Storm's POV

The clock noisily ticks away but why does it feel like time is standing still? My mind is in this lesson but at the same time, why does it feel like it's somewhere faraway? Miss Cooke is stood at the front of the classroom, teaching, but why is there no sound coming out of her mouth? Even though I'm not paying attention to what my classmates are gossiping about, I already know what it is without even having to listen to them.

The incident. At the start of break, I had accompanied Sophie to the canteen, where she had bought herself a bowl of nachos and I had got myself a drink. Because I was really thirsty, I ended up drinking all of it in one go, which then made me feel the urge to use the toilet. I told Sophie I'd be back and she simply nodded and walked over to where Georgia and her friends had found us a spot to hang out.

To be honest, I was glad that I had consumed all of that drink as I did because if I didn't have to use the toilet, I would have to spend those few minutes extra with Georgia and those parrots she calls her friends.

If you find her so annoying, why didn't you defend Stella this morning when she and Georgia were at each other's throats?

Don't make me feel even more guilty than I already am and regret it that I chose to go against Stella. Isn't that part of life? To make the hardest of decisions?

It shouldn't be so hard to choose whether or not to betray your friend! A true friend wouldn't have to think twice!

Maybe because that true friend isn't popular and has to think about her reputation that is at stake.

I thought you had changed, Storm, but you're still the same selfish girl who always puts her needs first before the needs of others!

While having a battle with myself, I open the door of the girls' toilets and find what I wasn't expecting to see. Stella, her eyes red from crying, is punching the wall with what seems like all the strength she has.

Why is she doing that?

The answer is on the wall she's punching at. Someone has written:

STELLA JOHNSON IS A MURDERER

Oh no! What do I do?

I run out of the toilets and shout the loudest I've ever shouted," I NEED HELP HERE!"

I don't wait to see if someone has heard me and is coming; I run back into the toilets and try to stop Stella from punching the wall but she's incredibly strong.

"Stella, please, stop! It won't help!" I beg.

"Storm? What's going on?" a voice from outside the girls' toilets' door asks.

I don't hesitate to open the door and discover Miss Cooke standing behind it, concerned. She must have been about to go onto the playground for break duty when she heard me shouting. As if in answer, Stella whimpers but she continues to punch the wall relentlessly. Miss Cooke's eyes rest on the figure, who's still attacking the wall, and jogs towards her. Fortunately, our English teacher is stronger than Stella.

"It's ok, I can manage her!"

With saying that, Miss Cooke leads Stella out of the toilets, followed by me.

"Storm, go back outside! Don't worry, I can handle this!" our English teacher instructs me to do after turning around to find that I'm still here.

"But-"

"Now, Storm!"

I don't dare try to argue again because Miss Cooke can be intimidating when she wants to be so I scuttle outside. Sophie is still with Georgia in the same place they were before I had gone to toilet; I approach them.

"There you are, Storm! We were debating whether or not we should send a search party for you!" Sophie jokes but the smile leaves her face after noticing the look on my face," What's wrong?"

"It's not my place to say," I respond.

"We won't tell anyone else," Georgia coos.

I shake my head. After everything I've done to her, I owe this much to Stella to not tell our classmates about something she would want to keep private, even though we both know sooner or later, people will start talking.

"Storm! Are you with us?"

Miss Cooke's voice brings me out of my thoughts and she's not the only person staring at me: the whole class has joined her.

"Pardon?" I don't know what else to say.

"What did I just say?" Miss Cooke questions, unimpressed.

What is it with every teacher asking that same question to the student not paying attention? Was it something they were taught when they were training to be teachers? I'm tempted to make an inquiry but judging from the look on my English teacher's face, she wouldn't be pleased.

"Uh-"

"Don't make me ask you to pay attention again, Storm!" Miss Cooke snaps and continues teaching.

Sitting up straight, I try to catch up on what I missed when I was in my own world and push out any thoughts that aren't related to the lesson out of my head.

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

The class has just finished packing away when the bell rings.

"I'll see you next lesson, class!" Miss Cooke dismisses us.

Just as I'm about to leave through the door, my name is called:

"Storm! Can I have a word with you?"

Oh gosh! That's not a good sign: whenever a teacher wants to talk to me in private, it means I'm in trouble!

"Sure," I say, trying to look calm.

"Storm's in trouble!" one of the boys exclaims mischievously.

"The only people who will be in trouble will be the ones who thinks they're funny by making unnecessary comments!" Miss Cooke threatens.

The threat works because in a few seconds, the door slams after the last person leaves the classroom.

"Am I in trouble? Because if it's about me not being attentive in today's class, I promise to try to concentrate more in future lessons," I rush to speak.

