• He was there. Chewing gum. He had brown hair. The same shade as mine. He had green eyes. He was the most popular boy in the school. I was staring now.
    "Hey! Lou! What are you staring at?" My best friend Katie shouted in my ear, trying to get my attention. I still stared. Katie slapped me.
    "Ow! What did you do that for!" I shouted at her.
    "You was staring at someone! Was it Josh?" she whispered in my ear. I didn't answer. I didn't answer because Josh was walking over to me.
    "Hey Amber. Erm... I need some help with my English. Mrs Connors said I should find a tutor. And because you are the cleverest in our class will you be my tutor?" he asked.
    "Course. I'll come round to your house after school," I said trying to act cool, but inside I was screaming.
    "Thanks," he smiled and walked away.

    It was the end of the day. Me and Katie walked up to the school gates. Josh was there.
    "Hey! Ready to go!" I asked.
    "Sure," he replied.
    "Bye Katie!" I shouted to Katie. Me and Josh started walking out of the gates. "So, where do you live?"
    "Just down here," he replied. We turned a corner and we stopped at a Victorian house.
    "Wow..." I gasped. Josh opened the door to his house. Everything was elegant. The velvet curtains. The silk pillows. The patterned carpet.
    "Follow me," Josh said. I followed him to a room with computers, laptops, typewriters, pads and pads of paper, pens, pencils and lots more. I guessed it was the study. he ran into another room and brought me a chair.
    "Thanks. So, do you have your English homework?" I asked.
    "Yeah, it's here," he said. After studying and doing our homework it was time for me to go, "I want to ask you something,"


    "Sure, ask away!" I joked.
    "I kinda... like you... y'know, like you like you... Will you like... go out with me?" Josh stuttered.
    "Urm... sure!" I replied as happy as ever.
    "Bye then!" he waved me off as I left. As soon as I got home I went on msn. As soon as I logged on Katie popped up.


    Katie: So... how did it go?
    Amber: Well...
    Katie: Go on!
    Amber: He asked me out!
    Katie: REALLY?
    Amber: YES, REALLY!
    Katie: OMG!!!!!!
    Amber: Yeah! IGTG! Bye!
    Katie: Kay Bye!



    I ran downstairs to grab my tea. I ate it realy fast to get back on msn.
    "Slow down! You're going to choke!" My mum said.
    "Okay," I said with food in my mouth.
    "And don't eat with your mouth open! Come on Amber! Your 13 now!"
    "M-um..." I moaned as I finished my tea. I ran straight up to my room. Josh was online.



    Amber: Heyy.x
    Josh: Hi.
    Amber: How are you???xx
    Josh: Fine. I've got to go and meet someone in town.
    Amber: Kwl. Who is it???xx
    --Josh is now offline--
    He logged off on me?!? He didn't even say bye! Or tell me who it was! Maybe it was his mum and he is embarrassed. I logged off msn and lead down on my bed. Suddenly my mobile rang.

    It was Katie.
    "Where are you?!?" Katie asked impatiently.
    "Erm.. At home... why?..."
    "I'll come round to your and tell you why. I'll see you in a minute," She hung up. This must be serious. She sounded like someone had died! Maybe it was a joke to get me worked up. Katie always does that.
    "Amber! Katie's here! I'll send her up to your room!" Mum shouted.
    "Okay!!!" I shouted back. Katie opened my bedroom door with a serious look on her face. She sat down on my computer chair.
    "Aren't you supposed to be going out with Josh?" She asked.
    "Yes... I told you 2 days ago," I answered.
    "Well... I saw him sat down at the ice cream parlour with... Rebecca..."
    "He said he was going into town... But when I asked who it was he... logged off..."
    "I think we better go to town," Katie said.

