1.2 Dani 1

The school’s three pretentious latin mottos are being re- explained to us in assembly by Mr Wellesley, our Headmaster. I’m in hell. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a load of drivel that gives the impression that our school is better than it actually is. Whoever's idea it was to start the day off by cramming a load of 12 and 13 years into an unventilated, rustic, old school hall deserves to endure them repeatedly for eternity. I can’t even stare out of the window because the blinds are down. The only decor there is to look at are the lists of notable alumni with a dedicated section to those in athletic fields. A tapestry of pure ego. I’m not the most patriotic about our beloved Alexanders Academy and for good reason. It’s a shit hole. 

Waffling Wellesley is still rambling on while I only have three things on my mind. 1. Is my brother going to be okay? 2. How I’m plotting my revenge against the people who almost ruined my brother’s life. 3. Graffiti ideas for the school walls. My friend Leo is sat beside me and I can only imagine he’s as bored as I am. I stare down at my new year 9 timetable contemplating the next 11 months. I’m sick of looking at our useless Head teacher.

“Last year was an outstanding academic year with some big milestones. You now all have the privilege of attending a school that is recognised as an academy of outstanding achievement. Several teams in our sports department have competed regionally and nationally. They’ve come away with a handful of titles, proving not only the talent of our athletes but our strength in leadership and sportsmanship.”

Does he ever get tired of hearing his own voice! 

I roll my eyes not really caring if I get in trouble because then at least something interesting would have happened! We’re sat at the back of the hall so I doubt anyone will see me anyway. I start zoning out again. It’s too early in the morning for this. Leo and I sometimes pass post stick notes to talk during assemblies but I think he’s got things on his mind. He seems more distant than usual. 

Mr Wellesley changes the powerpoint slide to show pictures of the head boy and head girl for this year. Suddenly his voice finds its way back into my ear.

“... and Maximillian Haywood is our head boy for this year and also the team captain on our year 10 and 11s male football team. These two are representing our school’s values in leadership, integrity and honour while being a worthwhile role model to the whole school”

My eyes lock in on the overly sized school photo of Max. His fixed smirk in the photo makes my fist and jaw clench tightly. I’ll give the photographer this, they managed to capture his ego and hubris in a single frame, something most people seem to miss. He’s the school’s golden boy with golden blonde hair to match. No words can describe how much I despise him and his friends. They’re a group of entitled pricks who seem to get away with anything. Max is still the worst of them though. He chose to mess up my brother Elliot’s life last year and now he’s head boy- that just about sums everything up. 

“And please ensure you make the year 7s feel welcome” he says as I grit my teeth.

* * *

“Welcome to Alexander’s Academy, commonly known as Xanders, but better known as hell on earth!” I voiced with passion to Leo as well as the other students within ear range of the corridor. 

“They should put you in charge of advertising!” Leo remarks with a grin. 

“Right?” I respond, trying to resist giggling as it would ruin my broody, mysterious image I’ve been working on. My ears are pricked up as we make our way to double english. A group of lads in our year walk past us. They’re attempting to be discrete while laughing obnoxiously loud.

“You know Elliot’s back in school?”

“Seriously?”

“Mate, I saw him before assembly.”

“You reckon he’ll try and talk to Max again?” he laughs. 

My blood is boiling.

“I swear to god!” I say under my breath, nearly turning my wheelchair around to confront them

“Ignore them, it’ll be old news by tomorrow” Leo says reassuringly.
We reach our classroom and go to our usual table. Leo and I are always sat together since there’s only one adapted table for wheelchair users per classroom. He spins his chair round so I can retrieve his pencil case and planner from his bag. 

“Is he alright? Like… how did he seem this morning?” Leo asks still with his back facing me. 

“Yeah fine, I think.” I respond, taking longer than usual to grab his stuff. I zip up his backpack and place his stuff on the desk before twisting to grab my own bag. I need to change the subject.

“Speaking of brothers, isn’t it gonna be weird having your brother in school?” I say with a smirk.

Leo groans “Ugh don’t remind me! It’s just an apprenticeship. Hopefully he’ll piss off soon and try being a PE teacher somewhere else!”

“What are you gonna do when we have PE?”

“Probably die of embarrassment.” he says bluntly while I try to suppress my laughter. It’s weird enough having family in the same school let alone having a brother who’s a teacher. I don’t know Mark that well. Leo often complains about how annoying he can be but they also have a kind of friendship dynamic.They seem to get on more than me and Elliot lately. Since Mark’s the older brother, he’s always treated all of us like younger siblings. I guess it’s nice in a way. 

“How long before he gets to give you a detention?” I ask, smiling villainously. I’m just winding him up at this point, trying to put off the lesson actually starting.

“He better not!” 

Mr Taylor has almost finished writing on the whiteboard, he’s about to start teaching. 

“Can we settle down now year 9s! I’m gonna do the register” he yells.