Featherfall

By Lauren Cruddas

Violets epic journey into the world she was born of, yet knows nothing about, will be a roller coaster. The twists and turns of her life will tear her apart, but who will pick up the pieces? Make her feel whole again? Violet is destined for great things, great conquests, at the sacrifice of great love. If her will power, her love, isnt strong enough . . were all doomed.

Violet is weird, geeky, and has a strangely fascinating gift. Her eyes change colour. As Violet learns more about her gift and life, she will face more than she ever expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Oct 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483683980

Lauren Cruddas

Lauren is a fifteen-year-old girl who lives in east London with her family and her Yorkie, Bob. This is her first book, hopefully of many. Lauren wants to write full time, but in many different genres. She also wants to give her readers the chance to feel emotions they may never have thought of and give them an opportunity to view the world from a different perspective. Her passion comes from the support of her friends and family, as well as her romantic side.

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Copyright © 2013 by Lauren Cruddas.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 10/28/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

0-800-056-3182

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

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Contents

Chapter 1     Today My Life Starts Afresh

Chapter 2     Getting My Brother Back

Chapter 3     Hero or Villain?

Chapter 4     The Shortest Day at School Ever

Chapter 5     Cops and Love

Chapter 6     Falling in Love with My Saviour

Chapter 7     Dinner with an Original Dessert

Chapter 8     Business as Usual, ‘Act Normal’!

Chapter 9     A Sleepless Night

Chapter 10   A Crappy Morning with Nowhere Near Enough Coffee

Chapter 11   Study-I Mean Sleepy Hall

Chapter 12   Controlled Mayhem

Chapter 13   The Road Trip from Hell

Chapter 14   Pit Stop (Also from Hell)

Chapter 15   What Happened to Privacy?

Chapter 16   It’s a Date.

Chapter 17   They Got a Thing for Each Other? (How Did I Not See This Coming?)

Chapter 18   Our Family Conference

Chapter 19   Golden Light

Chapter 20   Power

Chapter 21   ‘Accidents’ Happen

Chapter 22   I Have Seriously Bad Taste

Chapter 23   Getting to Know You, Getting to Know—Nothing about You

Chapter 24   The Truth Isn’t Easy

Chapter 25   Everyone Knew but Me!

Chapter 26   Ooh, I Do Love a Good Ol’ Fight Scene

Chapter 27   Training—How Am/Meant to Save Us All?

Chapter 28   Home Sweet Home

Chapter 29   Happy Birthday to Me

Chapter 30   The Party Is Only Just Getting Started

Chapter 31   The Gatecrashers

Chapter 32   The Rescue Party Rolls In

Chapter 33   The Saddest Story I Think, I May Have Ever Heard

Chapter 34   Air Attack and Evasive Manoeuvres

Chapter 35   What Just Happened?

Chapter 36   The Final Battle Begins

For Abigail, for always believing in the dream, for Maison, for giving me the ambition to dream, for Mum and Dad, for making me the person I am, for Danny, for making me laugh whenever you could and protecting me from the bad guys, for James, David, Stephen and the rest of the girls, for always being there for me through thick and thin, as well as for Miss Clump for giving me the inspiration to get here, and for all the people who read, the ones who have never been brave enough to say I am good enough—you are, you deserve happiness—never forget to be proud of who you are, what you stand for, and what you can do. Don’t write this off as cliché; be yourself, because that is the most perfect person you can be.

This is for you all.

Chapter 1

Today My Life Starts Afresh

The pungent smell of petrol fills my nose, leaving me wondering ‘why have I bothered to come?’ ‘This wasn’t my idea,’ I keep saying over and over, but something was stopping me from turning around and going home. I look around for someone out on the street. No one. My distraction opens the perfect opportunity for someone lurking in the darkness. That’s when he grabs me, twisting my arm behind my back and forcing me into the shadows.

Violet, what are you doing here? hisses the hooded figure, who still holds my arm behind my back.

