Man, I'm such a chick- Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Hello? Natalie?” Beth almost whispered into the phone, dreading the answer. Even if it was Natalie, something bad still must have happened.

“Sorry? Who? Oh, that must be whose phone this is.” The stranger laughed, completely unaware of how serious the situation was. Beth was horrified.

“Yes, that is whose phone it is. Who the heck are you? And what are you doing with Natalie’s phone?” Beth demanded. She was annoyed at how casual the stranger was being and this was not the time to try and be funny.

“Hey! Calm down! I just found your friend’s bag on the pavement outside The Granby Hotel and thought I best see if there was a phone inside to contact someone. Sorry for being a kind stranger!” The man protested, slightly hurt by Beth’s accusation. Beth thought about what he’d said. How could Natalie have just dropped her bag? Unless she was concentrating on something else…

“Isn’t that where the taxis collect people from? I’m Beth by the way, Natalie’s best friend and bridesmaid who is currently waiting for her to turn up at the church. Hence my frustration with your casual attitude to this situation.”

“Ahh, I see.” The man replied. “That’s not good at all. Yes it is where the taxis pull up. Maybe she’s done a runner?” 

“Excuse me? You don’t even know her! What if… erm…” Beth tried to think of another reason why Natalie might have dropped her bag outside the hotel. She was about to say that maybe Natalie had been kidnapped but that was a little extreme she thought. “Erm… Oh! What if a jogger had bumped into her, not paying attention to where he or she was going and Natalie hadn’t realised she’d dropped her bag.” Beth nodded to herself, pleased with her answer. The other bridesmaids and Jay just continued to stare at her with furrowed brows, confused by the conversation Beth was having.

 “Yeah, because that explanation definitely explains why she’s late for her wedding…” The man replied sarcastically. Beth was getting even more frustrated with him now. “Look… Beth, how late is Natalie?”

“Nearly half an hour late now.”

“Okay, and where’s the church?”

“A five minute drive away. Why do you want to know??”

“Well, a woman isn’t half an hour late for her wedding unless she’s done a runner. I’m sorry to be blunt about it but in most cases, that’s the truth. Especially if the church is only a 5 minute drive away. Surely if traffic was bad she would have walked right? So, she’s either done a runner, or something really bad has happened. Either way, she’s not coming.”

Beth sighed. He was right of course; she just didn’t like to admit that someone none of them knew probably had it spot on about Natalie.

“Fine. I suppose you’re right.” Beth finally admitted to the man.

 “Thanks. So, do you want me to come to you or are you going to come to me?” Beth looked at the others in confusion. The others looked back at her with the same expression they’d had on their faces for the last 5 minutes.

“What is it Beth? What’s going on?” Maggie demanded. They’d waited long enough to know what was happening. Beth held her finger up to Maggie to silence her.

“What are you talking about?” Beth said down the phone to the man.

“I’ve got Natalie’s bag and phone. Did little detail slip your mind?” Beth ground her teeth together.

“Of course it didn’t. I’ll meet you outside Heslington church on Broomgate road in 15 minutes.”

“Okay, see you then, Beth.”

“Bye.”

Beth ended the call and turned the others. They continued to stare at her in disbelief. She’d blanked them out for the entire phone call and they were now a bit annoyed with her as well as confused.

“Well?” Kelly asked, flinging her hands out in question. Just then Jack burst through the doors looking hurt and annoyed.

“What on Earth is going on? Where is Natalie?” Jack almost shouted at the girls and Jay. They all turned their gaze to Beth who started to look nervous now.

“That’s exactly what we’d like to know.” Jay spoke directly to Beth but then returned his eyes back to Jack.

“Okay, okay!” Beth knew she’d have to say something now. She couldn’t deny the truth from everyone much longer. “We think Natalie has done a runner.”

“You mean you think Natalie’s done a runner. We don’t know anything Beth!” Maggie raised her voice in panic. 

Beth flinched. “Fine then, I think Natalie may have done a runner. I just got a call from her mobile but it wasn't her. It was a guy that has found her bag outside The Granby Hotel. Where the taxis collect and drop people off.”

Beth’s words sunk in and Jack’s face fell. “ I'm calling off the wedding.” Jack said in a small voice. The girls looked at each other, then at Jay. Jay searched his head for a reasonable explanation as to why Natalie wasn't there yet, but given the information they had, he came up with the same reason everyone else had. He looked up at Jack with sadness in his eyes.

“You’re not going to tell everyone the wedding’s off,” Jay told Jack. “Because I am. You've got enough things to worry about.” Jay turned his back to Jack and the girls before Jack could object and he walked back down the aisle again, head held high. Jack and the girls followed him in but stayed at the back of the church, by the doors.

 “Ladies and gents, can I have your attention please?” Jay had walked straight up onto the stage and was now standing behind the pulpit. The guests all turned their attention to Jay. He took a deep breath. He’d always hated public speaking. He’d even put off presentations in front of his class at college for as long as he could- skiving, not reminding his teacher, ‘forgetting’ his USB stick with the power point on it. The excuses were endless- but he had to do this for his friend. He was 24 now so it was time to grow up. At least for this little speech he had to do anyway. “I’m afraid we’ve got to call off the wedding.” The congregation all started to whisper and mutter. “Please everyone let me finish.” They quietened down and let him carry on. “We are unsure of the bride’s whereabouts but given that she’s now 35 minutes late, we’re going to assume that she’s not coming today. I speak on behalf of the wedding party when I say that we’re thankful for you all being here today to celebrate what should have been an amazing day. We’re now going to try and find the bride, so for now I’ll leave with a hopeful ‘To be continued another day…’ and I’m sure we’ll let you know when we find Natalie. Thank you.” Jay dipped his head as he retreated back down the steps leading down to the nave of the church and headed towards Jack.

