Amelie, Michelle and Gracie
Day One
"Hi, my name is Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. I live with my parents and little brother and sister. We-"
"No! You have to remember the people watching this film know nothing about you. Why are you called Amelie and not Amelia? Why do your grandparents live in France? Look INTO, not around the camera. Come on, this isn't difficult!" I give Michelle a withering look and try again.
"Hi! My name is Amelie, and before you ask 'why not Amelia?' I will explain. My parents are French and came to England for work which is why I was born here. They wanted to bring a bit of our family history with them, so what better way than to confuse every school teacher I will ever have by calling me, a girl who looks and sounds English, a French name? Anyway, I'm Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. We visit them every Christmas, but they like to stay updated and they live too far out in the countryside to have a working phone. My little brother and sister draw pictures on the postcards because they can't write properly yet. Me, my parents and my siblings all live together in one happy household and I can't wait to tell them about all the fun I'm having at summer camp!" Michelle looks relieved, if not slightly annoyed that I didn't say that on the first take. "Yes, better." She forces a smile, "Just say it once more with a smile and look INTO THE CAMERA." Smoothing out her dress, she tries to compose herself but I can tell she is flustered. I don't know why I agreed to do this.
After about ten more tries, Michelle seems satisfied. I feel sorry for Gracie who is up next. She is quiet, shy and although the same age as me, everyone always thinks she is younger. We have become good friends since we came to camp this summer and I really hope Michelle gives her a bit of leeway. I don't think Gracie has it in her to stand up for herself.
"Off you go then Gracie, you only have to speak for half a minute, there's no need to be shy." Michelle is trying to be nice but she doesn't get it. Gracie doesn't choose to be timid, she just is. "Hello, I'm Gracie. Um, I'm twelve and I have three brothers. They're at university though, so I don't really see them that much. I live with my parents but my mum's away a lot for work and, er, she has to go and look after my Grandma. My dad's parents lived in Africa but I never met them. Mum says they would have liked my singing. I don't usually let anyone listen, only if they stand in another room, but I think she must have heard me when I thought no one was around. Yeah, so, that's it."
"Gracie, I'm afraid you're going to have to do that again." I can tell Michelle is really holding back from yelling at Gracie. "I'm really sorry, did I do something wrong?" Gracie looks so vulnerable stood up there, in front of the white paper which has been taped together to get as close to the 'professional background' as possible which Michelle wanted for her film. I know what is coming and I really wish it wasn't. "DID YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG?" Michelle screams, astounded that Gracie can't see what everyone else can. "You mumbled, stumbled and blundered your way through that like a blind man trying to find a coin in a fountain the size of North America. I don't know what you think you did RIGHT." I can see that Gracie is on the verge of tears and Michelle's analogies are only going to get worse. I think it's time for me to step in, "What Michelle means is that it would be great if you could cut out the ums and ers and just pause if you don't know what to say. We can always edit out the mistakes later, right Michelle?" I turn to face the now trembling Michelle and hope to God that she agrees with me for once. Luckily I think she is in too much of a state to retaliate and just points to the camera. I hit record once more and Gracie tries again. And again. And again. It must have taken just over an hour to get her section looking presentable, but somehow we managed it without either of them bursting into tears and storming out. At least that's the talking part over with. Now Gracie and I can just appear in the other clips without having to address the audience.
I realise I haven't explained what's going on. Our time at summer camp is almost over. In fact, we only have one week left. In this last week, we have all been set the challenge to create a film, showcasing the camp, so that it can be put on the website to attract new people for next year. However, obviously there can only be one film and it's not feasible for 100 girls to all work together, so it is a competition instead and the best film will be put on the website. Michelle is clearly desperate to win and as we are friends (ish) I agreed to help her.
Michelle did introduce herself for the film but I think my analysis of her might be slightly more enlightening and truthful. She is thirteen years old and won't let any of us younger girls forget it. According to her, because she is older, she has a bigger brain, and therefore gets to make any decisions which may arise. This is fine by Gracie seeing as she is so indecisive, but I have other ideas and we often lock horns over Michelle's mantra "I am the Director. What I say goes." This is not only a saying she uses for the film, but for life in general. Appearance-wise, she is tall and a little overweight, nothing much, but she is very self-conscious about it. She tries to compensate for her figure by straightening her extremely curly hair and pasting gooey liquid stuff over her freckles. She calls it 'foundation' but I've never used it. I think she looks nicer how she is naturally, but if it makes her feel confident then I suppose it's worth it.
Her and her mum live together in a little flat because her dad was killed a few years ago when he was reporting for the news in a war zone and a bomb went off. Everyone was so shocked and even now I don't think any of us can quite comprehend what has happened. It was just all too awful. Michelle tries to stay strong but she has only recently begun talking about her dad again. She says part of the reason she wants to win this competition is because he used to make short films for her to watch on the weekend and she wants to do him proud. I know that life must be very difficult for her and that's mainly why I'm helping out with the film. If this is her way to connect to her dad, then she should definitely get the chance to do it.
Day Two
It's day two on the 'film set' and things aren't exactly going to plan. Gracie has gone off with the other girls for a morning of arts and crafts because she says yesterday was too overwhelming for her. I think what she means is that Michelle was too overwhelming. This means we can't get started until the afternoon when I will have to try and persuade her to help us for just a little bit longer. Michelle has, inevitably, flounced off and I've been left to come up with ideas for today's clip. We have to show the camp off in its best light but it's a little difficult when everyone is either off making their own short films or arguing with each other. My only idea so far is that I could pretend to teach some French to a group of younger girls so that the camp is not only fun but educational too. The only problem with that is that I don't think I would get much further than "Bonjour" before they all got bored and moved on to something else.
"Amelie? Are you in here?" Gracie pops her head round the door to our dormitory.
"Yeah, over here. I thought you were doing arts and crafts?" I look quizzically at her but she isn't giving anything away. I'm usually good at reading people's facial expressions, but Gracie has the knack of hiding her feelings under layers of shyness and anxiety.
"I was," she ventures a little further into the room, "but then I felt bad for leaving you with Michelle, so I decided to come back and help with the film."
"Oh thank you Gracie! I really appreciate this. I know it must have taken a lot of courage to come back to Michelle's team."
"Yeah, well." She shifts from foot to foot, clearly apprehensive of what she has let herself in for.
"So, have you got any ideas for the next instalment of Michelle's Masterpiece?" I say with a grin. I'm trying to make her feel less nervous about the whole filming thing. Hopefully if she is allowed to choose what we do then she will be more prepared to take part.
"Actually I have." I'm taken quite by surprise with this confident remark and encourage her to go on. "Well," She begins, "I thought instead of having long clips which all have to be perfectly captured and directed by you-know-who, we could just walk around the campsite and take little videos of anything interesting or fun that is going on. They can be edited together later and with a bit of music over the top, it could make quite a good advertisement for 'prospective parents' as Michelle calls them." It's a great idea and I'm so pleased Gracie is finally coming out of her shell.
"Yes, what a fabulous idea!" I enthuse, "We could get some filming done now whilst Michelle is off in a huff so there will be less for her to interfere with." Gracie seems relieved that she won't have to see Michelle for a little while and truth be told, I'm quite glad too.
All morning Gracie and I walk around the camp, taking short videos here and there of people
chatting, playing and having fun. It's so much more relaxing when Michelle isn't around. We can just talk to each other normally, without having to shout or dismiss each other's ideas. If only Michelle could just learn to be a bit more tolerant of other people, she could be a great friend.
Just as I spot another place where we could get a good shot I hear the familiar cry of somebody I was
hoping we wouldn't see until this afternoon. "What are you doing with my camera?" Michelle flicks her hair over her shoulders as she walks towards us. She would make a good teacher I think. She has the right sort of accusatory attitude that seems to be necessary around children.
"We were just getting some clips for the film whilst you were away doing ... " I pause to allow Michelle to explain herself, but she ignores me and turns to face Gracie instead.
"I thought you were doing some other kind of morning activity. Colouring-in wasn't it?"
"Um, arts and crafts." Gracie has retreated back into her shell and all because of stupid Michelle. "Actually," I interject, "Gracie has been really helpful this morning and came up with a great idea for the film."
"What sort of idea?" Michelle practically barks at me. No wonder Gracie is afraid of her.
"We've been taking short clips of people enjoying themselves and we thought they could be edited together this afternoon with a bit of music put over them. It will be easier for us to film and nicer for the prospective parents to watch too." I try to smile at Michelle but she puts her hands on her hips and starts yelling at Gracie and I.
"This is my film and we will do what I say! I don't want short clips like in a movie trailer, we are going to have to start all over again tomorrow with films of people doing real activities. You two clearly can't be trusted." I am furious that Michelle has just dismissed a whole morning's work and I'm not going to stand for it.
"We have worked on this all morning for you and I will not let it be pushed aside once more because 'Michelle had other ideas'. For your information there are clips of people doing 'real activities', it just won't get boring because our clips aren't ten minutes long like yours. Our work is going into the film and if you don't like it, you're going to have to put in a separate entry of your own. But good luck with that because we're not helping." And with that, I take hold of Gracie's arm and pull her away towards the dormitories where I can get some time to think away from Michelle.
"Wow. You were amazing. Thanks for standing up for me." Gracie sounds truly grateful, if not a little shaken by the argument, but I am in too much of a rage to think clearly enough to say anything back. I can't believe Michelle would be so hurtful after all we've done for her. She keeps saying she wants to make her dad proud, but I don't think she realises that this is not what he would have wanted. It doesn't matter how good the film is. If you've got no friends because you were too horrible to them all then you haven't really succeeded. Even though I'm angry with her, I also feel a bit sad that she is so blind to the fact that she is chasing everyone away. Unless she apologises properly and tries to change her ways, I don't think we can be friends any more.
Day Three
Well yesterday was ... eventful. I haven't seen Michelle since our little altercation so I don't know what's going to happen about the film. Even though I do feel bad about what I said to her, I almost feel worse about Gracie. She keeps saying it was her fault and that she caused the argument, even though I've been trying to reassure her that she's done nothing wrong. Oh, why does everything involving Michelle always have to end in tears?
I'm heading over to the hall to get breakfast, but I'm trying to take as long as possible to get there because Michelle is on my table and I know it's going to be really awkward. "Amelie, wait for me!" I
turn around to see Gracie running towards me. "Hi! I thought you had already gone." I shout as I wait for her to catch up.
"No, I've been putting it off, but when I saw you going I thought I would come too because it might be easier if we go in together."
"Good idea." I say, just as we reach the entrance.
"Brace yourself!" Gracie gives me an anxious smile and we step into the hall. Silence falls and everyone turns to face us. I feel physically sick and want to turn out of the door, run back to my dorm and never come out. Until a voice behind me booms, "What are you staring at?" I spin around come eye to eye with the terrifying-looking camp leader. Only she doesn't look terrifying any more. Somebody has managed to shave off her eyebrows whilst she was asleep and now her face looks ridiculous. In one swift move, she has gone from having the bushiest eyebrows in the UK to none at all. I can't believe it and, in my shock, I burst out laughing. Immediately, I slap my hand across my mouth because I certainly don't want to witness the wrath of Ms Varrelbass. I think I get away with it because she steps around me and marches down the aisle in between all of the gaping girls, towards the teachers' table at the back. I would feel sorry for her if she hadn't yelled at me the first time I came to camp for not making my bed properly.
I am so relieved that we weren't the ones everyone was staring at that I completely forget about Michelle and go to sit down at our table as normal. It all comes flooding back as I look up and catch her eye though. Without saying a word, she slides a folded piece of paper across the table towards me and then gets up to leave. "What's this?" I call after her, but she doesn't respond and hurries out of the hall. I give Gracie a questioning look, but she just shrugs her shoulders, so I open it up and, in Michelle's unmistakably neat handwriting, are the words "We need to talk. Meet me by the lake at 11am." Turning to Gracie, I say, "She should have just talked to us now, I don't know why we have to go to a special meeting place. This is stupid."
"Maybe she didn't want everyone else to hear." Gracie suggests.
"It's always got to be about her, hasn't it?" I say, tutting.
"Girls!" One of the camp leaders shouts. "Breakfast ends early today, finish eating and make sure you're out in ten minutes." I hurry to grab some food and wolf it down, before clearing my plate and hurrying away. I think I've seen enough of Ms Varrelbass for one day.
Now that breakfast has finished early, we have two hours until we are supposed to meet Michelle. "Let's go and see if she's in her dorm, we can just talk to her there." I propose to Gracie, but she doesn't seem too keen. "I don't think that's a very good idea, what if she gets all angry like last time?"
"Gracie, you can't let Michelle scare you. We don't even know what she's got to say yet, it could be a good thing."
"I doubt that very much, but if you really want to go, then I'll come too as long as I don't have to say anything. Can you promise to stand up for me?"
"Of course I will!" I smile. "Come on, just trust me with this."
"Okay, go on then." I give Gracie a hug, then turn her round to face the direction of Michelle's dorm. I can't believe I'm about to do this.
"Michelle, are you in there?" I call as I knock on the door. There's no answer, but I can hear somebody in the room. "I've come to talk. I know you said later, but breakfast closed early and we didn't want to wait for two hours." Still no answer. I'm on the verge of just opening the door myself,
until I hear someone sneeze in the room. It's definitely Michelle. "Your cover's blown Michelle, I heard you sneeze. We can have the conversation through the door if you want, but then everyone outside would be able to hear it. Just come out, this is petty." I wait quietly, listening for signs of movement inside the room and after what seems like an eternity, the door opens a crack and her freckled face pokes its way out. "I'll talk to you in a minute," she says, and I can hear the defeat in her voice, "just let me finish putting on my make-up." I chuckle to myself; only Michelle would bother with make-up at an all-girls camp where most activities were outside. "Fine." I sigh. "But at least let us wait inside the room." Relenting, she opens the door wider and walks over to a pocket mirror which has been balanced on one of the bunk beds. Next to it is a whole row of bottles which are all pristine, yet I know they have been well used. It is certainly awkward, to say the least, but I am glad we are talking now. I hate having to ignore people. "So what did you want to tell us?" I say, when she has finally finished smearing stuff on her face. "I have a proposition." She fishes around under her mattress, pulls out a laptop and brings it over to me and Gracie who are perched on one of the lower bunks. Opening the lid she shows us a movie editing programme, "I have added the clips you took to the film. I'm, well, I'm ... sorry" she winces with the effort it takes to apologise, "and I thought if we could both decide on how a little bit of the film should look, then everyone will be happy. This is your bit, so I did what you wanted with the music and everything. I hope you like it." She hits the space bar and plays our part of the film. Admittedly, it is only twenty seconds long, but I can tell she has really tried. "Thank you so much," I give her a hug, "I really appreciate this." Turning to Gracie, I give her a chance to thank Michelle, but she just smiles.
