Lenny Mass's Branhal School Diary - Monday 1 December

Monday 1 December:

I got on the bus this morning, and sat, like I always did, next to Nettie.
I turned to say good morning, and nearly jumped. My poor friend's face was covered in huge red blisters, and she was in tears.
"Nettie, what happened?"
"I tried to tell my mum about what was going on at school," she sobbed. "She told me to stop silly. In a couple of hours, these red blisters appeared." She scratched at her face, like a dog with fleas. "I think it's chickenpox."
I was angry. "And your mum still made you go to school?!"
She nodded. "It was like she couldn't see them. I told her to look at my face, and she said it looked normal." Fresh tears rolled, and I hugged her.
When we got to our form room, Mrs Pinch hadn't arrived yet. Everyone rallied round Nettie when they saw her face. The twin both embraced her in a hug.
"Net, you should be home in bed," one Adam said.
"I'm surprised you were allowed out of the house," said the other Adam.
"What happened?" Matthew asked.
"She told her mum about our new teachers," I explained. "Her mum didn't believe her, then when she suddenly developed chickenpox, her mum couldn't see the blisters."
"I think one of our new teachers is behind this," Wendy said.
"IS THAT SO?" came the military voice of Mrs Pinch. "And who is the victim of chickenpox?"
"Me," Nettie replied, timidly.
A smirk flickered on Mrs Pinch's face. "Your name's Jeanette Scoot, isn't it?"
"Yes, but everyone calls me Nettie."
"Well, I'm not everyone. I think it's silly when people shorten their names. Now, you told your parents about your new teachers, yes?"
Nettie nodded.
"I did warn all of you that your parents wouldn't believe you. Let the chickenpox be a lesson to you, Jeanette."
"I think she needs to home," Wendy said, as Nettie continued to scratch.
"Do you?" Mrs Pinch glared. "Well, I am the teacher, and your opinion doesn't matter. Now sit down, all of you, so I can take the register."

Poor Nettie couldn't stop scratching all day. By the time we went home, she was placed in ten different detentions, and  was given lines to write at home: "I must stop scratching loudly in class."
On the bus home, she burst into tears, panicking about doing her homework and  her lines. I was disgusted at the way people who called themselves teachers could treat one of their pupils like this. Especially when that pupil happened to be one of my best friends.

Something's got to be done. And it's up to me, Nettie and the twins to do it.

Goodnight,
Lenny
:D