    At town me and Katie window shopped until we got to the ice cream parlour. Josh was there. Rebecca was there. They kissed. THEY KISSED! He hasn't even kissed me yet! A tear trickled down my cheek. Josh turned around. He saw me and Katie. He stood up and started to walk towards us but me and Katie ran back to my house. By the time I was at my house I was in floods of tears. My mum opened the door and saw me crying. She gave me a big hug.
    "What's wrong?" She asked.
    "Boys... are pigs..." I sobbed.
    "Boyfriend problems?" Mum asked. Katie nodded. "How about Katie sleeping over tonight. You could cuddle under the quilt, watch a film with popcorn and hot chocolate. I nodded. Katie took me to my room, comforting me. Katie logged on msn while I lead in my bed mumbling to myself how I hate boys.

    "Oh dear..." Katie sighed. I poked my head from under my quilt.
    "What?" I mumbled.
    "Look," She said as she pointed to the computer screen.

    Josh: Are you with Amber?
    Josh: Tell her I'm sorry.
    Josh: Rebecca came onto me!
    Josh: Are you there?
    Josh: PLEASE TELL LOUISE I'M SORRY!

    "What shall I say?" Katie asked.
    "Just block him..." I sighed. Katie did what I said and blocked him. My mobile started to ring with Josh's ringtone. I ignored it. It kept going on. He wouldn't hang up. I passed the phone to Katie to sort him out.

    "You expect her to forgive you!" Katie shouted down the phone, "I really believe you!" She shouted sarcasticly, "You leaned over the table to her!!!" She shouted even louder, "YES WE SAW IT!!!" Katie hung up. "Stupid boy," she mumbled. The door opened. It was mum bringing cookies and popcorn for us to eat.
    "I'm bringing up some hot chocolate in a minute," Mum said. She came over and kissed me on my forehead.
    "Thanks mum,"

    As soon as mum walked out of the room Rebecca popped up on msn.

    Rebecca: Hey.xxxx
    Katie: U made Amber real upset.
    Rebecca: yyy?
    Katie: U don't remember??? u kissed Josh!
    Rebecca: y we r goin out now.
    Katie: BUT HE IS GOING OUT WITH AMBER!
    Rebecca: Omg... he is? he neva sed. tell lou im sorry and i didnt mean to hurt her feelings.
    Katie: U mean... he neva told u?
    Rebecca: Nope.
    Katie: I think we both know what is happening here. Bye!

    I stared at the screen, gob smacked. Suddenly something started hitting the window. Rocks.


    I opened the window. It was Josh.
    "Amber! It was Rebecca! She kissed me! I stopped! Please! Take me back!" Josh shouted.
    "No." I responded. I searched around my room for something old I could throw at him. My old pillow. I threw it out of the window.
    "Amber?!? Please!?!"
    "Get lost Josh. It's over!" I shut my window and waited till he was gone. I ran outside and brought my pillow back up.
    "How did- But- Pillow- Out- Eh?" My mum said confused. I ran upstairs as fast as I could. My phone started to ring. It was Josh, again. The text said;
    "I understand u won't take me back. but just... forgive me..."
    I texted back;
    "No."

    It was 11:37pm. Me and Katie started setting out Katie's sleeping bag.
    "Wow, alot of things have happened this afternoon," I whispered in the dark.
    "I know... I'm never getting a boyfriend," Katie giggled.
    "Girls! Shh!" Mum whispered.
    "Sorry," Me and Katie chorused. We fell asleep.

    In the morning me and Katie woke up at 7:30am.
    "Sugar!!" Katie whispered.
    "Come on! We have got to get ready!" I whispered rather loudly. Luckily we got to school in time. In the playground Harry stood there with his posse. All the girls came over with Rebecca.
    "OMG! Are you okay Am?" Asked Sarah.
    "Boy's are rats! Except Chris - my boyfriend," Charlie said.
    "Becca told us about that- that boy over there," Ashley said.
    "I'm okay and that boy over there does have a name," I responded.
    "But I like to call him, that boy over there," Ashley mumbled to me while looking at Josh. He looked at me with his smug face. I smiled. Showing him I didn't care.
    "I'm so so so so sorry Am!" Rebecca apologised, "He didn't tell me! He just asked me out. I was over the moon..."
    "I'm okay Becca. Lets just forget about it," Josh came over to us.


