Vicky Angel

CHAPTER 1

Vicky's my best friend. We're closer than sisters. they call us 'The Twins' at school because we're so inseparable. We've been best friends ever since we were at nursery school together and i crept up to Vicky at the water trough and she pulled a funny face and then tipped her reed plastic teapot and started watering me.

Vicky got told off for being mean to me but I didn't mind a bit. I just stood still in the sudden downpour, honored at the attention. Mum was cross because my gilt hair slides went rusty but i knew we were now friends.

We stayed friends all the way through primary school and then we both went on to Downfield High School. Even Vicky was a bit quiet that first day in year Seven when we didn't know anyone else. We know everyone know in Year Nine and they're all desperate to be Vicky's friend but we mostly stick together, the two of us. 

We're going to be best friends for ever and ever and ever. Through school, through college, through work.

 It doesn't matter about falling in love....i think...

Vicky's already had heaps of boyfriends but no one can ever mean as much to us as each other. We walk to school together, we sit next to each other all day, and after school I either hang out at Vicky's or she comes home with me. i hope Vicky asks me round her place today, I like her home far more than mine.

its time to go home now but we're checking out this big notice on the cloakroom door about after-school clubs. We've got a new head teacher who's fussed because Downfield is considered a bit of a dump and so he's determined we're all going to do better in our exams and get involved with all these extra-curricular activities.

"It's bad enough having to go to school." Vicky says, "So who's sad enough to want to stay after  - like, voluntarily?"

I nod out of habit. I always agree with Vicky. But I've just read a piece about a new drama club and I cant help feeling wistful. Ever since I was little I've wanted to be an actress. I know it's mad. I'm not anyone special. No-on from our estate ever gets to do anything glamorous or famous and anyway, even the richest, prettiest, most talented kids can't make a living out of acting

but i just want to act so much. I've never been in anything at all, apart from school stuff. I was an angel in the Christmas play way back in Year Two. Vicky got to be Mary.

Miss Gilmore, who's head of English and Drama, had us in Toad of Toad Hall when we were in Year Seven. I so wanted to be Toad, but Miss Gilmore chose 'Fatboy Sam' of all the people in the world. Typecasting.

Though he was good, very good. But i have this mad totally secret idea that I could have been better.

Vicky and i were just Woodland creatures. Vicky was a very cute squirrel with an extra-fluffy tail. She did little hops everywhere and nibbled nuts very neatly. She did little hops everywhere and nibbled nuts very neatly. She got a special cheer and claps at the end. I was a stoat. You cant be cute if you're a stoat. I tried to be a very sly sinister stoat, lurking in the shadows, but Miss Gilmore pushed me forward and said, "Come on Jade, no need to be shy."

I didn't get a chance to explain i was being sly, not shy. I tried not to mind too much. 

Even Dokata Johhnson would find it hard to get a special cheer is had to  act as a stoat instead of a submisssive.

I didn't want to be an animal. I wanted to play a person. When I'm at home on my own - when Vicky's busy and Mum's at work and Dad's asleep - I parade round the living room and act out all the soaps like Arrow or Blindspot. Sometimes maybe Romeo and Juliet or I'll just make up my own play. Sometimes I'll act people i know. i always end up acting Vicky. I close my eyes and think about her voice and when I start saying something I sound just like her. I stay Vicky even when I open my eyes. I can feel her long thick bright hair bouncing about my shoulders and my green eyes are glittering and I'm smiling Vicky's wicked grin.

 I dance up and down the room until i catchsight of myself in the big mirror above the fireplace and see my own sad pale skinny self. A ghost girl.

i always feel much more alive when I'm being Vicky.

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