Day Four
It's our penultimate day at camp and we've got to finish the film today so they can announce the winners tomorrow. I think we've got a really good chance of winning, but I suppose it's easy for me to say that when I haven't seen any of the other girls' films. Michelle is a bit frantic because she wants it to be perfect, but I'm just trying to enjoy being here until we have to leave. It might have been helpful if there had been less arguing, because we lost valuable time yesterday, but at least we started work early today to try and make up for it.
"Amelie, I'm ready." Michelle peers into the dingy changing rooms, but it's too dark for her to see. "Just coming!" I shout to reassure her that I'm still here. There are no windows and the bulbs on the lights blew in here last year, but no one has ever got round to fixing them. It makes getting dressed a little tricky because I keep misplacing my clothes and then I am forced to feel around blindly on the floor looking for them. Finally, I locate my shoes and, slipping them on, I head out into the corridor. The contrast of light momentarily disables me and I squint around, trying to see Michelle. "For goodness' sake Amelie, I'm over here." I feel someone take hold of my shoulders and spin me around. My eyes have adjusted and I open them fully, to see Michelle standing in front of me looking confused as to what I was just doing. "Sorry," I start to explain, "it was dark and then light. You know what I mean? My eyes did the thing ..."
"I don't care what you were doing," Michelle cuts in, "let's just get on with it shall we?" I pull a face at her harsh tone.
"Oh, I did it again didn't I?" She says meekly. "I was rude. I'm sorry."
Wow! That's the first time she's apologised so quickly, I think we might be getting somewhere. "That's okay," I smile, "just consider what you're going to say before you say it next time."
Me, Michelle and Gracie spend all morning filming clips of people swimming, playing sports and
doing art. It's similar to what Gracie and I did originally, but this time we go up to the people and get them to talk to the camera. Michelle says it will make the film seem "more personal", whatever that means. At lunchtime, I interview the dinner ladies and then Michelle and Gracie get feedback from people eating the food. I try to tell Michelle that it isn't feedback if you tell the girls what to say, but she said we didn't want negative comments spoiling the film. So Gracie is put on the task of coming up with good things for everyone to say. She actually does a very good job for someone who doesn't usually know what to say herself.
"Ready Gracie?"
"Yep, let's go!" We're off to the campfire, but our work isn't quite over yet as Gracie suggested we film that too. For once Michelle was in agreement, so she is borrowing the camp's special camera which can film in the dark. I think it's the reason there isn't enough money to fix the bulbs in the changing rooms, but I would definitely rather have the camera than the lights.
"After this, the film will be finished and then we can go home!" Gracie looks relieved.
"Didn't you enjoy it?" I ask her.
"Some parts were fun, but others ... Slightly traumatic."
I laugh, "Don't you think you're being a tad over-dramatic?"
"Maybe." she smiles back, "I'll just be glad to get home to a quiet household."
"What I would give to have some peace and quiet at home! With a little brother and sister, there is always someone making a racket."
"Oh god, that sounds awful." Gracie looks genuinely horrified.
"I'm used to it, I don't really mind." It makes me smile that we are such different people, yet we get along so well. This is how friendship should be.
I spot Michelle standing by the side of the fire getting the camera set up. "Hi, how's it going?" I say as I wander over.
"Almost done, this camera is really complicated but I think I might have just about got it."
"What do you want us to do?"
"You can help me if you really want, but I think it would be better for you to just go and enjoy yourselves. It will give the film closure if you appear at the beginning and the end."
"Sure," I turn to Gracie, "I'm happy to join in if you are."
"Yeah, I vote for enjoying ourselves!" Gracie grins and I follow her over to a log where we perch, ready for the fun to begin. There isn't long to wait and, on Michelle's cue, a young camp leader gets everyone singing. It's a wonderful feeling to know you are part of something special. This will certainly make a great end to our film.
Day Five
The day is finally here! All of the films were collected last night and a winner has been decided on. Before they tell us who it is, we get to watch all of them. I'm really excited to see everyone else's and try and gauge their reactions towards ours. We have all gathered in the hall where there is a projector and are sitting along benches, waiting nervously. Gracie managed to get us seats near the front so we will hopefully get a good view of everybody's creations.
"Girls! Quieten down please, the films are about to start." A camp leader is trying to gain control, but
I think we are all too nervous to settle down. My heart is going at a rate of knots and my palms are sweating. I wipe them off on my jeans just as Michelle comes and sits down next to me. "I'm not even going to ask." She laughs. The old Michelle would have made some smart comment to try and make me feel small, but she seems to be trying really hard to be nice.
"Are you nervous?" I ask.
Her smile fades, "Terrified. I'm trying not to think about it."
I'm taken aback by her response and try to reassure her, "You've got nothing to be afraid of, I bet our film is the best one here." As I say it I try to sound optimistic, but really I know that I have no idea whether ours is good enough. I really want it to succeed, not just for Michelle, but for Gracie and I too.
As the films start playing, everyone falls silent. At the start of each different groups' one, a little cheer will go up from somewhere in the hall and then everyone listens intently, seeing what they were up against. Although I enjoy watching all of the films, the wait to see ours is tortuous. They seem to have put it at the end and I really wish they hadn't; I don't think my nerves can take much more!
When we finally get to ours, Michelle is shaking so much I worry she might fall off her seat. As they
start playing it, I grab hold of Gracie and Michelle's arms for support. I really hope everyone likes it. It all seems to be going well until we get to a clip I don't remember seeing before. After watching it for a little longer, I realise it is the argument I had with Michelle. My mouth falls open in horror at the realisation that someone has sabotaged our film. They have filmed us arguing with each other and then edited it in. I turn to Michelle to see if she knows what is going on, but her eyes are welling up and she has pressed her lips tightly together. I have to find out who did this. They have ruined our whole film and embarrassed us in front of everybody. After the clip is over, there is another one, this time Michelle apologising to me and Gracie. I can't believe somebody has secretly filmed us, as if we were on some kind of reality TV show. They have kept all our other clips and edited their ones around them, so it looks like we meant it to be that way. Michelle has her head in her hands and is trying to hide her tears, but people have noticed that something is wrong and are starting to crane their necks for a better view. I give her a hug, but she mumbles something to me. "What did you say?" I try and pull her shoulders up so she will face me, but she keeps her hands in front of her face.
"You don't have to try and comfort me," she whispers through a sob, "I know our film is ruined."
"No it isn't," I try to make the best of it, "our original clips are still there, we can tell them afterwards that those other ones shouldn't have been included."
"What's the point? They've already picked a winner and it isn't us." Michelle has given up and it breaks my heart to see her so defeated. I have got to put this right.
After our film has finished, Ms Varrelbass strides up to the front and shouts, "We will announce the winners once you all quieten down." I roll my eyes; only she could manage to make winning sound like a chore. Another camp leader walks up beside her and mutters something before saying, "The winners of the competition whose film will be shown on our website are ... Amelie, Michelle and Gracie!" I can't believe my ears. Surely this isn't right. Not after our film was quite plainly destroyed in front of everyone. There is a silence and the camp leader tries again, "Amelie, Michelle and Gracie, would you like to come up to the front?" I grin at Gracie and Michelle as we stand up, Michelle wiping tears from her eyes. "Do I look okay?" she mouths at me.
"Yes, you look great!" I nod back, smiling. We walk to the front and stand in front of a sea of faces, all as shocked as we are that we have won. "Well done girls." The camp leader pats us on the back, "A very good film which showcases that summer camp is not just about the games or activities, but learning the value of friendship and how to stick by each other, through thick and thin." If what I'm hearing is right, we won the competition because of those extra clips. The ones Michelle was sobbing over a minute ago. Life is really surprising sometimes.
"Thank you both for helping me achieve my dream and making this camp such a memorable one." Michelle engulfs me and Gracie in a massive hug as we say our goodbyes.
"And thank you for giving me confidence that people want to hear what I've got to say." Gracie smiles, picking up her suitcase.
"My turn to say thank you!" I grin, "Thank you for being the greatest friends I could ever wish for. This has been the best camp ever."
'Earth 2'
Her eyes bore into me, innocent, searching for why I am crying, when in her mind everything is fine. I cradle her in my arms like I did when I first saw her two years ago, my beautiful daughter Lyra. Named after a constellation because I knew that she would do something far greater than any of us could imagine. Now I am leaving her, my husband and mother too, for this mission. This mission which could either save the world or leave a little girl without her mother forever. My heart cannot bear it, I am tearing apart inside and I know I must go now before I change my mind. Gently placing Lyra on the ground I try to convey my love for her, but it is just too great, and instead I kiss her and hug her and try to make her understand that she must cherish this moment in case I never come back. “I love you my darling with everything I have and one day we will see each other again, whether on earth or in Heaven I do not know.” Then it is time for me to go, and taking one last look at my family, I turn and board the spaceship.
As I press the final button on the switchboard in front of me, I fight the urge to turn back and run to my daughter, to hold her tight and never let go. Keaton, seeing me hesitate, catches my eye and gives me a reassuring smile. I cannot let everybody down. I strap myself into my seat and help the others prepare for take-off. We have done it in training many times before, but the feeling is different this time. The air crackles with tension.
“Five, four, three, two, one, lift off.” My throat tightens, my stomach churns and my heart pounds so loudly I am sure I can hear the reverberations around the spacecraft. Blackness fills my ears and shields my eyes but I try to resist it; I must not falter now. It feels as if I am floating above all human life and I feel strangely separate to them, as if- “Gaia do you read me?” Keaton’s voice jolts me out of my trance and I hasten to reply, “Yes, I am reading you, over.”
“Prepare for light speed, over and out.” I brace myself as the rocket lurches forward; we are now travelling faster than the speed of light.
The three other crew members and I are set to explore ‘Earth 2’ as Earth 1’s resources will eventually run out and people need somewhere to take refuge. Keaton, Daniel, Adam and I are the only ones who have been told the plan. Instead of saving everyone, only 10,000 of the most wealthy and educated people will be sent to ‘Earth 2’ and allowed to live. Our mission is to explore the planet and collect data which we can report back to the lucky survivors so they have the best chance in this new world.
Millions of stars fly past our window, most appear tiny because they are so far away; they look like pin pricks in a never-ending sheet of darkness. However, inside the spaceship time seems to stand still. We have so little to do and so far to go, I wonder whether my brain will shut down due to lack of use. I think of Lyra every day and wish that I could see her.
For five monotonous years we travel on through space until one day an automated voice shatters our hope of reaching ‘Earth 2’, “A star which is set to explode is in the flight path.”
“No!” My cry voices the thoughts of us all. Unless we can re-programme the flight in time, we are all going to be blown apart.
“Daniel, switch to manual control. Adam, enter code 090800. Keaton, notify ground control, over.” In desperation I attempt to code a new route, but the system is malfunctioning. It has reset the password and none of us can access anything. Tears begin blurring my eyes, my whole body is shaking, rocking to and fro, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, to save my daughter from a life without her mother. I start to scream, a piercing, blood-curdling scream. Please God, save me, I cannot die, plea-
On ‘Earth 2’, Lyra is showing her granddaughter the stars.
“Grandma, what’s that in the sky?” The little girl asks her in wonder.
“That, my dear, is an exploding star.”
“Wow, it’s amazing!”
Christmas Day Special
I never usually eat before we set off, there is always food along the way. Also, as the others never cease to remind me, I do get slightly motion sick. Father always comforts me though, he says I came in very useful on that foggy night many years ago, he would never have been able to do it without me. It's our busiest time of year, you see, there are so many places to go all in one night, Father gets quite stressed with the pressure sometimes.
As we line up to get strapped in, the others jostle for front place, but Father comes straight to me and leads me to the most important position. Pride swells in my stomach ... or it could just be the beginnings of nausea. Once we are all ready to go, Father waves goodbye to his wife, and the jingling of bells signals the start of a very long night. I lean forward into my reins, trying to get a feel for the heavy load. Once I am steady, I switch on my bright red light and gallop as fast as I can along the ground, just making it to the end of the runway as we take off into the night sky.
It is not totally dark yet, but it soon will be, so Father flicks on the headlights to illuminate the way for the others. We are picking up speed and I can just make out the familiar sight of Europe's silhouette below. Father instructs us to stop and I turn my head to watch him open the trapdoor on his present carrier. Each gift is programmed to find its destination, and they all hover simultaneously in the air for a split second, before plummeting to the ground.
Father once explained to me that he used to deliver them all himself when he was a young man, but
now technology has grown far beyond my comprehension, as has his beard, and his wife always used to complain when he came home covered in soot. Anyway, it is far easier to let satellite navigation do the work, he said, so that is what we use now. When I asked how the presents entered all the houses, he said that was not for him to worry about, it was no longer in his contract, and did I see any other delivery men waiting for someone to pick up the parcel before driving away? I replied that I had never seen any delivery men in my life, as we lived in a rather sparsely populated area. In fact, I noted that I had never seen another family in all my years. Father did not respond, so I never asked again, as I think it is a touchy subject.
The morning is almost here and we have covered every continent apart from Asia. This is my favourite stretch of the journey, as I can feel the wind urging me on from behind; my hooves hardly need to touch the skyway. Although Father uses us for minor jobs throughout the year, it makes me feel like I am part of something big when we finish our largest, most important task.
Father prepares us for landing and we begin to slow down. All the gifts have been delivered now and
morning is finally here. My hooves touch the snowy runway and we engage the brakes so Father's wife does not get annoyed again. (Last year we didn't manage to slow down soon enough and her ice sculptures got destroyed). Once we have come to a halt, Father unharnesses us all, leaving me until last. "Thank you, Rudolph," he smiles. "You're welcome Father Christmas," I reply.
Halloween Special
"Bye Mum!" Olivia waves goodbye as the car disappears out of view. "Finally," she mutters, "I've got the house all to myself." Suzanne, Olivia's mum, is going out for the night to meet some friends and entrusting her daughter with looking after the house until she gets back. Normally, Olivia would go with her, but tonight is Halloween and Suzanne doesn't want the house to be ruined by the time she gets back.