"You're not in trouble, Storm. However, the chat I want to have with you is about you not having 100% focus," Miss Cooke tries to reassures me but I'm still not completely calm.

"I've noticed you seemed a bit shaken after what happened at break," she continues.

This teacher is much more observant than I thought!

"I'm worried because I have no idea what's going on. She should have attended this lesson," I voice my worries.

Miss Cooke bites her lip and I can't shake off the feeling that she knows something I don't.

"Miss...?"

"I was told to keep this information confidential," Miss Cooke whispers.

"What information? Please tell me, Miss Cooke! I know how to keep my mouth shut!" I plead.

"No, Storm! Go to your next lesson! You're already late!"

Since she's been teaching me since September, I would expect this teacher to understand that when Storm Jackson sets her mind on something she won't stop until she gets it. Pulling out the chair I had been sitting in during the lesson, I casually take a seat.

"Don't be disobedient!" Miss Cooke raises her voice, frustration glinting in her eyes.

"I wouldn't have to be disobedient if you would just tell me what's going on," I reply confidently.

"You ask too many questions!"

"If I remember correctly, you always encourage as to never hesitate to ask questions."

I've won; Miss Cooke doesn't respond.

"Stella has been suspended."

What? That wasn't what I was expecting!

"You can't be serious!" I exclaim, shocked.

"I wish I wasn't. She's won't be in for three days," Miss Cooke explains.

"Mrs Barry has gone crazy!"

"Shush! Don't talk about your head teacher like that! Now, you better get going! Whoever's supposed to have you now won't be happy when you arrive late."

Out of gratitude for telling me what has happened to Stella, I leave the classroom without another word and rush to the gym for PE. I tell the grumpy teacher the reason I'm late(which makes him even more moody) before going to the girls' changing room to get dressed into my PE kit.

The lesson goes by slowly because we're playing one of the most horrible sports: rugby. When the lesson is finally over, I get dressed into my uniform faster than when I change into my PE kit because lunch is next. I'm dressed on time and hurry to the canteen. While I'm in the corridors, someone calls my name:

"Storm!"

It's Noah. I fidget as I wait for him to catch up with me.

"I heard what happened at break-"

"Noah, if you want more tea to go tell your friends, who will go round twisting the original version, you're out of luck!" I interrupt him mid-sentence.

"I just came to see how are you and Stella."

"I wouldn't know how she is."

"I thought you were in most of her classes."

"I am. She didn't come back to class since the incident."

"Do you know what has happened to her?"

"No," I lie, remembering the promise I made to Miss Cooke.

Hoping he's taken the hint that I want the conversation to end, I'm about to walk away but his voice stops me.

What does he want now?

"How are you?" Noah asks.

"Fine," I simply state with a one-word answer.

"You just seem a little bit on edge."

"Maybe it's because as I'm wasting my time here talking to you, I won't find anything good to eat at the canteen."

Noah raises his eyebrow. I do sound on edge, don't I?

"Is there anything else on your mind?" Noah questions, knowing me too well.

"No."

Second lie today!

"I'm sorry for bothering you! You can go get your beloved lunch! If you hear anything about Stella, can you tell me?" Noah asks apologetically.

I can't keep on lying like this!

"There is something," I blurt out.

Sorry, Miss Cooke! Noah smirks. That sly fox did that on purpose!

"If I tell you, you need to keep your lips sealed," I whisper.

"You won't hear a peep from me!" Noah assures me.

"Stella's been suspended for three days."

"WHAT?" Norah exclaims and I hit him hard on the arm. He grimaces and apologises.

"Where did you find this out from?" Noah half-questions, half-whispers.

"I think the person would appreciate it if I kept their identity a secret," I answer.

Noah nods thoughtfully while saying," Makes sense!"

"Whoever wrote about Stella on the wall will pay!" he hisses.

"I'm not completely innocent," I mutter.

"You did it?"

"No, of course not! But this morning, Stella and another girl were in an argument and I didn't defend Stella. I probably won't ever get a chance to say sorry!"

"You will get a chance," Noah tries to console me.

"How? She hates me!"

"That's not true-"

"It is! She told me that! I make her sick!"

Suddenly, my eyes start to water. No, Storm, whatever you do, you can't cry! Storm Jackson is way too strong to cry in public! I'm not. Tears start to fall and unluckily, Noah notices before I get the opportunity to wipe them away.

"Oh, Storm!"

He seems uncomfortable; I've never cried at school before so this is very strange for him.

