I sat in the familiar chair, biting my tongue holding back my snide remarks as the principle continues her usual lecture. The girl beside me crying in soft sobs with an ice pack held to her nose and a tissue stuffed up her nostrils attempting to soak up the blood that was once oozing out of her now broken nose. "Arabell, are you even listening to me?" the principles voice said in an exasperated voice. I looked up to her, her face now long drained of the youth she so long ago would have held, the stress wrinkles now worn deep on her forehead and frown lines around her thinly drawn lips.
"Sorry, i got lost after the numerous suspensions part...Your voice just started drowning out" I smirked as i replied to her. Hannah stopped her crying and i looked over to her, her bleached blonde hair now pulled back showing the bruising around her right eye and the dried blood on her top lip and chin. I smiled "Like your new look Hannah" I smirked again. The stuck up blonde clenched her teeth and glared at me "I hope you die a painful death" She replied as she gave me the best death glare she could, I replied it just as deadly that made her shrill back in her seat. I looked back over to the principle "Where were you?" I sat back smiling.
"Why did you hit her?" She asked as she pinched the bridge of her nose as Hannah walked out. I smiled "Come on you know she had that coming Becca" I said, in truth the Principle is my adopted mother. She shook her head as she allowed herself to collapse her body in her chair.
"Arabell. why? Why do you do all of these things? You beat up any body that crosses your path, you steal cars, you vandalise the school. Where did i go wrong?" She pleaded now with her head in her hands. I sat there, my smugness now gone. I knew why but i could never explain it to her. It was my way of releasing the anger i stored up for all the times i felt unloved and unwanted. This is my seventh adopted home in three years. I've been with Becca the longest though and i almost...almost like her.
Becca looked up now, determination and regret filled her eyes and face "Arabell i can't take any more" She paused; my heart began to race as her face looked more and more pained. This was a face I've seen all too much.
"You're going to boarding school, i can't handle it anymore, I'm sorry" My heart skipped a beat as i stared at her in shock "W-What? No how could you?" I said, now standing up as i flung the chair back, tears began to sting as i bit them back. Becca moved effortlessly around the desk and over to me. I held up my hands not allowing her to come closer as i took a step back "How could you? I actually like you" I chocked out as my throat went dry "I'll be good, i promise, i won't do anything bad again..Please" I begged. Becca smiled a sad smile "I'm not sending you away, I'll come and visit you every term, i promise" She said slowly. I shook my head "You might as well, you're sending me to fucking boarding school!" I yelled at her anger now taking over the hurt.
I couldn't believe this, the one time i let someone get close they hurt me. No never again, I'll never let anyone get close to me. Never.
"Arabell i love you like a daughter, hell you are my daughter..."she begun but i turned and flung her office door open which slammed back violently against the wall. With my hand still on the door knob i froze, i had never been called somebody's daughter, i hung my head as my tears began to brim "I'm no body's daughter" I said although i came out harsher then i wanted it to be. I slammed the door behind me as Becca called after me but i kept walking, i walked alone as i always had, as the orphaned teenager i was and always will be.
Five days laterI hadn't spoken to Becca since; i haven't uttered any word, not even a syllable. I was going to arrive at that boarding school today, Becca hadn't apologised since we last spoke five days ago. I still couldn't believe it, the one person i let behind the walls i built up so long ago would turn around and let me go just when i finally trusted someone. How could she?
I looked out the window, the trees passing by us in a blur, the sun warm against my skin. Why had i let her get close? Why did i begin to trust her? Would she come and get me like she promised? I felt so vunrable now that she betrayed me. I have made a vow with myself to never let anyone get behind these walls; I'll never bring the wall down.
we slowed down, i turned and looked out the front window, black gates opened and we accelerated entering. Brick walls surrounded the lush green grounds; trees filled it along with colourful flowers that made the grounds vibrant and lively. The rubble on the tyres crunched as we slowly drove into the car park. I wish Becca allowed me to still drive; i would easily drive out of here at night, not looking back. The dark thought made me smile mentally, if only town wasn't so far away.
We stopped, i didn't make a move as Becca stepped out of the car, i only grabbed out my IPod and put my headphones in and turned the punk rock music up. I didn't look away from the screen, i didn't want to, i didn't want to get out, i didn't want to do a lot of things but as life turns out you always seem to do what you don't want to.
