The Days That Were Just Plain

The Days That Were Just Plain-

Journal

By Christine Kat Wang

November

Tuesday

In case you're wondering why I am in the dumb school play is NOT that I wanted to join but because Mum said so. She said that it was perfect to learn some things later and on in life. I practically begged mom not to sign me up because the school play is going to have LOT'S of singing and dancing which was totally not my thing. I don't do performing arts. Dad tried to talk me out of it. But again, mom actually won the fight. So practicing singing and dancing was all for today.

We started we warm ups. It was just boring ole' stretches we all do. Arden Gilbert was standing in the front row, dancing like anything. I don't like Arden Gilbert very much. She was basically a show off and she is completely dumb when it comes to common sense. She was flicking her red hair everywhere and GET THIS: I am in the SECOND ROW, behind Arden, next to my best friend, Jasmine. I have been Jasmine's friend since the start of year five since Fiona Mitchels, Nadia Harden and Sophie Rash basically ditched me in the spot ESPCEIALLY since they are ALL playing footy with the stupid, moronic boys at lunch. Whoever plays with them, simply become just like the boys: Stupid, dorky and totally pathetic. Anyway, Mrs. Vase is arranging a solo dance for Arden. Arden is SO happy, she is actually flicking her hair in people's eyes and mouth. Great. Just great. I have to sing and dance to this stupid song, 'Best of Both World's' but the most gayish singer, Hannah Montana. It SO not me or Jasmine. We move our bums and hips a lot in this stupid dance. We all have to sing each a solo. As if I will be doing that. It's bad enough to be behind Arden, getting itchy eyes from her long, prickly hair. But Mrs. Vase said I couldn't look for any more excuses because NO ONE will be getting kicked out. I sang my line as quiet as possible so no one will hear. Mrs. Vase stopped the music and glared dangerously at me. Then, she told everyone to shut up and go to the back of the room and I had to stand in the front of the class, getting told of by Mrs. Vase. "You better get your act, Carrie," she snapped wildly. "Sing it or bite it, it's up to you but don't expect me to get you an F for your report because you're walking right down the path!" screeched Mrs. Vase.

When it was lunch, Jasmine and I went to the canteen to buy some ice blocks queue. "I didn't want to be in this dance! It was my mum! She told me to sign up! And now Mrs. Vase is chewing me off?"

Jasmine obviously liked the whole dance just because it's by Hannah Montana. Arden and Lyra, another girl who likes dancing and singing and spotlight were behind us and hearing me. Arden was worse. She came up to me and did another hair flick. It speard along my face. I heard Lyra giggling. Those girls were both in the stupid CA spa thingie and Choir. We went to the tree and sat under it. Suddenly, Noah and Vikki, two annoying girls who I don't really want around came chanting to us. "D'you have any money?!" Vikki squawked, grabbing Noah's arm wildly and laughing. Jasmine liked hanging out with Noah and Vikki so they all three ended up going away from the tree and away from me to share Jasmine's money, ditching me of course. Who'd be bothered to hang out with them? Is it because Noah is in CA spa and Choir as well? Or is it because Vikki and do cartwheels and flips? I got horse-riding and no one thinks that it's special. Cross everything. Who cares if someone has a voice like a canary like Vikki? Who cares if Noah is a great dancer like Arden? Doesn't anyone think that riding can have some privileges? Anyway, I ended up walking around the playground, pretending to be interested in something. Jasmine is obviously wiping Noah and Vikki's bums all day. I guess I could play with the Sophie group. But they are playing footy or something with the boys. Oh, maybe I can play with Sally… but I realized she hadn't had a shower in days and her hair smells funny. Cross everything.

Wednesday

I have a brother named Joe who is twice as annoying as anything. Today, he totally messed with my deodorant. I have to find a way to pay him back for that. Yesterday, I slept at 11:30pm so I guess that's pretty late and I slept in, making my brown hair getting bed heads. Last night I was SO sure I set my alarm at 7:30am. But Joe somehow turned my alarm off. It was totally evil for him to do so. So, I had mum barging into my room, waving her arms about and screaming and squawking yelling that she had slept in too, and we were late for school. I told her Joe had something to do with it. He had messed with my deodorant and set my alarm clock off. Not to mention he 'accidently-on-purpose' spilt orange juice all over my homework. Mum said she'll chew him out one day. One day? So I'd obviously got told off by Ms. Smith today.

Jasmine is still jack-hanging out with Noah and Vikki, totally ignoring me. It was so unfair. There seems to be a magnet where Jasmine and Vikki lure together. No, Jasmine goes to Vikki. Today at lunch, Jasmine and Vikki stood in front of me while I was sitting down, slurping my slushee when they went hand by hand, giggling away from me. It was like they wanted me to see them ditching me. And they skipped off, giggling. I guess the only way is to make a NEW best friend. The only person I know is Jade Russell, I mean, she is my back-up friend. Jade lives on a farm, where I want to visit but can't. She is quite slim and fat, her black hair in a plait and tanned skin all smooth. It seems a bore, hanging out with her. All she wants to talk about is how her chickens got their own private pens. I had enough so I told Jade that I was going to the loo. I met Vikki and Jasmine on the way. They giggled and they were both eating ice blocks from Jasmine's money. Nice catch, I thought to myself. Then, they were about to go away when I didn't allow them to. I asked them why did they ditch me and why did Jasmine really ditch me for some geek. But I guess Vikki must've heard and looked really upset and strolled away quickly. Jasmine groaned and looked at me. "Uhhhhhh! You had to wreck it, didn't you?! We weren't ditching you! Now, you made Vikki angry and now she going to go all…" Jasmine said, annoyed about me. Suddenly, the bell went and Jasmine pushed past me rushly.

Thursday

The problem with Jasmine and I are seriously going high. This morning in LFTT, Jasmine, who was sitting next to me, marched up to Ms. Smith's desk and ask-

'Could I sit next to Vikki, since she has an empty seat next to her?'

And guess what? Ms. Smith said-

"Yes!"

This is totally unfair because that means Vikki, Noah and Jasmine will be altogether. After all, Noah is next to Vikki and Jasmine is going to be next to Vikki. So, without saying another word to me, Jasmine packed up her books and stuff and went to sit next to Vikki. They even did secret handshakes they made up. Like, whatever. Mum rang the school office and said that I forgot my LUNCH AT HOME!!! So, for all the embarrassment, mum had to drive to school, march into the classroom and say-

'Honey, you forgot your lunch,'

 

Saturday

I had nothing to do in the morning so I decided to ring up Jasmine. Until I remembered about the fight but that totally BLOWN IT because I just realized that AFTER the phone call. Jasmine seemed to go all crazy on the phone. She asked why I phoned her and all that stuff. Also, Vikki and Noah are at her house, playing games like Secret Pals. That totally bites because that's OUR secret game; now the word's speard and now it's THEIR secret game that it was supposed to be only Jasmine and I's. I felt anger flush through me until Joe called from upstairs. He yelled that an email that was supposed to be mine had popped up on his account and told me to get off the ruddy phone and answer my ruddy well email. I was too upset to say anything. All I did was frown and slam the phone shut without saying good-bye to Jasmine and stormed upstairs. I felt like crying. It was just so mean about what they did. And why did they? It didn't make sense. I went to Joe's room where his computer was. He was on the seat, staring at the unknown email. I rubbed my eyes from my tears and looked at the screen. It was from Jasmine, Vikki and Noah.

Monday

This is horrible. I feel so miserable. Mum cheered me up for a while and made me strawberry and vanilla cupcakes and took me and Joe to an ice-cream. It was so mean to get that stupid email from THEM. Vikki, Jasmine and Noah.

Dear Carrie,

We know that you are very upset that we 'ditched' you. We didn't. We wanted to have some fun. Cool fun. Want to join OUR SECRET CLUB? Shhhh! Don't tell anyone: The Secret Friends are in order. Don't tell anyone! If you like to join, please tell JASMINE. Only. Please. If you're mad, please go shove heaps of horse manure.

Now, this totally sucks. I don't want to be in their own little private stupid club fun. Today, in the morning, I had the perfect plan. I really wanted everything to go back to normal so, during math; I got out my notebook and wrote something on it…

Dear The Secret Friend Girls,

Sure, I'll LOVE to join you're puking club. It'll be SO cool! Thanks so much for inviting me. You are so the BEST! Thanks for making my day so cool. From, The Totally Awesome CARRIE!

Then, I ripped it out of my notebook, folded it and told Jade, who was sitting across me to pass it on to Vikki, Jasmine and Noah. Put I WAS writing in pencil and forgot to rub out 'puking'. Great, Jade had already passed it to NOAH; not Jasmine! Then, as I was concentrating on the sums on the board, I realized the email: Give it to Jasmine only. Oh no! Icky Jade has given it to Noah. Great plan, I thought to myself. Very great. I AM angry. Angry at Jasmine. How could she ditch me like that? Then, that phrase flashed through me like thunderbolt: If you are angry, go shove up heaps of horse manure.

Well, I guess I am angry. OK, I am VERY MAD! How could they say (Type.) that?

