BEEP, BEEP, BEEP
I fling my hand around to reach the alarm clock. The constant beeping was not helping my headache. Not wanting to be awake at 7 in the morning. I should've gone to bed earlier. Fumbling around in the dark and try and reach my lamp. Finally clicking that on I shove my head under my blanket. Peaking my eyes out I tried to get used to the light. When I did, I flung my feet onto the carpet. Groggily looking around my room I groan. My eyes landing on my uniform. Natalie must've washed it last night. I just don't want to go to school. Pulling a sick would be a bad idea as well. She would know why. Why did I agree to go to the party with Amber? She knows I'm a light weight, even if I didn't drink that much. Still groaning I pull it all off the hangers and take them into the bathroom with me. Taking my time in the shower I carefully wash my hair. Finishing getting dressed I look into the bathroom mirror. Picking up my hairbrush I began to brush my long light brown hair. The school I went to made us put our hair up. That didn't stop me putting it up in style. After I brushed my hair I braided myself a crown and pulled the rest back into a bun. Exiting the bathroom in a lemon scented cloud of steam I made my way downstairs. Knowing that I would be alone I was singing. Walking into the kitchen I took a quick glance at the clock. 7:30. I have to leave at 7:45.
Making myself a bowl of cereal in the morning was something I always did. I never had enough time to cook myself breakfast. Neither did Natalie or John. They were always out of the house before I woke up. They worked the graveyard shift. Both, at different jobs as well. I got used to it. The first few times I woke up and no one was here I called Natalie in a panic. I was 12 at the time. It was also my first adoptive family to keep me this long. I've been in many houses before. None like this and I love it. I don't know my biological parents, the only thing I know about them was that they gave me up for adoption right after birth. I've not really wanted anything to do with them since I found that out.
Finished eating I hear the bus outside. Grabbing the bag that I had packed last night I went outside and hopped onto the bus. It might not be that hot outside in the morning, but I knew better. It would get worse as the day went on. Joys of living in outback Australia. Lots of desert and not much forest. But when there is, there is a lot. I quickly scan the bus looking for my best friend. Ever since I came here 5 years ago we have been close. I was the first person she told about her illness.
Knowing she had an appointment last night, while I was out partying. That thought made me feel guilty.
I could not see Ali. I'm guessing she had a bad one and she needed to stay at home. I started walking over to our usual seat, my mood was gloomy. Starting off the Monday with a boring 40-minute bus ride with no one to talk to? And a massive headache getting worse each minute? Not good.
Arriving at my seat I saw Ali pop her head up.
"Oh come on Ali, you know I hate it when you do that!" I exclaim.
"It's funny. You gotta admit that." She responds with her trademark grin. Everything about her was striking. She was the typical Australian girl. Long blonde hair, tall, lean and was tan. She had amazing sea blue eyes. She was able to play any sport. At least, before she was diagnosed. She has defunctional kidneys. An illness that was passed down through her family. Her mother did not have it, so they were all hopeful that she would not either. But when we turned 15 it all went down. She was the champion netballer in our school. Playing GA every game. Until she collapsed on court. The ambulance was called, and she went to hospital.
I didn't know what had happened for a couple of days. When she came back to school all she would say was she didn't drink enough water. I called bullshit. But I didn't push for more.
"Sometimes, when it's mot me and when Amber gets on the bus. That's funnier." I reply.
"Oh, that is the best. Should we do it today?" She asks.
"I don't think she will be coming in today. She went pretty hard last night." I say. Instantly regretting mentioning last night. Ali's face dropped. If only for a split second.
"Well, you know how she is, always going to hard." She says cheerfully.
The bus ride went faster than usual being able to skip Ambers stop. She was the only one to ever go to it. Finally arriving at school, I am reminded of how much being hungover while here was terrible. My head was pounding with every footstep. People greeting each other asking about their weekend was just painful. My head was actually killing me. I began groaning in pain without realising. Ali just looks at me with a grin.
"Who have you seen? Is it still Aiden?" She asks laughing.
"My god, do you have to live through me?" I exclaim.
"No, but it's fun to see your reaction whenever I mention him." She starts laughing. "Anyway, why were you groaning?"
"I have a killing headache. I drank too much, and Natalie doesn't know I went out." I tell her.
"That's what you get when you go out drinking the night before school." She says.
"Yeah yeah I know." I groan.
Walking over to the one of the two classes that we share we run into our group of friends.
"Hey, Ashley, where is Amber? Did she go too hard last night?" Jade asks me.
