I ran back up-stairs and slammed the door.
“What happened?” Kevin whispered.
“I don’t want to talk about it!”
“Is mum gone?”
“Yes. For good this time!”
I could hear him crying under his covers. I just ignored him and went to sleep.
The next morning my alarm woke me up at 7:30am. I didn’t want to go to school but I know if I dogged another day they would contact my parents. I crawled out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. I got washed and dressed. Kevin was already ready to leave for school. I didn’t know how he liked school so much. I dreaded it. I went into the living room and there he was lying on the couch with beer cans all around him. Kevin was sitting on the other couch.
“How long have you been up?”
“Since seven…I couldn’t sleep.”
“Well could you not have woken him up?” I snapped.
“I tried but he won’t budge!”
“It doesn’t matter, just leave him.”
The doorbell rang so I jumped up to answer it hoping it would be mum. I unlocked the door and looked out. It was Kevin’s friends offering him a lift in his dad’s new car. He didn’t go because he said he wanted to walk me. That’s unusual, he never walks me to school. We both grabbed our bags and headed to school.
It didn’t take us long to get to school but when we got there the bell had already gone. We both looked at each other and ran.
“So Andrew, Kevin, what’s your excuse today?”
“We slept in, Miss” Kevin mumbled. He hated being late and missing school.
“So Andrew, nice to see you back, do you have a note this time?”
“No Miss”
“Well if you don’t have one by the end of the week I’m going to have to contact your parents!”
The rest of the day at school was all punishment exercises, detentions and homework. This was the reason I hated school so much and the teachers all hated me. They treated me like dirt. I was glad when the half past three bell went and I ran all the way home on my own. It was Monday so I had football training. I ran up the stairs and got my kit and went back out.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Dad yelled.
“Football”
“I thought you quit!”
“I did but I decided to go back! Have a problem with that?”
“Just get out of my sight now!”
I hated that about him. Every time I breathed he bit my head off. Kevin never got into trouble because he was a ‘goody two shoes.’
I loved football. The only reason I gave up was because I had to catch up with my schoolwork, but now I don’t care. Football was tiring but fun. It is the only thing I am good at. On the way home I stopped in at the chippy and got some chips and coke. I usually did that as there was no one at home who makes it. Sometimes there was no food at all.
I got home late that night so I decided to go straight to bed. I got into bed and nodded off straight away.
The alarm went off and I jumped out of my bed. It was just the same as yesterday. Nothing changes and nothing good happens. I got dressed, had some toast and left. Kevin was already away with his friends in hope not to be late. I reached the school gates just in time to hear the bell ring. I strolled to class and to my surprise Mrs Berlin wasn’t there. There was someone else. She had long brown hair pinned back in a clip and a long white dress with flowers on it.
“Sit down class, sit down…Mrs Berlin won’t be taking you for the next few weeks as she is doing a course, so I guess you will all have to do with me.” she giggled a bit and sat down.
“My name is Miss Thomson.” Everyone sat up in their seats and smiled. I guess everyone liked her, as well as me. She picked up the register and began calling out names. Her voice was sweet and peaceful. When she came to my name I called out in a loud clear voice. She looked up and gave a pleasant smile. After that point I know things would change.
The next few weeks with Miss Thomson were fun. I don’t know why but I liked Miss Thomson as she was nothing like Mrs Berlin. She liked me and made the work a lot easier so I could understand it. I didn’t feel so different from the rest of the class as they were a lot cleverer than me. Home was still the same. Dad was still drinking, mum wasn’t back and Kevin still missed her. Each morning I woke up at 6:30 eager to go to school. That was until one morning.
It was Monday and I woke up at the same time as usual. I got dressed, packed all the homework I did during the weekend and left for school. I was running a little late and so I ran down the corridor to my class. I opened the door and went in.
“Mrs I’ve got my…” I stood shocked in front of the tall plump figure. I couldn’t believe it. It was Mrs Berlin.
“Where’s Miss Thompson?” I screamed.
“My course is finished so I’m back.”
I felt terrible. I sat down at my table and got my books out. The day dragged in but I did my best to work hard and keep up with the rest of the class. Mrs Berlin was shocked to see me cope so well. I decided that if I could do so well with Miss Thompson I could do well with her.
The half past three bell rang and I jumped up and ran all the way home. I wanted to get a head start on my homework so I could go to football.
I ran in the door and headed to the stairs. I heard someone moving in the living room so I went to take a look. It couldn’t have been dad because he was going to the pub to meet his friends. I was slightly shaky because I thought it was a burglar. I slowly opened the door and looked in. I froze. My heart was pounding. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I rubbed my eyes to see if I was imagining it but it was still there.
“Hello son.” It was mum. I ran into her arms and grasped her tightly.
“What are you doing here?” I said in a trembling voice. Tears started running down my face.
“I’m here to take you home with me.” she said.
“But I am home” I said felling rather confused.
“I bought my own house a few streets away. It’s very cosy, and you can get your own room.”
“Mum, you don’t need to bribe me, I’m already there”.
