Maybe I should just call in sick and try again tomorrow. I scratched the scar on the back of my neck and I frowned as I thought I have no choice but to go today, it's the first day of the second year of university. By not showing up on the first day you won't have a good track record for the rest of the year.
I knew my hair was a risk, with wavy hear you never know if the next day will be a good hair day. Of course the hair gods didn't bless me today with shiny, curly and smooth hair even though it sat badass right before going to bed yesterday. While I grabbed the brush to just brush the half-curls out and put it in a bun or pony tail, my phone blared the alarm, signalling the end of my morning routine and telling me to get my ass out of the house on time.Of course. Of course I'm either going to be late and half decent or on time and not ready at all. Late is not an option, not today. So I quickly grabbed another shirt to pair with my black jeans, some hair stuff and some concealer. As I threw it all in my school bag, I heard Kenna honk twice to signal we have to leave NOW. The day that Kenna is late, is the day that dogs can fly.
“Be a bad bitch today,” I said to the mirror with a wink as I ran downstairs, almost tripping over my dog Moose. My mom sighed, “one day Beatrice, you're going to break your ankle if you don't look where your feet are going.” “But today is not that day, mom.” I smiled as I took in the packaged lunches she made for me and my friends. “You are a star, mom, I don't know how you do it.” I said in a grateful tone.Every first day of the year and almost every Monday, my mom makes lunch for me and my five friends from the leftovers of the restaurants where she works. As my mom smiled at my comment, Kenna honked again. I quickly grabbed all the lunches and gave her and Moose a kiss while I put on my black biker boots and ran out of the door to Kenna.
“Honestly Tris, I don't know how you can be late EVERY day, especially on your first day of school! I almost drove off without you.” Kenna scolds me as she put her foot down on the gas. As we shot off, I apologised to her and put my favourite tunes on and started singing along to Fast Car by Jonas Blue and Dakota. I sang louder and louder and put in a few extra false notes to make Kenna laugh.I met Kenna the week before the first year of university. We quickly formed a group with our other friends, Jane and Rose and two guys, Logan and James. The six of us bonded and we stayed friends throughout the year. Kenna is just a year younger than me but already more responsible. She took care of her younger brother and sister from the age she was 14 when her mom passed away and her dad couldn't handle all the care on his own anymore. Kenna stepped in and saved her family from going into foster care. She's the 'mom' of the group and I couldn't be more proud of a person as I am of Kenna.“Loosen up Kenna, you need to live life and have fun,” I said as I smiled at her and turned the music up more. Kenna started singing with me and soon we were singing together on the top of our lungs to Irreplaceable by Beyoncé, Kenna her favourite song. “I can't believe the second year already started, I'm so excited!” Kenna said to me while we drove closer to school. “Kenna, stop. Can I stay a little bit longer in my fantasy where summer holiday is endlessly long and I don't have any responsibilities or homework.” I groan as I took in the surroundings. It was still summer and everything was bright green around us, birds singing their morning songs and dogs being walked by their owners.I sighed as I watched the world going about their daily lives while I thought back about all the free time I had until this morning. I did have a job at the local pub where I worked 3 nights a week but that was so much fun I hardly considered that work. “No, but if it makes you feel better, the school trip that was cancelled last year is going ahead this year, and I heard they are extending it to two nights.” My eyes went big at that and a huge smile lit up my face. “NO way, that's the best news of the entire week already! Just try to stop me from bringing in bottles of vodka, I will bring anyone down who tries.'' I said with a happy grin.“Beatrice you are a demon sometimes, can't you abide by the rules just one time?” As Kenna said that though, her face also lit up with excitement. “No, and you love me for it.” I blew a kiss in her direction and focused my mind on how I looked today.
I quickly changed my shirt, hoping nobody would see me, put come concealer on my face and quickly put some leave in and oil in my hair. I completely forgot my hairbrush so I tried to tame my hair with my hands. “Don't overdo your hair Tris, your hair is amazing, just accept the fact its wild. That's when it looks best.” Kenna said while pulling my hands away from my hair. Kenna was always positive and supporting. I just saw a sort of lion looking back at me in the mirror but f*ck it, I can't do anything about it now anyway.When Kenna parked the car I got the typical first day of school nerves. Is it too late to go back home? We sat in the car for a few minutes, not saying anything and just watching the students get ready for the start of a new year. Most people I already knew from last year and there were some new faces here and there, looking lost. I was searching the sea of people for our friends. As I spotted Rose, reading her book as usual, I nudged Kenna and we got out the car.After taking two steps, the first thing that hit me was a rugby ball and then two massive guys ran into us. “Sorry beautiful ladies, didn't see you there, we were focusing on the ball.” I looked at the guy that ran into me and had to strain my neck to get a good look at him. He was holding me by my waist to prevent me from falling and he was still holding on while looking down at me with a soft smile. “That's okay, just remind yourself there are more important things to look for than balls.” I winked at him and walked away towards Rose, pulling Kenna with me.