“Thanks mate, I owe you one.” Jack said to his friend, giving him a pat on the back.

“Don’t worry about it. Now let’s go and find your runaway bride.” 

One for the Haters

There are a few people in my life that don't like me. Maybe I've messed with their heads unintentionally or fell for someone I shouldn't have. Maybe I have the life they want or stood up for something that they don't agree with. Whatever the reason, they're there and I'm here being disliked.
Does it bother me? Yes it does. No-one likes not knowing what they've done wrong but continue to receive verbal abuse and witty comments at their expense. It's just the way things are. We've all done it and we've all been on the receiving end of it too.

I don't like hurting people's feelings. It hurts me. Someone said something to me the other day and it hurt, a lot. I wanted sooo badly to turn around and say something back to hurt them but what would be the use in that? I got made a fool of so it makes sense if they get made to look like a fool as well, right? No, I don't think so.
Why waste time saying hurtful things when you could be making someone smile, I always say. Yes, most of the time people deserve the hurtful things that are said to them but does that really make you feel better by saying them? It makes you as bad as they are. You know what they say: Be the better person. So I do.

I let people walk all over me because I'm that 'nice little Christian girl' that I've been called many times. Sometimes I think... Do I really want to be called that? It sounds much cooler to be the 'bad ass chick that doesn't take any crap from people.' But then I think better of it. I'd rather have the reputation of being a nice person rather than a bitch. Don't get me wrong, cross me and you'll wish you hadn't, but I only result in that if someone has lied about something or me, behind my back or to my face or hurt one of my friends or family members. That's when I don't take any crap from people.

When people say hurtful things about me, either when I'm in the room, to my face or over the internet, I don't retaliate. That's what they want. People who do things like that over the internet are cowards and just want you to look bad in front of all your friends and start an argument. You won't get an argument out of me over the internet, you'll get a smart comment that makes you feel bad for making a comment that was supposed to hurt me and you'll feel silly for doing so.
I've already done a post on thoughts and opinions so read that after this if you feel like it but if not then it basically just says about stating your opinion. By all means do so, but to save arguments, put 'but that's just my opinion' after. I always say everyone to their own, we all have different opinions. If we liked and disliked the same things, it would be boring. So if you make a snarky comment about something that I like, 'Everyone to their own' is the reply you'll get because the effect of it is that it'll shut you up instead of causing an argument between us.

So, to my haters how ever many or little there are of you... I want to say sorry for whatever I did to make you dislike me. Talk to me about it cause if it's something I can change, I will. There's nothing worse than not liking someone, it makes you bitter or it actually makes you feel superior and then other people end up disliking you as well. If there's nothing I can do to make you feel different about me then you can carry on with the way things are now, that's fine. Whatever is best for you. I have people in my life that care about me and love me so if you're happy not liking me, then that's fine :)

And to everyone else, if you've got someone you dislike or you know of someone or multiple people who don't like you, do what you can to sort things out. YOLO (you only live once- for those of you who aren't down with the kids) and all that... so do you really want that negativity between you and someone else when you could be doing much better things like having fun, talking and laughing together? Think about it.

Man, I'm such a Chick - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

One of the most common and tragic wedding stories you hear about is when the bride has been given her dream wedding- they've spent thousands of pounds on it- and then on the big day, the groom gets cold feet because it finally dawns on him that he’s going to spend the rest of his life tied down to one woman, and he leaves the bride standing at the altar, awaiting his arrival- A moment that won’t come. The bride is then left heartbroken and decides she hates men and gives up on love.

We don't very often hear about that happening to men. Weddings are the most important day of a girl’s life. We think about the fact that she'll never abandon her wedding because it means so much to her. She’s dreamed of the day her whole life and she wants it to be perfect and spend the rest of her life with the man she loves.

This story is a bit a different because this story begins with a groom being left at the altar instead, wondering where his bride to be has got to.

“Dude, calm down! Knowing Natalie she’s probably just freaking out about minor details and it’s made her a bit late. I bet she'll be gliding through those doors any minute.” Jay was starting to get a bit nervous himself but as the best man he had to stay strong and reassure his best friend: keep him calm, relaxed and hopeful that his beautiful bride was on her way. Surely Natalie would be there soon. Right?

“Yeah, you're right. Why am I having doubts? She’s been waiting for this day since we first started dating. Going on and on about the day I'd be her’s forever.” He smiled thinking about every time she said it, she'd go onto her tiptoes to reach his lips and give him one long lingering kiss to lock the promise.

Jack snapped out of his day dream when he spotted the bridesmaids through the glass doors separating the foyer from the main church. He still couldn't see Natalie though but she was supposed to arrive after the bridesmaids anyway, in a separate car.

