Waterloo Bridge
Author's Note: Hi, this is my first story so I'll accept constructive criticism. Katie is like Emily and Alex is like Naomi in skins. Hope you enjoy the first chapter and hopefully there'll be some more soon! Don't forget to review :)
Chapter 1 Katie
My eyes slowly opened to find my mother drawing back the curtains letting rays of light streak into my room. "Come along Katie, get up and get dressed for school!" my mother nagged at me whilst tidying up things on my desk and inspecting how dusty it was. "Do I have to go to school?"I mumbled sleepily as I made made my bed. "Yes, you should be grateful that you have an education!" she replied, straightening the edge of my duvet, even though I'd just done it. I swear she has OCD. Mum left me to get dressed as she hurried down the stairs, grumbling about children not appreciating what they have. I came downstairs dressed in my horrible uniform of a blue polo shirt, on top a grey cotton jumper and a pale blue skirt with itchy grey, knee high socks, and took a seat at our old oak dining table. "Porridge or toast?" my mother asked as I picked at a hole in my jumper. "Toast please" "Butter or marmalade?" "Butter please" I replied. While my mother prepared my breakfast, I dashed back upstairs and got my school bag. I went to St. Celia's school for girls in Clapham, a very catholic school, where we all believe in God and try not to commit any sins. Today I had all my boring lessons: Latin, science, maths, music and English. I came back downstairs, my bag loaded with exercise books and text books for the day. I ate my toast before slipping my shoes on and said good bye to my mother, stepped out the door and closed it behind me.
The sound of my footsteps rebounded off the stony apartments and echoed as I trotted down the street. The houses here were a combination of old and new. On the outside, the buildings looked old and Victorian, but inside the contents was new, with flat screen tvs and modern style kitchens. That was the nice thing about London, some of it was brand new and futuristic but other parts had been preserved. School had been getting on my nerves lately, the teachers kept pestering me about not concentrating and daydreaming. I really couldn't tell the difference between my teacher and my mother because they both nagged at me constantly. Well, I wasn't going to put up with them today, so I didn't turn left which would take me down to school, my feet carried on walking until I found myself standing on Waterloo Bridge. There was a girl leaning on the stone wall of the bridge looking ahead, miles away. I felt drawn towards her. "Nice view isn't it?" I found the words falling out of my mouth. The girl turned to face me, her short brown hair being whipped by the wind and her cute fringe fell over her deep sapphire blue eyes. "Yeah, it's my favourite view in the whole world" she replied, flashing a smile at me, exposing her teeth, perfectly white and sharp. "I love London, even though the traffic's shit, I still like the atmosphere and busyness". My face felt hot, as she stared at me, clinging onto every word I said. "I like the way you say shit" she smirked and we both burst out laughing. How can a person who you've only just met make you feel really happy, whereas the people who we've known for years don't make us happy?
"Sorry, where the hell are my manners? I'm Katie" I drew out my clammy hand, shining with sweat and offered it to her. "I'm Alex" she shook her hand firmly with mine, her arm was quite muscular compared to my skinny little wrists which weren't very strong at all. "So why are we here?" I asked, hoping she wouldn't be offended by my curiosity. "Taking a day off, need a break, life's too hectic sometimes for a fourteen year old! How about you?" she said. "Um..well.. I guess my life's a bit hectic at the moment too. Teachers are pissing me off, not to mention my controlling mother". This girl had me under some sort of spell, because all I could do was speak the truth, I was sure I hadn't taken any truth serum recently. "This is the first time you've bunked?" I asked, trying to shift the attention on to her. "Yeah, a few kids are regulars at my school, but today I decided to do it to get away from stuff and actually have some privacy." I could her the exasperated tone in her voice, I really could empathise with this girl. "I've been needing some privacy too." I said
"Walk with me, let's go somewhere, forget our troubles for a while and fuck around!" she exclaimed, with great enthusiasm, she seemed quite serious by the flash of excitement in her eyes. "Okay then, I'd rather be out here than school any day!" At first I was reluctant but then my heart won over my head as we walked down the street and let each other into our lives.