31st October

Halloween!
*Yay*
Today I'm looking forward to a wonderful, fun packed day, filled with school, lessons and MATHS. [/somuchsarcasm]

Yeah. Whatever. I had Frosties for breakfast though!
=D

Chat later. Maybe.
If not, tomorrow morning!!! = Nano!!!!

<33
Kitty

30th October

We're almost there!
-Yey-
Tomorrow is halloween. Which is the wicaan's new year. I'm looking forward to watching a good movie, and relaxing, before ranting and raving until I force myself to go to bed at ten o' clock. I'd love to let myself stay up until 12:00:01 and start my novel. But I think if I do that I'll be so tired the next day that I won't be able to function at school, and my mother has threatened that if she sees even the slightest hint of me killing myself, or getting tired, she's going to unplug my computer.

Unpluging of the computer will mean serious hinderance in my typing, and mean that I have to type it all out by hand. Plus no music. So I'm going to be a good little girl, and go to bed reasonably early, and get up early so I can start writing then. =D I also can't wait to see who'll turn up to the school meetings I've arranged.

I've done all my homework. Barring my art, but that's an ongoing project. I did most of my standard deviation, and then after I wouldn't stop getting a minus number, I screamed into my pillow and decided to ask my maths teacher tomorrow.

Aren't I clever?
Oh well.
It's getting late now.
I should go.
Good night.
xoxox

29th October

Today I didn't really do much at all. Went to visit my 95 year old great great auntie in hospital; she had shingles, and then sat around at home all day putting eye drops in. I have conjunctivitus... It sucks, but it's not going to kill me. Not as badly as the excitment and impending doom will, anyway.

I've download Skype to talk to Jor, or Amy, she likes Amy. Amy it is. =D
So, I've been trying to get that blasted thing to work for most of the evening, along with complaining about my receeding vision. >.>

Tomorrow, I'm going over to Alex's house to celebrate Halloween a day early by carving a pumpkin, and on tuesday we're going to get dressed up (just because we can) and watch a movie. My step brother is living in the house with us for the next two weeks; so I kindly informed him that I'm going to be a moody asswipe throughout November, and to stay away if he know's what's good for him. I then proceeded to ask him to join in. He took one look at me, and scarpered. Perhaps I should have asked him to join in first?

Nevermind. It's not going to be too bad.
I'm just living each moment to the full, and glad that I've finished reading Lord of the Flies. I think that was possibly worse than having to sit through 'Shark Boy and Larva Girl' with my sister. TWICE.

Good night.
I have maths homework tomorrow.
Sucks to that.
<3

Kitty
xoxox

28th October

Today I went to the Pre Nano meet. It was organised chaos, exactly as described, and totally, utterly fantastic! I had so much fun, meeting people who're struggling with the same things as me, and chatting to them about gay ferret rape, and slug rape.... okay, the latter is a little disturbing. We drank coffee and chatted. Everybody was really friendly, and welcoming dispite the fact that me and Alex were the only two 15 year olds there....

I got a ration pack too, which I've had to put on top of my wardrobe to stop myself from eating the chocolate before November. I got dice, and a pencil, and a pen. I need new ones to! Sarah's so clever; she knows exactly what we need xD There'd also some great advice and stuff in there too. So I think that later I might pop upstairs and do a plot game with the dice, or something. My cramps are killing me, and there's nothing else to do. So I'll grab and coffee and go a read some.

I got myself a Guns N Roses shirt!! WHEEEY! I also managed to filch a ten pound note out of my mother in Waterstones today. She got me No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty. Founder of the NaNoWriMo. So far, I've already found like, three witty lines. I'm looking forward to cramming that into my last weekend of having a social life. ha! Like that's going to happen, though. I have loads of homework that I'll have to do. Already my positive outlook on that maths homework has gone downhill, after I took another long look at it, and decided that I didn't have a clue how to sort out the standard deviation. yeah, I know how to work it out... But I haven't got a clue why I've got to do it, and how it applies to my data.... WTF I also took another long look at what I have to read by tuesday.

