Chapter 1

I awake with a start, ready to throw hands, only to realise that it’s just my alarm blaring with an abnormal level of passion for seven in the morning. I let out a grunt as I reach for my phone to silence the tune before ray starts barking. I got barely a wink of sleep last night, it’s my first last day and it’s not even with my mates its halfway across the country in the tiniest flipping town in existence. My parents like to say it’s cosy and nicer than London, the beach on our doorstep, but I disagree with my whole heart. I can’t just walk down the street in the middle of night and get the best dumplings that the world has ever seen, no because everything here shuts at eight pm on the dot!

There’s one thing that makes the move to Saltmere survivable. It’s not a thing, it’s the wonderful Rosalie-Mae Bradford with an even sassier tongue than me.

Her existence consumes my mind, and I’m about to drift into a sweet summer daydream with Rosalie by my side when a head pops around my door.

“Darling, we need to leave soon and um..” my mother says gesturing to me still wrapped in my cocoon of warmth and comfort.

I start to pull my sheets off the cold seeping through my Disney pyjamas as I respond “Don’t worry I wont be long, I packed everything last night.”

“Alright but be quick you don’t want to make a bad first impression.” giving me the classic mother look of don’t be a fool.

I internally roll my eyes “a bad impression” I haven’t got a single detention or write up on my record and the first day of my last year isn’t going to be the first.

“Will do, love you” I say instead.

“Love you too” she says as she shuts the door behind her giving me some privacy once more.

                                 *

I press the button to open the boot and plop my school bag with all the fun things I need to pass my A-levels that I’m so enthusiastic to take and not at all dreading along with my swim bag for training later. That would be #2 on the list of things or people that make this town survivable. Even though the town is incredibly small they do have very esteemed swim club that’s always at the top of leader board at meets. Having the opportunity to join them is the only reason I didn’t start a riot leaving London. Along with my list of ‘things that make this town survivable’ I have my three goals for this year:

1. Survive six form

2. Keep swimming

3. Figure out what the hell is going on with Rosalie-Mae Bradford

Before I dwell any further, I slam the boot shut and head round to the front and get buckled in just as mum passes me a chocolate chip breakfast bar – my favourite.

“Thanks” I say and shove it in my pocket for later. My nerves too heightened right now to eat.

“Heard anything from that rosa girl that you were hanging with in the summer?” she asks with a cheeky smile.

I cringe. I hadn’t in fact heard anything from her but I’ve just put it down to her being on holiday and I don’t want to seem desperate that would be even more cringe worthy than this conversation

“Subtle mother subtle.” I groan, heat rising to my cheeks.

“Well I don’t know dating works these days.” she says innocently.

I pull down the mirror down trying to act casual only to see my cheeks have gone even redder.

“We’re not even dating just getting to know each other.” trying to shut this down.

“Oh without talking.” my mother counters chucklingly.

Why can’t the seat swallow me?

“Oi, i get it but we kissed a few times chill!” I respond, while I attempt to put my hair up into what i hope looks like a cute messy bun. My hair goes to about the middle of my back and is a dark brown colour that matches my eyes.

“Alright, alright.” she defends, turning herself towards me with her hands lifted in surrender at the traffic lights.

I stick out my tongue in response before sifting through my pockets of my blazer to find my peach lip gloss.

Aha! Found it.

“I won’t be able to pick you up later as I’m working late and so is your dad. So you can either get a ride or walk the very long 15 minute distance home.” she informs me as we turn the corner and the school comes into sight.

Maybe Rosalie can give me a ride and then we could finally chat.

“Don’t worry about it.” I respond.

“There’s also leftover pizza in the fridge that you can heat up.” she adds.

“Seriously, don’t worry I’m seventeen not seven.” I know she doesn’t like it when she has to work lates and I don’t want her to feel guilty because as far mum’s go, though I don’t say it enough, she is pretty perfect except when she tries to delve into my love life.

“I know, but you’ll always be my baby.” she replies, with a nostalgic tone to her voice, as she pulls into a space in the school carpark.

“I know, ill see you later. Don’t want to miss the bell.” as I start to see students piling inside, escaping the windy autumn day.

“Good luck, keep me posted!” she booms as I gather my bags.

“I will, love you.” I reply heading towards the main entrance.

I shoulder my bags and become one of the crowd blending in with my peers hoping that today we’ll be the start of something that doesn’t end up with me later eating a whole tub of cookie dough ice cream in bed. Although that would be fun, I cross my fingers and step inside.