A/N: Hey all. I am ADDICTED to Home & Away on T.V. OMG ZOE IS BACK! DUN DUN DUN/scary music/ I was reading the Home & Away website and "Maxine Trood" equals "I am next door"! DUN DUN DUN/more scary music/ Anyway about this fic… This is my first ever attempt at a H&A fic, so please forgive me if I don't know the characters that well! I will probably have a few made-up characters as well. I mainly write Harry Potter fanfics, 'cause I'm obsessed with HP, but I'm giving H&A a go. I started off with Deltora Quest but now I'm not so into it, so yeah… Anyway sorry I am rambling, but what are ANs for? Hehe. Okay now you need to know about my style of writing.
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My style of writing in speech is like this:
'Hello,' said Harry. 'How are you today?'
'I'm fine thanks,' said Ron.
I like to start a new line whenever someone new speaks, as you're meant to. If I emphasise on a word, I'll put it in italics, like this. Thoughts are also written in italics. If emphasis during thoughts it is in normal writing, like this. If someone's shouting, I'm going to write it in CAPS, LIKE THIS. And you'll also find that I like to write in actions in stars, but they don't appear in fanfics, so I'll be writing them in /s. So, for example, like this:
I don't like you. /death glare/
Mainly will be in ANs if I put stuff like that. Okay, now about the fic…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This fic is a Lucas/Mattie. Lucas/Mattie is my favourite couple, well was because they're technically not together anymore, and I also ship Jack/Martha and Tasha/Robbie. Actually I like all the couples, it's just that they're my favourites. Anyway, this is the first time Lucas and Mattie meet, and they're on Summer Camp. I know I know, Australia doesn't have Summer Camp but anyway I'm just making this up 'cause I feel like it! By the way I reckon Ric and Cassie shouldn't have split up! They were cute! But now I don't really like Belle but I sortta do, because she's a bit like me… not in the "boyfriend stealing" terms but like, being rebellious and stuff. I like the storyline with Amanda as her mother, ya? Well anyway Lucas and Mattie are on Summer Camp, and this is the first time they meet, besides from school which they know each other from. Mattie really hates Luke 'cause she thinks he's an arrogant conceited brat (which I know Luke isn't but she just hates him). The reason she hates him is because she likes him, but she hates herself for liking him. Follow me? Anyway. Then Ric finds her diary and reads it, and knows she's talking about Luke. He and Cas set up a plan to get them together. Then before the plan is performed, they go back to Summer Bay and it so happens that the Holdens are Mattie's new neighbours… shock for Mattie. See what happens in this /cough gay cough/ fic. /cough Jess loves Sirius! cough/ Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system. Private joke…
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Oppositions – To Be or Not To Be? by xX hArMoNy
Chapter One: Hard Convincing – He's Not the One for Me
Oh. My. God. What the hell is he doing here? thought Matilda Hunter as Lucas Holden ran up to the bus, waving wildly for it to stop. He was laden down with bags and his father Tony was also running after him, holding up Lucas' toothbrush, which he had forgotten. The bus screeched to a stop. Darn it, thought Mattie. Lucas was a classmate at school in Summer Bay, her home, and she really hated him for being an arrogant conceited jerk. Okay, maybe not arrogant and conceited, but she hated him because she liked him. Mattie kicked herself for liking Lucas, but hey, ever heard of hormones? Anyway, Lucas shoved his bag into the bus compartment and clambered on board the bus, taking his toothbrush from Tony and putting it into his pocket.
'Mind if I sit here?' asked Lucas to Matilda, who had a spare seat next to her.
'Sorry, Cas' sitting here already,' mumbled Mattie, making up a lame excuse.
'Er, that's not possible, she was sitting up the front with Ric,' said Lucas, pointing to the front. Cassie Turner was her best friend and she would've sat with Mattie, but she had started dating Ric Dalby and the two were pretty much inseparable. Matilda rolled her eyes.
'Fine. Whatever.' She put her elbow up on the window sill as Lucas sat down next to her.
Geez, can't he take a hint? Matilda thought. I wonder if anything ever penetrates that thick skull of his. He's so dense… But it's so adorable, thought Mattie, positively melting inside. She sighed deeply, fogging up the window.