    "So Becca... since I'm single now... Do you want to go out with me?"
    "No! You- you PIG!" Rebecca shouted as she pushed him into the muddy grass. Everyone laughed. JOsh got up and ran into class. Sadly, I'm in the same class as him. Me, Katie and Rebecca linked arms as we walked to class.
    "Okay! Okay! Sit down everyone! Quiet down! You detention!" Mrs Connors shouted to Chris, "Anyone want to join him?" Everyone fell silent. Detention with Mrs Connors was THE worst. If you coughed while she was talking... BAM! Detention.

    Josh was staring at me through the whole lesson.
    "JOSH! DETENTION!" Mrs Connors shouted.
    "Why?!?" heshouted.
    "You are not paying attention! You are in your own world!"
    "Or trying to get in your world," Katie whispered in my ear. I giggled.
    "Louise! Why are you laughing," Mrs Connors shouted. I had to think fast.
    "Sorry miss. I was just reading this story and I thought this part was really sorry. I should have controlled my laughter. Sorry," I lied. Mrs Connors grunted. She believed me. Thank god for that! I smiled at Harry when Mrs Connors wasn't looking.


    It has been a month and me and Katie are still best friends. Me and Josh still hate each other. Rebecca is still apologising for kissing him. It was breakfast time and I, mum and dad sat down at the breakfast table.
    "Sweetie... we have something to tell you..."
    "Go on mum," I said while eating.
    "Number 1. Don't eat with your mouth full,"
    "Mu-um..."
    "Okay... Me and your father... are getting a divorce..."
    "YOU WHAT!?!?" I shouted.
    "Me and your mother don't love each other anymore," Dad said.
    "So- but- who am I staying with?" I asked.
    "Your mother," Dad said.
    "Am I moving or staying here?"
    "Your father is keeping the house. We are moving away. I've got you into the very best boarding school. Its only outside the town were I am moving to,"
    "A- a- a- BOARDING SCHOOL?!?!" I screamed. I grabbed my stuff and ran out of the house, tears streaming down my face.

    When I got to school Katie came up to me and saw me crying.
    "Am! What's up?" She asked worriedly.
    "I- I- I'm moving..."
    "Your moving?..." Katie whispered sadly.
    "My mum and dad broke up... and I'm going with mum... But she wants to put me into a boarding school!" I sobbed.
    Katie started crying.
    "But we've been best friend since reception! Why can't you stay with your dad?!?"
    "I don't think any of them want me..." I sighed.
    "Don't think that..." Katie cried while giving me a hug. "When are you leaving?" She asked.
    "I don't know..." I replied. "We've got to go to class. Come on,"
    "Look at us! We are crying like babies!" Katie laughed. I giggled as we walked into class.

    As soon as I got home my mum tried to talk to me.
    "Sweetie... we know you feel complica-"
    "If I am going with you why am I going to a boarding school?!?" I screamed.
    "It's complicated..."
    "You mean... YOU DON'T WANT ME!" I screamed.
    "We are leaving next week," Mum said trying to give me a hug. I pulled away. How could she do this to me? I hate her. I hate dad. I ran up to my room. They want me gone. I will go. I packed ALL my bags. I took EVERYTHING. I even dusted, hovered and washed everything in the room so I am completely gone.

    That week went fast. I got about 10 cards off everyone and a big card everyone has signed. Lots of presents off my teachers and Katie. That night I fell asleep crying. I didn't want to leave. When I woke up I signed into msn straight away. Alot of people said they wish I didn't leave. As I was talking to Katie I actually started crying. It was 1:00pm.
    "Am! It's time to go!" My mum shouted. I said my good-byes and logged off msn. I packed my laptop and left my room. My mum was waiting downstairs with dad. I hugged my dad and my mum. I didn't want to but, it could be the last time I did. As I stepped outside Katie ran up to me and gave me a hug.
    "You are the best friend ever! I will write letters everyday!" Katie sobbed. Me and Katie looked a sight. We were hugging and crying. People stopped in the street and stared.