Am writing this during history class. Feel bored because Miss. Smith is going in and out of the classroom, finding and getting things, so this journal is going to come in handy. It is JUST after lunch and something so horrible has happened. Fortunately, Jasmine, Vikki and Noah could spell out the 'puking' word that I had crossed out. So, when I was lining up in the canteen queue to get my water bottle drink, I didn't realize they were right behind me. But, Jasmine was. When I finally got my water bottle, I opened the lid, when Jasmine said, "Hey, look over there," it was the usual friendly voice I have heard until Vikki and Noah came along. I turned around, bottle still grasping in my hand, when SPLASH! Jasmine pushed the bottle toward my face and the water all splashed on my face. Vikki and Noah were laughing and whispered something to eachother with Jasmine and they all went skipping, arm by arm, hand by hand in the girl's toilet. They didn't mention anything about the club… until homeroom. When we were lining up, waiting for Miss. Smith to come by, Vikki came up to me and giggled. "Is your face dry? I hope so, cos' you looked like a drowned rat beforehand!" she said in a mocking voice. I swallowed hard, trying not to cry. Then, Noah came along and pulled Vikki's hair playfully. "Oh, don't get upset. It's NO OFFENSE!" Noah shrieked as Jasmine joined them. I knew that it was offensive. Jasmine doesn't look at me. She just looks at Noah and Vikki, laughing and joking along. Then, they all looked at eachother, then at me. Then, Jasmine nodded at Vikki and Noah and they all cheered, "YOU'RE NOT IN THE C-LUB! YOU'RE NOT IN THE CL-UB!"

I feel like pulling their hair off. Especially Jasmine's. Why was she so mean to me all of a sudden? I couldn't speak because then, Mrs. Smith had come by.

Tonight at home, things got better. Joe got grounded for messing with my deodorant. I'm in some hot water with mum but luckily, she forgot about it. I did something that really irritated her. She was cooking vegetables in the kitchen when I asked her a math question I didn't understand, she looked at my book for ONE SECOND SPLIT and FIZZ! Some water had popped into her eyes. Luckily, it wasn't seriously but my mum really told me off.

December

Thursday

The school's play is coming along at Friday. You see, Jasmine and I hadn't been speaking to eachother for a MONTH already so I guess I'm fine without her. The best thing about being in primary school is that no one takes much notice of you as you have no one to play with, or just a loner. I'm glad I'm not in middle school yet.

We did our school practice today. The dance and song is getting worse and worse by second. Worst of all, Mrs. Vase arranged our costumes. My one is totally stupid; an up-to-my-long-legs blue dress with purple frills. Not exactly 'poppy' for a pop song, right? When it was my part to sing, I didn't want to get chewed out by Mrs. Vase and I sang. Jasmine, who is dancing next to me, is taking no notice of me, anyway. The worst thing about MY costume is that it doesn't stand out from the crowd. Everyone else is wearing jeans or cool shorts or track pants or whatever and I'm here in a 13^th century dress. I don't think Mrs. Vase likes me at all. And worse, Everytime I move my feet, like today when my group of singers and I went on stage, since I was the ONLY ONE wearing a stupid long, super LONG dress, I tripped over Lily Mac, who tripped over her high heeled boots who tripped over Amie Ly, who tripped over Rakia Mystic, who needed to get an ice-pack from the office because she has 'scraped' her leg on the carpet, which the rest of us kids thought that that was impossible, scraping your leg on SOFT carpet. I could hear the giggles of Vikki, Noah and Jasmine. I tried to ignore them but it was really hard. After the practices I told Mrs. Vase that the dress was impossible to dance with. She obviously said I had to deal with it. Great. The dance is tomorrow and I had to face social embarrassment.

Friday

Today's dance was REALLY BAD. The show was supposed to start at 6:30pm but Erin Macoy had stage fright straight away. So the show started at 7:00pm. Everything s tarted badly. I tripped over my own dress WITH STUPID HIGH HEELS THAT MRS. VASE ARRANGED!!! Oh, and guess what? Joe was in the back rows, taking pictures to one particular person. Yup, you said it- Me. He took a picture of me tripping over the dress, and half way during the song, the same thing happened like yesterday. I tripped over Lily and Lily tripped over…

And Joe had taken a snap of it. When I realized how many humiliating photos he had taken, I didn't sing so Amine Ly had to do it for me. When we went back to the dance, I tripped over Arden, which closed the whole show down. Now, Arden is so angry at me because she 'thinks I have spoiled her red carpet walk downs and autographs from the audience.' also, I had a painful sting in my eye as I tripped over Arden. Yes, her red hair is as prickly as Cactus. Mum was not impressed, either. I told her that the dress and high heeled shoes were all Miss. Vase's idea. That simply did the trick. I am not signing into the next summer play.

Saturday

Did masses of homework and went to Jasmine's to explain. She was completely avoiding me. When I was near her house, I looked up the window and saw her upstairs near the window, playing Secret Pals with Vikki and Noah. The 'Secret Friend's Club' has obviously made a vital: Their meeting place is at Jasmine's house on Saturday. I felt really left out, but not as upset as last month because I am really used to this now. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Jasmine's sister, Janine had answered it. I really liked Janine. She was a complete bigger version of Jasmine. Long, golden blonde hair and chubby and bubbly expression. She seemed pleased to see me and called Jasmine down to see me. Jasmine made her entrance downstairs, when she saw me, my whole world flipped. She folded her arms and frowned. "You know, that dance yesterday was rubbish. You've completely ruined it for everyone!" she screamed when we were upstairs in her room. Vikki and Noah were there, teasing me. I thought I rather just go home but Noah added, "She's not part of our club, so why is she in here?"

So Jasmine had to hush me out so we could chew on eachother outside her bedroom. She says that I ruin everything. Like, being mean to Vikki and ruining class dances and plays. I told her that she ditched me for Vikki and Noah. But Jasmine shot back that she was 'just trying to make new friends' and said something that made my stomach go totally sick-

"You don't belong here, Carrie Parker! Not in my house! So I don't know why you're in my house right now cos' you shouldn't be. What a country hick
like you belong with US?"

I had felt tears blubbering in my eyes, praying them to not come out. Soon, Vikki and Noah heard and joined Jasmine too. They kept calling me names like 'country hick scrubbing horse manure' and 'loser of Loserville' and loner and stuff like that. Luckily, Jasmine's mum hadn't heard. So, I didn't like crying in other people's houses so I quickly grabbed my coat without saying anything to Janine on the way out of the door. When I got home, I punched my face in my pillow and sobbed. It was totally stupid about how that called me country hick. I don't live in a small country house ANYMORE or on a farm anymore with heaps of sheep and cattle or horses to clean every day. But I have to admit, I WAS born in a farm. But it's still not fair because I'm not completely dumb to be called country HICK. I have just realized that they weren't my friends anymore or even my true friends. Jasmine wasn't. She was just a ditcher and complete backstabber.

Tuesday

It has been a while since I haven't wrote in this book. Jasmine is totally off the hook. She is still not speaking to me which was totally unfair. SHE'S the one who called me country HICK and SHE'S the one who basically caused this whole problem herself. Last night after my swimming lessons, I tore up the 'Best Friends' card Jasmine gave me for my birthday this year in August and threw it away in the compost bins. And, I threw away the genie necklace she gave me two years ago AND I drew ugly pictures of her with Vikki and Noah in the Indian notebook she gave me. I hated her so much. We were really close friends until she backstabbed me on the spot.

Mum and dad are having relaxation at home. They are SO lucky. Juice, a swimming pool and a canopy shed with a garden swinger while Joe and I have to suffer from school. I got a D^t for my math assement so mum made Miss. Smith give me double the math homework as usual.

I have managed to make a friend and I guess it IS a friend I could trust- Jade. Yes, chicken crazy but at least she is a good friend. We are having a sleepover at hers tomorrow. While, Jasmine is still ignoring me, I guess that's the best for her to do. After all, I didn't need a long best friend in my life anymore. I didn't need Jasmine. Who cares about country HICK and loner and loser? Everyone won't care. Except for some people who are real and as if they were never. I just hope that everything will be alright by then!

The end

 

 

Enchanted Diaries

Enchanted Diaries_ a Mix of Things.

Dear diary,

My name is Ana Smith and I am a witch. Yes, I know what you are thinking: ugly pimpled faced, crooked white puffy hair, or just the same witch that rides on broom sticks, cursing people. No, I am just an ordinary witch. No pimples, no pointed nose or yellow teeth. I have a friend named Elizabeth Montgomery (not the star that stars in 'Bewitched'.) and she is a witch. And another friend named Bertha who is not a witch. Bertha does not know that we are witches but me and Lizzy (Short for Elizabeth.) are planning to tell her. Her are my entries for this year.

Dear diary, March 1^st.

Today is the day we are supposed to start school. Mrs. Hush gave us masses of homework we got to complete. I hated Mrs. Hush, but not as hated as Lizzy. Lizzy even more hates Mrs. Hush. We call her Hush Baby in private. Hush Baby thinks Lizzy is a bad girl in class. Lizzy loves to play tricks on people and I know what you are thinking. Yes; you are correct: nasty magic tricks. Here are a few of them made by Lizzy last year:

• In year three, when Ms. Mickey was telling her off because she poked her tongue out at a boy named Lan Ginger, Lizzy hid her finger behind her back, so no one was watching-except for me, she twirled her finger three times, reciting: nasty ploy, ginger jail, make Mickey step into heels and burp three times plus more.
  

  That spell was trouble. A lot. Then, Ms. Mickey fell down, flat on her bum, and then burped three times. The whole class laughed. Except for some sensible girls who helped her up.
  

• When the Get Fit teacher was hanging from the monkey bars, Lizzy made worms come out of her butt. EW. I can't even talk about it!
  