"I think I'll make some ghost-shaped biscuits to give to the trick-or-treaters." Olivia muses; she's never been one for sweets and was always disappointed on Halloween when she returned home with a bucket full of sugar. Collecting her ingredients, she sets to work and produces some perfect dough in no time. "Good, but I can do better," Olivia has always been a perfectionist and begins to search the kitchen for something to make her biscuits outstanding, "I know! I'll use some of that glow in the dark gel we bought last Halloween for an added twist." Rushing outside into the garden, Olivia finds the gel hidden away in the shed, labelled, 'Use with caution'. "Oh well, what harm can it do?" she thinks to herself as she runs back into the house, away from the cold. Adding a little gel into the mixture, she cuts out the biscuits and puts them in the oven.
A while later, Olivia pops back into the kitchen to check on her biscuits. But they've vanished. The oven is off and the tray is completely empty. As Olivia turns around to start looking in the rest of the kitchen, she thinks she sees a flash of white disappearing into the living room. Curious, she follows it and finds more than she had bargained for. As twelve ghosts descend on her, she screams and desperately thinks of a place to hide, "The shed! The ghosts might not be able to leave the house," scrambling out of the door, she sprints to the shed and slams the door behind her. Peeking out of the window, her heart sinks as she sees the white shapes float through the back door and into the garden. However, almost as soon as they are outside, they go back indoors as if the cold is unbearable. "I don't believe it!" Olivia whispers with relief.
Half an hour later, Olivia checks her watch, "The trick-or-treaters will be coming round soon." Glancing out of the window, she expects to see the ghosts still inside the living room. But they're not anywhere to be seen. Cautiously, Olivia opens the shed door and creeps across the garden. After checking the coast is clear, she enters the living room to hear the door bell ring. "Oh no! I haven't got anything to give them." With all the biscuits gone, she doesn't know what to give the expectant children, until out of the corner of her eye she sees something quite unexpected. A plate of perfectly glowing ghost-shaped biscuits sitting on the table. The bell rings again. Knowing she doesn't have any other choice, Olivia picks up the plate, opens the front door and gives her first Halloween treat to a rather unrealistic witch. As the girl walks away holding the biscuit, Olivia thinks she sees the ghost wink at her.
Lottie x
Sunday 31st August
Dear Diary,
I've got to be very quiet because everyone else in my dormitory is asleep and I can hear one of the teachers patrolling outside our door. Nevertheless, I thought I had better start recording what happens in my life as who knows what I might forget when I'm older. Adults say your school days are the best of your life. That's a depressing thought. I don't really enjoy school and if it's downhill from here, then I'm snookered. Anyway, I'm Charlotte in case you didn't already know and soon everyone will call me Lottie when I set them straight because that's what I prefer. Charlotte seems awfully long and posh. I'm not either of those things, in fact, the only reason I can come to this prestigious school is because I got a scholarship. I had to audition for the place by performing a dance in front of some daunting teachers because this is a performing arts school and my 'art' is dance. Or if you'd like to be specific, ballet.
I've been doing ballet since I was four years old and I'm eleven now. That means I've just started Year Seven which sounds good until you reflect on the fact that I don't know anyone in this room. That's a worrying thought isn't it? Soon I'll be able to push that worry away though, because I'm going to get to know my dorm over the next year and I'm sure they will all be very nice. Even if they aren't at first, I'm sure I'll be able to win them over. That's the good thing about my personality, people always seem to be nice to me. I hope it's not because they're scared of me. Oh dear, I've started worrying again.
Okay, I'll try and go to sleep now, so that's all for today. Starting from tomorrow though, I will tell you all about what goes on at St Ada's Performing Arts.
With love,
Lottie x
Monday 1st September
Dear Diary,
At St Ada's we have to get up REALLY EARLY! I was just dreaming about pirouetting down the hallway when this terrible ringing sounded in my ears. I looked at my clock and it read 6:30am. I could not believe how soon we had to start our day considering all the learning we were going to have to do later.
There wasn't much I could do about it though, so I hopped out of bed and quickly got ready for breakfast. I wasn't sure what we were supposed to do once we were all set but a girl in our dorm called Lola has an older sister at the school so she took charge and said we had to wait until a teacher came to take us all down to the canteen. I liked the look of Lola until she started ordering us around, pretending she knew all about St Ada's already. I felt it was my duty on behalf of the rest of the dorm to change the subject, so I said I thought it would be nice for us all to get to know each other whilst
we waited. We all sat on the ends of our beds and told the group our name and what our 'art' was.
There's five other people in my dorm and I'm very proud that I've managed to remember all their names. Lola (who I already told you about), Poppy, Martha, Becky and Kat whose real name is Katherine, but like me, isn't fond of her full name. The first two do singing, the next two acting and me and Kat are dancers. I can already feel that Kat and I are going to be best friends.
Breakfast was delicious when the teacher finally came to get us and we didn't do too much learning for the rest of the day which I was pleased about. It was mainly just sorting out timetables, where everyone was going to sit and what we were going to do for the rest of the year.
Each day we will have five lessons which each last an hour. Since my scholarship is for dance, I've got an hour of that every day. I can't wait to get started!
I'll have to say goodbye for now as free period has just ended and we have to go to our after school clubs. Mine is swimming today and I'm really excited to see the pool because my old school was tiny and didn't have anything as fancy as this.
With love,
Lottie x
Tuesday 2nd September
Dear Diary,
Today I had English, Maths, French, Science and Ballet. I was waiting all day for fifth period when I could do the subject I really love. To be honest, I'm not very good at any of the other lessons; dance is my forte. I was very pleased when the ballet teacher, Miss Sharp, complimented my dancing because she seems like the sort of person who can be instantly stern if you don't do what she wants when she wants it. Kat is more academic than me and really shone when we did English and Science, she's going to be a good friend to have when we get loads of homework!
I feel like I'm really starting to settle in here at St Ada's, I haven't missed my parents at all since that first night. My mum told me to text her once a week to let her know that I'm okay but I'm sure she'll relax that rule once the year has properly got going. And if she doesn't, then I will just have to gradually reduce the amount that I text her until I get my way. She won't be any the wiser.
Not much else to report so . . .
With love,
Lottie x
P.S: Swimming was very tiring but the pool was fantastic!
Friday 5th September
Dear Diary,
Sorry I haven't written in ages, I've just been so caught up in boarding school life.
Lots has happened since we last spoke. Firstly, Kat and me have agreed that we will be best friends. It's so nice to have someone to chat to all the time, although Miss Sharp does have to shout at us sometimes to make us quiet. Secondly, tomorrow is my first weekend in Year Seven and we get to go home just this once to see our parents before we come back on Sunday night. Last of all, I have decided that this will be my last entry. I know I only wrote for a very short time and that I was supposed to record all that happened at St Ada's, but I don't feel like I need to any more. Now I have a friend to confide in and I know all the people in my year, I can settle down and just live 'the best years of my life' one moment at a time.
So for the last time.
With love,
Lottie x
The Future of Cara George
“Your homework due for next week is as follows,” everyone groans as Miss Harrell addresses the class, “write an essay on where you see yourself in twenty years’ time.” I pull a face; how am I meant to know what I’m going to be doing twenty years from now? “Cara George, what do you mean by that rude gesture?” Oh dear, I’ve been caught out, again. “Sorry Miss, I was just itching my nose,” I try it on as a new ploy to avoid being lectured. Miss Harrell shakes her head and with irritation in her voice, says, “I’m fed up with your feeble excuses Miss George, see me after school.” I can’t believe I’ve got another detention; I’ve had plenty this term already. For the last few minutes of the lesson, I mull over what I’m going to do when my mum finds out I’m in trouble yet again. I could just say I was doing my homework for Miss Harrell. A little white lie can’t do much harm.
After scurrying to the English classroom for my detention so as not to be late, I knock rapidly on the door. “Come in,” I hear her voice and it makes me shudder. I go inside and wait to be told what to do next. “Well, are you going to sit down or just stand there like a lemon?” Miss Harrell’s voice cuts through me like a knife. Wounded, I sit down. “Frankly, Cara, I’ve had enough of your tricks and I want this detention to be a lesson that lying gets you nowhere in life except into trouble.” There’s a long pause as I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat, pondering whether to reply or not. “Sorry Miss,” I mumble whilst staring at the faux wood table. She appears to be unsatisfied and forces me to apologise again, “With meaning this time.”
After possibly the most awkward fifteen minutes of my life, I’m released like a bird from a cage and I rush home to recount the sorry tale to my mum, disregarding my previous resolution to fib. Not that Miss Harrell’s right about lying, but I feel like I deserve a bit of compassion.
As soon as I got home, I spilled out the whole tale of my detention to mum who didn’t seem to have much sympathy and merely asked if I needed to get on with my homework. “Probably not,” I replied but she was clearly in a bad mood, “It was a rhetorical question Cara, go and do your homework.” I didn’t budge. “NOW!” I recoiled and hurried up to my room for some peace and quiet.
An hour later, I heard a soft knock on my door, “What?” I asked crossly. “It’s only me,” I could perceive my mum’s apologetic tone. I spoke softly to show I was sorry too, “I’m doing my homework like you asked.”
“That’s good darling,” she pushed open my door, “what’s it about?”
“Oh, just some stupid thing about where we see ourselves in twenty years’ time.”
“Doesn’t sound stupid to me,” my mum is clearly trying quite hard so I give in, “I’ve tried loads of different things but none of them feel right, I know they’re not true. Can you help?”
“Well, the only way to know for sure is to go and see for yourself.” I am really confused now, “How could I ever see for myself?” I ask incredulously. “Time travel of course!” My mum seems excited but surely she’s only trying to cheer me up by playing around. She appears to see my doubt and attempts to reassure me, “I’m serious Cara; I’ll give you the instructions and you need to read them carefully. But, when you get there, even if you forget everything they say, the one thing you mustn’t do is change your future. Who knows what might happen if you do?” I have no idea what she’s talking about but if it’s going to please Miss Harrell, I’m all for it after today’s events.
A few minutes later, I’m standing outside in our overgrown garden, ready to see my future. I clasp the clean, white paper mum gave me in my hands as I begin to follow the commands. ‘Clench your fists,’ it reads, ‘then imagine an older version of yourself,’ in that moment, I couldn’t think of anyone but my mum, ‘now focus on that older self and close your eyes as tightly as you can.’ I focus on the darkness and the tightness of my hand, then picture my mum and I think it works.
The strangest sensation begins to envelop me as I feel as if I’m rolling down an infinite hill into a dark valley. I can see blades of grass all around me and hear rushing water in the distance. I’m not sure whether it’s a river or a waterfall, but either way, I don’t want to land in it. I try to slow down but I only end up rolling faster and faster. Eventually, I give up trying to stop myself from rolling and let my body fall over the land. Oddly, this seems to have the opposite effect and I stop unexpectedly with a hard ‘thud’ on what at first appears to be a grassy bank. However, it suddenly disappears and I feel very enclosed as if I’m in some kind of box, specially designed for human bodies. It’s as if I’m lying down and, feeling around, I touch cold, unforgiving wood at my sides. I have no idea where I am or what I’m inside but I don’t like it.
Panic begins to rise in my stomach as I get the impression that the box I’m in is being picked up and carried towards something. I then hear what I recognise to be the ‘Funeral March’. It finally dawns on me. I’m in a coffin. This is my funeral; twenty years from my fourteenth birthday, I’m going to be dead. I don’t know what to do. If I scream and try to get out, my future changes and that’s the one thing my mum told me not to do. Her words echo through my head, “The one thing you mustn’t do is change your future. Who knows what might happen if you do?” But if I don’t, I’m going to be killed. Straining my ears, I listen for clues as to where I am exactly. I can just make out some shoes click-clacking across the floor and I know I’m inside. It’s a crematorium. I’m going to be burnt alive if I don’t get out of here.
I can’t think of a way to escape without changing my future but I’m going to have to ignore my mum’s advice. I try to comfort myself by thinking about all the times I haven’t listened to her and everything’s been fine. I begin to scream, “AAAAAAH! GET ME OUT OF HERE!” I start pounding my fists against the side of the coffin and realise they’re still tightly wrapped around my mum’s instructions. Reminded of her order not to under any circumstances change my future, I shout, “Sorry mum, I don’t know what else to do.”
What feels like hours later, I detect a scrabbling sound at the coffin and light begins to pour in. “Oh my goodness! She’s alive!” I squint and see my auntie standing over me, her face as pale as a ghost. “Auntie!” I exclaim, “I thought I was going to be burnt alive.”
“But … we thought you were … gone.” She is clearly bewildered by my appearance but I don’t have time for explanations. I’ve seen enough of my future to write an essay worth A*, even from Miss Harrell, I think it’s time I went home. But hang on a minute, how am I going to get back? Mum never gave me those instructions.
Dark Unicorn
“Why must I go to bed at 8:00pm Daddy?” moaned Emma. “Because if you’re not asleep by 9:00pm the dark skies will swallow you up!” her father replied. Emma’s mum gave an exasperated look and told Emma to put her pyjamas on. However their daughter had already disappeared upstairs. She had a plan.
“Night-night mummy, night-night daddy.” Emma smiled sweetly. “Good night darling, we’ll see you in the morning,” chirped her mum. But Emma wasn’t going to sleep; she was staying up until 9:00pm to see what would happen. All of her friends in year six went to bed at 9 o’clock, so why couldn’t she? She might have been the youngest in the class. A ‘summer-born’ as her mother put it, nonetheless the fact that they were eleven and she was ten made no difference.
“Chapter ten.” Emma had been reading for half an hour and already she was halfway through her book. Bored, she tiptoed to her desk and took out her notebook. “I’ll start a night diary. Every night I’ll keep a record of what I do” she whispered to herself. Settling down to write, she looked at her desk clock, 8:32pm it read. Her heart sank. Already she was bored and tired, wishing she had just gone to bed. Still, she had come this far now, there was no going back.
“It’s 9:00pm!” Emma sang quietly, shining a small torch on her clock. Looking out of her window, all she could see was the ever-hopeful moon, shining down on her. Smiling, Emma hopped into bed and started reading again. Yet it was impossible to concentrate, the apprehension was too much. She waited and waited. Nothing happened. The seconds ticked by, they became minutes, the minutes became a quarter of an hour. Still nothing. So she decided to go into the garden, where she would be fully exposed to the dark night sky.
