We've been on the train for two and a half hours, so I've spent that time making conversation with Rachel. She isn't bad actually, but I feel guilty being friends with her because of her relationship with Emma's ex.

Maybe I should rest my eyes for a few minutes. After all, I'm tired.

Suddenly, Michael – yes, Michael that I hate – comes to my mind. It isn't even his entire face, though. Just his eyes. They're haunting me. Everywhere I turn; no matter where I look. They're always there.

"Becky!" Rachel calls.

My eyes snap open. "What?"

She points outside the window and chuckles at me. "We're here," she says.

A polite smile forms on my lips. "Thanks"

Jeesh, time goes fast, doesn't it?

Grabbing my suitcase and coat, I head off the train. The entire time, Michael has been sitting on the opposite side of the aisle, just diagonal to where I previously sat. I move out into the aisle of the train; but just as I go by Michael, he decides he wants to get off too. Wanting to avoid him, I try to get out the way before he moves out into the aisle, but it fails and I bash into him. He gives me a dirty look.

Jeesh, sorry pal.

Shrugging it off, I walk further down the aisle until me and Rachel are off the train. We brush ourselves down, and look around. The building is huge. It's white, and almost palace-like. It has big columns holding it up. I stare at it in amazement. It's huge.

I turn around to talk to Rachel, but she isn't there. Instead, my eyes meet Michael's. I swear to God; why must they always be there?

To rid my trance, I shake my head, before walking towards the group of students that already got off the train. Once I'm there, the leader smiles.

"Oh, a new member! Hello. What's your name?" he asks.

"Becky Costello," I say nervously.

The leader takes out a clipboard. His eyes scan the page. "Ah, Costello! Yep, you're with me. I'm Joe. I'm your tour guide for the next couple days. I'll be showing you around the school, and where your lessons will be," he explains.

Feeling a little relieved that I won't be forced to learn the way around myself, I nod in understanding. Rachel eventually arrives, standing next to me as she looks up at Joe.

"Rachel Scarlettson," she says. It's like she knew she had to say her name.

Joe ticks her off the list and turns around. "For a start, this is the school; the main building where the majority of your lessons will take place," he says, pointing at the building. Before he continues, footsteps approach behind. "Oh, another student. Name?"

"Michael Jackson," he says, then his line of vision comes to me. Uh ...

"Right, let's start the tour," Joe says.

We all follow him as he shows us the Math block, the English block, Science, Humanities, Design, Drama and Dance – all the subject areas. Eventually, we come to the place we're going to stay.

"You're all gonna have people in your apartments; there will be groups of 4 in each. You'll all have to get along, so I hope no one is enemies here ... " Joe explains.

"Ok, apartment 1A. Jackie Smith, Liz Reynolds, Sapphire Potter and Joanne Taylor," Joe says.

He goes through every group, until 7D comes. Based on the names that haven't been called out, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to be in the same apartment as a certain enemy of mine. Please, don't let that happen.

"In apartment 7D: Rachel Scarlettson, Becky Costello, Elliott Sikes and Michael Jackson," he says.

Of course; it just had to be! I really don't believe this. Why?

"Sir, you've got that wrong ... You must have got it wrong ... " I protest weakly, already knowing it's not wrong in the slightest.

Joe looks up and smiles at me. "No. I read them all correctly Miss Costello," he says politely.

Honestly, I feel like dying right now. Spending a year with Michael Jackson? There's no way I'm going to survive this, I swear.

Face-palming, I look over at Rachel, who is smiling. I'm just hoping it's because she's in the same apartment as I'm in.

"That's good," she mouths to me, not wanting to interrupt Joe, but wanting me to know she's cool with spending the year with me.

"I know," I mouth back.

When Joe has finished talking, he hands each group their apartment keys. I'm given 7D's apartment keys, so I keep them in my pocket. Elliott, Rachel, Michael and I all make our way up to the apartment.

I assume Michael has made friends with Elliot; they're walking together.

Once we're at the apartment, I unlock the door. Michael pushes me out the way to be the first person inside. Oh, how mature he is. He's already starting something with me.

Getting over the frustration of Michael barging past, I enter second. Then Elliott, and finally Rachel. We unpack our things; Rachel takes the bed next to mine; Elliott is the other side of me; and Michael next to Elliot.

Good. I want him as far away as possible.

Once I've found my photograph of my family and Emma, I place it on my bedside.

That's the only reminder I'll have of happiness for the next year.

~~

-Edited December 10, 2016-