Tired

Ella tapped her pen against her mouth, her face squished by the pressure of her hand as she leaned against it. She knew she didn't look too gorgeous at this very moment but all she could think about was how tired she was. Her eyelids were heavy and they begged to be shut. All she wanted was this maths lesson to end, to go home. Twisting her neck towards the clock at the back of the room she saw she still had 20 minutes left. Her eyes floated past the equations on the bored. Not bothering to even try to answer them. For the rest of the lesson she listened to the sound of her teacher droning on and on about the making A the subject. When he finally called to pack up Ella lazily packed away her things. Boredom was still evident in her eyes but a small patch of relief was there too. The bell rang. She drifted out of the room, down the steps and towards the gate gleaming in the sickly yellow sunlight. 

 

"Ella wait for me" shouted Tam from way behind her. Tam was hobbling her way towards Ella at an exaggerated pace. Tam and Ella had been friends since year 7, when they were put in the same English set and form. However lately Ella had been feeling distant from Tam who had suddenly become more interested in her new friends from drama. They just weren't the same together anymore, Tam's life was more exciting whilst Ella was always tired and liked her small friendship group. She didn't want new friends, she didn't want the ones she had now to leave to go to new sixth forms either. She wanted them all to stay together till uni at least. However all Ella wanted right now was for Tam to leave her alone. She wanted to get home. Go to sleep. 

"Ella, how was maths" squeaked Tam in her pitchy voice. 

"Fine I guess" Ella dragged out with false enthusiasm. (She should of picked drama with how good she had become at faking things lately.)

"That's good, well English was great. You'll never guess who Miss sat me next to. Only Marcus. Flipping Marcus. You know I've had the biggest crush on him since like. I don't know year 8?" Shrilled Tam 

"Maybe your get your chance with him this year" Ella smiled. 

"I hope so, well best be off I'm meeting Natalie at the park. She says we need to start looking for prom dresses so we get the best ones. I'll see you later El's" Tam called out behind her as she skipped away from the gates. 

Prom. Ella hadn't even thought about it yet, it was the first day back. Tam was way too excited for something that hadn't even been announced yet. She walked out of the gates and crossed the road. Her journey wasn't too long she lived like 10 minutes from the school, didn't stop her from being late most days though. 

Turning her key in the lock, Ella slammed the front door open hitting the wall and adding more depth to the dent already there. Swinging the door shut behind her Ella rushed up to her room, she dropped her bag on the floor. Collapsing on her bed. Within 10 minutes she was tucked up in her covers (still in her uniform) drifting off to sleep. That was until her phone started screeching from her blazer pocket. 

"Ugh" she groaned. 

Pulling the phone from her pocket, lazily eyeing the blurred name on the screen. It was Tam. They had literally spoken 20 minutes ago what did she want now thought Ella. 

"Hey" muttered Ella answering the phone her eyes slowly starting to close again. 

"Ella I need your help" whispered Tam her voice thick with anxiety. 

"What is it Tam, I'm really busy with all this coursework" lied Ella as she pulled her duvet tighter around her.

"Well it's just Natalie isn't here and ..." 

"Is this really important Tam, if you just want to gossip because your bored and Natalie's left you then ring someone else. I've got to go." Interrupted Ella. 

"No Ella seriously, just stay on the ..." Tam's words were rushed and full of panic. 

"Bye Tam" uttered Ella before she hit the end button, falling asleep almost instantly. 

Almost 4 hours later Ella woke up to her mums soft, sensitive voice. Something was wrong. 

"Ella, babe. We need to talk can you sit up please" soothed Ella's mum. 

"What mum! I'm so tired can't it wait till later" moaned Ella 

"No it can't, it's important. Please Ella" urged her mum. 

"Fine but if it's something stupid I honestly am going to be so angry" stropped Ella, pulling herself into a sitting position her head leaning uncomfortably against her headboard. 

"I need to you to keep calm, Ella. Okay? " Ella knew something was up, her usual fun and `not bothered about anything’ mum was acting strange. Concerned? Anxious even. 