Her feet sank into the wet lawn of the family’s back garden. Suddenly, everything went black. The moon had been blocked out and she could feel a presence in front of her, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness the silhouette of a unicorn became clear. “Hop on my back and I’ll give you a ride to eternity.” Emma jumped as the sentence left the horse’s mouth. “Can you hear me Emma?” the figure looked up to where the moon had been and everything was illuminated again. “How do you know my name?” Emma croaked, petrified. “I know a lot of things, little girl” the tone of the unicorn wasn’t menacing, it was a soft melody to Emma’s ears and she liked it. She relented, “Take me to a wonderful place, oh white horse.”
Cheating Death
I’m dying but I don’t know why. I can’t remember anything. Mum keeps reminding me of who everyone is. I forget. That’s all I seem to do these days, just forget everything I’m told. The only thing I don’t forget is my plan. That’s what’s kept me going, knowing there is hope yet.
“I love you mum, and you dad. I’m sorry for anything bad I’ve ever done and thank you for everything.” Mum hugs me for the last time. I can feel time slowing down, the beating drum of my heart stops and I close my eyes. Everything is black and I can feel nothing.
But then, gradually, I sense my whole body floating to the ceiling. ‘Oh my goodness’, I think to myself, ‘I’m on the journey to heaven. Quick! I must stop it; I know there is a way back down the ladder to the living.’ I try to wave my arms around but I have no limbs of any sort. I focus my mind on climbing down the ladder. Step by step, panic is rising, ‘I’m never going to make it.’ My mind is in a whirl. ‘Concentrate,’ I tell myself, ‘think about each tiny movement and each part of the spirit that you are.’ I begin to see, I have the use of my eyes, but I see only darkness.
I hoped my plan would work, I’ve always known that when I die I would try to cheat death and come back to life. Over the seemingly never-ending time in my confining hospital bed, I have been running the plan through my head. Mum would force a smile as other visitors gave pitying looks in my direction. Yet I would be off in my own world, developing my plan so that by the time I died, I would be prepared to steal death’s trophy of life. My confidence doesn’t last long though, a searing light blinds me. I was worried the gateway would be opened in advance; it will be harder to resist going to heaven than I thought.
I focus on the ladder again, but the sound of beating wings distracts me. A wave of bliss flows over me and I find it hard to escape the desire to float up to heaven. Yet I know I must not go and I struggle with the urge to relax and let go. I now have the sense of some hands. I move them down to a lower rung; they start to feel more like my own. Moving my hands one after the other down the ladder, I start to descend. I have made it out of the dazzling light, I could laugh and cry.
Slowly but surely, I regain control of my body. I rush down the ladder and back into the real world. I open my eyes and out flow tears of joy. “I love you mum.”
“I love you too darling; we thought we had lost you. But you came back.”
Amelie, Michelle and Gracie
Day One
"Hi, my name is Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. I live with my parents and little brother and sister. We-"
"Off you go then Gracie, you only have to speak for half a minute, there's no need to be shy." Michelle is trying to be nice but she doesn't get it. Gracie doesn't choose to be timid, she just is. "Hello, I'm Gracie. Um, I'm twelve and I have three brothers. They're at university though, so I don't really see them that much. I live with my parents but my mum's away a lot for work and, er, she has to go and look after my Grandma. My dad's parents lived in Africa but I never met them. Mum says they would have liked my singing. I don't usually let anyone listen, only if they stand in another room, but I think she must have heard me when I thought no one was around. Yeah, so, that's it."
I realise I haven't explained what's going on. Our time at summer camp is almost over. In fact, we only have one week left. In this last week, we have all been set the challenge to create a film, showcasing the camp, so that it can be put on the website to attract new people for next year. However, obviously there can only be one film and it's not feasible for 100 girls to all work together, so it is a competition instead and the best film will be put on the website. Michelle is clearly desperate to win and as we are friends (ish) I agreed to help her.
Michelle did introduce herself for the film but I think my analysis of her might be slightly more enlightening and truthful. She is thirteen years old and won't let any of us younger girls forget it. According to her, because she is older, she has a bigger brain, and therefore gets to make any decisions which may arise. This is fine by Gracie seeing as she is so indecisive, but I have other ideas and we often lock horns over Michelle's mantra "I am the Director. What I say goes." This is not only a saying she uses for the film, but for life in general. Appearance-wise, she is tall and a little overweight, nothing much, but she is very self-conscious about it. She tries to compensate for her figure by straightening her extremely curly hair and pasting gooey liquid stuff over her freckles. She calls it 'foundation' but I've never used it. I think she looks nicer how she is naturally, but if it makes her feel confident then I suppose it's worth it.
Her and her mum live together in a little flat because her dad was killed a few years ago when he was reporting for the news in a war zone and a bomb went off. Everyone was so shocked and even now I don't think any of us can quite comprehend what has happened. It was just all too awful. Michelle tries to stay strong but she has only recently begun talking about her dad again. She says part of the reason she wants to win this competition is because he used to make short films for her to watch on the weekend and she wants to do him proud. I know that life must be very difficult for her and that's mainly why I'm helping out with the film. If this is her way to connect to her dad, then she should definitely get the chance to do it.
It's day two on the 'film set' and things aren't exactly going to plan. Gracie has gone off with the other girls for a morning of arts and crafts because she says yesterday was too overwhelming for her. I think what she means is that Michelle was too overwhelming. This means we can't get started until the afternoon when I will have to try and persuade her to help us for just a little bit longer. Michelle has, inevitably, flounced off and I've been left to come up with ideas for today's clip. We have to show the camp off in its best light but it's a little difficult when everyone is either off making their own short films or arguing with each other. My only idea so far is that I could pretend to teach some French to a group of younger girls so that the camp is not only fun but educational too. The only problem with that is that I don't think I would get much further than "Bonjour" before they all got bored and moved on to something else.
"So, have you got any ideas for the next instalment of Michelle's Masterpiece?" I say with a grin. I'm trying to make her feel less nervous about the whole filming thing. Hopefully if she is allowed to choose what we do then she will be more prepared to take part.
All morning Gracie and I walk around the camp, taking short videos here and there of people
"Um, arts and crafts." Gracie has retreated back into her shell and all because of stupid Michelle. "Actually," I interject, "Gracie has been really helpful this morning and came up with a great idea for the film."
"Wow. You were amazing. Thanks for standing up for me." Gracie sounds truly grateful, if not a little shaken by the argument, but I am in too much of a rage to think clearly enough to say anything back. I can't believe Michelle would be so hurtful after all we've done for her. She keeps saying she wants to make her dad proud, but I don't think she realises that this is not what he would have wanted. It doesn't matter how good the film is. If you've got no friends because you were too horrible to them all then you haven't really succeeded. Even though I'm angry with her, I also feel a bit sad that she is so blind to the fact that she is chasing everyone away. Unless she apologises properly and tries to change her ways, I don't think we can be friends any more.
Well yesterday was ... eventful. I haven't seen Michelle since our little altercation so I don't know what's going to happen about the film. Even though I do feel bad about what I said to her, I almost feel worse about Gracie. She keeps saying it was her fault and that she caused the argument, even though I've been trying to reassure her that she's done nothing wrong. Oh, why does everything involving Michelle always have to end in tears?
"Brace yourself!" Gracie gives me an anxious smile and we step into the hall. Silence falls and everyone turns to face us. I feel physically sick and want to turn out of the door, run back to my dorm and never come out. Until a voice behind me booms, "What are you staring at?" I spin around come eye to eye with the terrifying-looking camp leader. Only she doesn't look terrifying any more. Somebody has managed to shave off her eyebrows whilst she was asleep and now her face looks ridiculous. In one swift move, she has gone from having the bushiest eyebrows in the UK to none at all. I can't believe it and, in my shock, I burst out laughing. Immediately, I slap my hand across my mouth because I certainly don't want to witness the wrath of Ms Varrelbass. I think I get away with it because she steps around me and marches down the aisle in between all of the gaping girls, towards the teachers' table at the back. I would feel sorry for her if she hadn't yelled at me the first time I came to camp for not making my bed properly.
I am so relieved that we weren't the ones everyone was staring at that I completely forget about Michelle and go to sit down at our table as normal. It all comes flooding back as I look up and catch her eye though. Without saying a word, she slides a folded piece of paper across the table towards me and then gets up to leave. "What's this?" I call after her, but she doesn't respond and hurries out of the hall. I give Gracie a questioning look, but she just shrugs her shoulders, so I open it up and, in Michelle's unmistakably neat handwriting, are the words "We need to talk. Meet me by the lake at 11am." Turning to Gracie, I say, "She should have just talked to us now, I don't know why we have to go to a special meeting place. This is stupid."
Now that breakfast has finished early, we have two hours until we are supposed to meet Michelle. "Let's go and see if she's in her dorm, we can just talk to her there." I propose to Gracie, but she doesn't seem too keen. "I don't think that's a very good idea, what if she gets all angry like last time?"
"Michelle, are you in there?" I call as I knock on the door. There's no answer, but I can hear somebody in the room. "I've come to talk. I know you said later, but breakfast closed early and we didn't want to wait for two hours." Still no answer. I'm on the verge of just opening the door myself,
It's our penultimate day at camp and we've got to finish the film today so they can announce the winners tomorrow. I think we've got a really good chance of winning, but I suppose it's easy for me to say that when I haven't seen any of the other girls' films. Michelle is a bit frantic because she wants it to be perfect, but I'm just trying to enjoy being here until we have to leave. It might have been helpful if there had been less arguing, because we lost valuable time yesterday, but at least we started work early today to try and make up for it.
"Amelie, I'm ready." Michelle peers into the dingy changing rooms, but it's too dark for her to see. "Just coming!" I shout to reassure her that I'm still here. There are no windows and the bulbs on the lights blew in here last year, but no one has ever got round to fixing them. It makes getting dressed a little tricky because I keep misplacing my clothes and then I am forced to feel around blindly on the floor looking for them. Finally, I locate my shoes and, slipping them on, I head out into the corridor. The contrast of light momentarily disables me and I squint around, trying to see Michelle. "For goodness' sake Amelie, I'm over here." I feel someone take hold of my shoulders and spin me around. My eyes have adjusted and I open them fully, to see Michelle standing in front of me looking confused as to what I was just doing. "Sorry," I start to explain, "it was dark and then light. You know what I mean? My eyes did the thing ..."
Me, Michelle and Gracie spend all morning filming clips of people swimming, playing sports and
"Ready Gracie?"
The day is finally here! All of the films were collected last night and a winner has been decided on. Before they tell us who it is, we get to watch all of them. I'm really excited to see everyone else's and try and gauge their reactions towards ours. We have all gathered in the hall where there is a projector and are sitting along benches, waiting nervously. Gracie managed to get us seats near the front so we will hopefully get a good view of everybody's creations.
"Girls! Quieten down please, the films are about to start." A camp leader is trying to gain control, but
When we finally get to ours, Michelle is shaking so much I worry she might fall off her seat. As they
"Yes, you look great!" I nod back, smiling. We walk to the front and stand in front of a sea of faces, all as shocked as we are that we have won. "Well done girls." The camp leader pats us on the back, "A very good film which showcases that summer camp is not just about the games or activities, but learning the value of friendship and how to stick by each other, through thick and thin." If what I'm hearing is right, we won the competition because of those extra clips. The ones Michelle was sobbing over a minute ago. Life is really surprising sometimes.
"Thank you both for helping me achieve my dream and making this camp such a memorable one." Michelle engulfs me and Gracie in a massive hug as we say our goodbyes.
'Earth 2'
Her eyes bore into me, innocent, searching for why I am crying, when in her mind everything is fine. I cradle her in my arms like I did when I first saw her two years ago, my beautiful daughter Lyra. Named after a constellation because I knew that she would do something far greater than any of us could imagine. Now I am leaving her, my husband and mother too, for this mission. This mission which could either save the world or leave a little girl without her mother forever. My heart cannot bear it, I am tearing apart inside and I know I must go now before I change my mind. Gently placing Lyra on the ground I try to convey my love for her, but it is just too great, and instead I kiss her and hug her and try to make her understand that she must cherish this moment in case I never come back. “I love you my darling with everything I have and one day we will see each other again, whether on earth or in Heaven I do not know.” Then it is time for me to go, and taking one last look at my family, I turn and board the spaceship.
As I press the final button on the switchboard in front of me, I fight the urge to turn back and run to my daughter, to hold her tight and never let go. Keaton, seeing me hesitate, catches my eye and gives me a reassuring smile. I cannot let everybody down. I strap myself into my seat and help the others prepare for take-off. We have done it in training many times before, but the feeling is different this time. The air crackles with tension.
Millions of stars fly past our window, most appear tiny because they are so far away; they look like pin pricks in a never-ending sheet of darkness. However, inside the spaceship time seems to stand still. We have so little to do and so far to go, I wonder whether my brain will shut down due to lack of use. I think of Lyra every day and wish that I could see her.
For five monotonous years we travel on through space until one day an automated voice shatters our hope of reaching ‘Earth 2’, “A star which is set to explode is in the flight path.”
“Daniel, switch to manual control. Adam, enter code 090800. Keaton, notify ground control, over.” In desperation I attempt to code a new route, but the system is malfunctioning. It has reset the password and none of us can access anything. Tears begin blurring my eyes, my whole body is shaking, rocking to and fro, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, to save my daughter from a life without her mother. I start to scream, a piercing, blood-curdling scream. Please God, save me, I cannot die, plea-
On ‘Earth 2’, Lyra is showing her granddaughter the stars.
I never usually eat before we set off, there is always food along the way. Also, as the others never cease to remind me, I do get slightly motion sick. Father always comforts me though, he says I came in very useful on that foggy night many years ago, he would never have been able to do it without me. It's our busiest time of year, you see, there are so many places to go all in one night, Father gets quite stressed with the pressure sometimes.
Father once explained to me that he used to deliver them all himself when he was a young man, but
Father prepares us for landing and we begin to slow down. All the gifts have been delivered now and
Halloween Special
"Bye Mum!" Olivia waves goodbye as the car disappears out of view. "Finally," she mutters, "I've got the house all to myself." Suzanne, Olivia's mum, is going out for the night to meet some friends and entrusting her daughter with looking after the house until she gets back. Normally, Olivia would go with her, but tonight is Halloween and Suzanne doesn't want the house to be ruined by the time she gets back.