"Stella hates me, too! We ran into each other this morning and she called me a coward," Noah sulks. I think he's trying to make me feel better but instead it makes me feel even worse. You wouldn't have had to be Albert Einstein to notice the chemistry between Noah and Stella at McDonald's so if she's angry at him, I don't want to even imagine how much hatred she has for me.

"I better start going. I'm going to blame it on you if I don't get my beloved lunch," I state, wiping away my tears and replacing my miserable expression with a smile, hoping that my tone sounds as cheery as I want it to be.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"Of course! We all get a bit emotional sometimes! See ya!"

Noah says bye to me and leaves to go in the opposite direction while I speed walk to the canteen. For the first time today, something seems to be on my side as I manage to get the last bowl of my favourite type of pasta they serve at school. During the time I was talking to Noah, I didn't lose my appetite and don't hesitate to start eating when I pay for my meal. As I leave the canteen, I bump into Sophie.

"How have you just got food? You literally dashed out of the changing room when the bell went!" she exclaims, surprised.

I shrug and my BFF suggests to go find a bench for us to sit on.

"Actually, I was hoping to have a bit of alone time," I say.

"I've barely seen you today!" Sophie pouts.

"I'll make it up to you, ok?"

"Fine!"

I watch her approach a group of girls near us before entering the building. I don't know where to go but I continue walking and pass the library.

"Would you like to come in?" Mrs George asks.

"No thanks," I reply.

"You know, most children in this school think that a library is just for books but they're wrong."

Doesn't the definition of library involve the word 'books'? Is this librarian contradicting the Oxford English Dictionary?

"Over the years, I've noticed that at this school there's not many places you can go to when you need quiet or alone time so I thought why not make the library one?" Mrs George continues.

"I guess I can come in for a bit," I relent and enter the library which makes the librarian smile. She suggests for me to take a seat on a comfy sofa and I don't refuse the offer.

I should learn not to judge a book by its cover! It's not too bad here; I can see why people like to come here!

I ignore the looks I'm receiving from the other students. They're not used to seeing someone as popular as me coming here. For the first time since I started at Minehead Academy, I'm having a moment where I don't care about my reputation and I'm not letting other people's opinions influence my actions. I let my mind drift away...

"Storm!"

Someone's voice brings me back to reality. It's Sophie. Seriously!

"Sophie, what part of 'I was hoping to have a bit of alone time' do you not understand?" I bark at her.

"There's no time for that! There's a fight!"

This girl, honestly! She just had to interrupt a relaxing moment for me over a fight that's probably between the Year Eleven boys.

"It's between Noah and Liam."

If I had a food or drink in my mouth, I would have choked.

"Noah and Liam in our year group?" I double check that there's no misunderstanding.

"Nah then, it's Noah and Liam on the other side of the planet! Yes, of course, it's the Noah and Liam in our year group!" Sophie snaps.

I gather my belongings and follow her out of the library while saying bye to Mrs George who tells me to come again.

"What's going on?" I question.

"Apparently, Liam, Jonah and Oliver dared a few girls in our year group to do the graffiti about Stella. Noah had no clue about it so when he found it, he got angry. Liam said it was a harmless joke and Noah punched him so Liam retaliated," Sophie explains in a rush so some of the words are difficult to comprehend.

We enter the chaotic playground and my BFF jogs over to a nearest friendship group to receive an update.

"Stupid teachers! If we had just come one second earlier, we could have seen some of the fight before the teachers got involved!" Sophie mutters under her breath.

For the rest of lunch and the last lesson of the day, Noah, Liam and Stella are the subjects of all the gossip. Everyone is guessing that the boys are suspended because it's not the first time they've been in trouble(although the fight is the most serious forms of their misbehaviour). Today has been a long day so I feel even more free than usual when I exit through the school gates at the end of the day. As soon as I turn my phone on, I text Noah:

Me: Is it true that you've been suspended???

Noah: Yh

Me: U shouldn't have let Liam get to u! Mrs Barry would have already been in a bad mood after suspending Stella

Noah: Soz :(

Me: So I won't see u for three days :(

Noah: Yh :(

Stella and Noah are suspended! This has been the loneliest I've ever felt. I look up from my phone and notice Emma a few metres away. I walk over to her.

"Stella and Noah are suspended! I bet you're thrilled with yourself! You just had to post about Stella on Twitter!" I comment.

"It wasn't me that posted about Stella," Emma defends herself.

Why can't she just admit it? 

"Then, how come the account that tweeted about her is yours?" I question.

"I swear, Storm, it wasn't me!" Emma resists.

I walk away, deciding that I can spend the day more wisely rather than wasting my time with a liar.

Then, why did some part of you believe her?