Postby Headmistress » Sat Sep 05, 2015 5:21 am
Erica continued showing Alison around the school until they reached the very last destination, which was the sick bay. Erica had saved it for last as she loved the sick bay and it was her place of solace. In fact, it was her favourite place in the school because she often went in there to escape from her class when school got to be too much. The sick bay was rarely used, so it was a perfect place to hide out.
Erica said, "This is the best place in the school. It's always quiet, so you can go in here whenever you like." She gestured to the white door with the sign on the front that spelled out "SICK BAY". Alison said, "A sick bay?" Erica's smile faded. "You don't like the sick bay?" Alison smiled nervously. "It's just that...germs sort of gross me out." Erica said, "Fine, come on then. We should go back to class."
When Erica and Alison arrived back at their classroom, Miss Belmont had already started the first lesson, which was history. "Ah, we've started history. If you can sit down and get your books out, we'll begin discussing the lesson." Erica and Alison slid into their seats and Erica got her history book out while Miss Belmont handed Alison a history textbook.
Miss Belmont walked back to the front of the class and said, "Now, class. Can anyone tell me about the Australian Gold Rush? When was gold first discovered and who found it?" The class remained silent. Erica knew why. While the class did their work for Miss Belmont, they rarely put their hands up because Miss Belmont was well-known to be strict towards people who got the answers wrong. Even Erica rarely put her hand up. Then she saw that Alison's hand was slowly going up.
Miss Belmont said, "Alison?" Alison said, "Um...I think it was Edward Hammond Hargraves and Lister who discovered gold on February 12th, 1851?." The class stared at Alison in surprise. Alison laughed and said, "I only know that because we did a bit on it at my old school." Then she flushed and looked down. Miss Belmont said, "Oh! Well, that's correct."
Over the next week, things got progressively worse for Erica and she started to dislike Alison more and more. Not only did Alison Ashley quickly prove herself to be intelligent, her work quickly surpassed Erica's. The Student of the Month wall, which had previously been full of Erica's work was gradually replaced with pieces of Alison's work. Alison was also exceedingly good at sport, had a wardrobe of beautiful outfits and bought delicious lunches to school every day. Erica's only hope was that Alison wouldn't be any good at acting because the camp play was the one thing that she was looking forward to. Erica had always known that she wanted to be an actress and this was her one chance to prove that she could act.
On the morning of the day that they left for the school camp, everyone arrived and gathered at the front of the school with their bags. Miss Belmont was already there dressed in an army jacket and dark blue jeans with black boots. She said, "Right, everyone. Mr. Kennard, Miss Lattimore and I will be supervising this trip. I've organised a bus to pick us up from here. When the bus comes, I want you all to get into an orderly line in twos and file on QUIETLY."
Erica knew perfectly well that nobody was going to be orderly when they got on the bus and took a place at the back of the crowd. She noticed that Alison Ashley had done the same, so they were lingering at the back of the line. It was strange. While Alison was pretty, well-dressed and smart, she hadn't made any proper friends at the school yet. She didn't seem to fit in any of the groups and never joined any of them at lunch or talked to them. If Erica hadn't disliked Alison so much, she might have felt sorry for her.
When the bus arrived and the doors opened, Erica noticed curiously that the windows had all been covered with black material, so that the inside of the entire bus was dark. She noticed a couple of students looking at it too. Miss Belmont seemed to read their minds and said, "Everyone, in case you are wondering, the bus windows have been covered because the camp this year is in a secret location. This is because I happen to know that a few of you ran off last year, so this should prevent that from happening again. Now, get on the bus!"
As Erica had expected, everyone instantly ran for the bus doors. She hung back and let everyone else force their way inside and noticed that Alison Ashley was also lingering behind. When everyone was inside, Mr Kennard and Miss Lattimore entered the bus and Miss Belmont entered after them. Just as Erica and Alison were about to get on the bus, Miss Belmont stepped out of the bus again and said, "Wait!"
Erica and Alison paused and looked at each other in surprise. Miss Belmont said, "Girls, there is a shortage of seats on the bus and there isn't any room for the three of us. However, I do have my car here, so you two will be coming with me to the camp. Bring your things and we'll go to my car now." Without a word, Erica and Alison picked up their bags and followed Miss Belmont away from the bus. Erica was dismayed to see the bus pulling away. She had been looking forward to the trip. Now she was stuck with Alison Ashley and Miss Belmont.
After a couple of minutes of walking, the three of them reached a large red sports car that had been parked inside the staff parking lot. Miss Belmont produced a set of keys from the pocket of her jacket and said, "Put your things in my trunk. She opened her car trunk and Erica and Alison placed their bags inside before Miss Belmont put her own inside. That was when Erica noticed that there were several loops of rope and bandanas lying inside the car trunk.
With dread, she saw Miss Belmont take them out of the trunk and place them on the ground. Alison Ashley was also looking at them with a puzzled expression.
Erica realised that Alison must not know what Miss Belmont was like yet. Miss Belmont said, "Now, as I mentioned back there, this year's camp is at a secret location. I'm well aware that you two girls are my best students. However, I can't give you two special treatment, so I'm afraid that you are going to have to be restrained, blindfolded and gagged for the trip to ensure that the camp location remains secret..."
Last edited by
Headmistress on Tue Sep 08, 2015 5:49 am, edited 3 times in total.