“Hey Rose, what smut book are you reading now?” Was my greeting to her. “Oh Tris, you would be having red ears for days but I can recommend some to you that you can read tonight if you want?” Rose wiggled her eyebrows at me and put her phone away. I chose not to respond to that while I luckily saw Logan walking towards us.“Hey chicas, how are my ladies on this depressing first day of the year?” He said in a gloomy tone. Logan was a year older than us, having to redo the second year this year. Flirting, partying and making bad decisions was like his second name. But he was also the friend that would literally fight for you once you got into his trust circle. With a total of 6 siblings, he was often overlooked at home and often searched for that love and attention elsewhere. And man, he was hot. If he wasn't the brother figure in my life I would have definitely made some bad decisions along with him. He had quite a lot of friends in school so I always wondered why he preferred to hang out with us.
Before I could respond, James suddenly jumped us from behind. “Hey Logan, just thinking about leaving this mess and get drunk, you in?” James said as he put his hands on Kenna's shoulders. Yep. They were meant to be. If only they just kissed or something man, it was almost painful to watch. That dam was going to break soon and we all, except the two of them, knew. If they weren't so into denying their feelings they would be holding hands by now. “I would love to mate but I can't mentally take having to re do another year so I have to get my act straight.” Logan said while looking like he did really want to get drunk with James at 9 am.First chapter! Let me know what you think!
As we all gathered together, the school bell rang. That's it. End of summer holiday. As an united front, we walked into the school to our classes. Me, Kenna and Logan, being in the same class, said goodbye to Rose and James and went to our lessons. Jane was supposed to be with us although I was not surprised she wasn't here, she loved to sleep in and didn't mind skipping school for a few extra hours in her bed. First up, social class. In this class we were being prepared for emotions of people, anger management, delivering bad news and how to calm people down. The class I hated. Emotions are not for me, especially when strangers start shouting at me. I rather just walk away than engage with them. Luckily the teacher kept it short with an introduction class. Watching videos, explaining what to expect for rest of the year and getting to know each other. Logan was nodding off against my shoulder, using me as a pillow. Kenna sat on the other side of me and was texting James. “Why don't
“Guys, did you hear we have a new school coordinator? I hear he's super hot.” Kylee said to us, who stood just behind us. We turned around and greeted her and her friends. Kylee and her friends were considered the mean girls of the school. But since there was no beef or drama between us, we were alright with them. “I heard that he's going to introduce himself in our class today,” Hailee said, who stood next to Kylee. “He's only 28, how he got the job as school coordinator is beyond me, but if he's as hot as they say he is, I won't mind faking an illness to spend some time with him.” Kylee said laughingly. Her fiends laughed at that and I rolled my eyes at Jane and Kenna. “What's his name?” I asked. ''Damon, which is like the sexiest name ever.” Hailee answered. The door of the classroom opened and our teacher, Ms. Melissa called us in. We called her by her first name to get more comfortable in the classes, but put Miss before her name, because we were adapting to the British and Iri
When Mr. Hayes walked past my desk, he slowed down a bit but kept walking. I chose that moment to look outside as if there was something really interesting out there. The scent of cinnamon, the beach and old books washed over me. I frowned at myself, am I that delusional I can actually smell this guy? I didn't turn around to see where he was but Ms Melissa started the class again so I guess he found his spot. “Alright leftovers,' she said with a wink, 'let's move on. The continents that are left are Africa, Asia, South America and Europe, the other continents have 4 people in them and are grouped. There are 2 spots free left in Europe and Africa, Asia and South America are empty.” She said gleefully, like this was the best idea ever to make groups. “We are picking flowers next, write down your favourite from the board!'' She said and wrote down: 1. Tulip (Europe) 2. Protea (Africa) 3. Lotus (Asia) 4. Rose (South America) I was all over the place. I felt eyes burn