    I climbed into the car among all my stuff and waved bye to everyone until they were out of sight.
    "You okay sweet?" My mum asked. I didn't answer. I was too upset. We stopped at 3 service stations and after 4 hours I still hadn't said anything. I only started talking when we got to a quaint little town.
    "I don't want to go," I said quietly.
    "I know. But when you get there you will love it! It's really posh an-"
    "I don't want to go," I interrupted.
    "It's for the best..." The car stopped outside a really posh school. There was lots of grass and boys and girls playing football or just talking.
    "Wow..." I gasped.
    "I told you you'd like it," Mum said as she got out of the car. As I climbed out girls stopped and stared. Boys stopped and wolf whistled. I blushed.

    My mum took me to the office and we got took to a bigger office. My mum and the woman, who I assume is the head teacher, talked for about 30 minutes.
    "Would you like a tour of the school?"
    "No thanks. I've got to go. Bye!" My mum left the office quickly. The headteacher could tell I was hurt. She held out her hand,
    "I'm Mrs Gresser," I shook her hand.
    "I'm Amber,"
    "Let me show you around the school and to your dorm,"


    After my tour Mrs Gresser took me to my dorm. I was sharing with Mercy, Caitlin, Megan, Tara, Kylie, Courtney, Brittany, Taylor, Sydney, and Alexis. In the boys dorm next door there was Jon, Luke, Kyle, Jake, Nick, Jacob, Isaiah, Hayden, Brayden, and Cooper. When I walked my dorm all my stuff was on a bed which was made for me.
    "Hello. I'm Mercy!" Said Mercy.
    "Hey! I'm Amber!" I responded. I looked around the room. All the girls looked friendly. Someone knocked on the door.
    "Excuse me wierdos. Turn your squealing down. I'm trying to paint my nails," said a girl.
    "That's Ashley. She is the meanest girl here," Mercy whispered to me.
    "There is another dorm with girls in?" I asked.
    "Yeah. And boys. There is Ashley, Micheala, Abbey, Carly, Taryn, Kaylah, and Bria. In the boys there is Caleb, Ty, Sean, Jerome, Chris, Austin, and Ryan," Mercy replied.
    "Who's the new girl?!?" Ashley asked.
    "This is Amber," Mercy scowled at Ashley.

    Ashley left and all the girls started helping me unpack my stuff.
    "Girls! Don't you think we should let Amber do it? She had just moved here," said Caitlin. All the girls then left me to it. I think Caitlin was the kind of 'leader' of the dorm. I had my own shelf and my own set of drawers. I put some of my photo's on my shelf and folded my clothes and put them in the drawers. As I was rooting in my bag I found a note. It said;
    To my dearest Amber,
    I hope you like your new school. I'm sorry that me and your mother broke up. I love you.
    Love, Dad.xx


    I ripped the note in half and threw it in a bin. A tear came with it. Mercy saw me and ran up to me.
    "Are you okay?" She asked.
    "Nothing... I just miss home..." I lied. I didn't miss home at all. I'm glad I wasn't at home. I'm just hurt that my mum and dad didn't want me. I was upset because I've left the best friends in the world.
    "Okay... If you need anything just come and asked me!" Mercy smiled. Mercy seemed quite nice. Maybe us to can become good friends. No one knows. My phone started to buzz. I had a text. It was from Katie.
    It said;

    Heyy Am! Howz uuu? Go on msn.xxx

    I logged on msn and Katie popped up.

    Katie: Heyyy.xoxo Missin' ya alredy bbz.xxoxoxo
    Amber: Smee its wel posh round ere
    Katie: do ya miss yuur mum nn dad?
    Amber: naaaah they didnt wnt me. i h8 them.
    Katie: I''m sure u dont h8 em. h8s a strong word.
    Amber: Thats yyy im using it...
    Katie: brb I gotta go for a bath XP
    Amber: Kay...

    I closed my laptop and talked to some of the other girls.
    "Do you know where the toilet is?" I asked Tara.
    "Yeah. I'll show you. Do you need it?"
    "No no no. I'm just curious,"
    "Okay. If you do need it tell me," Tara said. She seems quite nice. I opened my laptop and a conversation popped up.


