When the hall is empty John calls me over.
'Come hope' I get up and trail behind John to my room. It's past 8pm now so he uses the fob to unlock the door. When the door buzzes he pulls the door open. He grabs my suitcase and pulls it along for me.
John walks me to the lobby area. It's pretty much a bench with security officers behind. Girls are cuddling and crying each other as we walk in.
John opens the bench area for me. He pulls open the gate and ushers me through. I walk in and take a seat.
I watch as girls are collected by their parents or they file out and board onto coaches. When the last one leaves John opens the gate again.
'Come along Hope' John instructs. He grabs my suitcase again as I stand up and leave the bench area. John walks me swiftly out. Across the path then into the school building. We walk together to the heavy doors.
John uses his fob to open the doors then ushers me inside. I step through into the dimly lit hallway. John walks me to the holding cell. He unlocks the cell then opens the door. I look up at John, confusion written across my face. John looks down at me, he can probably read my confusion as he explains.
'It's just for a little while, I need to secure a cabinet to the floor' John say's chuckling. I don't see what's funny. Nevertheless I step through and sit down on the bench. John closes the door then locks it. He then asks.
'You want a book while you wait' I stare at him for a moment, thinking, then nod my head.
'What do you fancy reading?' John questions.
'Anything really, just nothing school related, I don't want a textbook' I chuckle lightly.
I watch as John walks off. A few minutes later he comes back, a book in hand.
'I thought you might like this' John says, putting his arm through the cell bars, holding out the book for me. I get up and grab the book.
'Thanks John' I mumble quietly. John walks off. Leaving me here. Alone. I sit down on the bench and open up the book. The book is a mystery thriller.
I manage to read five chapters before I hear footsteps. I fold the corner of the page and climb off the bench. I can see John walking down the hallway. When he gets to the holding cell he pulls a key and unlocks the door. He pulls open the door so I step out. John locks up the cell.
'How's the book hope? Any good?' He questions.
'It's pretty good, can I borrow it?' I ask. John chuckles heartily and nods his head saying.
'Of course, it's the schools, I pinched it from the library, no one will know it's gone' he says.
'Come now' John walks ahead and I trail behind.
John walks me straight to secure. The officer on duty sees us and opens the cell door. When we reach the cell I walk in. The cell hasn't changed much. The bed and toilet are still here but now there's a metal chest of draws in here. I can see it's been bolted to the floor. John hovers by the door. Assessing. I can see my suitcase on the bed.
'Unpack, you're in here for half term, when you're done get some sleep' John says. I shoot a small smile at him over my shoulder.
I walk over to the bench. A mattress and bedding has been added. I hear the door shut and lock. The lights stay on though.
I grab my suitcase and unzip it. I pull out my underwear and place them in the drawer then do the same with my clothes. I put my books, iPod and brush in the spare drawer. I haul my suitcase onto the floor then push it under the bench.
Now I'm done I lay down on the makeshift bed. The lights are still on though. I can't sleep with the lights on so I haul myself to my feet and band on the cell door.
I can hear footsteps. They come by the door. A key is placed in the lock and the door unlocks then I watch as it's pulled open. The officers barks
'What do you want?' I hesitate before demanding
'Turn the fucking lights off' his face goes red, he slams the door shut and locks it.
I walk back over to the makeshift bed and crawl under the duvet. A few minutes later the light goes off and the room goes dark.
I can hear my name being called, it's max.
'Hope, hope, can you hear me' he shouts. I shout back at him, not too fussed about getting into trouble, they can't really punish us as we're in secure cells already.
'Max, max I can hear you, are you okay'
'I'm fine hope, just wanted to say goodnight baby'
'Night' I call back. My cheeks flaming and a goofy grin spreading across my cheeks.
Max starts singing, I can hear him from the cell next door. I close my eyes and snuggle into the duvet. Listening. Max's voice lulling me to sleep.