Chapter 1

Mimi Higgins leaned back in the stiff chair, her bleary eyes glazing over with tiredness. It was just like a dream, was she really going back to school today? It seemed like the summer holidays were just a blur of colours and noises, never getting to appreciate the feeling of being free until it was all over. Her stressful mother came bustling into the small kitchen, holding a mountain of papers, barely able to make eye contact over them with her glum daughter.

"Mimi-"She hastily walked to the over-crowded table and dropped the exhausted pile of work onto Mimi's burnt toast, "Oh, I am sorry dear!," She apologised," Where are those blasted glasses?" The fanatic woman exclaimed, fumbling around the counter tops to search in vain for the small, circular, tortoise shell glasses that sat smugly upon the wiry brown bun on her head.

The girl just sighed and brushed down her crinkeled pinafore, reached for her tattered bag and made her way through a forest of shoes and up the creaky stairs onto the small landing. Her bedroom was the smallest, a lopsided sign caked in motos such as "Be the better person" and "Always reach higher incase you fall short" hanging on her door. She pushed it open and made her way into the center of the room, staring around, eyes watering with emotion. On her bedside table, covered with her favourite books was a photo. She didn't even have to look at it to know what, in precise detail, it was of. Herself, no more than three years old, coppery aubern hair blowing in the wind, green eyes shining and a massive smile etched onto her beaming face. Next to her was dad. He had sandy blonde hair and a ridiculous grin spread on his face, they were mucking about in the photo, sharing an ice cream between themselves. Not a care in the world. She wished she could climb into that photo with them, having one last hug with her dad, telling him that she still loved him even though he was dead now. It was only a few years ago but sometimes she forgot one little detail of his loving face and in a state of painc, rushed up to her room to clutch onto the photo, trying to absorb his him into memory. Now, with a somewhat steady voice she whispered, "Dad," and as quickly as she could and backed out of the door, banging her head against it as she went tumbling down the narrow stairs, collapsing in a huddle at the bottom. She was gently crying until no more tears ran down her face…

Her hands still trembling, she tied up the laces on her black pumps and walked over to the bright red front door."Have a good first day at school!" Her preocupide mother shouted from the kitchen. Mimi smiled sadly and pushed the door open, leaving a beam of pale-gold sunlight reflecting on the dark brown floor boards. She thought back to what her Mother had told her shortly after his death, "Stand strong and remember that we both will always love you, no matter what." Drawing this calming thought close to her heart, she stepped over the threash hold of her house into the wonderous daylight.

Aubrey was waiting for her on the other side of the hazel-brown gate, a bright smile on her elfin face."Took you long enough!" She smiled gently, knowing not to dig deep into the sensitive matter at hand. Mimi adjusted the twisted strap on her bag and fell into a side step beside her best friend.

"So, whats up?" Mimi asked her, knowing what the answer would be.