The Private School

Starting in a new school is never easy. There a lot of different things about it such as new teachers, new surroundings and new people. Sarina and her mother Nicole had recently moved to the US from Ireland due to Nicole getting a job in a law firm in downtown Atlanta. Moving to Atlanta from Ireland made Sarina feel depressed because she would be leaving all her old friends behind. Sarina was a young girl of seventeen. She had medium-length chestnut brown hair which she kept tied up in a bun to keep it out of her eyes, especially when she would be studying. Her eyes were green like the lustre of emeralds. Her athletic build was from her two years of running with her local team back in Ireland. Nicole was her only parent because not long after Sarina was born, her father ran off with his secretary. As a result of this incident, Nicole had burnt every photo she possessed of him and not long after that she decided to sell her wedding ring to add fuel to the fire. Whenever Sarina asked about her father throughout her youth, Nicole would tell her that he wasn't a nice man until she was old enough to know the truth about him and his infidelities. When anyone asked whether she was married or had been married before, Nicole would say that she had never been married before. It was clear to see that Nicole was trying to erase any existence of her ex-husband from her mind. 

Waking up one weekend August morning, Sarina was looking forward to having the day to herself when her mother knocked on the door. "Sarina, you up kiddo? I know you were looking to chilling out for the day, but before we do that, we have to go get your uniform for school on Monday, this new school you're going to has a big emphasis on the wearing of uniforms. They are also very big on uniform discipline so we'd better get going." About an hour later, they were ready to go to town. Eventually, they pulled up in a nearby car park and got out of the car. The streets were crowded with people, some walking their dogs, others just walking around with shopping bags in their hands which was unusual considering it was only 11:30 am, so they must have really gone on a major spending spree, Sarina thought to herself. Through the hustle and bustle, they made their way down the street to look for the uniform shop. Eventually, after practically fighting their way through the crowds, they arrived at the shop. Opening the door, they heard a bell ringing. At that moment, the manager walked over to them, "good morning ladies, I'm Skyla, how may we help you today." Nicole smiled, her beautiful pearl white teeth on display. "Hi Skyla, my daughter Sarina is starting in Mason Academic on Monday and we came to get her a uniform." Skyla nodded, "follow me."

Walking upstairs, they came to a room where they had the uniforms of various schools in stock. Skyla stood up on a step-ladder and started rummaging around for the uniform. Finding it eventually, she said, "Mason Academic is probably the most prestigious private school in the entire country so we have tons of stock, so much that we have to put some up here too." She handed Sarina a black blazer, a white shirt and a skirt which Sarina thought looked really nice. "Sarina, the fitting room is over there." Sarina nodded and took the uniform in her hand. Getting changed, she emerged from the changing room. She looked at Nicole and Skyla, exclaiming, "how do I look?" Nicole smiled, again her pearl-white teeth showing, "you look great Sarina." Skyla nodded, "I agree, there's one last thing missing." Sarina shuddered with anxiety wondering what this could be. Skyla stood up once again on the step-ladder and started to rummage once more when she exclaimed, "ah, here we are, this is what's missing." Sarina noticed what was in her hand, a blue necktie that looked bizarre to her because she thought to herself that girls don't wear ties. Skyla noticed this concern, "I understand your bemusement Sarina, but Mason Academic prides itself on a uniform standard so every student wears a tie." Eventually, they finished up and went home with the uniform.

Monday arrived like a blur to Sarina. She could not believe that she was starting in some private school that would be filled with students whose parents were probably millionaires. Resigned to her fate, she put on the uniform, and then reluctantly put on her tie which she felt made her look stupid. Eating her breakfast quickly, Sarina made her way out to the car with Nicole. About twenty minutes later, they pulled up outside the front door of the school. Sarina looked around the area, the building was enormous, almost like that of a castle. Getting out of the car, she watched as a group of girls passed her by without blinking an eyelid at her. She noticed there was someone walking around with a woman who was wearing a suit and tie. Overhearing their conversation, "we'd be delighted to hire you." A girl walked over to Sarina, who asked, "why is that woman wearing a suit and tie?" The girl replied, "she's job hunting, she's looking to be the new principal around here, that woman with her is the school chairwoman, Ms Valentine. She's not exactly known to be the friendly type at times, I heard she fired the previous principal because he was embezzling school funds for personal gain. I'm Elena by the way." Sarina shook hands with her, "I'm Sarina." At that moment, Ms Valentine noticed them and strutted over to them with the other woman in tow. "Good morning girls, you must be new here. I am Ms Sarah Valentine, I am the chairwoman of the school's board of directors, and this is Angela Diaz, she's going to be the new principal around here." Angela smiled, "yes, lovely to meet you both Sarah handed them each a booklet, "this is the rule booklet for the school."

