Chapter 3

"On behalf of the entire band, we would like to thank you for your submission to our 'Walking in our fans footsteps' challenge. It was a difficult contest to judge as we would love to meet and spend time with each and every one of you, but considering this is in fact a contest, only one could be chosen.

Ms Clarrisa Tarding, we are pleased to inform you that we will be meeting you on the 30th of March to commence with school on the 1st of April which is, as we believe, the start of your second term. All expenses have been paid already and phone calls to your school will be made ASAP to set this into order.

For any additional information, please refer to the attached file which has all other guidelines or call our manager (as she is organising this contest) at 035 719 57.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Black Veil Brides."

I still couldn't believe it, after reading this message over for the 10th time this morning and another 20 times last night. I ended up falling asleep at my computer desk reading the email with tears running down my face. They were no longer tears of hurt or anguish – instead they were filled with joy and disbelief. I considered ringing the number that was provided multiple times last night but decided against it as all I would probably be able to say would be a jumble of messed up latters and sounds.

I was both about winning the contest – yet I was also extremely nervous and fearful. I knew the boys would be spending their time in our house (lucky we have 2 spare rooms for when our cousins come and stay) and I was fearful about breaking the news to my parents. What if they just straight out say no? Or turn them out on the streets like stray dogs? I vowed that I would tell my parents this afternoon after school let out. I smiled to myself as I tried to hide the bursting excitement within me as I sat on the bus to school – wishing the hour long trip would just suddenly be over so I could finally tell someone who cared, for example, Tahlia, Sara and Jaquie.

I know what you're thinking… an hour long bus trip to get to school? Yes, you heard me correctly, I go to a private school a few towns away as we used to live there but were forces to move after my mother was promoted up in her job and was required to spend more hours at work. My mother refused to send me to the local schools and considering there were already a number of children in the same or similar situations as me traveling to school from our town – she couldn't see the point in pulling me out. The bus driver is a real jerk and always seems to have some kids which he will pick on more than others and, due to that, many of us just wish he would suddenly get caught in an insane boating accident… or a similar tragedy…

The bus finally pulled up to our school and after being pushed and shoved by multiple people as I made my way off, I finally arrived at the school gates where, like every other morning, my three friends were waiting for me. It was also quite typical to see them sneering at the blonde bimbos who passed them and those same girls to turn and flip them off… it was actually quite comical to sit back and watch – but there was no time for that this morning.

I tried to run as quickly as possible to the girls (frequently tripping on the skirt of my dress uniform) as I was in dire need of expressing my joy and excitement. All three of them quickly turned in my direction as I tripped for the third time – internally cursing the horrid uniform – and Sara and Jaquie rolled their eyes while Tahlia simply stood there with a vacant grin on her face.

"Clarrisa, why don't you just take the hem of your skirt up if you're going to do this every bloody day?!" Sara commented as she leaned back on the heavy metal gates while taking in my skirt which came to my knees. I bumped her with my shoulder as Jaquie shoved me towards the school as she was becoming impatient.

"Or you could just do what I do and wear your sports uniform almost every day" Jaquie butted in, looking quite proud of herself. Sara, Tahlia and I all shared a knowing look as we all burst out laughing.

"…And you wonder why you are constantly given detentions by the teachers… your lucky they haven't suspended you yet." Tahlia spoke between her giggles as we walked towards our lockers. Most schools in Australia only have lockers for Grade 12 students as they are the big seniors, but in our private school there is no shortage of lockers as all high school children are given one, or sometimes if there are enough you may be able to bags two for yourself. As grade 11 students ourselves, we didn't have much authority over many people but we did however scare the new fresh high schoolers into moving out of our way and doing as we told them.

After dumping my bag beside the locker blocks and grabbing the books I would need for class and my laptop, I turned to the girls ready to reveal the one thing that had been nagging at me since I had woken that morning. I couldn't hide my grin form the three of them as I began walking towards our homeroom for the roles to be marked.

"Guys, you wouldn't believe what happened last night! I bet you couldn't guess it!" I exclaimed as they all gave me amused looks.

"You finally gave your dad what he deserved?" Sara asked eagerly.

"You finally snagged a boyfriend?" Jacquie asked in a condescending tone.

"You were on the news?" Tahlia asked which I tried not to burst into laughter about.

I shook my head and took three deep breathes to ensure that I wouldn't burst into joyous tears as I told them before looking them all square in the eyes.

"You know that BVB contest that I entered where they get to attend school with you for however many weeks and all? I got an email back last night from them and… I WON!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, not caring who was around as I jumped up and down out of excitement while the girls were in a mixture of stunned silence and the same as me.

"You can't be serious?!" Tahlia exclaimed as she looked as hopeful as young child on Christmas day and I couldn't even find my voice to respond so I simply nodded my head at her. She suddenly squealed a high pitch sound and hugged me to show how exciting my news was. I couldn't stop laughing and tears of joy began to drip from my eyes as I stood there with my girls – the only people that I truly cared for and they in return (apart from Luka and Ally of course).

The day dragged by after I broke the news to the girls and after about half an hour to an hour of freaking out – we finally settled ourselves down to continue on with the day.

At lunch, of course, we acted like complete idiots which we did every break and today Sara and Jacquie decided to play the music on their phones as they danced around and acted like they were really up on stage while I filmed it on my own phone with Tahlia acting like the ultimate fan. This was how we spent our usual lunch times. I always felt so free when I was hanging out with those three and I knew that, even though we pay each other out a lot, we were as strong as any storm.

I felt disappointment and fear once again wash over me though as I separated from the girls that afternoon and began my journey home. I feared about what I would find when I returned home, whether my father would be drunk already or if he would be completely sober… both of them scared me equally.

However, I pushed down my fear and swallowed my pride when I walked in the front door of my home. I was stunned when I walked in and mum was sitting on the couch watching television with Luka, Ally and my step-father. This was a rare sight to see and I can't remember the last time I did see it however no matter how many times I rubbed my eyes and blinked… it was still occurring.

"Clarrisa, is there something you need to tell us?" My mother asked in her this-means-business voice. I gulped as I looked down at my feet while walking towards her. She turned her attention away from the tv as I neared her and as I saw her face, it was simply neutral… no emotion what-so-ever.

"I got a call today from a lady named Sammy who is some kind of a manager of a band who informed me that we would be having a number of men staying with us within the next few weeks and that this was all due to a contest which you entered… is this true?" My mother asked me as she stood from the couch and led me into the kitchen, alone. I didn't dare look up at her as I silently nodded my head. It was completely silent in the room for a while and after a few minutes I gathered up the courage to look up at my mother and was surprised by what I saw.

My mother… MY mother was standing there with a content smile on her face just looking down at me with no judgement or anger tainting her expression.

"I spoke to Sammy about it and it is all set up, don't look so worried." She replied in a pleasant tone before walking back to the lounge room. I stood in the kitchen a few moments longer as I tried to comprehend what ha d just happened. I furrowed my brow in confusion before simply deciding to shake it off and take what I can before heading down the hall to my room. I only have two weeks to prepare for Black Veil Brides' arrival in my house!

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-Ashleigh