Chapter 2

I follow directions from that classic teacher who looks like their counting the days until their retirement.

“Take a right down at the bottom and then on the left their should be an office with a plaque that says ‘Student services’ on the front.” He says with a tone that confirms my suspicions.

“Thank you..” I pause and look at the door “Mr Miller”

He smiles adding “Remember right at the end then on the left.”

I nod and make my down the corridor lined with lockers. Students chatting to one other as they head to their classes, others inside their own bubble holding hands and looking at each other like their the only thing that keeps them alive. I think of Rosalie and wonder if I might look at her like that one day. Will we be walking down these halls holding hands?

Soon enough true to his word I’m outside student services. I take a deep breath and turn the knob. I step inside the dimly lit room.

“Good morning!” I hear a cheery voice and see it comes from a middle aged woman sitting at meticulously organised desk.

“Hello, I’m se-.” I’m cut off.

“Serena Lock. I’ve got you on my system, transferring from London North Institute?”

“That is correct.” I say stepping closer to the desk.

“Great I’m Mrs Jackson. I’ve assigned you to a girl in your year to give you a tour and help you out in your first few weeks.” Mrs Jackson informs me.

This is okay. An opportunity to make a friend and get a lay of the land, no issues there.

“Here she is now.”

I turn round to see a girl hurrying through the door like she’s always at least five minutes late. She has her hair, dyed a clearly unnatural deep red, into a single french braid, with dark-framed glasses, and her tie knotted messily.

How she also hadn’t been murdered by the dress code was beyond me.

“Hello, Mrs Jackson. Sorry about being late, couldn’t find my tie.”

Ah, that’s why.

“No worries, this is Serena lock. Serena this is Cassandra Anderson, the girl I was talking about.”

“Hi, nice to meet you Cassandra.” I say as do an awkward wave. Ugh why can’t I just be normal for once!

“Ditto, you can call me Cassie. Anything you prefer or just Serena?” she replies giving a small smile.

“Serena’s alright.” trying to attempt to make my small talk a smidge better.

“You girls better get going classes will be starting shortly. Here’s your schedule, Serena.” I glance it over before folding and stuffing it into my pocket.

“Thank you.” I call behind me as me and Cassie leave.

The door clicks shut behind us.

Cassie looks before ways down the corridor and then says “Serious question time now.”

“Okay…” I respond concerned, we’ve just met each other what could she have to ask that’s serious at half eight in the morning.

“How attached are you to the idea of surviving six-form today?” She asks, amusement playing in her eyes.

I stare at her not sure whether to run or laugh.

“Very?”

“Alright, follow me.” She strides ahead easily with her height.

I’m glued to the spot. Is she about to lead me to my death? What about if she’s a serial killer and I’m her next victim?

She turns around as if reading my thoughts ” Don’t worry, I haven’t got any tricks up my sleeve unless you count being able to do a pretty good stitch impression. If I do say so myself.”

At this I burst out laughing and start following her to if I remember correctly maths.

“C’mon then don’t want to get told off by Miss Sullivan. She may be young but is definitely not as cool as Mr Davies, he teaches English literature and she teaches boring old math. It’s the worst especially when she takes such joy in watching the life drain out of every student except Matt he even loves algebra. Who on earth other than matt likes algebra?.”

I burst out laughing once more, I don’t know what’s get a hold of me. She just says it so seriously that I can’t help but laugh.

“You really are a giggling gremlin, aren’t you?” she queries, barley stopping herself from giggling as well.

“First of all I think you’ve possessed me, second you literally met me less than ten minutes ago, and thirdly I am not a gremlin I am a lofty 5,5.”

“That is indeed gremlin-sized.”

I’m about to clap back something about her being friends with BFG when I see Rosalie-Mae. She’s walking towards us, two girls flanking either side of her. She somehow makes our uniform look stylish, with her blue eyes popping against the grey of the blazer. I give her a smile and all she does is nod. NOD?!? I know we didn’t make anything official but a nod. Hold on maybe she doesn’t want her friends to know or she wants to keep thing casual. Right? Right?!?

I’m reeled back to reality by Cassandra’s voice, its clear it’s not the first time she’s asked.

“So do you know her?”

“Um, yeah.”

“How? You’ve just started.”

No shit sherlock.

“When I transferred to this six-form I also transferred to the swim team. They invited me to start training before school started and she’s on it.” Feeling a little silly explaining the specifics.

“Ah okay, just let me offer you some advice don’t fall under her … what do you call it?” She muses.

“Spell.” I offer unsure where she’s going to go. Is Rosalie the serial killer?

“Yes! Spell, perfect!.” She exclaims.

If only she knew that I had already fallen for Rosa’s so called spell. I’m about to question her warning when once again I’m interrupted. This time by the final class bell.

Cassie starts jogging instantly far ahead, I hurriedly run after her not wanting to be left behind on a count of my ‘gremlin’ stature.