I sit at the back of the hall hiding behind my goth black fringe and pick at the hole in my tights.

“So stupid” I mutter to no one in particular. Jayden nods at me earnestly “Yeah such a waste of time”.

Endlessly the bouncy blonde Felicities, Andrews and Mary-Janes almost gleefully dance up to the raised platform where the teachers are waiting to hand out the special merit awards.

“What a bunch of losers” I say to him as I inspect my chipped black nail polish and grimace, I can’t watch the endless parade of perfect blonde kids with perfect white teeth.

When suddenly Jayden nudges me in the ribs “It’s you, you idiot”

The teacher smiles at me “Guess you didn’t hear us at the back” he says kindly through the microphone “But our prize for winner of the poetry competition can only go to Ruth Southern for her wonderful ‘Black is The Colour of My Thoughts’ which the judges unanimously agreed was the winner - come on up Ruth”

The noise of my chair scraping back seemed so loud, do you think my blushes showed through the white make up? I don’t know and to be honest I don’t care. That little trophy is the most important thing in my world.