Dreamcatcher - A novel written by Nora (6th Class)

Nora has began working on a novel in her free time. She is a passionate writer, full of imagination and has taken pen to paper, in order to provide us with the first chapter of her new novel "Dreamcatcher". Nora is a 12 year old girl in 6th Class. Her inspiration comes from a magical and picturesque sunset. The fantasy novel is about a girl who figures out how to change the world through her dreams. Every chapter starts with a verse of the main character's dream, which is the only happiness she has in her life. It gives the character a glimmer of hope in her dark life. 

Here is chapter 1 - we hope you enjoy it! 

Dream Catcher

For my class in primary, I will miss you all when we part.        

Chapter One - One Single Dream

         The sky was blue. Small fluffy clouds scattered across it. They shifted, changing their shapes and making themselves more calming to look at with every gust of wind. The sun shone down on me, I could feel her warm rays resting on my skin as I looked up. It was as if even for a few brief moments all my troubles were swept away with the wind. It was a warm and fluffy feeling, just as fluffy as the clouds. It was flawless and I embraced it with all I had. Vibrant green leaves rustled near my head, but not directly above it as to shield me completely from the warm sunshine. I took a deep breath, and could feel the refreshing air rush up my nose and surround me. This moment, was perfect.

         My eyelids lay heavily on my eyes. No sun shone through my curtains, no warm feeling to embrace. My mattress creaked, it had needed to be fixed for months but we didn't have the money for it, not after my father had passed away. Since then, we had nothing. The harsh reminder filled my head, but somehow I found it in me to resist it. “I will not believe such a thing” I told myself. “Not even if it means hiding the truth away from me.” I got up and opened the window, giving it a nudge. I poked my head out; I felt the cold wind blast into my face. “A storm must be coming in from the sea.” I thought to myself as I closed the window with another nudge.

I forced myself into my tattered uniform and resentfully made my old creaky bed. It was time for school. Trudging wearily down the stairs, I could smell breakfast. It reminded me of my father's words in my head. “Ah, simple pleasures, Ones one will only notice when one will have nothing else. Although, you my darling will never have to live through something so harsh, you must learn to appreciate every gulp of food and every sip off water. Only then will your life be truly filled with happiness.” I had never known what it meant, not what it truly meant, but now I had began to understand. “This isn't exactly a happy life,” I rolled my eyes. “No! I must think positive,” was how I concluded my thought and by that time, I had taken my seat at our old, three legged table in our kitchen.

         “Well come on! What on earth are you waiting for?!” was the grumpy greeting I got from my tired mother. “Hurry and eat your breakfast, then off to school with you!” Like with many other things this is how it had been since my father passed. Not one smile had issued from my mother's face. Despite that, I forced one onto mine and gulped down my breakfast without a word of hesitation. It was delicious. Not what most people would call good food, but with nothing better to afford, this is what I was used to; Simple Pleasures. It rang in my head over and over. In a way, it was true. After all, I was enjoying my simple breakfast, which consisted merely of burned toast prepared in our toaster which could do no better. There was also some margarine thinly spread on, so that we would still have some for tomorrow.

         I took my last bite, wiped my mouth and grabbed my school bag. “Hurry back,” my mum said with a slow sigh. I reached for the handle of the door when she added with hesitation “And Lilly...I love you.” Her lip was as grim as always, but her beautiful wise brown eyes were in a way smiling. I turned and embraced her in a warm hug. While returning my hug, she soaked in the smell of my chestnut brown hair and then looked into my eyes. My father always called them, the most beautiful shade of deepest blue. As his voice whispered in my head, a happy thought, a true one, it twisted my lips upwards. Only when thinking such thoughts of my father, did I experience true happiness now that he was gone?

         As I walked in through the rusty gates of my school, I looked around and saw the busy children pouring in around me. Most of the children here have already established strong relationships and I found it very hard to fit in. This would be my last year of primary school. The day was spent like every other day by me, searching in vain for the light in the endless darkness. The bell rang, and with a sigh I got up from my desk and headed out to the yard.

          Weather in England is cold especially now heading towards winter. I was incredibly jealous of the other girls in cosy hats and woollen scarves. The group of girls next to me were gossiping about something stupid again. The rest of the class were entertaining themselves with something, so in my boredom, it came to me, for about the first time in my life, to eavesdrop. “Really!” exclaimed one. “No!” gasped the other. “Well, what did you expect from that little moron?” said the one in the middle of the group. I urged myself to turn away, but in spite my efforts, still listened on. “I bet you she hasn't even tasted real food. I mean, did you see her lunches?!” It dawned on me. I was the girl they were gossiping about. Tears swelled up in my eyes. Is this really what has become of me? In my old school I had been the most popular girl. And now, I was the target of gossiping children. No. I won't cry. I squeezed my eyes to push the remaining tears out then wiped them away with a swift movement. I never want to see my tears again!