"Your freaking me out mum, just tell me" Ella sat up straight, her fingers twitching nervously in her lap. 

"It's Tam, she didn't come home earlier. She missed her dance club and hasn't rung her mum or dad. No one can get hold of her. Have you heard anything" 

Suddenly a lump grew in Ella's throat, she could feel herself choking on the lie she had told Tam earlier. 

"Um I mean she rang me earlier but she seemed fine. I mean a little bit nervous but she's just shy and anyway I might be wrong we didn't talk for long I was knackered" guilt dripped off of Ella's words. 

"Okay well, I don't want you to panic. Just if you hear anything else from her then tell me. Her mums been ringing the house phone for ages trying to get through and see if she was here. Everyone's really worried" said Ella mums who was carefully stroking Ella's now shaking hands. 

"Yeah I'll let you know, um I've got coursework to do soo yeah." Ushered Ella 

"Alright, just shout if you hear anything at all. Your dinners in the microwave you were asleep when I dished it up" said Ella's mum as she got to her feet, heading for the door. 

"Uh hm, I'll have it later" muttered Ella wanting her mum to leave. 

As soon as she was gone Ella rummaged around her bed on all fours looking for her phone. 

Clunk. It had fallen on the floor. Almost throwing herself down with it, Ella grasped the phone unlocking it immediately. 6 missed calls from Tam's mum, 3 from from Tam, 10 unanswered text messages from her and 1 voicemail too. Along with the usual notifications from Twitter and Facebook. Rushing with her shaky hands Ella quickly opened the texts. Her eyes bulged with panic as she read each one. 

 

Ella please pick up 

ELLA! 

Please I need help. I don't want to gossip.

El's there's a man. He's following me.

He won't go Ella.

He just pulled up and followed me to the park. 

I don't know where Natalie is. 

I'm so scared he keeps getting closer. 

Please pick up 

Ella please. 

Almost dropping her phone from her shaking hands, Ella opened up the voicemail Tam had left. 

"Hey Ella, your not answering right now but I was just wondering where you are. You said you would be here 5 minutes ago and my mums coming really soon to get me. Anyway yeah so umm.." Ella could tell this was all a rouse, Tam was trying to scare whoever this guy was away. 

"Umm yeah so please hurry up. Like please hurry up or pick up. Or something. ELLA PLEASE!"Her voice slowly got quieter and quieter. 

"Ella he's getting closer. I don't know what to do. I can't run. Nobody's here. Ella I'm so scared." Whispered Tam 

Within an instant though her voice changed from almost silent to shrieking. 

"ELLA PLEASE PICK UP! NO NO LET GO OF ME! STOP! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS! LET GO OF ME, ELLA!" Tam was screaming. Ella could hear as the man grabbed Tam's black puffy coat. She heard it crinkle under his finger tips. She heard his rough, foreign accent furiously trying to shut Tam up. She heard every thwack as Tam was hit. Every crunch of his heavy boots as they hit a bone whilst he kicked her. His grunts of anger, of desperation, of hate. The final thing she heard was an ear piercing screech from Tam. That was the final thing before the message ended. Possible the last sound she would ever hear come from her best friends mouth. 

Ella's mouth went dry. Her eyes started to well with tears, reliving every moment of that message. Why hadn't she stayed on the phone. She was so stupid and selfish. Why did she have to lie. It's her fault she thought. Tam could be dead because she was tired and didn't want to stay on the phone. A sob erupted through her body as she screeched "MUM!"  

Whilst sitting with her phone in her hand. Her eyes locked on the black screen. 

Staring blankly. 

Within seconds she heard her mums heavy, panicked footsteps running up the stairs. 