I swear my English teacher thinks I'm magic or something. I don't want to read Lord Of The Flies. It's hbad! Not as bad as romeo and Juliet and Great Expectations were (Studied, not read my choice. I'm sure they're lovely if I could only stop picking them to pieces, writing essays and speeches, and just read them normally. Literature, poetry and prose was surely meant to be enjoyed, not critised...) I still have half the book to read. I didn't like them killing the pig and MAJOR PLOT SPOILER: I heard that Simon dies. That sucks asssss.

So yeah. That's exactly what I think. I haven't quite finished yet, but I think if I write any more I'll rub my arms and fingers off (my arm's rubbing against the table, and it hurts...) So. That's it now. Good night everyone.

27th October

Hey there. So, I've figured that posting the blog later than 12am is okay, because I'm still awake, and it's what I do at weekends. At least I'm not panicking tonight.

I've finally got around to doing some maths coursework, so that all I have to do now is my standard deviation and finish my conclusion and I'm done. O: Aren't I good?

I can't wait to go the Nano meet tomorrow, no wait, today >.> Whatever. I'm going now, so I can finish most of this before bed, and get a good night's rest so I'm not tired today xD.

Nightnight.
xoxox

26th October

Okay, so I know I've gone and done it. I've posted this too late. It's actually 1:38am on Friday 27th. BUT I did try to post earlier. It got deleted, so I gave up. Now I feel stupid. So this will be thursdays blog, and I'm going to post another one later on today, when I wake up at some point late this afternoon, for friday's.

I suck.
Therefore I am.

Goodnight everybody.
xoxox

25th october

True to my word, I am just making my eleventh blog. I'm proud that I've remembered to post every day, even though it's all been a load of rubbish.

Today I have written part three of what I posted yesterday, titled Saige O:
I'd post it, but it's not finished yet. Just gotta write about another 700 words.

We're also in the process of connecting my laptop to my father's network. Which is good, but a little too late. Hopefully it'll be up and running for the Nano, if not, well I don't mind. I'm getting really excited now. Only 6 days until halloweeen, and only 7 until the Nano begins!

That's all I can thin about these days though. Nano. And, it'll be over before I know it. BUT I've vowed to myself, that if my novel is not finished, EVEN if I reach 50k or more, I'm going to continue writing at least 1k a day until it's done.

Aren't I clever?
xD

I'm going home today too.
In about an hour.
I can't wait.
I miss my kitty cat!
=0
Home sweet home.
<3

Love yar
<3>

24th October

Getting closer to the Nano now! I'm really excited. AND we're getting near halloween. I love halloween, it's my favourite holiday. Even though it's not actually a "holiday" as such.

I'm quite chuffed with myself an' all. I've managed to write 4k over the past two days, practising for next month. I decided that because I can't actually write my story now, I'd go back a year, and write in the PoV of some of the other characters.

This is what I came up with:

Cadence.

“People always see what they want to see. It is very rare that they see what is there.”

I was tired. I could feel my eyelids drooping as my head rolled slightly to the side, resting on my shoulder. I was getting ready to sleep, just as the rest of Portellan was coming alive. The windows of our dorm had fogged against the cold night air, clouded around the edges, leaving a rough, transparent circle at the centre. I could see the people staggering down the icy roads, downing cans of beers, or having just come from drinking too much round the corner. They were framed by the icy mist, discoloured- like an old photograph- and distant.

Inside the air was warm, smelling vaguely of cigarette smoke and spiced mulled wine. The dorm girls; Kaitlyn, Saige and Lacy had gone out, leaving me with the room to myself. I could do anything. But I didn’t really feel up to much. Responsibility stopped me from reading Lacy’s diary, or flipping through Kaitlyn’s mail. And I didn’t really cherish the thought of leaving the warmth to go and visit my sister’s room either.