• Lizzy made one of the year sixes chock, using a spell I have never heard of.
  
• Last one because I am wasting my time of last year's things: Lizzy made Jimmy's handwriting look messy so he lost his pen license.
  

  
   

  Dear Diary, March 2^nd,
  

  What a start to the second day of school! At lunch, Lizzy and I told Bertha our secret. Bertha was shocked, she dropped her sandwich and her mouth was wide open. Then she said, "I don't believe yous." Lizzy wanted to prove to her that we were really wizards and magical people, so Lizzy said, "Fine, don't trust us? I'll make Jimmy's pencil covered in grease at class." This was trouble. I quickly jumped in. "Lizzy is also part mermaid. But in the tradition, they called it merfish." Bertha said, "Swear that you did not lie?" she sighed when she said that. We swore and told Bertha some spells. We told her some rainbow spells, water ones and fire ones. Bertha was amazed. Then I told her about Magic Land. "We meet there every night in Magic Land." I exclaimed. "How do you enter?" I gave a stern look and said that only people who have magic can enter in. Then Lizzy told her right now there are always yearly sales at the Magic Store. Then told her about the pet shops where they sell unicorns and cats and rats and even owls. She was amazed again and asked if we have any pets. I told her yes that I had two pets: one cat and one unicorn. I described it proudly. It went like this:
  

  Me: the unicorn is named Charlie and he is black all over with blue tail and mane and hooves. Once he got kidnapped.
  

  Lizzy: why don't I know about this?!
  

  Me: shush, Lizzy! Can't you see that I am exclaiming?
  

  Bertha: tell me about the kidnap! (Whines.)
  

  Me: the goblins took him and sold him to an evil owner. I'd lost him for five days. But then I got him back.
  

  
   

  Dear diary, March 4^th,
  

  I went to Magic Land with Aunt Mia (Witch, too.), since I am only living in Australia for half the year and going back to USA in summer holidays to see my real mom, dad, sister Fiona and the rest of my Magical Family and visiting my boyfriend. (Jokes.) Lizzy is the same. Lizzy slept over this night. I'm writing in bed, using my normal magic: sunlight, moonlight or even natural light. We went to Magic Land together with Aunt Mia after school for some shopping. (Aunt Mia wanted to buy some Miracle Candles and Vanishing Perfume.) Usually Aunt Mia does not let us go to Magic Land After 8 cos' that's when we gotta go to sleep whereas tomorrow is a school day but she didn't say it today so Lizzy suggests we could go. Lizzy and I are only beginner wizards. You can go to Magic School when you are over 15. We have to get our wands at our stage. Lizzy says it's best to go tonight because that's when the wands are on sale. When we entered the shop, heaps of kids at our age were there, fighting for the best wands. Most kids were using their Natural magic (Like my one is Light.), trying to aim for the best wands. So Pulley, the shop keeper, tried to calm them down. Pulley was a nice man. When the hassle was done, Lizzy and I went through to the wand shelf. Most wands were gone but some were available. I glanced at one, right at the top shelf. It was a rather 30cm wand and had magical colorful lava and glitter inside. It was like it is saying, "Pick me!" but I looked at the other wands. They were all different sizes and colors. I asked Pulley, "How much is that Lava Wand?" When I asked that question, Lizzy glanced up and spied on the lava wand. Then said, "Ana; I like this wand. It suits me better don't you think?" she pointed at another wand on the middle shelf. That wand was pale blue and had symbols on it. I shrugged and asked a question again. Pulley said it was 13 coins. I only had 10 coins. 2 coins short. Damn! I said that I was 2 coins short. You see, you will not get how we use the money in Magic Land. 1 coin = a penny. If you say Australia it = only 10c. The Symbol Wand that Lizzy wanted was 20 coins! And Lizzy had 50 coins from her rich Uncle who works at the Magic Land Museum. Pulley said sorry but he needed the exact price. Lizzy quickly paid 20 coins for the Symbol Wand so she has 30 coins left and she was such a good friend she gave me 2 coins and one extra. So I bought that lava wand. Pulley said it was getting late and the Adult Ceremony is nearly on. 'Adult Ceremony' is a ceremony for adults every second day at midnight. No kids allowed. We waved good bye to Pulley, took our wands and we summoned away back to home.
  

  
   

  Dear diary, March 5^th,
  

  Bertha wanted to come along to Magic Land as well. Lizzy said no because Bertha didn't have magic and it is the law to let someone enter Magic Land who doesn't have magic. Class time and morning was fine until… Lizzy and I found out that Bertha told our secret to a swarm of people!!! Some friend! I hated her! Lizzy says that Bertha told her little sister, Jennifer and Jennifer told lots of other kids in her grade and different grades!!!!!!! I was shocked. Surprised. Lizzy said we could have revenge. But I was too shocked to even twitch or recite a spell! How could she?? Why could she??? Gr! This afternoon, I went over to Lizzy's so we can help each other out for some homework. After we finished homework, we went through Maries' book of spells (Marie is 15 and is Lizzy's sister and goes to Magic School.) There were at least 35 spells. They were all grouped in columns. We found a good page saying, 'It's Pay Back Time.' We read about making peoples hairs fall out or getting people's grades going down but there was one thing that interest Lizzy and I a lot. It was called, 'Use your Wand.' I said, "We should try our new wands. Especially for the revenge." Lizzy says we gotta practice before we do anything wrong. So, we summoned to Magic Land and got back our wands we've hidden at Lizzy's Uncle's Museum. When I heard the doorbell ring it was Aunt Mia coming to pick me up. I said, "Let's meet at Magic Land tomorrow. That's when Aunt Mia sleeps over at her friend's house." I said.
  

  
   

  Dear diary, March 6^th,
  

  Today is a Saturday so more time at Magic Land-Hurray! So, this morning, Aunt Mia took me and Lizzy to the Magic Land's Clothe Shops. Then, she went to her friend's house and let us exploring with our new wands. We decided before we do something to Bertha, which should not be serious we got to tell her first. So we typed her an email: Bertha, Why did you tell that awful sister of yours? Why? You have betrayed us as being BFF's. Me & Lizzy are totally not you friend's anymore, so you can hang out with the little kid's! And don't bother emailing Lizzy! She knew first! Yours untruly, Ana and Lizzy.
  

  We all thought it was a good letter. ML's laptop systems don't send stuff to the normal world straight away so had to wait until tomorrow. After that, we went to visit 'Magic Land's Star Shop' that sold cheap things. Guess what? Lizzy had 27 coins to spend and I had 1 coin. What a rip out! Only dumb pencils were worth 1 coin and erases. Lizzy said she can't give anyone money unless they trade her. That's her uncles' rules. I traded her for a pink ring on my finger that Bertha gave me when we were at preschool. It was a little rude but I did not care. She gave me 5 coins. This meant I had 6 coins. Lizzy bought 2 magical liquid papers that disappear the mistake which cost only 3 coins. Then, with her other 21 coins, she spent it on a 8 coin book about science and tech. I laughed when she bought it. She asked, "What?" I said that it was funny imagining her learning about granites. I only had 6 coins so I am going to spend it wisely so I bought a magic nail polish colored blue jelly bean which cost me 2 coins. We left that shop and went to the pet store to see the pets we can buy. But then we had to leave because Aunt Mia had to go back.
  

  
   

  Dear diary, March 7^th,
  

  The next day Bertha did read that email and she was surprise. She stomped right onto us and recess and asked, "How dare you!" she was carrying a piece of paper that I think it was a copy of the email. I gulped. But Lizzy said, "How dare you! You know you aren't allowed to spit out secrets, you blabber mouth!" Bertha just said, "Well watch me!" and stomped to Hush Baby and gave her the copy of emails to read. Lizzy nudged me and raised an eyebrow. I knew Lizzy will get in big trouble from her mum, aunt and dad and so will I but I pointed out it wasn't a big email. The convoy went like this:
  

  Lizzy: oh-o. We're in trouble.
  

  Me: oh, shush! It's not a big deal! We just said we don't want to be friends with her and is that a big issue? No!
  

  Lizzy: But Bertha is telling every single bit and maybe some lies. I'm scared.
  

  Me: (Roll eyes.) c'mon! It's not black mail or murder mail or whatever? Did we put on: 'we are going to get you for this' on our email-no. So-
  

  I got distracted by Hush Baby calling my name and Lizzy's too. We jogged to her. Hush Baby asked if we had send the emails and showed us the copy. I nodded but said, "Mrs. Hush, it was because she told our secret and we were too shy to tell her in person so we did it as an email." Hush asked why did we write, 'That awful sister of yours', referring to Jennifer. Lizzy was way too afraid to say anything so I said mostly everything. "Because she told Jennifer. After all, we didn't type up the word 'Jennifer'; that will be rude, we just said sister." Hush Baby got Lizzy and I in detention all through the day.
  

  
   

  Dear diary, March 8^th,
  

  
  I want to go back to the USA!!! No agreements. I just can't seem to control my troubles. Here are a few troubles:
  

• Bertha. Yes, Bertha. I want to be friends with her again and so does Lizzy. But how? She gives each and every person in the class greetings and smiles but all we get are the dirty looks and eye-rolls.
  
• Hush Baby thinks I'm the worst person in the class along with Lizzy all because of a stupid email. I want to start this thing all over again if this is a life of a wizard.
  
• My lies. I don't mean to say them, but I wanted Bertha to understand about; Magic Land and its shops. Like, that fib, that I have a pet unicorn named Charlie, it really isn't true except in real life but Bella, and my cat also is magical.
  