What? Who are you? Let me go! I grit my teeth, wriggling my arm free as the guy takes a step back like he is shocked. I know I should have taken his shock as a chance to run, but something about the guy holds me in place.

You… you… you don’t remember me? he manages to stammer before falling back against the building I’d been walking next to; the light hits him and radiates off his skin. He is gorgeous; wavy, jet black hair, with just one curl long enough to reach his perfectly sculpted eyebrows. This drew my attention to his eyes. They sparkle like diamonds. It takes me a while to process what makes them so attractive; they aren’t right! A seductive purple beam bears into my own eyes as if searching for something. He is taller than my brother, his shoulders as broad as my brother’s; he holds his stance with such sheer masculinity. His arms are tense; they scream two messages at me: ‘Don’t piss me off’ and ‘I will protect you’, and I wanted to be in them, flying. It feels as though a millennia has passed since I first saw him.

His voice takes me out of my own head and back into my reality. Take my hand. I just stare at his hand as it hangs in the air. I promise I won’t hurt you. I still don’t touch him. Please? I don’t know why, but the pain in his eyes makes me grab his hand; after that, all I can see are my feet dancing on thin air and a bright white light…

Am I dead?

How could I be dead? I’m just dreaming; I have to be, but I can feel the wind blowing against my face. I can still feel the heat of the purple-eyed boy’s hand in mine. Then he wraps me into his arms completely. He hugs me either to warn off the cold or to protect me, or maybe just to be close to me. All I know is I snuggle into his chest, listening to his heart beat…

Beep! Beep! my alarm—the sound rings in my ears for a few moments till I shake myself to full consciousness. ‘Well, this sucks!’ The most exciting thing that has ever happened to me is yet another dream! The thing is I keep having strange dreams of flying, so much so I even went to a psychic; she told me my life was changing; it’s always changing; such is life. I drag myself out of bed to check the time. ‘Are you kidding me?’ Twenty minutes to get ready for Aimee (my best friend) to pick me up! I half-heartedly pick out something to wear for school and decide on a simple pair of white-washed jeans and Superdry top in deep navy with yellow writing, which compliments my fake blonde hair and deep-set blue eyes. Suddenly, a burst of adrenaline shoots through me. I am down in the dumps today; as they say, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed—hold on, I only have a half day today (happy dance). My big brother comes home today; he’s been on tour for three months in Afghanistan, fighting as a foot soldier. I just can’t wait to see him! He always looked after me, even before our dad left, but when our dad did leave, he protected me like a dad and gave up going out when Mum started to work full time. Sure, our relationship was slightly dysfunctional, but we made it through; we were all the other had left, after all. When I moved into my prep classes for the next year (sophomore year), he signed up for army training; it was intense, so I practically said goodbye to him then. I’ve missed him dearly.

Buzz, buzz! My phone pesters me with a text; Aimee says. I’m downstairs. Hurry up!

Shit sticks! Thinking about all the time I’d missed with my brother made me late again. Screw it! I rush into the kitchen, where I normally leave all my stuff. I must have forgotten last night and only got out my science project. I grab it then head for the door and grab my shades on the way. I jump down each set of stairs and almost kill myself twice before bursting through the lobby doors. I spot Aimee’s cherry red convertible at the end of the gardens, so sprint for it and using one hand, launching myself into the passenger seat.

When did Tom Cruise replace my best friend?

Don’t know. When did my best friend get replaced with a bimbo in bright red lipstick? I arch my eyebrows at her and maintain a serious face for all of three seconds. I think Aimee is stunning, and if she wore a little less make-up, maybe it would be a lot more obvious! Anyway, can we swing by the coffee shop? I need a double espresso… or I might fall asleep in English! The truth is no matter how hard I try to pay attention or how much coffee I drink, I can’t stay awake in English, especially with Mrs Taylorn. She and Shakespeare equals the inevitable sleep. Aimee, of course, knows this (She knows every aspect of my life! Too much, if you ask me—stalker).

