Chapter 1

STOP!"

The cheerleaders froze for what felt like the thousandth time and turned to face the girl stood behind them, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

"That was awful, Kiko!" Sophie wailed, throwing her hands in the air. "How can you possibly expect to encourage the football team like THAT?"

Agatha winced from her seat on the stands. Her best friend may be the cheer captain, a teen model and the most popular girl in the school, but she unfortunately did not have a great amount of tact when it came to situations like this.

Poor Kiko, a petite redhead who was currently under fire, wilted visibly and mumbled an apology. Agatha felt bad for her, seeing girls shuffle nervously away from her in fear of being associated. They all seemed subdued, apart from tall, blonde, Beatrix, who scowled. It wasn't a surprise- she was constantly vying for Sophie's position on the squad, and found any opportunity to oppose her.

"You're criticising us but you're not doing anything!" she snapped. Sophie wheeled, her green eyes flashing.

"I'm Head Cheerleader! We all know I can do it."

"Then you must remember that it's difficult, mustn't you?"

Sophie flared.

"Be good, or go home! I don't have room for people who mistakes! We need this ready by next week, and if this formation is still bad, Kiko, I'll have to drop you. I've got a lot of girls who would happily step in."

Kiko promptly burst into tears and ran off towards the changing rooms. A few followed her, and the rest of the group stood in uncomfortable silence until Sophie sighed.

"That's enough for today."

With a lot of muttering and some dirty looks, the group shuffled away.

Half an hour later, Sophie and Agatha were walking home, the latter besieged by her friend's complaints.

"How can they not get it? It's not even difficult!"

"You've been doing it for longer than them." Agatha pointed out.

"I suppose. But really, how hard can it be? I've got a thousand and one things to do that doesn't involve teaching them every step. My lunchtime lectures take a lot of work, but so many people have benefitted from them. Plus, my new clothing line is released tomorrow. I'm sure everyone will be wearing it. "

Agatha arched an eyebrow.

"Do remember we've got exams coming up. Won't it be really expensive?"

"It won't be like the last lot, which was a little extortionate. "

"Sophie, there was a skirt that cost 3 grand."

Sophie ignored her.

"Do you really need to release another fashion line?"

"Yes. I can't wear any old thing. Besides, imagine people wearing my designs!"

Agatha took in in her friend's expensive sunglasses, jeans, and cashmere coat. Sophie caught the look.

"And I'm only wearing Donna Karan- You'd like her, darling, there's a lot of black in her collection."

"Point proven."

A burst of laughter attracted her attention, and Agatha immediately glared at the group of boys across the road, sitting on the wall.

Sophie noticed and gasped.

"Oh, Aggie, don't glare! That makes me look bad in front of-"

"Hey, Sophie."

Agatha groaned audibly as the person she hated the most- and she hated a lot of people- detached himself from the group and fell into step beside them.

Tedros Pendragon, the golden boy. Straight A's, top of the class, captain of every sport imaginable and handsome to boot. All the girls fell over themselves to be with him, and said he was charming and kind. More like vain, arrogant and annoying, Agatha reflected sourly. Unfortunately, Sophie was one of the girls who fell to pieces every time he was near, and he seemed to like her.

"Oh! Tedros, Hi!"

"Cheerleader practice not going great?"

Sophie flushed and stammered.

"How did you-"

"I heard you practicing as I left school, and they don't sound very cooperative. What're you still doing around the goth?" He asked.

Agatha scowled at him.

"She's my friend."

"Your only friend. Why don't you hang around with the other emos, or do they not want you either?"

Tedros didn't like her either, but that might stem from the time she had punched him in Year 7. The black eye had been fairly spectacular.

"That's rich, coming from someone who probably pays people to be friends with him."

"Sophie's could hang around anyone, and she chooses you?"

Sophie giggled nervously.

"Um, can we try and get along? Please?"

Agatha sighed, and Tedros muttered assent.

"Whatever."

They ignored each other until they reached the bottom of Agatha's road, and she turned off hastily, stomping along the pavement. When Sophie didn't say goodbye, like she normally did, she turned around to see her and Tedros stood very close together, Sophie talking earnestly. Agatha looked away and snorted.

Boys. What a waste of time.

She reached the graveyard she lived at the top of and started tramping through the graves, suddenly nervous. She'd done something out of the ordinary today- shed signed up for something, and still had no idea why it had seemed a good idea. It wasn't the idea of the Drama club itself that made her feel anxious, it was more the thought of people knowing.

That was one thing she definitely didn't want.

Eventually she reached her house- in the gloomy weather, it looked even worse than usual. Grimy bricks, a roof missing a good number of tiles plus part of the gutter, and an overgrown garden. She aimed a kick at the rotting fence as she passed and tried the door handle- open. Mum was home.

She ducked inside and grimaced as she realised the hall light had blown again. They'd have to buy new ones. Again. As if they didn't have enough to try and afford already. A clatter in the kitchen sounded, and Agatha's mother stuck her head around the doorframe, dark hair speckled with flour.

"Hi, love. How was school?"

"Fine."

Agatha still hated how alike they looked- the same dark hair, pasty skin and large buggy eyes. Before she disappeared upstairs, she noticed the smell of baking.

"Mum, what are you doing?"

Callis beamed.

"Making some cakes to sell at the church fete. It might be enough to cover some expenses."

"Uh…right." Agatha shifted for a second, then blurted out what she had been holding in.

"I joined a school club today."

Callis blinked at her.

"You're serious?"

Seeing Agatha's face, she burst into a wide smile.

"Oh, dear, that's wonderful! You can make some new friends. What is it?"

"Theatre."

And I have enough friends. she added silently. But out loud she continued.

"It's free. Meetings are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday."

"That's great!"

She's smiled wanly as her mother disappeared back into the kitchen, humming.

Yeah, it was great. She hoped.

A/N: Hi, thanks for reading! Hope you liked this chapter. This is one of the first fanfics I've published, so reviews would be appreciated :)