A yummy recipe

Chocolate Cupcakes 

(This recipe makes 32 singular cupcakes; however if you follow the decorating steps you will be left with 16 cupcakes)

Ingredients: 

Flour - 280g

Caster sugar - 400g 

Cocoa powder - 80g 

Baking powder - 2 teaspoons 

Salt - 1 teaspoon 

2 eggs 

Milk - 225ml 

Lemon 

Oil -225ml

Vanilla extract 

Boiling water - 225ml 

Butter - 340g 

Icing sugar - 560g

Glacier cherries 

Equipment: 

Measuring jug 

Large mixing bowl 

Scales 

Wooden spoon 

3x Metal spoons 

Cupcake cases 

Baking tray

Measuring spoons 

Knife 

Sieve 

Kettle 

Large glass 

Piping bag 

1. Firstly measure out 225ml of milk with a measuring jug and pour it into a glass. 

2. Secondly cut your lemon in half and add one squeeze to your milk. Making sure not to drop in any pips. Leave it to sit for half an hour. 

3. Whilst your milk is waiting you can measure out your other ingredients with your scales and measuring spoons. 

4. After half an hour preheat your oven to 140 degrees celsius. 

5. Then add your flour, sugar and cocoa powder to a bowl (making sure to sieve both the flour and cocoa powder) and mix together using your wooden spoon. 

6. Next add in your baking powder and salt, stir again. 

7. Once your dry ingredients have been incorporated add 2 eggs to the mixture along with the milk and oil. Plus add in 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. 

8. Combine the wet and dry ingredients to create a thick mixture. 

9. After all the ingredients have been incorporated boil the kettle and add   225ml of hot water to the rest of the      mixture. Make sure to stir quickly so                      the eggs do not cook. 

10. Place your cupcake cases on your baking tray (this recipe should make 32 singular cupcakes). 

11. Using one metal spoon to scoop some of the mixture and the another to catch any falling mixture place 2 large spoonfuls of mixture into each case. 

12. Once all of your cases are full place the tray in the oven for 20-25 minutes. You will know the cakes are done if when you poke a knife inside, it comes out clean. 

13. Whilst the cakes are baking you can make a start on your icing. First measure out your butter and icing sugar. 

14. Add your butter to a large bowl and mix vigorously to soften it. 

15. Once your butter is soft begin to add in the icing sugar in small quantities. Mixing throughly before adding the next load. 

16. After your icing fully incorporated it should be light and airy. To finish add in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and stir again. 

17. Put all of your icing into a piping bag and place this in the fridge until your cakes are baked and cool. 

18. Remove the cakes from the oven, leaving them too cool down for at least 1 hour. 

19. Take one of your cakes and pipe a layer of icing on top of it. 

20. Next remove another cake from its case and place this on top of the other cake. 

21. Pipe a small dot of icing to the top of the cake in order to secure your 2 cherries.  

22. Finally use a sieve to lightly dust some icing sugar over the top of the cake. 

Acrostic poetry

I am ...

Intent on being happy 

Amazingly talented at making my friends laugh 

Madly in love with period dramas 

Seriously devoted to my education 

Procrastinations number one fan despite this

Exasperating at times 

Cautious when it comes to making decisions 

Inspiring apparently 

Accepting of anyone and everyone 

Living my life in fast forward currently 

Immensely proud of all my achievements 

Notorious for speaking too much 

Mega obsessed with the royal family 

Young yet mature... mostly 

Open to trying new things 

Warmhearted 

Nervous a lot of the time  

Weird but wonderful 

A good secret keeper 

Yearning to learn everything I can 

Appalling at maths 

Not one to give up 

Determined to make positive changes  

Imaginative 

Likely to be found reading a book 

Impulsive when it comes to changing my hair style 

Kind of sleep deprived

Extra, as the kids would say 

Worried about the future 

Half, that's literally what my name means 

Observant of my surroundings 

Interested in all of history 

Actually quite good at pulling off pranks 

Mindful of others 

The "figure" and him.

The wind grazed his skin, vexing around him. Surrounding him. It watched as he stumbled home, tripping on his broken sole. His mind trembled with emotion. He blocked out the world. Ignoring the sharp tongued wind and the stabbing splash of rain just beginning to fall. He was dazed, a stomach full of bubbling alcohol. A mind full of bubbling thoughts. He didn't hear the footsteps behind him at first, not until the rain started to fall heavily. They began to grow louder. Echoing in the puddles forming on the gravel. 

