The Leaf Catcher (on hold)

The Start of Something Wonderful

Chapter 1

I sat staring out at the desolate playing fields, watching stray pieces of rubbish and leaves tumble their way across the grass. The day was grey and cold, and pretty nonexistent, although the weather was forecast to brighten up over the next couple of days. Autumn was coming to a close, and the dawn of winter was breaking.

I love winter.

I love the harsh, cold, clear air that it holds, and the chill of ice that settles in your bones. I love the contrasting concepts of fire and ice as I sit next to the wood burner, and the festivity and cheeriness of Christmas. I love what winter brings, and what it can make us; I marvel at how humanity can achieve something so simple out of something so complex, so universal.

The teacher's voice was a background noise, a constant clatter amongst my thoughts. I really should have been paying attention but I lacked the motivation - it was almost the end of the day, Friday, and I think everyone was sagging with relief. I was becoming more intolerant with school; more restless. The holidays were visible on the horizon, and I was attempting to contain my excitement and focus on the present, especially with the importance of this school year.

Naturally, I was failing.

I felt the unmistakeable nudge of an elbow in my ribs, and snapped my head around, dispelling all thoughts of comfort instantly and zoning in on the lesson. The teacher, Mrs Maggs, was still talking, although I could see her watching me a little more often than usual, obviously aware of my lack of concentration. As she turned to write something on the board, I leant to my right and looked at Rosie, who was studiously listening.

"Thanks," I whispered, grateful.

"No problem." She answered, just as quietly, flashing me a quick smile before picking up her pen and writing the date. I did the same, taking a deep breath and glancing at the clock.

Only 45 minutes to go.

Rosie sat next to me in quite a few of my lessons, including our current location, History, and although we weren't typically the same character, I'd grown close to her. We didn't talk much outside of lessons, but we always shared a smile in the corridor, and occasionally I'd join her in sports. She was a quiet, watchful person, with curly brown hair and kind eyes, hidden behind a pair of inconspicuous glasses. She was pretty, although I don't think she realised it, and the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. There was something forgiving about her nature, something unmistakeable humble.

I, on the other hand, was something else. I wasn't vivacious, or unusually loud, but I was certainly more outgoing. I didn't scream my thoughts out loud, but I held my opinions close to heart, and I wasn't afraid to voice them. I was shy with some people, and then confident with others. It all depended on my mood, or who I judged an individual to be, or what I was thinking about. I tended to drip words in sarcasm, especially to my friends, and my volatility deserved a medal.

Go me.

Sighing, I flicked through the text book and set to on my notes. I found History interesting enough, but the work was so tedious, and writing fortuitous essays wasn't my strong point. In fact, I'm not sure I had a strong point.

Except maybe being spectacularly clumsy, or exceptionally addicted to books and Lord of the Rings.

Yeh, I'd say they're pretty epic talents, right?

No. No Meg, they're not.

At 3.50 exactly, the shrill ringing of the bell interrupted my work, and I shoved my things into my rucksack, eager to be out of school.

"So just finish off those notes for me please, girls and boys, and we'll pick up America next lesson," Mrs Maggs said, swanning back to her desk. She often swanned; gliding around the room with an air of confidence and sophistication us girls could only hope to master.