9 December 2012
Right, I'm writing a story, and this is the beginning of it. It's 1992 words long and all characters are based upon people I know. I need feedback, but I doubt any of you will read all of it though... Any who, here you go -
"Right Jemma, I'm not going to ask you again! Get down here!"
Argh, my mother is sooooooo annoying, she knows I've got a date with Simon later! If she'd use her brain she'd realise I'm getting ready, and nothing interrupts me when I'm-
"JEMMA! IF YOU DON'T GET DOWN HERE IN THE NEXT TEN SECONDS I WILL PERSONALLY DRAG YOU OUT OF THE BATHROOM MYSELF, WHATEVER STATE YOUR IN! MOVE IT!!"
Sheesh, fine, whatever. "Coming!" I shouted as I slammed the door and hit the switch. Jumping the last few steps, I slid into the kitchen where mum and Steven were sat at the table. I grabbed a drink and sat down.
"Right, now you've finally decided to grace us with your presence (the glare she gave me then, if looks could kill...), me and Steve have decided that your not fitting in at Westbrook" understatement of the century, I muttered, "so we've managed to get you a place at Oakwood, you know, in the dales, and-
"WHAT??" I spluttered, spraying my drink everywhere, "OAKWOOD? BOARDING SCHOOL? WHY NOT EASTLANE? "
"Jemma! Be quiet, what will the neighbours think? Eastlane was full, and Oakwood Boarding school had ONE spare place, one. Be privelidged, it's the best school in Yorkshire! You'll be starting at the beginning of September, ok? ................ Jemma?" Mum asked, but I didn't hear her.
Boarding school? BOARDING SCHOOL? No, no way, I am NOT going there in a million years, and Oakwell of all of them? Why would I want to be surrounded by loads of snotty kids talking about what make helicopter they're parents have?
"I'm not going." I said quietly.
"You certainly are young-"
"No I'm not and you can't make me!" I screamed and ran to my room.
This carried on until the last week of August when mum dragged me off to Ingleton to buy my new uniform. The only place that stocks it is a little shop on Ingleton High Street, "Maybury & Upton's ltd". The owner, Claire, is so small I have to look down to talk to her, and I'm small for my age!
Anyway, my clothing list came (that was sent by Oakwood), and this is what it consists of-
..........................................................................................................................
4 Oakwood logo'd jumpers, pale brown. 4 long or short sleeved white school shirts. 4 pairs of black plain trousers. White socks Underwear 2 sets of P.E kit- logo'd short and long sleeved shirts, black track suit bottoms and a pair of black pumps.
Also needed- 1 large school bag P.E bag Spending money Writing equipment
Optional- Mobile phone.games console/s Entertainment items i.e board games Anything needed for electrical items, e.g chargers, batteries, earphones.
All medication should be kept with children at all times.
..........................................................................................................................
Whilst inside the shop, I met a large group of girls around my age, also buying their school stuff. I was alone, as mum had gone to the co-op to get lunch, and she had left me to find and pay for my clothes.
I had no idea where anything was so I asked one of the girls. She has short brown hair, and a kindly face. But weirdly, I was overcome with nerves.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Hi there! Are you buying for Oakwood too?" She said, seeing the logo'd letter clutched in my hand.
"Yes, but the thing is, my mums gone to the shop and left me to find my stuff, but I have no idea where anything is! Do you mind, er, helping me? Please?" My nerves had vanished.
"Yeah, sure! We all will, right guys? I'm Amy by the way, and this is Megan-(she pointed to a girl with long brown hair, who waved), Charlotte- (a girl with short blonde locks looked up and smiled) and Georgia- (a mysterious looking girl with long black hair). There's Alex too, but he's gone to look in the game shop, he hates clothes and stuff like that."
"Cool" I replied, "er, hi everyone! I'm Jemma"
"Hi!" "Nice to meet you!" "Hey!"
"Right gang! Day clothes first" said Megan, consulting her list, "come on!"
After half an hour, we piled out of the shop, laden with bags, and I said my goodbyes.
"See you all, on the bus!" I shouted as I ran to catch up with mum.
"See you!" They cried as they too, met their parents.
..........................................................................................................................
