No Going Back [sample] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPQXKQP3 [sample]

Chapter One Ebony

 The thing about me is that I wouldn't be so bad if I could sort my skin out. I'm short and verging on skinny, mainly due to the fact that I'm not able to afford to buy as much food as I would like, but I have a generous rack. My hair is jet black which I don't mind apart from the corny name it inspired my parents to give me, yep you guessed it 'Ebony'. They stuck around long enough to give me that name but not long enough to give me a roof over my head or a decent start in life. My father used my mother for years as his own personal punch bag until one day she couldn't take it anymore. He ended up quite literally getting stabbed in the back, my mom reaching for a knife as he was trying to strangle her. Poetic justice you might think but as a result, my mom is now residing in Gatesville Correctional Facility given a life sentence probably as she couldn't afford a decent lawyer. My mom is the reason I'm studying law, I want to take her case to appeal one day. But it's not purely for altruistic reasons, I have to admit the money is up there on my list of priorities, I'm sick of scraping by and I want to make damn sure that women like my mom don't go to jail as a result of being beaten to within an inch of their lives on a daily basis. Currently I live with my mom's sister, Marlene, she's ok, I pay her rent which she appreciates as she's working two jobs. In the rare times that she gets time off she likes to drink and bring men back to the house, that's when I make myself scarce, but I can't complain, she lets me stay at her house and she doesn't make my life a misery like my dad did, if I'm honest I'm glad he's gone, he was a living breathing demon, and the world is better off without him. Yawning, I stretch my arms above my head, my eyes already starting to feel heavy. I chug down take my energy drink rubbing my eyes. I decide that I am going to have to record the lecture on my laptop as I'm not confident that I'm going to stay awake for the whole class. The teacher eventually arrives, and the room quietens down. 

 In my elevated position, I've got a good view of the college celebrities, psycho barbie and Zac. She is practically glued to him, he doesn't seem to have any study aids with him, he's probably just filling time until his next practice session, college is just a necessary steppingstone on his journey to the NFL. There's no way the college is failing their future celebrity alumni, they want to be able to boast about him for years to come. As the sleeve of his varsity jacket rides up, I can see the hint of a tattoo creeping up his perfect arm. I stare for a bit too long, mortified when he turns his head in my direction catching me checking him out. His eyes scan over me with disinterest, his full lips curling in a smirk when I knock over my pencil case in my haste to look away. If the ground feels like swallowing someone up, now would be the perfect time. Cringing I crouch down to retrieve my pencils safe in the knowledge that I don't even register for someone like him, just some pimply faced nobody. I'm not bitter though, moments like this give me motivation to throw myself in to my studies to ensure I make something of my life ensuring I will never be disregarded again. My stomach rumbles the hunger pangs getting the better of me, chills permeating through me. I didn't have time for breakfast and my body is protesting, I just need to get through this class then I'll try and get some food. Finally, the teacher is ready, her voice breaking the silence, waking me up for a moment. "Ok settle down everyone, welcome to our first session. For your information, the end of unit assessment will be a group-based project, so you need to combine this study time with your group-based work. There will be an individual grade for the group assignment, so you will need to choose your group wisely. If anyone has any difficulty assigning themselves to a group, you can come and talk to me, and I will assign one for you. We will go over the main topics that we will cover today, and you can think about what you want to base your project on." I groan, echoing the sentiment in the room, this is the worst, I hate group project assignments because that usually means I have to work twice as hard to make up for other people slacking and there is no way that I will ever settle for less than an A. I glance around the room to scope out any potential partners, ones that I know will put the effort in but as this is not my usual Law class, I don't really know anyone. Out of the corner of my eye I notice psycho Barbie not so subtly whispering to Zac and pointing in my direction. Oh hell no. Don't even think about, she probably thinks that she is guaranteed an A if they partner up with me, but I would rather walk over hot coals than positively contribute towards her life in any way. The lecturer claps her hands to refocus everyone's attention and I try my best to tune into what he is saying but my eyes are drooping and I'm fighting a losing battle. I hit record on my laptop and give in to the sleep, after all I have been on the go for over twenty-four hours, and I'll just listen to the lecture later when I'm more awake. The buzzer alerting the end of class brings an abrupt end to my power nap. Feeling slightly more human, I quickly gather all my belongings, I've got an important lecture on criminal law next, and I can't be napping in that class. Luckily, I'm at the back of the lecture theatre so I can make a hasty exit. It's impossible not to hear Chloe's nauseatingly high-pitched voice bossily demanding that people get out of her way as she barges her way through the throng of people. To my horror, it appears that she is waving at me trying to get my attention, closely followed by Zac observing me with cold amusement in his eyes. It doesn't take a genius to work out Chloe is going to ask me to be in a group with them, no doubt looking for an easy ride. Quickening my pace I hurry to the exit, I haven't moved this fast since some drunken douche was trying to cop a feel at the bar the other night. Chloe is almost in touching distance her soulless eyes fixed on me like an apocalyptic zombie. Casting harried glances over my shoulder, I'm now in the safety of the hallway dodging obstacles with a newfound agility. I manage to shake her off by taking a quick right and I make it to my next class avoiding the painful conversation that would have ensued on me telling her to take a hike. I must remember to change this option, I've got some time later today, I'll drop into the office and let them know. There is no way in hell that I'm doing Chloe's bidding even if it would mean getting to gawp at Zac on a regular basis.