out for the best. She had accepted my apology, and I was even surprised to hear her do likewise. I felt welcome inside the house again.
''What about?'' I asked, unaware that I had taken a bite of toast just the second before. ''No need to speak with your mouth full.'' Marcia stated with a raised eyebrow. I immediately swallowed. ''Sorry.'' I apologised, hearing Dan on my left snicker. I gave him a look, and he wiped off his smile in less than a second, turning his attention to a piece of toast before him.
''As you are well aware, we need to get you back to school again.'' Alan stated, making me turn my attention to him instead. He was looking kindly at me, and I melted. It was a fatherly love that radiated off of him, just like Marcia was like a mother.
''I won't be going back home.'' I said, thinking that it had to do with leaving London for good. Marcia shook her head with a smile, ''No, dear. We just thought we'd suggest a school for you.'' ''What about my school? We have a sister school.'' Dan spoke up. I looked at him curiously. ''Next to yours? But you hardly go to school?''
''Not since the end of filming, no. But I'll be back soon. I'll come back same day as you.'' he suggested. I sighed and bit my lip. ''I don't know...'' I muttered, terrified of the thought of going back to school. I wasn't properly treated in my old one, why take a chance now?
''I think it's a good idea.'' Dan said in a suggestive way, making me look at him. Again, I found truth in his eyes. ''I'll call the office right now.'' Marcia said, getting up from the table and heading towards the living room, before I, or anyone else for that matter, could object. I sat there, lips slightly parted, dumbstruck, and regretting. Why did I have a bad feeling about this?
''You'll be fine.'' Alan said sweetly, and I nodded, trying to give him a smile. Sure, I would make it. How hard could it be?
Boy, was I stupid.
*~*~*~*~*~*
''Here we are.'' said Marcia casually, as she pulled into the parking lot in front of the two schools. (note: I have absolutely no idea how it looks over there, making it all up). I looked out the window, seeing the giant building towering it's way upwards, and for a moment I felt like Rory Gilmore, first day at school. I couldn't help but try and look for the gargoils somewhere on the building.
''Now, Charlotte. If you are uncomfortable with taking the bus, I'll pick you up. You have the number?'' I tried to smile, as I pulled out the little note from my pocket. ''Right here.'' Marcia nodded, ''Good.''
As I climbed out of the car, I felt the butterflies in my stomach turn into killer sharks. What was I getting myself into? This was pure madness! ''Bye, mum.'' Dan waved after Marcia, who had already drove away as soon as both car doors were slammed shut. I bit my lip, looking up at the building, then the one next to. At least he wasn't kidding when he said the schools were right next to each other.
I tugged at my shirt, seeing Dan come up to me with a smile. ''So are you ready?'' he asked me casually. I shook my head furiously. ''Far from it. Why did I even bother?'' I questioned him, and myself, looking at the building in front of it. Tons of girls were standing around the entrance, a few of them staring at...
''Uh... Dan? Why are they staring at me?'' Dan turned his head to look at the girls at the entrance, now standing in groups and whispering to each other. I felt uncomfortable right away. Why me? ''Perhaps they haven't seen a beautiful girl before?'' Dan suggested, and I couldn't help but blush through a small smile, as I turned my head to look at him.
''You'll do fine.'' he assured me, placing a hand on my arm. I nodded, trying to convince myself. ''Besides, I'll be in a bit of trouble myself.'' he added, more to himself than me. ''Why?'' I asked him curiously. He blushed a little, thinking I hadn't heard. ''Well, how do you think my classmates will react after seeing me for the first time in almost two years?'' I thought about it.
''Good point.'' I muttered. He smiled weakly and gave my arm one last affectionate squeeze, before letting go and walking towards his school. ''Dan?'' I called after him, making him turn around to face me. ''Is there any way we can meet in between classes?'' Even with the distance between us, I could see him smile widely. ''Meet me out here for lunch!'' he shouted back. I nodded with a smile.
At least I could come running to him if it all went downhill.
I turned towards the school, the killer sharks in my stomach going wild. Something told me that this day was going to be a lot different from what I had expected.
I figured it was better to get it over and done with, and tried to walk casually towards the entrance. Several pairs of eyes followed me, as I walked up the stairs and inside. I didn't realize that I had been holding my breath, until I walked inside.
I finally exhaled, looking around. The hallways were emptying out, and I figured it was best to find the faculty office before class began. I always hated being late. Every pair of eyes would be staring at me, and I'd feel uncomfortable and sick.
Is it obvious that I'm experienced?
I knocked casually on the door, and heard a voice bid me inside. With heart in my throat, I opened the door, to find at least seven teachers looking at me. I felt my face redden. ''Yes?'' a kind looking woman spoke up, looking at me with eyes that could have easily belonged to a beloved grandmother.
''Uhm... I'm Charlotte Jensen. I'm new here?'' I said suggestively, not knowing what else to do. ''Ah yes, you've been expected.'' a voice from somewhere behind me said. I spun around and caught sight of an elderly woman, mid-fifties with a charming smile, blue eyes and her blonde-grey hair tied up in an elegant bun.
''Well, don't just stand there and grow roots, dear, come along.'' she said, and I woke from my trance. I followed her inside an old looking office, beautifully decorated with what reminded me of the 18th century.
''Class begins in a minute.'' the woman instructed, and took a file from one of the many shelves around her. ''This is your schedule of classes, you'll be attending.'' she said, handing me a piece of paper. I studied it shortly before nodding, turning my attention back to her. ''Good.'' she said with a smile, and I felt a chimp of ice melt off my heart. At least she was being nice to me.
