So here is my new story - I hope you like it. Please review, and keep reading. I'm thinking of adding to the twitter one too - what do you think? (Obviously, if I'm writing two, I'll update them slower.) Apologies for my slow updating and lack of writing in the last few weeks - I'm in first year studying English Lit and Film and TV at uni, and I have to study sometimes... Thanks so much for reading, love and hugs, Zanna xox
Kate plugged in her iPhone, letting the music blare into her ears. Another new school, another new city, another new law firm. First it had been France – at least that had been hot, and there had been beaches. But England? Seriously? Who even wanted to be a lawyer in London?
And if that wasn't enough, she didn't even get to live there. No. She had to go to boarding school, in the countryside, and it had rained constantly since she had arrived two days before. She flopped back against the bed, and winced at the lumpy mattress. At least she got her own room.
She had tried to talk her Dad into letting her at least go to school in London – but there was no going against Johanna Beckett, not once she was set on something. It was what made her such a good lawyer. And although Kate loved her Mom, it was also what meant she wasn't particularly sad to be away from her parents.
She tried not to be so mad. But if she was going to boarding school anyway, she could even have stayed in France, with her friends, or New York, with her friends, or LA, with her friends. She turned up the volume of her iPhone, which had started playing the theme of Skyfall. Okay, Adele was a good thing to come out of England.
A loud bell rang, cutting through the walls, and making Kate shudder. Monday morning was bad enough, without bells to make you feel like you were in the army or something. She got off the bed and looked at herself in the mirror. She hadn't read the dress code – her mother had ordered the uniform provided by the school, but Kate was not giving in that easily. She had never worn any kind of uniform before, and it didn't make sense. There was a long black skirt that almost reached her knees, a white shirt, a tie(!), and a dark green cardigan. There was also a heavy, itchy blazer of the same green. Her Mom had even bought her chunky black flats to wear with it. They were still in her suitcase.
She had opted for black skinny jeans, a silky green sleeveless blouse, and maroon converse sneakers. It was kind of cold, so she put on her black leather jacket, and picked up her bag. She hadn't really known what to take – at her school in France, everyone had used a notebook computer, especially by the last few years of school. She was in what the English called lower 6th – she had two years left before college – if she decided to go to college. She'd packed a notepad and pencil case as well. She'd been there since Saturday – you'd think by Monday morning she would have found someone to ask – but she hadn't been talking to people much. They all seemed busy, or they were all in each others rooms. At meals, there were groups that sat together, like in any high school. Kate hadn't eaten after the first one – she'd brought some food with her, and she thought maybe it would be easier once she'd met some people in class.
She checked the timetable she'd been given. She had Math first thing. Maths. English people called it Maths. She wondered where the room was. The corridor was full of girls walking to class, talking and giggling. Kate was used to starting new schools. But she had always had a base, with her Dad to look out for, where she could escape if the first few days were rough. She followed the crowd into another corridor, where they were joined by a group of boys. At least they weren't giggling. It wasn't that Kate minded giggling, but it always seemed threatening when you didn't know what it was about.
She decided to just keep following the girls who looked about her age. The school building was a mixture of very old, and quite new and modern. They were going into the older part – the bedrooms seemed to be in the new bit. There were signs on the doors, and sure enough, they started to say 'Mathematics' followed by a number. She should be a detective. She found the number that matched up with her class, and went into the room. She didn't know if there were assigned seats – at least it was the start of the semester. The teacher was sitting at her desk, so Kate went straight over. She wasn't shy – though this was a common misconception. She just didn't like boring conversations.
The teacher was a middle aged woman. She didn't look unfriendly, but she didn't look soft either. She had neatly arranged grey hair, and wore a smart pant suit. When she saw Kate, she glanced down at a piece of paper in front of her.
"You must be Katherine."
"Yeah."
"Yes," the teacher said, putting emphasis on the 's'. Kate pretended not to understand.
"Yeah, that's me."
The teacher narrowed her eyes. "I am Miss Wilson. It's nice to meet you. You're new, so you may not know how things work here. I think I should explain some things to you after class. For now, take a seat anywhere." She handed Kate a Math textbook, and a squared notebook. Kate sat down, and got out her pencil case. She put her iPhone on silent – not that any of her friends would be able to text her here. Most of them would still be asleep too.
The class was pretty easy. They were starting an algebra topic, but Kate got the feeling that a place at St James' Academy was influenced more by money than by intellect. She also got the feeling that they'd put her in the dummy class.
When the bell rang – a sound which Kate hoped she would never have to get used to – Kate packed away her things and went to stand in front of Miss Wilson's desk. She had a feeling she knew what was coming.
"So, Katherine. How are you finding St James'?"
Kate was surprised, but wary. "It's okay, I guess. I only got here on Saturday."
"I see. Well, as I said before, you need to get used to some things. St James' has an excellent reputation, and if you stick to our rules, you won't find it hard to fit in. But I believe there is something to be desired in your attitude. Have you read the prospectus?"
"My Mom did. I didn't really have much to do with coming here."
"But you are here. You're sixteen, not a child. For example, why are you not wearing school uniform today?"
Kate didn't feel worried. She had known this would happen. She just hoped they would get sick of her as soon as possible.
"I never wore a uniform to school before. It felt weird. And I think it's ugly. I don't have a problem with wearing something if there's a good reason for it, like sneakers in sports, or protective clothing. But I don't see the point in wearing a school uniform."
Miss Wilson cleared her throat. "Your life here will not be governed simply by whether you see the point in doing things. I suggest you read over the prospectus tonight, and arrive in class tomorrow with a better attitude."
Kate sighed inwardly. She contemplated just saying 'no'. But she had learned from her mother that the key to success was a good argument, and being convincing. Annoying people and being rude didn't get you anywhere. Then again, her mother would have made her wear the uniform.
Miss Wilson continued. "I think it would be a good idea if you went to the headmaster's office now. He needs to give you an induction anyway, and show you around. He wanted you to have a chance to meet your classmates first."
She went on to give directions to his office. Kate followed them, and found herself in an old, panelled corridor. There was a door, with a bench beside it. Sitting outside the Principle's office on her first day – not a good start. Oh well. There was a guy on the bench too. He was cute. He wasn't wearing the uniform either – she liked him already.
"In trouble already?" He asked as she sat down beside him.
"You could say that. And you as well?" He was from New York! She'd know that accent anywhere.
"Yep. We don't seem to be representing the USA very well today."
Kate laughed. "I'm Kate – you have no idea how wonderful it is to meet you."
"Rick. And I feel just the same – it's like a little piece of home."
They smiled at each other, and Kate felt relief flow through her body – she had at least one friend here.