A while later, Olivia pops back into the kitchen to check on her biscuits. But they've vanished. The oven is off and the tray is completely empty. As Olivia turns around to start looking in the rest of the kitchen, she thinks she sees a flash of white disappearing into the living room. Curious, she follows it and finds more than she had bargained for. As twelve ghosts descend on her, she screams and desperately thinks of a place to hide, "The shed! The ghosts might not be able to leave the house," scrambling out of the door, she sprints to the shed and slams the door behind her. Peeking out of the window, her heart sinks as she sees the white shapes float through the back door and into the garden. However, almost as soon as they are outside, they go back indoors as if the cold is unbearable. "I don't believe it!" Olivia whispers with relief.
Lottie x
Sunday 31st August
Today I had English, Maths, French, Science and Ballet. I was waiting all day for fifth period when I could do the subject I really love. To be honest, I'm not very good at any of the other lessons; dance is my forte. I was very pleased when the ballet teacher, Miss Sharp, complimented my dancing because she seems like the sort of person who can be instantly stern if you don't do what she wants when she wants it. Kat is more academic than me and really shone when we did English and Science, she's going to be a good friend to have when we get loads of homework!
Lots has happened since we last spoke. Firstly, Kat and me have agreed that we will be best friends. It's so nice to have someone to chat to all the time, although Miss Sharp does have to shout at us sometimes to make us quiet. Secondly, tomorrow is my first weekend in Year Seven and we get to go home just this once to see our parents before we come back on Sunday night. Last of all, I have decided that this will be my last entry. I know I only wrote for a very short time and that I was supposed to record all that happened at St Ada's, but I don't feel like I need to any more. Now I have a friend to confide in and I know all the people in my year, I can settle down and just live 'the best years of my life' one moment at a time.
The Future of Cara George
“Your homework due for next week is as follows,” everyone groans as Miss Harrell addresses the class, “write an essay on where you see yourself in twenty years’ time.” I pull a face; how am I meant to know what I’m going to be doing twenty years from now? “Cara George, what do you mean by that rude gesture?” Oh dear, I’ve been caught out, again. “Sorry Miss, I was just itching my nose,” I try it on as a new ploy to avoid being lectured. Miss Harrell shakes her head and with irritation in her voice, says, “I’m fed up with your feeble excuses Miss George, see me after school.” I can’t believe I’ve got another detention; I’ve had plenty this term already. For the last few minutes of the lesson, I mull over what I’m going to do when my mum finds out I’m in trouble yet again. I could just say I was doing my homework for Miss Harrell. A little white lie can’t do much harm.
Dark Unicorn
“Why must I go to bed at 8:00pm Daddy?” moaned Emma. “Because if you’re not asleep by 9:00pm the dark skies will swallow you up!” her father replied. Emma’s mum gave an exasperated look and told Emma to put her pyjamas on. However their daughter had already disappeared upstairs. She had a plan.
Day One
"Hi, my name is Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. I live with my parents and little brother and sister. We-"
"No! You have to remember the people watching this film know nothing about you. Why are you called Amelie and not Amelia? Why do your grandparents live in France? Look INTO, not around the camera. Come on, this isn't difficult!" I give Michelle a withering look and try again.
"Hi! My name is Amelie, and before you ask 'why not Amelia?' I will explain. My parents are French and came to England for work which is why I was born here. They wanted to bring a bit of our family history with them, so what better way than to confuse every school teacher I will ever have by calling me, a girl who looks and sounds English, a French name? Anyway, I'm Amelie, I'm twelve years old and I like swimming, playing the flute and sending postcards to my grandparents in France. We visit them every Christmas, but they like to stay updated and they live too far out in the countryside to have a working phone. My little brother and sister draw pictures on the postcards because they can't write properly yet. Me, my parents and my siblings all live together in one happy household and I can't wait to tell them about all the fun I'm having at summer camp!" Michelle looks relieved, if not slightly annoyed that I didn't say that on the first take. "Yes, better." She forces a smile, "Just say it once more with a smile and look INTO THE CAMERA." Smoothing out her dress, she tries to compose herself but I can tell she is flustered. I don't know why I agreed to do this.
After about ten more tries, Michelle seems satisfied. I feel sorry for Gracie who is up next. She is quiet, shy and although the same age as me, everyone always thinks she is younger. We have become good friends since we came to camp this summer and I really hope Michelle gives her a bit of leeway. I don't think Gracie has it in her to stand up for herself.
"Off you go then Gracie, you only have to speak for half a minute, there's no need to be shy." Michelle is trying to be nice but she doesn't get it. Gracie doesn't choose to be timid, she just is. "Hello, I'm Gracie. Um, I'm twelve and I have three brothers. They're at university though, so I don't really see them that much. I live with my parents but my mum's away a lot for work and, er, she has to go and look after my Grandma. My dad's parents lived in Africa but I never met them. Mum says they would have liked my singing. I don't usually let anyone listen, only if they stand in another room, but I think she must have heard me when I thought no one was around. Yeah, so, that's it."
"Gracie, I'm afraid you're going to have to do that again." I can tell Michelle is really holding back from yelling at Gracie. "I'm really sorry, did I do something wrong?" Gracie looks so vulnerable stood up there, in front of the white paper which has been taped together to get as close to the 'professional background' as possible which Michelle wanted for her film. I know what is coming and I really wish it wasn't. "DID YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG?" Michelle screams, astounded that Gracie can't see what everyone else can. "You mumbled, stumbled and blundered your way through that like a blind man trying to find a coin in a fountain the size of North America. I don't know what you think you did RIGHT." I can see that Gracie is on the verge of tears and Michelle's analogies are only going to get worse. I think it's time for me to step in, "What Michelle means is that it would be great if you could cut out the ums and ers and just pause if you don't know what to say. We can always edit out the mistakes later, right Michelle?" I turn to face the now trembling Michelle and hope to God that she agrees with me for once. Luckily I think she is in too much of a state to retaliate and just points to the camera. I hit record once more and Gracie tries again. And again. And again. It must have taken just over an hour to get her section looking presentable, but somehow we managed it without either of them bursting into tears and storming out. At least that's the talking part over with. Now Gracie and I can just appear in the other clips without having to address the audience.
I realise I haven't explained what's going on. Our time at summer camp is almost over. In fact, we only have one week left. In this last week, we have all been set the challenge to create a film, showcasing the camp, so that it can be put on the website to attract new people for next year. However, obviously there can only be one film and it's not feasible for 100 girls to all work together, so it is a competition instead and the best film will be put on the website. Michelle is clearly desperate to win and as we are friends (ish) I agreed to help her.
Michelle did introduce herself for the film but I think my analysis of her might be slightly more enlightening and truthful. She is thirteen years old and won't let any of us younger girls forget it. According to her, because she is older, she has a bigger brain, and therefore gets to make any decisions which may arise. This is fine by Gracie seeing as she is so indecisive, but I have other ideas and we often lock horns over Michelle's mantra "I am the Director. What I say goes." This is not only a saying she uses for the film, but for life in general. Appearance-wise, she is tall and a little overweight, nothing much, but she is very self-conscious about it. She tries to compensate for her figure by straightening her extremely curly hair and pasting gooey liquid stuff over her freckles. She calls it 'foundation' but I've never used it. I think she looks nicer how she is naturally, but if it makes her feel confident then I suppose it's worth it.
Her and her mum live together in a little flat because her dad was killed a few years ago when he was reporting for the news in a war zone and a bomb went off. Everyone was so shocked and even now I don't think any of us can quite comprehend what has happened. It was just all too awful. Michelle tries to stay strong but she has only recently begun talking about her dad again. She says part of the reason she wants to win this competition is because he used to make short films for her to watch on the weekend and she wants to do him proud. I know that life must be very difficult for her and that's mainly why I'm helping out with the film. If this is her way to connect to her dad, then she should definitely get the chance to do it.
Day Two
It's day two on the 'film set' and things aren't exactly going to plan. Gracie has gone off with the other girls for a morning of arts and crafts because she says yesterday was too overwhelming for her. I think what she means is that Michelle was too overwhelming. This means we can't get started until the afternoon when I will have to try and persuade her to help us for just a little bit longer. Michelle has, inevitably, flounced off and I've been left to come up with ideas for today's clip. We have to show the camp off in its best light but it's a little difficult when everyone is either off making their own short films or arguing with each other. My only idea so far is that I could pretend to teach some French to a group of younger girls so that the camp is not only fun but educational too. The only problem with that is that I don't think I would get much further than "Bonjour" before they all got bored and moved on to something else.
"Amelie? Are you in here?" Gracie pops her head round the door to our dormitory.
"Yeah, over here. I thought you were doing arts and crafts?" I look quizzically at her but she isn't giving anything away. I'm usually good at reading people's facial expressions, but Gracie has the knack of hiding her feelings under layers of shyness and anxiety.
"I was," she ventures a little further into the room, "but then I felt bad for leaving you with Michelle, so I decided to come back and help with the film."
"Oh thank you Gracie! I really appreciate this. I know it must have taken a lot of courage to come back to Michelle's team."
"Yeah, well." She shifts from foot to foot, clearly apprehensive of what she has let herself in for.
"So, have you got any ideas for the next instalment of Michelle's Masterpiece?" I say with a grin. I'm trying to make her feel less nervous about the whole filming thing. Hopefully if she is allowed to choose what we do then she will be more prepared to take part.
"Actually I have." I'm taken quite by surprise with this confident remark and encourage her to go on. "Well," She begins, "I thought instead of having long clips which all have to be perfectly captured and directed by you-know-who, we could just walk around the campsite and take little videos of anything interesting or fun that is going on. They can be edited together later and with a bit of music over the top, it could make quite a good advertisement for 'prospective parents' as Michelle calls them." It's a great idea and I'm so pleased Gracie is finally coming out of her shell.
"Yes, what a fabulous idea!" I enthuse, "We could get some filming done now whilst Michelle is off in a huff so there will be less for her to interfere with." Gracie seems relieved that she won't have to see Michelle for a little while and truth be told, I'm quite glad too.
All morning Gracie and I walk around the camp, taking short videos here and there of people
chatting, playing and having fun. It's so much more relaxing when Michelle isn't around. We can just talk to each other normally, without having to shout or dismiss each other's ideas. If only Michelle could just learn to be a bit more tolerant of other people, she could be a great friend.
Just as I spot another place where we could get a good shot I hear the familiar cry of somebody I was
hoping we wouldn't see until this afternoon. "What are you doing with my camera?" Michelle flicks her hair over her shoulders as she walks towards us. She would make a good teacher I think. She has the right sort of accusatory attitude that seems to be necessary around children.
"We were just getting some clips for the film whilst you were away doing ... " I pause to allow Michelle to explain herself, but she ignores me and turns to face Gracie instead.
"I thought you were doing some other kind of morning activity. Colouring-in wasn't it?"
"Um, arts and crafts." Gracie has retreated back into her shell and all because of stupid Michelle. "Actually," I interject, "Gracie has been really helpful this morning and came up with a great idea for the film."
"What sort of idea?" Michelle practically barks at me. No wonder Gracie is afraid of her.
"We've been taking short clips of people enjoying themselves and we thought they could be edited together this afternoon with a bit of music put over them. It will be easier for us to film and nicer for the prospective parents to watch too." I try to smile at Michelle but she puts her hands on her hips and starts yelling at Gracie and I.
"This is my film and we will do what I say! I don't want short clips like in a movie trailer, we are going to have to start all over again tomorrow with films of people doing real activities. You two clearly can't be trusted." I am furious that Michelle has just dismissed a whole morning's work and I'm not going to stand for it.
"We have worked on this all morning for you and I will not let it be pushed aside once more because 'Michelle had other ideas'. For your information there are clips of people doing 'real activities', it just won't get boring because our clips aren't ten minutes long like yours. Our work is going into the film and if you don't like it, you're going to have to put in a separate entry of your own. But good luck with that because we're not helping." And with that, I take hold of Gracie's arm and pull her away towards the dormitories where I can get some time to think away from Michelle.
"Wow. You were amazing. Thanks for standing up for me." Gracie sounds truly grateful, if not a little shaken by the argument, but I am in too much of a rage to think clearly enough to say anything back. I can't believe Michelle would be so hurtful after all we've done for her. She keeps saying she wants to make her dad proud, but I don't think she realises that this is not what he would have wanted. It doesn't matter how good the film is. If you've got no friends because you were too horrible to them all then you haven't really succeeded. Even though I'm angry with her, I also feel a bit sad that she is so blind to the fact that she is chasing everyone away. Unless she apologises properly and tries to change her ways, I don't think we can be friends any more.
Day Three
Well yesterday was ... eventful. I haven't seen Michelle since our little altercation so I don't know what's going to happen about the film. Even though I do feel bad about what I said to her, I almost feel worse about Gracie. She keeps saying it was her fault and that she caused the argument, even though I've been trying to reassure her that she's done nothing wrong. Oh, why does everything involving Michelle always have to end in tears?
I'm heading over to the hall to get breakfast, but I'm trying to take as long as possible to get there because Michelle is on my table and I know it's going to be really awkward. "Amelie, wait for me!" I
turn around to see Gracie running towards me. "Hi! I thought you had already gone." I shout as I wait for her to catch up.
"No, I've been putting it off, but when I saw you going I thought I would come too because it might be easier if we go in together."
"Good idea." I say, just as we reach the entrance.
"Brace yourself!" Gracie gives me an anxious smile and we step into the hall. Silence falls and everyone turns to face us. I feel physically sick and want to turn out of the door, run back to my dorm and never come out. Until a voice behind me booms, "What are you staring at?" I spin around come eye to eye with the terrifying-looking camp leader. Only she doesn't look terrifying any more. Somebody has managed to shave off her eyebrows whilst she was asleep and now her face looks ridiculous. In one swift move, she has gone from having the bushiest eyebrows in the UK to none at all. I can't believe it and, in my shock, I burst out laughing. Immediately, I slap my hand across my mouth because I certainly don't want to witness the wrath of Ms Varrelbass. I think I get away with it because she steps around me and marches down the aisle in between all of the gaping girls, towards the teachers' table at the back. I would feel sorry for her if she hadn't yelled at me the first time I came to camp for not making my bed properly.I am so relieved that we weren't the ones everyone was staring at that I completely forget about Michelle and go to sit down at our table as normal. It all comes flooding back as I look up and catch her eye though. Without saying a word, she slides a folded piece of paper across the table towards me and then gets up to leave. "What's this?" I call after her, but she doesn't respond and hurries out of the hall. I give Gracie a questioning look, but she just shrugs her shoulders, so I open it up and, in Michelle's unmistakably neat handwriting, are the words "We need to talk. Meet me by the lake at 11am." Turning to Gracie, I say, "She should have just talked to us now, I don't know why we have to go to a special meeting place. This is stupid."
