And I'm getting strong in every way

Map of your head

I run into my room and collapse onto my bed, throwing off my shoes, she's having an even worse day than yesterday, treating me like this on my first day at a new school! She has been like this ever since Dad went to Afghanistan, and he hasn't yet come back, we haven't heard from him in 2 years. 

I creep out of my room to brush my teeth and have a shower.

'Don't use all the fucking hot water you selfish bitch!' I hear called from below, I have only been in the shower for about 30 seconds! I speedily wash my body and shampoo my hair, and just as I'm rubbing conditioner into my hair the hot water goes off.

I squeal, knowing that she's turned the boiler off. I stand to the side and wash the conditioner out with the freezing cold water, reaching out to turn it off as the heat comes back, scorching.

'Shit!' I curse under my breath, recoiling my arm to see it bright red. I breathe heavily, as I dry myself off with a towel, leaving my arm to dry by itself as it is blistering. Wrapping my hair up in a different towel, I head back to my room, and sleep unsteadily until 6.30am when I realise I can't go back to sleep. Mum's already gone - phew.

I plait my hair to one side loosely instead of straightening it today, and put on my make-up as usual, slipping on my uniform and black Doc Martins that I somehow managed to get away with yesterday. I am ready by 7, so I watch TV for a while, Jeremy Kyle show manages to make me feel marginally better about my life, but not much.

7:40, I need to leave soon, I think I'll walk with Matt and Dom. I pull my sleeve down further over my wrist, just so no-one can see the burn. I am just about to knock on Matt's door, when the two of them come racing out of Dom's house, his Mother waving them good-bye, he must've gone round to get him already.

'Come on we have to pick up Ashlea!!' Matt half shouts, trying to run down the road, but being restrained by Dom pulling on his bag strap.

'Just 'cause you like her. Chill!' Dom retaliates, and I blush.

'Dom, Matt!' I call, running to meet them and reaching my hands up waving. It's Matt's turn to blush now, and Dom just sniggers.

'Erm, hey.' Matt says shyly. 'You okay?'

'I am good thanks. How about you two?' I ask in return, fixing my bag strap on my shoulder. They mumble their answers and Matt looks at me with puzzlement.

'How did you do that to your arm?' My eyes widen,

'Oh erm, the cat got under my feet when I was using the kettle.' I retort, tugging at the sleeve to get it over my hand. Wait, I don't even have a cat. He looks enlightened, and nods. We arrive at school at exactly 8:30, after going to the shops on the way here.

'Physics first.' I half sing, I like Physics, as I sit next to Matt.

'So, does anyone here know about The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?' Miss Davis begins, and mine and Matt's hands shoot up.

'Yes... Ashlea is it?' Miss says, and I nod. (Just for the record, it is pronounced just like Ashley, not Ash-Lee-Yah.)

'All natural and technological processes proceed in such a way, the availability of the remaining energy decreases. In all energy exchanges, if no energy enters of leaves an isolated system, the entropy of that system increases. The energy continuously flows from being concentrated, to becoming dispersed, spread out, wasted and useless. New energy cannot be created, and high-grade energy is being destroyed. The fundamental laws of thermo-dynamics will place fixed limits on technological innovation, and human advancement. In an isolated system, the entropy can only increase, an economy based on endless growth is unsustainable.' I explain without a fault, and everyone looks at me in shock, even Matt.

'Perfect!' Miss Davis states, turning around to write a summary on the board as I smirk to myself.

After an excruciating hour of PE, I find my way to my locker, and see Matt waiting there for me already. We exchange glances and I opened my locker to swap books.

'Erm, we have band practice at lunchtime - do you want to come?' he offers sheepishly, and I instantly accept, he smiles at me and together we walk to German.

'Matthew! How do you say, This is my kitchen?' Mrs Trimbourne asks about 10 minutes into the lesson, she likes to spot-test people apparently.

'What?! Erm, zis is miy kitchen...?' He stutters, and I burst out laughing, making him do his adorable little giggle.

'Dies ist meine Küche.' I whisper to him, and he repeats it, with praise from the teacher. 'Thankyou' he mouths at me, and I just smile.

I have English next, oh good, I like sitting next to Dom!

'Right class, so today we are going to be working on Of Mice and Men. I'm sure you have all heard of the novel.' Mr Hunter begins, turning his back to write the title down on the board. I hold my earphone to Dom's ear.

'This band is really good.' I whisper as I do so. He looks confused, and realises that it is him, Matt and Chris playing Muscle Museum, as I recorded it yesterday. He blushes and smiles.

'Excuse me, Ashlea, I did not sit you with Dominic so you two could flirt in the corner of the class. Could you please copy down the title.' Mr Hunter booms, and I look up in shock, hurriedly scribbling down the work as everyone goes 'Oooooh' - with the exception of Matt, who just looks at the door.

The lesson ends and Dom scurries off to make amends with Matt, after about 5 minutes they meet me at my locker.

'Hello!' I say, picking up my books and walking with them to the practice room, Kelly, Chris and Tom are already here.

'Is the big practice room in use?' Matt huffs, 'We can't play with all of us in here.'

'I'll leave, I don't mind.' I offer politely, reaching for the door handle.

'No!!' Matt shouts, pleading, and Dom snorts as Matt shoots him a look. 'It's cold outside, we might as well just chill in here for a while and chat, if a teacher comes in just pretend we are deep in conversation about the exam in three weeks.' Everyone agrees and I stay standing up in the corner as there are no seats left. Matt stands up.

'Do you want to sit down?' He offers, and I decline.

'You do, you are just trying to be polite because you don't want to kick me off it.' He says, damn, he knows me so well and I only met him yesterday! 'Well, if you want to sit down, and you don't want me to stand up, I can only think of one logical solution.' He continues as he pulls me down on his lap. I laugh and Dom smirks as Kelly whispers something into his ear.

'What was that?' I ask.

'Oh, nothing.' Dom replies cheekily. Eventually the day ends, and we begin the walk home together.

'My feet hurt!' Kelly complains, and Chris bends down so he can give her a piggy back. Matt looks at me,

'Come on then!' He shouts, and I run and jump onto his back, as he runs and spins around, me shrieking. Dom and Tom look at each other, and before he can react, Dom has jumped onto Tom's back, and they are also racing around. After a few minutes, Kelly jumps off of Chris' back and calls me over, I leap off of Matt reluctantly and walk over to her.

'Do you like Matt?' She asks bluntly. And I nod sheepishly. 'Awwww! You guys would be so cute together! He obviously likes you too!'

'I hope so.' I say, sounding really girlie. We catch up with the boys and they drop me off home. Thank God Mum isn't home yet.