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CHAPTER ONE:

Jennifer Vale might be the best student at Bracket High if there were any good subjects. As her head lolled to the side, she watched the clock praying for it to go faster. Chewing on the end of her favourite pencil, she glanced over at her best friend, Sheryl Deeley. Sheryl was looking considerably less bored as she scribbled away with her glittery pencil.

On your first glance at them, Sheryl and Jenna didn’t look the type to be friends. Sheryl had a sheet of sleek blonde hair. Jenna, however, had scruffy red hair that never stayed in the right place. Jenna’s mom often said her hair suited her personality. That was basically Mom’s way of calling her stubborn again.

When Sheryl caught her friend looking at her, she grinned. Sheryl actually appeared to be having fun in class! She looked at Jenna with a cocked eyebrow and then whispered into the ear of Thomas, one of Sheryl’s friends. Jenna didn’t know Thomas that well. His mischievous eyes glittered as Sheryl slipped a pink note into his hand.

Jenna’s attention spun to the teacher for once, worried she may look back. No worry there, Mrs. Rudder was immersed in her lecture, talking about fractions and quarters like they were the very essence of life. She nodded to Thomas who flicked the note, hitting Jenna on her forehead. After sticking her tongue out at him, she flipped open the note. Sheryl had written in her typical curly handwriting. “I’ve just got to talk to you after school. Sherry”

Pocketing the note, she flashed Sheryl a thumbs-up and a wide grin. Sheryl smiled back, flipping open her math book and looking at Mrs. Rudder sincerely. Jenna knew that look, it was Sheryl’s goody-girl look and all the teachers adored it. Jenna wished her act was half as good as hers.

Suddenly, the school bell pealed into class and woke up all the dozing students, Jenna included and looking disappointed, Mrs. Rudder flicked her hand at the door. Jenna stuffed her notebook and stubby pencils into her bag and chased after Sheryl, hoping to catch her on the way out.

When Jenna caught up, Sheryl twirled round, smiling. Sheryl grabbed her hand and walked down to the lockers. Eyes shining, she looked at Jenna and clasped her hands.
“Well! Guess what?”
Jenna smiled wryly. “You’re going to tell me something important?”
Twirling around with a slight laugh, Sheryl looked back at Jenna, her face red.
“I’m talking about specifically. Come on, have a guess. What do you reckon has made me so happy?”

Looking at Sheryl sarcastically with a mock-prudent look, Jenna stroked her chin. “You know, I haven’t the foggiest idea what’s made you so ecstatic.” Jenna blinked and then went back to normal. “So, what is it?”
“I suppose I’ll just have to tell you,” Sheryl said. “It’s about daddy. Daddy sent us back a postcard from WoopWoopLand telling us he hit the jackpot. Good business or something. But the real good news is that he sent us back a ton of money!” Sheryl paused to giggle. “Mother said we mustn’t overuse money, but, she still gave me a treat. We’re going shopping today in the city! Isn’t it wonderful?” she finished, breathless.

Jenna shook her friend slightly.
”You need to chill out, Sherry.” she said. “I mean, it’s just shopping.”

“Just?” asked Sheryl. “I’m not sure you understand. I’m going into the city. You know, outside this tiny dump of a town.” Seeing Jenna’s strange look, Sheryl sighed, running a hand through her sleek hair. “Why do you look so baffled?” Sheryl added, a frown appearing on her face.

Jenna’s eyes glanced away as she leaned on her locker, her bag on the floor. “Actually, I like it here. Maybe it’s because I’m from here and you travel a lot.”

“Hm, well as they say, each to their own.” She held her nose up in the air for a second before smiling which ruined the look. “But anyway, that doesn’t matter. Point is we’re going shopping this evening in the city and you’re coming with us, Jen!” Sheryl said, bouncing up and down. “Right?”

Smiling again, Jenna gave Sheryl a nod. “Yeah, I’ll go. Here, let’s go outside so I can call my mom. I’ll ask her if I can go out.” replied Jenna.