'You okay?' asked Luke.
'Yeah, yeah,' grumbled Mattie, sitting up straighter. She arched her sore neck. Transportation by bus definitely wasn't her favourite form of travelling.
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After half an hour's silence, Mattie dared to speak to Lucas again. She was getting bored, anyway, staring out the window at the horses and cows grazing in the pastures.
'So… why're you coming on Summer Camp?' It's only for losers, she added silently in her head. Not pretty boys like you.
'Jack wanted me to come, said it would build up character and bring out the man in me,' Lucas joked weakly. Matilda grunted in response.
What does she have against me? thought Luke.
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After 15 more minute's silence, the bus screeched to a stop. Mattie brushed passed Lucas quickly and was the first off the bus, despite having a seat in the middle. She slung her bag over her shoulder and looked at the desolate surroundings.
I can't believe I'm stuck out here for 4 bloody days, Matilda thought. There were a few wooden cabins, which looked as if they would be knocked down if someone so much as touched them, but otherwise there was nothing else but dry, barren sand. And I thought Mum said the info package described surfing and swimming! I wonder who runs this place. They must be pretty desperate, advertising fake stuff like that. At that moment, the camp manager, a fat woman smoking a cigarette dressed in a dress that looked as if it was 4 sizes too small and carrying an overweight baby, came out from one of the 5 cabins.
'Hello,' she wheezed through puffs from her cigarette. 'Welcome – to – Summer Camp, girls and boys.' And she shuffled back into the cabin, slamming the door shut. Mattie could hear her banging pots about in there, no doubt preparing a "decent" meal. Mattie and Cassie exchanged simultaneous glances.
'I am so not going to survive,' said Cas, dumping her big duffel bag on the sand and sitting on it with her arms folded across her knees.
'I know,' murmured Matilda. 'And this is just the start of hell.' After a few minutes where the guys kicked randomly at the sand and the girls stood in groups discussing makeup and such, the lady came out again with 3 trays of jam tarts. She handed one to each of the 16 campers, and went back into her cabin with the overweight baby. Mattie glanced down at her "jam tart". The pastry was soggy and middle was a murky red. Cas pulled a face but nibbled at it anyway.
'Oh, gross, it's feral!' she cried, spitting out the tiny corner of pastry. Mattie carefully bit a bit of the pastry off too.
'Ick,' she said, spitting it out too. But boys, being as they are, gobbled down their "jam tarts", hungry for more, not even noticing the dodgy taste and the disgusting smell of overdue strawberry jam.
'Can I have yours?' Ric asked Cassie.
'Go for it if you want it,' encouraged Cassie with a disgusted face. Ric took her jam tart, threw it into his mouth and chewed it up.
'A little soggy, but otherwise fine,' he said, dusting his hands off. Lucas was standing next to him, but he didn't "offer" to eat Mattie's "jam tart". Ric nudged him. 'Go on mate, I know you're hungry. Otherwise I'll eat it.' Lucas shrugged.
'Mind if I take yours?' he asked Matilda dully.
'Knock yourself out,' was Mattie's careless response. She walked away to inspect the cabins with Cas. Lucas took the tart and wrinkled up his nose.
'Uh, Ric, I think I'll pass,' said Lucas, who still had his first tart squished in his pocket along with the toothbrush. Ric shrugged and gobbled up the tart.
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'Today – the groups,' wheezed the middle-aged lady. Mr. Baker decided to take charge. He had volunteered to supervise this group of teenage campers, and he had everything prepared anyway. He was an outdoor kind of guy and loved the bush, but he felt a little nervous as he was the only adult supervision besides the fat lady, who didn't look as if she would be much help. He cleared his throat insignificantly. Everyone instantly silenced and actually listened to him instead of the fat lady.
'Okay, here are the groups,' said Dan Baker, taking a booklet from his backpack. 'There are 4 groups of 4 and each are going to be rotating at a different station every day.
'So we have to stay in one place for the whole day?' Ric rudely interrupted.
