The next morning, Katie woke up shivering. It was always cold in her room, but this morning seemed worse despite it being April. She rushed to get into her school uniform, but the cold air still attacked her from all sides.

"I wonder if dinosaurs have something to keep them warm?" she wondered aloud.

Katie carefully removed Fred from her bedroom wall and put him into her schoolbag between her books. She had wanted a unicorn one for her birthday, but they were quite expensive and her mum thought it was a waste of money.

"Your purple one will do you until the end of next year. You've got enough unicorn things as it is," Gillian had said.

"At least it's sparkly," she now whispered to herself.

Katie crept down the stairs quietly. It was quarter to eight, not early on a school day according to adults, but very early according to Katie. Her parents weren't even up yet, and if she was quick, she might have 45 minutes to herself before leaving to go to school. Now in the tiny but spotless kitchen, she grabbed an orange for her break. Now, what to have for breakfast?

"Fred, what should I eat?"

"No Fred, I can't eat chocolate, Mum will be really angry!"

"Not eggs either, Mum isn't awake and I'm not allowed to make them by myself."

"Great idea!"

After a few minutes of finding things and preparation, Katie sat down at the table in triumph, munching on her toast with jam on it. The sun was rising outside, casting a golden light on the street. The world was waking up.

"I hope it won't rain today. It's just starting to get warmer, and blue skies are pretty!"

"Yes Fred, you are coming to school with me. Can you breathe in there?"

"Oh dear, are you running out of food? I'll make you some more."

"No, you aren't getting chocolate cake. It's bad for you!"

"Fine, but only if you behave yourself. Promise?"

"Good."

Katie left her plate by the sink, and went back upstairs to her room. She smiled at the clock when she saw  just how long she had to make Fred a tasty meal. Taking a clean page from the dwindling supply, she gather up her felt tips and started to draw.

"Fred, for the last time you are not getting chocolate cake! You need to grow up big and strong."

By the time Katie had to leave for school, Fred would have been the healthiest dinosaur ever. Lots of fruit and vegetables, a big pineapple pizza, an enormous glass of milk and a tiny square of chocolate in the corner. She put the page into her bag beside Fred.

"If I find you've eaten the chocolate before the pizza and vegetables, you'll be in trouble. Drink the milk as well, you need strong bones like me."

"Katie, stop talking to yourself and get down here, it's time to go!"

"Coming Mum!"

At nine o'clock, Katie was standing outside her primary school. She had a love hate relationship with Oakstone Primary School. Playtime, art lessons, English and Miss Crawford were the reasons she was enthusiastic every morning, but maths, the other children and Mr Irving made her want to climb a tree and never come down. She had neutral feelings about everything else, but Katie sometimes wondered why she hadn't climbed the tree yet. The bell rang, and she headed towards her classroom. Mr Irving entered the room mere seconds after she did, and wasted no time.

"Good morning. Settle down and be quiet while I take the register." He shot out each word like Nerf Gun bullets, and his tone was as sharp as Katie's pencils. Gillian had a knack for sharpening pencils. Even though his voice screamed 'Pay attention or else', Katie found it to be incredibly boring. She thought about what she would show Fred at break time. But after a few minutes, she felt something calling her back to reality, but she ignored it. Well, until Mr Irving was kneeling down beside her desk.

"Katie Stewart!" he spat. The other children started to snigger. "I've called your name five times, and still you cease to pay attention to me? Any more of this nonsense this morning, and you'll be staying in at break time! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," she murmured.

"What was that?" He cupped a hand to his ear, and the others laughed a bit more. His eyes had an intensity in them that Katie had seen many times before, but still scared her every time.

"Yes Sir," she said, clearer this time.

"Good. Now everybody, get out your maths books. Today we are going to be continuing..." Katie sighed and reluctantly did as she was told. It was going to be a long morning.

"I'm sorry Fred," she whispered to herself, softly enough so Mr Irving couldn't hear. "Break time is more fun, I promise."

A/N Chapter 2! If I were in Katie's position, I would have climbed the tree already. What are your thoughts on Mr Irving?