If you think it will help, hon!

After we arrive at Harley Pineland High School for the exceptionally gifted and talented, Aimee’s boyfriend, MJ, doesn’t waste much time in lifting her from her seat.

I can’t help myself thinking, ‘Seriously, think they need to get a room, and quick, or go to therapy, since they need help for their cannibalism…’

Hey, Aimee, I’m going to err… go to… class, I couldn’t help stammering. His mate licked his lips at me (I think I’m going to be sick!). Aimee gives me a smile as if to say sorry, while MJ nuzzles her neck. It’s gross, very gross, but I love my Aimee and she loves MJ, so that’s good enough for me, so I’ll never let anyone take the happiness she finds with MJ away from her, not without a fight at least. Although today, something is off; she seems really distracted.

I walk through the halls with my head hung low to hide my eyes from those watching and judging me; it sounds stupid, but I am the newbie at school, and I definitely don’t fit in yet I don’t think I ever will, I sigh inwardly as person after person barges past me. I had only transferred just before Darren left, so I only joined at the beginning of this term (only one month ago). I start to relive my early winter night’s dream; it had seemed so… so… real. My arms hurt like I’d clung to something in fear for my life; when I woke, my cheeks felt like they were ‘wind burnt’? Maybe I’d slept funny, or maybe I just had a very vivid imagination; maybe it was a hallucination caused by my sleeping tablets—I get nightmares which stop me from sleeping. Oh, I don’t know!

By the time I actually get it into my head that it is my vivid imagination, I reach my freshly painted pink locker (all girls’ lockers are painted pink, all boys’ are blue/green, and empties/spares remain silver metallic). Holy crap snaps! The previously silver locker next to mine is bright blue. Great! New locker buddy for Violet. It’s probably some fat slob who made his old locker mouldy because he thinks he’s so special he doesn’t need to clean or actually make an effort in school; this is the common attitude for guys here, but for me, it just pisses me off. I had to fight for my place here because my gift supposedly wasn’t good enough alone for a full scholarship. I roll my eyes, already hating my new buddy; I grab my English textbook, deposit my shades and hand bag, and scurry off down the hall.

I reach the doors to my English classroom as the late bell rings. Shit!

Mrs Taylorn centres in on me she gives me a glare and says, Violet Colton, you’re late! I already regret getting out of bed, it’s a new record hating life at only 9 a.m.

(today was already set up to be a fun one…)

Mrs, please! Darren’s back today, and I don’t want to be late to pick him up… please? I’m very close to getting down on my knees and begging, but Mrs Taylorn has known Darren for years; she was our neighbour until about a year back, so hopefully, she’ll relent.

OK, Miss Colton, but this is your last chance, last warning. She turns back to her books. I hope Darren has been able to return unharmed.

Thank you, Miss, I say loud enough for her to hear, You and me both, Miss… I murmur in response to her second comment.

I claim the last desk other than the front row. Even though they’re designed for two, I always sit alone. I like sitting alone; I feel like no one really understands me here. Mrs Taylorn begins to lecture us, yet again, on the many masterpieces of Shakespeare whilst I relax back into nap position. English, maths, music, and drama are my talents, by the way, but all classed as pretty mediocre in this school; it was all about sports, art, and weird child prodigies (that walk around like they’re God), so I’ve already taken this class twice, once with my private tutor, due to my accelerated knowledge, and once because I’d been moved to senior class in my old school. So how on earth could they imagine me actually paying attention in this class? These classes are supposed to be for the smartest in my age group, but they are all idiots. I need to be moved into a harder class like Aimee’s (she’s a senior). I know I should be trying to make a good first impression. I just need them to appreciate my actual talents and stop nurturing my ‘gymnastic’ skills (that are nonexistent; I can barely do a forward roll).

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Chapter 2

Getting My Brother Back

Finally, hell on earth is over! The bell rang and now I can breathe again! Now only two more lessons until I get my big brother back! Yes! I have no idea what he will look like. For all I know, he won’t even have a face. Now that is a very scary thought. I wrote him at first, but it is too much for me to bear; I just can’t take the worry or horror of awaiting a reply or a letter saying he was either killed or missing in action.

