Hating Alison Ashley- Written from Alison's point of view.
Alison felt very nervous, walking into a new school in the middle of the term. She didn't know anyone and she felt very alone. She had just moved to Barringa Heights two days before with her mother, and she was well aware that the high school she was now starting at, Barringa East High, was a long way from home for her. While she had money and could afford a more private school, this was the only place that would take someone during the school term. Her mother had put her name down for Kyle Grammar, but she couldn't get in until the new term started, eight weeks away. She knew she wasn't going to fit in almost immediately. The kids at this school were all from the area of Barringa that was classed as a slum. They didn't have the money that she did, and it was clear that she wasn't from around there. The teacher that was in the office was nice though. She smiled and welcomed Alison to the school.
"I'm Mrs Orlando," she said kindly. "Let me show you to your class."
"Thank you," said Alison politely, clearly taking the teacher by surprise.
"You're welcome." Mrs Orlando led Alison through a couple of corridors and to the door of a classroom. "This is 9C, your form class. You'll have most classes with this group. The teacher is Miss Belmont. I think you should like her. Good luck."
Miss Belmont looked over and smiled. "Mrs Orlando, do come in," she said as she walked to the door. "This must be our new girl, Alison Ashley."
Alison looked at Mrs Orlando, then stepped into the room. Her nerves increased as the teacher led her to the front of the room, in full view of every student in the room.
"Alison has recently returned from travelling to Europe. Now, we all know where Europe is, right?" asked Miss Belmont. She ignored the confused looks in the room. "I know you will all make Alison feel welcome. Alison, there's a spare seat down the back, next to Erica."
"Thanks," said Alison. She walked through the middle aisle and quickly sat down next to a girl she assumed was Erica.
"I love your earrings," said Erica. She kept talking to Alison, but Alison tried to ignore it, wanting to start off on the right track at this school, but it was hard when the girl kept speaking. She finally looked at Erica, her finger against her lips to shush her. She nodded towards the aisle, finally getting Erica to realise Miss Belmont was there, asking something about Henry the Eighth.
Nobody answered, so Alison put her hand up slowly.
"Alison?" asked Miss Belmont, surprised.
Everyone turned in their chairs to look at her. She took a breath and spoke. "Because Catherine of Aragon couldn't give him a male heir to secure the tudor line." She stopped. "I only know that because my mum made me visit Hampton Court," she said, feeling like she needed to justify herself.
"Whatever," said someone in front of her as they all turned to face the board again.
Alison shrunk in her seat a little, slightly embarrassed. The only person that seemed nice in that room, other than the teacher, was the girl next to her, Erica. Soon the bell rang, and everyone was gone in less than a minute. Erica hung back, clearly waiting for someone. Alison collected her belongings and started heading out. Miss Belmont called her over.
"Let's go. I'll show you around as much as possible."
"Thank you." Alison followed her out, noticing that Erica was also following them.
As they walked into the corridor, however, it was clear Miss Belmont was needed to deal with something. "Erica, I know I can rely on you to show Alison around."
"Sure Miss Belmont," said Erica happily. She walked forward and took Alison's hand.
"Yeah, I'll come too," said a boy behind them. "After Erica gives you the freak show, I'll show you the good stuff."
Alison smiled a little.
Erica rolled her eyes. "Alison, this is Barry Hollis, my stalker."
"Yeah, you wish Yurken."
Erica pulled Alison away and into the yard. She headed straight to a teacher. "This is Alison Ashley, she's new here."
"Oh, Alison. Jeff Kennard, PE. I put the fizz in physical education," he stated, shaking Alison's hand. Alison smiled, thinking that he was a little odd. She noticed that Erica was trying to not roll her eyes again. "You, uh, play any sport?"
"Yeah, a bit of basketball," said Alison.
"Basketball. That's tremendous. We have a wonderful basketball program here." He went on to explain about how he couldn't wait for the ban to be lifted so they could play the other schools in the district. Erica wisely pulled Alison away after that and took her to the library.
"Mr Cheale," said Erica once they were inside the library. "Meet Alison Ashley."
"Ah, the new girl. Welcome."
"Mr Cheale, what does critical error mean?" asked Margeart.
Mr Cheale looked up. "Margeart, what have you done?" He ran over and sat at the computer.
"Oh, no, don't worry Mr Cheale, I'm sure I can work it out..." began Erica before Alison pushed a few buttons on the keyboard and fixed the computer for Mr Cheale.
"My dear, you are a life saver. For a minute, I thought...," said Mr Cheale.
"It's nothing, really. My dad's a computer programmer in Silicon Valley."
Erica looked annoyed that the attention wasn't on her. "Oh... well, no, I know Romeo and Juliet is way overdue, but I'm studying the leading role for camp drama night."
"Well, that's fine Erica. Listen, Alison, if you ever want to help out with the computers, feel free to..." said Mr Cheale.
"No, Alison hasn't got time at the moment Mr Cheale, because I'm showing her around," said Erica suddenly as she dragged Alison towards the door.
As they walked out, Alison looked over at Erica. "You're doing a play?"
"Yeah, well, yeah. Our class has been chosen to do it this year, and I thought I should get to know the role since there aren't many candidates for Juliet in this place."
Alison nodded, interested. She was going to ask another question when they arrived at the canteen.
"Hi Mrs Adams, Can I have my lunch order please? This is Alison, by the way, she's new here," said Erica.
"Hi," said Mrs Adams, unenthusiastically.
"Do you want anything?"
"No, I'm right, thank you. I don't really eat junk food."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up, shocked.
"What?" asked Alison.
"You're kidding, right?" asked Crystal.
"What do you eat then?" asked Nicole.
"Uh, well, vegetables..." began Alison.
Erica stepped in, jabbering on until her lunch order was called out and she looked back, slightly embarrassed. She grabbed her lunch. "They're always making mistakes with the lunch orders here."
Alison nodded, not really caring what Erica ate for lunch. It wasn't her business anyway, although she did feel a little jealous about how free Erica was to choose her own food, rather than having to eat the food her mother packed for her. She followed Erica through yet another hallway, where they stopped outside the sick bay door.
"And now, I've saved the best til last. It's just a little taste of paradise in this chaos."
"It's the sick bay," said Alison.
"You don't like the sick bay?"
"Not really... Sickness kind of gives me the creeps."
Erica just stared at her, and Alison felt like she'd said something wrong. Of course, she hadn't, but she felt bad anyway.
"Well, I've shown you around, so, I'll just leave you to your healthy lunch," said Erica, going into the sick bay and closing the door.
Alison frowned, feeling a little lonely. She headed outside to an empty bench and ate her lunch. She couldn't wait for the day to be over.