"Are you ready?" Chris sat down on the bed next to his daughter.
"Just about." Eva smiled, nodding her head.
Chris put an arm around her and pulled her close. "I want you to know how proud I am of you, kiddo. You've made mature decisions so you can return with a clear head."
"Thank you." Eva smiled. "But let's just see how today goes."
"How do you think your friends will react?" Chris asked as they walked out to the car.
"I don't know. Lauren promised things would be the same but after three months, how can they?" Eva shrugged.
Chris started the car and reversed out of the car park. "They'll be changes, of course there will, but your friends will always stay your friends."
"I'm nervous." She bit her lip as they edged closer to school.
"Don't be. I've told you about the new 'Super-head,' Mr Byrne - he'll look out for you." Chris smiled warmly.
"I can't believe Karen left. So, tell me about this Byrne character then." Eva smiled.
"He's been recruited by the Education Board, he's worked in several schools and is supposed to be...like a Master of Discpline, I guess. He's big on cutting down gang culture-"
"Finn's screwed then." Eva snorted.
"Finn isn't involved anymore as far as I know. Mr Byrne's made some good changes in there - you'd be surprised." Chris shrugged, turning the car into the car park.
Eva took a deep breath, watching Chris pull the clutch up, bringing the car to a smooth halt.
"Ready?" He looked over at her, a warm smile.
"Let's do it." She nodded before opening the car door and climbing out. They retrieved his laptop case and files from the boot and took them to his classroom. The corridors were the same; laminate flooring with yellow walls, littered with displays from the students. Chris pushed open his classroom door and ushered her in.
"We've got a 'new term assembly' first." He said, putting his files on shelves.
"Fun." Eva rolled her eyes.
"It may not be but Mr Byrne wants everyone welcomed back the proper way." Chris shrugged. "I want you to go to assembly. Then you must go get your locker keys, timetable, etc."
"Whatever." Eva shrugged. "Just get me to my classes!"

"Waterloo Road!" Mr Byrne smiled, leaning into the microphone. "Welcome back!"
The crowd cheered and appluaded. Eva looked around her nervously. A few had regarded her presence but she had decided to slip in a few seconds before Mr Byrne started to talk, to avoid questions and drama. Lauren and Finn were sat together, watching Mr Byrne blankly. Finn. He looked the same - maybe even better - since she'd last seen him.
"We have of course got new students - some not so new." He didn't make eye contact with Eva which was a relief seens as she didn't want the attention. "Whatever the case we treat them as pupils of our school and we work hard. And this year, please less drama than last term! Thank you!" Mr Byrne smiled as the hall applauded him, slowly stepping down. Eva slung her bag on her shoulder and tried to work out her route to the hall.
"Eva?" She spun around and saw Mr Byrne hurrying after her.
"Erm..yeah." She smiled.
"Just follow me to my office a second please." He smiled, ushering her towards his office. By then more people had regarded her appearance at the school, staring and whispering. "Take a seat." He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. He rifled through the filing cabinet.
"I was wondering if my locker is still free?"
"Ay?" Mr Byrne turned to face her.
"My locker, 328. Is it free?" Eva asked.
"We provided you with locker 218." Mr Byrne said.
"That's by the main doors, right?" Eva watched him nod. "I'd rather my old locker if that's ok. I had decent people around and it was central."
Mr Byrne looked hesitant but slowly he turned back to the filing cabinet. "328 is free. You want it?"
"Yes please." Eva nodded.
"I don't do this often but I want to make your return as comfortable as possible." He said, handing her the key.
"Thank you." She said uneasily, pocketing the key. "Anything else?"
"Yes." My Byrne sat down in the seat behind his desk. "Here is your timetable; we're on Monday Week 1." He gestured to the column with his finger as he handed it to her. "Here is your dinner card. Your Dad will know that you just have to top it up using the school website and you can buy anything from the canteen."
Eva nodded as she shoved the timetable and the plastic card in her bag. "Thanks."
"I think that's about it...oh!" He suddenly exclaimed. "I almost forgot. The I.T. department will reactivate your school email - which will have stayed the same, your name at waterloo road dot org dot uk - but it may take a few days."
"That's fine." She stood up, slinging her bag back on her shoulder and heading for the door. "Thanks, Sir."
"No, thank you." Mr Byrne smiled. "I hope you'll enjoy your time here."
Eva nodded before walking out and closing the door behind her.
"What lesson have you got first?" Janeece smiled warmly.
"Maths with Mr Chalk." Eva read, shoving her timetable in her pocket.
"Dear old Mr Chalkie..." Janeece chuckled, returning to her computer.