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Chapter 3

EDITED

By the time the bell went for lunch I was completely finished for the day.

English had been awful. The book we are stuck with this year is Tess of the D'Urbivilles. I mean it's not going to be difficult as it is the book I studied last year, but that doesn't mean that I want to do it again!

To make things worse I'm stuck in an English class with none other than Eric. The staring self centred prick that won't seem to leave me alone.

After that we had history and I swear on my life that that teacher could make a saint scream. I hate it here. All I want to do is go home and become one with my bed. All I can say is at least it is now lunch.

Following April into the cafeteria I notice this place is huge. There are tables everywhere all full to the brim with people.

We sit down at a table on the outskirts of the room. April leaves to go and get some lunch so I sit there with mine looking like an idiot. Story of my life.

Thankfully when April returns I look at little less lonely. She's come back with a plate full of fries and I desperately want some but I know I can't eat them.

"Taves if you stare at the chips any longer your going to start drooling all over that table. Which, in case you didn't realise, is not cool"

I jump slightly at the interruption of a familiar voice.

"Zekie you just scared the shit out of me" I say hitting his chest which only serves to make him laugh.

I look over to April to see her sitting there open mouthed. She looks a bit like a fish.

"Holy shit who is that!" She signs "he is one of the hottest guys I've ever seen in this place"

"Why thank you. Your not to bad yourself" Ezekiel signs back.

I can't help it but laugh as I see Aprils face go bright red as my brother winks at her. 

"April this is my brother Zeke. Zeke this is my friend April" I sign and say.

"Why don't you guys come and join us. I actually managed to make friends Taves" Zekie says and signs throwing in some mock surprise for my benefit.

Before I have a chance to protest April has agreed and I feel myself being dragged to a table with two other guys sitting at it. Great, more people to be happy in front of.

"Guys this is my sister Tavi and her friend April. Ladies this is Sam and Evan" he says and signs for Aprils benefit.

"So are you British as well?" Sam asks

"Nah y'all I'm from the south" I say in my best southern accent

The whole table starts laughing even April so I'm guessing she was lip reading again.

"Of course she's British you idiot. Twins tend to be the same in that way" Evan comments. "So why did you guys come to the US anyway for your last year of school"

All eyes turned to Zekie and I. I look down trying to avoid this conversation. I never really know what I'm supposed to say.

"Our mum moved us here for work. Neither of us really need to be here as we both finished school early in the UK. Our mum just thought it was a good idea for us to come here so that we could make friends"

He squeezes my hand under the table. It's difficult for us to talk about the past, even slightly, but Zekie knows it's more difficult for me.

"So what have you guys got next" Zekie asks me.

"We have gym class" April smiles.

What! I can't do gym class and I won't do gym class. This is the last year of school why do we even have to do gym class. You can stop gym class at 16 in the UK if you want. This is not going to be good.

For the rest of lunch I sit in silence. The conversation around me keeps going but I'm too worried about what will happen next to pay attention to anything.

~

By the time the bell went signalling the beginning of gym it is fair to say that my stress levels are through the roof.

I make what feels like the slow march of death to the gym ready to face my worst nightmare.

We step into the changing room and I'm immediately faced with what can only be described as a self centred bitch.

Her gym clothes are on so tightly it leaves nothing to the imagination, and i really mean nothing; talk about VPL. Her hair is bleach blonde and I could probably remove her make-up with a trowel. Normally I wouldn't judge people but it's the fact she's looking down her nose at me that's really pissing me off.

"You must be the new girl. Here's your gym kit. Get changed and then coach Storm wants to see you in her office. Oh and by the way stay away from Eric. He's mine bitch"

"Thanks for the advice now here's some for you. Get out of my face and get your facts straight. I. Want. Nothing. To. Do. With. Him. Ok? Good"

At that I turn on my heels and head towards the coach's office. April has already left me to run laps. Turns out she's a long distance runner so she just goes straight to the track during gym class.

I knock on the door to the coaches office and walk in.

Sat in the chair is a petite middle aged woman with jet black hair. She looks fairly nice so here goes nothing.

"You must be the new girl yes? Tavi isn't it? What can I do for you?"

"Eh yes coach. I just wanted to speak to you as I can't do gym"

"Oh and why is that?" She questions raising her eyebrow at me.

"I only have one leg"

"And in the queen is Sheba"

"No really coach" I say lifting up the bottom of my jeans to revel the start of my prosthetic.

"Oh, ok you really do only have one leg" she says looking slightly embarrassed. "I guess you just need to turn up to this class but then you can sit in the gym and study or something if you want"

"Ok thanks coach" I say before leaving the room.

Dodged a bullet there thankfully. At least that's one less thing to worry about.