• Lizzy is my only best friend in the whole school and I really think we are the only people in the school who have magic.
  
• Goblins. We just hate them. When I went to swing on ML's Magic Swings, a goblin named Glossy chucked banana peels and grease on my head and somehow the swings magic got out of control and had gone crazy.
  

  Cannot go to Magic Land ever again with Lizzy!
  

  
   

  Dear diary, March 8^th,
  

  Meet a vampire on the way to Magic Land by myself when I went north. I had forgotten that it's dangerous to go north where most vampires are. I did not get bitten, though I talked my way out sweetly. The convoy went like this:
  

Vampire: Not so fast, little girl, where are you going.

Me: uh... um… I was- excuse me, I see some other mortals at the top of that Content Mountain. There seem to be heaps of them and they're ready to be your dinner.

Vampire: Lunchie! (Disappears in a cloud of black smoke.)

I felt guilty for the troop on the Content Mountains. It was true that I did think that I'd trick the vampire but instead I gave it to eat lots of innocence. There was still two more innocence screaming as that vampire was sharping its teeth to eat them. I knew I had to do something. But why didn't they use their magic? If they were mortals, they could not enter magic land and they wouldn't get their selves into all this mess. I had to think fast. After all, I made them into this mess. I climbed on top of the Content Mountains. (Almost cut a knee.) And was puffing when I got to the top. (Asthma attack.) When I got to the top, vampire was ready, when I yelled out to the 2 girls, "Why don't you use your magic?" When the girls didn't answer that vampire knew it was me and said, "You!" I smiled weakly and said hi and then ran all the way from the mountain. (Seemed to tumble and roll and got headache.) Never saw vampire again.

Dear diary, March 9^th,

Bertha is now our friend with me and Lizzy. I don't know how it happened but it sure did! I wasn't ready to tell her I'd fibbed about the unicorn. Then it'll wreck friend ships with me and Lizzy that'll get into Bertha. This is how it is today:

When I tell Bertha that I'd lied in private.

She will tell Lizzy and will never trust me and Lizzy about being witches and BFF's.

So, that means, Bertha will never ever trust me or Lizzy.

Then Lizzy will never trust me or be my friend.

Bertha will not trust me or Lizzy about being witches and then Lizzy will break up our friendship all because of me not wanting Bertha to trust us. Ditto.

Dear diary, March 10^th,

OK, this is how it is today! I will not put it in list. Well, I told Bertha that I fibbed in the loo's and before she can yell, I used a spell to zip her lips so she can't say anything then locked her in the loo's and I came out just like this: Sunlight Travel Light, take me to where what I say what I might! As simple as that and went to go over with Lizzy. We went to a hollow tree next to a small lake. You can only have a Lake Pass to sit near the lake. I and Lizzy were the only ones. I told Lizzy. Zipped her and used a bubble spell to make her pop inside a bubble and pushed her inside the lake, making sure the duty teacher didn't see and make sure she can breathe. What did I do next? I went and hung out with Mike Peterson and Jade Fargo, the two boys who always play battles. Mike told me to mind his lunch and Jade said I can be the Referee and gave me a piece of paper of rules. I did not know what a referee was, but then Andy Martha came and then had a fight with the other 2. Got annoyed. Went to see Bertha. She was strangling. Unzipped her lips and unlocked her. She was crying and ran out of the loo. Went to see Lizzy. Bend over the lake but fell in it instead. Landed on Lizzy. She said, "What the…" the duty teacher came. Yelled at us for playing in the water. Lizzy said she'll never ever speak to me again for 3000 things: Fibbing to her, pushing her in the water and making a bubble and locking Bertha up in the loo so now Bertha's not me or Lizzy's friend. I said it was only 3 things in detention time. Lizzy just said, "3 times equals too many." So know I have no friends!

Dear diary, March 11^th,

I have too many troubles. Number 1, my friends. They'll never trust me or each other. Number 2, I am a victim of a vampire. Yes, I know scary and spooky but I am annoyed. A vampire came up to my house and I used sunlight hands so the vampire named Savage would go away, but she just said, "I'll be back!" I wasn't scared like you would think I would be. I was annoyed. I miss my friends. Especially Lizzy. Now I can't borrow money or go with her to Magic Land. I texted Lizzy: y r u mad?

Lizzy: u knows! Lying, pushing me in wter. N breaking FS's wif me n bertha.

Bertha: (sending to my phone number only.) I hate u n Lizzy evn more. I just know tht u 2 plan it!

Me: sorry!!!! Please 4give me! I beg bof of u.

That was the end of the texting. But then Lizzy phoned me and said she forgave me but it was my last chance. I said thank you and hung up. 5 minutes later Bertha phoned me and said sorry for being a bad-tempered cow. One problem: solved. And so is that vampire problem: Savage didn't come tonight. So I'm glad!

Dear diary, March 11^th,

OK, this is how it is, this week!

Bertha likes Mike.

Andy likes Lizzy.

Lizzy likes Timin.

Mike likes me.

Jade likes Bertha.

I like Jade.

Anything else???? No, I hate romantic stuff. Yuk. All the pashing and heart-beating. The convoy went like this at school in the morning:

Bertha: we should be honest with each other.

Lizzy: yeah, like say who we really like!

Bertha: I really like Mike.

Me: (Jumping in.) well, sorry, but Mike likes me!

Bertha: well you do not like him so you don't have to go to the movies with him or whatever!

Lizzy: Ana can't make Mike like you, Bertha.

Bertha: she could if she can stop hair-flicking him.

Me: am not! Though I like Jade, so there!

End of convoy. We all asked the boys that we liked so we can go to the movies with them. But we first asked the boys that we liked and they all said no. So then, I asked Mike, he said yes, Lizzy asked Andy, he said yes and Bertha asked Jade and he said yes. We are all going to the movies tomorrow night.

Dear diary, March 12^th,

We entered the movies. I was worried. "What if three show up and Mike doesn't?" I asked. "We'll just see what happens." Said Lizzy. She said if it does happen, she'll make Mike show up by using a spell she'd learnt from her rich granddad in Magic Land. Today was the worst day of this month so far. A Monday. Damn! We went to the movies. Found out that I just had a 5 dollar note. Bertha said, "They can buy the tickets and we can buy the drinks, after all, that's fair." I liked the idea. We bought drinks and popcorn. Problems solved, now where to sit? We sat fairly in the middle. Bertha was next to me with Jade. I asked her, "What to do if they want to pash?" Bertha shrugged and dogged into a bag of popcorn and ate a mouth full like a hippopotamus carrying a baby. Half way around the movie, Mike was smiling. Then, trouble arrived. I saw my younger sister in the USA. Ally. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be in the USA with mum! "Ally," I whispered to Lizzy. "Oh-o. This is not going good." She smiled to Ally who frowned back grimly. Oh no! What Ally going to do? Oh no! I hope she doesn't tell my mother about what me, Bertha and Jade were up to. Disaster struck. Jade started jumping and fluffing on her seat. And I felt every part of me stricken. I felt like the whole world has turned upside down and inside out. It was like in the Nibbler. Everything seemed to turn upside down and inside out. I really do hope that Ally does not tell. And I really do hope that no one tells, in the matter of fact. I'd be dead meat. Dead meat. PLAIN DEAD MEAT!! Mark suddenly itches away from me. Why? Because I have been panicking, that's why. Have you ever panicked before? Believe me it's not a good feeling. Anyway, what happened next was that I felt a sharp jab in the ribs. I was dreaming. I gasped open. It was my mum. My real mum. Jabbing me. "You're late for school," she scolded. I was sweating. So, all I dreamt was all just a dream! This was real!

The end.

 

 

 

    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Trail Business

Horse Trail Business

By Christine Wang

"Hey, I thought Sarah told us to be at Trail A, not Meadow 5." Cassie said quietly. That's when Lesa realizes, they're lost…

Two groups that are enemies, lost together when Lesa realizes, Heidi, the leader of the mean, spoilt group has lead, Elsa, Lisa and Cassie who are the nice group and Jade, Sam and Helen into grave danger…

Chapter 1

"Alright, kids," called Sarah, Willow Halls stable manager and riding teacher. "Instead of a lesson, as a treat, we'll be going on a trail ride!"

Everyone broke down into an exciting chatter. Trail rides were everyones favorites. "So, let's go," Sarah clicked her fingers and everyone ran to find their horses. Cassie however was not excited when she saw the group she was going to be trailing with. It was Heidi, Jade, Sam and Helen, the spoilt, rich mean people in the stables that hated Cassie. Luckily, Cassie had her best friend Lesa with her. It seemed more exciting now. Cassie went to tack up her horse, Minverse, who was a lovely grey horse and dark coal eyes. "Whoa, boy," cooed Cassie gently as she placed down the saddle. Lesa was already tacked up, with her bay mount called Ginger. "It's been ages since Sarah lets us go on a trail ride instead of a lesson," Lesa was saying to Cassie as she mounted on Ginger. Suddenly, Heidi and her gang strolled up to them, leading their horses. Heidi smirked. Her horse, which was a lovely chestnut called Moon had been tacked up so tightly that he had tears in his eyes. "Well, isn't it Cassandra and Lesa. Trail rides, huh?" Helen, who was leading a palomino called Welsh giggled with Sam, who was on Jingle and Jade who was leading Daisy. "Um, Heidi, shouldn't you untack Moon for a little bit because you're squeezing him to death or is he a lemon and you're going to make lemonade?" asked Lesa smartly as she defended herself and her friend. Cassie giggled and Sam and Helen tried not to laugh as Heidi gave them harsh stares. "C'mon guys! Sarah's waiting!" called a girl called Fiona outside the barn. Everyone rushed to get out. Finally. A proper trail ride.