Science drifted past, but maths dragged on forever! Finally, they’re finished. I’m cruising down the highway way over the speed limit, with my best friend driving like a nut job and continuously turning the music louder until I think my ears might bleed, but guess what?! I don’t care; this is how my life should be!

At the train station, I’m trying to wait as patiently as possible, but as the train rolls to a stop on the platform, I jump the barriers. The guard tries to grab me, but I’m too quick. I reach Darren while the guard huffs and puffs slowly, chasing me. I grab his hood, swinging him around to face me, and squeeze him tight, a bit too tight.

Violet? Wow, you look amazing! His eyes followed every inch of my body up and down. I haven’t even changed that much, but it’s been too long.

Darren! I’ve missed you so much! I pull him in for yet another hug. I can feel a huge lump under his shirt; I can’t help but poke it. Darren flinches.

Darren? What is on your back? Before he can protest, I turn him around, lift his shirt, and find… a huge upside-down ‘V’-shaped scar still scabbed around the points.

Violet, do not freak—

Darren! What the hell? What happened to you? Is this why you’re home?

No, I’m home because I want to be here with you. I’ve missed you. About the scars, we must talk a bit more privately about it.

I swear, if you lie to me, Darren, I would run if I were you. I shove him back a step playfully. Then, we begin to walk back to the barriers, where we come across a beetroot red guard who glares at me until he notices the uniform my brother wears, then stands up straight and nods. Darren nods in return before hurrying me along.

What’s that all about?

Oh, I kind of jumped the barriers…

Violet!

Don’t even.

My brother laughs at me while I pretend to be pissed at him. I can’t for very long. I love my brother, and no matter what he does, I will always love him, even if he does act like a hypocritical dick. As we walk through the barriers, Aimee looks up from her phone and her whole face lights up.

"Darren!"

Gosh, she can scream, she screams so loud, so high-pitched, it is deafening. I really wish I had earplugs!

Umm… Hi, Aimee?

Aimee may be ever so slightly nuts, but he is glad we’re friends.

Aimee gives Darren the keys to her convertible. You can drive back and Vi can sit in the front.

Aimee flashes me a very cheesy smile. I just can’t resist saying something. Oh, but Aimee, surely you would rather sit next to Darren so you could get closer?

Aims doesn’t know whether to blush, laugh, or glare, so she kind of does all three. I clamber into the passenger seat, and before Aimee can say anything, I turn the volume right down so not to deafen us all.

Hey, Darren, drop me off at mine, then bring my baby back tomorrow? Aimee half-asked, half-told Darren before we could drive off. She probably just wants to see him some more. As Darren starts the engine, he looks at the car, then says, Really, Aimee? You trust me with your car?

Yeah, of course. Just don’t scratch her.

Aimee, since I have my provisional, am I allowed to drive Jessie? I bat my eyelashes at her.

I guess.

Aimee’s mum invites us in for tea when we drop her off, but I just want to show Darren our new apartment. I had argued with my mum a lot before she decided to move back to England. She had asked me what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to leave. I felt like it was like leaving my dad out there alone. I’ve always had this feeling: This is my future. So my mum left me here with Darren, but then when Darren left, he couldn’t have his pay transferred to my account, so I lost our flat. Eventually, he had his pay transferred to my account, and due to the fact that it had been the army’s problem, they gave a fairly big pay-out. I used the money to buy a fairly large two-bed flat not far from the cemetery where my old friend now lives, as did my mum’s stepdad, but to her, he was Dad, and to us, he was Grandpa. Now Darren has returned to me, he can finally see our apartment, the apartment I have decorated with a red and black living room and kitchen, a black bathroom, a purple bedroom for me, and a blue sea bedroom for him.

Close your eyes, I command Darren as we step inside the block in front of the stairs.