In the foyer Beth glanced at Jack through the glass doors. “He looks pretty calm. If I’d been 10 minutes late for my wedding, Nick would have been sweating buckets and probably pacing the floor with panic.” All four bridesmaids, Beth, Maggie, Kelly and little Chloe- Natalie’s 7 year old niece and three best friends since college- were all dressed in knee length, baby blue dresses with a white, silk ribbon around the waist with baby blue kitten heels. Each of them also wore a sterling silver daisy necklace with matching earrings. Natalie didn't believe in making the bridesmaids wear awful dresses just so she'd look better. This day was special for the girls as well so she wanted them to look beautiful too in a simple but elegant dress.

“We all deal with nerves and stress differently. Jack has always been one for staying cool, calm and collected in stressful situations. That’s why he’s so good at his job! I wouldn't be able to be a fireman… woman, that’s for sure. You remember how I was when my oven set fire? I was running around panicking and wondering what the heck I was meant to do!” Maggie said, remembering the day she'd had to quickly call Jack to come over and put the fire out. Luckily he and Natalie only live round the corner so the fire was put out in no time at all by a very relaxed Jack.

“Yeah, and that was before the fire had even started.” Kelly giggled.

“Okay, okay, we all know I'm bad at cooking!” Maggie blushed with embarrassment.

“The girls are laughing… that’s a good sign…” Jay commented feeling slightly relieved. He looked at Jack whose face gave away no sign of nervousness. Natalie was now nearly 15 minutes late. Jay wondered what would happen if she actually didn't turn up. Would he have to go and find her? Or would he ask one of the bridesmaids to do it? What if she’s decided she can't go through with it? How would Jack take it? The questions raced through Jay’s head, all unanswered until it would be too late. He was hoping that none of the questions would have to be answered though. It won't come to that.

The guests were starting to fidget in their seats, turning around and wondering where the bride was. Jack was pleading in his head for Natalie to arrive soon. Where was she? She was the main thought in everyone’s head at that moment.

Back in the foyer, the girls were starting to wonder where their friend had got to.

“I know! I'll ring the hotel to see if she’s left yet. Everyone form a semicircle facing me so that Jack can't see me on the phone. He'll only start worrying.” The girls turned their backs and faced away from Jack while Beth got her phone from her baby blue and white clutch bag and dialled the number of the hotel where they were all staying and having the reception later on.

“Hello Sir?” The hotel receptionist had picked up on the first ring. “This is Bethany Briggs, one of the bridesmaids from the Taylor wedding?” She paused, listening for the man’s reply.

“Yes, that’s the one. We're having the reception at your hotel later. I was just wondering if the bride has left the hotel, she hasn’t arrived at the church yet.” Confusion spread across Beth’s face. “Oh, okay then, thank you. Bye.” The girls all stared at Beth, waiting for the answer. They assumed it was bad news though, judging by Beth’s reaction.

“She’s already left. She left about 20 minutes ago.” Beth sighed. The hotel was only a 5 minute drive away. She couldn’t be stuck in traffic because knowing Natalie, if the traffic was that bad, she'd have walked. She'd decided on wearing white pump trainers covered in silver diamantes so walking wouldn’t be a problem.

“Where’s Auntie Natalie?” Chloe asked. In the panic of Natalie being late, the three girls had forgotten Chloe was there, she'd been so quiet.

“Auntie Natalie will be here soon sweetie,” Kelly told her. “We hope…” She said to the girls under her breath.

“Jay, go and talk to the girls. See what’s going on? The suspense is killing me.” Jack’s doubts were starting to come crawling back.

“Sure mate, I’ll be back in a few.” Jay made his way back down the aisle, staring straight ahead trying to avoid the gazes from the impatient and worried guests. Jack took a seat next to his mother who put a hand over his.

“ She'll come. She loves you.” She smiled at him, giving him a bit more hope. He smiled back at her but then sighed with mixed feelings. He knew he shouldn't doubt Natalie but she was now 25 minutes late. 5 more minutes and he was thinking he'd have to call it off. No bride is half an hour late for her wedding unless something has happened.

Just then, Beth’s phone started to ring. It was Natalie. Beth was terrified to answer It. What if there had been an accident and this was the police calling to let Beth know what had happened. Beth was one of Natalie’s ICE (In case of emergency) numbers. Jack and Natalie’s mum- Natalie’s ICE1 and 2- had probably turned their phones off ready for when the ceremony began.

Maggie, Kelly, Jay and even Chloe, stared at Beth waiting for her to answer it.

“Beth? Who is it?” Jay asked, even though he had his suspicions who it was from the look on Beth’s face.  

“It’s… it’s Natalie.” Beth pressed the ‘accept’ button on the touch screen of her phone and lifted it to her ear with hands trembling.

Pot of Dreams

Hello readers!

So, I've just bought myself a pot of dreams... you know one of those big money pot things that you can't break until it's full? Yeah, one of those. Now, I'm not really that good at saving money so I thought this might help me. I usually get some money and then if I see something I like, I buy it, and then poof! My money's gone and I've gained an extra DVD or book! I love DVD's and books, which I'm sure you all know already, so it's really hard for me when I see one I want, to say no and walk away from it.

I'm also getting really bad with chocolate as well. I swear I'm going to end up fat by Christmas with the amount of chocolate I've eaten since I finished college. I have a bit of spare change in my purse... I buy chocolate with that spare change, that's how it's worked for the past 3 months.

Enough! I say. And that's that. From this day on, any money I have in my purse that I want to spend on chocolate, will go in my 'Pot of Dreams'. This way, I won't be able to blame my weight gain on chocolate. No I'm only kidding, I don't plan on gaining weight. Chocolate is the only thing that I really binge on. I don't drink, I very rarely have take away, I don't really have a lot of fatty food and I really like fruit and veg... maybe not most veg, but I do like some veg.