My door opened without my influence, i didn't look up still concentrating on the screen of my touch IPod Becca got me for Christmas. My headphone closest to the door got tugged out of my ear, I glared up at the figure that stood in my door. Her hair was an auburn chestnut that was pulled back tightly, her skin olive and young, her high cheek bones complimented her wide chocolate eyes that were glaring at me which ruined her beautiful face with her thin lips pulled into an annoyed tight line.
"Miss Shandeen?" She said in an exasperated voice that mimicked Becca's when she gives me a lecture. I didn't reply, i didn't remove my glare either.
"Would you like to accompany me?" She smiled tightly. Becca appeared over her shoulder "Arabell, get out" she ordered "Now!" her voice tired. I didn't move, instead returned to my IPod. Suddenly a pair of hands took my IPod out of my hands, sending my other headphone out of my ear. I growled at the women that i assumed would be the head mistress of this boarding school.
"How about a compromise; you come out and you can have your IPod?" She smiled again this time with a friendly smirk. I got out biting my tongue 'stupid bitch' i mentally yelled at her as she handed it back as i now stood. She smiled "now that wasn't so hard" i looked past the head mistress' shoulder, behind her was a magnificent brick building that looked ancient with the dark bricks and some vines growing on up the building. A sign at the right side of the building caught my attention "Danquester Academy" I sighed and looked back at the building 'great it's a stuck up boarding school' i thought as i looked at a couple of teenagers walking by in black and white uniform that had hints of red stared at me.
Becca placed my two large travel bags in front of me and my medium sized one in front of me. Becca stood in front of me now as the head mistress walked towards another teenage girl a couple of feet away from us. "Are you going to say good-bye or are you going to continue to give me the silent treatment?" Becca asked, her face showed hurt and frustration. I didn't reply i just stared at her in disbelief. I couldn't believe she was doing this? Why couldn't she just give me up and take me back to the Foster House? She pushed a frustrated hand through her hair and exhaled deeply "I love you" she said as she kissed me tensely on the head before getting in the car. I didn't turn to watch her leave; i don't think i could bare it. So i stood there alone, once again in a new place.
The head mistress made her way over to me again as Becca drove off with a girl tailing her; the girl had a bright flame of red hair that was cropped short with a side fringe that covered her left eye, her eyes a light brown that showed annoyance and a nose ring that glinted in the sunlight.
"Arabell, this is Heidi" the head mistress greeted her to me; i nodded my head in acknowledgement which received as snort from the girl-Heidi.
"I'm your head mistress Ms Coyer, Now Heidi will you show Arabell her room?" The head mistress- Ms Coyer asked without waiting for a reply turned on her heel and left us.
"So you're the rebel that Ms Coyer has been stressin over?" Heidi asked with a click of her tongue, i didn't reply. Heidi shrugged "Whatever" she said grabbing one of my large travel bags and started walking away with it, obviously toward my room. I sighed heavily as i grabbed my other two and followed after her.
Finally we came to a stop at the end of a large corridor "This is your room, you're lucky you don't have to share" Heidi said, she didn't speak much on the way here, she only pointed in some directions telling me the boys dorm and the toilets and all of the usual. She handed me a key and looked at me with a sigh "I'm room 33, you can settle in and do whatever but if you need anything or just to talk i'll be there" she said before walking back down the corridor, i watched her walk off down a couple of more steps before she turned and called out "Oh dinners at 6 O'clock so you better come get me before then" before she turned again and vanished into a door.
I unlocked my room with ease, the wooden door open and revealed a nice room much to my surprise. A double bed with black comforters and pillows to match and a red net canopy made me gasp in awe as it surrounded the whole bed frame. I took a step inside, a chair that looked really familiar was placed by a window which had a desk placed in front of it and beside it a full body mirror. A wardrobe was placed on my side of the room against the wall. I walked over to a door at the opposite side of the room near the desk and window and opened it a mirror stared back at me as i looked wide eyed. 'I had a bathroom!' i thought amazed, a shower, a bath. I looked back at the mirror and noticed a little yellow sticky note 'i know you're angry at me but maybe this will make it up. I requested to Ms Coyer for you to room alone and well as you can see the bed and other accessories was me. I hope you like the bed! And me taking your chair. Xx Becca. Call me when you can.'
I was so glad to have unpacked as quick as i did. My clothes fit perfectly in the wardrobe and my books and laptop placed great on my desk. My IPod gave me comfort as i listened to it as i unpacked my things. Once i was finally done i collapsed on my bed with my phone on my chest. I wanted to call Becca and say i was sorry for not saying good-bye and for so much more but i couldn't she betrayed me, she sent me away. I was angry at her just as much as i liked her.
