Chapter 5

Despite having some interesting concepts in it, Spanish wasn't Reigate's favourite subject. Languages held a special place in her heart, but that was mostly beyond the classroom. Every different dialect and culture was unique and had so many things to offer – it was just hard to properly appreciate them in a lesson. The Spanish teacher was lovely, as most teachers tended to be, but the class in general lacked a sense of…focus. Even now, during a quick grammar test, Reigate could hear people whispering a few rows behind her. It was distracting. Thankfully she had revised for the test a couple of days ago, after the first joint detention session, and it had definitely paid off. The whole paper took only a few minutes. Once she had finished, Reigate set her pen down and slid her school blazer off. This was one of the few classrooms in the school that was consistently warm, no matter the weather outside or how many people were in it.

"Four minutes left" - the teacher's voice rang out, making several students jump. Reigate flicked through her answers again, making sure everything was written as neatly and clearly as was standard for her. Maybe the next lesson – history – would be more interesting. At least they wouldn't be doing another test. That would be the last lesson of the day as well, and art club came after that. Reigate smiled a little, wondering if her acrylic painting had completely dried yet. Usually, during art club, she would be free to either work on her own projects, or could catch up on art homework. It was great fun, and her favourite after-school activity.

"Please leave your papers on the desk as you leave. Well done everyone, see you next lesson!"

The class streamed out of the room, Reigate towards the front of the group. The history classroom was on the other side of school, and she wrapped her arms around herself to conserve some heat as she stepped out into the playground to get there. Her handbag bit into her shoulder, and the wind whipped her long hair around her head.

Arriving into the history classroom, Reigate was greeted with the sight of…nobody. She stood there for a second, frozen in the doorframe, and peered over to look at the teacher's desk, without invading their privacy. There was no note. She backed out of the classroom, studying the door and nearby walls instead. Thankfully, someone had left a short message.

"No lesson today, register with librarian then do your own silent work in the library. DO NOT GO HOME"

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

The almost-silence in the library was the perfect environment for Reigate to get a start on some chemistry homework that had been set earlier on in the day. Her normal desk was, thankfully, available and she had made herself very comfortable during the 30 minutes she had already been sat there. Pens and pencils spilled out of her pencil case over the table, almost reaching her textbook which was open next to her workbook. She decided to take a quick break and pulled out her phone. The floral case would have complimented her clothing style if she hadn't been in impeccable school uniform, but instead it went with her nails, which she had painted a lilac colour over lunch time.

"Hey, does anyone have plans for the weekend?" Her nimble fingers darted across the screen, sending the message to a group chat she had with her friends on WhatsApp. For several seconds, there was no reply. She waited, then placed the phone down on the desk to resume working. It was only when she was about to put pen to paper that it buzzed.

"Sorry Reigate, have to go visit my grandparents this weekend. Hope you have fun tho xxx" replied Chobham.

It was several minutes before anyone else responded. A flood of "No, sorry"s filled Reigate's screen, and she resigned herself to probably staying at home all weekend. It was important to study for GCSEs, but it would be nice to go out and live a little…

Only 5 minutes later, the librarian came around telling people softly that it was home time and they didn't have to stay any longer. Reigate rolled her eyes as many of them stood and rushed out of the building. Clearly they didn't appreciate what a cozy, warm atmosphere was being provided for them here. Maybe she could spend a couple of minutes finding a good book to read on Saturday evening? It wouldn't take long…

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Reigate burst into the art classroom at the speed of a thousand gazelles, the door slamming into the wall with the force of her entry. Her straight brown hair was much less tame than normal, and she looked flustered as she tried to smooth her hair, apologise for the noise, put a book down, grab an apron and locate Redhill as well. Mx Bookham grinned openly as one of their favourite students entered the room like a hurricane. Perhaps this force of nature could do something with the blond haired boy still slouched in a chair in the corner of the room. On the other hand, it looked like said boy had perked up a bit at the rowdy events happening near the entrance. Mx Bookham turned back to the student they were helping and let those two sort each other out.

Reigate spotted him in the corner and rushed over to apologise. "Redhill, I'm terribly sorry but there was just a really good book and I wanted to get it out but-"

"Yeah whatever" He shrugged and rose to his feet, so Reigate was had to look upwards to watch his expression. It stayed carefully neutral and controlled. "So where'd you normally sit?".

"Any table really. Do you have any preferences?"

"Nah"

Reigate quickly chose a table and let her school bag slide off her shoulder onto the floor. Redhill follow suit and dropped his near to hers, at the next chair over. As the two got a little closer, Reigate's nose wrinkled. Something was…off about the way the blond haired boy smelt. It was a little acrid. It was also very familiar – a scent that could often be found in the school toilets, especially at break and lunch times. Smoke. Redhill had been smoking. Was this the kind of thing she should ask him about? Or maybe she was supposed to report him to a teacher, like Mrs Cranleigh? She resolved to ask him about it if it happened again.

Both of them took their seats at the table, and Redhill pulled out a piece of crumpled white A4 paper whilst Reigate was setting up to get started on her art. The acrylic painting she was working on was reasonably large, and every part of the canvas was covered with brightly coloured flowers. They sprawled across the dark purple background, and thin vines joined them together like a cobweb. It had taken several days so far. Thankfully it was almost finished, or as finished as a piece of art could ever be, and soon she would be able to move onto her next project.

Mx Bookham glanced over at them every once in a while, finding the stark contrast in activities…interesting. While one was boldly adding paint to a full and beautiful canvas, the other was attempting to salvage their future with a timetable written on wrinkled paper. However, it was nice to see them existing in the same space as each other without having an argument. It wasn't often that such headstrong students would be able to coexist, but wasn't there a first time for everything?