"Had an early night, didn't you yesterday?" Mum asks, opening the curtains.

The sudden, unexpected source of bright light blinds me.

"Yeah. Was tired," I mutter before turning the other way, my back to the window.

"River was worried about you! She said you didn't seem yourself! I can't help to agree with her! Going to bed early is kind of strange for you, Storm!" Mum continues, ignoring the fact that I don't look like I'm paying the littlest of attention.

My older sister and parents are so hypocritical! They always lecture me on how I should always go to bed early because sleep is important for your health. Now that I've actually obeyed them, they think that something's wrong!

"Well, tell River that she should make up her mind, whether she wants me to go to bad early or not!" I mumble, spite burning on the tip of my tongue.

"Your sister is allowed to worry about you, isn't she?" Mum questions.

Even though, the tone she's using implies that she doesn't want an answer, I say," No, she isn't!"

Mum mutters something about me being a hopeless case before exiting the room.

"Your dad and I are going to work, now! See you later, Storm! Have a good day!" she tells me, quickly adding," Be nice to your sister!"

"I'm always nice to her!" I insist.

"Debatable!" Mum murmurs under her breath, loud enough for me to hear.

I stick my tongue out at the back of her head and silently chuckle. Grow up, Storm! Removing my duvet, the morning chill sends shivers down my spine; I need a warm shower! I slip my (currently) warm feet into my comfy slippers, grab my towel and enter the bathroom, shutting myself in.

"Is that you, Storm?" the traitor I have for a sister calls out from downstairs after hearing the bathroom door lock.

Still seething with hurt from the discovery of being betrayed, I don't respond while changing out of my pyjamas and hopping into the shower. The warm water is so relaxing that it leaves me reluctant to turn it off but I remember that if I don't hurry up, I might miss my bus and I certainly don't want River to drop me off today. Practically jumping out of the bathtub, I dry my wet feet with my towel as fast as I can and I ignore that they're still a bit damp when they enter my slippers. Unlocking the door, I dart across the landing, into my bedroom.

Hastily, I struggle into my uniform and school shoes. Grabbing my hairbrush, I brush my hair and spray it with a whiff of hairspray before tying it into a messy bun. I rapidly apply the tiniest bit of makeup and peer at my reflection in the mirror: today's look is acceptable. Checking through my school bag, which was in its usual place: slumped by my door, I found my pencil case, my textbooks/exercise books, my ill-treated copy of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, bottles of lotions and make up and open packets of chewing gum.

Slinging my rucksack onto my shoulder, I dash towards the staircase and slide down the banisters because I'm never allowed to when my parents are home and it's just so much more fun and fast. Unfortunately, an audible screeching sound was created as my bottom skated down the handrail; River now knew that I was downstairs, which ruined my plan of tip toeing out of the house.

"Storm! What have Mum and Dad told you about sliding down the banisters!" my older sister reprimands me and after a few footsteps, she comes into view, frowning.

What is wrong with River, lately? First, she chatted to Mum and Dad that 'she was worried about me'. Now, she's telling me off for something she always does and usually defends me for when our parents are not impressed.

"What have Mum and Dad told you about talking about people behind their backs!" I fire back.

River blushed furiously.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" she persists, her cheek scarlet.

"You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about, RIVER JACKSON!" I shout.

"You are making NO SENSE, STORM JACKSON, SO JUST GO TO SCHOOL!"

NO SENSE? GO TO SCHOOL? WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?

"I'm not going to school until you admit it!" I stand my ground.

"Well, you're just WASTING YOUR TIME! I haven't done anything wrong so you're going to be late for school for no reason!" River yells, starting to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going? I spit.

"UNI! I have to be in this morning and I haven't got time to be wrongly accused by my stupid sister!"

Before I can say anything, River rushes to the front door and a few seconds later, I hear her slam it. I have a traitor and a drama queen for an elder sister!

My phone beeping with a new notification interrupts my train of thought.

Emma: R u taking the bus today?

I check the time that is displayed in the top corner of my screen:

07:56

Ugh! I was spending so much time arguing with River, I lost track of time!

Me: Yh. Pls can u wait for me at the bus stop.

A few moments later, my phone sounds as another notification pops up.

Emma: K but hurry up! I'm not in the mood to listen to Mrs Riley's moans.

Me: K thx, BFF!

Emma: ;)

Me: ;)

I grab my coat, which is hanging on the hooks in the corridor, and stuff my phone in one of its pockets. Unlocking the door, a cold breeze greets me as I sprint to the bus stop and by the time my bus arrives, my body is burning.

"Woke up late?" Emma asks while we take our seats on the bus.

"Something like that," I respond briefly. I can't tell her about the argument I had with River, otherwise she'll end up agreeing with my sister that I hate going to bed early. My BFF is not a fool and will think that I'm behaving strangely and that something's up; Emma will make me spill and I can't because I promised Stella.

"I always want to sleep in on weekdays!" Emma exclaims dramatically.

"Don't we all!" I agree, nodding.

"Did I once tell you how I pretended to be sick and got to have the whole day off school?"

I shake my head and Emma starts to ramble on her learning a trick to faking sickness from a YouTube video for the whole bus journey. When Emma and I exit the bus, I check my phone, which reads:

08:25

"We only have five minutes left!" I announce.

"Ok," Emma says, disinterested. Her pace doesn't increase.

"Can you try walking faster?" I ask," I've already come late once this half term! If I come late today, it'll be twice that I haven't come to school on time! One more time this half term and I'll get a DT!"

Emma chuckles, but it comes out as a harsh sound.

"Wow! This is new! Popular girl, Storm Jackson, actually cares about being on time!" she teases.

