Frances - with help from other students - managed to find her first class, she had maths with Mr Lawson.

She barged through the door and went to a seat at the back, and without saying a word slammed her bag down on the table and sat down

'So you must be Frances, it's polite to say why you're late when you enter a new class young lady' Mr Lawson slightly shouted at the new girl

'Well I didn't know where I was going did I? It's not like I want to be here anyway'

'Watch your tone, now here's your books and I don't expect to here another peep from you'

'Fine' Frances shouted back

In Mr Lawson's eyes the rest of the lesson went smoothly, and once the bell rang every student packed up. Every student that is but Frances, her eyes were blank and she was staring out the window

'Frances, it's second period - GO' Eddie bellowed getting more annoyed with his student

The girl finally zoned back into the real world and wiped the tear away that was running down her cheek 'sorry sir' she mumbled then ran out the classroom

Eddie only just realised the girl was crying and felt bad but he was also very intrigued with the girl. He got the feeling something was no quite right and promised himself he would flag it up to Rachel

Meanwhile Frances couldn't be bothered with next lesson so wondered into the toilets and sat in the nearest empty cubicle.

(Frances POV)

This was harder than I thought, keeping a cool exterior. I couldn't worry anyone otherwise they'll dig further into what's happening at home and I CAN'T let that happen.

But then why should I have to hide it? Why does it have to happen to me? You can't choose your family, even though I'd give my right arm to choose mine. I hate them, the amount of times I've tried to run away but they always drag me back, back to hell, back to me being used daily as a punching bag or an ashtray

(Third Person)

Tears were flowing freely down France's face, but then she heard the door to the toilets open

'Frances, Frances are you in here?' It was the familiar sound of Miss Mason, however this time her voice sounded stern

The girl sniffed, wiped the tears away with the back of her sleeve and walked out the door

Rachel's face softened when she saw that the girl had been crying 'Frances why didn't you go to French?'

'I didn't want too' Frances looked at the floor not daring to look at the headmistress

'That's really not good enough Frances, come on let's go to my office and we can talk more there'

Rachel went to put her arm round the girl who was obviously upset to lead her to her office, but the Frances flinched at her touch, making her fall back and hit her head on the basin

Frances woke up very groggy and didn't know where she was, she tried to sit up but her head was in agony 'owww!' She exclaimed, putting her hand to her head

'Hello sleepyhead, how are you feeling? You had a nasty fall and fell unconscious, so Mr Lawson and I brought you up to my office. Your Mum is on her way and I've instructed her to take you to casualty.'

Whilst talking Rachel walked from behind her desk to the girl who had just sat up on her couch. 'Here - drink this' Rachel handed the girl a glass of water, however she noticed her eyes had glazed over with fear

'You phoned my mum?! Please tell me this is a joke? I feel fine Miss I don't need her to come and get me. Seriously I'm fine, let me stay in school for the afternoon please' Frances begged her headmistress, another load of tears were threatening to fall down her cheeks

'Frances why don't you want your Mum to come in?' Rachel said softly

'I can't say' Frances said quietly again not looking at her headmistress

'Frances I'm here to help, tell me what's wrong sweetheart'

Frances was surprised at how motherly the headmistress voice was, it was a long time since she had heard that. She panicked and quickly legged it to the door, however before she left she turned to Miss Mason 'thanks for trying to help Miss, but I'm beyond it, you probably won't see me again. Sorry for bothering you'

Please tell me what you think, Mads x