Novel
The New School term has begun at Claymore Secondary, meaning the start of another academic year for tutor group 10c. Darren is talking to Cole about his new School and problems he might come across.
Darren asks Cole.
“Cole Please repeat that, slowly this time.”
Cole takes a deep breath and speaks.
“This school is complete rubbish; teachers are absolutely no help at all .You can add Miss Smith to that Category. All the girls are high maintenance and they don’t go small guys like you or me. And above all don’t cross Reece Dog Doo .He is totally off bounds and will beat you between an inch of your life.”
Darren is puzzled as he couldn’t quite get his head or tongue around the abnormal name of Reece’s second name. “What kind of name is that Darren asks?”
Cole quickly tells Darren in his ear, as he spots Reece approaching down the hallway.
“That is what he hates the most, practice day and night to get his name right, don’t ever mention his second name and don’t look at him in the face”
They both bow their heads as if the approaching Reece is a crown prince. As Reece’s steps pass them they see the size 14 boots pass and move back into the classroom.
“Size 14, man what is his mother feeding him” Darren says with his mouth open.
“ Cats , dogs the works , looks like they grew again since the summer holiday come on let’s get a seat before we have to sit anywhere close to him let’s get in there in time for the register ,good impressions always count “Says Cole.
Miss Smith is just about to call out the names from the top of the register, until is called upon by a student.
“Miss smith, remember to pronounce my name correctly. “ A student named Reece bellows from the middle of the classroom. Undeterred by this sudden outburst, Miss Smith mumbles back under her breath without being noticed by her students.
“Who could ever pronounce your name Reece?”
Miss Smith then calls out the names of each and every students name in the register in alphabetical order. Miss Smith does this until she reaches the bottom of the register and reaches an unfamiliar name. Miss Smith looks at each and every student face until she comes across, a quite petit, skinny looking boy. She realises that earlier on in the morning the head of the year had approached her and informed her that a new student would be joining her tutor group. Miss Smith then calls out to the rest of the tutor group, and informs them of their new peer.
Miss Smith speaks in a calm tone.
“Everybody I would like you to give a warm welcome to your new class mate, Darren why don’t you come up to my desk and introduce yourself.”
Darren quiet by nature, was sitting in the middle row with a desk all to him. Darren was by now feeling really nervous now and could feel that his heart beat was beginning to quicken. With all eyes on him he could remember his mother telling him that first impressions count.
“This will decide whether you’re a champ or a chump don’t fluff your lines son “
Slowly but surely Darren rose to his feet and was on his way to the front the classroom. Darren casually strolls to the front of the classroom, upon arriving he fees a strong presence somehow and glances over to his left were he meets the gaze of school Bully Reece. Reece Reasonably Big for his age, Unintelligent and above all, a nuisance to all how meet or new of him. To Darren this moment in time feels like forever as he saw the deep intensity in Reece’s eyes to try and intimidate him. Darren somehow manages to divert his eyes and carry on to reach the front of the room. Darren turns around as he reaches Miss Smith’s desk, steady’s himself and clears his throat and licks his bottom and upper lip.
“My name is Darren”
Darren speaks momentarily as he is totally memorised by the focus and attention given to him by the other students he is lost for words. Like a cheetah Reece pounces on this situation so amuse the other students.
“Is that it, my name is Darren. Are you one of those guys that need a name tag to remember your own name? If that’s the case you’re in the wrong class mate.”
Darren is angered by the outburst of Reece and replies directly to him.
“You try speaking to thirty people you have never spoken to, let alone met in your entire life and get up in front of them and explain who you are. Quite frankly, I doubt you would be able to get out of your seat, seeing how you can barely squeezed yourself into it”
The Tutor group erupts in laugher in the direction towards Reece .Even Miss Smith is silently amused by the remark. Reece’s expression on his face changes toward shock to pure rage. Reece stands up towering over everybody else, Red in the face and gritting his teeth he speaks in a low tone.
“Listen boy, don’t smart mouth me, I’ll squash you like a tin can and feed you to my dog shoes and all. Actually meet me outside registration I’ll give you a welcoming party”
Darren’s aura as high as it was, had been brought down drastically as he could now see why his Friend had told him to stay out of his way.
“Ok that’s enough you two, Reece sit down this isn’t the time or place to try and express your ego. Darren , sorry about that only a small percentage of our students here at Claymore Secondary have issues, now go back and take your seat .” Judging by Miss Smith Response Darren could tell that there was more trouble to follow.
The School bell sounds, declaring the begging of lunchtime. Almost simultaneously the students of class 10 c pick clear their desks and head towards the classroom exit. However Miss Smith had not finished instructing the students on their new handbooks, so without a thought Miss Smith picked up the pile of handbooks and gave one to each student as they passed her by.
Darren and Cole had taken considerably longer than their other peers as they were obviously trying to avoid Reece. As they also finally gather their own belongs and approached Miss Smith, she spoke quite scornfully.
“I have a feeling you two will be getting into a lot of bother with Reece, let me warn you that I will not stand for any trouble. Do I make myself clear?”
Darren and Cole both gave a nod of the head and stretched out their hands as Miss Smith placed the handbooks in their palms. They exited the room together and headed down the hallway towards the cafeteria. As they approached the entrance they were met by a presence they were all too familiar with.
Reece was gazing down at them like a hawk to its prey, with a broad smile from dimple to cheek to cheek.
“So you finally decided to arrive, had me thinking you wouldn’t ever turn up. So who would like to be put in the dustbin first then? I will allow you to decide.
Cole’s legs had by this time, nearly given way due to the share size of his advisory. However this did not stop him from pointing at Darren and running off before Darren .
Shocked by his best friends shear cowardice Darren shock his head and closed his eyes, he could now picture the scene off his legs dangling out of a pickup truck. With one thrust of a hand Reece picked Darren off his feet and held him up against the wall and spoke in a cheerful manner.
“Don’t struggle or I will just have more fun, Darren was it? I and you will be getting to know one another quite well over the next few weeks. So you might as well put a pillow in that bin over there.
Reece carries Darren over to the bin and plants him head first into the dustbin before pushing down Darren’s legs and closing the lid above him
Greeted with the follow stench of rotting bananas and half eaten sandwiches, Darren is regretting why he had never stepped foot into this new school.
