I stir awake. I open my eyes slightly while rolling over. Hands grab me and my eyes shoot open
'Careful baby' max says gently while looking at me. I look up and smile in thanks, We stay like this, with our eyes locked, max holding me for a while.
When I hear footsteps I scamper off of max and stand up, Max joins me a moment later. The footsteps echo off the walls. It's Mr Tiz. I know the sound too well.
Mr Tiz steps out from the shadows, making his way towards us, then he stands there watching us for a moment. Thinking. His brows are furrowed and his subtly biting his lip in contemplation. It feels like we're caged animals and his the spectator. Its unnerving.
Mr Tiz steps forward then talks honestly
'I have decided you both have been punished enough, from here on out i would like you to behave. The both of you.' He takes a deep breath
'Do not think about escaping again, the trees are being removed later today, the pair of you will be in here at break and lunch and escorted back to your dorms this evening' Mr Tiz then radios through then John walks back down the hallway. His plump belly being the telltale sign it's him.
John steps forward and unlocks the cell then pulls the door open. Mr Tiz then instructs sternly
'John take hope to the girls dorm, I'll be over for breakfast, max you're with me' John nods and pulls me out by grabbing my shoulder lightly. Max is grabbed by the shoulder by Mr Tiz.
Were walked out of the school building and along the path, When we hit the Y junction they take the left while we take the right.
John walks me straight to the door. He swipes his fob and pulls the door open. Instead of using the stairs John walks me straight ahead.
We reach the third door then John releases my shoulder as he swipes his fob.
'This is you hope, get ready and I'll see you in the hall for breakfast' John opens the door and I step inside.
As the door closes I call out 'John' John stops the door with his foot and pokes his head back in
'Sorry for the trouble I've caused recently' he chuckles heartily before smiling and saying.
'You make my days fun kid, I wouldn't change it for the world' I blush red and scamper into the bathroom, John leaves chuckling to himself.
I peal off my clothes then jump in the shower. I soak my muscles then wash quickly. When I get out I shut the water off and wrap my hair in a towel then I dry off my body.
I step out into the bedroom and pull my uniform out of the wardrobe. I grab some underwear from the draws then slip them on. I throw my clothes on then brush my hair. When I'm done I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. Feeling much more like myself I plonk myself down on the edge of my bed and wait for the door to unlock.
When the door unlocks I pull the door open and walk out. I walk to the end of the hallway to the hall, I grab a plate and pile on some eggs, sausage, hash browns and bacon then take a seat.
Students start piling in, grabbing their breakfast and taking seats. I sit and eat comfortably.
A tray is placed down beside me. I look up and Allison is smiling down at me. I give a small smile back but I don't say a word. Allison sits down.
'I heard what happened with you and April, I'm sorry, she's a judgemental bitch' I look at her in confusion. Aren't they supposed to be friends?
Allison notices my confusion and elaborates
'Your not the only one she's done this too, she was a bitch to me when I came here, I have a sleep condition, I stop breathing when I sleep, April would call me a freak too' she explains sadly.
'But your friends thought what changed?' I ask.
Mr Tiz steps in front of us. He hands me a cup of water then holds his hand out with my meds.
'Take them' he orders. I grab them and place them in my mouth then wash them down with the water. Mr Tiz watches closely. When I'm done he nods then leaves us alone.
Allison is gobbling her food down so I finish the rest of mine. When we're finished I ask again
'So what changed? Your friends now right?'
'Yh we're friends now but it took a while for April to get over the fact that I was different, she shoved my head down the toilet in our room, as soon as I was free I punched her in the nose' my jaw drops in shock, I never thought Allison had a bad bone in her body. She's been so innocent while here and her nan had passed when she kicked off with her mum so trashing her mum's house was out of character.
When the bell goes for class Mr Tiz stops me
'You wait there' he says pointing at a chair, I sit down and wave goodbye to Allison as she waves back.
When the hall is empty Mr Tiz walks over to me.
'Come along, no funny business hope' I nod my head and get up then I follow behind Mr Tiz. He escorts me out then into the school building. We walk to my English class in comfortable silence.
When we arrive I step in and take a seat. Mr Tiz waits by the door until the teacher arrives, They talk quietly by the door for a few minutes then the lady steps in.