บท 16: Morning

A new day begins.

It was the day everyone hated, Monday.

Helen woke really early to get ready, she had her alarm clock set for 6.30, Athena had it all sorted.

Wake up at 6.30 am

Wake Athena up and get ready by 7.00.

Ask the driver to drop of at 7.25 and reach school at 7.35 am.

Take her sister around the school for a few minutes.

Reach class by 7.55. % minutes early before class starts.

Few of the things did go to plan.

Helen woke up early at around 6.30, she went to wake Athena up and tell her to get ready. But when she went to Athena's room and tried to wake her up,

Athena woke up and immediately sad "go get ready, take your time and I will sleep in more. I know that can get ready quickly. So I am going to sleep in more." Helen had to agree and went to get ready.

When Helen had finished her breakfast without any haste, she saw that it was almost leaving time. She was just about to call her sister when she saw Athena walking downstairs in slow and steady steps.

"We are going to be late, hurry up." Helen reminded her sister.

Athena on the other hand knew they had time and there was no use going to school early. But looking Helen and her eagerness to go to school, Athena relented.

She picked a slice of bread and put an apple into her school bag.

Helen afterwards insisted that she eat peacefully at the dinner table, it didn't matter if they were a few minutes late.

But Athena just walked straight to the car with Helen alongside her.

Inside the car Helen talked quite a lot, and in reply Athena nodded or smiled while finishing her slice of dry bread.

The two siblings were still early and had time to look around the school.

…

Helen was in her class a few minutes early and was now talking to her best friend Sara. Sara had been there for her when she needed her the most, after her mother's death, their relationship had only grown more closer. Sara was there to comfort her when she was at her worst.

Sara told her about her sister, leaving out the bad stuff; for eg. the possible killing, the planning and revenge scheme by her sister.

Sara disapproved of Athena, "Are you sure she is all that nice, I mean you don't even know her that well. What if she is faking her concern and care for you?"

"She wouldn't" Athena had full trust in her sister.

"Anddd. How do you know that? How are you certain." Sara was just worried for her friend. She knew Helen. Helen was kind hearted girl, she was smart, but when it came to emotional blackmail or anything to do with relationship, Helen could be easily manipulated.

"When you meet her you will know, that she is actually very nice." Helen retorted.

Afterwards the teacher came and they had to take out their books to start their school work. They had math first thing in the morning on Monday for the whole semester. Quite a 'good' way to start of your week..

…

Athena's day wasn't the best.

When she had entered the class, many of the students were already there, there were only a few desk left.

The class was about to begin soon, so the teacher would be nearly here.

Athena didn't really care about school, she thought of providing average result and finish school without any complications.

But god actually seemed to go against Athena, because everyone noticed Athena at first glance. Athena was a new student at the school, who joined mid-term and therefore many people noticed her. Other reason, people had heard about Athena and her mother.

Athena had sat down and she was putting her bag under her table, someone kicked her bag. "Hey, Oi, you are the girl whose mother just married into...ahh what's that girl's name?" A rude looking boy with dirty boy started to create trouble for Athena.

"Helen" Another boy at the back said.

"Oh ya, Helen, You are the illegitimate daughter. Helen's father had an affair with your mother and then she had you. You and your mother are quite the schemers." The boy with dirty blond hair said. The boy just wanted to get into someone's business and mess around.

Athena ignored the young boys. She really didn't want to create any issue.

The boy was annoyed at Athena's lack of response. He was getting really mad at her for not replying to him. ``how dare she ignore me?' The boy was going to do something more reckless. But he heard someone yell "The teacher is here. Quick get to your seats."

Everyone started moving and settled into their own seats.

The boy with dirty blond hair wanted to do something, but couldn't and had to get back to his seat. Athena's desk was at the middle but to the right corner. It was an average looking seat and Athena found it quite comfortable in that area.

The teacher who had just walked in was in his early 40's. He welcomed everyone back to school. "Hey guys, welcome back to school. Hoped you had a good holiday break." The same old welcome back and tired speech of working harder, to finish school at a good note.