Cassie and Lesa groaned as they knew what was happening. They were with Heidi's mean group on the trail ride. Heidi was leading them. "Remember, it's Trail A, no other trails or meadows without permission!" warned Sarah, as the groups went to explore on horse-back. Lesa nodded and went on. "Ur, Heidi, do you know where you're going or do I need to be the leader?" teased Lesa from behind. Heidi made a halt and Moon snorted anxiously. "Shut up, you stupid mule!" yelled Heidi as Moon was about to buck her off. Then, she stopped the group and twisted around in her saddle. "Very funny, loser." She smirked and led the group to another trail. After five minutes of trail riding, Cassie was humiliated. Minverse's girth hadn't been tight enough so Cassie fell sideways, in a swing. Heidi's and the rest of the snobs laughed as Cassie fell and hit the dirt ground. "Well, you better hurry up, or we'll be leaving without you!" Jade mocked. Heidi tugged on the reins and led the group more forward. Lesa defended Cassie. "Don't laugh at her! It's so not funny!" cried Lesa. When Cassie was back on Minverse, Lesa mounted off Ginger and helped Cassie make the girth tight.

Chapter 2

"Heidi, I'm getting this strange feeling about this trail. Wasn't an old log in the corner of that tree?"

Cassie wasn't so sure if they were on the right trail. The mist was curling upon them and it was dull and the wind was making weird ghostly noises. Heidi groaned and said, "Stop complaining, loser. I'm always right." Boasted Heidi. "Don't listen," hissed Lesa as she made Ginger trot over to Cassie. But Cassie got mad enough so she went in front of Helen then Sam then Jade, then Heidi. "Hey!" growled Heidi but she did not defend. She just followed Cassie and Minverse. Suddenly, they passed a sign that said: MEADOW 5. Cassie flinched in her saddle. Wasn't it supposed to be Trail A? "Hey, I thought Sarah told us to be at Trail A, not Meadow 5." Cassie said quietly. That's when Lesa realizes, they're lost. Heidi now pushed past Cassie and still went in line. "Who cares, stupid? At least we have a trail." Growled Heidi in rage. Lesa wasn't so sure, either. "Maybe we should go back," she said quietly. "You know, just in case something happens."

Cassie couldn't agree more. "Yeah, we should." Suddenly, HOOOOWWLL! A howling sound came near. "You-you don't think there are any wolves here around you, don't you think?" shivered Helen, going into a halt. Heidi grumbled in rage again when… woof! Woof! Woof! Cassie quickly spun around in her saddle. There it was: A pack of wolves. Oh God, She thought. They were growling and woofing and coming closer to the riders and the horses. When Heidi saw, she screamed. "WOLF!"

Minverse stepped back and back as the wolf came closer. The group all looked in eachother. They all knew what to do, except for Heidi, of course, worrying about dog slobber might get on to her new riding jacket. Lesa got out a carrot from her riding pocket and threw it over far away. The wolves obviously thought that it was rabbit meat and ran toward it. "Run!" yelled Lesa and they all galloped away on their horses from the wolves as far as they can. "Phew! Have we lost them?" asked Jade cautiously, looking from left to right. Cassie nodded; sweat prickling from her back and forehead. It was scary. She had never seen a real wolf trying to attack her. Heidi checked her nails then grumbled. "I've got dirt in them; stable hands never do their job on cleaning the tack!" she cried. Lesa and Cassie grinned. Cassie retied her hardhat and took a breath. That was very close! "We could've been dead meat!" said Cassie. Everyone nodded. Suddenly, out of the blue…

Chapter 3

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" A tribe of dangerous Ealdor's men were charging at the girls. They were carrying sticks and stones. Ealdor's men lived near the trails. They were dangerous and spiteful. Everyone screamed, but Heidi felled down as Moon gave a mad bolt. "Heidi!" Helen's voice came charging as they galloped. Luckily, Heidi mounted back on Moon, enough time to canter away. This is bad, thought Cassie as a stick hit her head. They men were running towards them, trying to kill the girls by throwing sticks and stones! Lesa was galloping on Ginger like mad. She didn't even touch a stick or stone!

Luckily, Ealdor's men gave up and ran home. Cassie swiped bits of sweat from her forehead. "That was so close!" cried Sam. "And dangerous!" added Helen. "Great, look at my leather jacket-it's new and a stick went in and look it's ripped!" shrieked Heidi. Lesa sighed. "Let's head back to the stables. Cassie was right-we should've gone back to the barn otherwise, we wouldn't have seen wolves or Ealdor's men." Lesa pointed out, glaring at Heidi the same time. Then, Heidi yowled with pain and fell purposely onto the ground. "My ankle! Those stupid men! That stone hit my ankle so I think I steered too hard in the stirrups and my ankle's twisted!" Heidi yowled. "Look, Sarah's here!" cried Jade, pointing. Sarah was there, alone. "Girls, why are you on this meadow? Didn't I tell you to go on Trail A?" snapped Sarah. Everyone all looked at Heidi, who was on the ground weeping. "Let's go back to the stables." Said Sarah.

"You sprained it."

"I know. Can I ride again?"

"Yes and no."

Heidi was on the lounge with Dr Dan checking her up. Cassie shook her head and told Sarah and Dr Dan everything. Including the wolves and Ealdor's men. Sarah couldn't be more shocked. "At least you're safe, girls. Next time, never go to a Meadow without an adult, OK? Before, I warned you that there are many dangers in that meadow." Said Sarah. Cassie and Lesa nodded then giggled. "Boy is this day over!" jolted Lesa. Cassie rolled her eyes. "Boy am I glad!"

 

SHOWJUMPING HROSES

Showjumping Horses

 

Showing and jumping put together can't be that hard, right? See how Clair and her wonderful horse, Everest train hard for the annual Summa Showjumping Festival. But Clair catches a surprise: she's not jumping Everest. She's jumping Dizzy, a horse that hasn't even seen a jump before! Learn how Clair shares bonds with Dizzy, as well train him! But soon, the Summa Showjumping Festival cancelled.

Meanwhile, Stuck-up, nasty, rich Laranna (Whom everyone calls Lara) is behind all the 'snake madness'. Will Clair save the horses during the night from unleashed, vicious, big snakes?

A Summer-time Read

Chapter 1

Clair stomped her riding boots and whipped her hand. "Mum! I'm going to be late for the lesson!" Clair called rushly. It was almost ten and her mum was still getting things ready. "Wait, Clair! Have you seen my car keys?" Mum's voice thundered down the stairs as she trampled down. Clair groaned. "I don't know, where did you put them?" commanded Clair, a bit annoyed. "Mu-um! Where's my ballet shoes?!" Clair's sister, Angie yelled from the stairs. "It's at the bottom of your wardrobe, Angie!" mum yelled back. Clair toppled the toy box open and found the keys. "I found the keys, mum! It was in the toy box!"

"Oh, thanks Clair! Do you have your riding crop with you? And are your cream jodhpurs dirty? Don't let it be!" her mum complained. Clair twirled a strand of strawberry blonde hair in plaits impatiently. Angie twirled down the stairs, in her leotard, hair in a bun and pointe ballet shoes. "I'm ready, mum! And I can't wait! Today Miss. Elena is going to teach us the leg-lift. I can imagine handsome Ethan Smith, leg-lifting me up stage, creating art and magic on stage…." Angie said dreamily. Clair rolled her eyes and pointed to her family's indoor notice board. "Look, I have to practice for the Summa Showjumping Festival so I don't want to be late!" Clair interrupted hotly. Finally, they were in mum's car, driving away and Clair was desperate to see her brilliant grey Arabian horse, Everest.

Chapter 2

Everest was probably named after a famous tall mountain is because that the Arabian was just so tall! But either way, the grey had also been Clair's. And Clair will never sell, auction or give away Everest. Clair went to the kiosk to see the stable's manager, Fifi. "Hello, Clair. Mm, your lesson started twenty minutes ago. Are you ready for the Summa Showjumping Festival?" Fifi asked, taking Clair's money. Clair nodded, feeling excited. "I'm going to tack Everest up quickly!" assured Clair, snatching a white hard hat from the racks. Fifi stopped her short. "Clair. You'll not be riding Everest today, or for the rest of this term." Fifi butted. Clair froze in tracks. "Who will I be riding? I haven't ridden on another horse in ages. Will that be fair?" Clair shot back, halfway through the door. Fifi shook her head. "You'll be riding Dizzy. Today and for the Summa Showjumping Festival," Fifi explained. Clair gulped and looked down at her riding boots. Dizzy? Dizzy?! Dizzy hadn't even seen a jump before! Not to mention training Dizzy for a festival! "I-I…uh…but…who's riding Everest?" asked Clair. "No one is. Everest has a sore leg. It got a fetlock overnight," Fifi exclaimed. Clair sighed and went to tack up Dizzy. Clair couldn't believe it. Dizzy couldn't jump, and hadn't seen one!

