Author's Note – I don't really think that blondes are dumb. Believe me, my friend Sarah is in all set ones and she's a real Blondie. Seriously. I mean, milky bar kid blonde.

She is crazy tho.

[I Love You, Sarah!]

(Her penname: Sarah-crazy)

Chapter nine –

Travels

3am. Blargh…. I can NOT wake up this early. Even to catch a flight to Romania to meet my parents – for the first time.

I looked in the mirror just before I left the room – I NEED some new clothes. I've been wearing these jeans for three days!!

My ebony hair was a mess, sticking up everywhere and in badly in need of a brush. Fancy as this hotel was, it didn't stock many of the useful things we girls need.

My army coat was stained and dirty, and my jeans were minging as well. Jeesh – and no deodorant for a few days?? My top stunk! Luckily, the hotel did have a shower, so if anyone asks, it's the top. Ok??

I strode out of the hotel room with my bag on my back (I REALLY need a new bag), munching on a power bar I'd found in the bottom of it.

There was only me awaiting the coach to go to the airport, so I was the one who woke up the receptionist. It was the blonde bitch again!! Yay, some fun before I leave!

'Why hello there, Cassie!' I grinned and leaned on the counter.

Blonde Bitch scowled. 'it's Carrie. Can I help you with something??' she said, sounding not the least bit helpful.

'Yeah. I need to sign out. name – Violet Evans-Potter.' I smiled. I really like this name. So much better than Karen. But I guess that's because my real parents gave me it.

I handed over the keys and she ripped off my receipt. 'that's £456 please.' I snatched the receipt off her and said 'thank you. Did I ever tell you that your hair was lovely?'

Carrie puffed up her hair and blushed. 'thank you!'

I hurried away. Well, it got me out of £456.

XXX

The coach pulled up 20 minutes later. I nodded to the driver, and climbed aboard.

The journey didn't take long, just over 45 minutes.

I didn't have to go in the queue since I didn't have any luggage, so I headed straight into the New Look that was in the airport (I know, weird, a New Look in the airport?!).

I selected a overpriced pair of blue jeans and a pink top from the 'skinny-minnie' collection and brought it over to the counter. Luckily, the person on the till was Brunette and looking slightly more normal looking than ditzy Carrie.

I paid for my clothes, and grabbed a bottle of deodorant from the Body Shop. I headed towards the toilets, and when I came back out, I was feeling refreshed. Even if my last shower had been a few hours before.

I settled into a couch in Starbucks and flicked through a free magazine. I sipped coffee and nibbled a muffin, waiting for my flight to be called.

XXX

I got onto the plane at 7am. Turns out, .. was a naturalist. A horny naturalist.

YOU try sitting next to a turned on nude. Not. Nice. I was looking everywhere apart from the seat next to me, so I just stared out the window for the entire flight.

I must have fallen asleep, because I was being jerked awake by some angry turbulence.

But I was so absorbed in the dream I'd just had, that I hardly noticed it.

I pulled my bag from under my seat and took out a small notebook. The one with all my dreams in. I began writing –

November 7th.

No yellow rooms or laughing voices in this one. I'm in the arms of a stranger, a woman. I can hear her heels clicking as she walks.

I must be a baby, being carried like this. I turn my head in the dream; the walls are a bright orange, like the ones in hospitals. A black haired man is waving behind the woman, tears pouring down his cheeks. There is a room off to the side of the man, and I can hear heart-wrenching sobs echoing from it. 'Violet! Violet!' someone is screaming from the room.

A tear rolls down my baby face. 'Shush-shush.' The woman whispers. 'we'll find a nice home for you.'

We exit, and my eyes catch a board out side the doors. 'London Hospital' it says.

I get strapped into a car seat, and we drive away.

The dream ends.

A tear drops onto the page. It's the worst dream I've ever had.

Forget the boogey monster or Him from the Power puff Girls. This is what would keep me awake at night.

A sudden thump. 'Hello ladies and gentlemen, I hope you had a pleasant flight.'

People start to stand up, dragging bags out of compartments.

'Welcome to Romania.' The captain says.