Once inside, I went to my locker to get books for the next class. I opened my locker and confusion rose inside me. My lips parted in surprise as I looked at the new item in my locker. A single beautiful flower lay on top of my books, the smell filling my nostrils. I carefully picked it up, admiring the beautiful coloured petals. The leaves were orange with a red stripe in the middle, the edges white. “Tris, come, we will be late!” Kenna called me. She looked at me and her eyes zeroed in on the flower. “Wow. Where did you find this?” She asked. “In my locker, but it doesn't have a note or anything attached,” I answered to her, looking around. “That is weirdly super romantic, I wonder who it is from though. Anybody that knows your combination?” Kenna asked and I shook my head no. The hallway was emptying by now, the lessons almost starting. I put the flower back in my locker and grabbed my books, not wanting to be late and determined to figure it out later. The next class was our ment
I put the song Dog years by Maggie Rogers on and started walking into the woods, letting Moose off his lead. I thought about the flower which I stupidly left in my locker. I started researching on my phone which flower it was and found out it was the Treasure Flower. Looking at the path in front of me, I wondered who had given me this flower and who broke into my locker to put it there. Maybe Javier? He was the only one I could think of. I sent him a text, sending him the details for the party on Friday, ending my text with a flower emoticon. I looked around me, feeling happy with all this greenery around me and taking breaths of fresh air. I was lucky to be living so close to the forest, where you could just escape the hectic life for a bit. I came here almost every day, always with Moose. We often visited the lake in the middle of the forest and the waterfalls surrounding it. We tried to make some bird friends but once they saw Moose they all flew again, watching us from a safe dis
Jane made the beers and I walked over, setting them down. Mr. Jackson happily took all of them, giving them out around the table. “Do you want anything to eat?” I asked them. I heard Jane putting Because of You by Neyo on and I looked at her in frustration. She laughed at me and put two thumbs up, acting like she didn't just beg me to swap places. I quickly sent a message to the bar via my KDS saying I didn't like her very much and she laughed even harder at that. I also had a laugh on my face and when I turned around I had all six teachers staring at me. Oops. “I'll have the hamburger, dear. Give me the works!” Mr. Jackson said loudly with his hands in the air. Knowing him, he would be asking for shots in a minute and then he would be too drunk to eat his food and his wife had to pick him up again. Ms. Melissa, who sat next to Mr. Hayes, ordered a pasta and then immediately turned around to chat with him. She was wearing a -very- low cut top and even I could almost see her nipples.
Black. Burning. Pain. Calm. Comfort. Sleep.I woke up disoriented. Slowly I opened my eyes, finding Jane next to me in bed and Kenna and Rose on the floor on a blow up bed. I tried to remember what happened last night, and flashes of the fire came running back to me. ''Oh my god!'' I said out loud, waking the others. ''My Mom!'' I hopped out of bed, greeted by my three friends who pushed me down on my bed. ''Your mom is in the hospital, Tris. She's doing okay. P is with her,'' Kenna said with concern written on her face. I couldn't remember that. ''What happened?'' I asked my friends. ''Oh my god Tris, you can't just run into a burning building like that! You could've died, you psycho!'' Jane shouted, completely ignoring my question. ''My mom was in there, if I wasn't there with Mr. Hayes, she would have not made it out on time.'' I said, not being sorry for my action. Jane got a fearful look at that and hugged me. Kenna and Rose followed and we had a tight hug, happy that everybody
''Champagne breakfast!!!!'' Jane screamed as she woke us up. I woke up groggy, wanting more sleep. ''The boys are coming over today, to get ready together.'' Kenna said, smiling at her phone. ''I have a sort of date tonight.'' I said. They all turned to me. ''With who?'' Kenna asked me. ''Who do you think? Like I have a line of guys waiting. With Javier! We are getting a drink before the party.'' I responded. Rose squealed, ''you need a good outfit then! Let's go shopping!'' she said with her hands in the air.''I have to get the house ready after school. Let's get some breakfast with a mimosa and then go to school. Let's meet up at mine at 7 to get ready together.'' Jane said while gathering her things. We all got ready and I dressed in my favourite long skirt with a split all the way up, summer sandals and a crop top, showing just a cm of skin. ''I'm going to see mom before school, you guys get breakfast. I'll see you in class!'' I shouted before leaving my house, taking the bus to