Why? Darren questions my reasoning. That is new; normally, he’d tell me I was crazy, then do as I said.

Because I told you to, I bat my eyelashes at him until he does what I say. I clearly haven’t thought this plan through; navigating my six-foot-three brother is a hard enough job for any woman, let alone five-foot-three me. I opt for the elevator by the second flight of stairs; once we are inside, I notice the elevator stops two floors before the top floor, my floor.

Can’t I open my eyes in the elevator? Please? Darren opens one eye playfully, but I jump in front of him and do the squid dance.

No! Crafty! Open your eyes again and I’ll get you back later!

Is that a threat? Should I call the police or run?

Both.

OK, OK. I’m sorry. Darren closes his eyes, so I stop dancing and we both burst out laughing; this is the most fun I’ve had since Darren left.

When the elevator door opens, I drag my brother out, then go round to the stairs. I slowly lift each foot on to the first stair. At this rate, I’m going to pass out; he is far too heavy and too strong, plus I can tell he is pushing all his weight down on the foot I’m trying to lift just to make it that much more annoying.

Darren! Stop it! I say, slapping his leg. Ouch! That hurt me more than him…

Fine, chill, he laughs, just don’t hit me again or I’ll open my eyes.

I finally get lard arse up the stairs fifteen minutes later. I open the door, then walk him to the centre of the living room.

You can open your eyes now? for a moment the world pauses.

Violet, you did this all on your own? his mouth opens in what I hope is awe.

Yeah, do you not like it?

How much did this cost?

Not good; he’s ignored my question. I start to panic…

Ermmmm… about $3,000? I offer.

Seriously, $3,000?

I’m still not sure whether this is a good or bad response.

Yeah, is it OK? Do you like it?

Violet, the room is absolutely amazing! How did you do this? I can’t wait to see the rest of the flat. How much did you spend in total?

With the new toilet I had put in, $3,000.

With that, Darren lifts me up into his arms in a giant bear hug.

Darren, put me down, you nut job, so I can show you around the rest of the flat; oh, by the way, I called dibs on the big bedroom.

I knew you would, he winks at me. Wait, did you say it cost $3,000 for the whole flat?

Yep.

You’re a superhero!

I am?

I don’t know a single person who would be able to do this much work this well for so little. I was thinking at least $6,000 the whole way round!

That’s because all interior designers are conmen. I can’t help but blush; no one has ever told me they liked my décor, so it’s probably just Darren being sweet. Since Darren joined the army, a lot about him has changed from the way he didn’t come back on Saturday nights to how he does his washing; almost a different person, except the way he acts towards me. He calls me his most prized possession. He will always be so proud of ‘lil’ ol’ me’, I hope.

Darren’s phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since we got back from the train station; and it’s really starting to get on my nerves. Aren’t you going to answer that? It could be Mum?

His face stiffens and his smile vanishes. No.

If you aren’t answering because you just got home, it’s fine. I’m not the only one who’s missed you.

I walk towards the kitchen, but Darren just ignores everything I say and do for the entire time I’m walking to the kitchen (I walk slowly to catch any response he might give). I bought the ingredients for Darren’s favourite meal, spaghetti Bolognese.

Darren, do you want dinner? I rummage through the cupboards to find the food; probably should have just left them on the side. I bought the ingredients for… I walk back through the door to an empty room; the only sign Darren has actually been here is his army-issued hat. Hold on. There’s a note on the sofa:

Dear Violet,

I have gone to see a friend from the army, Raph. I am so sorry. It was urgent. I won’t be back until late, so please don’t stay up late. I promise we will spend all of tomorrow together like we used to on Saturdays.

Love,

Darren x

Something about this isn’t right; I can feel it in my heart; I need to talk to someone. Aimee will understand.

Ring, ring, ring!

Hello?

MJ, stop it! I’m on the phone to Vi. Hey, hon!

"Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I had no idea MJ was round your house. Oh, it’s your six month anniversary. I’m