September 2003 – Big School

Chloe checked her appearance in the mirror attached to the wall in the front room. A slight, slim girl looked back at her dressed in a smart black blazer, white shirt and a black and yellow striped tie. She seemed so grown up, she thought to herself. Inside though, Chloe still felt like a little child. And now she had to start at her senior school. There were well over a hundred kids in each year group. Her primary school had been tiny in comparison. There had only been fifteen children in her year six class. Only five girls, and her two best friends were not moving with her. Their families had money. They were off to a private school up the road. Chloe worried that she was facing a lonely morning.

Her dad had even noticed her anxiety. Normally he left for work at seven, and the nice, retired lady from next door came over to make sure Chloe got to school on time. But today he had taken a morning’s holiday to see her off safely. He’d even offered to walk her to school. But that would have been a step too far. Her dad was waiting for her by the door. He ruffled her hair as she went past. It was an usually tender gesture for the man. Ever since Chloe’s mother had died, he found it difficult to fully express his feelings. But Chloe still felt deep down, that he was always there for her.

Her new blue backpack felt strangely heavy on her shoulders. She felt it digging into her back as she made her way down the street of tightly packed terraced houses. It opened up at the end onto a main road. Turning towards her school, Chloe was struck by the amount of other kids already on the road. Her primary school had been in the other direction. She was used to seeing virtually no one until she got to the gate.

Eventually Chloe arrived at her destination. The school’s garish sign was set in a prominent position, high above the gates. She found herself surrounded by chatter on every side. Everyone was walking together in small groups or standing around in neat cliques. Taking a deep breath, Chloe turned the corner and walked slowly up the sweeping driveway. The school buildings were a strange, eclectic lot. But the centrepiece was an imposing structure dating from the 1930’s. The girl stopped in front of the main door. What now?

Chloe looked around, desperately searching for a familiar face, even one of the horrible, teasing boys from her old primary. But there was no one she could recognise. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest and she tried to will herself to calm down. Her legs felt a little shaky, so she sat herself down on a low wall that offered a view over the playing fields. Breathing deeply, Chloe tried to shut out the excited babble spilling out from behind her. Then suddenly, she felt rather than saw, someone share her perch on the wall. She risked a quick glance.

Giving her head a slight twist, Chloe saw that her companion was a young boy. Not one she recognised. And he didn’t look any happier than she felt. They sat in silence for a few moments. Then the shrill clang of a bell filled the air around them. The young boy turned to Chloe. He had a thin face, all cheekbones and nose. He shrugged in resignation.

“We might as well try it out.”

He stood up and slouched across to the door. Chloe still didn’t feel like moving. Not sure if her legs would get going. The young boy stopped. Turning, he gestured at her with an outstretched hand. This time he’d even managed a sort of crooked smile.

“Come on. Best get moving.”

Chloe got up and joined him. They walked through the school door together.