By Eileen Larkin
“Smelly “ amoung other things were the words that burst out of the horrible , obnoxious , hurtful Jennifer Black, as I reluctantly strolled through the tall dark blue railings of my 20 year old secondary school.She had taunted me for the last year.
In actual fact I love school or well I used to before I was unforchunately discovered by Jennifer.Every day she made my school days horror.It was starting to seep through me as my grades were drifting rapidly downhill.
“Hey! I’m talking to you”she ran over with her two’ pal wannabes’ Stacey and Georgina.She pulled me aggressively to the nearby tall oak tree.The scent of the freshly cut grass and the trunk of the isolated oak tree was smothered by her annoyingly loud voice.She was a medium height , skinny , blonde haired girl who was always the centre of attention.The ringing of the bell saved me from 15 minutes of pain.The nauseating smell of the beautiful oak tree was driftig further away as I swiftly walked to the entrance door for class.I thought I had escaped her for another couple of hours until I noticed her name posted on the sports notice board for our upcoming swimming event to be held in our school.Making it in ahead of Mrs.Doyle I breathlessly answered as she called “Sam Smith” for the roll call.Religion was our subject for the hour and all I could do in my mind was pray for anything to happen before lunch so I wouldn’t have to endure that regulat painful experience I did so unwillingly every day.The day those piercing bright big blue eyes fell upon me was the day my life became an old car that didn’t want to be driven but was anyway.Name calling , pushing , taking my money and making fun of me were just a few of the things Jennifer practiced on me.
You might be wondering why I just don’t tell , but if you knew what the sanction would be , the thought would be so far from the front of your mind you wouldn’t even see it.After embarressing myself in front of my entire year thanks to Jennifer yet again I had finally had enough.The month that lay ahead was about to change and for now it was still a secret even to me .
Walking home slowly wishing that at any moment the ground would swallow me up , there right in front of me I noticed standing tall towering over me was the local swimming pool.As my lips began to curve , I remembered what I had seen earlier on this long , boring day.It was the swimming competition our school was holding for all years.Excitement had filled many classes who only paid their traditional minimum amount of co-operation , the day that student had announced about the competition.Suddenly an idea struck like lightening boltng of an old tree.That bright light shone brightly in my head.I had it.I would enter the competition.Jumping with a grin on my face for the first time , I couldn’t wait to walk through those newly painted red entrance doors tomorrow.
Sam Smith was now printed on that A4 yellow sheet hanging surrounded by many others on the sports notice board.That secret was finally after revealing itself to me and I was now walking an unknown trail.
Those four weeks had gone quickly but I had spent them wisely.Every chance that came I was at the swimming pool do laps after laps.”Sam” my mum would say “ where are you going now” but was after a while was starting to guess.My mum was born in London same as me.She is a beautiful , intelligent , kind-hearted nurse who had the experience of raising me on my own supported me in everything I did.
The day had finally come when I would be free.For weeks everyone thought it was hilarious , me , Sam the tall slender nerdy brunette would never do it.Not caring what they thought I collected my registration number and did some stretches before the race.Jennifer didn’t seem at all nervous but neither was I.Our race was to swim 15 lengths of the pool which was about two and a half kilometers.Stepping up to the line a thrill came over me as I felt the inside of me fill with excitement.The whistle blew.Jennifer dived , she was a swan.It seemed she was going to win.Our last lap and she was still ahead .Rushing past just in time the whistle blew and I had come first.I felt absolutely thrilled , not for winning the race but winning Jennifer.
Out of breath and in shock I turned to see Jennifer her blue eyes filling with water .She knew she had lost.
“Sam” my mum called “come on , the movies are on soon we’re going to be late”. I smiled and lay the photo of me winning the race on my bed remembering that wonderful day I beat Jennifer.Remembering my 1 kilometer to freedom.
In actual fact I love school or well I used to before I was unforchunately discovered by Jennifer.Every day she made my school days horror.It was starting to seep through me as my grades were drifting rapidly downhill.
“Hey! I’m talking to you”she ran over with her two’ pal wannabes’ Stacey and Georgina.She pulled me aggressively to the nearby tall oak tree.The scent of the freshly cut grass and the trunk of the isolated oak tree was smothered by her annoyingly loud voice.She was a medium height , skinny , blonde haired girl who was always the centre of attention.The ringing of the bell saved me from 15 minutes of pain.The nauseating smell of the beautiful oak tree was driftig further away as I swiftly walked to the entrance door for class.I thought I had escaped her for another couple of hours until I noticed her name posted on the sports notice board for our upcoming swimming event to be held in our school.Making it in ahead of Mrs.Doyle I breathlessly answered as she called “Sam Smith” for the roll call.Religion was our subject for the hour and all I could do in my mind was pray for anything to happen before lunch so I wouldn’t have to endure that regulat painful experience I did so unwillingly every day.The day those piercing bright big blue eyes fell upon me was the day my life became an old car that didn’t want to be driven but was anyway.Name calling , pushing , taking my money and making fun of me were just a few of the things Jennifer practiced on me.
You might be wondering why I just don’t tell , but if you knew what the sanction would be , the thought would be so far from the front of your mind you wouldn’t even see it.After embarressing myself in front of my entire year thanks to Jennifer yet again I had finally had enough.The month that lay ahead was about to change and for now it was still a secret even to me .
Walking home slowly wishing that at any moment the ground would swallow me up , there right in front of me I noticed standing tall towering over me was the local swimming pool.As my lips began to curve , I remembered what I had seen earlier on this long , boring day.It was the swimming competition our school was holding for all years.Excitement had filled many classes who only paid their traditional minimum amount of co-operation , the day that student had announced about the competition.Suddenly an idea struck like lightening boltng of an old tree.That bright light shone brightly in my head.I had it.I would enter the competition.Jumping with a grin on my face for the first time , I couldn’t wait to walk through those newly painted red entrance doors tomorrow.
Sam Smith was now printed on that A4 yellow sheet hanging surrounded by many others on the sports notice board.That secret was finally after revealing itself to me and I was now walking an unknown trail.
Those four weeks had gone quickly but I had spent them wisely.Every chance that came I was at the swimming pool do laps after laps.”Sam” my mum would say “ where are you going now” but was after a while was starting to guess.My mum was born in London same as me.She is a beautiful , intelligent , kind-hearted nurse who had the experience of raising me on my own supported me in everything I did.
The day had finally come when I would be free.For weeks everyone thought it was hilarious , me , Sam the tall slender nerdy brunette would never do it.Not caring what they thought I collected my registration number and did some stretches before the race.Jennifer didn’t seem at all nervous but neither was I.Our race was to swim 15 lengths of the pool which was about two and a half kilometers.Stepping up to the line a thrill came over me as I felt the inside of me fill with excitement.The whistle blew.Jennifer dived , she was a swan.It seemed she was going to win.Our last lap and she was still ahead .Rushing past just in time the whistle blew and I had come first.I felt absolutely thrilled , not for winning the race but winning Jennifer.
Out of breath and in shock I turned to see Jennifer her blue eyes filling with water .She knew she had lost.
“Sam” my mum called “come on , the movies are on soon we’re going to be late”. I smiled and lay the photo of me winning the race on my bed remembering that wonderful day I beat Jennifer.Remembering my 1 kilometer to freedom.