'Yes, Mr. Dalby,' said Mr. Baker, coughing/clearing his throat again. He always did that when he thought students were being inattentive or he had an announcement to make. 'Group 1: Matilda Hunter, Cassie Turner, Lucas Holden and Eric Dalby.' Cassie squealed with joy and jumped into Ric's arms. 'No need to be so enthusiastic, Miss Turner,' said Dan, a small smile creeping onto his lips regardless. 'Group 2: Hannah Gregory, Emma Hansol, Peter Fairham and Henry MacLinlay.' Group 2 got together, laughing and chattering. 'Group 3: Alisa Dowe, Mia Cussack, Ryan Ferdinand and Paul Piper.' Group 3 got together, looking at each other curiously for they weren't really friends. 'Group 4: Sonya McKinnon, Jennifer Hardy, George Hardy and Lochlan Furner.' Jen and George Hardy were twins and were very close, therefore Dan put them in the same group. Jen and George grinned identical grins, but besides from their facial appearances, they were nothing alike. Jennifer was interested in boys, makeup, boys, shopping, boys and clothes, and George was interested in wrestling, football, soccer and surprisingly, tennis. He idolised Lleyton Hewitt.
Oh, great, stuck with the numbskull for 4 whole days, thought Mattie, pleading to God silently to take her away from Lucas. On the other hand, thought Mattie. At least I have Cassie with me. She turned around to talk to her, but found her engaged in a furious tongue battle with Ric. I'd prefer not to see that, Mattie thought, rolling her eyes at her best friend. Lucas silently slid up to Matilda's side.
'I guess we're stuck together,' he said. 'Looks like those two won't have much time for us.'
'Yeah. Stuck together,' echoed Mattie miserably.
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'Oh come on, it's just a bit of fun,' urged Cassie. Matilda glared up at the cliff. They were doing rock-climbing and Mattie didn't want to do it. Yeah, she wasn't scared, but she didn't like the thought of being supported by just one little strand of string on that great rock face.
'No,' said Mattie again. But something else changed her mind. Lucas grabbed her by the waist from behind, lifting her off her feet. 'AHH! GET THE HELL OFF ME!' screamed Matilda.
'No, you're doing this challenge whether you like it or not,' said Lucas firmly. 'I don't know if you're scared of heights or anything, but if you overcome your fear then… I'll…' Mattie smirked. Lucas didn't know her well enough to know what she liked. Cassie whispered in his ear.
Damn. You, thought Mattie, as Lucas continued. '… treat you to strawberry ice cream.' As soon Luke put Mattie down on the ground, she started to run off, but she felt Lucas' strong hand close over her own, pulling her back.
'Come on, it's easy,' he whispered in her ear. Mattie's skin tingled. 'Relax, take in a deep breath. You'll do great.' Matilda reluctantly let the man clip a carribeana to her harness.
'Uh… who's going to be ballaying?' asked Mattie nervously.
'I'll be doing that,' said Lucas with an encouraging smile. He started to pull on the rope, and he gave pointers all the way. 'Look, you can start at that one just there. Yep, that's right, get a firm grip and pull yourself up-' Mattie slipped, but Lucas pulled the rope tight.
'Let me go down,' said Mattie in a small voice. Now she was scared. 'Please.' Lucas sighed.
'Okay,' he said. As soon as Matilda was on the ground, she flung herself into Lucas' arms, as he was the closest person, and sobbed into his shoulder.
'Don't make me do that again, ever,' she whispered. 'Okay, I'm scared. I'm scared of-' She gulped. '-heights.' Then she realised who's arms she was in. She took a reluctant step backwards. 'Oh – sorry. It's just – Cas!' She ran over to Cassie and hugged her.
'Are you alright?' asked Cassie.
'Yeah,' said Matilda, nodding. 'I'll skip out.' Lucas cast a worried glance as Mattie walked away with Cas, Cas' arm around her shoulders.
'She'll be fine, she's strong,' assured Ric, who knew Mattie all too well. He ran after Cas and Matilda. Lucas was left standing on the sand.
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'-yeah, so…' Lucas banged the door open to their cabin to find Matilda reciting her "dangerous and daring" rock-climbing experience to a couple of other girls.