Sheryl clapped her hands.
“Excellent! I’ll wait for you outside by the car, OK?” And when Jenna nodded, Sheryl bounced down the hallway looking quite pleased with herself.

Jenna ambled down the passage as she put a hand to stifle the incoming yawn. School hadn’t been kind to her lately. Mrs. Rudder had moved onto quarters, Mr. Samson had already started lecturing about the French Revolution. And worse yet – her mother was scolding her for every bit of it.

I mean, it wasn’t like she was in a particularly great school, anyway. Sheryl had already said that much. Bracket High was the biggest school around these parts though. Although school wasn’t necessarily bad but it was boring. Sheryl said more than that – she was always talking about how terrible it was here and how it would be better in a city school.

A hushed cry appeared to come from one of the passage’s crannies. Confused by the sound, Jenna glanced over and immediately froze.

It was Carla Randall and she had just finished off some other kid. Her hair was in its usual tight ponytail and her brown eyes, uninterested. Jenna recognized him, it was a seventh grader called Elton John. His glasses had skittered to Jenna’s foot. Carla strode ahead; looking bored and not waiting for her two lackeys. They followed suit but when they mimicked Carla, it looked strange.

When they were gone, Jenna gave the kid his glasses and then bid him goodbye. Why did Carla get away with these things? Jenna didn’t understand. All she had to do for a detention was doze off in Maths and what did Carla do? Bully smaller kids and take their money! So the one who bullies gets away with it and the one that’s bored of Maths gets detention. Typical.

Jenna was so involved in her own thoughts that she forgot about Sheryl until she came outside and saw her wave. Waving back, although a little hesitantly, Jenna flipped open her phone and dialled her mom. Her phone rung just once before it was answered by the familiar stern voice of her mother.
“Hello, this is Aileen Vale speaking.”
Jenna smiled to herself at her mother’s cordial tone. It wasn’t often that Jenna heard it. “Hi mom,” Jenna spoke briskly. “Sheryl says her dad sent them money because of a big success and she’s wondering if I can go shopping with her... It’s fine, right mom?”

There was a pause from the receiver. Jenna could almost see her mom in her head, hand on hip and frowning like she always did when she thought hard.
“Alright, Jenna.” Her mom said, her voice resigned. “But, you’ll get home by 8:00 on the dot, got it? I’ve heard bad news from the teachers about you, Jenna. You need to study. So, remember. Come home at 8:00 at the latest.”
Jenna’s smile widened as she realized she was actually allowed to go shopping in the city. She’d never done anything like it before. “Thanks, mom!” Jenna said and then hung up.

Bouncing over to Sheryl, she had the same wide grin as she had when she spoke with her mom.

“I’m allowed to come!” Jenna said.
“Oh good,” Sheryl said. “Mother, did you hear that? Jenna will be coming to join us. Isn’t that terrific, Mother?”

Jenna looked at Sheryl’s mom. She was very striking, especially the way her blonde hair pooled over one eye. Her eyes were green and her face was perfectly made-up. When she smiled, her teeth were all white, almost too white.

“That is wonderful news, Sheryl.” She said, speaking with a deep voice. “I am very glad to have Jennifer with us.”

Jenna looked up at Sheryl’s mom a little strangely. No one called her Jennifer. Well, no one besides her mother when she was really mad.

Sheryl’s mom’s car looked brand new and the seats were all made of high-quality leather. Sheryl’s mum raised her eyebrow and looked directly at Jenna’s dirty shoes as she clambered into the seat. Jenna thought she’d never get used to the Deeleys’ love of cleanliness.

Jenna didn’t like cars.
She hated the way it was stuffy inside and the only way to get some fresh air was through the windows, which Sheryl’s mom wasn’t opening. She said something about not wanting the car to get draughty.
“Don’t look so disgusted, Jen.” Sheryl whispered after seeing her expression. “We’ll be there soon. No need to look so tortured.”

Jenna clutched her stomach. She wouldn’t look so tortured if she wasn’t trapped in this car. The trip only took a few hours although for Jenna it took way longer. Stepping outside, Jenna was glad to breathe in the cold air.

