Rivalling Sides

Chapter 1: Coming In Late

In the mildly cold morning, where the pigeons cooed loudly and the sun's rays kissed the rooftops, 13-year-old Michelle was perched on her makeup table, doing her eyebrows.

She had skin that glowed like copper but it was currently layered with a white shirt and a v-neck jumper. Her shoulders were draped with a dark red blazer and a black pleated skirt that swayed around her waist.

She was all ready for school but since she woke up late, she was a bit behind on time. She didn't mind though, because today was Wednesday which meant the whole school assembly in the morning, and she didn't want to be sat on the dirty floor, listening to complete rubbish.

"Finally," she breathed out when her eyebrows were finally done.

She tied her brown box braids into a low ponytail and hopped off her chair. She grabbed her Adidas backpack off the floor and swung it over her shoulder.

Before she went to her door, she swiped her black-tie from her bed and stuffed it into her pocket. She didn't bother wearing a coat because it was going to get warm in a couple of hours so there was no point.

When she was out of her house, she skipped out the gate and sauntered down the grey pavement with her phone out. The cold atmosphere nipped at her fingers while she passed the blooming trees that basked in the sunlight.

She was a Year 9 student at Kinsleigh Academy in South London. It was her favourite year group so far, the second being Year 8. Even though she had to choose her GCSE subjects this year, it wasn't that serious so she could still have some fun.

Michelle went through her playlist, choosing the songs that she was going to play on the bus. Meanwhile, a text flashed at the top of the screen from her best friend and cousin Grace.

Grace??: Michelle fam, where are you?! It's nearly 8:30.

Michelle: Lol I just left my yard???

Grace??: Are you fr???! Hows man just leaving her house like she hasn't got two buses to catch in 15 mins?!

Michelle: Relax, I'll still get to skl on time :))

Grace??: You're acc mad??usually am the one that's late ??

Michelle: Ikr??Anyways babes, I'll see you when I get to skl yea?

Grace??: okay I'll see you in a bit x

Michelle exited out for the chat and continued picking her songs.

When she got to the bus stop, her bus came quickly and she ran upstairs and luckily got a seat to herself. She just plugged in her earphones and started playing 'Mad About Bars' by Skengdo and A.M.

"Bally on when I step right, left, right, and then left. Would've thought his friend was an *opp cah he left his *bredrin for dead," Michelle bobbed her head along while gliding her pink lip gloss across her full lips.

When the bus stopped, some people got on and one came and sat next to her. She started to shift a bit because she didn't feel comfortable sitting next to a stranger on the bus.

She bent her head towards the ground and smiled into her little mirror and stuck her tongue out a little. Her diamond studs sparkled along with her silver braces. She had them fitted a couple of months ago and didn't find them that bad, except the occasional poking and her gums hurting a little but other than that, she barely noticed that they were there.

After 30 minutes, she had finally reached her school. She slumped out of the second bus she took and ambled up the road that stretched off into the far distance.

When she arrived at her school gates, the area looked abandoned which meant everyone was in the assembly hall.

Michelle quickly checked her phone and it was nearly nine. She huffed out a sigh and then made her way to one of the buildings. Instead of going to assembly, she decided that she'll just chill in the toilets until it was over because she couldn't be bothered.

25 minutes later...

When she got to her classroom, she sat down at her seat which was beside the door. Meanwhile, Grace saw her from the back and rushed to greet her.

"Hey girl," she said, tickling under Michelle's chin. She was light-skinned with brown eyes and black Afro hair which was sleeked down with gel.

Michelle swatted her hand away. "Hey."

"When did you arrive?"

"Um around nine," she replied drowsily and rubbed her eyes. She already felt like returning to her bed.

"Wow, that's not bad considering the time you left home."

"I know right," she smirked.

"By the way, have you got any food?" She asked, sitting on the side of the table.

"Nah, I couldn't be asked to go shop today."

"Aw okay."

"Anyways, you came before me so why didn't you get anything?" She eyed her suspiciously.

"Because I want your food," she smiled innocently.

"Get out," she said playfully. "About you want my food," she mocked.

Suddenly, their form teacher, Ms Robin, arrived. She had blonde curly hair with an oval face and a slim, short figure.

"Okay everyone, settle down now and get your PSHE books out, we are continuing our lesson on drugs from last week," she announced and sat down at her desk.

"Michelle, where is your tie?" She asked as she noticed her collar.

"In my pocket."

"Okay please get it out and put it on."