    It was mum.

    Mum: Hey babes. Do you like your new school.
    Mum: Sweetie... I know you are mad...
    Amber: Yeah right I'm mad! You didn't even stay for the tour! Or said a long, loving goodbye like ALL mums do!
    Amber: You don't even want me! I NEVER want to speak to you again.
    Mum: Okay... if you feel that way... bye.x
    --Mum is now offline--

    A tear fell down my cheek. Another followed. And before I knew it I was in floods of tears. All the girls came over to me.
    "Amber?!? Are you okay?!?" Tara asked.
    "Amber? I think she is upset..." Caitlin sighed.
    "I'm... okay..." I sobbed. Caitlin passed me a stick of gum and smiled,
    "Want one?" she asked. I nodded. I was too upset to talk. Everyone left the room because it was dinner time. I wasn't hungry. I lead on my bed chewing gum until my phone started ringing. It was mum. I left the phone ringing until it was on answer phone. I didn't want to talk to ANYONE.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    -3 years later-

    I LOVE this school! It's been three years since I moved here! I'm a senior now so I get to share my dorm with someone. I choose Mercy. Me and her are like, best friends now. I've got a couple of letters off my mum and dad. I read all of them. Then throw them in the bin. I don't need them. I've got my friends. The other day I got an email from Katie. She's going out with Josh now. I was a bit hurt but we all have to move on. Me and Katie talk all the time. But, we have been moving apart. I used to get emails everyday but now, I get one every 2 weeks. A new boy came last year. He is C.U.T.E!!! His name is Jared. He asked me out the other day. I was OVER THE MOON!

    I was in bed trying to get to sleep. Suddenly my phone started to ring. It was a text from Jared. It said;

    Meet me outside.

    I quickly put on a top and sweats and my flip-flops. I ran down the corridor to the door. I could see some candles. And a figure. I couldn't figure out who or what it was. As I opened the door I realised what it was. It was Jared. He had a candle-lit picnic! How romantic! He turned around and smiled.
    "You got my text then,"
    "Yeah... Won't we get in trouble for this?!?" I panicked.
    "Well, they don't need to know," he smiled. On the blanket was sandwiches, jam tarts, orange juice, cookies and apples. I sat down and smiled.
    "I don't want to look like a pig..." I thought as my stomach rumbled. I smiled. Jared gave me a jam tart and I looked at it. It was shaped as a heart. I kissed him on the cheek and he blushed.


    After we finished the picnic it was 4:46am.
    "I've got to go. The Mercy will be wondering where I am. Bye!" I said.
    "Bye then!" He waved. I ran as fast as I could to my dorm. When I got in Mercy was there sitting up looking at me. I turned on the light and she squinted.
    "Ow! My eyes!" She shouted.
    "Shh... We will get done!" I whispered.
    "Why were you out! I was scared!"
    "I was with Jared..."
    "OMG! Tell me ALL about it!" she squealed.
    "Okay, just don't tell anyone. Well, I got a text off him saying that I have to go outside. When I got outside he had set up a candle-lit picnic!"
    "How cute! You must be tired though. Get some sleep, night!"
    "Night..."


    I got a letter today. It's from mum. I've not read it yet. I'm going to read it now. It says;

    Dear Amber,

    As you understand, me and your father broke up. But we have some good news! We are back together! How delightful! And, even better, I'm pregnant! We are turning your room into a nursery!
    Please write back,
    Mum and Dad and your little brother or sister.

    I started to cry. Mercy ran over and gave me a hug. I gave her the letter to read. She gasped.
    "How... but... you're their first daughter... and they are... abandoning you!" She sighed. I started to cry even harder. Tara and Jared ran in my room.
    "Whats wrong Am?!?" Asked Jared. Mercy showed Tara and Jared the letter. His face went red with anger. He came over to me and gave me a big hug.
    "I'm *sniff* going to write them *sniff* a letter back" I sobbed.

    "I think we should all leave," Mercy said as she ushered everyone out. As she shut the door behind her I grabbed a pen and a piece of paper. I wrote;

    Dear Mum and Dad.