Turning to the rules page, Sarina looked at the various rules

1. Students are not permitted to come to school with their top button opened, and their tie must be worn pushed up to their collar at all times.

2. Students shall be courteous to staff at all times

3. The consumption of alcohol on school grounds is strictly forbidden

4. The taking of drugs is also forbidden

5. Students upon meeting the head girl shall shake her hand in respect

6. Hair accessories are not permitted

7. Hair must be a natural colour.

8. No tattoos or piercings. 

9. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated and failure to adhere to this will result in discipline being taken.

10 Chewing gum is not permitted

11. Cheating is not permitted, and anybody believed to be cheating shall have their exam paper torn up

12. Any student wearing non-uniform items shall have the item confiscated and will be returned to them at the end of the school day.

13. The ownership of any item that may cause physical harm to another student is strictly forbidden.

14. The use of phones during the school day is forbidden, but once the school day is over, they may be used

15. Coarse language will not be tolerated

At that moment, the bell rang to signify the start of the school day. Sarina gulped with anxiety, considering the fact that she was in a whole new school. She followed Elena to her first class which was American history. Her teacher Caroline was a young woman of twenty-five, she had recently graduated from college and then did a masters in education. Upon entering the classroom, she noticed Sarina. "Good morning, you must be Sarina, you're the new student here, it's very nice to meet you, I'm Caroline. I see you are already acquainted with Elena so you two take a seat anywhere, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask, but we ask students to raise their hand when asking so that it's not just everyone speaking at once." 

A couple of hours later, it was lunchtime. Following Elena into the cafeteria, they sat down at a table. "Let me give you the lowdown about the place, see the blonde-haired girl with the quiff, that's Eliza, she's Irish like you, but I'd be careful around her. She's the queen bee around this place, people practically worship the ground she walks on. She runs the most popular clique in the school, they call themselves the Beautiful Ones. The girl over at the far table, that's Norma, she's one of the most studious in the school, she and her friends spend practically every free minute in the library. Over on the far right are the football players, not very bright in class, but great players on the field. The near left is the gymnastic team clique, smarter than the football players for sure, and their gymnastic skills are formidable. The music clique are at the centre-left, though the leader, Clara, she and Eliza have a very big rivalry for some reason that I do not know why. The near right is the chess clique, bores the life out of me listening to them. Last, but not least, the teachers. The black-haired one with the hairband, she used to work in some sleazy strip-club before she suddenly had an epiphany and decided to clean up her life which I have to give kudos to. The two teachers at the end of the table, they're married, one teaches Spanish and the other one teaches economics. The grey-haired man teaches maths. You know Caroline from class, she's new around here too, just recently got her masters in secondary teaching. The guy at the other end of the table with the huge biceps, he's the gym teacher, all the girls, especially Eliza, think he's the hottest thing around the place. You'll get to know the other teachers over the term so don't worry."

Sarina then noticed that Elena had gone silent which was bizarre, but her suspicions were confirmed when she saw Eliza making her way over to their table. Elena had a look of disgust on her face that was there for everyone to see. Eliza smiled sarcastically at her, and then exclaimed, "Elena, how rude of you to not introduce your new friend." Outstretching her hand, she exclaimed, "I'm Eliza, it's very nice to meet you." Shaking hands, Sarina replied, "nice to meet you too Eliza, I'm Sarina." Eliza turned to Elena and exclaimed, "Elena, I'm going to borrow Sarina for a while." Elena nodded reluctantly and watched as Sarina followed Eliza out of the cafeteria."

"Sarina, we Irish have to stick together, don't bother hanging out with Elena. you're too pretty to be seen with her, you should hang out with us in the Beautiful Ones." They walked along the corridor which was crowded with students getting their books for their next few classes. Eventually, they arrived at Eliza's locker where there was a bunch of girls standing together. They were gossiping to each other when Eliza cleared her throat. "Girls, this is Sarina, she's our newest member. I would like you to make her feel welcome to our group. Anyone who doesn't will have me to answer to, so be kind to her."

At the end of the school day, Sarina got into the car when her mother asked, "how was your first day of school sweetheart?" Sarina smiled, "it was great Mom, I met this girl, Eliza, she's the queen bee around the school. She even invited me to be part of her clique which was nice."

