(no subject)

[chess]

1.) What year was it?

My last pre-sixth-form year, so, 2000-1

2.) What were your three favourite bands?

Counting Crows, Embrace, REM

3.) What was your favorite outfit?

Leggings, t-shirts, rugby shirts. I was a size 16; this was before the Christmas where I didn't eat and lost lots of weight.

4.) Who were your best friends?

Sath, Naath, Amy Jordan. There were quite a few other people who didn't mind me by that stage, as well. I think Sophie Hammonds had stopped competing with Amy for the position of My Bestest Friend (as I'd drifted away from both of them) and gone off to have lots of sex and annoy her parents by then.

5.) What did you do after school?

Generally I ran around trying to get all the stuff I needed to take home together without being mauled by the crowds, and then sauntered across the road to be picked up by my mother, who was waiting patiently in her car. (I'm pretty sure it was only sixth form I got the train for, because she stopped working in Chelmsford and got a job nearer to home.) Every now and again I'd be distracted by something and my mother would rage and storm (which she does very quietly but rather seriously) due to having been left hanging around; I had nightmares about it.

6.) Did you take the bus?

Not by then; I took the bus during my first year, until one day there was this creepy guy with a scar across his face who sat next to me and propositioned me, and then followed an older girl off the bus (the driver asked him if he was sure he wanted to get out because this wasn't his usual stop). Then I got driven in; we moved house to the other side of town so it was easier, and found a back way.

7.) Who did you have a crush on?

Nobody at school, really, not by that stage. marnanel, outside school. (I developed teacher-crushes on Miss Anwar and Mr Luxmoore at various points, but I'm pretty sure those were over.)

8.) Did you fight with your parent(s)?

Yes, although they almost won.

9.) Who did you have a CELEBRITY crush on?

I can't remember any celebrity crushes from the time, although I did develop vast crushes on Wesley Crusher, Data and Torres at various points nearby.

10.) Did you smoke cigarettes?

No, I have always detested the things. I didn't even really see anyone smoking because our school was quite strict on it, thank goodness.

11.) Did you lug all of your books around in your backpack all day because you were too nervous to find your locker?

No, and I was scornful of those who did. Our school was quite small enough to get to lockers and back, and I got very upset when my locker was inaccessible for some reason because I have always been a weakling physically incapable of carrying all my books around. Also my mother made me have a satchel bag rather than a backpack because the latter wasn't feminine enough, so it hurt my shoulders and back to carry too much stuff.

12.) Did you have a 'clique'?

Yes (the Ravine), although it was in the process of breaking up at the time.

13.) Did you have "The Max" like Zach, Kelly and Slater?

(Picked up from other entries: "The Max" is a hangout place)
No; I always went home straight after school, and it was a long way from where I lived.

14.) Admit it, were you popular?

I was kind of popular, actually; by Y11 people had given up with the bullying and quite a lot of people seemed to know my name and be vaguely friendly towards me.

15.) Who did you want to be just like?

Myself, except better. God.

16.) What did you want to be when you grew up?

A scientist, and a lecturer. Although I was beginning to be worried about all the standing up.

17.) Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?

At University, precisely where I am, in fact.