    No, I am not glad you are back together. When you broke up I was shifted to this school. None of you wanted me. I felt hurt. I am not glad you are having a baby either. And I get the message you do not want me back seeing as you are making MY old room into a nursery. I hope I never see you again. Please, stop writing letters. It makes things harder.
    Bye.
    Amber.

    I put the letter in a envelope and walked to the office. Ashley was in the office. She gave me a fake smile. I gave her a real one. She scowled and walked away. I gave Mrs Green my letter and walked away. The bell went for class. There was a rush as everyone tried to get into their class. I had English with Mercy and Jared. We had to write a 1st person story. I was really good at it and got an A++ but Mercy got a C. Before we went back to our dorms we all had to take a letter.
    "OMG!!! WE ARE GOING TO THE BEACH!" Screamed Mercy.
    "Woo!!! I'm going to pack RIGHT away!" I screamed. I packed all 3 pairs of flip-flops. All my summer clothes and all my pocket money. Jared couldn't go. He was going away to stay with his parents.


    Me and Mercy got on the bus with all our stuff. We were going to the beach in Florida! Woo! Me and Mercy are SO excited.
    "Eeeeep," squealed Mercy.
    "Eeeeek," I joined.
    "Hahaha!" Me and Mercy laughed. We were so hyper! It took 2 1/2 hours to get to the airport. Then it took like, 5 hours to get from London to Florida. When we got there we had to share hotel rooms. I had to share with Mercy (Yay!) and Ashley had to share with Corrie. This is going to be the best trip ever!


    It's 5:34am. I just fell asleep. Suddenly my mobile started to ring. It was Jared!
    "Hey!"
    "Umm... hey Amber..."
    "Jared?!? Whats up?!?"
    "Well, you see... I kinda like this other girl..."
    "So your... breaking up with me?!" I cried.
    "Well, yes... sorry" He hung up. HE BROKE UP WITH ME!?! I started to cry. I quickly grabbed my top and skirt and shoved them on. I grabbed my flip-flops and ran outside to the beach. I sat down, stroking the sand. I heard a boy and a girl laughing. I looked closely. IT WAS Jared!!


    I stormed over to him and slapped him. The girl stood up and squealed,
    "Oh my god! How dare you hit my Sweetie pie! Are you okay Eddie?"
    "Eddie?!?" I asked. The boy I slapped stood up. It wasn't Jared at all. And now he has a big hand mark on his cheek, "Oh my! I'm sorry," The boy and the girl ran as fast as they could. They must think I'm a weirdo. I sat down and curled up into a ball and started to cry.


    I looked at my watch; 1:02am. I walked over to the juice bar. It was empty. I walked over to the nightclub. Empty. I walked over to the candy bar. Empty. I sat down. I felt empty. I had nothing. No parents. No boyfriend. But what I did have was friends. I got up and brushed my self down to get rid of all the sand. I tried to open the door to my room as quietly as I could. But Mercy was there. Staring at me with her brown eyes. I turned the light on. This time she didn't squirm.
    "Where on EARTH have you been?!?" she shouted.
    "I got a text... from Jared... he broke up with me..." I whispered. Mercy stared at my tear stained face.
    "I... didn't know... sorry,"
    "It's kay. I'm going to sleep now," I said as I drifted to sleep.


    I was woke up with a start. Mercy was shaking me.
    "Am!Am! Wake up AMBER!!" She shouted.
    "WHAT?!?" I screamed.
    "We need to pack... SYDNEY HAS GONE MISSING!"
    "Oh NO!!"
    "We all need to pack. We are going back to London," I groaned. I didn't like the busy roads, the pollution in the air, the rain in London. I liked the sunny, unpolluted air of Florida.
    "I'll start packing my stuff then..." I moaned.


