Chapter 1
"When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home" - Thornton Wilder
The gravel crunched under the steps of the students as they made their way through the gates of Waterloo Road on the first day back after the long summer break, laughing and chatting about what they had done over the holidays. The usual crowds had already grouped together in the playground as the teachers started to pull into the parking lot, a slow trickle at a time.
Jo pulled into her usual spot, getting out as a motorbike roared into the grounds, past the students and heading to park up on the other side to her, catching the attention of most of the nearby students. The rider dismounted, opening the seat and pulling out a bag plus files for the classes before removing her helmet then depositing it into the compartment before locking the seat back up again. One hand moved to undo her messy bun, letting her long red curls loose down her back, the auburn standing out in stark contrast to the black of the leathers which clung to her slender frame. She gave slight shake of her head, before putting the bag over her arm and taking the files up, then slowly turning to the school. She gave a soft sigh as the memories began to flood back to her – the screams, the worried voices...that one gentle voice that had made it all seem better than it had been.
Velia swallowed, forcing the thoughts out of her mind as she started to make her way up to the building, the heels of her boots clicking with each step. Jo smiled to herself as she watched her, before her eyes darted to Bolton and his friends eyeing up the new teacher.
"Looking for some fun, 'ey, baby?"
Velia turned, her eyes fixing straight on the culprit, a flirtatious smirk crossing her lips as she studied him. She flicked her gaze up and down him, before cocking her head.
"Talking to me?" she purred, her slight Italian accent contrasting with the English ones surrounding her.
"Aye"
Velia gave him another smile, slowly crossing to him, still only just coming up to his chin despite her heels. "I think a man like you can see I'm not baby..." She kept the smile on her lips and she leaned in, whispering "And here's some advice...don't aim for a girl who could happily break you in two pieces? Ok?"
She pulled away, walking on up towards the building before turning back. "OH, and by the way – it's Miss"