I looked at my phones time 5:53, I sighed. 'time to meet the rest of the world' i thought as i pulled myself off the bed. I walked over to the bathroom and looked myself in the mirror. My black straight hair long to my waist was frizzy so i brushed it until it was flat. My face, i applied with light make-up so it was just noticeable, my ocean blue eyes were defined as i applied black eyeliner to make then seem wide. My skinny legged black jeans and black tank top that said 'bite me' in red was my usual i-don't-give-a-rat-ass style. I grabbed my black hoddie before leaving the room with my IPod and keys. 'You never know what voice you want to drown out' i thought to myself as i locked the door.
I stood at Heidi's door which had stickers of bands; that conveniently i liked on it; Escape the Fate, Him, the Used was among them. 'At least i can talk to her about music' i thought as i hesitantly knocked on the door. Heidi soon opened it with a smile. Her red hair shining from the rooms light, her eyes were now more defined with eyeliner like me. I looked down at her outfit, black skinny's like myself and a white loose shirt and black loose cotton vest that gave her a punk look. I smiled 'i may just like this girl' I thought. "Like the shirt" Heidi said as she stepped out closing the door behind her.
"Thanks" I replied, she looked at me for a second with shock but then began walking down the corridor towards the staircase. I followed after her, what was with the look? I thought.
"So I'm guessing you're not much of a talker" Heidi said as i feel into step beside her, i snorted "Nah, i talk to people that i think I'll get along with" I replied, Heidi smiled "So do i fit in that category?" she asked. "You have the same style and same taste in music so I'm guessing we will get along just fine" I replied with a small smile.
"Ahh so you're a rebel that is dangerous when silent" she mused, i snickered "Perhaps, I'm not an attention seeker, I'm in it for thrills" Heidi nodded "Arabell i see our friendship going a long way"
We walked into a large dining hall; three long tables were filled with chatting students, most out of uniform. I guess like any other school you could pick out the groups from the jocks to the bleachers. Heidi walked in front of me with a stride of confidence; i followed trying to keep a low profile. We stopped at the third table two spare seats came into view. Heidi stopped and sat down, i followed.
"Guys this is Arabell" Heidi announced, i cringed. 'What happened to I'm not an attention seeker?' I thought as silence feel around us. I looked up, in front of me was a girl with black hair and purple pangs in her shoulder length hair. She smiled "Hi I'm Eloise" she said, i noticed her eyes were dark mahogany brown. I smiled back in reply "This is Heath, the gay guy" Heidi said as i looked across from Heidi. The dirty blonde guy smiled widely "How do you do?" he asked with his hand extended. His eyes a light green, i accepted. 'Gay, shame; Cute to' i thought. Meals began to be placed in front of us, spaghetti Bolognese, nice.
Soon small chit-chat took up the silence around me. I listened distantly, not to interest in what was being said. A firm tap on my shoulder made me turn around in surprise, the head mistress Ms Coyer stood behind me. "Arabell, will you be so kind and follow me?" she asked politely. I glanced around the beings that i was just introduced to smile apologetically. 'Yeah thanks guys' i thought as i stood up. I followed her, feeling some student's eyes on my back. With a relieved sigh we walked out of the dining hall. Ms Coyer turned around just outside "Pleasure to see you making friends, now here is your schedule and your uniform is in your room" she smiled as she handed me a white piece of paper "You like your room?" she asked. I let out a burst of laughter. 'i may actually like this chick' i thought "It's...ok" i replied, she nodded "don't worry you're not the only newbie, tomorrow there will be a couple more arriving" she smiled again. "Arabell if you need anything, you can always come to me, Becca is a dear friend of mine and she views you as family and so do i" she paused "Well yeah, you get my drift" and with that she turned on her heel and left.
I turned around and began to walk into the dining hall again 'as if i was going to go and talk to the head mistress!' i thought as i resumed my place at the table. "What was that about?" Heath asked curiously as his dirty blonde hair covered his right eye. "Just making sure i got my timetable and staying out of trouble" I said handing him my time table. Eloise looked over his shoulder as they both read out my classes "Your first one, Ancient history is with me" Eloise said happily. "Maths is with me" Heath added. "Is there any classes with me?" Heidi asked leaning over the table beside me. "Umm actually yeah English and Biology" Heath answered "Oh you have P.E with me" Eloise smiled again, 'well isn't she a chirpy one' i thought.
