Sitting in a silent protest, refusing to get out of the car, was Waterloo Road's brand new student. A rebellious, self-centered teen who was nothing but careless to those around her and the last thing she cared about was her education. Although she carried the typical characteristics of a teenager, she easily stood out from the crowd with the single blue strand that ran through the length of her long, jet black hair and her thick black eyeliner that complimented her deep sea blue eyes.

There was a light tap on the window and she involuntarily looked up into the eyes of a friendly looking, brunette woman. The woman made a slight gesture implying for her to get out of the car. Instead she rolled down the window so it was open partially.

''Hello you must be Ryla-Blaze, im your head teacher Miss Mason would you like to step out the car please?' the friendly woman smiled.

Ryla let out a huge grown and thrusted the car door open. She slowly got out, kicking the door shut behind her. Miss Mason held out a hand. Ryla looked down at it and looked back up at Miss Mason blankly. She crossed her arms tightly against her chest and rolled her eyes, making it clear that manners were the least of her worries. Miss Mason looked taken a back and quickly snatched back her hand, resting it by her side.

Miss Mason cleared her throat, forcing herself to smile 'Well then, Ryla-Blaze if you would just…'. But she was cut off mid sentence by Ryla.

'Ryla, just ryla. Some call me Ry, but you can call me Ryla' she rudely interrupted, chewing her gum obnoxiously.

'Er yes, of corse, Ryla' Miss Mason muttered trying not to look as intimidated as she felt. 'This way' and she turned away heading towards the school's main entrance.

An unimpressed Ryla trudged behind her, not even taking the time to say goodbye to her angered and embarrassed mother who was calling after to her to watch her manners.

Ryla and her mother didn't have the healthiest of mother daughter relationships, her relationship with her step-father was complicated. But Ryla held a deep secret that was the key to the poor relationship she had with her family. However, she had never spoke of it to anyone and she wasn't planning on doing so anytime soon.

As Miss Mason lead Ryla up the dreaded steps to the Waterloo Road school, Ryla gawked round at the deserted school grounds and then continued to follow Miss Mason into the school.

As Ryla stepped into the school, she glared round observing her surroundings. Yet her expression was unreadable.

They finally arrived in Miss Masons office and she talked Ryla through the schools expectations and gave her timetable.

When she was done Miss Mason got up from her chair and gestured for Ryla, who was currently sitting on the corner of Miss Mason's desk, to sit on the sofa in the corner of her office.

Ryla tutted and moved herself to the sofa, slouching on it making herself comfortable. Miss Mason sat next to her and was about to ask if there was anything worrying her, when all of a sudden Eddie Lawson burst into the office.

'Rachael, I think we've found the mother of the abandoned baby' he said out of breath. Ryla looked up confused and Eddie suddenly became aware of her presence. 'Oh sorry' he murmured and looked at Rachael pleadingly.

Rachael turned to Ryla with a soft expression on her face 'Okay Ryla i'm afraid i'm gonna have to ask you to give me and Mr Lawson here some time to discuss some things privately, if you could just wait outside my office'.

'Sure thing, Rachel' Ryla smirked raising an eyebrow. She got up and left them to talk.

Ryla was about to set off and take her own guided tour of the school when she came across a tall, dark haired girl, who had clearly been crying, stood outside Rachael's office.

They exchanged looks for a moment, when Ryla smirked and said 'What you wasting your tears on this dump for?'. The girl just looked away and shrugged.

Ryla looked around the office for a moment and shrugged. 'Mind you I don't really blame you, a place like this is enough to make anyone cry, maybe even me'.

The girl gave a small smile. 'It ain't that bad'

Ryla let out a laugh of disbelief. 'What! Not even with that old bat on your case?'

'Miss Mason? Nah shes mint, she is'

Ryla tutted, still unconvinced. 'So... you gonna tell me what you were sobbing about?'

The girl suddenly looked uncomfortable and she looked away shamefully, but then she nodded. 'Okay well I might as well tell ya, you'll probs here it from someone else anyway. Don't judge or nothing. I ain't proud of myself.' Her voice faded.

Ryla looked up at her impatiently urging her to carry on.

She shifted about. 'Well basically yeah, I had this baby...' And with that she burst into tears.

Ryla rolled her eyes and pulled her into a hug. 'I'm sure it'll be fine. We all make mistakes init' But this just made her cry even harder.

Just then the door to Rachaels office opened and the girls separated.

Rachael gestured for the girl to come into her office and just as she was walking through the door she turned and smiled. 'I'm maxine by the way'.

Ryla smiled back, 'Ryla'.

'Right now as for you' Rachael began 'Mr Lawson here is gonna take you around the school and i'll catch up with you later to see how you're getting on'

Ryla turned and followed Mr Lawson's lead.