It seemed only a few days before I was at the bus station with mum, looking for the Oakwood bus and the gang. Once I'd spotted them, I ran over and grinned. "Hey!" I said as I approached. "Hi again Jemma!" Said Charlotte and the rest greeted me too like an old friend. "Come on people, bus leaves in two minutes!" said Amy, as she shoved her trunk under the vehicle. Everyone got on and said goodbye to mum. "Alright, you've got your phone and iPod, yes?" She said, straightening my collar. "Yes mum, get off me, I need to go!" "Alright." She said, and pulled me into a hug. She let go, I ran onto the bus and quickly found the others, as they were making the most noise. As soon as I reached them, a boy with short brown hair stood up, and held out his hand. "I'm Alex, the one you didn't meet that day in Ingleton. Pleased to meet you!" He said, as I shook his hand and sat down next to Georgia. "Oh wow, mum packed me some haribos for the journey? Want one Georgia?" I asked, offering her the packet. "Go on then, may as well! I forgot mine!" She laughed and took some.
For a while, I just stared out the window, thinking. What's boarding school going to be like? I hope everyone else is nice, like these guys... Are the teachers strict? What will the building look like?
My last question was answered pretty quickly, as the driver shouted something, and everyone looked out of the left side of the coach.
"What did he say?" I asked Georgia.
"He said Oakwoods just over there, on top of that hill, look!" And sure enough, a large building surrounded by trees had just appeared beside us.
"Wow..." I sighed, "It looks stunning!"
"I know!" Piped up a girl I from of me, who was sat with Amy. "I'm Izabel by the way."
"Hi!" I replied. "It looks like an old manor house, doesn't it!"
"Yes, in a way! But it's actually bigger than it looks, because there's the p.e fields, horse riding facility's, pet house, horse stables and a tarmacked area for break and lunch during school hours." Said Izabel in a rush.
"Wow, you an have pets? I didn't know that..." I said, feeling a little disappointed.
"My rabbit, Maple, had babies over the break, and everyone I know has one, but we've still got a few left! Do you want mum do drive one over? We only live in the next town! And school provides the hutch and food e.t.c, so all you need is the animal! How about it?" Said Amy, looking excited.
"Yeah, sure!" I said, as the bus rolled up outside the school.
"Wow" it was even bigger up close! We climbed out and stood in groups, until a tall old woman approached us.
"Year 7's, this way!" She shouted, and we started to follow her. She led us into a large room, and we started to talk.
"Where's the food?" Said Charlotte, "I've heard it's amazing here!"
"Shut up Charlotte" whispered Georgia, looking at the old woman.
"She looks like Mrs Inglish from Westbrook" I shuddered. Ugh, terrible thought.
"Amelia Will, you dropped your bus pass again!" Said another tall teacher in despair. "Sorry Miss Hartleyford" she mumbled, looking at her feet. She soon looked up, though, as the double doors opened and a younger teacher walked in. She had long brown hair, and a lovely figure. Though a terrible dress sense, I thought to myself. She went up to the Miss Inglish look-a-like, and started talking to her, as a small woman hushed the room from the entrance.
"Welcome to Oakwood, children." She said. " I am Mrs Liller, your head teacher, and I hope you have a lovely first year with us here at Oakwood Boarding School. Now, if you follow the teacher who reads out your name, they will lead you to your dormitorys. Mrs Conelle, your girls?"
A blonde short-ish teacher took out a pice of paper from her pocket, and started to read. "Sophie Coates, Megan Heywood, Jemma Tresswell, Georgia Milner, Amy Keith, Izabel Wickett and Charlotte Sutton, follow me please. " All of us apart from Alex stood up, along with a geeky looking girl, and followed Mrs Conelle from the room, up some stairs, and to our dorm.
"Right children, find a bed and sit on it." We did as we were told. "Now, this is your dormitory. You will return here at 9:30 each night, no-where else. I am head of your dorm, and the boys equivalent to yours, so if there's any problems, come to me.
Now, I also have your time tables and maps, which you will be needing starting tomorrow, any questions?"
Silence.
"Ok, stay in here for now, someone will bring your belongings up for you. See you later." She exited the room, and Megan went to hand out the timetables.
"Oh great, I've got maths first lesson tomorrow! So do you Amy, and you izzy... That's ok then..." Said Charlotte, frowning.
"That's good, I've got English first!" Said Sophie, speaking for the first time.
"So do I!" Said Megan.
"And me!" Came the voice of Georgia.
..........................................................................................................................
After chatting for an hour, Mrs Conelle returned and told us to follow her for tea. We ended up back in the room we were in when we got here.
"You can sit anywhere in the hall, ok? When you've done, go back to your dorms for today. Tomorrow you can go to the 7 common room. Off you go then." She said, and waved us off.
We wandered round until we found Alex, who had saved us a seat.
"Hiya again!" I said as I sat down next to him.
"Hi! I was wondering where you all got to!" H
Missing In The Night. • Opuss № I