"Maybe she didn't want everyone else to hear." Gracie suggests.
"It's always got to be about her, hasn't it?" I say, tutting.
"Girls!" One of the camp leaders shouts. "Breakfast ends early today, finish eating and make sure you're out in ten minutes." I hurry to grab some food and wolf it down, before clearing my plate and hurrying away. I think I've seen enough of Ms Varrelbass for one day.
Now that breakfast has finished early, we have two hours until we are supposed to meet Michelle. "Let's go and see if she's in her dorm, we can just talk to her there." I propose to Gracie, but she doesn't seem too keen. "I don't think that's a very good idea, what if she gets all angry like last time?"
"Gracie, you can't let Michelle scare you. We don't even know what she's got to say yet, it could be a good thing."
"I doubt that very much, but if you really want to go, then I'll come too as long as I don't have to say anything. Can you promise to stand up for me?"
"Of course I will!" I smile. "Come on, just trust me with this."
"Okay, go on then." I give Gracie a hug, then turn her round to face the direction of Michelle's dorm. I can't believe I'm about to do this.
"Michelle, are you in there?" I call as I knock on the door. There's no answer, but I can hear somebody in the room. "I've come to talk. I know you said later, but breakfast closed early and we didn't want to wait for two hours." Still no answer. I'm on the verge of just opening the door myself,
until I hear someone sneeze in the room. It's definitely Michelle. "Your cover's blown Michelle, I heard you sneeze. We can have the conversation through the door if you want, but then everyone outside would be able to hear it. Just come out, this is petty." I wait quietly, listening for signs of movement inside the room and after what seems like an eternity, the door opens a crack and her freckled face pokes its way out. "I'll talk to you in a minute," she says, and I can hear the defeat in her voice, "just let me finish putting on my make-up." I chuckle to myself; only Michelle would bother with make-up at an all-girls camp where most activities were outside. "Fine." I sigh. "But at least let us wait inside the room." Relenting, she opens the door wider and walks over to a pocket mirror which has been balanced on one of the bunk beds. Next to it is a whole row of bottles which are all pristine, yet I know they have been well used. It is certainly awkward, to say the least, but I am glad we are talking now. I hate having to ignore people. "So what did you want to tell us?" I say, when she has finally finished smearing stuff on her face. "I have a proposition." She fishes around under her mattress, pulls out a laptop and brings it over to me and Gracie who are perched on one of the lower bunks. Opening the lid she shows us a movie editing programme, "I have added the clips you took to the film. I'm, well, I'm ... sorry" she winces with the effort it takes to apologise, "and I thought if we could both decide on how a little bit of the film should look, then everyone will be happy. This is your bit, so I did what you wanted with the music and everything. I hope you like it." She hits the space bar and plays our part of the film. Admittedly, it is only twenty seconds long, but I can tell she has really tried. "Thank you so much," I give her a hug, "I really appreciate this." Turning to Gracie, I give her a chance to thank Michelle, but she just smiles.
Day Four
It's our penultimate day at camp and we've got to finish the film today so they can announce the winners tomorrow. I think we've got a really good chance of winning, but I suppose it's easy for me to say that when I haven't seen any of the other girls' films. Michelle is a bit frantic because she wants it to be perfect, but I'm just trying to enjoy being here until we have to leave. It might have been helpful if there had been less arguing, because we lost valuable time yesterday, but at least we started work early today to try and make up for it."Amelie, I'm ready." Michelle peers into the dingy changing rooms, but it's too dark for her to see. "Just coming!" I shout to reassure her that I'm still here. There are no windows and the bulbs on the lights blew in here last year, but no one has ever got round to fixing them. It makes getting dressed a little tricky because I keep misplacing my clothes and then I am forced to feel around blindly on the floor looking for them. Finally, I locate my shoes and, slipping them on, I head out into the corridor. The contrast of light momentarily disables me and I squint around, trying to see Michelle. "For goodness' sake Amelie, I'm over here." I feel someone take hold of my shoulders and spin me around. My eyes have adjusted and I open them fully, to see Michelle standing in front of me looking confused as to what I was just doing. "Sorry," I start to explain, "it was dark and then light. You know what I mean? My eyes did the thing ..."
"I don't care what you were doing," Michelle cuts in, "let's just get on with it shall we?" I pull a face at her harsh tone.
"Oh, I did it again didn't I?" She says meekly. "I was rude. I'm sorry."
Wow! That's the first time she's apologised so quickly, I think we might be getting somewhere. "That's okay," I smile, "just consider what you're going to say before you say it next time."
Me, Michelle and Gracie spend all morning filming clips of people swimming, playing sports and
doing art. It's similar to what Gracie and I did originally, but this time we go up to the people and get them to talk to the camera. Michelle says it will make the film seem "more personal", whatever that means. At lunchtime, I interview the dinner ladies and then Michelle and Gracie get feedback from people eating the food. I try to tell Michelle that it isn't feedback if you tell the girls what to say, but she said we didn't want negative comments spoiling the film. So Gracie is put on the task of coming up with good things for everyone to say. She actually does a very good job for someone who doesn't usually know what to say herself.
"Ready Gracie?"
"Yep, let's go!" We're off to the campfire, but our work isn't quite over yet as Gracie suggested we film that too. For once Michelle was in agreement, so she is borrowing the camp's special camera which can film in the dark. I think it's the reason there isn't enough money to fix the bulbs in the changing rooms, but I would definitely rather have the camera than the lights.
"After this, the film will be finished and then we can go home!" Gracie looks relieved.
"Didn't you enjoy it?" I ask her.
"Some parts were fun, but others ... Slightly traumatic."
I laugh, "Don't you think you're being a tad over-dramatic?"
"Maybe." she smiles back, "I'll just be glad to get home to a quiet household."
"What I would give to have some peace and quiet at home! With a little brother and sister, there is always someone making a racket."
"Oh god, that sounds awful." Gracie looks genuinely horrified.
"I'm used to it, I don't really mind." It makes me smile that we are such different people, yet we get along so well. This is how friendship should be.
I spot Michelle standing by the side of the fire getting the camera set up. "Hi, how's it going?" I say as I wander over.
"Almost done, this camera is really complicated but I think I might have just about got it."
"What do you want us to do?"
"You can help me if you really want, but I think it would be better for you to just go and enjoy yourselves. It will give the film closure if you appear at the beginning and the end."
"Sure," I turn to Gracie, "I'm happy to join in if you are."
"Yeah, I vote for enjoying ourselves!" Gracie grins and I follow her over to a log where we perch, ready for the fun to begin. There isn't long to wait and, on Michelle's cue, a young camp leader gets everyone singing. It's a wonderful feeling to know you are part of something special. This will certainly make a great end to our film.
Day Five
The day is finally here! All of the films were collected last night and a winner has been decided on. Before they tell us who it is, we get to watch all of them. I'm really excited to see everyone else's and try and gauge their reactions towards ours. We have all gathered in the hall where there is a projector and are sitting along benches, waiting nervously. Gracie managed to get us seats near the front so we will hopefully get a good view of everybody's creations."Girls! Quieten down please, the films are about to start." A camp leader is trying to gain control, but
I think we are all too nervous to settle down. My heart is going at a rate of knots and my palms are sweating. I wipe them off on my jeans just as Michelle comes and sits down next to me. "I'm not even going to ask." She laughs. The old Michelle would have made some smart comment to try and make me feel small, but she seems to be trying really hard to be nice.
"Are you nervous?" I ask.
Her smile fades, "Terrified. I'm trying not to think about it."
I'm taken aback by her response and try to reassure her, "You've got nothing to be afraid of, I bet our film is the best one here." As I say it I try to sound optimistic, but really I know that I have no idea whether ours is good enough. I really want it to succeed, not just for Michelle, but for Gracie and I too.
As the films start playing, everyone falls silent. At the start of each different groups' one, a little cheer will go up from somewhere in the hall and then everyone listens intently, seeing what they were up against. Although I enjoy watching all of the films, the wait to see ours is tortuous. They seem to have put it at the end and I really wish they hadn't; I don't think my nerves can take much more!
When we finally get to ours, Michelle is shaking so much I worry she might fall off her seat. As they
start playing it, I grab hold of Gracie and Michelle's arms for support. I really hope everyone likes it. It all seems to be going well until we get to a clip I don't remember seeing before. After watching it for a little longer, I realise it is the argument I had with Michelle. My mouth falls open in horror at the realisation that someone has sabotaged our film. They have filmed us arguing with each other and then edited it in. I turn to Michelle to see if she knows what is going on, but her eyes are welling up and she has pressed her lips tightly together. I have to find out who did this. They have ruined our whole film and embarrassed us in front of everybody. After the clip is over, there is another one, this time Michelle apologising to me and Gracie. I can't believe somebody has secretly filmed us, as if we were on some kind of reality TV show. They have kept all our other clips and edited their ones around them, so it looks like we meant it to be that way. Michelle has her head in her hands and is trying to hide her tears, but people have noticed that something is wrong and are starting to crane their necks for a better view. I give her a hug, but she mumbles something to me. "What did you say?" I try and pull her shoulders up so she will face me, but she keeps her hands in front of her face.
"You don't have to try and comfort me," she whispers through a sob, "I know our film is ruined."
"No it isn't," I try to make the best of it, "our original clips are still there, we can tell them afterwards that those other ones shouldn't have been included."
"What's the point? They've already picked a winner and it isn't us." Michelle has given up and it breaks my heart to see her so defeated. I have got to put this right.
After our film has finished, Ms Varrelbass strides up to the front and shouts, "We will announce the winners once you all quieten down." I roll my eyes; only she could manage to make winning sound like a chore. Another camp leader walks up beside her and mutters something before saying, "The winners of the competition whose film will be shown on our website are ... Amelie, Michelle and Gracie!" I can't believe my ears. Surely this isn't right. Not after our film was quite plainly destroyed in front of everyone. There is a silence and the camp leader tries again, "Amelie, Michelle and Gracie, would you like to come up to the front?" I grin at Gracie and Michelle as we stand up, Michelle wiping tears from her eyes. "Do I look okay?" she mouths at me.
"Yes, you look great!" I nod back, smiling. We walk to the front and stand in front of a sea of faces, all as shocked as we are that we have won. "Well done girls." The camp leader pats us on the back, "A very good film which showcases that summer camp is not just about the games or activities, but learning the value of friendship and how to stick by each other, through thick and thin." If what I'm hearing is right, we won the competition because of those extra clips. The ones Michelle was sobbing over a minute ago. Life is really surprising sometimes.
"Thank you both for helping me achieve my dream and making this camp such a memorable one." Michelle engulfs me and Gracie in a massive hug as we say our goodbyes.
"And thank you for giving me confidence that people want to hear what I've got to say." Gracie smiles, picking up her suitcase.
"My turn to say thank you!" I grin, "Thank you for being the greatest friends I could ever wish for. This has been the best camp ever."
Her eyes bore into me, innocent, searching for why I am crying, when in her mind everything is fine. I cradle her in my arms like I did when I first saw her two years ago, my beautiful daughter Lyra. Named after a constellation because I knew that she would do something far greater than any of us could imagine. Now I am leaving her, my husband and mother too, for this mission. This mission which could either save the world or leave a little girl without her mother forever. My heart cannot bear it, I am tearing apart inside and I know I must go now before I change my mind. Gently placing Lyra on the ground I try to convey my love for her, but it is just too great, and instead I kiss her and hug her and try to make her understand that she must cherish this moment in case I never come back. “I love you my darling with everything I have and one day we will see each other again, whether on earth or in Heaven I do not know.” Then it is time for me to go, and taking one last look at my family, I turn and board the spaceship.
As I press the final button on the switchboard in front of me, I fight the urge to turn back and run to my daughter, to hold her tight and never let go. Keaton, seeing me hesitate, catches my eye and gives me a reassuring smile. I cannot let everybody down. I strap myself into my seat and help the others prepare for take-off. We have done it in training many times before, but the feeling is different this time. The air crackles with tension.
“Five, four, three, two, one, lift off.” My throat tightens, my stomach churns and my heart pounds so loudly I am sure I can hear the reverberations around the spacecraft. Blackness fills my ears and shields my eyes but I try to resist it; I must not falter now. It feels as if I am floating above all human life and I feel strangely separate to them, as if- “Gaia do you read me?” Keaton’s voice jolts me out of my trance and I hasten to reply, “Yes, I am reading you, over.”
“Prepare for light speed, over and out.” I brace myself as the rocket lurches forward; we are now travelling faster than the speed of light.
The three other crew members and I are set to explore ‘Earth 2’ as Earth 1’s resources will eventually run out and people need somewhere to take refuge. Keaton, Daniel, Adam and I are the only ones who have been told the plan. Instead of saving everyone, only 10,000 of the most wealthy and educated people will be sent to ‘Earth 2’ and allowed to live. Our mission is to explore the planet and collect data which we can report back to the lucky survivors so they have the best chance in this new world.
Millions of stars fly past our window, most appear tiny because they are so far away; they look like pin pricks in a never-ending sheet of darkness. However, inside the spaceship time seems to stand still. We have so little to do and so far to go, I wonder whether my brain will shut down due to lack of use. I think of Lyra every day and wish that I could see her.
For five monotonous years we travel on through space until one day an automated voice shatters our hope of reaching ‘Earth 2’, “A star which is set to explode is in the flight path.”
“No!” My cry voices the thoughts of us all. Unless we can re-programme the flight in time, we are all going to be blown apart.
“Daniel, switch to manual control. Adam, enter code 090800. Keaton, notify ground control, over.” In desperation I attempt to code a new route, but the system is malfunctioning. It has reset the password and none of us can access anything. Tears begin blurring my eyes, my whole body is shaking, rocking to and fro, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves, to save my daughter from a life without her mother. I start to scream, a piercing, blood-curdling scream. Please God, save me, I cannot die, plea-
“Grandma, what’s that in the sky?” The little girl asks her in wonder.
“That, my dear, is an exploding star.”
“Wow, it’s amazing!”
Christmas Day Special
I never usually eat before we set off, there is always food along the way. Also, as the others never cease to remind me, I do get slightly motion sick. Father always comforts me though, he says I came in very useful on that foggy night many years ago, he would never have been able to do it without me. It's our busiest time of year, you see, there are so many places to go all in one night, Father gets quite stressed with the pressure sometimes.
