Lola's Shadow (an Ackley Bridge Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

Today was my first day in year 8 and to tell you the truth I was really looking forward to starting a fresh year and at a newly opened school too. Due to funding cuts my old school merged with another and now we're called Ackley Bridge College. At first, I wasn't keen on the idea as I'd really settled in at my old school and I wondered if I would be able to see my friends and if I would be in the same classes as them. I soon came around to the idea as I realised that everyone would be in the same situation as me. My two brothers Jordan and Cory were also starting the school it seemed a bit different for Cory as he was starting sixth form, he planned to go to the local college but changed his mind when he saw the opportunities at Ackley Bridge. Jordan on the other hand wasn't really bothered about going to school he never really knuckled down and was always in trouble at our other school. I've told him so many times how important year 11 is and how he should focus on getting better grades this year so he can go on to study art in sixth form, I've never seen anybody draw or create street art as well as he does. I just hope that this change will be a positive thing for him.

This morning my dad had a job interview so had already left the house, so I knew to get myself up and ready for school before the boys got up. I set the table for me and Cory, Jordan would be happy with a packet of crisps, so I set out a packet of ready salted on the table so he could just grab them and go if he didn't fancy walking in with us. I put out two bowls and two spoons. I went up to wake the boys up as I didn't want them to be late on their first day. I quickly went up to the room that they shared and knocked the door.

"Cory, Jordan it's time to wake up, breakfasts on the table" I called gleefully. Jordan groaned and just went back to sleep, but Cory got up straight away.

"Morning Lo, what time is it?" Cory asked as he familiarised himself with the day.

"Morning. Just after 10 past 8, dad's not long left so I laid the table" I smiled, feeling proud. To be honest I do it most mornings because our dad loves a lay in and he rarely gets up before 9am if we're lucky.

"You're a diamond, I'll be down in a sec. You didn't need to wait for me to eat you know, I bet you're starving" Cory smiled as he joined me on the landing.

"I'm too excited to eat" I beamed; Cory laughed.

"Go on you little weirdo, you're the only person I know who's excited about school" he teased, pulling me into a playful headlock.

"Cory let me go I've just straightened my hair" I protested, this was a mistake as he ruffled my hair and started tickling me.

"Cory please!" I laughed. Our noise must have disturbed Jordan as he pushed past us and headed into the bathroom.

"For god sake Jord I was next" Cory banged on the bathroom door.

Jordan laughed on the other side of the door reluctantly getting ready for school.

I took myself downstairs and ate breakfast. After about half an hour we were all ready to leave. We were going to be late it was 8:50 and school starts at 9:00, we live a 15 minute walk from school and couldn't afford the bus. My excitement had suddenly turned to fear as this wouldn't look good on our first day. My friend Eva's mum would come and pick me up but she would now be already at the school as she's one of our teachers so that was out of the question.

As we walked into school, I saw Mr Bell and our headmistress Miss Carter policing the doors, I checked my watch and it said 9:10 we were 10 minutes late.

"Good Morning, nice of you to finally show your face what time do you call this?" Mr Bell said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry sir" I said looking down to the ground.