Alexis Dawn

By Gemma Leanne Head

She didnt really fit in. From an early age, she has been subjected to bullying and judgement; people would call her a freak, weird, stupid, etc. But all this didnt bother her; she is strong, beautiful, and extremely smart.

All her life, she has been alienated for being quiet, imaginative, and basically being herselfher own person with a quirky personality that only her aunt truly understands.

This extraordinary girls name is Alexis Dawn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Mar 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543489576

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by Gemma Leanne Head.

ISBN:                   Softcover                               978-1-5434-8958-3

                            eBook                                     978-1-5434-8957-6

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/22/2018

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

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Contents

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

She didn’t really fit in, from an early age she has been subjected to bullying and judgement; people would call her a freak, weird, stupid etc. But all of this didn’t bother her; she is strong, beautiful and extremely smart.

All her life she has been alienated for being quiet, imaginative, basically being herself, her own person with a quirky personality that only her aunt truly understands.

This extraordinary girls’ name is Alexis Dawn.

Let’s go back to her first year of secondary school at the ripe age of eleven.

The first day in a strange new, wildly confusing environment. If the uniform wasn’t bad enough, the timetable with all her school subjects on, it seemed to cram everything in all within the first few hours, she was too overwhelmed.

Her aunt was also her legal guardian ever since her parents died. Her mum died and she’s never really known her father so he might have died, she doesn’t really think about him anymore.

Monday 3rd July 2000, Catherine Dawn walked down the stairs at 10am to find a small pile of letters by the front door.

With a deep sigh after seeing all the bills, she picked up the last remaining letter, it wasn’t extraordinary in any way, and the only thing that stood out was the person it was addressed to.

Lexi darling, you have a letter. Catherine told a raven-haired girl sitting on the sofa reading Alice’s adventures in Wonderland written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson.

Alexis Dawn stuck her hand out in the general direction of her aunt, who placed the letter in her outstretched hand.

Do you ever wish the Mad Hatter would take you to a tea party, Aunt Cathy? She asked in a beautiful dreamy voice.

With a gentle smile as she walked into the kitchen adjoining the front room.

Yes that would be lovely, just for a day to get away from boring adult things, such as the mortgage and gas bills she laughed lightly as she poured herself some coffee.

Alexis hummed thoughtfully as she put her book down and opened the letter.

Looks like I’ve been accepted at Sanguis Haven… I start September 4th at 8:30 in the morning… she trailed off as she looked at the next piece of paper enclosed with the letter. Oh, my timetable looks a bit full. She sighed as she read the uniform out loud for her aunt to discuss.

One black school blazer, skirt and white blouse will have to be purchased from the school as well as any other uniform requirements, including the school tie.

She placed everything back into the envelope and placed it on the seat next to her and picked her book back up and continued reading.

12pm Alexis had finished reading and now she was complaining because her aunt was making her change out of her pyjama’s as they had to get her school uniform from her new school, ‘to get it over and done with’.

Come on Lexi, the sooner we get it over and done with, the more time you’ll have to read and draw. Catherine finally managed to get her to change.

She came back down to the front room dressed in a black and white ruffled skirt that came just above her knees, a white blouse with black snakes on each tip of her collar and a pair of black DM boots.

Is this good enough? She said dreamily as she went to the fridge and poured herself a glass of tropical juice.

Her aunt was dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans, a black and red horizontally striped short sleeved t-shirt and a pair of stormy grey DM boots.

You look beautiful Lexi; now let’s show your new school how amazing its new student is.

She smiled as they both left their house to walk ten minutes down their road to Sanguis Haven Secondary School.

As they reached the school’s black iron gates people began to stare, not at Catherine but at Alexis, her hair was black with very defined layers.

I think they noticed us, Aunt Cathy, she said sounding as though her mind was elsewhere.

Yep, looks that way, Lexi. Catherine agreed.

An average height, a stern looking woman walked over to them.

You must be Alexis Dawn the woman in a smart black pencil skirt, a white blouse and blazer with a hungry looking wolf’s face on must be the school crest she thought.

I am, she said airily.

We’re here for the school uniform and other things she might need miss… Catherine trailed off looking at the brunette woman who wore her hair in a tight bun.

Barker. Ms’ Barker and if you follow me I will show you where to find the school uniform shop.

They followed her to the opposite end of the court yard; there was a small group of people standing outside a small door with a sign above saying

‘Uniform and Other Essentials’

Inside the uniform shop, Alexis was fitted for her new uniform by a slightly tall woman in her early twenties with multi-coloured hair, she was a cheerful lady, as they finished buying everything including sports kit; the lady said this isn’t my usual job, I teach chemistry at this school. Janet the woman who normally runs the shop is visiting family in Dublin until school resumes.