"But miss it's so uncomfortable!" She whined as she got it out. She placed it on the table, not planning to put it on any time soon.

"Well you have to because it's the rules," Ms Robin firmly said and stood at the front of the class.

Michelle groaned and fidgeted around. She hated wearing her tie as it sometimes made her collar slightly tight. Also, she thought it was just unnecessary.

While Ms Robin was teaching the lesson, Michelle secretly brought out her perfume from her bag.

"Do you have asthma?" She asked the girl called Rhea who was sat next to her.

Rhea shook her head without uttering a single word. Michelle then sprayed herself a little bit before quickly putting it back.

"Do you what the date it is today?" She asked, having her pen against the paper, ready to write.

"Um... I think it's the 25th...yeah."

"Thanks." She scribbled it down and decorated the letters with her colouring pens.

"Maple!" She called out to her best friend who was sat at the other end of the room.

"What?" She shouted back.

"Er excuse me, Why can I hear talking?" Ms Robin turned around at the two.

They went quiet until she turned around and then they resumed.

"What do we have next?!" Michelle asked again.

"Science. You have chemistry and I have Biology."

"Oh okay, thanks."

They turned to the front to the teacher staring at them with a raised eyebrow. "Are you finished?" She asked.

"Yeah miss," Michelle sweetly said.

"Good," she said, and continued teaching.

When the lesson was over, Michelle clipped her tie on and linked arms with Grace and Maple as they made their way to the science floor.

"To be honest, I thought you weren't gonna come in today," Maple said. She had jet black wavy hair that was tied into a swirly bun. She had four ear piercings, two on each one, and her fair skin was caked with unblended makeup and long eyelashes.

"Nah, I just woke up late and couldn't be asked to get out of my bed."

"Typical Michelle, lazy kid," Grace snickered.

"Bruh why would I wanna get out from my cosy bed and face the cold weather this morning."

"Yeah, I would prefer just sleeping in," Maple said.

"That's what I like," Michelle smiled and fist-bumped Maple.

When Michelle and Grace reached their chemistry class, they said bye to Maple and went in.

Michelle made her way to the back where her seat was, only something was different.

Usually, her friend James would already be sat down before her but he wasn't there.

"Joshua!" She called out to her boy best friend who was sat on the side near the window.

"Hey, Michka!" He got up and went towards her.

"What you saying* girl, you good yeah?" He said as he hugged her tightly. He had shiny dark skin with black bushy hair that was brushed up.

"Yeah I'm good," she hugged him back and fist-bumped him. "Have you seen James this morning?"

"Nah I haven't seen him."

"Bruh so who am I gonna annoy then?!" She cried out and crossed her arms.

"Annoy yourself," Grace butted in.

"Shut up fam," she said and plopped down in her seat with a scowl. She slid off her backpack and placed it beside her. She didn't like the fact of being alone for a whole hour.

"Graceeeee."

"What?"

"Is there anyone sitting next to you?"

"Why..."

"So I can come over!"

"No."

"I'm coming anyway." She grabbed her bag and then went to sit next to Grace.

"No fam! Why!" She exclaimed while shuffling away. Michelle just snickered as she got her book and pencil case out. She was in Set 2 for science which was the second-highest class. It was also the most fun because it was just filled with smart students who could still banter while doing their work.

They wrote down the title which was chemical bonds. They whispered to each other and also listened while the teacher taught the lesson.

****

When it was lunchtime, Michelle got chicken and rice, a cookie, and a peach Radnor fizz drink.

She sat down between Joshua and Maple. There were four other girls and three boys on the table, all deeply involved in their conversations.

Michelle suddenly cleared her throat and turned her attention to where the boys were.

"James!" She shouted.

"Yeah?" He said, distracted by his food.

"Why did you leave me in Chemistry?"

"Sorry, man had a dentist appointment this morning."

"Don't leave me again next time," She pouted and made a fake crying face.

"Don't worry I won't."

"Yay," she brightened and ate her rice.

"Guys, who can come White Willow with me?" Someone called Priscilla asked. She was one of Michelle's good friends and her partner in crime.

"Why?" Grace asked.

"I don't wanna go home just yet, I felt like hanging around for a little bit," Priscilla said.

"Where are we gonna go?" Ciara asked.

"We gonna go to Cherry Blossom for some food of course."

"Oh then I'm coming," Michelle said.

"Yeah same," Grace said.

Joshua and their other friend Tyrell agreed to come too.