I’d been working hard all day, washing and making sure everything was in order in our dorm, in preparation for the new girl who was meant to be arriving that evening. Currently I was sprawled across one of the three sofas which resided in our dorm, reminiscing how I was stuck inside while the others were out with the lads. I wanted to go the cinema too. I wanted to go and drink alcohol, throw up in bushes. But no. I was waiting for the new girl. I didn’t mind as such, it just sucked that it was Warren’s birthday, and I couldn’t be there to celebrate it with him.

The fire in the grate burned brightly, casting shadows about the room. The red wallpaper glinted fashionably with shades of terracotta and crimson. I grimaced internally. Licking my lips and reaching for the glass of wine on the floor, I yawned. It was barely ten and already I was shattered. This girl had better understand if I was angry with her.

Not long after I heard “last serves” from a bar across the street, a clattering of hooves on the cobbles outside of my window alerted me to the new girl’s arrival. Normally they came in groups of five, or six, filling the dorms when older girls left to start families. There hadn’t been many girls leave recently. This kid was sure as hell going to get a shock to find she was the only new one.

Begrudgingly I slipped off the sofa and shuffled over to the door of my dorm, waiting to be called by one of the door girls. I wrapped my dressing gown tighter around my chest and ran my hand through my hair, slipping that stray strand behind my ear. Not long after, as I had predicted, I heard a yell from downstairs.

“Oi! Cay! Get your arse down here, you’ve got a visitor!” Not a particularly great way to welcome a new employee, but Jack was known for his coarse language, and terrible manners.

“Yeah, shurrup!” I shouted back. “Bring her up! I’ll meet you half way down!”

“Arh, ya lazy sod...” Jack grumbled loudly, hoping I would hear, and hoping I would retaliate. I didn’t however. I never had done, and I’d been working here for six years.

I closed the door behind me softly as I started down the hall. Knocking on two doors as I walked past. Two tired looking girls answered almost immediately.

“Tiffany, Melissa, I want you to pop down here with me- actually no. Come to my room in about ten minutes. I jus’ need you to give the new girl the speech.” Both girls nodded, almost instantly awake, and closed their doors quietly.

Downstairs the front door was wide open, and I shook my head in annoyance as Jack appeared from his look out post. He’d not bothered to come up, and I knew he wouldn’t. But now I was cold, and a little pissed off.

“Jack.” I berated him. “You said half way was okay. Half way is up there.” I made a pointing gesture up the three flights of stairs and folded both hands on my hips.

“Naw.” He replied sullenly. “Actually, if me memory serves, I didn’t agree to nothin’.”

I pouted and he grinned, showing off his severe lack of front teeth- or of any teeth at all, for that matter.

“Alright. Whatever.” I sighed and wrapped my arms across my front, hoping to hide the gooseflesh that had crept along my arms. “Where is she then?”

“Put her in the spare watch room. No point takin’ her all that way to the meeting room.”

“No, you’re right. I don’t suppose there is.” We lapsed into silence, and before long Jack felt my finger connect with his chest.

“What was that for?”

“Go and get her then.”

I stood in the lobby for a minute, the private end for the dancers, and tapped my foot softly against the wooden boards, wishing I could go straight back upstairs and set fire to my clothes. Extreme cold. It wasn’t nice. Soon my fingers were numb, and I was craving a cigarette, if only to heat them up again.

When Jack strolled back into the lobby, at his leisure may I add, the young girl behind him looked about as cold as I did.

“This is Cay.”

“Hi. I’m Cadence Waterfields, and I’ll be your guide this evening.” I gave a wry smile. The new girl laughed a little- heartily. Like them from the country. I laughed too then, to see that my sense of humor had not dissipated like I’d imagined.

“Hullo, I’m Cordelia.” She said shortly.

“Right. Now that’s all sorted, I suppose we’d better get you settled in, eah?”

She nodded and followed me as I began to lead the way back up the long three story climb.

“Oh, by the way, Jack. You can bring those bags up.”

“Oh stuff yer.” Jack grumbled. Cordelia smirked, then stifled a yawn.

