• Chapter One


    I was woken by the sound of my mother whispering just outside my door. I was sure she wasn’t aware that I was awake but I wasn’t going to tell them. She was planning my birthday party. I’d told her twice before that I didn’t want a fuss. It’s not who I am. I was content with a small get-together with my friends but she has decided that turning seventeen is a big deal. I personally think she feels bad for having left me birthday-less all the time before this. I think she’s trying to take her mind of Dad. I think she’s trying to distract herself. I don’t blame her, I’d be doing the same if my husband has suddenly decided he was going to leave but I wish she would do something else. I tried to drift back into sleep knowing I had two hours til I had to be up for school but the familiar voice somehow prevented this. I was halfway to sleep when I heard the words ‘dress’ and ‘pool’. I bolted upright, knowing there was no way I was going to sleep after that. I stumbled out of bed and across the room to a mirror. As I reluctantly brushed my hair, I thought about this party and what Mum could possibly be planning. Oblivious to the sleep she had disrupted, she continued talking on the phone. I set the brush down and walked towards the door. Gripping the door handle, I opened the door with a yank. Mum looked at me with a face only rivalled by that of a dear in the headlights. I smiled weakly and continued on my way. Breakfast was already on the table as if Mum had been up for hours. She was so excited about the part that it wasn’t entirely impossible. I sat down to breakfast and immediately headed for the shower. I tried not to think about the party and the embarrassment that was sure to follow. In the worst case, no-one turns up and it’s just me and Kendra with enough food for the whole school. I don’t know what to do about this. I have less than 2 days to work out what I’m gonna do. I’ll just ignore it, pretend it’s not even February, nowhere near my birthday. It worked and before I knew it, I was being fitted into a dress, blindfold and taken to an unfamiliar place with Kendra by my side. “You’ll love it, I know it’s not quite you’re style but you’ll enjoy it.” Kendra tried to reassure me but it was failing miserably. The smell of chlorine hit me like a brick, it wasn’t too surprising seeing as I’d accidently found out about this days ago. I was let go and Mum instructed me to remove the blindfold. I was greeted by the sight of tables and chairs arranged casually around the room, a swimming pool filled with balloons and what resembled a high table. But the thing that shocked me the most was the mirror in front of me. I stared at my reflection in shock. I recognise the face of the girl in front of me, but everything else was alien. My black hair was curled and left hanging at my shoulders, make up been placed delicately on my face and my nails painted to match the lilac sweetheart neckline dress that hugged my skin. I lifted my hand to my neck and felt something cold. It was then I noticed the diamond necklace that hung around my neck. “That’s your first present” said mum behind me, noticing my confusion. I inspected my reflection and looked back at Kendra. She was wearing a similar styled dress but light blue. She smiled at me, curtsied and said your highness. It was then I noticed the banner that hung over the pool. ‘Princess Pool Party in celebration of Virginia Wolfe’ I let out a groan. Mum chuckled and walked over to me. She placed a hand on my shoulder and said lovingly “I know you don’t like this kind of thing, but try to enjoy yourself, you’re seventeen today.” I sighed and nodded. It wasn’t long before guests began to arrive and my worst fear was over. I stood near the entrance greeting them, Kendra by my side. An hour later and I began to enjoy it more and more. I stood the pool mingling with people, sipping drinks, when a familiar voice in the crowd began to chant. ‘Speech! Speech!’ I recognised the voice instantly but there was no way she was here. She had no reason to be here. I reluctantly stood on the chair that was provided to me and looked instantly for Kendra. All I need was a familiar face to get me through the next five minutes. I find Kendra’s face but she’s concentrating elsewhere. Before I have time to find out what, my attention is drawn elsewhere as Mum hands me a mike. I stare down at the crowd and as I open my mouth to speak, I find the face that matches the voice as Briony Phillips rushes towards me and with one kick pushes me into the pool.