Handing over the bags of uniform she added my name is Sally Perks… almost as an afterthought, she added …Miss Perks whilst you’re in school.

Once back at home, they put her new uniform in her wardrobe.

Alexis went back down to the front room, sat back down on the sofa; her aunt walked in and sat down in the armchair next to the sofa.

She said, they all seem strangely ordinary except Miss Perks.

Yes, I suppose there were a lot of ordinary people around. Her aunt laughed and agreed with her niece.

Chapter 2

One week before the first day at Alexis’s new school Sanguis Haven.

Wednesday 30th August 2000, 10am that morning she was home alone as her aunt was working from 8am – 3pm.

Alexis was spending her day drawing in the sunshine on her woven bamboo rocking chair, which was on the small porch in the back garden.

If only life was like this, no one would be grumpy. She thought as she sat drawing a beautiful ginger cat that had decided to sit down next to the bird bath in the middle of the garden.

At 12pm she had finished drawing different animals that landed in the garden, she decided to get dressed. She went to her bedroom and looked in her wardrobe for something to wear.

Ten minutes later she had decided to wear a pair of black and royal blue tartan shorts, slightly folded at the bottom just above her knees; a white thick strapped vest t-shirt with a black cat on and a pair of black converse trainer.

When she was finished she took £2 from the money her aunt left her and left to go to the corner shop.

She knows the owners Marco and his life partner Stefan ‘Stef’; she liked them and vis–versa.

Alexis walked into the shop and picked up a two litre bottle of coke, she placed it on the counter and smiled.

Hi Lexi, are you looking forward to secondary school? Marco asked as he gave her, her change.

Not really, it’s all too dull. She stated in a tired voice.

By the sounds of things you should go back to bed, I hope you’re not staying up late worrying over nothing young lady Stef (Marco’s boyfriend) said from the little doorway leading from the shop to their flat.

She just looked at him with an expression that told him that’s exactly what she had done.

I will go straight to bed when I get back in… Promise. She said in an innocent voice with a small smile as she left and headed back home.

She did just that, after putting the bottle in a kitchen cupboard then headed up to her bedroom, laid in her bed and instantly fell asleep just as soon as her head contacted her pile of pillows.

5:45pm she woke and found a note on her bedside table, she picked it up; wiped the sleep from her eyes and looked at the note, it read ‘I’m sorry Lexi I’ve had to go back to work; I’ll be home about six’.

She got up off her bed and walked over to her window seat opposite her bed and sat down.

She picked up Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and started reading.

By the time she heard the front door click open then shut again, she was already a third of the way through the book.

She placed the book down next to her and walked over to her CD player and put Changesbowie by David Bowie on and started dancing when her aunt opened her bedroom door and smiled.

Lexi, Marco told me you’ve been having trouble sleeping she frowned when her niece ignored her and turned up the music.

Catherine paused the music which made Alexis frown.

What’s troubling you? Lexi, you will talk to me.

She had resumed the music once her aunt had left to order them a late dinner, she was dancing for another hour until finally accepting that she would have to talk to her aunt about what was bothering her.

She walked into the kitchen, took out her cat woman glass and poured some of her coke into it, added some ice then sat at the island counter.

Don’t be mad when I tell you why I haven’t been sleeping well. She started as her aunt sat on the opposite side of the counter.

Why will I be mad honey, I just want to try and help.

Not looking up from her coke, she took in a deep breath.

Everyone that goes to that school still has parents, I don’t even have one of them – don’t get me wrong you’re amazing and the best friend a girl could ask for… she sighed and stayed staring at her coke.

Catherine reached across the counter and put a hand on her nieces.

It’s completely understandable that you feel the way you do Lexi, if I was in your position I would feel upset and incomplete as well. I am sad that this isn’t something I can make better, but I will try my up most to make you feel as much love as those other children, and much, much more. She stood up and walked around to the other side of the counter and embraced her niece in her arms which Alexis returned whole heartedly.

10:30pm the same evening she was asleep on the sofa when Catherine looked up from her book.

She smiled as she picked her up in her arms and carried her awkwardly up to her bedroom; placed her carefully on to her bed trying not to wake her, put her carefully into her night dress then put her under the covers.

Just as Catherine was closing her door she mumbled: ’night mum a tear ran down her cheek as she smiled sadly and closed the door, she made her way to her own bedroom.

Catherine looked at the pictures on her dresser; it was of her and Alexis’s mum, Catherine’s sister.

We could really do with you right now Ali. She said sadly as she got into her pyjamas.

Alisha Dawn passed away when Alexis was only three years old.