The shopping center was much bigger than Jenna imagined. People were bustling about with prams, umbrellas, bags and much more. As Jenna tried to look around and avoid bumping into people at the same time, she saw Sheryl way behind of her. Sheryl rolled her eyes as if she already expected Jenna to go ahead of everybody else. Jenna walked back to the others looking a bit sheepish but Sheryl smiled and waved it off.

Although the sky was darkening, the several shop signs twinkled throughout, catching her eye. A particular shop called Golden Luxury was spellbindingly bright with huge gold letters and a shiny sign of silver and green.

Sheryl first entered a huge clothing store called Goodson’s which was full of designer clothes. Sheryl immediately went to the section with the prettiest dresses although she looked longingly at the more mature clothes in the store. Sheryl’s mom wasn’t interested in her begging, though.

As she tried on various dresses, from flowery to dark and short to long she’d bounce out, red-faced and squeal in happiness.
“Well! How do I look?”
“Erm,” Jenna shook her head frowning, trying to think of a helpful comment. Clothing was not her area of expertise. “You look great, of course.”

But by the time she had said that, Sheryl had already started huffing and raced to find something new.

She eventually picked out a blue lacy dress made of silk. Although she bought the dress, she immediately went into another store, this one bigger than the last and pretty much repeated the same process. After a while, she had three full bags of clothes and went off to a different store.

It wasn’t like the other clothes stores. It was a small shop with a rich blue logo, obviously very fancy. It awed Jenna as she gaped at its oozing fanciness. Sheryl winked at her and then walked into the store with a huge smile on her face. Jenna followed inside, seeing Sheryl rush all over the shop until she finally came back with a small bag for Jenna. “Here you go, Jenna. No need to thank me.”

Inside the bag was a brand new hairclip, wrapped up well. It was bright pink with a butterfly shape that twinkled in the mirror.

Sheryl helped Jenna fix up her hair while facing the store mirror and put up the clip. At first feeling a bit funny, she looked to Sheryl who smiled.

“There now,” Sheryl said happily. “It looks good on you, seriously. And I bet it will keep your hair up during tennis, eh?”

*Jenna smiled at her reflection in the store mirror. True, she did look nice but Sheryl got her these things she *always felt good, no matter.

The sun had gone down by the time Sheryl had become bored of shopping. She had bought snacks, chocolates for Jenna and a special diet candy for herself. Jenna didn’t understand why she was so obsessed with her weight but she shrugged it off as she wolfed down the chocolate.

After hauling the six or so shopping bags in the trunk, everyone got in and Jenna started feeling ill again. All the way, Sheryl was chattering non-stop while doing her nails. “Seriously, wasn’t it fun? I still can’t believe how big it was.”

As Jenna reclined in the seat, trying to take her mind away from her queasiness, she wondered what life would be like in such a big city. Sheryl had been born in a big city but Jenna had always lived in Bracket Town. Sheryl poked her as they drove down the main road. Maybe the chocolate was making her queasy, she thought as her head drooped forward. Sheryl’s mum suddenly stopped the car making it tremble.

“Will you be alright from here on?” Sheryl’s mom asked her. Jenna nodded, still feeling a little dizzy from the ride.

Walking home, she felt numb as she didn’t pause walking. As she walked, she took out the clip Sheryl bought and admired it. She didn’t usually like Sheryl’s accessories, but, this one felt different. And she could use it for when she practised tennis in the yard. That was another one of life’s disappointments; no tennis in school. How did that make sense?

When Jenna had asked Sheryl, she said it was a more “refined” sport so it was only natural school didn’t have it. Jenna didn’t really have a comeback to that.

Sighing, she flipped her bag over her shoulder and eventually made it back to the familiar suburb house, number 68 and knocked on the door. Eventually, she heard mom bustle over and then scold her for being a few minutes by the curfew. She sounded like she was in lecture mode when Jenna yawned and she decided to save her speech and send her to bed.

Thank you! I edited it, though, so it might be different.
The story's all about Jenna going to a new school, a posh boarding school and getting into heaps of trouble by making the wrong enemy. That's all I'll give you about it, though.^^