First full chapter. Enjoy!

©BBC. I do not own Waterloo Road or any of the characters.

The first day of a school is tough for anyone. You wonder into a building filled to the top with strangers that you've never met before, strangers that eventually may become acquainted with you. Sat in the car, it was extremely silent, awkwardly silent. Mum didn't say a word all the way there. She didn't even seem to acknowledge the fact I was sat beside her. We finally approached the brand-new school which didn't look anything like I had imagined before. It looked friendly… and welcoming. Completely the opposite of Glasgow

I was the first to leave the car, followed swiftly by Mum who pulled me to one side.

"Nobody will find out about this will they Connor? Because if they do. I know EXACTLY who to come to" I rolled my eyes and followed her towards the main entrance. We were greeted by a very ecstatic looking man.

"Mrs Mulgrew? Thrilled that you accepted our offer" Ah so this must be Byrne then…

"I'm so glad you accepted my application Mr. Byrne" I shut off at this point, not really interested in small talk between my mum and the headmaster. My attention was suddenly captured by Byrne when he decided to talk to me.

"…You must be Connor" I turned my head slightly and looked at him directly.

"Mmm" I replied quickly, all I wanted to do was get away from Mum.

"Welcome to Waterloo Road" he added. I nodded slightly and looked around me.

"Well... off you go Connor see if you can make some new friends." I don't think I had ever been happier to hear those words come from my mum. I walked off as quickly as I could towards the main entrance. I walked in with my head down. I didn't really feel like talking to anyone.

After a brief welcome assembly from Mr. Byrne it was time to move onto our first lesson. I looked down at my timetable.

9:30am: ENGLISH ROOM 2 –

I made my way slowly towards the classroom where for the next hour I would try and avoid my mum's sight. The staircase was packed with chatting teenagers about the latest episode of TOWIE and who would be next to leave that Celebrity Big Brother. I ignored all of it and leaned casually against the banister next to two girls. They were nice… kind. One especially… she sounded bright, smart I mean. I was transfixed on her. But then the moment I really didn't want to arrive…

"Right - Inside please, Single file and NO Talking." Yep there she was. The devil reincarnated…. Well… she isn't that bad….

"She's a bit... isn't she?" the blonde girl piped up. I rolled my eyes and made a comment which I instantly regretted

"You want to try living with her"

"You know her?" Ah damn. I've got no choice now…

"She's my mum"

"For real?" the second girl added

"I said no talking!" Mum shouted. I looked down and walked into the classroom. I had hoped this hour would go quicker than any other… how wrong I was.

Eventually we got out of my mums lesson. I escaped unspoken to… a few glares and a sly comment was all that was made. I pulled the scrunched up timetable from my bag…

10:30am: HISTORY 1 – A. MCFALL.

Oh… that's okay. I like History. I made my way towards the History class and waited outside. I made sure I stood near… Imogen I think it was?

"Right everybody in you go!" McFall said with a very cheery voice. We all trudged in. I made sure to sit near Imogen so I could see her. I really really liked her. For a moment I completely switched off and went into my own bubble and completely forgot everything…

" ... but there is SO much we can learn about ourselves from towering figures of the past! Winston Churchill, Robert the Bruce, Henry VIII! Henry the eighth? Is she serious? What good comes from him? I slipped a sly comment out to Imogen.

"What could come from Henry the eighth?"

"I beg your pardon - Connor Mulgrew!" Better try and get myself out of this…

"I mean, he married his dead brother's wife, got rid of her, married another five and executed two of them."

"Wow, you know loads!" Yes! I'd impressed her! However the old crow standing at the front of the class didn't look impressed. Instead she gave me and Scout, the blonde girl from earlier an essay about why the school should keep History in the Curriculum.

I decided to help Scout out with her essay. I told mum I was going over to Scout's to finish the essay. She didn't care… We finished the essay and chatted for a while. She was telling me about her time in England and why she decided to move here. I thought she was really funny… until the moment was ruined. My mother… the school's new English Teacher basically falls through the front door of the school house alongside Grantly. I stood up almost immediately.

"What's with the shocked face Connor, seen a ghost or something?" I can't let her ruin this. I'm just beginning to make friends!

"Hi Mum... I was just leaving" I decided to leave right away – taking her with me.

"Were ya?" added Maggie. I nodded and quickly walked over to Mum and took her arm

"Why don't you stay for a…" Grantly asked my mum. I couldn't let her stay.

"What a good idea!"

"No Mum, we've got to go"

"You're such a spoil sport Connor! " I faked a smile and laughed taking her outside… acting as if this was all a big joke. She started walking off towards the exit when it suddenly hit me.

"Where are you going?"

"I've left the car at the pub!" I stood in front of her and tried to take the keys to the car.

"You're not driving in that state!"

"Shut your FACE" My mum snarled at me. She walked off. I guess I had no choice but to follow her too. I got her into the car, and she immediately fell into some sort of drunken sleep. I drove down towards the bay and she started to gag. She was going to be sick. Why does she always leave me to clean her mess?!

"Mum come on"

She didn't reply… The car stalled. I was stuck. I tried to get mum to listen to me again… and that's when I noticed Imogen…