''I'm headmistress Claire Stewart. If you have any questions, just ask for me.'' ''Yes ma'am.'' I nodded. ''Good. Off you go then.'' she said with a smile, and I smiled weakly back before turning around and heading out of the office. I stepped outside the faculty, seeing how the halls had emptied suddenly. ''Oh great.'' I whispered.
I looked at the schedule for any direction, and soon enough, I had found the right classroom. One of the killer sharks inside of me tore off a piece of me, it felt. I gulped, as I knocked on the door. ''Yes?'' a male voice called out. I took that as my go ahead and opened the door, walking inside. Every pair of eyes were resting on me, just as I had predicted, but I focused my attention on the teacher before me.
''John Preston. You must be Charlotte.'' the teacher said, holding out his hand for me to shake. I politely took it and shook it. ''Girls, can I have your attention please?'' I turned away from the teacher and moved my gaze to the class before me, and saw that every girl had their eyes focused on me. At that moment, I was strongly tempted to run and get Dan, steal his phone and call Marcia. The nightmare was about to begin.
''This is Charlotte Jensen, she's just moved here from Denmark. I want you all to be nice and make her feel at home.'' I tried to study every face I saw, in case I needed to remember. Every face was a blur to me. Except for a few at least. A few stood out, but only because I had seen them five minutes before, back at the entrance. They were looking at me with what looked like killer eyes.
That's it. I'm dead.
*~*~*~*~*~*
''Hey, Janson!'' someone called out, as soon as I had stepped outside on the hallway, heading towards my new locker. I closed my eyes momentarily, as if in pain. Let the games begin. ''It's Jensen, actually.'' I said casually, turning around to face no less than five girls.
One of them, the obvious leader, walked forward, a smug evident on her face. ''Are you trying to be smart?'' ''That's up to you to decide, isn't it?'' I shot back, turning around to walk away. ''Don't walk away, when I'm talking to you.'' she spoke, and I rolled my eyes, turning around. ''I'm sorry. I thought you were finished.'' I said, putting on my wide plastic smile. Kiss my behind.
She narrowed her eyes, pushing back her straight blonde hair behind her shoulders. ''What's with you and Radcliffe?'' she asked harshly. ''Why do you want to know?'' I asked her casually. She seemed surprised by my reply, but quickly pulled herself together. ''I asked you first.'' she said with a raised eyebrow. I quickly turned my face to my locker so they wouldn't see me so close to laughing.
Out of all people, I get the one with the intelligence of a 14 year old!?
''Well?'' she asked me, as I opened my locker and threw my school bag inside it. ''Well, can you be more specific?'' I asked politely, rummaging around in my bag to find my lunch. ''What were you doing in his car?'' ''He drove me to school.'' I said with a shrug, finally finding what I had been looking for all along.
''Why?'' the blonde leader demanded. I slammed my locker shut, turning to face the group of girls one last time. ''Because he is a friend.'' I said simply. The blond leader seemed to have run out of options, as her face showed.
I turned around to walk away, when she suddenly reached out and snatched my lunch out of my hand. ''What the?'' I got out, turning around to face the group again. The blonde leader let out a wide smile, tossing the pack of sandwiches backwards. Ironically enough, it landed in the trash can. ''Oops.'' she said innocently, blowing a kiss and walking away, the group of girls right behind her.
I followed the group with a raised eyebrow until they were out of sight, before finally shaking my head slightly, turning around and walking towards the exit.
''There you are. Where's your lunch?'' Dan asked me, as I neared him, sitting up against a tree that stood between the huge football lawn and parking lot. I sat down next to him, wondering how to put it. ''Well...'' I stated with a raised eyebrow, ''I think I've just gone back to eighth grade and met a mini-Regina George.'' Dan almost choked on his sandwich. ''You what?'' he laughed, coughing in between. I shook my head. ''Well, whoever she was, she stole my lunch and threw it in the trash.'' Dan raised an eyebrow, his laughter easing down. ''Why?''
''How should I know?'' I shrugged, not wanting to tell him. He seemed to study me for a moment, before taking the only sandwich left, handing it to me. ''No thanks.'' I said barely above a whisper. It seemed I had lost my appetite for the rest of the day. And all because of a bunch of plastic girls? What was wrong with me?
''It's not a suggestion, Charlotte.'' Dan said, looking seriously at me. I sighed and took it out of his hands. ''Fine.'' I said, raising it to my mouth and nibbling at it. He seemed satisfied and went back to eating his own sandwich. For a while, no words were spoken between us.
''We have to get back to class.'' I heard his voice from somewhere next to me. I nodded and got up from my sitting position against the tree. He got up as well, and I couldn't help but look at him, finding him already looking at me. I stood there for a moment, not knowing what to say. ''Thank you.'' I finally got out. He smiled warmly at me, reaching out and caressing my arm momentarily.
''Any time.'' he said softly, before turning around and walking towards his school. ''Thank you.'' I repeated to his back, watching him disappear inside the building. I sighed and almost dragged my feet towards the entrance. As I walked inside, I saw that one of the lockers down the hall had been opened.
I walked closer, seeing that it was my locker. What a surprise. I thought sarcastically to myself, walking up to it and peeking inside. Of course, they had taken taken the liberty of stealing my bag. It couldn't get any better than this.
As I walked towards the classroom, I saw something on top of the many lockers further down the hall. My curious soul dragged me along, and I walked closer. I looked up at the top of the lockers, seeing that my bag had been thrown on top of it. Even if I were to stand on a stool, I wouldn't be able to reach it.
Me and my big mouth.
--->
thanks for reading!