Chapter 3

Alexis’s first week at secondary school mostly consisted of her figuring out her timetable and finding all her classrooms.

Although the first week wasn’t at all how everyone had expected (except Alexis).

She did manage to make a new acquaintance, not quite a friend yet…

She was a hazel haired girl, with bright green eyes, she was slightly shorter than herself, and this girl’s name is Evanna Fox.

Friday, the last day of the first week of term, at 3:10pm school finished and Alexis and her new and only acquaintance Evanna left school grounds and headed home. Evanna lives along the road leading off from Alexis’s, at the crossroads that separates the two roads, and they stopped and looked at one another and smiled.

Bye Alexis, I’ll see you on Monday, Evanna said in passing.

Hm. Yeah bye, Evanna she said already sounding as if her mind was on other things. They smiled and went their separate ways.

Her first thought when she got home was to get out of school uniform - as it is every day when she gets home from school- she really doesn’t like her uniform.

Lexi dear, when you’ve gotten changed I have to talk to you about something to do with school. Aunt Cathy shouted up the stairs after her.

Alexis changed into a pair of red and black tartan skinny jeans and a plain black short sleeved t-shirt and walked into the kitchen. She poured a glass of apple juice and went into the front room to sit down on the sofa whilst her aunt stayed seated in the armchair.

What did I do? she sighed.

Your P.E. teacher wants to know why you haven’t tried to interact with your fellow students… she paused when her niece looked annoyed.

I don’t see why I should try to interact with them when none of them try to talk to me or include me in any team or group activities. she sounded affronted.

That’s what I told your teacher, Lexi, why didn’t you talk to me about them alienating you from everyone else?

Her aunt asked sounding worried and moved to sit next to her.

She shrugged I didn’t think it was important, it doesn’t upset me, in fact, that’s how me and this other girl Evanna became acquaintances she finished with a smile looking at her aunt.

Her aunt smiled and raised a questioning eyebrow as she sat back down in her armchair.

Evanna? You call her an acquaintance but could she be a potential friend? Catherine tried to hide the excitement in her voice.

We talk, walk partly home together, we’re working on a science project together, but that’s mostly because nobody talks to us, they think we’re weird. They’re the weird and strangely ordinary ones.

A person would generally call this a friendship, but is she a good acquaintance? Catherine settled on accepting she wouldn’t admit they’re friendship until she was ready.

I’m still trying to figure that out, but she’s my only acquaintance, she said in a dismissive tone ending the conversation.

4: 45pm Alexis took A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens out of her school bag and started reading.

Aunt Cathy was in the kitchen starting their dinner; she was cooking Italian chicken and pasta.

Lexi, isn’t it a bit early to start reading Christmas tales? she asked when she saw what Alexis was reading.

Yes, but I have to read this for English homework. We have a test on the book in two weeks. she informed her aunt.

Oh. But haven’t you already read this book? Catherine asked a little confused.

No, I’ve read Oliver Twist but not A Christmas Carol.

Satisfied, Catherine finished in the kitchen and set the timer for dinner before moving into the front room to sit in her armchair, she then picked up her book and continued to read.

8:50pm they had finished their dinner, Catherine did the washing up, and Alexis dried and put things away in the relevant cupboards.

She put her book down to see what the time was.

Aunt Cathy do you think I’ll be able to read the whole book before I have to go to bed she yawned the last word.

Catherine looked up from her book and checked the time.

No, not unless you can read over half the book in ten minutes sweetie. She smiled sadly, she knows once her niece starts reading something she always aims to finish it, usually the same day she started.

But I could speed read it she insisted.

Catherine shook her head No Alexis, you’ll miss key information for the test, and then you will have to read it all over again. Sweetie, it will be better if you continued reading it tomorrow, after a good nights sleep.

She sighed but belligerently put the book onto the coffee table so her aunt knew she wasn’t going to read in bed, she went upstairs to sort herself out ready to go to bed.

Catherine sighed I hate being the bad ogre she thought sadly.

Five minutes later Catherine went up to Alexis’s room to say goodnight.

Goodnight Lexi Catherine said as she placed a gentle kiss on her niece’s forehead I’ll see you in the morning.

Catherine walked across the room to the door, just before she closed it she mumbled: ’night aunt Cathy.

Catherine closed the door silently and went across the hall to her own bedroom.

Catherine was right; Alexis did manage to finish the book the next day. She had a clear head and because her mind wasn’t clouded with fatigue, she managed to retain the information she needed for the test.

Alexis finished the book that Saturday but took notes throughout the second week of school; nobody could say she was unprepared.

Two weeks later, Wednesday 20th September 2000 12:30pm, thirty minutes before lunch, Alexis’s English