The alcohol had consumed him though, the footsteps didn't seem important. They were quite calming. Every splatter creating a beat. He kept walking, growing fond of the sound. It soothed him, left him dazed. More dazed then the alcohol had. His steps became more messy. The uneven path becoming more of a struggle. The soaking ground started to blur into grey. Swaying side to side he slowed down. Coming to a halt all together. The footsteps stopped. His head banged and his stomach growled viciously. No longer able to see he bent forward trying to steady himself but his drunken state left him laying on the floor. Wet and confused. The splatters began again, the pounding of hard leather against crumbling gravel. The grating sound pierced through his ears and he keeled onto his side. Abruptly the footsteps stopped. So did the rain. A darkness washed over his entire self. He felt nothing, he always felt something. Even if it was a little something. Now he only felt alone... Hopeless.

His eyes blinked open. A figure stood above him. Completely black, it didn't seem human. He saw a glint of glimmering silver and started to shift away. Crawling backwards in a hazed speed. His hands shredding, the gravel drawing blood. The figure watched curiously... Not moving. Yet still edging the silver object from his pocket out. In a scramble he was on his feet. The blackness pulled out the shiny object. A knife. Slick and sharp. It's desire to take life was evident. He could feel it's cravings for blood. It was alluring. He wanted to get closer but his whole body screamed with fire to leg it. So he did. Not quick enough in his intoxicated state though. The figure managed to slice a clean chunk of human flesh from his side. He limped as fast as he could away, pressing his hand to the broken flesh. He felt the current red blood dripping from his side. Leaving a trail. He was almost like a snail, leaving a pathway to follow. Moving slowly. Giving the figure a chance to crush his shell. 

He looked back still dragging himself as fast as he could but the figure just walked at a causal pace. Wiping his blade across his sleeve, the blood glinting in the moonlight. It was hypnotising. He couldn't tell if everything that was happening was real. If his drunk state was making him imagine this. The figure looked up and he could feel his smirk even-though he couldn't see it. It sped up, each leg pumping forward. Faster with every step. He tried to run, his side shrieking in agony. It ripped as he run.   He was running as fast as he could. Every tear of his skin burned like fire. With aching legs he had to slow down. Ready to give up he turned. Grabbing his side he crouched down. Giving himself to the darkness. Afraid yet longing for death. The figure was close behind, it was hovering above him within moments. Stealing all memories of joy and goodness. 

Leaning down the figure looked deep into his eyes, he could tell it saw his pain. His grief. A sharp flick hit is chin. The blood trickling down his neck. Another stab to his chest came moments after. One to his arm. Another to his leg and another and another. One more to his right arm. One in his left side. The final one right through his gut. Seeming to have no conscience left the figure leaned in closer. It spoke. "I'll leave you here to bleed but you won't die. I won't take you from the pain your feeling inside. I want you to suffer. I want to bring you to the brink. Let you survive then drag you back again. Give you a glimpse of happiness. Then snatch it back. Your craving for death won't be fulfilled for a long time. I'll never leave you, no doctor can ever heal you completely. Because I'll be watching you making sure your never whole." The words leaked with pure evil, anger and hatred. It stood above him one last time watching him before stalking away with the glimmering knife dripping at his side. 

He laid on the path, feeling the blood drain from all the holes in his body. It seeped through his fingers, thick and gloopy. It was the darkest red, darker then mahogany. It poured from him all over the ground. The grey and red mixing in a deadly shade of black. That's how he felt black. Empty. No fear, no pain. He just felt an overwhelming sense of darkness. He knew that tomorrow he would wake up fine. This had happened before, the alcohol had just messed with his brain. He would wake up alone again. Sad, depressed and empty. He would search for good only to find a bottle of whisky instead. That would have to do.