A/N: Just a quick note, Christine is headteacher and Nikki is deputy head. Nikki and Kacey aren't as close in this fic.

CHAPTER 2

(Nikki's POV)

We had six new students starting today all from Greenok's home for adolescent girls, the problem was only five of them had shown up. From what I'd seen they trouble written all over them and from what I could gather the sixth one was probably the biggest rebel in the group who thought she was making some sort of statement. Christine printed off timetables and took the five girls to find some uniform.

"Nikki, if Brooke Tinker shows up can you sort her out please?" Christine asked

I nodded "Yeah"

It was pouring down outside and I had to close the windows to the office to stop the rain getting in. I went out to the waiting area.

"Sonya if Brooke Tinker turns up can you send her to my office please?" I asked

"Yep" Sonya replied in her usual chirpy voice

I'd just left the office when someone caught my attention.

"Excuse me, are you Mrs Mulgrew?" The girl asked

She was small, blonde and drenched, she stood there shivering and looking terrified.

"No, I'm Miss Boston the deputy head. Who are you?" I asked

"I'm Tink... Um, Brooke Tinker" She said in a quiet voice

"You're late... Mrs Mulgrew has already set off with the other girls"

"Sorry... I got lost" She seemed genuine

Maybe I'd got the whole rebellion thing wrong, this girl was definitely not like the others.

"Come on we'll get you dry and then I'll get you some uniform" I told her

I took her down to the changing rooms, a nice hot shower would sort her out otherwise she'd end up hypothermic. I handed her a towel.

"There's shampoo in the dispensers and I'll get you some clean clothes for when you're done" I said

"Thanks..." She gave me a small smile

She slipped her hoodie off hanging it up then took her t-shirt and shoes off until she was left standing in her jeans and a white vest top. I just reached the door, I glanced back and that's when I noticed... Her arms were covered with faded pink scars and in between her shoulder blades was a large purple/black bruise.

(Tink's POV)

Once I was undressed I turned on the shower and stood under the hot water for a while, shivering... I hadn't realised how cold I was. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a hot shower, I felt liberated. Once I was completely soaked I soaped my hair and body before standing under the hot water once more.

"Brooke?" Miss Boston called "I'll leave the clothes on the bench and I'll take yours to get clean. I'll be outside give me a shout when you're done"

"Okay" I called back

I scrubbed my face and my nails and then got out wrapping a towel around myself. Miss Boston had left me some black trousers, a white shirt, a tie, a blazer and some black pumps and socks. I got dressed and looked at myself in the mirror, I looked normal... Like every other kid in the school, I couldn't believe it. I tied my hair up in a ponytail and I was ready.

"Okay! I'm done!" I called

Miss Boston came back in with a piece of paper and a couple of other things. She handed me a pen, pencil, ruler and rubber.

"Here, I thought might need these" she said

I smiled gratefully "Thanks"

I slid them into the pocket of the blazer and took my timetable.

"Right you've got science with Mr Mead now, I'll walk you there if you get lost throughout the day just ask someone. My office is just down the corridor from the main office, so any problems come and find me"

Miss Boston walked me to class, which had already started. She opened the door and I followed in behind her.

"Read pages 44 and 45 in the text book and do the exercise" The teacher told them

He stepped down from the high desk and stopped in front of us.

"Hiya, I'm Mr Mead" He smiled warmly

He seemed friendly enough but I was so nervous I doubted that I would trust anyone today.

"Tink" I replied quietly

He turned back to the class "Kacey" He called and motioned for the girl to come closer

The girl came over, she was kind of a tom boy but didn't seem mean.

"This is Tink she's new show her what to do" Mr Mead told her

Kacey nodded and lead me to her desk where there was an empty seat. I sat beside her and watched as Miss Boston left the classroom.

"So, Tink... What sort of a name is that?" Kacey said, she had a strong scouse accent

"Its my real name, my name's Brooke Tinker but everyone calls me Tink" I replied

She nodded understandingly and began explaining the exercise to me.

The rest of the day was okay, I was glad the Kacey was in most of my classes and we got on really well. I hadn't seen much of Sophie and the others which I was glad about. They were only ever out to cause trouble and I hated getting dragged into it.

At home time I rushed home and up to my room, I wanted to get my homework done before the others got back and the loud music started. The homework was pretty simple and I did it quickly before changing out of the uniform. I folded it neatly and hid it under my bed. I didn't want to risk Sophie finding it.