Marla's Story
When Marla Briggs's parents announce that they are moving to Darwin, she is not thrilled with the idea of leaving her friends and family behind. At her new school, she realises that the students have dark secrets of their own.
Chapter 1
Marla Briggs had returned home from school one afternoon to find her parents sitting on the couch. Marla thought that was strange because her dad had worked from 9 o'clock in the morning until 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It was 3:05pm.
"We have some important news for you Marla." Dad said.
"What is it?" Marla asked her father.
"I have received a promotion at work. This promotion has led to a job transfer in Darwin." Dad said.
"That's a pretty long way to go to work surely." Marla said.
"We're moving there after Christmas." Mum said.
Marla couldn't believe her ears.
"You mean…move away from this house? The house I've lived in for fifteen years!"
"That's right." Mum said.
"I'm not going! How can I tell my friends that I'm moving away when school breaks up for Christmas in three days?" Marla said, her anger slowly rising.
"You'll make new friends in Darwin." Dad said.
"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" Marla snapped.
"We wanted to surprise you honey." Mum said.
"Some surprise! How am I going to say goodbye to my friends? Explain that to me!" Marla shouted.
"We know you're upset. But moving to Darwin could be the best thing for your father." Mum said calmly.
"I don't want to move! I want to stay here in Sadleir with all my friends and family!" Marla said, digging her heels in.
"Whether you like it or not Marla, we're moving to Darwin." Dad said.
"Then I'll move in with Aunty Lorraine! She'll be glad to have me!" Marla said.
"That's out of the question!" Dad said.
"So I get no say in this?" Marla said, now on the verge of tears.
"I'm afraid so." Dad said.
Marla had heard enough. She stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door so hard that one of her posters fell down. She then flopped herself on the bed and cried her eyes out. It's not fair! Marla thought I don't want to move to Darwin! Why can't they see it?
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Marla, I want to talk to you." Dad said.
Marla pretended not to hear him and listened to her iPod.
"Marla Briggs!" Dad yelled, knocking on the door even louder.
Marla turned the volume up on her iPod as high as it would go.
Mum and Dad knocked on the door five more times that afternoon, but Marla refused to open the door. By 7:00pm that night, Marla had fallen asleep in her school uniform and didn't wake up until 6:30am the next morning.
Wednesday was the worst morning of Marla's life. She felt sick and her clothes were all sweaty. As soon as she changed her clothes, she went and ironed her school uniform before having Coco Pops for breakfast.
An hour later, Mum walked in.
"Good morning." Mum said with a smile on her face.
Marla just ate her breakfast.
"Are you still angry?" Mum asked.
"Upset and angry to be precise!" Marla snapped.
"There's no need for that tone either young lady!" Mum snapped back.
"Whatever. I'm going to school." Marla finished off her breakfast before grabbing her backpack and walking out of the house.
"But it's seven-thirty!" Mum called out.
Marla ignored her and kept on walking. She was going to her best friend Amy Stafford's house. They have been best friends since kindergarten and have been inseparable ever since. Marla was going to have a hard time explaining to Amy that she was moving to Darwin after Christmas.
Amy was waiting outside when Marla arrived.
"Hey bestie!" Amy said hugging Marla "Ready for school?"
"Of course I am." Marla said with a weak smile.
As they were walking to Ashcroft High School (the school they go to), Marla decided to tell Amy the important news.
"My dad has got a job transfer." Marla said
"Oh, that's good! Where's he going?" Amy asked.
"This is the part that's most upsetting. We're moving Darwin." Marla choked up.
Amy looked totally bewildered.
"T-to D-Darwin." Amy stuttered.
Marla nodded her head as the tears started to roll.
"How could this happen? Can't you stay?" Amy said before starting to cry.
"I have no say." Marla sobbed. "I hope this doesn't wreck our friendship."
"It won't sis. It won't." Amy cried.
The girls then hugged.
"I suppose I better let the other students know." Marla said wiping away her tears.
"Good idea." Amy said.
Marla then thought about all her friends at Ashcroft High. She was very popular and well-liked because of her easy-going and friendly nature. She even had friends outside of Ashcroft High whom she met at social gatherings. The majority of her relatives lived in New South Wales but not in the Northern Territory.
I'm going to be sad that I'll be starting Year 10 without knowing anyone. Marla thought as her and Amy were walking to roll call.
That afternoon, Marla's English class played sport instead of doing classwork. As she was watching the boys playing rugby, Marla's friend Leanne Wilkins walked over to her.
"Amy tells me you're moving." Leanne said.
"I am. After Christmas." Marla said.
"We're going to miss you." Leanne said.
"I know. I just hope the school I'm going to in Darwin is good." Marla said sadly.
"There's always Facebook." Leanne said trying to cheer up Marla.
"I know." Marla said with a smile.
Suddenly, the bell rang. Home time came at last.
Marla returned home to an empty house. She then went to her bedroom and listened to her iPod as the tears spilled down her cheeks.