As we line up to get strapped in, the others jostle for front place, but Father comes straight to me and leads me to the most important position. Pride swells in my stomach ... or it could just be the beginnings of nausea. Once we are all ready to go, Father waves goodbye to his wife, and the jingling of bells signals the start of a very long night. I lean forward into my reins, trying to get a feel for the heavy load. Once I am steady, I switch on my bright red light and gallop as fast as I can along the ground, just making it to the end of the runway as we take off into the night sky.
It is not totally dark yet, but it soon will be, so Father flicks on the headlights to illuminate the way for the others. We are picking up speed and I can just make out the familiar sight of Europe's silhouette below. Father instructs us to stop and I turn my head to watch him open the trapdoor on his present carrier. Each gift is programmed to find its destination, and they all hover simultaneously in the air for a split second, before plummeting to the ground.
Father once explained to me that he used to deliver them all himself when he was a young man, but
now technology has grown far beyond my comprehension, as has his beard, and his wife always used to complain when he came home covered in soot. Anyway, it is far easier to let satellite navigation do the work, he said, so that is what we use now. When I asked how the presents entered all the houses, he said that was not for him to worry about, it was no longer in his contract, and did I see any other delivery men waiting for someone to pick up the parcel before driving away? I replied that I had never seen any delivery men in my life, as we lived in a rather sparsely populated area. In fact, I noted that I had never seen another family in all my years. Father did not respond, so I never asked again, as I think it is a touchy subject.
The morning is almost here and we have covered every continent apart from Asia. This is my favourite stretch of the journey, as I can feel the wind urging me on from behind; my hooves hardly need to touch the skyway. Although Father uses us for minor jobs throughout the year, it makes me feel like I am part of something big when we finish our largest, most important task.
Father prepares us for landing and we begin to slow down. All the gifts have been delivered now and
morning is finally here. My hooves touch the snowy runway and we engage the brakes so Father's wife does not get annoyed again. (Last year we didn't manage to slow down soon enough and her ice sculptures got destroyed). Once we have come to a halt, Father unharnesses us all, leaving me until last. "Thank you, Rudolph," he smiles. "You're welcome Father Christmas," I reply.
Halloween Special
"I think I'll make some ghost-shaped biscuits to give to the trick-or-treaters." Olivia muses; she's never been one for sweets and was always disappointed on Halloween when she returned home with a bucket full of sugar. Collecting her ingredients, she sets to work and produces some perfect dough in no time. "Good, but I can do better," Olivia has always been a perfectionist and begins to search the kitchen for something to make her biscuits outstanding, "I know! I'll use some of that glow in the dark gel we bought last Halloween for an added twist." Rushing outside into the garden, Olivia finds the gel hidden away in the shed, labelled, 'Use with caution'. "Oh well, what harm can it do?" she thinks to herself as she runs back into the house, away from the cold. Adding a little gel into the mixture, she cuts out the biscuits and puts them in the oven.
A while later, Olivia pops back into the kitchen to check on her biscuits. But they've vanished. The oven is off and the tray is completely empty. As Olivia turns around to start looking in the rest of the kitchen, she thinks she sees a flash of white disappearing into the living room. Curious, she follows it and finds more than she had bargained for. As twelve ghosts descend on her, she screams and desperately thinks of a place to hide, "The shed! The ghosts might not be able to leave the house," scrambling out of the door, she sprints to the shed and slams the door behind her. Peeking out of the window, her heart sinks as she sees the white shapes float through the back door and into the garden. However, almost as soon as they are outside, they go back indoors as if the cold is unbearable. "I don't believe it!" Olivia whispers with relief.
Half an hour later, Olivia checks her watch, "The trick-or-treaters will be coming round soon." Glancing out of the window, she expects to see the ghosts still inside the living room. But they're not anywhere to be seen. Cautiously, Olivia opens the shed door and creeps across the garden. After checking the coast is clear, she enters the living room to hear the door bell ring. "Oh no! I haven't got anything to give them." With all the biscuits gone, she doesn't know what to give the expectant children, until out of the corner of her eye she sees something quite unexpected. A plate of perfectly glowing ghost-shaped biscuits sitting on the table. The bell rings again. Knowing she doesn't have any other choice, Olivia picks up the plate, opens the front door and gives her first Halloween treat to a rather unrealistic witch. As the girl walks away holding the biscuit, Olivia thinks she sees the ghost wink at her.
Lottie x
Sunday 31st August
Dear Diary,
I've got to be very quiet because everyone else in my dormitory is asleep and I can hear one of the teachers patrolling outside our door. Nevertheless, I thought I had better start recording what happens in my life as who knows what I might forget when I'm older. Adults say your school days are the best of your life. That's a depressing thought. I don't really enjoy school and if it's downhill from here, then I'm snookered. Anyway, I'm Charlotte in case you didn't already know and soon everyone will call me Lottie when I set them straight because that's what I prefer. Charlotte seems awfully long and posh. I'm not either of those things, in fact, the only reason I can come to this prestigious school is because I got a scholarship. I had to audition for the place by performing a dance in front of some daunting teachers because this is a performing arts school and my 'art' is dance. Or if you'd like to be specific, ballet.
I've been doing ballet since I was four years old and I'm eleven now. That means I've just started Year Seven which sounds good until you reflect on the fact that I don't know anyone in this room. That's a worrying thought isn't it? Soon I'll be able to push that worry away though, because I'm going to get to know my dorm over the next year and I'm sure they will all be very nice. Even if they aren't at first, I'm sure I'll be able to win them over. That's the good thing about my personality, people always seem to be nice to me. I hope it's not because they're scared of me. Oh dear, I've started worrying again.
Okay, I'll try and go to sleep now, so that's all for today. Starting from tomorrow though, I will tell you all about what goes on at St Ada's Performing Arts.
With love,
Lottie x
Monday 1st September
Dear Diary,
At St Ada's we have to get up REALLY EARLY! I was just dreaming about pirouetting down the hallway when this terrible ringing sounded in my ears. I looked at my clock and it read 6:30am. I could not believe how soon we had to start our day considering all the learning we were going to have to do later.
There wasn't much I could do about it though, so I hopped out of bed and quickly got ready for breakfast. I wasn't sure what we were supposed to do once we were all set but a girl in our dorm called Lola has an older sister at the school so she took charge and said we had to wait until a teacher came to take us all down to the canteen. I liked the look of Lola until she started ordering us around, pretending she knew all about St Ada's already. I felt it was my duty on behalf of the rest of the dorm to change the subject, so I said I thought it would be nice for us all to get to know each other whilst
we waited. We all sat on the ends of our beds and told the group our name and what our 'art' was.
There's five other people in my dorm and I'm very proud that I've managed to remember all their names. Lola (who I already told you about), Poppy, Martha, Becky and Kat whose real name is Katherine, but like me, isn't fond of her full name. The first two do singing, the next two acting and me and Kat are dancers. I can already feel that Kat and I are going to be best friends.
Breakfast was delicious when the teacher finally came to get us and we didn't do too much learning for the rest of the day which I was pleased about. It was mainly just sorting out timetables, where everyone was going to sit and what we were going to do for the rest of the year.
Each day we will have five lessons which each last an hour. Since my scholarship is for dance, I've got an hour of that every day. I can't wait to get started!
I'll have to say goodbye for now as free period has just ended and we have to go to our after school clubs. Mine is swimming today and I'm really excited to see the pool because my old school was tiny and didn't have anything as fancy as this.
With love,
Lottie x
Tuesday 2nd September
Dear Diary,
Today I had English, Maths, French, Science and Ballet. I was waiting all day for fifth period when I could do the subject I really love. To be honest, I'm not very good at any of the other lessons; dance is my forte. I was very pleased when the ballet teacher, Miss Sharp, complimented my dancing because she seems like the sort of person who can be instantly stern if you don't do what she wants when she wants it. Kat is more academic than me and really shone when we did English and Science, she's going to be a good friend to have when we get loads of homework!
I feel like I'm really starting to settle in here at St Ada's, I haven't missed my parents at all since that first night. My mum told me to text her once a week to let her know that I'm okay but I'm sure she'll relax that rule once the year has properly got going. And if she doesn't, then I will just have to gradually reduce the amount that I text her until I get my way. She won't be any the wiser.
Not much else to report so . . .
With love,
Lottie x
P.S: Swimming was very tiring but the pool was fantastic!
Friday 5th September
Dear Diary,
Sorry I haven't written in ages, I've just been so caught up in boarding school life.
Lots has happened since we last spoke. Firstly, Kat and me have agreed that we will be best friends. It's so nice to have someone to chat to all the time, although Miss Sharp does have to shout at us sometimes to make us quiet. Secondly, tomorrow is my first weekend in Year Seven and we get to go home just this once to see our parents before we come back on Sunday night. Last of all, I have decided that this will be my last entry. I know I only wrote for a very short time and that I was supposed to record all that happened at St Ada's, but I don't feel like I need to any more. Now I have a friend to confide in and I know all the people in my year, I can settle down and just live 'the best years of my life' one moment at a time.
So for the last time.
With love,
Lottie x
The Future of Cara George
“Your homework due for next week is as follows,” everyone groans as Miss Harrell addresses the class, “write an essay on where you see yourself in twenty years’ time.” I pull a face; how am I meant to know what I’m going to be doing twenty years from now? “Cara George, what do you mean by that rude gesture?” Oh dear, I’ve been caught out, again. “Sorry Miss, I was just itching my nose,” I try it on as a new ploy to avoid being lectured. Miss Harrell shakes her head and with irritation in her voice, says, “I’m fed up with your feeble excuses Miss George, see me after school.” I can’t believe I’ve got another detention; I’ve had plenty this term already. For the last few minutes of the lesson, I mull over what I’m going to do when my mum finds out I’m in trouble yet again. I could just say I was doing my homework for Miss Harrell. A little white lie can’t do much harm.
After scurrying to the English classroom for my detention so as not to be late, I knock rapidly on the door. “Come in,” I hear her voice and it makes me shudder. I go inside and wait to be told what to do next. “Well, are you going to sit down or just stand there like a lemon?” Miss Harrell’s voice cuts through me like a knife. Wounded, I sit down. “Frankly, Cara, I’ve had enough of your tricks and I want this detention to be a lesson that lying gets you nowhere in life except into trouble.” There’s a long pause as I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat, pondering whether to reply or not. “Sorry Miss,” I mumble whilst staring at the faux wood table. She appears to be unsatisfied and forces me to apologise again, “With meaning this time.”
After possibly the most awkward fifteen minutes of my life, I’m released like a bird from a cage and I rush home to recount the sorry tale to my mum, disregarding my previous resolution to fib. Not that Miss Harrell’s right about lying, but I feel like I deserve a bit of compassion.
As soon as I got home, I spilled out the whole tale of my detention to mum who didn’t seem to have much sympathy and merely asked if I needed to get on with my homework. “Probably not,” I replied but she was clearly in a bad mood, “It was a rhetorical question Cara, go and do your homework.” I didn’t budge. “NOW!” I recoiled and hurried up to my room for some peace and quiet.
An hour later, I heard a soft knock on my door, “What?” I asked crossly. “It’s only me,” I could perceive my mum’s apologetic tone. I spoke softly to show I was sorry too, “I’m doing my homework like you asked.”
“That’s good darling,” she pushed open my door, “what’s it about?”
“Oh, just some stupid thing about where we see ourselves in twenty years’ time.”
“Doesn’t sound stupid to me,” my mum is clearly trying quite hard so I give in, “I’ve tried loads of different things but none of them feel right, I know they’re not true. Can you help?”
“Well, the only way to know for sure is to go and see for yourself.” I am really confused now, “How could I ever see for myself?” I ask incredulously. “Time travel of course!” My mum seems excited but surely she’s only trying to cheer me up by playing around. She appears to see my doubt and attempts to reassure me, “I’m serious Cara; I’ll give you the instructions and you need to read them carefully. But, when you get there, even if you forget everything they say, the one thing you mustn’t do is change your future. Who knows what might happen if you do?” I have no idea what she’s talking about but if it’s going to please Miss Harrell, I’m all for it after today’s events.
A few minutes later, I’m standing outside in our overgrown garden, ready to see my future. I clasp the clean, white paper mum gave me in my hands as I begin to follow the commands. ‘Clench your fists,’ it reads, ‘then imagine an older version of yourself,’ in that moment, I couldn’t think of anyone but my mum, ‘now focus on that older self and close your eyes as tightly as you can.’ I focus on the darkness and the tightness of my hand, then picture my mum and I think it works.
The strangest sensation begins to envelop me as I feel as if I’m rolling down an infinite hill into a dark valley. I can see blades of grass all around me and hear rushing water in the distance. I’m not sure whether it’s a river or a waterfall, but either way, I don’t want to land in it. I try to slow down but I only end up rolling faster and faster. Eventually, I give up trying to stop myself from rolling and let my body fall over the land. Oddly, this seems to have the opposite effect and I stop unexpectedly with a hard ‘thud’ on what at first appears to be a grassy bank. However, it suddenly disappears and I feel very enclosed as if I’m in some kind of box, specially designed for human bodies. It’s as if I’m lying down and, feeling around, I touch cold, unforgiving wood at my sides. I have no idea where I am or what I’m inside but I don’t like it.
Panic begins to rise in my stomach as I get the impression that the box I’m in is being picked up and carried towards something. I then hear what I recognise to be the ‘Funeral March’. It finally dawns on me. I’m in a coffin. This is my funeral; twenty years from my fourteenth birthday, I’m going to be dead. I don’t know what to do. If I scream and try to get out, my future changes and that’s the one thing my mum told me not to do. Her words echo through my head, “The one thing you mustn’t do is change your future. Who knows what might happen if you do?” But if I don’t, I’m going to be killed. Straining my ears, I listen for clues as to where I am exactly. I can just make out some shoes click-clacking across the floor and I know I’m inside. It’s a crematorium. I’m going to be burnt alive if I don’t get out of here.
I can’t think of a way to escape without changing my future but I’m going to have to ignore my mum’s advice. I try to comfort myself by thinking about all the times I haven’t listened to her and everything’s been fine. I begin to scream, “AAAAAAH! GET ME OUT OF HERE!” I start pounding my fists against the side of the coffin and realise they’re still tightly wrapped around my mum’s instructions. Reminded of her order not to under any circumstances change my future, I shout, “Sorry mum, I don’t know what else to do.”