So yeah, back to the point. Hmm... and I suppose I could put any money in the pot that I would spend on books as well I guess. Boy will this be a tough challenge!! But I suppose my future self will look back and thank me for this.

I have a very large collection of books and it's taking me a long time to get through them so I suppose I don't really need any more books at the moment *sigh*. I'm not going to do it with the DVDs though. They're the one thing I need to still buy. Otherwise I'm going to run out of films to watch and I'll have to watch them all over and over again and I can't! I need new ones. I'm being very good at the moment I'll have you know though, Tesco are doing all of the Avengers films for £30! So that's Iron man 1 and 2, Thor, Captain America, Hulk and The Avengers. But, I've said no! It can wait a little while longer, I have a printer I need to buy first.

I guess I'm telling you all this so that I now have to do it. I can't back out because I've told someone. Those of you who are good friends of mine now have the responsibility to keep me to this promise and if we go shopping and I want to buy chocolate or a book, you have to make sure I don't! I think I'll have enough will power to do that myself, but just in case, please help me stick to this! For my future self's sake!

I do challenge you, reader, to do the same thing. Buy a pot of dreams and save so that one day you can pay for that thing you really want or do something you really want to do! Your future self will thank you one day. Leave a comment and let me know if you are thinking about doing it and good luck to you!! ... I'm sure I'll need it too! xx

Rebecca saves the day- By Susanna Stockdale

This is a story that my Aunty Susy did for me when I was little. Seeing as I write about me and my opinions on things and my life etc. I thought that I'd type up this story that was written for me, about me because it's a lovely story and my aunty is a very good writer! I hope you enjoy it :) 

Rebecca Saves the Day 

This is the story of Rebecca and how she became the bravest hero that ever walked the earth. Forget Princess Xena and Buffy, the famous vampire slayer, Rebecca was the greatest hero ever!

And here's how it all started.... 

Off To The Beach

The sun rose filling Rebecca's bedroom with light, and woke her from her deep sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled with excitement. Today Aunty Susy was visiting and they were going to go and play at the beach.

She stretched out her arms and stifled a yawn before jumping out of bed. Ryan, her little brother, was already awake, Rebecca could hear him laughing as he played with his toys. 
"Ryan!" She exclaimed with a grin, "We're going to the beach today! Come on, we've got to get ready."
"But I want to play with my toys." Ryan pouted as he stared longingly at his cars. 
Rebecca shrugged, "Well, I'm going." She paused for a moment, "I suppose you could bring your cars with you." 
Ryan smiled, "Good." He pushed three cars into the pockets of his shorts and began to run out of the room, "Let's go."
"Wait! I'm not dressed yet!" Rebecca laughed to herself. Well, she couldn't exactly go to the beach in her pajamas could she? 

Rebecca stood up and brushed the sand from her shorts before turning to face her Aunty.
"Can I go for a walk over there?" Rebecca pointed to the cluster of small rocks not far from where they sat. She knew from past visits to the beach that there were rock pools there. 
"I don't know..." Aunty Susy thought for a moment before nodding slowly, "As long as you stay where I can see you and don't wander off okay? No further than those rocks."
Rebecca smiled, "Thank-you, I'll be good, I promise."

She pulled on her sunglasses and headed for the rocks where she hoped to find lots of exciting creatures like little fish, and star fish, and crabs and...
She stopped suddenly, her foot hitting something hard and cold. It was a bottle. A glass bottle and there seemed to be something inside it. 

Rebecca pulled the bottle from the sand and removed the lid before tipping it upside down and shaking it. It seemed to take ages but moments later a small piece of paper fell out and floated to the ground. 
Rebecca opened out the paper and began to read the message inside. 

Rebecca stared at the paper, reading it again and again.
"But what can I do?" She asked herself, "How do I know it's real?"
"It's very real and Rebecca, you are their only hope."

Rebecca's eyes shot up and she found herself facing what looked like some kind of angel. She had wings but was dressed in the strangest way for an angel, in jeans and a t-shirt! She didn't look delicate like the angels Rebecca had seen in the pictures at church. 

Angel's expression was serious as she looked down at this little girl. Angel was troubled and couldn't even smile. "They need you." 
"Me?"
"Yes. You." 
"But I'm just a child, what good could I be? They need an adult." Rebecca glanced back quickly to where her Aunty was sitting, building a sandcastle with Ryan. "Let me get Aunty Susy, she could help you, she could-" 
"The message was sent to you."
"No, I just found it, anyone could have found it.""
"I led you to the bottle. You're the only one who can save them."
Rebecca shook her head, "I can't." 
Angel's eyes were full of sadness, "Then they will never know happiness again."
"It's too big, I can't do this on my own."
"You won't be alone Rebecca, I will be with you every step you take through everything you face." Angel smiled gently, "Even when you can't see me, I will be there."
"You say these people need me?"
Angel nodded, "More than you could ever understand."
Rebecca fell silent before taking a deep breath, "Then I will go."

Angel vanished suddenly, leaving Rebecca confused and wondering how on earth she was meant to begin her quest. She sat down on a rock and stared into the shallow pool below her. 
"What now?" She asked her reflection, "Where do I go from here?"