"Is there a class that i don't have with you lot?" I asked with a joking smile that i planted on my face hoping they didn't take it wrong, I didn't want to stuff up the only acquaintances i have.
Eloise furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the paper "Yes actually Art, you're in the class i wanted to be in" She said finally. Art, how did Ms Coyer know i liked art? Becca must have told her.
Later students began filing out of the dining room and we followed "Where is everyone going?" I asked in a mere whisper to Heidi. She turned to me and smiled "Some are going back to their rooms, some go to the games room, Nerds usually go to the Library, we do anything except go into the classrooms and obviously nothing outside the gates" She answered. I nodded, Library sounds good for some quiet time. But the sneaking out on the other hand...
"My room" Heath said as we made way out the building. My mental thoughts stopped as we stepped outside. Gaslights lighted up the grounds and paths towards the boys dorm that is separate from the Main building that has the dining hall, Library, class rooms and Gym; the girls dorm obviously on the other side. I smiled; i can get up to so much mischief.
We walked into the dorm. A few boys sat in large T.V rooms watching the normal boy's shows and movies. "Hay Heath who's the newbie?" One of the called that had short brown curly locks; he stood up and walked over to us as we stopped. Heath smiled "Oh Liam this is Arabell" Heath said as i stood behind him cringing at being noticed. Liam's chocolate eyes found mine, i met them with annoyance. But as he stood in the light, he had light tanned skin and muscles that were being strained by the Black hoddie he wore and jeans. In short he was good-looking.
"Oh nice to meet you" he said as he gave me a wide smile, i didn't reply it i just stood there. 'the newbie!. Oh yeah thanks I'm labelled the newbie, i liked the rebel' I yelled mentally.
I heard a familiar snort beside me-Heidi. "Well were going to my room, you wanna come?" Heath asked. I glared at him which he received with surprise, of only looks could kill. He smiled apologetically as Liam happily accepted. As we climbed the stairs with Heath and Liam guiding us and Eloise in front Heidi chuckled lightly "What are you chuckling about?" I asked in a hushed whisper "You, Liam is the hottest guy in here and you give him a pissed off look" She replied "I guess his someone you think you won't get along with?" She asked amused, i snorted "Why, whatever gave you that idea?" I asked sycastically high pitched tone which made us both giggle. Giggle, did i just giggle? 'I'm actually enjoying Heidi's company' i thought surprised. We stopped at a door that Liam opened; i looked at Heidi in confusion. I thought we were going to Heath's room. "Liam and Heath's room" Heidi answered as she looked at my confused face. As we began to file in i wondered if Liam knew Heath was gay. "Does Liam know..." I began "Yeah" Heidi answered as we entered. I continued "And he's ok with it?" I asked still talking in whispers "Liam may look like a heartless hottie but he actually is nice" Heidi answered. I looked away from Heidi now. The room is a little larger than mine with two singles on opposite sides of the room two tall boys and two desks and chairs. Liam walked over to his bed and laid down on it and Heath sat next to Eloise on his bed. Heidi walked over to Heath's side of the room and sat down on his chair. "You can sit with me" Liam said as he sat up patting the spot next to him, i sneakered "Like hell" I muttered and walked over and grabbed Liam's chair and sat on it as i moved it next to Heidi.
"So what's the story of Arabell?" Liam asked as the silence grew. 'Does this guy really want to get on my nerves?' I asked myself mentally.
"I prefer to keep my life private" I replied in a hash voice.
"Yeah Liam you don't talk about your life so leave hers alone" Heidi said, i looked at her surprised and gave her a thankful smile as she winked at me.
"Ok relax you guys" Heath said, keeping the peace. "Let's just talk about random stuff, like..."
"Music" Eloise finished.
"Oh did you hear about the new album of Escape the Fate?" Heath said. I smiled as the conversation grew and there was no longer an awkward silence. I even added in a few times and laughed to my surprise. Heath was the intellectual peacemaker of the group, Eloise is the cheerful polite one who makes you smile, Heidi the short tempered girl who seemed to be much like me which i was grateful for. Liam remained a mystery. He wasn't obnoxious and self absorbed like i thought, he was generally nice and polite and a bit dorky but something about me wanted me to yell and scream at him for continually hitting on me.