Clair trotted Dizzy to the end of the line. "Late, aren't you?" Clair's best friend, Jade. Clair winced. At least jade, was riding a much better showjumping horse, Teddy, short for Teddy, and a Palomino. "Alright, as you all know, our Summa Showjumping Festival is coming up tomorrow, during school holidays so we'll all try hard at the one meter jumps, especially!" Brook, Clair's riding teacher called out. Clair gripped into Dizzy's reins and saw Brook tightening her blonde hair in a ponytail. "So, may Lara, please start the fences," Brook objected. Lara, a snobby, mean and rich girl was on the perfect mount, Withers, was a perfect chestnut horse. Lara cantered around the arena, jumping every little fence perfectly. Until, that is, she reaches everyone's bogey fence-the 1m solid wall. Clair, Jade, Sammy, Meagan and Tina, all the riders, including Brook, watched in amaze that one minute, Wither's was doing everything perfectly. The next minute, Wither's was rearing and bucking and Lara was in the air. Another minute, she was laying on the ground. Brook told no one to dismount and she raced to Lara, checking if she was OK. "Are you alright, Laranna? Are you OK? Lara, can you hear me?" Brook was flattering on anxiously as she shook Lara. Lara eventually got up and shook herself out of Brook and Wither's reach. "Get away from me! I hate you! I hate you!" Lara screamed, edging further and further away. The other young riders, watched in surprise. Clair and Jade were amazed how Lara could do this. It was dangerously awesome, in Clair's feelings. The rest of the lesson was different-Laranna wasn't there to brag or showoff or anything. She was at the offices. "Now, I want everyone to understand that you have to arrive at ten thirty sharp. No excuses. To pass the time, we'll tack up your horses and they'll be ready for you!" Brook announced as everyone dismounted to take their horses to their stalls. "I bet Lara would love that-never tacking up a horse of her own," Jade muttered to Clair. Clair took her riding hat off. "Yeah? Well, I feel sorry for me! I'm riding the worst horse in the barn! Dizzy hasn't even seen a jump! Seriously! How am I going to attend in the Summa Showjumping Festival with a pony like that?!" complained Clair. "Oh, are you coming to my birthday party on Saturday?" Jade asked quietly, taking her hard had off, too. Brook, who was like, five meters away, had heard all that Clair had said. Though, she didn't give anything away. "Clair-could I have a little pep talk, maybe with you?" Brook assured. Clair shrugged and led Dizzy to her place and took the saddle off. "Yeah?" asked Clair, curious, leaving Jade gobsmacked. Did Clair just ditch her question?

Chapter 3

"Clair, I know that Dizzy is a difficult horse to handle especially for the Summa Showjumping Festival," Brook started while they were in the office, alone. "Yeah, you could say that again!" snorted Clair, flicking her blonde hair back. "But-I want to trust you-you are a good rider, Clair and I want you to keep that riding spirit in you. So, I want you to try Dizzy out, at least, Clair," Brook finished. Clair tried hard not to pout. Handle Dizzy? It was insane but Clair just nodded.

Clair walked into the lounge, hoping to see Jade. She wasn't their-all Clair could see and hear was Lara complaining to her best friend, Natalie, who was snobby and mean as well. But as bad luck, Natalie was two years older than Lara and contained different classes. "It's all the stupid horse's fault! Wither didn't know what he was doing! And he threw me off! I'm going to tell my parents to get a new horse. Isn't that going to be right, Nat?" complained Lara. Clair spun her heel of her boot around. Riders lounge wasn't a good choice at the moment. She set to the paddock, to look for Jade. Clair could see nothing except for two horses grazing grass. Clair sighed. Tom, a cool dude who was in charge, called out to her, "Hey! Not allowed out here!" he called out to her. Clair rolled her eyes and strolled inside to the kiosk. There, was Jade, sitting on the seat, changing her boot. "Hi, Jade!" Clair greeted, trying to sound cheerful. But deep in thought, she was still thinking about training Dizzy to jump. It sounded impossible but Brook did say Clair was a good rider… "Hello? Jade?" Clair said, trying to get her friend's attention. Once Jade placed her helmet back on the rack, she still hadn't replied so that made Clair generally confused. Jade pushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear, still looking down. Clair sighed. "What's wrong? I'm your best mate. What is wrong?" asked Clair, trying to sound soft. Jade looked up, her green eyes filling with tears. Clair felt a pang of sadness. Why was Jade—was Jade about to cry?

Chapter 3

"You forgot my birthday," Jade said quietly after the awkward silence. Clair gaped at her. "What? I could never forget your birthday! It was last Saturday, wasn't it? And-Oh no! I did forget it! I'm so sorry, Jade!" Clair gawped out. A big, fat tear rolled down Jade's cheek. Jade reached out to her riding bag and got out a paper and pen. This made Clair feel guilty. Jade was too upset to even speak! That made Clair extra guilty. Jade slipped the piece of paper over to Clair. Clair read it out loud. After all, no one was actually in the kiosk. Not even Fifi.
No one turned up to my birthday. No one I invited turned up. Not even Sammy, Meagan and Tina, turned up and I was hoping you would but you didn't. Clair sighed quietly. It was true. Before she could say anything, Fifi interrupted them two. "Jade, Clair, I need a few extra hands. The junior kids are going on a trail ride. I want both of you to tack up their horses…come and follow me," Fifi instructed. The two girl's only option was to do as Fifi asks. "Now, give Autumn to this little boy here, Ginger to this man…and Butterfly to Sandra…and…" Fifi instructed. Without saying a word, Jade and Clair tacked up the horses in silence. Great. Now Jade's not my friend, I got something to make her up for. And I still have Dizzy to train. And the Summa Showjumping Festival. What next? Thought Clair grimly.

"Oh, and it was great mother! Please let me in it! Miss. Elena explained today that there will be lights, a stage, we'll put on make-up, and concert costumes…oh mum!" Angie was begging her mum to sign up for the ballet's concerts at dinner. They had spaghetti and bolognaise sauce for dinner and Clair was just sitting there, playing with her spaghetti. It was still school holidays, long ones and Clair was glad. She gets to spend more time at Willow Hall Stables than often then she remembered. She had to train Dizzy tomorrow for the jumps. Lucky Jade won't be there-I hope. Cos' if she gets there, I'll have no idea what to say to her. "How was your day at the barn?" asked Angie sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Clair flushed with anger. How dare Angie say that to her? "NO! It WASN'T FINE! It was HORRID! Thank you very much for asking Angie-all you care about is your stoo-pid dancing concerts and blah, blah, blah! I hate you!" screamed Clair. Mum and dad looked shocked. Mum, was more of ashamed. Angie, who was flushing red, too was blabbering. "Stop! Clair, how dare you speak to your older sister like that! Go to your room and does either our homework or nothing!" her mum told her off. Clair stomped to her room and flanged herself on her bed, bursting into tears. Even though she's old enough to get over soft toys, she hugged Teddy, her soft toy bear she had when she was little. "Oh, Teddy! Everything's gone wrong! And it's my entire fault!" she cried. She didn't know what to do. She felt scared and angry and sad and guilty and miserable at the same time.

Chapter 4

Clair woke up in the morning at six with a guilty feeling in her stomach. Worse than that-sadness, angriness and scariness. For one thing, she felt guilty about not attending her best friend's birthday party and worse-no one else attended either! So she was scared to go to the stables to train Dizzy and she was angry because of her family-especially Angie. Clair got changed and brushed her teeth. Her mum had told her yesterday that it was OK to fight with sisters so Clair got her mum in a good mood that her mum was taking only her, with no Angie to see a really good kid's movie tonight! Clair had been thrilled until she found out it was after training Dizzy to jump. Clair's mum drove her to the stables. "Bye Clair, and try to enjoy today!" her mum called out to her and Clair went to the pony club gates. Clair waved at her mum and nodded. She will try and enjoy the day. She reached the kiosk and she just realized that she had forgotten her riding boots. She took a helmet and a pair of boots from the rack. She felt dizzy and sad at the same time. "Hello Clair, how are you feeling?" Fifi came from the kiosk. "Good," said Clair in a croaked voice. "Ready for training?" Fifi asked. Clair nodded. Soon, Brook came in. "Jade's here! She's going to watch you train, Clair," Brook admits. Clair pushes her blonde hair back again and a lump began to form in her throat. Was her best friend or 'former' best friend going to make fun of her while she trained a dumbfounded horse? Clair hoped not.

