80s Imagines

Cosmo • Sing Street Part 1

(It's an 80s related movie, even though it wasn't released in the 80s. But I highly recommend this movie, it has 80s music and total 80s vibes.)

"Miss L/N," Mr. Baxter says sternly, as he circles his desk. "You know you are under special privileges here, and those privileges can be revoked just as easily as they were placed."

"Yes, Mr. Baxter... sir," you reply.

"Good. So I suggest you do not cause any trouble while you are attending this school."

"I won't."

"Good. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, sir."

You stand from the principle's desk and quickly leave his office, the tension starting to leave your shoulders.

"One more thing!" He calls before the door shuts. "You are going to need black shoes. Those won't do," he explains, pointing at your brown Sperry's. He then shuts the door in your face, pushing a puff of wind in your face.

'Special privileges' he had said. They were special all right, letting a girl attend an all boys school for a semester until your father could find a way to support himself and pay for better schooling. You can not wait to get out of this dump of a school.

This move was the last thing you wanted, but also the last thing your strange father wanted. As an artist, he is having a hard time finding work. Nobody likes his art, which he is so passionate about. Although, he refuses to give it up, even for you, his only daughter. Instead, you find yourself being moved to a cheap apartment on Sing Street, the name of your new street that 'speaks' to your father. Now, you are standing in one of the poorest, dirtiest, most dreadful schools you have ever seen.

The courtyard was muddy when you first arrived through the gates, and you even spotted a dead rat on the way in, up against the white stone walls that enclosed the court. As you walked by classrooms to get to the principle's office, you spotted boys smoking and talking even as the teachers spoke at the front of the classrooms, something you would have been sent to the Principal's Office for at your old school.

You have no idea where you are and definitely do not belong. You are so obviously out of place in your plaid skirt and stockings, while all the other students wear long pants. Without much of a choice, you were told you are allowed to wear your old school uniform while attending the Christian Brother's School. And now your brown shoes don't even fit in within the crowd of all black shoes.

Once you find your first class, you feel so awkward and alone. All of the boys are stare at you as you take an empty seat in the front row. More specifically, they stare at your ass. You just keep your eyes down on the double desk in front of you, not looking at the boy you've sat next to. One of the boys whistles behind you and the rest start to snicker. You turn bright red and instantly wish you are anywhere else but at this school.

"Hey," the boy next to you says. You look at him slightly, hoping he isn't going to embarrass you any more then you already have been. "I'm pretty new here too, if that makes you feel any better." His hair is dark brown, fairly long as it covers his eyebrows, and his eyes seem to be blue at the tips. His smile is warm, and friendly. You feel relief flood through you.

You smile, grateful that he is the one next to you and not some asshole. "I guess it must be pretty obvious I'm new."

"Well, I don't think a girl has ever, or even wanted to, step foot in this school." His accent is strong, Irish. "I'm Cosmo," he says, holding out his hand.

"I'm Y/N," you reply, shaking his hand. You glance around the room, looking at the chaos. No one is listening to the teacher as he writes on the chalkboard and mumbles. Some kids are smoking in a corner, sitting by the window. "Is it always like this?"

Cosmo nods. "I know it sucks at first. I'm assuming you're not used to this?"

"Definitely not. I used to go to a Catholic school, but one much more-"

"Professional? Yeah, me too. I got transferred by my family to save money."

"Me too! My father moved us here. I won't be here for long though, I am just finishing out the year. Hopefully we will have the money to send me somewhere else next year. I don't think the principal would let me stay here another year anyway."

"I'm surprised you're here at all. Mr Baxter is a nutjob, no one thought he would let a girl in. Do not mess with him. And don't wear weird makeup..."

"Did people know I was coming ahead of time?"

"Oh yeah, it's a small school. Word gets around fast."

"Great. I almost wish he didn't let me in." You look back again to see a boy, with bright blonde hair, staring right at you. You look away, feeling color come back into your cheeks.

"Look, a lot of guys are assholes here, but there are some not so bad ones," Cosmo says.

"Like you?"

He smiles. "I'm in a band with some other guys from here. They're cool."

"Really? That's cool."

Cosmo looks like he is about to go on, but then the entire class goes silent as kids rush to their seats. In the doorway stands the principal, gazing around the room. His eyes land on you and peer at your shoes, then back at your face. His cold stare could send shivers down your spine.

"As you can all see, we have a new student," he says. Oh God, you think. Please don't. "This is Miss L/N. Be respectful." He looks at the teacher, who has paused. "Carry on."

Your face is bright red once again, and you can feel it. "She's hot," you hear a boy whisper. Another says, "Who do you think she'll let fuck her first?" Noise begins to grow as the chaos continues.

You don't know how much more you can take. "Where's the bathroom?" You ask Cosmo, ready to just get out of that classroom.

You see the concern in his eyes. "There is only a boy's bathroom..."

"Right," you say, taking a deep breathe and closing your eyes.

"Hey, I know how you feel," Cosmo says. "Well, not entirely. I'm a guy, and don't know how you feel in an all boys school, but I know what it's like to switch schools."

"I just can't believe my dad would do this to me."

"Could he help it?"

"Totally!" You say, your voice rising. You lower it. "He is getting nowhere with his artwork, but got a teaching degree in college. I keep telling him to get a job, but he refuses, saying 'a man should be able to do what his heart desires.' I definitely respect that, but he is forcing me in here to save money for himself!"

"Reminds me of my brother. He will do anything for his art; music. He lives at home with my parents, even though he is in his twenties. He won't go to college, it isn't him."

"I just don't understand it... I mean, I love music. I play Y/I, but I wouldn't risk my daughter's education for it."

"You play?" Cosmo asks, interested. "I could hear you sometime. My friend Eamon has every instrument imaginable, if you want to come with me to his place after school?"

The though actually makes you feel better. It gives you something to look forward to, and allows you to make some friends on Sing Street. "I would like that."

"Great," Cosmo smiles. "I'll find you in the courtyard, or we can meet outside the gates."

"Outside the gates," you respond quickly.

The bell suddenly rings, faint in the midst of all the chattering around you. "Cool, I'll see you then. Wait, do you want me to show you to your next class?"

"If you don't mind," you reply, extremely grateful. You aren't so afraid of getting lost, but more afraid of what the boys may do if they find you alone. The thought makes your stomach fill up with dread. The only light in this new life is coming from Cosmo.

Maybe everything will be alright after all.