3

Mia tapped her foot against the thin carpet, noticing how plumes of dust emitted everytime. Gross. The woman sitting opposite her was still reading the print outs Mia had handed her. She scrutinized them through thick-rimmed glasses that made her look more like a mole than a woman. The floral pattern of her blouse was giving Mia a headache, but she couldn’t leave yet.

Finally, the woman who’d introduced herself as ‘Mrs Parkinson’, looked up and gave Mia a faint smile. “Well Miss Fernwood. You appear to have good grades in all your subjects, although you should work on mathematics to level it up more.”

Mia nodded. She’d expected that anyway.

“However, I am concerned that aside from your academic accomplishments, your extra-curricular activities are rather lacking. Remember you should be writing about those too.”

Mia frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, colleges want to see well-rounded applications. Students who demonstrate more than academic value. Your application should also mention your interests outside your studies, such as sports or after school clubs you attend. Even part-time work can support your application.”

“But…why do I need any of that? It’s not like I’m applying to Ivy League.”

Mrs Parkinson removed her glasses and placed them on the desk. Mia could feel a lecture coming on.

“Miss Fernwood. Many more young American’s are applying for university and college these days. Even if you’re not applying to an Ivy League, you’re still competing with thousands of other applicants. You have to make sure you stand out.”

She regarded Mia for a moment, as the young girl shifted backwards and forwards in her seat, avoiding her gaze. “You must have something to add to these applications? I know this is a new school for you, but you must have attended clubs in your previous one? Or part time work?”

Mia shook her head. Outside of school Mia did nothing. She had never had any interest in taking part in anything that was voluntary.

“No. I didn’t.”

Mrs Parkison furrowed her brow and leaned back in her chair. “I see. Well, I suggest you start by joining something soon. Otherwise, you may find that you haven’t been accepted by any one of these institutions.”

Mia rose out of her seat and slung the back pack over her shoulder. There was a tightness forming in her throat that felt an awful lot like the beginning of tears, and she didn’t want to that in front of this woman. “I’ll sort it.” She said stiffly, before placing her hand on the cold metal handle of the door.

“Oh, and Miss Fernwood, I’ve noticed that all your applications are to colleges in Philadelphia. Have you considered thinking about some other locations?”

Mia shot her a cool look. “No.” Then she left the room.

The thought of having to do anything involving other people here made her feel sick. The whole plan was based on retreating to her bedroom as much as possible, not engaging with after school clubs. What did this woman know anyway? Really? She was working in a backwards high school. Mia was sure she wasn’t the best at what she did.

Mia felt so angry that she didn’t even pay attention on where she was walking. This was a mistake, as she knocked straight into a wall of muscle.

“What the hell freak?!”

Mia screwed her eyes up. Not now.

The blonde jock was standing in front of her. Although this time he was alone. Maybe his cronies had been allowed a break from two stepping behind him. Mia noted with annoyance how good looking the meathead really was. Not that he was her type. But she could see why his angular jaw and ocean deep eyes were attractive to most girls. He was wearing the same football jacket as yesterday.

She stepped back a bit, trying to regain composure. A mumbled apology left her lips before she tried to side step him, but he blocked her way.

“What do you want?” She spat. She was in no mood for this mindless jerk.

The jock tutted. “Now now. There’s no need to be snappy. You’re the one who knocked into me. I bet you did it on purpose…” There was a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Hah. Sure, whatever. Now let me pass.”

She tried to move the other way, but he blocked her again.

“I want an apology for yesterday first.”

Mia couldn’t help but let her mouth hang open. “What are you talking about it? Why would I need to apologise to you?”

A smirk crossed his face, causing a dimple she hadn’t noticed before to appear on his left cheek.

“For the dirty look you decided to throw me for no reason. I figure seeing as you now live with my girlfriend, you should apologise. Then we can move on.”

The audacity of his statement made Mia smirk right back at him, as well as crossing her arms in front of her. “Yeah? And what about your apology to me? For throwing my stuff everywhere?”

The jock scoffed. “You started it. You’re the one who needs to apologise.” He leant closer to her, his musky scent filling her nose. “If you hadn’t guessed, I’m kind of a big deal around here. It wouldn’t be smart to make an enemy of me.”

Without thinking, Mia’s index finger was jabbing into his chest. She tried to ignore how solid it felt under her touch. “I know exactly the kind of person you are. And I couldn’t care less. You can shove your apology.”

The look in his eyes was hard to discern. They were clouded with anger, but also something else. Mia suspected he was merely surprised that a girl half his size had stood up to him.

“Yeah? And how the hell are you meant to know who I am?”

Mia’s lip curled. “I know you’re a mindless jock who only probably has the total of three brain cells. One for sport, one for vanity and one for being a dick.”

She hadn’t intended the words to come out so venomous, but she was still worked up from her encounter with Mrs Parkinson. If he hadn’t caught up with her right in that moment, she may have reacted in a different way. She may have even apologised just to get him to go away.

There was a pause as they both glared at each other, neither one backing down. “You better watch your back, freak,” he uttered, his threat delivered with sincerity.

Mia laughed and began to walk away. “My life already sucks, so do your worst!”

Just then, a screech from behind her caught her attention. “Get away from my boyfriend whore!”

Mia turned to see Savannah storming towards them. Great.

Mia crossed her arms in front of her and waited for the irate cheerleader to get closer.

“Tell your boyfriend to stay away from me,” Mia hissed. “He’s the one not letting me by.”

Savannah’s eyes darted to the jock.

“She bumped into ME!” The jock retorted.

Savannah fixed her gaze back on Mia. “You’re pathetic. I bet you did it on purpose just so you could touch him.” The girl got closer, glaring at the girl dressed in black. “Dream on bitch. He’s never going to be interested in an ugly whore like you.” Without warning, she gave Mia a sharp shove, causing her to stumbble backwards.

Mia scoffed and retreated. “You’re both as delusional as each other.”

Savannah watched her new step-sister leave before pulling her boyfriend away. His eyes were lingering on Mia a little longer than she would have liked.