As if by magic, which it probably was, a door appeared at the bottom of the pool. Beside it, lay a beautiful golden sword which glimmered as the sunlight hit it. Angel's image appeared briefly before disappearing and Rebecca knew what she had to do. 
Rebecca stepped into the rock pool and reached down to open the door and, taking a deep breath, she grabbed the sword and jumped in. 

The Ocean Of Flowers

The darkness of the hole lasted but a few seconds and Rebecca suddenly realised that she was on a slide, a very tall slide, and the ground seemed miles away.

Flowers covered the land beneath her. Flowers of all kinds, colours, sizes... it looked like a sea which stretched forever, beyond what she could see, maybe it never ended. 

A large cluster of daffodils softened her landing and, as she slowly stood, Rebecca glanced back up the slide which was so tall it disappeared into the clouds. 

She breathed a sigh of relief, very happy to have her feet back on solid ground. 

As she stood, surveying the scene before her, it seemed that more and more flowers were appearing every second, blooming under the sunlit sky. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, like something out of a painting. 

But there was something not quite right. Something that spoilt the happy scene. Rebecca glanced around her, turning slowly in circles and then realised what it was. 

The sobbing came from somewhere near but at the same time it sounded quiet and distant. Rebecca's eyes scanned the land around her but rested on nothing but flowers. She shrugged, 

"Maybe I'm imagining things." She glanced around again, "Besides, I haven't got time to stand around, I must hurry, the King sounded urgent in his letter." She looked around one last time before taking a large step forward. 

"Aaarrrgggghh!!!!!"

The shout startled Rebecca and she stopped suddenly, staring down at the ground beneath her. 

"You great oath! Why don't you people watch where you're stepping?"

Rebecca peered down, her eyes searching through the stems of the flowers. "Where are you?"

"I'm here silly! You're staring right at me!"

Rebecca stared hard. No, she couldn't see a thing. 

"I'm here!"

"Where?"

"Here." 

"Ow!" Rebecca exclaimed as something pinched her bare toe. Looking down, she found the owner of the squeaky voice. 

The little elf clung to her toe. "Serves you right for nearly treading on me."

"I didn't do it on purpose. How am I supposed to see you if you're hiding down there?"

"I was no hiding." The elf placed her hands on her hips and stared up angrily. "I'm just little, I can't help being little."

"Who are you anyway? and why were you crying?"

"My name is Nissa and isn't it obvious why I was crying?"

"Not really."

"Ha! You must be crazy if you don't know what's going on here." Nissa took a deep breath, "Unwin has captured King Orion and his people. He has taken over the castle and is banishing all fun and happiness from the world and-" 

"Oh, I know all about that."

"Then why did it seem strange that I was crying?"

"Well, this place is so pretty, I couldn't imagine that Unwin had harmed it."

"It's only a matter of time before my beautiful home is devoured by Unwin's darkness." Tears welled up in Nissa's eyes, "The grass will turn to rock, the flowers will die, no creature would be able to survive that."

"Then I should go now, I've no time to lose," Rebecca stared in awe at the flowers and colour around her, "I just can't let that happen to this place."

Nissa laughed, "What good can you do?"

Rebecca scowled and stood up straight trying to muster up all the courage she could find, "I have been called on this quest and I will succeed."

"I wouldn't bet on it."

Rebecca's expression softened, "Look, why don't you come with me?"

Nissa shook her head firmly, "No. No way. I'm not that stupid. I'm definitely not going to mess with Unwin, he's evil and nasty."

Rebecca shrugged, "Okay then, I will go on alone."

Nissa watched as Rebecca headed off, wading through the sea of flowers as they got taller and taller. Nissa had enjoyed their conversation, even if she hadn't seemed to. She hadn't had anyone to talk to in a long time. She began to break into a run. 

"WAIT!" She sprinted as fast as she could, which is something elves are very good at, until she caught up with her new friend, "WAIT!" 

Rebecca stopped, her eyes lit up in delight at the thought of having some company on her quest. "Yes Nissa?"

"Maybe, maybe I've changed my mind." Nissa looked away shyly, "I think I'd like to come after all." 

The Glimmering Path

"Are you sure I'm going to like this?" Rebecca paused, holding the acorn cup millimetres away from her lips.

"Of course!" Nissa exclaimed, "Everyone knows that honeysuckle is the sweetest drink that was ever created."

"But it came from a flower." Rebecca scrunched her face up in disgust, "I don't think we're meant to eat flowers." 

"It's the nectar, you can drink that, but only from honeysuckle. Try it, it's lovely."

"Okay, okay." Rebecca drank from the acorn cup and licked her lips, "Mmmmmm, that was yummy."

"It's magical nectar, it will stop you getting thirsty on our journey, and it will build up your strength too."

Rebecca leant back against the broad oak tree trunk and stared up at the moonlit sky, "I hope Aunty Susy isn't mad at me, I promised her I'd stay where she could see me."

"I'm sure she'll understand when you tell her about the quest."

"But how am I ever going to get back home?" Rebecca frowned, "What if I'm stuck here forever?"

Nissa looked away. How was she meant to answer such questions? She wasn't wise or magical, she had no way to make Rebecca feel better. "We need rest Rebecca, maybe an answer will come in the morning." 

"Yes, maybe, I hope so." Rebecca closed her eyes and thought of her family. Of her mother and father, her brother Ryan, would they all miss her? Would they be angry with her when she got back? If she every managed to return home. 