    It was 11:46am when I finished packing. Everyone had to get on the bus, except Mrs Green. She had to stay in case Sydney was found. Everyone was miserable on the way back. Back at school everyone had to have 5 minutes silence to remember Sydney and hope she was alive. When me and Mercy finally got back to our dorm we witched on the t.v.
    "Girl, aged 16, was found in a dark alley with knife marks everywhere. No clues have been found," said the news person. A picture came up. It was Sydney. Mercy and I started to cry.
    "It was Sydney! IT WAS SYDNEY!" Screamed Mercy. Everyone rushed into our room. They had seen the report too. Everyone was crying. Even Ashley.

    After an hour or so when everyone had calmed down I logged on msn. Katie was on. I sent her a message.

    Amber: Hey hun...
    Katie: who is this?
    Amber: its amber... your bff from my old school...
    Katie: oh you.
    Amber: Yes me.
    Katie: hows u?
    Amber: not so gd...
    Katie: yyy
    Amber: one of my friends has died. she was on the news.
    Katie: oh her... i gtg bye...
    --Katie is now offline--

    Katie never stay online for long. I searched through my online contacts until I could find someone I wanted to talk to. I couldn't find anyone. I wanted to talk to mum.


    I grabbed my favourite pen and a piece of scented paper. I wrote;

    Dear mum and dad.

    I miss you. I don't want to miss you. But I do. I don't want to be in a boarding school any more. I hate it here. Everything is going wrong. I know I have been here for 3 years but... one of my friends has been killed... I don't want to be here. I hate myself for hating you. I really miss you. Please can I come back to live with you? In the old house? With my old friend?

    I'm sorry, Amber.

    As I finished my letter a tear fell from my eye and landed on the piece of paper. I still sent it. Hoping for a reply.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    --One week later--

    Jared is coming back today. I hate him. As he came through the school doors I gave him evils. He looked down. Avoiding my eyes. After class he came up to me.
    "Look, I know I broke up with you... but I thought I liked this other girl. I asked her out... then I got beat up. Take me back? Please?" He pleaded. I didn't answer. I was too angry. Suddenly he grabbed my cheeks and gave me a kiss. It was like heaven! His soft lips touching mine... but I hated it. I pushed him off and he fell over.

    Everyone started to laugh at him.
    "What was that for babe?"
    "Number one. DON'T call me babe. And number two. I don't want to get back with you! You broke my heart!" I walked away, my heart beating ten to the dozen. I wanted to be loved. But not just by anybody. By someone I love. Mercy ran up behind me.
    "Why did you push him over?!? I would give anything to kiss him!"
    "You go kiss him then! I don't care. Just don't come running to ME when he breaks your heart like he did to mine. I wrote a letter to my parents to get me out of here anyway!" I shouted. Mercy's eyes started to water. She took a deep breath and turned away. I heard a lot of people shouting. I ran back to the hall. Mercy was kissing Jared. I ran back to my dorm and locked the door, put all the furniture in front of the door and sat down in the corner to cry.

    Someone was banging on the door. It was probably Mercy. But I wasn't bothered. I was think. Thinking why. Why did my parents have to split up? Why did I have to move school? Why did I have to break up with Jared? Why did Sydney have to die? Why do I want to go home? I opened the door and peeped around the corner of the door. It was Mrs Green who had just returned from Florida.
    "You have a letter," she said as she handed me an envelope. I closed the door and opened the letter. It was from mum and dad.

    Dear Amber,

    Of course you can come back to live with us. We will have to convert the attic to your bedroom. I will send a form to your school. Hopefully you will be out by next week. We don't know what to call the baby. Any suggestions? I hope so. I hope to see you next week. We can always get you back at your old school.

    Lots of love, mum and dad.


    I moved all the furniture into its normal place and dried my face from the tears. Mercy came in with Jared putting his arm around her shoulder. They both giggled. I smiled.
    "So, jealous?" smirked Mercy.
    "Nope. I'm leaving soon so I'm not really bothered," I smiled. Jared's face dropped from its smile.
    "When?" he asked.
    "Next week," I smiled, "So I better pack. I'll be back in... lets say... 1 hour?" I smiled and laughed as I turned away. As soon as Jared left I looked at Mercy.
    "I thought we were friends?!?" I shouted.
    "So did I. Until I fell in love with Chris..." she sighed.
    "You don't love him! You just want him because I had him! And I hate him!" I screamed. Mercy's face turned red. She pounced on me. She started attacking me! She was pulling my hair and kicking me. She punched me in the eye and threw me across the room. I whacked my head on the corner of my bed. Everything went blank.


