Friday
The weather was still dreary today, although the driving rain of yesterday had turned into a steady drizzle. I hunted around for my kohl for about ten minutes, before finding it behind my bed. I thought for a second about not wearing it, but it's my protection form the world, my mask, and I knew I couldn't leave without it. I went downstairs and made myself some toast, before getting my stuff ready for school. My dad was just leaving as I put my coat on, and to my surprise he stopped and held the door open. I stood amazed for a second and he said "Come on then, can't have you walking in the rain". I followed him meekly to the car and he drove me to school, both of us silent. I got out and leaned forwards to say thanks, but he had already driven off so I walked in. It didn't matter that he had driven off, as it was the most he's done for me in a while. I had pe today, which is the worst lesson in school. I got changed into my shorts and t-shirt, both of which are way too big for me. I couldn't find my gym shoes today, so I had to borrow some from the office, and they were a size too small so that I walked like a duck. The worst thing was that they were a bright, new white, which contrasted so sharply with the rest of me. We had netball today, and we all had to stand waiting to be picked. I don't know why I even bother to turn up to the class, as everyone knows I'm going to be picked last. As predicted, I was. The two team captains were both in the popular groups. An athletic looking guy called Andrew and a pretty looking girl called Claire. Both started by picking their friends, and then on to the respectables. The geeks were the next to go, until it was left between me and a guy who had a weight problem and suffered from asthma. It was Claire's turn to pick, and she walked up and down between us for a while, before finally "basketcase". I was very torn between being thankful that I'd not been picked last, and mad that she didn't even bother with my name. The game went on, but I just stood watching. I didn't run for any balls and I didn't try hard to catch any either. I could probably be okay in the game but I'm not going to put myself out for someone who doesn't even know my name. I went out into the yard at recess and sat on the grassy bank drawing. I was trying to improve my bridge drawing, and it was coming along, but there was still something missing. Suddenly a shadow fell over my page and I looked up to see a group of kids standing over me. "Yo freak" the nearest one said. "You know working outside of school time is wrong". I stared back at them defiantly, although I was a little scared. One of them suddenly reached forwards and snatched my sketchpad from my hands, throwing it round. I stood up as he waved it round in my face, taunting at me. Suddenly, I lost control and spat in his face, kicking him in the shin at the same time and snatching my book back. Without waiting for a reaction I raced for the school gates and didn't stop running until I was well clear of the school. I couldn't go back now, so I spent the morning wandering aimlessly round the town. I went into a café and ordered a muffin and a coffee at lunchtime, before going to the fountain and sketching the stone angels. After a couple of hours I got bored, and so numb with the cold I got up and went over to the other side of town, to check out The Bailey family. This was more risky, as if they spotted me they could tell my parents, as Mrs Bailey plays bridge with my mum. I knew she'd be in, as she rarely leaves the house; staying in to look after her elderly mother, but I was surprised to see that the eldest of the children, Annie Bailey was home too. I climbed on to the low wall and leaned in to the window, putting my fingers on the frame of the window and pushing it gently. It opened a few inches and the sounds from inside started to drift out. Annie was draped over the sofa watching cartoons, and Mrs Bailey was tidying up several crisp wrappers, which were littered around the floor. "Leave me alone mum!" Annie whined, and Mrs Bailey gave her a soft slap on the legs. "I'll not have you lying round the place watching television" She replied, "If you're going to be suspended you can help with the bloody housework. Now shoo, into the kitchen with you and do the washing up". Complaining loudly, Annie left the room. Mrs Bailey watched her leave, and then settled quickly into the seat, putting a soap opera on the tv. I tried not to laugh at Mrs Bailey's cunning, but I did sketch her, with her pink fluffy slippers up on the coffee table. When I got back home I made myself some pasta, sitting on the worktop to eat it. I made myself a cup of coffee and took it up to my room, sitting and reading on my bed whilst taking sips from it. I heard my parents come in and put on music, and loud talking and laughter came from downstairs. They must have invited friends over again. I needed the bathroom but when I got there it was occupied. I waited, and a tall blonde lady came out. She stopped when she saw me and said "Who are you!" I told her I was Alyson Reynolds, and she looked surprised for a second, before walking off muttering "I didn't know they had a child". I went back into my room and suddenly felt really sad, so I got changed and cried to myself as I fell asleep.