"Rebecca, Rebecca wake up." Nissa prodded Rebecca's leg but, after no response, she mustered up all her strength and lifted Rebecca's hand as high as she could before letting it drop to the ground. "REBECCA!"

"Hmmm?" Rebecca slowly began to wake up. She rubbed her eyes. "What's wrong Nissa?"

"Rebecca, there's a, a thing, a scary thing, what if it's going to eat us?"

"What?" Rebecca sat up quickly. She shielded her eyes from the magnificent light which seemed to surround them and glanced around for whatever frightening thing it was that Nissa had spotted. 

As her eye became used to the light Rebecca couldn't help but smile. There, standing before her, was Angel. 

Angel smiled back, looking a little happier than she had been the previous day but her eyes still showed worry. 

"Rebecca, you've done well and I know you need rest but there is still such a long, long way to go." Angel reached out her hand and helped Rebecca stand, "Come, I must show you something, up here." 

Rebecca looked up as Angel began to fly, weaving her way in and out of the tree branches, "Come on!" 

Rebecca sighed and began to climb the tree, "Wait, slow down, I can't climb as fast as you can fly."

Rebecca was worn out when she finally reached the top and it seemed like she was so high up that she could almost touch the clouds. "This had better be worth it Angel." 

"Look." Angel pointed to what just seemed to be a small speck on the horizon. "That is your destination."

"That?" Rebecca squinted, hoping it would make her see whatever it was more clearly. "Is that the castle?"

"Yes. And, that glimmering path you see across the land is the way you must take."

"But it's so far."

"Things aren't always what they seem."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just remember the path Rebecca, there will be signs along the way but it only glimmers from above, you must remember it."

"That's impossible."

"I will be guiding you too. Remember what I said Rebecca, I will never leave your side."

"This is getting too hard Angel, must too hard. Please, can't I just go home?"

"It is your decision, but you've come so far already. Do you really want to give up now?"

Facing Danger

"Can we stop now?" Nissa paused, taking a few deep breaths, "My legs are hurting"

"How can they be hurting? I'm carrying you."

"Well, they just are." Nissa pouted, "Can we stop now?"

"No." Rebecca continued walking, her pace quickening, "We have to get to the castle."

"But it's taking forever."

"It wouldn't seem so long if you stopped thinking about it."

"Rebecca?"

"What now?"

"Um, it's just, um, have you noticed something?"

"What?"

"The grass, it's gone, it's just rock." Nissa peered down at the ground, "The flowers are grey, the flowers are never grey in this land."

"Then we must hurry even more, we've got to get away from-" 

"STAND AND DELIVER!"

"Aaarrggghh Rebecca, look, pixies, all around us, everywhere!" Nissa screamed in terror, "We're surrounded." 

Rebecca laughed, "What's there to be scared of? They're only little, they're-" 

"Have you ever met a pixie before?"

"Well, no, but-" 

"Then you don't know what you're up against. Their size is deceiving."

Rebecca decided to make a run for it but as she stepped forward her ankles hit against a thick piece of rope and she stumbled. 

The pixies took their chance and surrounded her, poking her ankles with their sharp little spears.

"Ow, get off me, ow." Rebecca kicked her legs out and sent a few of the pixies flying but the others still continued to wrap the rope around her. "Get off me!"

Rebecca screamed as loud as she could, hoping to care them away but they just laughed. Their high pitched laughter echoed through the forest which had grown around them. 

Was this the end of her quest? Was she going to be defeated so soon? And by a bunch of tiny, annoying pixies?

"Get off me you silly little creatures!" Rebecca shouted, suddenly gaining strength. She pushed them aside with her hands, got to her feet and, after collecting Nissa, she broke into a run.

The grey forest seemed endless and Rebecca began to wonder if she would be trapped there forever. The she remembered Angel's kind words, that she would always be there. 

"Angel! Help us! Please!" Rebecca stared up at the blue sky which seemed so far away.

"Rebecca! Watch out! There's-" 

"Ow!"

A tree suddenly appeared in their path. It's bright green leaves made it stand out from the rest and, set in its trunk was a large golden door. Very much like the one Rebecca had seen in the rock pool. Rebecca took just a second to rub her sore head before pulling open the door eagerly entering. 

It was bright inside the tree, the light was almost blinding but at least it felt safe. What was odd though, was that they appeared to be standing in a long corridor which stretched on at least a mile each way. Before them were three doors.

The doors were all the same size. Yet one was bronze, one was silver and one was gold.

Nissa shook her head in despair, this was all getting too much for her. She would probably have done better to stay sobbing under her little flower. "Which one are you going to open?"

"I, I don't know." Rebecca stared at them thoughtfully, "What if I pick the wrong one?"

"Let's not think about that. Let's be positive."

"Well, it could be.... um, well," Rebecca's mind raced and then it all came clear. "The gold door, it's the gold door."

"How come you're so certain all of a sudden?"

"it's obvious, the gold has been guiding me ever since I began this quest." Rebecca grinned in delight, "It would be stupid of me not to follow that way."

"Well," Nissa said grimly, "I just hope you're right."

Dragons

"Yuck, Unwin must have already got here too." Rebecca said in disgust, lifting her feet from the mud-like ground. "And it's all so, so-"

"Boring and colourless." Nissa almost lost her balance on Rebecca's shoulder as Rebecca nearly slipped over. 

"Hang on a minute." Rebecca stopped after they had taken a few more steps, "This isn't mud at all." 

