Had it always been like this?
I didn't remember. It had been six months since I was last in classroom 1A in Cresham Academy. I was searching the bleak, dreary courtyard for some sign of normalacy. I refused to look at the people around me. Yes, people, not friends. Gossiping whispers echoes around the small but high ceilinged room. I tried my best to act oblivious to the obvious.
So I take it your completely lost and would probably like to know what going on?
My name is Alice Boland and I'm a seventeen year old lunatic. Well thats according to the rumour mill at CA.
I left school for six months to get my head straight. My mom and sister had both died in a - yep, you guessed it- car crash. Call me heartless, but isn't that how all sob stories start? Its not like I'm seeking attention here, so don't think you have me all figured out so soon. Anyway, six months of homeschooling automatically gained me the reputation of being a teenage psychopath. It was only my second week at CA, so I hadn't made any real friends before I left. No one knew me, and clearly none of the teachers cared enough to stomp out the rumours when they first began to fly.

I gripped my pen so tightly my knuckles turned a disgusting off white. I closed my eyes and took a few quiet deep breaths while I listened to the latest, and most disgusting rumour yet.
"I heard she slashed her wrists and then tried to stab her dog"
A pig-like girl with frizzy flaming red hair whispered to her friend. All the while her friends eyes darted from my face to my wrists and back. I subtly pulled my sleeves up, exposing my pale and skinny, non-scarred wrists. The pig-like girl drew in a sharp breath as if expecting to see some kind of horror show.

Oh please- Like I'd do something like that.

"Now class, today we're beginning..." Mr. Winer's voice droned on and on. Fourtey minutes of hell. The whole class I tried my best to ignore the stares and note-passing.
"Alice.. Hello? Alice Boland?" Mr. Winer was waving his hands in front of my face. I was clearly zoned out. Giggles and gasps evaporated around the room as I quickly snapped back to the horrible reality of the dingey, cream-walled class room.
"Uhh.." My eyes darted around the room. Everyone was staring at me. Pig-face's mouth was hanging open. I was almost positive that a bird could take nest in there. Black hole of doom sprang to mind.
"I said, what are the reasons John and Micheal ran away from the hooded man?" He said angrily. His face was red and puffy. Wow that man got angry fast. I rattled my brain for an answer. I hadn't a clue what he was on about.
Thankfully, the bell chimed. Just in time. I gathered up my books and ran for the door. Making my way into the quickly-filling halls. Straightening my shoulders and holding my head up, I slung my bag over my back and walked through the corridors.

"How was school pet?" My dad asked as soon as I cracked open the door. I took a deep breath. Preparing to lie.
"Terrible" I spat bitterly. What the hell Alice!? Where did that come from!?
The smile on his face dropped. First his brows furrowed in thought, and then into a frown. I scuffed my dirty white trainers on the plush red carpet. He came over and wrapped his big arms around me, stroking my hair. Closing my eyes and choking back tears I hugged him back longing to be in bed with some hot chocolate.
"Can't I leave? can I not go somewhere else? Please can we move back to Fairgreen?" The questions escaped from me so fast, I don't think he knew what to say.
Fairgreen was where we lived before we moved here, to 129 Eriser Falls. Before I changed schools. Before my life crumbled.


To be continued.