An Early Morning

Friday the 13th of December 2002

7.35 a.m.
Alarm goes off. Waking me from my relaxing sleep. Not looking forward
to another day of school. Trying to crawl off my bed and nearly falling
over the side of my bunk. No safety rail to stop me cos didn't need it
for like jumping off my bed into soft covers.

7.45 a.m.
Eating weetabix slowly and remember still need to get dressed.
Searching for clothes but nowhere to be found. Blunder upstairs and
fling open mum's door when she turns over and groans "What do you
want?" I reply, "Know where my trousers are?" Hands on her head, trying
to remember, while snug cosy in her double bed. She answers, "Look in
the dryer."

7.50 a.m.
Find clothes but they are still wet. Panic as someone knocks at the
door and I am only in my pants. (Probably one of my 14 year old
brother's friends, panic even more.) Grab nightie, my only hope, shove
over my head. Phew, relief. Answer the door and they have not gone
away. (Bit shocked to see me in a nightie but does not matter at the
moment.) Clothes will take about another 15 minutes to dry, in the
meantime will pack my bag and find my three jumpers as it is freezing
outside. (Nearly zero degrees out there.)

8.15 a.m.
Got 15 minutes til got to go call on Dwayne my next door neighbour. He
is one year above me and NOT my boyfriend. Have not got one and don't
need one. Who needs one when you are in primary? Even though one of my
best friends has got one. Clothes are dry but still one patch of
wetness on my bum. Oooh quick, eat advent chocs. No, need to clean
teeth and brush hair in ten minutes. This is so stupid.

8.30 a.m.
Rushing out door shouting bye to mum who groans, bye darling. Rush out
gate looking like a sumo wrestler cos of three jumpers. Make sharp turn
into Dwayne's alley. Knock on door and get answer from a big german
shepherd barking at me. It's Dwayne's dog. I remember when I was little
he chased me up that alley and I thought he was gonna eat me. Dwayne's
dad answers door and leads me into the house. Seconds later we arrive
back out the door Dwayne loaded with 50p and his school bag, says
"Gonna go shop after school."

8.40 a.m.
Get to school 5 mins before going in time and wave at Alex (my best
friend) and run up my bag waving behind me which then falls off. Alex
doubles up laughing as I storm over saying it's not funny, my bag's all
soggy. Alex has our play script out as Charlotte P. walks up with Beth.
We are organising a play called The Haunted House. Courtney joins us as
we scan it. It's not a school play it's just a friendly play cos we are
making a club.

8.50 a.m.
The bell goes and the school day starts.