'GET OUT!' shouted Lucas, who was really pissed off at the moment. 'THIS ISN'T A CHAT ROOM!' The girls scurried away. Mattie scowled at him. Lucas, however, ignored her glare and lay down on his bed heavily, picking up a book to read.
'What did you do that for?' she exclaimed.
'I just need to do some private stuff,' spat back Lucas. 'You gotta learn to respect other people's privacy as well, you know.' Matilda didn't say anything but pursed up her lips. She too lay back down on her bottom bunk (next to Luke's) and picked up her diary moodily. She bit on her pen, yes, the one with the fluffy pink feathers on the end, and thought about what to write.
Hey, it's me, she started. Then she crossed it out. She sighed again and rolled onto her back, looking up at the top bunk's bottom.
Hey, it's me. I need to talk to someone. It's not working. No matter how hard I try, I'll always love him. It's gonna take some hard convincing, but in the end it'll-
Mattie slammed her diary shut. She got the feeling someone was reading over her shoulder. She looked around. No one but Ric listening and watching his iPod Video, Cas absorbed in a Dan Brown book and Lucas blankly staring at his book, his brain not absorbing the words, a thousand thoughts whirling through his mind. Mattie rolled her eyes at his immaturity. He also had a bottom bunk like her and Cas and Ric had top bunks. He was the only one who could've been committed guilty of the crime of reading her private diary.
'Privacy, huh?' spat out Matilda in a dangerous tone. She got up off her bed, still clutching her diary. Luke, on instinct, grabbed her diary, and held it up high over his head so she couldn't reach it.
'I wonder what's in it?' he said, starting to open the cover.
'You wouldn't dare.' Mattie lunged for her diary, but Lucas held it up over his head again and clucked his tongue.
'Now, now, you wouldn't want me – to – er – read it now, would you?' Mattie sent a death glare at Luke. The 2 of them stood standing there, glaring at each other for a moment. And then Mattie whirled around in a huff and exited the cabin. Lucas flipped open the diary.
Dear Diary, I wish I had a cat for Christmas. Daddy promised me he would get one, but Henry, Robbie, Scott and Kip all want a dog. Mum says that there's no point getting a cat if only I want it, so I probably won't be getting a cat anyway. Love Mattie.
23rd December, 1997
Lucas checked the date again and calculated in his head.
So she was 6 when this happened, he thought silently. He opened the diary again.
I can't believe Dad's really gone now, started out this entry. He was never really close but I loved him. I never got to say goodbye. If only he hadn't sent me away…
18th October, 2003
Lucas leant back on his mattress. He didn't think he could read anymore.
I can't believe it. Mattie never acted like this. She never showed it. Or maybe I was just too blind… He flipped shut Mattie's diary and, for some strange reason, placed it safely in the topmost drawer of his bedside cabinet. He lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes...
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Red and orange. Flames licking up old wooden houses. 2 small girls and 3 small boys, being wrapped up in their mother's arms. A house crashing down, and a long, loud scream that penetrated eardrums. Sobbing from the children. Soothing music from the mother, her voice trembling with emotion.
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Lucas sat bolt upright in bed, bumping his head on the low top bunk.
'Ow!' he exclaimed as softly as he could. He listened to himself, trying to steady his breathing and calm himself down. After a few moments, his breathing slowed to normal. He slowly swung his feet over the side of the bed and slipped on his sneakers. He walked over to the door, to bang, hard, into someone halfway there.
'What're you doing out of bed?' exclaimed Mattie, rubbing the back of her head with her hand.
'I was going to get a drink,' whispered back Lucas.
'Well hurry up, the fat lady's outside prowling around, trying to catch us out.' Lucas laughed and helped Matilda up.
'Okay, thanks for the warning. G'night.'
'Night,' said Mattie, blushing furiously, heading back to her bed.
How come he makes me feel this way?
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A/N: Yaay, the first chapter is FINALLY finished! Lol, it took me ages… finally it's up! Hope you enjoy! P.S.: I have to get at least 2 reviews until I update, so 2 reviews, remember!
xX hArMoNy
