Melanie

Chapter 1

Melanie

Chapter 1

        "Melanie, wake up, you'll be late for school!" My mum yelled, from in the kitchen. I stirred in my bed. I could smell my mum's rose scent perfume from up in my room; it was so strong.

Unfortunately, my mum's perfume drowned the wafting smell of my aunt's freshly baked pancakes, with maple syrup. I rolled over to stare at my wall. Trying to forget about the day ahead. School.

        "Mmmm!" I thought of the pancakes but then my stomach grumbled. "I shouldn't have some otherwise I will be in big trouble for having to come home at midday, feeling sick," I mumbled to myself. 'It's so unfair,' I thought. 'I can't believe that I always feel sick after I eat pancakes or even waffles!'

        "Melanie, what did I tell you? Get up! Your sister has been good enough to wake up early and go to school. You should do the same!" My mother, once again, called up to me.

        "Fine, getting out of bed this second," I replied. You wish.

I finally forced myself to slide out of bed. I heard some thunder. I slipped on my furry, rabbit slippers and trudged over to my wooden, carved wardrobe. I shuffled around in my messy clothes and pulled out a plaid t-shirt, an orange, crinkly skirt and a pair of socks, one pink and one blue. I was never very even, I always had something odd on. People just think it's my style. Well, I let them believe that but no, I just can't be bothered to find a partner for things. I shoved on my clothes as fast as I could then made my way to the door. On the way out, I grabbed my grey jumper with the number, 39, printed on it. My favourite jumper because my old best friend, Laura gave it to me before she moved to Australia. 39 was my door number.

I thudded downstairs to find my mum sitting at the table reading the news-paper and indulging herself in a stack of steaming, American pancakes drizzled with syrup. It tempted me so much that I nearly stomped right over to them and gobbled all of them up, but I didn't.

 Cheerfully, my aunt, Tanya, turned to me and said," good morning, Melanie! How'd ya sleep?"

I yawned and replied," very well, I guess." I gazed at the tempting, American pancakes cooking in the pan. "God, I want some so desperately, Aunt Tan." Tanya smiled at me and giggled.

      "No, no! Certainly not. I don't want to be called by your school telling me to come and collect you early. I am sick of this happening again and again," my mum told me, firmly, as usual.

So much for getting away with eating them.

I know this seemed absolutely dreadful and horrible of me but I, quite frankly, liked my aunt Tanya much more than my nagging mum. All she ever did was moan at me.

My aunt was living with us because she split up with her partner, Tim, a month ago and was staying at ours until she found a place to live. Right now, I secretly didn't want her to find a place to live.

        "Oh good gracious! Look at the time. Melanie, you will be late. At this rate you will get a detention and you deserve one, too!" Mum kissed her teeth. Gosh how horrible can you get?

        "What about you mum, you will be late for work, won't you?" I talked back at her. My mum worked at Tescos as a shop-keeper supervisor. All she did was walk around making sure that the shop-keepers didn't scream at the customers or take their food and come on, who would do that. She thought of herself as 'highly regarded' at work - please.

        "Don't talk back, young lady. Anyway, for your information I am going to work right this minute. See you later." My mum clipped her Tescos name tag to her blue and white squared top and walked out the door, collecting her brown, leather handbag on the way out. She slammed the door behind her.

 You could still hear her high-hells clattering on the stone steps outside, gradually getting quieter.

        "I'm gonna get ready to go," I told my aunt.

        "Alright then, but don't take to long, sweet-cakes." Tanya smiled, flipping a pancake. She was very multi-tasking. I raced upstairs.

 A few moments later, I ran back downstairs carrying my heavy, red rucksack and my jangling house keys. When I ran into the kitchen, my Aunt Tan had turned on the radio and was washing the dishes. She was singing along to a new song, god knows what artist. I think my aunt knew more about the latest music than I did, I was so old-fashioned. When she saw me enter to room she stopped singing and cleared her throat. She actually had a really gorgeous voice but she would never like anyone to hear her sing. Not even me, her closest neice.

        "Good girl! I just don't get why your mother never praises you. You are such a bright, gorgeous girl, Mel. Don't let my older sister get to you like she does to me." Tanya patted my back. She always made me feel really comfortable and warm around her. Then Tanya handed me a corner of one of the pancakes. "Go ahead! But just don't tell your mum."

I gobbled the delicious corner of the pancake and thanked my aunt again and again then hugged her. I grabbed my school stuff and waved good-bye. I slammed the front door and speedily, ran down the street. I ran for two reasons. One: I was already late for scool. Two: I wanted to avoid Casper Rogers. He was my neighbour two doors down who had a massive crush on me since Year 5 which was 4 years ago. Every morning he would open his bedroom window which faced the street and poke his thin head out. He would stare down the road and wait till I left the house (which was usually late) and would walk with me to school. Once in a while I would have a pleasurable conversation with him but almost all the time, he would non-stop talk about his two dogs and his favourite teacher at school. I've never liked him anyway. I didn't fancy anyone now. I had never had a crush on anyone, ever. My sister had been out with loads of guys but me - zero. 

I looked at my watch. Oh my gosh. Half an hour late already!