"It isn't?"

"No, I think it's... wait," Rebecca leant over and dipped her finger in the brown 'mud'. She straightened out before sticking her finger in her mouth and licking it. 

"Yuck!" Nissa exclaimed, "What did you do that for?"

"Yep, I was right!" Rebecca grinned excitedly, "It's chocolate!" 

"Really? All of it?"

Rebecca shrugged, "It seems to be. Hey, do you think those trees over there are chocolate too?"

"Why don't you try it?"

Rebecca rushed over to the tree and pulled off a brown leaf. She lifted Nissa and placed her carefully on a branch. "Shall I risk it?"

Nissa nodded, "It definitely smells like chocolate." 

Rebecca pushed the whole leaf into her mouth and began to munch, she smiled "Wow! That's the best chocolate I've ever tasted!" 

"This land is amazing." Nissa grinned, "Maybe we could just stay here forever, it feels so safe. Come on, let's see what else there is." Nissa jumped back onto Rebecca's shoulder and they headed off into the woods. 

They had been walking for about half an hour when Rebecca began to notice a change in the chocolate ground.

It was getting more and more difficult to walk on it and in some places she even found herself sinking. 

She longed to stop for a rest, her feet were aching and her tummy was hurting too, from all the chocolate she had eaten. But there was no-where at all for them to rest, everywhere was turning soggy and gooey and sticky. Yuck. 

"Are you okay Rebecca?"

Rebecca nodded slowly, "I'll be fine, I'm just a little tired that's all."

"I'm sure we'll find somewhere soon, that friend of yours, Angel, she'll give us somewhere to sleep." Nissa said, sounding more confident than she felt. This place wasn't nearly as amazing as she'd first thought it was. 

It was then that they heard an almighty roar which seemed to fill the forest. The trees seemed to shake with fear.

"Um, Rebecca?"

"Yes?"

"Did you hear that?"

"Um, yes, it, um, sounded very near," Rebecca wanted to stop walking but she couldn't. She knew that if she did then she would just sink in the melting chocolate. 

Nissa gasped and pointed to a nearby cave which had formed in the trunk of one of the chocolate trees. "L-l-l-l-look, it's a, a, well, one of them things."

Rebecca took a moment to catch her breath, "A dragon." 

The vicious looking dragon crawled out of his cave and eyed them up hungrily. He began to creep forward breathing fire as he went. The fire was so hot that the chocolate was melting beneath him. He roared again. 

Nissa, jumping in fright leapt off Rebecca's shoulder and clung to a nearby branch of a tree, hoping it would hide her from the frightening creature. 

"Rebecca! Up here! Quick! He's going to eat you!"

"It's no use Nissa, he'll just melt the tree down." Rebecca wanted to cry but she couldn't show she was afraid, she had to face up to this dragon, she had to be brave. Heroes are always brave. 

The dragon was getting closer and closer but Rebecca tried to stand her ground. She didn't move an inch and then she remembered. The golden sword. 

She drew the sword and began to fight off the dragon with incredible strength and courage. But the dragon was clever and used to such battles and Rebecca accidentally dropped the sword into the bubbling chocolate. 

Nissa watched on in fear wishing there was some way she could help when suddenly another dragon flew down from the sky and scooped Rebecca up in his claws. 

Nissa jumped up quickly catching hold of Rebecca's feet as they zoomed past her tree. 

Rebecca's heart was beating faster and faster- what was going to happen to them now? 

"Let me go! Let me go!"

"I don't think you want me to do that." The dragon's voice was surprisingly soft and gentle, "It's a very long way to fall. Don't worry, we will land very very soon and then you will get your rest."

"Where are you taking us? Land now! Down there!" Rebecca demanded. But as she pointed, the land beneath them turned to sea, an ocean which stretched for miles and miles. 

"I think you'd get a bit wet if we landed there." The dragon smiled, "Are you a good swimmer?"

Rebecca sighed, it was no use. She'd failed in her quest and now she going to be eaten up by an evil dragon. She would have let down Angel, the King Orion, and would never see her family again. 

"Well don't I get any thanks?" he dragon smiled to himself. 

"For what?"

"I just saved your life. And the life of your little friend, hello down there by the way." He twisted his long neck down to greet Nissa who was still clinging to Rebecca's feet.

"But, but aren't you going to eat us?"

"No! Why would I want to do a thing like that? You humans taste horrible." The dragon laughed sweetly. "No, Angel sent me, she was watching over you, just like she promised."

"But I lost my sword."

"Don't worry about that, I'm sure Angel has many more. Now, can you see that place in the distance?"

Rebecca looked up to see a bright glimmering light on the horizon. It was beautiful. Like the sun only a thousand times brighter and a million times better. 

"Well..." The dragon continued, "That's the City of Gold."

The City of Gold

The dragon, whose name was Nemo, landed on the banks of the golden river which led to the City of gold. 

The river was wide and it shone in the glorious sunshine. Nearby, resting on a huge rock, was another golden sword and Rebecca took it in her hands. It was even more beautiful than the last one. 

"We have to take a boat from here." Nemo explained, "The City of Gold can only be entered by the river, for there is no-where for a dragon to land within those walls.

"But where do we find a boat?" Rebecca asked. 

"Over there!" Nissa exclaimed in delight, pointing to a small golden rowing boat, "Wow, everything's so pretty here."