What feels like hours later, I detect a scrabbling sound at the coffin and light begins to pour in. “Oh my goodness! She’s alive!” I squint and see my auntie standing over me, her face as pale as a ghost. “Auntie!” I exclaim, “I thought I was going to be burnt alive.”
“But … we thought you were … gone.” She is clearly bewildered by my appearance but I don’t have time for explanations. I’ve seen enough of my future to write an essay worth A*, even from Miss Harrell, I think it’s time I went home. But hang on a minute, how am I going to get back? Mum never gave me those instructions.
Dark Unicorn
“Why must I go to bed at 8:00pm Daddy?” moaned Emma. “Because if you’re not asleep by 9:00pm the dark skies will swallow you up!” her father replied. Emma’s mum gave an exasperated look and told Emma to put her pyjamas on. However their daughter had already disappeared upstairs. She had a plan.
“Night-night mummy, night-night daddy.” Emma smiled sweetly. “Good night darling, we’ll see you in the morning,” chirped her mum. But Emma wasn’t going to sleep; she was staying up until 9:00pm to see what would happen. All of her friends in year six went to bed at 9 o’clock, so why couldn’t she? She might have been the youngest in the class. A ‘summer-born’ as her mother put it, nonetheless the fact that they were eleven and she was ten made no difference.
“Chapter ten.” Emma had been reading for half an hour and already she was halfway through her book. Bored, she tiptoed to her desk and took out her notebook. “I’ll start a night diary. Every night I’ll keep a record of what I do” she whispered to herself. Settling down to write, she looked at her desk clock, 8:32pm it read. Her heart sank. Already she was bored and tired, wishing she had just gone to bed. Still, she had come this far now, there was no going back.
“It’s 9:00pm!” Emma sang quietly, shining a small torch on her clock. Looking out of her window, all she could see was the ever-hopeful moon, shining down on her. Smiling, Emma hopped into bed and started reading again. Yet it was impossible to concentrate, the apprehension was too much. She waited and waited. Nothing happened. The seconds ticked by, they became minutes, the minutes became a quarter of an hour. Still nothing. So she decided to go into the garden, where she would be fully exposed to the dark night sky.
Her feet sank into the wet lawn of the family’s back garden. Suddenly, everything went black. The moon had been blocked out and she could feel a presence in front of her, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness the silhouette of a unicorn became clear. “Hop on my back and I’ll give you a ride to eternity.” Emma jumped as the sentence left the horse’s mouth. “Can you hear me Emma?” the figure looked up to where the moon had been and everything was illuminated again. “How do you know my name?” Emma croaked, petrified. “I know a lot of things, little girl” the tone of the unicorn wasn’t menacing, it was a soft melody to Emma’s ears and she liked it. She relented, “Take me to a wonderful place, oh white horse.”
“Jump on my back,” spoke the mythical creature. Emma clambered on and they flew into the dark sky. However the Unicorn wasn’t taking Emma to a wonderful place. The dark sky engulfed them. Emma was tumbling, falling, and never coming back . . .
Cheating Death
I’m dying but I don’t know why. I can’t remember anything. Mum keeps reminding me of who everyone is. I forget. That’s all I seem to do these days, just forget everything I’m told. The only thing I don’t forget is my plan. That’s what’s kept me going, knowing there is hope yet.“I love you mum, and you dad. I’m sorry for anything bad I’ve ever done and thank you for everything.” Mum hugs me for the last time. I can feel time slowing down, the beating drum of my heart stops and I close my eyes. Everything is black and I can feel nothing.
But then, gradually, I sense my whole body floating to the ceiling. ‘Oh my goodness’, I think to myself, ‘I’m on the journey to heaven. Quick! I must stop it; I know there is a way back down the ladder to the living.’ I try to wave my arms around but I have no limbs of any sort. I focus my mind on climbing down the ladder. Step by step, panic is rising, ‘I’m never going to make it.’ My mind is in a whirl. ‘Concentrate,’ I tell myself, ‘think about each tiny movement and each part of the spirit that you are.’ I begin to see, I have the use of my eyes, but I see only darkness.
I hoped my plan would work, I’ve always known that when I die I would try to cheat death and come back to life. Over the seemingly never-ending time in my confining hospital bed, I have been running the plan through my head. Mum would force a smile as other visitors gave pitying looks in my direction. Yet I would be off in my own world, developing my plan so that by the time I died, I would be prepared to steal death’s trophy of life. My confidence doesn’t last long though, a searing light blinds me. I was worried the gateway would be opened in advance; it will be harder to resist going to heaven than I thought.
I focus on the ladder again, but the sound of beating wings distracts me. A wave of bliss flows over me and I find it hard to escape the desire to float up to heaven. Yet I know I must not go and I struggle with the urge to relax and let go. I now have the sense of some hands. I move them down to a lower rung; they start to feel more like my own. Moving my hands one after the other down the ladder, I start to descend. I have made it out of the dazzling light, I could laugh and cry.
Slowly but surely, I regain control of my body. I rush down the ladder and back into the real world. I open my eyes and out flow tears of joy. “I love you mum.”
“I love you too darling; we thought we had lost you. But you came back.”
Unexpected Friendships
"Well, well, well, Agent Fluffs, here we are then," Sid's Maltese Terrier leapt out of the rowing boat and landed with a small 'thump' on the island's shore. As Sid clambered out of the frantically rocking boat, his excitable 'police dog' almost knocked him flying. Yet, she didn't quite manage to, as Sid's rather rotund figure added to his stability and weight. On the topic of Sid's appearance, his countenance was one which shone with redness and strongly resembled a tomato. His circular glasses appeared to match his facial shape quite well, although their limited size caused him to peer at everything as if he was a confused piglet. This did not bode well for his job as a police officer as his looks betrayed his authority and no one ever took him seriously.
As Sid took Agent Fluffs for a walk around the island, her gleaming, dark brown eyes alarmed him slightly as he followed her gaze to some wild rabbits. Sid didn't much fancy roasted rabbit for dinner so he distracted her with a dog biscuit. As she munched on the new-found treat, Sid looked at the instructions for building his tent. An air of perplexion seemed to begin emanating from his person, but he disregarded it as a light breeze and started to assemble his new home. He didn't have time to waste; he'd been sent on a mission to find a 'wanted' criminal and he intended to succeed.
Two hours later, and Sid had finally finished setting up camp. Unfortunately for him, he was in fact on the wrong island. But Sid was peacefully oblivious to this and couldn't wait to catch the criminal who had reportedly been spotted only two days previous to his arrival. All his colleagues had been occupied with other cases at the time of the report and he had been the only other option. A more competent officer would've been better as Sid proceeded to make his dinner rather than look for the criminal. By the time he and Agent Fluffs had finished, it was 9pm and much too late in Sid's opinion to start searching. He decided, with a good night's sleep under his belt, he would be more likely to spot the criminal.
After a bedtime story, the policeman and his dog snuggled down into their slightly wonky tent.
Only to find at 1:00am that it had collapsed on them.
And then again at 3 o'clock.
And again at 6:00am.
By the time the sun came up, Sid and Agent Fluffs were not at all rested. In fact, they were so worn out that Sid fell asleep in his cereal and Agent Fluffs in her dog bowl.
They were so soundly asleep that they didn't notice the arrival of the 'wanted' criminal on the island. However, the criminal did notice them. He grinned to himself as he spotted the pair, both still in their pyjamas. He had no idea of Sid's occupation and clearly wasn't intimidated by his presence. He had sailed in the hope to escape from the neighbouring island when the news of his being there had been broadcast on BBC News. He hadn't had time to pack much food and realised that making friends with this man and his dog would work in his favour. Scratching his unshaven head, he approached them carefully so as not to scare them.
After five minutes of his trying to wake them up, Agent Fluffs finally opened one eye and was surprised to see that her master had grown a wild beard. She eventually realised after much sniffing that this was not Sid, but a stranger. Before she had time to alert her companion, he was awake. The criminal smiled at Sid and persuaded him that he'd come on holiday to the island. Sid immediately liked this "jolly fellow" as he later described the man to Agent Fluffs and welcomed him with open arms.
Two weeks later, and Sid hadn't thought to tell his new friend why he was on the island. But he realised his life there was better than in London and although he accepted that he would never find the criminal he'd been sent for, he didn't mind. The criminal decided to stay on the island as well and told Sid that he wouldn't go home after his 'holiday'. Agent Fluffs was content with trying, and failing, to chase wild rabbits. All in all, a happy ending. Maybe one day, each will confess their complex stories. But for now, they get on well as friends, each with their own lives to lead and their own dreams to follow.
THE END
Time to Leave
Unexpected Friendships
"Well, well, well, Agent Fluffs, here we are then," Sid's Maltese Terrier leapt out of the rowing boat and landed with a small 'thump' on the island's shore. As Sid clambered out of the frantically rocking boat, his excitable 'police dog' almost knocked him flying. Yet, she didn't quite manage to, as Sid's rather rotund figure added to his stability and weight. On the topic of Sid's appearance, his countenance was one which shone with redness and strongly resembled a tomato. His circular glasses appeared to match his facial shape quite well, although their limited size caused him to peer at everything as if he was a confused piglet. This did not bode well for his job as a police officer as his looks betrayed his authority and no one ever took him seriously.
As Sid took Agent Fluffs for a walk around the island, her gleaming, dark brown eyes alarmed him slightly as he followed her gaze to some wild rabbits. Sid didn't much fancy roasted rabbit for dinner so he distracted her with a dog biscuit. As she munched on the new-found treat, Sid looked at the instructions for building his tent. An air of perplexion seemed to begin emanating from his person, but he disregarded it as a light breeze and started to assemble his new home. He didn't have time to waste; he'd been sent on a mission to find a 'wanted' criminal and he intended to succeed.
Two hours later, and Sid had finally finished setting up camp. Unfortunately for him, he was in fact on the wrong island. But Sid was peacefully oblivious to this and couldn't wait to catch the criminal who had reportedly been spotted only two days previous to his arrival. All his colleagues had been occupied with other cases at the time of the report and he had been the only other option. A more competent officer would've been better as Sid proceeded to make his dinner rather than look for the criminal. By the time he and Agent Fluffs had finished, it was 9pm and much too late in Sid's opinion to start searching. He decided, with a good night's sleep under his belt, he would be more likely to spot the criminal.
After a bedtime story, the policeman and his dog snuggled down into their slightly wonky tent.
Only to find at 1:00am that it had collapsed on them.
And then again at 3 o'clock.
And again at 6:00am.
By the time the sun came up, Sid and Agent Fluffs were not at all rested. In fact, they were so worn out that Sid fell asleep in his cereal and Agent Fluffs in her dog bowl.
They were so soundly asleep that they didn't notice the arrival of the 'wanted' criminal on the island. However, the criminal did notice them. He grinned to himself as he spotted the pair, both still in their pyjamas. He had no idea of Sid's occupation and clearly wasn't intimidated by his presence. He had sailed in the hope to escape from the neighbouring island when the news of his being there had been broadcast on BBC News. He hadn't had time to pack much food and realised that making friends with this man and his dog would work in his favour. Scratching his unshaven head, he approached them carefully so as not to scare them.
After five minutes of his trying to wake them up, Agent Fluffs finally opened one eye and was surprised to see that her master had grown a wild beard. She eventually realised after much sniffing that this was not Sid, but a stranger. Before she had time to alert her companion, he was awake. The criminal smiled at Sid and persuaded him that he'd come on holiday to the island. Sid immediately liked this "jolly fellow" as he later described the man to Agent Fluffs and welcomed him with open arms.
Two weeks later, and Sid hadn't thought to tell his new friend why he was on the island. But he realised his life there was better than in London and although he accepted that he would never find the criminal he'd been sent for, he didn't mind. The criminal decided to stay on the island as well and told Sid that he wouldn't go home after his 'holiday'. Agent Fluffs was content with trying, and failing, to chase wild rabbits. All in all, a happy ending. Maybe one day, each will confess their complex stories. But for now, they get on well as friends, each with their own lives to lead and their own dreams to follow.
THE END
Time to Leave
"Well, well, well, Agent Fluffs, here we are then," Sid's Maltese Terrier leapt out of the rowing boat and landed with a small 'thump' on the island's shore. As Sid clambered out of the frantically rocking boat, his excitable 'police dog' almost knocked him flying. Yet, she didn't quite manage to, as Sid's rather rotund figure added to his stability and weight. On the topic of Sid's appearance, his countenance was one which shone with redness and strongly resembled a tomato. His circular glasses appeared to match his facial shape quite well, although their limited size caused him to peer at everything as if he was a confused piglet. This did not bode well for his job as a police officer as his looks betrayed his authority and no one ever took him seriously.
THE END
Time to Leave
It’s Monday. I open my eyes to a world which seems darker than it was the day before. Every day the sky bends down lower, until I'm sure one day it will just stoop down and swallow me up. My mum shouts after me as I leave for school, but I hear only sound, her words are wasted on me.
Teachers used to try and involve me in lessons but they gave up long ago, now they let me sit here in a conscious, yet absent state.
It's Tuesday. Nothing's changed.
It's Wednesday.
It's Thursday.
It’s Friday, somebody’s slipped a note inside my locker. It says, “Follow the trail on the map, from someone who sees you every day and wants to help.” This hasn't ever happened before; no one’s tried to get through to me the whole time I've been at this school. Attached to the note is a map with an inky line leading to an ‘X’. I know the area, I can see my school marked on it, but I can’t work out where the trail leads to. So I follow it. Maybe it’s a stupid thing to do, who knows, there’s only one way to find out.
I arrive in a meadow which I never knew was here and I see something stuck to a tree. It says, “The sun will shine on your life if you’ll only let it in. It’s time to leave the darkness and see the light walk in.” I lie down in the long grass, look up at the sky and hear the birds sing. I realise, when it takes someone else who you hardly know to open your eyes and show you the beauty of the world, you need to change your mind set and leave your dark past behind.
It’s Monday. I open my eyes to a world which seems darker than it was the day before. Every day the sky bends down lower, until I'm sure one day it will just stoop down and swallow me up. My mum shouts after me as I leave for school, but I hear only sound, her words are wasted on me.
Teachers used to try and involve me in lessons but they gave up long ago, now they let me sit here in a conscious, yet absent state.
It's Tuesday. Nothing's changed.
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