Time seemed to slow down completely, as it tended to on Mondays. Therefore, the day slogged on like a trek through tar. All Kim could do was keep her head down and get on with it. That made it pretty hard with the other students constantly giving her grief whether it be through whispers or pelting paper footballs at her. She would bury her nose into her books and try to block them out. This should not be as difficult as it was. 

Kim had always found it hard to tune out things. People had told her that they were able to block out unwanted noise and distractions, but Kim had never been able to. It proved to be especially difficult during exams, conducted in the school’s large gym hall. But from what Kim experienced, her desk might as well be in the middle of a construction site. Buses and cars screeching past, students running in the halls, people dropping pencils, it was never ending. How anyone was supposed to focus with all of that, she had no idea. 

It was only through sheer willpower that Kim was able to make it to the morning interval. She wandered outside into the playground, looking around. Girls were dotted around in little groups chatting while boys ran around playing football and messing about. Kim found a nice secluded bench and sat down. She took out her history book and began flicking through some pages. She did not mind spending intervals and lunches alone, at least this way she got a bit of peace. Still, she would not have minded having someone to speak to. Even misery deserved some company to an extent. 

Keeping her nose down, Kim buried herself in her book. They were studying the Scottish wars of Independence and she wanted to refresh her memory after the weekend she had, not to mention Mrs. Craig sometimes liked to spring random tests on the students to catch out those not paying attention. Kim was so focused on the Battle of Falkirk she did not realise that a boy was standing there until he spoke up.

“Hey,” Kim turned and her heart turned in a somersault. The voice belonged to Kieran, a boy in her year Kim had only known by sight. He brushed his blonde hair from his blue eyes as he looked down at her, “sorry but, do you have your latin textbook with you?”

Kim blinked stupidly and struggled to get out the simple word ‘yes’. Kieran was much higher ranking in the school’s social circle and very popular. He played on the school’s football team and was their star player. Despite his popularity and reputation, Kim had only seen him as pleasant and humble. Finally, she was able to find her voice. 

“Oh, y-yeah I have it,” she stammered, “h-here.” She reached into her bag and took out the red textbook. Kieran’s body visibly relaxed as he sighed.

“Oh, magic! Would it be okay if I borrowed it? I just realised I’ve missed a couple of questions in my homework and I need the glossary,” he asked, “I swear I’ll only be a couple of minutes.”

“Y-yes of course!” Kim spluttered, “Be my guest.” Kieran smiled thankfully and sat across from her, bringing out his own work. Kim blinked furiously as she turned back to her book. The pair sat in relative silence for a few moments before Kieran pushed her book back towards her.

“Thank you, you saved my life,” Kieran laughed, and Kim noticed his eyes travel up to her hair, Kim felt her throat tighten, “I’ve been meaning to ask, where did you get your hair done? It’s so sick and my cousin is looking to get something similar done.” Kim twirled her hair anxiously around a finger as she felt her cheeks flush. Excluding the hairdresser, out of all the people to mention her hair, he had been the first to say something other than insults. She averted her gaze.

“Oh, um, well,” she stammered, “well I kind of, um… well…”

“Ah, I get it!” Kieran laughed, “Don’t wanna say in case you get in trouble, suppose the school would flip their lids if more kids showed up with flashy hair.”

“Uh, yes,” Kim forced a smile and kept her voice level, “that’s it. They… might think I’m inciting a rebellion or something.” To her shock, Kieran still seemed amused.

“Here so, well, what if we met up after school? They can’t do anything if we head into town or anything.” He answered, and Kim could have sworn she saw a flicker of nerves in his eyes. It took her a second to fully realise exactly what he was asking her.

“Oh, sure, that sounds good! There’s a coffee shop I’ve been in before, they do this really nice hot chocolate-”

“Oh, is that the one that has all the flavours like mint, cherrie, orange and that?’

“Yeah! You ever had the brownie flavoured? It’s so good!” 

“No but I will today! Do you… wanna meet there after school? Y’know, to talk about where my cousin can get his hair done.” 

“Yes-yeah sounds good! So um… I’ll see you then?” Before Kieran could answer the bell signifying the end of break trilled through the air.

“Oh-!” He swore, making Kim fight back the urge to laugh, “my class is on the other side of the building! I’ll see you there!” He scrambled together his things and took off out of the playground. Kim calmly put her books away and began the short walk to her history class, her heart considerably lighter and with a fluttery feeling in her core. Even Beth’s hissed insult as she passed her in the locker hall and the knowledge that they would be sharing their next class did not change this. Maybe things were going to look up after all.