Nemo placed a claw on the boat to steady it and pointed with his wing, he bowed, "Your chariot awaits you dear Rebecca."

Rebecca giggled and jumped down into the boat. She held out her hand for Nissa before settling down to row. Nemo say at the head of the boat, watching the approaching City. 

"I never believed I would see this place." Nissa stared up in awe at the castle before them. "It's real, it's really real, I always thought it was just a fairy story."

"It is amazing isn't it?" Nemo bowed his head in reverence. 

Each brick was a brick of golf and each window made of the finest crystal. It all sparkled and glittered but Rebecca could see the darkness which was spreading across one of the towers.

Her eyes were drawn to the long window and, as they grew nearer, Rebecca could just make out the image of a dark-clocked figure. His face was in the shadows but as their boat passed under the bride and into the court yard, his eyes followed them. 

It was very eerie but Rebecca didn't feel any fear, just anger at what this man had done to the beautiful world around her. She turned to Nemo. 

"That was Unwin wasn't I?"

She glanced back to the window but Unwin had disappeared. 

The True Hero

Rebecca, spurred on by anger, stepped onto the solid gold floor and headed confidently through the open doors of the castle. Nemo and Nissa followed nervously behind, half wishing that they hadn't got caught up all of this. 

"You silly, silly child."

Rebecca stared defiantly at Unwin who had suddenly appeared before them.

"What ridiculous hope you have in thinking you can defeat me!" Unwin laughed cruelly, it echoed around the large room, "I'll make sure you're trapped here forever, you'll never see your world again!"

Rebecca paused for a moment, her bottom lip began to quiver and the tears welled up in her eyes. Unwin was right. What good could she do? She was just a child. 

"Rebecca. Remember, you'e the only one who can help."

Rebecca's eyes searched the room for Angel but she was no-where to be seen. Her voice filled the room again.

"Unwin is afraid, he knows how important you are."

"No I'm not!" Unwin protested nervously, "Who are you? Go away! Demon!" 

"Can't you see his fear Rebecca?"

Rebecca felt a smile spreading across her lips. She drew her sword and help it before her, she could feel the power flowing through her hands.

"Nemo? Nissa?" She addressed her new friends, "Go and find the prisoners, the King Orion and his people, set them free, I will deal with Unwin."

Nemo and Nissa disappeared through a door towards the side of the room while Rebecca focussed her attention on the battle she was about to fight. 

Unwin drew his sword and lurched forward but the power of the golden sword protected Rebecca. She fought back with strength, blocking every move that Unwin made. 

They seemed to go on like this for ages, Rebecca's courage growing each time as Unwin's fear also grew. 

As Rebecca fought, she never grew weary and she felt the presence of Angel beside her. 

"Are you afraid of me now Unwin?"

Unwin hesitated a moment, "I, I, no, no I'm not." He stumbled and, as Rebecca raised her sword above him, Unwin's whole body turned to dust. Rebecca stopped, suddenly feeling breathless. She turned to Angel, "How....?" 

"Your courage Rebecca." Angel smiled, "The courage in your heart defeated him."

"I've completed my quest?"

"We found hem!" Nissa exclaimed, she was sat on Nemo's head and they followed King Orion into the room. 

"Where's Unwin?"

"Rebecca defeated him." Angel said proudly, "He's gone forever."

Rebecca looked away shyly and shrugged, "It was what I had to do." 

"And for that," King Orion took her hand in his and squeezed it, "You will always be honoured in our world."

Rebecca smiled, "Thank-you."

"Now what can I give you as a reward?"

"Oh, I don't want anything."

"Nothing at all?"

"Just... well..."

"Yes?" King Orion waited patiently. 

Rebecca thought for a moment, "Could I come back here whenever I want?"

King Orion laughed in delight, "Of course you can! We will always provide a way back won't we Angel?"

"I'll take care of it." Angel nodded, "Whenever you want to visit the City of Gold, you just tell me okay Rebecca?"

"Thanks." Rebecca grinned, "I suppose I should be going home now."

"I'll fly you back!" Nemo said excitedly, "I've always wanted to see what your world was like!"

"And me! I'll come too!" Nissa exclaimed, "Please?"

Rebecca climbed on to Nemo's back and waved goodbye to King Orion and Angel. "I'll see you soon!" Nemo ran towards the doorway, beginning to flap his wings and as soon as they were out in the court yard he took off into the sky. 

They were flying very high and as they travelled towards home, Rebecca studied the land beneath them. They passed over all the places she had seen. The golden river, the land of chocolate and the ocean of flowers, and saw more besides. 

"Look! There they are!" She could just about see Aunty Susy and Ryan playing on the sand. "Wow! They don't look worried at all!"

"That's because they can still see you! Look!" Nemo nodded his head to the rock pools where an image of Rebecca sat, staring down into the pool. "No time has passed in your world."

"So I still get to have fun at the beach!" Rebecca exclaimed in delight, "Wow!" 

"I've never been to the seaside before." Nissa told her, "Maybe I could stay with you?" 

"Of course you can Nissa!" Rebecca grinned as Nemo landed beside the rock pools. "You can stay forever!"

And so, that is the story of how it all happened, of how Rebecca braved the dangers of a strange world and defeated the evil Unwin. 

The End

Big thank you to my Aunty Susy (Susanna Stockdale now Gentil) for writing this for me! I've loved this story since the first time you gave it to me and I will keep it always! :) xx