Twelve
It was the first day back at school after Summer. It was also the first day of Oscar and Alana going to their new school. Cassie was also having her first day. Luckily they were all going to the same school and Alana and Cassie were going to be in the same class according to Tee who was in the same year but different class and Oscar in Rick's class. Oscar, Cassie and Alana were stood outside the assistant head of school. Elektra had been in a bad mood with Alana the last week after the hair extensions but she had teased Alana about going to school today. Alana had just ignored her and was looking forward to learning. She might not be good around other people but she loved learning.
Ms Rivers came out. "Cassie, Alana and Oscar?" she asked. They all nodded. She indicated that they should enter her office. They sat down. "Now then. I'm assistant head of year 11, 12 and 13 so I don't usually deal with year 8's girls but seeing as one of you is year 11 I will let that pass. We have very strict rules here which you must obey. Put one foot out of line you three and you will have to move schools, which we don't want to happen as we have the rest of your friends here." Alana raised an eyebrow at this. Ms Rivers had been describing the other care kids yet she seemed uneasy when talking about them as if saying they were in care would cause them to explode. "here are your timetables and maps. I'm sure you will do fine today but please come back at the end of the school day before you return.. err... home." This time it was Oscar who noticed. They walked out the office together and started heading down the corridor.
"Well luckily our form rooms are next to each other, we can find them together," Oscar said leading the way he thought was right.
"Did you notice she seemed uneasy around us?" Alana asked as they quickened their pace. Oscar nodded.
"yeah it makes you wonder how much Elektra has terrorised the school," Cassie said quietly. They were late they knew that yet they didn't seem to be getting any closer to their form rooms. Oscar stopped suddenly.
"We're back here again," he said indicating Ms Rivers office. Alana rolled her eyes, took a quick look at her map and darted down one of the corridors.
"Come on then. My turn to get us there," Alana said cheerily. She led them down a few corridors until they came to face their form rooms. "Good luck," Alana told her brother before opening the door to her form room. Cassie crept in behind her. All eyes in the room turned on them. Alana suddenly felt very self-conscious that she wasn't good around new people or people in general, yet here she was stood in front of 30 new people.
"Come in. You must be Cassie and Alana-Sophiena," the teacher said using Alana's hyphenated name. They nodded gently.
"yes, that is us but can I just be called Alana?" Alana asked quietly. The teacher nodded.
"Of course, there are seats at the back for you two," he said kindly. Cassie hurried over to the seat next to a blonde girl who was doodling in a book while Alana trailed behind her towards a seat next to a curly haired boy. He looked up and Alana smiled. She realised it was Tyler. He was in the same year as them. Alana sat down next to him.
"never expected you to be shy," he muttered under his breath. Alana shrugged.
"Now for our new girls benefit and anyone who doesn't recognise me, my name is Mr Jones. I am an ICT teacher and I will be your form tutor this year. Now I want you to pair up with someone you don't usually talk to in the class and get to know them better," Mr Jones said. "Tyler, Ella you can stay with your partners as they are new and you won't know who they are." Tyler glanced at Alana who glanced at Cassie who was trying not to laugh at Mr Jones' assumption that Tyler and Alana didn't know each other. He didn't realise they were all from the same care home.
Alana turned to Tyler. "So then, What's your name?" she asked trying to make it seem like they had never met before. Mr Jones smiled at Alana and Cassie as he helped the others get into pairs. They seemed to be settling in alright.