Spencer sat up in shock as the intrusive bleeping of her alarm clock filled all the available space in the room. Groaning, she threw it across the room and tried to get back to sleep but once Spencer was awake, she was awake for good. As she rolled onto her back she tried to remember what she’d been dreaming about – she could remember it was a good dream but not what is was about. As she tried to remember, she flicked on her radio and flinched before turning the volume down. Suddenly it all came flooding back to her – God damn it! She’d been dreaming about Ashley again. Spencer felt as if every single waking moment she had was spent thinking about Ashley and now she had to dream about her as well? Life could be so irritating sometimes. This had been going on for far too long now – over a year. It had all started before Christmas the year before.

Another Saturday in the shit hole that was in fact boarding school. Yep, her mother had sent her to Catholic boarding school. Spencer was excited though, this particular Saturday turned out to be her friends birthday party so a trip to the city for an expensive lunch and lots of drinks. It was going to be great. Spencer made her way into the school chapel for the morning routine of prayers and announcements that all the students had to go through every single morning. As Spencer zoned out and began to day dream she realised she could hear a whispered argument going on behind her. Pushing her hoodie back she tried to listen and managed to work out that it was Ashley and her tutor having an argument about whether or not Ashley could go to the birthday party.

“But that’s so unfair, you’re letting everyone else go and not me for some stupid reason that isn’t even justifiable. It’s just because it’s me. Why do you always pick on me?” Up until this point the girl had just sounded angry but now she sounded close to tears.

“Ashley, I will not sit here and listen to this. If you want to discuss it then come and find me after prayers but you’re not going to that party. I’m quite happy for you to go to the village nearby for a few hours but you cannot go to the city. Now be quiet and pay attention.”