The weather was still dreary today, although the driving rain of yesterday had turned into a steady drizzle. I hunted around for my kohl for about ten minutes, before finding it behind my bed. I thought for a second about not wearing it, but it's my protection form the world, my mask, and I knew I couldn't leave without it. I went downstairs and made myself some toast, before getting my stuff ready for school. My dad was just leaving as I put my coat on, and to my surprise he stopped and held the door open. I stood amazed for a second and he said "Come on then, can't have you walking in the rain". I followed him meekly to the car and he drove me to school, both of us silent. I got out and leaned forwards to say thanks, but he had already driven off so I walked in. It didn't matter that he had driven off, as it was the most he's done for me in a while. I had pe today, which is the worst lesson in school. I got changed into my shorts and t-shirt, both of which are way too big for me. I couldn't find my gym shoes today, so I had to borrow some from the office, and they were a size too small so that I walked like a duck. The worst thing was that they were a bright, new white, which contrasted so sharply with the rest of me. We had netball today, and we all had to stand waiting to be picked. I don't know why I even bother to turn up to the class, as everyone knows I'm going to be picked last. As predicted, I was. The two team captains were both in the popular groups. An athletic looking guy called Andrew and a pretty looking girl called Claire. Both started by picking their friends, and then on to the respectables. The geeks were the next to go, until it was left between me and a guy who had a weight problem and suffered from asthma. It was Claire's turn to pick, and she walked up and down between us for a while, before finally "basketcase". I was very torn between being thankful that I'd not been picked last, and mad that she didn't even bother with my name. The game went on, but I just stood watching. I didn't run for any balls and I didn't try hard to catch any either. I could probably be okay in the game but I'm not going to put myself out for someone who doesn't even know my name. I went out into the yard at recess and sat on the grassy bank drawing. I was trying to improve my bridge drawing, and it was coming along, but there was still something missing. Suddenly a shadow fell over my page and I looked up to see a group of kids standing over me. "Yo freak" the nearest one said. "You know working outside of school time is wrong". I stared back at them defiantly, although I was a little scared. One of them suddenly reached forwards and snatched my sketchpad from my hands, throwing it round. I stood up as he waved it round in my face, taunting at me. Suddenly, I lost control and spat in his face, kicking him in the shin at the same time and snatching my book back. Without waiting for a reaction I raced for the school gates and didn't stop running until I was well clear of the school. I couldn't go back now, so I spent the morning wandering aimlessly round the town. I went into a café and ordered a muffin and a coffee at lunchtime, before going to the fountain and sketching the stone angels. After a couple of hours I got bored, and so numb with the cold I got up and went over to the other side of town, to check out The Bailey family. This was more risky, as if they spotted me they could tell my parents, as Mrs Bailey plays bridge with my mum. I knew she'd be in, as she rarely leaves the house; staying in to look after her elderly mother, but I was surprised to see that the eldest of the children, Annie Bailey was home too. I climbed on to the low wall and leaned in to the window, putting my fingers on the frame of the window and pushing it gently. It opened a few inches and the sounds from inside started to drift out. Annie was draped over the sofa watching cartoons, and Mrs Bailey was tidying up several crisp wrappers, which were littered around the floor. "Leave me alone mum!" Annie whined, and Mrs Bailey gave her a soft slap on the legs. "I'll not have you lying round the place watching television" She replied, "If you're going to be suspended you can help with the bloody housework. Now shoo, into the kitchen with you and do the washing up". Complaining loudly, Annie left the room. Mrs Bailey watched her leave, and then settled quickly into the seat, putting a soap opera on the tv. I tried not to laugh at Mrs Bailey's cunning, but I did sketch her, with her pink fluffy slippers up on the coffee table. When I got back home I made myself some pasta, sitting on the worktop to eat it. I made myself a cup of coffee and took it up to my room, sitting and reading on my bed whilst taking sips from it. I heard my parents come in and put on music, and loud talking and laughter came from downstairs. They must have invited friends over again. I needed the bathroom but when I got there it was occupied. I waited, and a tall blonde lady came out. She stopped when she saw me and said "Who are you!" I told her I was Alyson Reynolds, and she looked surprised for a second, before walking off muttering "I didn't know they had a child". I went back into my room and suddenly felt really sad, so I got changed and cried to myself as I fell asleep.