Chapter 5

Training Dizzy wasn't hard at all. Clair could get him through fences less than a meter. "I can speak to Daniel, so that you don't have to jump a meter fences with Dizzy," Brook assured her as they went for the hour trail ride. Clair gulped and kicked her heels against Dizzy to make Dizzy stay away from Brook. It was safer. She hoped Brook didn't know about Jade and her's fight. "Alright, uh, Daniel…we're gonna canter up that hill, straight. And Dan, will you like to start?" Brook called from the back. Daniel nodded and he and his western horse, Rodeo cantered up the smooth hill. Jade was next, but she refused and Clair wondered why. She could steer Dizzy but she had to be firm. This is my chance, she thought sternly to herself as they trotted. I have to talk to Jade. The Summa Showjumping Festival is tomorrow! She squeezed Dizzy in the saddle to make him move and he obeyed. Once she was quite firmly next to Jade while their horses walked, she cleared her throat. "Uh, Jade? Jade?" getting her friend's attention while group trail riding was hard. Jade took no notice. She just rode on, not caring. Clair sighed. "Never mind." and she turned to go to the back with Brook. "She's not talking to me," she whispered to Brook. Brook turned to her. "What?" Brook asked gently. "Never mind," snapped Clair as they got to a walk. Dizzy rode on the edge so Clair had to brush the leaves of his mane. "I'm practically saying that to everyone I know! They don't listen to me! They ignore me! And today's the getting-to-know people trail ride and no one's bother to talk to me!" snapped Clair as she finished. Brook was quiet. She shrugged. "Well, maybe that's just life. And life isn't always good with people talking and listening to you, really. People just go ignoring and not answering if you please. or maybe whoever this 'she' is, didn't hear you," explained Brook. Then, she craned her neck to the right to see what was going on. Lara was using a whip (!) to hit Withers. "Stupid pony, stupid pony!" Lara yelped as she hit Withers twice. Withers snorted and reared. He was annoyed. But Clair wasn't shocked. That was Lara. It sounds like Lara. "Laranna Moribeeto, stop that! Why do you have a whip with you and oh my goodness-is that a cross-country crop?! Laranna Moribeeto, stop!" Brook was yelling over and over. Everyone pulled their horses and ponies back to see what was going on. Lara was still using her cross-country crop. How did she get a crop from? Thought Clair. Sammy, who was slightly next to Lara, was trying to calm her down. "Whoa, Lara. You should stop using that," Sammy assures. Lara glares back at him and continues uses the crop at hitting Withers. "That's it; I'm coming up there-come on, people! Move it up!" Brook called as she and her horse, Thunder, together made their way to Lara, who Withers, was bucking and soon, Brook had come to late-Wither's had thrown Lara of the saddle. Brook dismounted and checked Lara's heartbeat and frowned. The other young riders, watched in dismay.

Chapter 6

Back in the stables, the ambulance arrived and took Lara away to hospital. Most people weren't shocked, or surprised. But Natalie had red bunny eyes and her nose was stuffy. "An Attention rider, the Summa Showjumping Festival has been officially cancelled. Thank you," an announcement thundered through the speakers. Clair was walking with her blonde hair over her eyes like a curtain while she walked around the lounge. She bumped into someone. She quickly removed the curtain of hair to see who it was. It was a boy she had never seen before in pony club. Never. He had cute brown hair, teeny, tiny freckles along his nose, blue eyes and dashing white teeth that made his grin fab. Clair jumped. "Er, you scared me!" she said nervously. The boy gave her a tiny smile. "I'm Zach. Zachary Miller to be exact. And you are…" he said pointy. Clair tried hard not to fluff her hair. Cos' isn't that like flirting? She thought, her head throbbing. "Oh, I'm-I'm Clair-short for Clairaria Jones," she stammered. Zach grinned which made him look extra cute. "I'm twelve, just turned this year," he said. Clair answered back, "Oh, twelve too," she said. "Cool. D'you wants go to on a trail ride together?" he asked Clair. Clair's heart almost skipped a beat. Ok, she had to admit he looked nice but she wasn't going to do what Jade was going to do: flirt. Suddenly, thinking of Jade made her all blank again. "Ur, yeah. Trail C?" she optioned. Zach nodded and the two went separate ways to tack up their horses. Everest's leg still hadn't healed so Clair tacked up Dizzy.

Clair and Zach met up at the entrance of Trail C right away. "So, this is my horse, Bramby. She's a chestnut Thoroughbred," Zach said about his horse. Clair smiled as she mounted. "He' beautiful," she had to say then she introduced him to Dizzy. "Dunno why they called him Dizzy. Probably cos' he gets Dizzy a lot when he does dressage and collapses to the ground!" joked Clair. Zach laughed. "You're funny," he commented. Clair blushed and placed her hard hat on her head. When Zach realized what he had said, he blushed too and quickly added, "I mean, Brook names all the horses. She comes up with cool ones, yeah?" Clair nods.

Chapter 7

After the trail ride, Clair decides to call her mum to bring her home. She had her day at the stables and she wanted to hang out at the park tomorrow. She dialed her mum's phone number. "Hello?" her mum said. "Oh, hi, mum, can you pick me up now?" answered Clair her mum answers ace so Clair hanged up and saw Zach walking up to her with a couple of his friends. Omigod, thought Clair nervously. "Hey, who's that?" asked a girl with auburn hair. A guy with blonde spiky hair said something in a low voice while looking over at Clair that she didn't hear. Clair was blushing, growing redder and redder by minute. Blonde spiky hair guy threw his head up and laughed. Zach and his friends were all in jodhpurs, cream ones and riding shoes already off. Clair turned around so she doesn't face them. It was humiliating. After all she has been through. She remembered how she was going to the park. Could see bring Zach, too? Is it possible? Could I really ask him infront of his friends? She thought, blushing with hotness. The sun was shining furiously that made Clair's face hotter and blusher than usual. She took a deep breath. Zach and his friends were walking down the road; coming for her right way…she had to do it. I can do it, I can do it, she thought. But it was no use; she kept looking over at the horses in the paddock, munching on grass. She saw Zach giving her a little wave, though. She took a big gulp of air and strolled casually toward them. Zach and his friends saw her and stopped walking to stare at her. Clair was glad that her mother wasn't here yet. Her green eyes were burning from the sun. Her hair was all ick. How could she do this? Too late. She was already a meter away from them. She turned on her heels and walked another meter away. "Never mind," she muttered. The auburn-haired girl laughed like a witch would and the spiky hair dude snickered and another guy with this reddish curly hair whooped. Clair was blushing and blushing and blushing. I am an idiot…c'mon mum! Please come! She thought. "What was it that you'll like to say to my friend?" Spiky-Haired dude guy asked. Auburn-haired girl snickered. Clair turned around to face them, praying that her mum will just come. Zach's face looked like he wanted Clair to ask. "I-I- uh, um, well…" she started, feeling like a geek. "Zach, uh-uh, um…would you like to…um…" she couldn't say it. "Forget it!" she finally snapped, angry at herself. Why couldn't see just say it to him? She turned on her heels, head held high and strolled back to the car park. She'd rather wait for her mother there.

Chapter 7

Clair kept thinking about Jade. Her best friend ever at the riding school. After Lara and Natalie ditched Clair. Why did Jade have to leave? Clair just got a phone call from Brook, saying that Jade had left the town and moved to Maryland. "Yeah, she left here and travelled to Maryland. She didn't really say goodbye to anyone. How weird, right?" Brook was saying. Clair flinched, tears streaming down her face as she heard it. She couldn't speak. She couldn't move. "Clair? Are you still on?" Brook asked over the phone. Clair cleared her throat, hoping it sounded convincing as she faked a cough. "I'm sick and I have to go to bed and get a tissue," she fibbed. Brook hung up. Clair was very upset. Jade left without saying goodbye? Is this because she wanted to have a party? Clair was confused. But most of all, she was sad. Jade, her best friend ever in pony club, left, out of the blue, left. Jade, Jade, Jade, Jade, she reversed over and over again in her head. Left, left, left, left, she added when she was doing her homework. She sipped a cup of hot chocolate before finishing the next sum. And I will never see her again. She's in Mary Lands, Clair thought and dividing 6 with 489.

"I saw this really cool shirt at Jay-Jays' and it was 50% off and so, I decided to book it. Isn't it weird?" Stuck-up Lara Moribeeto and Natalie Poshca, was busily chatting in the rider's lounge on the sofas. It was almost time for Clair's dressage lessons but Clair could hope. She just sat on a broken rocking chair beside the picture drawers. Alongside, she saw Zach, the boy that she had gave up on. Clair thought she hated him. Zach was with the three friends from yesterday. Clair wished the floor boards would open up and swallow her in, especially when she caught Zach looking in her direction. She wasn't like the other riders. "Dressage people, please come to the arena now. Thank you!" an announcement rang over the speakers and Clair gave a sigh of relief. "Clair," Clair trampled into the kiosk and found Fifi there. "Clair. Everest's leg is healing finally. I'll give you a full forty-five bucks refund today because your lesson had to be cancelled for dressage. Unfortunately, Everest needs lots and lots of rest and a little child is riding Dizzy for the trail rides." Fifi explained and Clair's jaw dropped. I feel like I'm spinning on a rollercostar. This is good news but also bad news to me! Clair thought, thumping her boots and helmet back on the racks.

On the getting-to-know-you trail ride on Monday was different. After thirty minutes, (this seemed like ten, to Clair.) Brook allowed people to have a break in the Misty Forest. Everyone seemed to be talking, laughing and having a good time with eachother while Clair was stuck on Everest's saddle, looking bored. She steered Everest to a quiet corner and dismounted. "Did you miss me, boy?" she giggled quietly. "How's your leg?" Everest nickered her gently. A girl called Sophie, the girl with auburn hair that hung out with Zach yesterday with Tom, the guy with the spiky hair and Wilshire, a dude with blonde, curly hair. Sophie was really close to Zach while they had the trail ride, and the trail-ride break. Clair watched enviously around the lonely corner of the valley. Lara and Natalie were mysteriously whispering to eachother, making sure no one was listening. Clair mounted back on Everest and made him walk to them. At first, they didn't see her, she listened all she can. "I can ask my mother if we can arrive at the stables at five, perfect, since the stables close down at five thirty and I could bring some snakes," Lara was saying, adjusting her white hard hat. Natalie smiled. At first, Clair thought at the mention of the word, 'snakes', which probably meant the lollies but when Natalie said part of something that made Clair mad. "Cool. It is perfect! Brook will know one thing or two then making you ride stupid Withers. So, here's the plan, Fifi will still be in the kiosk, but we have to make sure Brook isn't guarding the horse area," Natalie was saying. Clair steered Everest behind a tree and dismounted. This conversation was getting on her nerves. "My mother can take care of that," whispered Lara quietly. But Clair could hear every word clearly. "Yeah, so no one will be guarding the horse shed thingy area, so then, since Brook and Fifi are interrupted, you and I could get the snakes to the horse area as quickly as we can and it would bound to hurt Withers," Natalie finished in a low voice. Clair gasped quietly. Were Lara and Natalie trying to hurt Withers? The bell Brook was holding rang loudly. "Time to saddle up, people! We still have forty five more minutes!"

