On the first day of school, I had a very hectic morning. Firstly I managed to oversleep while my clock alarm buzzed loudly and annoyingly to wake me up. ‘In a few minutes’ turned into waking up half an hour later, with fifteen minutes to get to school. So I scrambled out of bed, opened my wardrobe and threw on the first thing I saw; a floral tank top, pink cardigan and light blue jeans. Then running to the bathroom to tie my hair up in a messy bun and brush my teeth. Then racing downstairs to the kitchen, swooping an apple from the fruit bowl perched on the main table. Lastly, grabbing my car keys and whizzing past mum who was still in her pyjamas and reading on the couch absentmindedly as she wished me a good day at school.

Now I’m sitting in English, listening to Mr Groche (or Mr Grouch as we called him) talk about political issues. He was one of the boring teachers here at Maddison State High school. He always talked about the same issues in a voice that showed he couldn’t be any more interested in what he was actually talking about. Last year, my English teacher Ms Nolls, really got me into English. With her high enthusiasm and discussing issues that are actually important to teenagers today, she was easy to relate to. She was also a good friend. Mr Groche was making it difficult to love English the way I had. I wish I had Ms Nolls again.

After English I met Michael in the courtyard and was greeted with a hug and a warm smile.

“How are you April?”

“I’m great. Finally getting some fresh air after THAT.” I started to turn around while stretching and Michael grinned.

“Let me guess. Another class with Mr Groche?”

I turned back around laughing. “You must be a mind reader.”

“Must be” he said with an even bigger grin and a wink.

And that was when I first felt like I was being watched.

You know that moment when you’re out in pitch black at night, all alone, in the cold and feel like you’re being watched? Well that’s what I’m feeling right now. The sun was out and it was a warm day, but now, rolling up my sleeves, I notice I have goose bumps. I look around the court wearily and Michael must have noticed my sudden change in expression.

“Everything ok April?”

I paid no attention to him as my eyes had narrowed onto a man standing alone against the brick wall on the other side of the court. He had dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Judging by how tall he was and how young he looked, I guessed that he could have been about 2 or 3 years older than me. While studying him, I noticed that he was staring directly at me, studying me perhaps the same way that I was studying him. 

“That guy over there… do you know him?” I pointed in the direction of the man, who now had a sly grin on his face. Michael turned around to look, and then turned back to me. He looked puzzled. “April, there’s no one there.”  “What do you mean no one’s there? Can’t you see that creepy guy standing there against the wall?!” I said scowling at him. “No. April there’s no one there and please don’t make that face at me.” I crossed my arms and continued to make that face aimed toward him. How could he not see that creepy weirdo staring directly at me? Sighing, I said fine don’t worry about it and walked off to my next class.

I briefly glanced over my shoulder to see if the man was still there. He was but something strange happened. I saw Michael crossing the court yard and approaching him. The man smiled in a cocky manner towards Michael, while Michael on the other hand seemed to be angry with the man? I didn’t care about what that discussion was about. I can’t believe Michael would lie to me and make me feel like such an idiot. Some friend he is.