Emma has a point! Popular girls never care about being on time for school! I'm a popular girl! I should at least pretend to not put any effort into arriving on time.

"You're so gullible! I was joking!" I lie," Let's walk in slow mo, shall we? We're gonna be late, anyway! Let's have some fun!"

Emma smiles approvingly.

"Now, you're sounding more like the Storm I know!" she accepts.

I breathe a sigh of relief, quietly to not let my BFF hear. It's better to pretend sometimes and be accepted than to show people cracks of your true self and be rejected.

"Ok! Slow mo on one!" I declare," Three...two...ONE!"

At that moment, Emma and I move as slow as snails but never being immobile. By the time we enter our tutor room, we're laughing our heads off.

"Morning!" Mrs Riley greets us grumpily.

None of us return the greeting back because we're still struggling not to laugh.

"I would expect every one of my students, who are late to enter the room quietly as to not disrupt my registration or lesson and to give a sincere apology and a reasonable explanation as to why they're late!" Mrs Riley scolds.

At the same time, Emma and I both shut our mouths.

"Much better! This is a warning that next time you decide to enter my classroom like a pack of animals, you will be sent out! Understand?" Mrs Riley warns.

"Yes, Mrs Riley," we chime together.

For a second, our tutor takes her eyes off us so I decide to discreetly escape to my seat.

"I'm not done with either of you, yet so please return to the front of the room, Storm!" Mrs Riley voice rings out unexpectedly, making me jump out of my skin.

With my head down, my feet shuffle to the area where I was just standing a minute ago.

"Next time you feel the need to sit, Storm, ask for my permission!" Mrs Riley starts her lecture," Now, what do both you and Emma owe me?"

I don't respond and Emma whispers," An apology."

"Sorry, Emma, my hearing isn't the best! You'll have to speak up a bit."

"She said an apology," I answer before adding under my breath," And if you have a problem with your hearing, then go to Specsavers!"

Luckily, neither of them hear me because Mrs Riley continues," And?"

"An explanation," I reply.

"Well, at least you've got something right this morning, Storm! So make it quick!"

Both Emma and I glance at each other and sigh.

"Sorry, Mrs Riley!"

For once, my BFF sounds sorrowful.

"I'm sorry, too. Next time, we won't walk in slow mo to school!" I add, stifling my giggles.

Unfortunately, Emma and my other classmates aren't as good and burst into peals of laughter. I can't say the same for Mrs Riley: her face is turning stormy. It looks like I'm in for it as she opens her mouth but is interrupted by the slam of the door. Everyone turns to see Stella in a state: her face is bare of makeup, her always untangled hair in knots and her uniform so crumpled that it looks like it has never seen an iron.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, Mrs Riley!" she gasps," The car broke down!"

Thankfully, our tutor has completely forgotten about me and now, has her full attention on Stella. Emma and I tiptoe to the seats that Sophie has saved for us.

"Looks like you two had fun!" Sophie comments.

"That's one way to put it!" Emma responds.

Mrs Riley has dismissed Stella, who's approaching her seat at the back. The free seat next to me catches my eye.

"Hey, Stella! Why don't you sit on our table, today?" I call out.

There's a series of mixed reactions around me. Stella looks like she thinks that I've put a piece of chewing gum on the free seat, Sophie looks like I've gone deluded(maybe I have!) and Emma hisses in my ear," Why are you offering that weirdo to sit on our table?"

I smirk. Just earlier this morning, Emma told me to my face that I should have the behaviour of a popular girl. A popular girl never cares about others' opinions if they don't agree.

"If you have a problem, then, maybe you can sort it out somewhere else, preferably not on this table," I tell her as politely as possible.

Emma reddens. That's what you get! I fight off the laughter burning inside of me as Stella places herself on the seat next to me gingerly. I smile gently.

"Thanks for coming late. Emma and I came late, today and you saved us because Mrs Riley was about to tell us off and probably could have given us a DT if you hadn't arrived at that exact moment, right Emma?" I gush gratefully.

"Yeah. We would have been dead meat!" Emma agrees surly.

"It's lucky how your car broke down on the day we came late, huh?" I ignore her sour behaviour.

Stella looks uncomfortable.

"Well, Harry's car did break down but it got fixed so I kinda lied. I over slept and missed my alarm," she explains truthfully.

"You call your dad by his name?" Emma asks.

Uh-oh! I start to bite my nails anxiously, trying to communicate with my facial expressions. However, there's no need because she's already got it covered.

"He's my stepdad," Stella informs her.

That was close! I sigh in relief when the bell rings, signalling the end of registration.

"Oh, look! We all have the same lessons and we're in the same classes!" I exclaim.

Stella smiles.

"Cool!" Sophie comments.

"This day is going to be fun!" Emma remarks but I don't miss the hint of sarcasm...

"£1.50, please," the bus driver tells me the price of my ticket.

I hand her the coins and take an empty seat. I had ran straight out of school so that I can catch the earlier bus: I certainly didn't want to go home with Emma after having to listen to all her complaining when I had invited Stella to spend break with us and to join us for lunch. Speaking of her, a text pops up on my phone:

Emma: Hey, where r u?

Me: Soz, need to get home. On the earlier bus.

Emma: Oh k :(

I plug my earphones into my phone and listen to my Spotify playlist.

-----------------------------------------------------------

I unlock the front door and I'm met with the buzzing of the TV.

"River, are you home?" I call out.

"Yeah!" she replies.

I walk up the stairs and as soon as I enter my bedroom, something doesn't feel right. That's when I notice my bottom drawer isn't completely closed. I open it and check inside; my journal is no longer under my Winnie the Pooh pyjamas but under my Mickey Mouse one. Someone had found my journal and read it...