"What do you expect? It's Amber." Ali fills in before I even open my mouth. We all just laugh, last time we were at a party Amber drank so much that she didn't even remember anything from the night before. She also didn't make it to the toilet on multiple occasions the next day. We have all teased her endlessly.
I grimace as another wave of pain hits my head. I have never had a headache this bad.
"When are you guys ever going to learn, drinking the day before school?" Lilly says walking up to us.
"I didn't even drink that much!" I defend.
"Your face says otherwise, you looked like you had been stabbed." She fires back. Lilly was the one who cared about her school work too much. She would always push us to our limits.
"My head is hurting so much but I swear to god I didn't drink much." She just looks at me in a way that makes me feel like I've done something wrong.
"Sure, sure. I don't believe you." She says before walking away. I just shake my head.
"Over the top." I say to Ali and Jade. They just grin at me. I join in and soon we were laughing our heads off.
RING RING RING
"Shit, my class is over the other side of the school. Catch ya later!" Jade yells out as she begins her run over to her class. We all just continue laughing at her. Up until we have to enter the class that was right next us.
"Argh, we have Ms Montgomery this year. Do you remember her from last year?" I ask Ali.
"Was she the one that would constantly give you detentions for doing nothing?" She enquires.
I only nod my head. Only to suck in a breath of air as a wave of pain hits me.
"Is it your headache?"
"Yeah, I didn't even drink that much, Amber made me drive her home before walking back myself." I say. She just grunts.
"Anyway, time for our favourite class!" She says sarcastically. I groan. I haven't looked at my timetable, but I knew from her reaction that it was maths. It was always maths. The one good thing was that it was in the same class as rego.
Walking into the class I knew it was going to be bad. There was a seating arrangement. And it was in roll order.
We both groan, having last names that began with letters on the opposite side of the alphabet was annoying.
I walk over to where my bench is, I realise that I'm sitting next to the bitch of the school. Sharing the same last name sucks. The little note on the desk says Sierra Parker. Hopefully she wasn't here today. Of course, as soon as I think of that she walks into the room.
She was the girl that everyone adored. Somehow, she was the most popular, yet she is rude to everyone. She had long blonde hair that fell in smooth waves all the way down to her butt. Since we were in a school with uniform it was always in a ponytail or a braid. Nothing else. She lean, curvy and taller than most people. Everyone wanted to be her, with the blonde hair and emerald green eyes she was mesmerizing. But that does nothing to say about her personality.
She looks at me and grimaces. Sure, I don't look the best today or ever. But I do try with my hair. Today I did my best braid and I was proud. Apparently, that wasn't enough. I must have the slim curvy body, eyes noticeable from across the room. My eyes weren't so bad. They looked like honey in the right lighting. Otherwise they were a weird yellow looking colour. I mean, noticeable, right?
She moves her seat as far away from me as the desk would allow her to. I suppress a grin. Who cares whether she sits next to me.
Turning to face the front I see the squat form of Ms Montgomery. She doesn't even greet us, just gets straight into the roll.
"Ashley Parker."
"Here." I say enthusiastically earning me a sharp look before she continues
"Sierra Parker."
"Here." She says in that sweet soft voice that everyone falls for. Ms Montgomery smiles at her.
"Suck up." I mutter under my breath.
Fortunately for me she didn't hear me. But the guy sitting to my right did. He burst out laughing not even attempting to hold it in.
"Mr Tappier. I hoped I wouldn't have to say anything bad today. Please. Explain what you were laughing at." She says in a cold voice.
"Nothing Ms Montgomery. I just remembered something my brother told me." He lies smoothly.
"I take it it's your twin brother? But please, enlighten us."
"It won't make any sense to anyone. It's an inside joke."
She continues calling the roll as a ball of paper hits me. I turn in my seat to glare at the culprit. It just happened to be the new kid I frown since it seems like I know him. Shaking my head, I turn back to the front just assuming it was a prank. Until another one hit me on the back of the head. Whipping around I glower at him. He just mouths open it. So, I do.
Written in childish scrawl was a note what is said surprised me.
I know about your parents. Meet me tonight, midnight, at the local pool.
My mouth opens wide. The only people that know Natalie and John aren't my actual parents is Ali. I turn back to look at him. He doesn't meet my eye. Only looking up at the board. I begin shaking.
Who is he? How does he know about my parents?
Heyyyyy. Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter!! I had fun writing it. This is my first fiction of my own work (hence my name being related to The Mortal Instruments). Also if a few words don't add up or aren't spelt correctly, I'm from a country where you spell things differently.
I'm from Australia!!!
Anyway, please comment I would love to get your opinion on how things are going and what I should involve.