Returning Home: Chapter 1
"Morning, Grantly." Mum said and I smiled at Mr. Budgen who frowned at me, he was probably surprised that I was still in school. "Miss. Mason, you're looking well." Mr. Budgen said and I couldn't help but glare at him, what a stupid thing to say. "Thank you. Hope you're raring to go." Mum said and I giggled, he scowled at me. "One more unto the breach." Mr. Budgen said and I rolled my eyes making mum chuckle, everybody was staring at us making me feel uncomfortable. "We don't have to go back today, you know?" Mum asked and I nodded. "I want too; otherwise I'll never do it." I said as we walked towards Mum's office. "What's wrong with this picture?" Mum asked Eddie making him smile "Rachel! Welcome back, and welcome back Allie!" Eddie said hugging both Mum and I. "It's all yours." Eddie said offering mum her chair back making her laugh and smile. "Not that I'll be spending much time sitting back this year, I've had too much time to sit and think over these last few weeks." Mum said and I rubbed her back soothingly, she smiled up at me. "You were recovering from massive injuries Mum." I said and she looked at me. "And so were you, Annie."
I gulped, I didn't want to think about it any more. "Whatever, I just want to get going." Mum said and I frowned. "I made so many promises when I came here and I didn't keep any of them." Mum said and I looked at her as Eddie spoke up. "That's not true, Rachel. And in fairness, you did have a few distractions." Eddie said and I looked up at him. "This year I'll put it all right. I don't want this school associated with fires and scandals. I want it to be a place where you can change your life, for the better." Mum said and I grinned. "Sound's good, wont leave you much time for personal life." Eddie said and I looked at him. "What personal life?" Mum asked and I could tell Eddie was about to say 'us' because I knew he still had feelings for mum but I think he might have stopped himself because I was here. "You need to look after yourself, Rachel." Eddie said and I smiled warmly at him, he really did care about Mum.
"I'm fine." Mum said getting to her feet. "I'll be even better when I've seen the people that were here for. Assembly, let's go." Mum said and I followed her out of the door. We walked into the door where the hall was situated and I saw Eddie not to Matt who was sitting at the piano. The choir was made up of, Karla, Danielle, Aleesha, and a few others. I sat down awkwardly beside Bolton Smiley who hugged me tightly. He kissed my forehead which made me smile, Bolton and I had always been quite close and I fancied him slightly. "Welcome home, welcome. Come on in, and close the door!" The Choir sung and I giggled, looking at Maxine who smiled at me, Bolton still had his arm around my waist which made me smile. "You've been gone, too long! Welcome, you're home once more!" The Choir sung making a hungover Matt wince; he seemed relieved when they finished the song making me giggle.
"There's only one Miss. Mason!" Bolton yelled making me giggle. "One Miss. Mason!" Maxine and I sung, dancing along until the whole school joined in. "Okay that's enough! I said that's enough! Thank you, to all of you. Mr. Wilding for your singers. And Mr. Lawson, whom I suspect is behind all this fuss." Mum said and we all cheered and clapped. "Here we are, a new year. Some new peoples, new staff." Mum said and I couldn't help but smile at her. And in places, a new school. I hope you like what we've done with the old place. Do you?" Mum asked and everyone started cheering again. "Good because I want you to go home this afternoon, tell your mums, dads and grandparents how fantastic is. And I want you to tell them that we'd like to see them all here. We're opening the doors this year, and there'll be something for everyone; classes, clubs and advice." Mum said and I smiled, Bolton tickled my side slightly making butterfly's erupt in my stomach. "And what I really want you to tell them is that if they need something; the first place they should look is, Waterloo Road!" Mum said and we all cheered, she excused us and Bolton interlaced our fingers as we walked outside.
"I'm just going to the toilets." I told Bolton with a smile, he kissed my lips softly when Eddie saw us. "Ay you two, less of that!" Eddie said and I giggled, Eddie was like my dad; very protective. "Sorry sir!" Bolton said and Eddie fake glared at him. "I expected her to have scars and all that." Danielle said and I could tell they was either talking about me or my mum. "What? Freddie Kruger style?" Aleesha said and I glared at them before walking into the toilet. "Not that bad, she wouldn't have come back if it had been that bad." Danielle said and I rolled my eyes, could they be anymore stupid? "Do you think?" Aleesha said and I rolled my eyes, snorting slightly. "Leesh, you want to take a week off if you've got a spot." Danielle said and I glared at the wall. "It wasn't a spot, it was a boil! It could have gone septic and killed me."
"Next time say something about my mum when I'm not here or don't say anything at all!" I yelled at the two girls who looked mortified. "Are you okay Allie?" Aleesha asked and I rolled my eyes, walking out of the door. "What's up man?" Bolton asked taking my hand in his. "Just Danielle and Aleesha, talking about my mum." I said and Bolton kissed my temple, this calmed me down slightly. "I'm just going to go and see her, tell Budgen or whoever we have where I am, okay?" I asked and he nodded, kissing my lips making me smile.
"What do you think you're doing? Get off him!" Mum said, pushing the boy. The boy makes another advance on the taxi driver but Mum pushed him again. "I wont tell you again. Now, what's going on here?" Mum asked and the kid looked at me, biting his lip. "Who are you?" he asked mum and my mouth dropped open. "I'm head of this school, who the hell are you?" Mum asked and the boy smirked. "You're worst nightmare!" the boy said and looked over at me again making me gulp, I wish I had Bolton here. "Earl! I'm sorry about this. We had a little... I'm here to enrol the kids in school." The Mum I assume said, Mum looked horrified and I didn't blame her. "Enrol? I don't…" Mum said and I looked at her. "That's made your day, hasn't it love?" Earl asked and I glared at him. "I just need to know…" Mum said and I walked to her side. "Who are you?" Earl asked snottily and I glared at him. "I'm her daughter!" I said loudly causing him to laugh.
"Is there a problem?" Eddie asked and the taxi driver snorted. "Yeah, five of 'em." The Taxi Driver said and I glared at him. "I should have known when they asked to be brought here. Typical flaming Waterloo Road. They should have let this place burn to the ground." The Taxi driver said and I glared at him as I watched my mum wince. "Mum?" I asked but she looked at me. "Not now, Annie." She said and I walked back inside, sighing slightly. "Annie?" Bolton asked and I looked up at him, we were leaning against the locker and he bent down towards me and kissed me passionately. My hands were around his neck and his were on my waist, I giggled biting his lip which made him smile.