“Don’t mind him,” I added, “he’s always been like that. I’ve known him for six years and he hasn’t changed a bit. The rooms up here aren’t fantastic, but they’re not bad. I mean, I’ve stayed in much worse.” Cordelia nodded again, and folded her arms across her chest, mimicking my earlier stance. “It’s much warmer up here too.”

I swung the door open, and pushed Cordelia through it gently, hoping she didn’t mind being manhandled. The room inside was warmer than it had been a few minutes ago, and I shivered with a kind of delight. We actually had one of the warmest rooms in the house.

“Home sweet home.”

Cordelia stepped around one of the rugs on the floor, as if she didn’t want to dirty it. She eyed the six beds along the far wall warily. Then went to the fire, standing with her hands to it, probably hoping to bring back some life to the frozen flesh.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to share the room. It’s not all bad though. The girls are really quite nice. Sarah, I mean, Madam Whittle used to have separate rooms. But we used to end up with all sorts going off. Drugs, fires, the lot. So she thought it’d be better to get the rooms divided, and have six to a room.”

“Yeah. I can see her point. If you don’t mind me asking,” she paused to brush her hair from her face, exposing a high forehead and bright, cat-like green eyes. “Who do we share the room with?” She didn’t look very old, maybe only ten or eleven, but I knew from the letter that she had sent me that she was actually fifteen. Only two years younger than me.

“Well, you’d probably be best meeting them. They should be back soon, out celebrating a birthday tonight. Kaitlyn and Saige are about your age, and then we’ve got Lacy. She’s closer to my age.” I saw her flash me a questioning glance and then added, “I’m seventeen. Been working here since I was eleven.”

“Ah. Which bed’s mine?”

“The one on the far left.”

“Thanks.” Cordelia turned away from the fire, and scurried over to test out the bed, giving me a chance to look her over. She was tall, probably about three inches taller than my 5’1”, with a mane of bright red hair. Her dress was dirty, navy blue and short in length. I guessed it belonged to a sister before. I didn’t judge her though, I’d arrived in my mother’s clothes when I got here. They were miles too big and had dirty great big holes in them..

“I-” I was about to ask Cordelia if she’d like a glass of wine when there was a loud bump at the door.

I rushed across and opened it, hoping it might be the Lacy and the girls, but it was Jack. He was stood there looking slightly annoyed, carrying a trunk and a thick winter coat.

“’Ere.” He shoved them in my direction before thumping off down the hallway.

“Sorry Jack. Next time I’ll get somebody younger to do it.” I dragged the wooden box into our room, and Cordelia jumped up to help me. We pulled it over to her bed and dumped it by the side, leaving it slightly uneven, but not really caring.

“Thanks.”

“As I was about to say, before Jack reared his ugly head, would you like something to drink, Cordelia? Wine maybe, or water?” Cordelia wiped her hands on her apron and smiled.

“Please, call me Delia, do. And yes please, some wine will do very nicely.” I laughed.

“Alright Delia, wine it is them. Hold on while I pour it.” Delia settled herself onto the bed again, then stood up to receive the glass which I handed her. Then, we both sat on the sofas in front of the fire. “We get from nine until twelve every morning to practice the dance for the following night. Twelve until one is lunch, then from one until four is free time. Food is whenever cook can be bothered, and then we open at eight. Any other time is either practice, or free. Mostly though? We get roped into doing other crap. It’s not so bad though, just make sure you ask about money before doing anything for kids around here. They’re a tight bunch alright.”

“Okay, what about at night?”

“What d’you mean?” I picked up my half full wine glass and took a sip.

“Well, you said the girls are out, celebrating, but you’re not. And, how can they be out this late if they should be dancing?”

“I see. We work on shifts, a sort of rotor. One day you’ll work from eight till ten, another day you’ll go from twelve till two. It depends. Mostly though you get thrown in at the same time each day of the week. I’ll give you your rotor later. I’m only hear tonight because I can’t be bothered to go out” That last bit wasn’t true, but Delia was nice, and I didn’t want to make her feel unwelcome.

“Cool. I can’t wait to get started.” Delia clapped her hands in mock delight then snorted.

