It had been a couple of weeks since Alicia came back home drunk, she had settled in at her new school, and things were going well at home. Although Alicia still resented her mum she had never stopped loving her, so she did her best to behave.

However, that particular day didn't go particularly well for her

Her mum woke her up at 6 o clock 'come on Alicia wake up, we're going in early as I have a meeting with the lea'

Alicia reluctantly got up 'ugh what time is it?' She asked

'6 - I want you downstairs on 15 minutes I have a lot to do today'

With that the headmistress left the room. Alicia got up got changed and did her make up and then went to meet her mum

'Young lady you have far too much make up on'

'Ive worn it like this since I was in year 8 but you never stopped me'

Rachel always found these comments made her uncomfortable, a she knew her daughter was right, she decided she wouldn't make anything of it and ignored it

'Less of that lip as well, come on lovely girl, get in the car I'm sure we can find a make up wipe at school'

Alicia was too tired to argue so just did what she was told. They got to school, adam head towards the kitchen and they towards Rachel's office. It was weird for Alicia because as her mum got into her office she switched to Miss Mason mode almost immediately.

'Right Alicia , as it's so early you can start doing some prep in my office, I'm very busy this morning. So work hard and try not to make too much noise'

'But mum it's not even 7 yet, I can't concentrate'

'Alicia it's Miss Mason here, and just do what your told'

'Fine' Alicia dropped her bag on the table and started working trying to make as much noise as possible

Time went by surprisingly quickly for Alicia and soon it was form time with Miss Lipsett , she was sat by Lauren and Sam and they were to busy chatting to hear what was being said

'...this afternoon you'll have a pshe lesson with mr Mead and the topic is drug usage'
This had caught Alicia's attention very quickly, the last two words echoing in her ears. She felt queasy but didn't say anything. However Lauren and Sam had seen Alicia's reaction and asked her what was wrong 'Alic are you ok? It's only pshe it's not that bigger deal' Lauren said 'yeah.. Yeah im fine, don't know what came over me' Alicia had snapped out of her worries and persuaded her friends with a fake smile that there was nothing wrong.

At the end of form time, Alicia went to speak to the French teacher after everyone had left 'umm miss I'm really sorry but I'm not going to make third period, I have a dentist appointment'
Alicia wasn't very good at thinking on the spot, and this feeble excuse came out before she could stop it.

Mrs Lipsett looked warily at the girl 'this wouldn't be because I've just told you, you have pshe third period would it?'

'No miss honest' Alicia said trying to sound as innocent as possible

'Ok well I'm going to have to talk to miss mason about this...'

'No no don't do that... I'll cancel it, I'll book another one for half term' Alicia replied in all the fake cheeriness she could muster, and then quickly ran off to catch up with her friends

Jo made a mental note to tell Rachel of her daughter's eagerness not to attend pshe

Third period came around too quickly for Alicia, first of, an ex convict who used to sell drugs did a talk on the side effects of drugs and the consequences they have on young people 'blah blah blah' Alicia thought.

They were then divided into two groups, one would argue that drug taking was bad and the other would try to justify it - the teachers obviously thought this would be a challenge. At the end of that session, each group had to nominate a speaker to present their case. Ignoring her protests Alicia's group ha picked her.

She nervously went to the front of the class, and with a trembling voice - read what was on the card 'ummm - drugs should be used as they make a party fun' bolton had obviously written that trying to look tough.

half way through the argument, she looked up no one was listening, Alicia then decided to put the note card down and say what she thought

'You know I don't think drugs should be taken, I think they take a personality and destroy it, but I think for some people it's their life they need that drug so bad they'd do anything to get it, and I think if drugs is the only reason someone wants to live another day then leave them to it. I also think for some people they're never given a choice, they can be forced or threatened into it, and then the addiction takes hold of their body, and they need the drug, they depend on it, all awhile hating what they'd become, being the person they'd promised themselves they'd never become and knowing that in other people's eyes they were seen as nothing more than scum, would those people have thought the same if they knew the real reason why they had turned into a gaunt drug-reliant creature with marks on their arms due to the constant torture they fed themselves because they couldn't stop? No, therefore I think the argument with drugs is not as black and white as a yes or no answer, the bigger picture that's often ignored needs to be seen'

Alicia had finished, she bumped back down to her sense and realised everyone was at gawping at her, they ha listened o every word she had said.

It took a few seconds for Mr Mead to readjust 'umm ok thank you for giving us that argument Alicia, Ros you're next!'

Ros was a straight A student a few years above her. She was close friends with her cousin and got on well with her mum.

'Thank you for that speech Alic' Ros started patronisingly 'however, we think drugs are bad, people who take them should not be allowed to live in our society, they commit acts of crime to feed their disgusting habit without thinking about the rest of us, and therefore I disagree with Alic I think everyone has a choice...'

Rage had been building up inside Alicia since Ros had started speaking. She had gritted her teeth to try and ignore her but it got to much or Alicia and she lined at Ros punching what ever party of her body she could reach, she started to scream at her, still hitting her with all her force. She was suddenly pulled back and was being held by Mr Mead, even though she was being dragged out the room she was still screaming an punching the air.

Rachel was in here ring with the LEA when she heard the commotion outside in the corridor 'please wait here Ladies and Gentleman - I won't be a moment'

Rachel saw what was going on and saw her daughter in fits of rage trying to get out of Chris's grip. Rachel managed to lock eyes with her deputy

'Rachel don't worry it's fine I'm going to take her to the cooler and stay with her - finish your meeting!' Chris called to Rachel

Rachel took his advice, blew her hair out her face, regained her composure and went to finish her meeting 'sorry about that, now where were we?'

The meeting finished an hour later, it had gone quite successfully, however their wasn't a moment of celebration for Rachel, as she quickly headed onwards the cooler.

Alicia had calmed down, and she was bored, mr Mead had made no movement to allow her to leave for lunch, so she at there with her head in her hands thinking everything through.

She was suddenly awoken from her thoughts when she heard the door to the cooler slam shut.

'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE PLAYING AT?'

Rachel shouted at her daughter, however, she was not in mum mode, she was very much in the angry authoritative Miss Mason mode'

Alicia knew she was in trouble...

To be continued...

Please review :)