Chapter 8

Clair couldn't believe what Lara and Natalie had said. It was impossible. Real snakes? They had to be joking, as Clair thought but soon, she caught out Lara reading a snake fact book in the riders' kitchen. Clair got tired and went home.

Back at home, she felt calmer. Her mum was out at work and her sister went to dance practice and her dad was at his friend's house. She was alone with only Wind Company.

The next day, Clair went back to pony club. No lesson, no trail ride. She went there to see if Laranna or Natalie were there. They weren't. "Hi, Fifi. Have you seen Lara or Natalie?" Clair asked sweetly. "No dear. Though Zachary and Sophiana are here. And Brook is in the café if you need her." Fifi answered, lowering her glasses. Clair sighed and looked at the clock. Then the trail ride forms. Then the clock again. Then the trail riding forms. She did this several times until she got dizzy. "Are you alright, dear?" Fifi asked, curious. "Your head seems to get crazy, sometimes," it was only three o' clock and she remembered Lara and Natalie were going to do their dangerous hunting trip at five. Clair had to do something at the stables for two hours! "I'm going on trot with Everest," Clair muttered and took the pen and forum and began to fill out her name. She went to tack up Everest but first, she patted Withers. "Hey, Withers. Tonight, Lara and Natalia won't get to hurt you. Don't worry," she assured him, before saddling Everest up.

Clair and Everest galloped off to Trail C, her blonde hair flowing swiftly by the wind and Everest's bay mane floating. Once she reached the middle, she heard two voices. A male and female. Oh no! NOT again! Zach and Sophie! She thought, hesitating. The two voices remained talking. Clair squeezed Everest in the saddle to make him edge closer to the duet. Then, she dismounted like she always did when she listened to Lara and Natalie before. "And, yeah, I think she has this, I don't know, telepathicness? That's why I didn't invite her to your party, I mean, Brook is always lagging on and on that Clair is such a great rider when Laranna and Nat hated her," Sophie was saying. The two genders were on two beautiful matching horses: both jet black with a tiny dot on both foreheads. What party? Thought Clair nervously. Was Zach having a party and Sophie did the invites and Zach wanted to invite her? "Yeah, but she was supposed to be on the invites list, Soph! I told you that I wanted you to give an invitation to everyone I wrote down in pony club!" Zach was wailing. Clair froze. "Yeah, but you know that girl, Clair Jones? She's a geek! You know, she's weird and all! And you said you didn't want geeks in your party. So, I blocked her for the invites so she didn't get a card or whatever." Sophie was saying. Clair froze some more. Is that true? Am I a weird geek? She thought. "And besides, I heard that she gave Laranna Moribeeto the cross-country crop that day we went on the trail rides," Sophie continued, pulling her horse back slightly. "That's a lie!" Clair wanted to shout but she pressed her lips together. "That sounds like Clair, alright," Zach said sarcastically. Sophie snickered but Clair couldn't hear anymore. She rounded her horse up, and went back to the stables.

Chapter 9

Clair felt mad. It was four thirty so Lara and Natalie would have come in half an hour. But Clair had confused feelings. For one thing, Jade left during a fight. Between longtime friends. Another thing, the fibs Sophie had said. I heard that she gave Laranna Moribeeto the cross-country crop that we went on the trail rides. The words kept rewinding in her mind. A fib. Sophie the fibber. And Zach believes her. So far, Clair had no friends and no good times right know. And she had two nasty girls who want to hurt a horse that badly at five. She went to the rider's lounge: which was empty and she helped herself with a soda in the fridge and dunk it down.

Clair heard footsteps by five. Lara and Natalie, she thought hastily. She hid behind some hay and watched carefully. Two figures of girls walked forward. One of them with dark hair and side-way long ponytail was carrying a container of baby snakes. It was Lara. Natalie, on the other hand, was walking infront of her friend. Natalie tugged at her honey dark blonde hair carefully. Clair froze in the spot. The two girls turned to the kiosk. They're gonna interrupt Fifi and Brook, Clair told herself. I have to let them, she heard Lara's mother talking to Fifi and Natalie's dad talking to Brook. The horse area was clear, under no guard. It was getting dark and Clair thought it she should just go home but she couldn't leave the horses in danger. Not Withers. No way. Clair didn't do anything. I was part of her plan. Withers were a lovely horse. And he was a perfect dressage horse. Lara and Natalie stepped infront of Withers, Natalie stepping infront of Lara, to hide her from the people in the kiosk. Natalie whispered something to Lara and slowly…Lara opened the red container of snakes…

"NO!" It was Clair who jumped out from the hay loft. She ran and grabbed the almost-opened snake container. Natalie and Lara gawped at her and Natalie lost her balance. She fell on top of Lara in pain. But, the container took over and all the little snakes were slithering out. "Yah!" Clair was scared. She wasn't that scared of snakes, especially baby pythons. Soon, Brook and Fifi caught the attention. Brook screamed but Fifi ran over to the horses to calm them down. Everest was watching the snakes calmly but Withers were frightened and spooked. He reared and neighed. He wasn't calm at all! Lara and Natalie scrambled from the ground, watching horridly at the baby snakes slithering toward the kiosk! Some were even slithering toward the horses! Fifi and Brook were trying to lead the horses away. Lara and Natalie ran to the paddock, where it was safe. Typical, thought Clair as she helped Brook and Fifi. They made this mess and except innocence to fix this! Clair had no choice. The snakes were chasing the horses everywhere! "Everest!" Brook yelled over the neighs. Clair gasped. A snake was chasing her horse, Everest down the road. "No, Everest!" yelled Clair. She couldn't think. "No, Clair!" Fifi screamed as she saw Clair mounting on a saddled horse, Harry. "Giddy up!" Clair urged. "Stop, Clair! You could hurt yourself! You don't have a riding helmet!" yelled Brook, while chasing a pony from a vicious snake. Clair still had no choice. Zach and Sophie and Tom, came out of the kiosk to see what the fuss was all about. Sophie screamed. Tom whooped in a silly way and ran to the carpark to get away from the snakes but Zach was surprised-shocked. Once he saw Clair going down a dangerous road, chasing a horse and a snake-with no riding helmet (!), he panicked too, as well as Brook and Fifi. "Clair, come back!" Fifi screamed loudly. Suddenly, rain started to patter down and made the snakes more vicious to bite a horse. Neigh! A grey Arabian got sharply bitten by one of the adult snakes. "No! Honey! Grandmother, get the vets!" Brook cried, grabbing a pony by the led reins. "Clair! Brook, what is she doing there? The road's slippery!" Zach shrieked. Fifi came back from the kiosk, getting five umbrellas. "Let's hope this is enough! There are too many snakes! Who could've done this?!" Fifi wailed. All of the horses were placed in the indoor stall barns. And the snakes were clearing away. Brook was close to Honey, an Arabian who got a fatal bite by a snake. The rain was still drowning down. And Clair was chasing after Everest, furiously. "EVEREST!" She yelled over the loud rain. The snake had gone but Everest was going wild. Luckily, she grabbed him and pulled him back to the stables. She was soaked, and so were Harry and Everest. Brook and Fifi were really worried. "You shouldn't have gone to the roads," Brook assured her. Fifi shrugged. Finally, at six, the rain cleared a bit. "I think I know who's to blame," Brook said. Fifi, Brook, Clair and Zach all looked pointley at Natalie and Laranna, who were really soaked, sharing a towel together, chattering their teeth. "It was you, Clair," Zach suddenly popped up when they entered the rider's lounge while Fifi made Zach, Clair, Natalie, Lara and Brook hot cocoa. Clair gave him a furious, confused, wet look. She was still wet and her blonde hair was wet and horrid and her green eyes were red. "What?!" she asked angrily. Zach blushed slightly, his brown hair all wet, as well. "I mean, if it wasn't for you, Everest would've been in grave danger," Zach said hurriedly. Clair grumbled and took and sips of her cocoa and banged it back on the table madly. "You don't care!" she yelled at Zach. "All you think is how I am a weird geek and you think that it's like me that I gave Laranna the crop, and I didn't!" she screamed. Fifi, Brook, even Lara and Natalie, stared at Zach and Clair in silence. Fifi stopped making the cocoa. Zach looked shocked. "Sophie…told me," he trembled. Clair rolled her eyes. She couldn't take him. She stomped out of the riders lounge, calling her mum to pick her up.

School holidays were over and Clair was glad. Less time to spend in pony club. She got tired and flustered. Why on earth did she say the things she had said to Zach? Clair should've known he was being sarcastic. She apologized to Zach but he still seemed lumpy. And right now, the only friend she could count on was Everest. And right now, that made the fat, unhappy tears turn to happy ones, over again. But the issue with Jade, she thought, hugging Everest's neck, letting fat tears roll. She's still not my friend. And right now, that just made her sad.

Coming soon!

Flying Horses