Chapter Text
1st September 2026
Well, it’s finally here. My last first day of school is tomorrow. I said that at dinner and Papa got all pedantic about it. Apparently, it doesn’t really count since I’ll have a first day of uni. I think he just said that to avoid Dad getting upset again. He’s happy for me, of course, but he’s sad that I’m “so grown up.” I guess that’s fair enough. Me being old means Dad and Papa are very old. I tried reminding him that I’m the youngest in my year but that just made him even sadder. Papa said that just means they missed out on a year of me being home so I guess it’s more about that than me making them feel old. I haven’t really thought about it like that. Before year seven, we all thought I’d be home until way after my eighteenth birthday. My nineteenth too, probably, since I was looking way more at London unis back then. Now, we’re missing a year and I want to go to Oxford. Kinda sad, really. I hate making Dad and Papa sad. They know how bored I was before skipping, though, and I know they wouldn’t have wanted me feeling that way just to have me home for another year. Besides, there’s every chance I don’t get into Oxford and stay in London for uni anyway. I won’t move out if I’m gonna stay in the city, there’s no point.
No matter where I end up, I’m very ready to be done with school. It’s not that I don’t love learning and getting to see my friends everyday but I’ve been going to the same school with the same people my whole life, even if I skipped a year. Besides, Clem, Rhys, and I might all end up at Oxford anyway and they’re my best friends. It’s going to be weird when Rhys leaves to start next month but that just gives Clem and I a reason to visit/motivation to revise as much as we can.
Speaking of the trio, we had might be our last hurrah (for now) at Clem’s this weekend. I barely even remember it if I’m honest. If it weren’t for photo evidence (see right), the massive (like giant) bruise on my shin, and the utterly violent hangover I woke up with on Saturday, I’m not sure I’d even believe it really happened. I don’t regret it, though. I clearly had fun, and your best friend only turns eighteen once. Or twice, now that I’ve got two of those (!!!), but Clem’s was loads crazier than Rhys’ since it was in the middle of exams. June birthdays are kind of the worst. Maybe even worse than having one on the most romantic day of the year. We definitely made up for it on Results Day and this weekend, though. Bit annoying to be the only minor left, though, especially when I’m not eighteen for ages: seventeen and a half months. I just remind myself that I wouldn’t be the youngest if I hadn’t skipped and if I hadn’t skipped, I probably wouldn’t be friends with Clem and Rhys. They’re worth it. Plus, that’s two people who can buy me tobacco and papers.
I guess I should try to sleep. I’m waking up extra early to meet Clem at Kaffeine for breakfast. Using Cloud Reverie as my sleepy fragrance so hopefully that works. I wore Love-O-Matic today, see next page for details. My dads always have fun opinions of my scent choices. I’ll have to see what they think of Girl of the Year tomorrow. I’m using her for manifestation. Fingers crossed it works out or I’ll have to pay an Etsy witch. I really need this year to be good. ❤
[Beneath the text on the left is a Polaroid photo taped into the journal with a piece of blue washi tape with white grin lines on it. The photo is of Rosie, taken at Clementine’s birthday party. She’s wearing an oversized checked shirt, ripped blue jeans, and chestnut-coloured mini Uggs and is sitting on the tiled floor outside with a black plastic cup, a smaller blue-grey cup, and an empty water bottle. There’s a brown fence with white panels behind her and she has a cigarette between her fingers. Written below the image in Rosie’s nearest cursive is “Clemmie’s Birthday” with a small heart. Beneath that text, she’s written the date of the party: 28.8.26. Above and to the right of the photo, she’s written “Can you tell how crossed I am?” stylised in all lowercase except for the I with an arrow pointing to the photo. Below that is a small, torn piece of light blue construction paper taped into the journal with darker blue washi tape with white and gold stars on it. The text on the paper is a list titled “Last First Day Playlist” with the title underlined. The songs listed are: You’re Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan, Ribs - Lorde, I’ll Believe in Anything - Wolf Parade, Heroes - David Bowie, Dancing Queen - ABBA, Fifteen - Taylor Swift, Unwritten - Natasha Beddingfield, and Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter. The names of the songs are stylised in all lowercase letters and the artist names are in block capital letters.]