“Don’t get me wrong!” I laughed, “It really is good fun! Just, it’s more fun when you’re out. You don’t get paid much, but it’s all the extra jobs what’ll make you your fortune, sweetie.”

Another knock at the door made me start, and place my drink on the floor again. This time the knock was softer. “That’ll be the girls from down the hall. I asked them to pop in and talk to you about life in a burlesque house.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’d better let them in, or they’ll freeze.”

Tiffany and Melissa were stood on the other side of the door, hugging their great thick sweaters about them, and sucking on their knuckles.

“It’s cold.” Tiffany shivered, then they both rushed in and jumped onto the sofa in my place.

“This, is Delia. Delia, this is Tiffany, and Melissa. They live next door, and the door after.” Tiffany made a mock bow, and Melissa waved shyly.

“Right. Well girls, I hate to skip out on you, but I’d better go pop Jack a little cash, or he’ll not be speaking to me tomorrow. I’ll be back in five. Lissa? Help Delia unpack.”

I stepped through to the bathroom, pulled off my dressing gown then quickly threw myself into a thick fuzzy, wool sweater and grabbed a pair of mittens. I took the dressing gown back out and laid it in front of the fire for when I got back.

Delia was reclining across the sofa, well at home, and if she was the slightest bit uncomfortable she didn’t show it.

“I won’t be long. Have fun guys, don’t be too long though. We’ve got a full day tomorrow.”



Lacy.

“When the moonlight shines, think love. When the stars are bright, think sweet heavens above, is it really that late?”

The night air was cold about my face as we stepped out from the warmth of the bar. Kaitlyn squeaked and clung to Saige’s arm in a bad attempt at keeping warm. I shook my head, only pulling my coat closer about my body and wishing I’d brought a scarf. Raising my face to the inky blackness of the sky, I saw the pinpricks of stars scattered across the velvet, like glitter pieces.

“It’s cold.” Damon came over to me and linked his arm through mine.

“Umm. Yeah. I wouldn’t have guessed.” I winked at him and moved closer.

“Good party?” Damon’s oval face was bright, illuminated against the inky backdrop. He was grinning, and I returned the smile.

“Would’ve been better if there was alcohol.”

“Agreed.”

Warren came out of the bar at last, staggering slightly, and almost falling on his face. Saige rushed over and grabbed his arm roughly. Despite the lack of alcohol for the rest of us, Warren had still managed to get drunk on one shot.

“Warren, you arse. You didn’t have that much to drink. Stop pissing around.” I walked over and slapped him lightly around the head, before turning and beginning to walk swiftly back home. Behind me I heard a muffled curse from Warren, and then the patter of feet over frozen cobbles as the others tried to catch up. Normally, it would have been me lingering in the rear. Normally Cadence would be the one to pull everybody back to reality, but tonight I was cold. Lack of alcohol, cigarettes, and a scarf made me feel annoyed, and I wanted to go home.

A five minute walk along the frozen streets of Portellan soon had me grimacing. Winters here weren’t ever just cold. They were freezing. Looking around me, I took a deep breath. The streets were almost empty now, everybody had gone inside; they were either drinking at the local pub or tavern, or they were doing exactly the same thing at home. Nobody these days was alcohol free, especially not the young ones.

Bright street lamps lit the corner of each street, and were dotted about randomly on the paving stones. Cobbles glimmered in the half light, flickering with and orange-yellow glow of electric light. Each house had their own porch light, but there weren’t many houses down this end. This side of Portellan was mostly industrial; shops, pubs, clubs. They were all down this side. The odd exception was where people worked at home. Then, like our home at the burlesque house, people were always there. Even at the most obscure hours of the day and night.

I approached the burlesque house just as the group caught up with me. Damon, Gunner and Silvester were having a nice chat about beer prices, while Warren, Kaitlyn and Saige were having a heated debate over how cold it was- that is to say, Kaitlyn and Saige were busy trying to slap Warren, as he claimed that it wasn’t cold at all, and they were just a bunch of pansies.

