I would just like to say that in this chapter, I reach 10,000 words! For me, that is a lot, a lot, a lot of words. Thank you all for helping me get this far!

Chapter 11: Back to School

I woke to a loud screeching sound and panicked. My heart quickened and my eyes widened in fear. For some reason, probably because I had been very tense for almost a week, I didn't realize for about a minute that the screeching noise, was my alarm clock, telling me to get out of bed and start my second week at St Hearts.

As I fumbled around in my groggy state for the off button on my clock, I thought about how much had happened in one week. It had felt as if it had been months since I started the new school, months since I met Tom and months since I found out about the base and whatever Tom and his friends actually did every day.

Whilst I got dressed into my uniform, I thought about how I still hadn't brought myself to look at Tom's file. I still felt like looking in his file was a step too far.
"Ha!" I laughed quietly. A step too far? I had already broke into his 'base' and placed cameras there. Was there such a thing as too far, at that point, after all I had done?

Tom would be back at school today, hopefully, if Stella and Frank really meant what they said about finding him, I thought. My heart skipped a beat as I thought about seeing him again. I was surprised at my reaction. I knew that I liked him a lot, but I didn't know if I loved him? I had, after all, only known him for a week! It just… It just felt like I'd known him for a lot longer than that.

Ignoring my thoughts, I bounced down the stairs, feeling a bit bouncier knowing it was just a little (10,000 words now! Whoo!) longer until I got to see him.
"You look happy," my mum said as she jumped out at me from behind the stairs on the way to the kitchen. I recoiled in shock. I hadn't known she was there.

"Yes, I am. My… friend has been… ill for a while now and I can't wait to see them!" I said to her, only slightly avoiding the truth. Mum looked at me slightly suspiciously before smiling. Unexpectedly, she grabbed me and pulled me closer to her. I stared at her bewildered as she hugged me.
"Mum! What was that for?" I asked as she let me go.

"Oh! I'm just so happy that you have friends! I knew moving here was the right thing to do for you, for us," she said happily before going into the kitchen. She came out with her briefcase and bag. It reminded me of a question I wanted to ask her.

"Mum," I asked, "I feel silly for never asking you but, what is your job?" My mum looked at me. I saw a flash of anger run through her face before it was replaced with a smile.
"You'll find out soon! I hope you can follow in my footsteps someday," she said wistfully, looking off into the distance before leaving me in the house. I smiled. My mum always loved surprises…

I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, only just realizing what time it was. It was time to see Tom!