    "Is she okay?" I heard a voice ask.
    "I think so..." answered another voice.
    "She moved!" shouted another voice. It sounded like mum. I tried to open my eyes but they hurt. I tried to talk but no voice came out.
    "Get her a drink of water!" I heard someone that sounded like my dad shout. I finally managed to open my eyes. Dad and mum were sat next to me. I looked around the room. I was in a hospital. I still couldn't talk though. A doctor came in and handed me a drink. I drank it. I felt so refreshed! My throat felt like and iceberg melting. I could talk again.
    "Why couldn't I talk?" I whispered, my throat to sore to talk.
    "You were de-hydrated. You have been in a coma for a week,"
    "How?..." I whispered as my voice faded.
    "Well, we have one witness and one suspect. The witness is Jared Park and the suspect is Mercy O'keele.,"

    "Mercy!" I croaked, "She attacked me. Because I said something about Jared. I can't remember what I said though..."
    "Well, it's a start. We will keep you in hospital over night and see how you are in the morning," Doctor said. I smiled. I had my mum and dad next to me. I was the happiest girl in the world. Wait! I forgot someone. My little baby brother or sister. My smile grew - just like my family is.

    I'm allowed out of hospital today. My mum has picked up my bags from my OLD boarding school. When she came back she whispered to me.
    "Y'know that Mercy girl who attacked you?" I nodded, "she had been suspended!" I smiled. I smiled because Mercy has been given what she deserved, I thought we were best friends, and because I'm going home. My real home. I'm going to see Katie, Rebecca... and Josh...


    Suddenly my mum started screaming. I ran down stairs.
    "Oh my god! I think I'm in labour!"
    "Quick, call an ambulance!" My dad shouted. I ran down stairs as fast as I could and grabbed the phone. I dialled 911 and told the woman on the phone where we lived.
    "Okay, so are YOU okay?" the operator asked.
    Yes! But my mum is having a BABY! Quick!" I squealed.
    "Okay. Calm down. Now, how old are you?"
    "I'm 16! GET AN AMBULANCE HERE NOW!"
    "16 Eh? When is your birthday?"
    "Look, my mum is having a baby on the STAIRS! My birthday is next week though,"
    "Okay, an ambulance will be right with you!"


    As soon as the ambulance got to my house my mum was sweating.
    "QUICK! IT MIGHT POP OUT ANY SECOND!" I screamed.
    "Calm down! Now you are...?" said the paramedic.
    "I'm Amber. 16, 17 next week. NOW HELP MY MUM!" The paramedics helped my mum of the stairs and into the ambulance with me and dad.


    "It's so beautiful..." said my dad.
    "SHE'S so beautiful..." sighed my mum.
    "A she? I thought it was a boy," dad said, confused.
    "Well, SHE needs a name..." my mum snapped.
    "Why don't you pick Lou?" My dad asked.
    "Erm... Clare?"
    "Clare... Clare... Clare..." my dad repeated.
    "Hello Clare," my mum said to my new baby sister. We all smiled. I had a new sister, Clare.


    At school everyone was so happy to see me. I walked into the dinner hall to see Katie. Katie with a lot of balloons saying, 'Welcome Back!'
    "Welcome back!" Shouted everyone. I was so happy I nearly started to cry. But I knew who was crying. Katie. She ran up to me and gave me a big hug.
    "I missed you SO much!!!" She squealed.
    "So, any gossip from when I was away?..." I asked.
    "Well..." Katie hesitated as Josh came over and kissed her on the cheek. She gave me the 'sorry' look. I smiled.
    "Hey Am," Josh waved.
    "Erm... hey,"
    "Are you okay with this?" Asked Katie.
    "Yeah. I'm totally fine with this," I said as I hugged Katie.


    TO BE CONTINUED....