“Kaitlyn, Saige, are you two coming, or what?” I turned to face them, preparing to drag them away from their beloved lads if they refused to come home. Damon folded his hands into his pockets, and Warren went over to join the other lads.

“Alright.” Saige pulled Kaitlyn away from Silvester’s clutch and roped her arm around her neck. “Com’on Kai, we’d best be off. It’s getting late, and we’ve got to meet that new girl, ain’t we?”

“I guess.” Kaitlyn pouted, and had to be dragged away.

Damon kissed my cheek softly, before heading away. “See you tomorrow sweetheart.”


Inside, the house was just as cold. Jack must have left the door open again. We were about to head upstairs when I nearly collided head-on with Cadence.

“Hey sweetie, s’up?”

“Heya.” She wrapped her arms together, and looked me over. “I’m good. The new girl’s here, and you... You look sober. What happened?”

I laughed and all four of us started up the stairs, Cadence pulling at her mittens.

“Nothing happened.”

“Nothing?”

“Absolutely nothing.”

“Yeah, it was crap.” Saige giggled and began to relate to Cadence how Warren had drunk himself into a stupor with only one shot. Cadence couldn’t believe it.

“The new girl, Cordelia, is inside. I gave her Samantha’s old bed.”

“Ah. Okay then. What’s she like?” It had been a while since we’d had a new girl in our dorm. The last girl to join us had been Kaitlyn, and that was two years ago. Most of the new girls were young, but I’d heard that this one was already fifteen. I wasn’t so sure she’d be able to pull any of it off without the practice.

“She’s nice. Ever so polite, and I think she’s a country girl. You ought to hear her laugh! I think that we’ve no need to worry- it seems like she’ll fit in perfectly. She’s a bright one, that’s for sure.”

“What’s her name again?” Kaitlyn, as usual, had only just tuned in to the conversation.

“Cordelia. Delia for short, actually, I think she prefers Delia.”

Inside our room was lovely and heated. A fire was burning in the grate, and cigarette smoke hung about the ceiling. The new girl, Delia, was sat by the fire blowing smoke rings out of the window. When we entered she stood up, and threw her cigarette into the street guiltily.

“Oh dear. You don’t mind if I smoke do you?”

All at once we burst into laughter. Delia looked a little bewildered, and then she started laughing too. And Cadence was right; she laughed like a country girl without a care in the world.

“Mind? Hell no! If we minded, then we’d all a bit screwed, wouldn’t we?” I closed the door behind us. “I’m Lacy; this is Saige, and Kaitlyn. We live here.”

“Dur. And hey, why does my name always come last?” Kaitlyn was pouting again. She went over to Delia, took the glass from her hand and took a swig of the red liquid.

“It just does Kai. It’s always been like that, and leave that poor girl’s drink alone! I’m not sure she appreciates having a lovely copy of your cold.”

“I don’t mind, honestly.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, don’t tell her that. You’ll never get a drink in peace like that.” Cadence took the glass from Kaitlyn and handed it back to Delia. “Here, drink it quick and I’ll get you another one.”

“Oh good, do pour us one. I haven’t had any alcohol today!” Kaitlyn flopped onto the sofa, and laid a hand over her eyes, like a damsel in distress.

“You have. You drank my mug of ale this morning.” I went over to the same sofa, lifted her legs up and slipped underneath them, propping her legs over mine.

“Ouch, move over Lacy. You’re arse is huge!”

“Not as big as yours.” I replied, taking the glass of wine from Cadence. “Sit up them, or I’ll pour it on you.”

“Dreadful waste of juice.”

“I don’t care.”

Kaitlyn sat up slowly, and snatched the glass from me, taking a big gulp then putting the glass on the floor. “I needed that.”

Delia had sat back on the sofa, the free one, and was watching with a kind of incredulous look on her face that we could behave so childishly. Cadence wandered over and handed her another glass of wine, then patted her shoulder softly. Delia smiled.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to us quickly. We’re not that bad really. Just keep your drink and your fags to yourself and you’ll be fine.”