Should Sarina stick with Elena or become Eliza's second in command?? Me personally, I think the Eliza plot would be more interesting, but let me know what you guys think down below

I agree the Eliza’s second opinion sounds Very interesting

Nicole smiled, "it's great that you're making some new friends Sarina, I knew you would nearly straight away." Later on, Sarina was finishing her homework when her phone beeped, it was a message from Eliza, "great to meet you today Sarina, and again, welcome to our clique, Eliza, x" Sarina replied, "thanks Eliza, lovely to make a new friend, see you tomorrow, Sarina, x"

The next day, Sarina woke up with excitement, she had made a new best friend and was wondering what she would be like as they get to know each other properly. Getting dressed, she looked at her reflection in the mirror with a feeling of pride." About twenty minutes later, she arrived at school where she was greeted by Eliza. As they were walking along the corridor, a girl and three of her friends approached them. Something in the pit of her stomach told Sarina this was not going to be a good conversation. "Well well, you must be Sarina, you're the newest barbie doll in the Beautiful Ones, I always wondered who would be, but I never thought it would be another Irish simpleton like you. I thought having one barbie doll figure in this school was enough in Eliza, but evidently, I was wrong. The name's Heather, and if you cross me, I will make your life here a living hell, do you understand me?" I went to speak when Eliza stuck out her hand, "Heather, you lay so much as a fingernail on Sarina and you will have me to answer to, and by the way, Sarina and I are both proud to be Irish. Now, get moving." Heather knew she was beaten and walked away muttering angrily under her breath.

At that moment, Angela walked over to them. "girls, I heard and saw what was going on, if either of you have any concerns, feel free to step by my office, my door is always open. Your uniforms are looking perfect as always. Angela then noticed a girl who was wearing a different tie and marched over to her. "Excuse me, Marisa, but that tie is not a school tie. You can follow me to my office to get the proper school approved tie, I will not have students flaunting our uniform rules, and when you have the proper tie, you shall close your top button. If I see you again with non-school items, you shall be in detention."

A couple of hours later, it was break time and everyone filled the cafeteria. Sarina was walking along with her tray of food to go over to where Eliza was sitting when Heather bumped into her. Sarina looked at her uniform which was now covered in food. At that moment, the whole cafeteria burst into gales of laughter. Eliza noticed this and ran over to Sarina whose face was flowing with tears. "Eliza, my uniform, my tie, look at my tie." Eliza comforted her, "Sarina, I'm so sorry that happened to you, Heather is a scumbag, she'll pay for this." Escorting her out of the cafeteria, they made their way down the hall. Knocking at the door of Angela's office, they heard her gentle voice exclaim, "come in."

When they walked in, Angela stood up immediately as she noticed Sarina's uniform and the floods of tears on her face. "Sarina, love, what happened?" Sarina gave Eliza a look that seemed to get her to tell what happened. "It was Heather, Ms Diaz, she 'accidentally' bumped into Sarina in the cafeteria and her food went all over her." Angela shook her head in disbelief, "that's appalling behaviour. Sarina, I cannot apologise enough for Heather's behaviour and the embarrassment she just put you through. Here's a new shirt and tie, you get cleaned up, and Eliza and I will deal with Heather." Sarina nodded and walked out of the office with the new shirt and tie. Following her out, Angela and Eliza made their way to the cafeteria where Heather was still replaying the incident for everyone to see. When Angela walked into the cafeteria, the room which was filled with gales of laughter, immediately fell silent. "Heather, get over here this instant!!" Heather gulped anxiously, she knew what was coming next. Reluctantly, she made her way to Angela who exclaimed, "young lady, we're going for a chat in my office this instant."

Returning to the office, Angela sat down in her chair, she was clearly furious. "Heather, before you even attempt to speak, don't. I am absolutely astounded by your behaviour today, how dare you embarrass Sarina like that, she came in here in floods of tears, she was so embarrassed she was  hardly able to speak. As a result of your actions, I am placing you before the discipline court which shall begin after lunch." Heather interjected, "the discipline court? Please, Ms Diaz, not the discipline court, my mother would be furious with me if I was to appear before the discipline court, she is very strict on behaviour at home!" Angela then spoke over the intercom, "all students are to report to the discipline court hall immediately, and are expected be appropriately dressed." She then dialled Heather's mother's phone number, and exclaimed, " Ms Jackson, it's Angela Diaz, the new principal, I am ringing to tell you that your daughter was involved in an incident today in school and she is to appear before our discipline court." Heather's mother replied to Angela that she would be coming five minutes later.