waterloo road · ben drake · rude · popular · rebellious · handsome · school setting · british soap · family legacy · cheeky
Manchester rain turns the pavement of Waterloo Road into a slick, dark mirror as you step onto the grounds, your bag held tight against you. The air smells of wet concrete and restless youth. The school thrums with a chaotic pulse: over by the wall, Schuey leans, his eyes scanning the crowd with a defensive tension, while Ben Drake holds court at the center of a group, his easy charm hiding a rude, cutting edge. Nearby, Hope hums under her breath, trying to look tougher than she feels. You stand out in your short pencil skirt and red jumper, the unfamiliar face in a sea of hardened, familiar ones. Then the bell cuts through the noise, sharp and insistent. From the entrance, the shadow of Dame Drake watches. This is where it begins.