“I heard that.” Saige came out from the bathroom in a cream dressing gown. “I won’t steal your fags.” She added as an after thought. “I don’t smoke.”

“Okay.” Delia laughed again and stood up. “You don’t by any chance have another one of those dressers anywhere do you? This dress is mighty uncomfortable.”

I nodded. “Yeah, lemme go get you one. I won’t be a minute.” I put my glass down, then picked it up on second thought and drained it, before putting it back down again. Kaitlyn scowled at me, but I just stuck my tongue out.

Walking out of the room was like walking into a freezer. Cold air whipped at me from the hallway, and I shivered involuntarily. I rushed down to the store cupboard, grabbed the first one I could, a light orange silk one, and headed straight back to our room.

I handed Delia her robe swiftly then ran into the bathroom to change into mine. Purple cotton against my skin made me smile, and sleepiness overcame me. When I walked back in, everybody but Kaitlyn was in their dressing gown. Delia had slipped hers over her dress, so it looked bulky and strange, but when Cadence offered her a night gown she placed it by her side. She was comfy as she was, apparently.

We stayed up late into the night, chatting about life in Portellan and drinking wine. I think after all, it was probably Cordelia who drank the most. I found out that her parents owned a little farm in the country, and that she’d never actually seen a proper city before. We vowed that tomorrow during free time we’d show her around.

“You can’t live somewhere and never see it, after all.” I said. “It’s just not right.” Delia agreed then yawned.

“Oh dear, I think I’m going to bed. Sorry to skip on you, but I’m shattered.”

Cadence nodded. “You’re right. I think bed sounds like a great idea. I’ll go change first, then you can use the bathroom.” She went over to her bed and pulled her night dress out from under the pillow.

Kaitlyn lit a cigarette and puffed on that for a while, and Saige pulled a book off the shelf and read to herself. I sat back on the sofa, leaning on Kaitlyn’s arm and breathing in her smoke. It was nice really. There was a feeling of such peace in the air, unlike the chaos of the previous nights. I smiled, then yawned myself.

After around five minutes, Cadence reappeared and came to sit at my feet. “Fag?” She asked, handing me the packet. I drew a cigarette out and lit it from the match that Cadence held up to me. She lit her own and leaned against my legs.

“She’s nice, ain’t she?”

“Yeah. I told you she was.” I flicked off my slippers, and slid onto the floor to sit by Cay. Silence enveloped us as we smoked, and the room soon filled with smoke.

“I think we should put some screens up. I don’t like sleeping in smoke.”

“Me either.” I shook my head. “Maybe we should put some up tomorrow.”

“Umm, I’ll see if we can get Jack to help. I’m sure he won’t mind.” She grinned at me. “Might be a good idea to open the window, let the smoke out.”

“I’m not that desperate, yet.” We laughed, climbed off the floor, and chucked our fag ends out of the window, then closed it.

“Bed.” I said simply.

“Yes.”

Soon four out of five of us were in bed. Saige was still reading, but the light was only small, so the rest of us clambered into bed quietly. Cadence has given Delia the bed next to mine. It was strange, after all these months to have somebody lying next to me on that side again. Ever since Sam left, it had been different. But now, it was back to normal. The soft breathing by my ear lulled my slowly to sleep, and the last thing I remember thinking, was weird.

I hope nothing happens to her. I thought. She’s a nice kid. Don’t let her go, please. It’s nice to have somebody else around, nice to hear them sleep. Don’t let her go...

23rd October

Well. I just wrote loads. And it's gone. Again.
D:

Basically, I wrote lots all about how I went to that pub, the music was ubercrap, but I stole their electricity. I did my coursework, most of it. And how I don't want to do my fucking maths coursework, because I suck at maths, and there's loads to do.

I'm not, however, going to type it all out again.
So sucks to that.
I'm just going to ramble on about how I made some character profiles, and I'm going to pin them to my computer screen.

That's it really.

Love yar
<3
Kitty.

22nd October

Well, I've written a little more, but what I wrote isn't quite finished. So I'll post that up later. I don't even know what it's about, but I reached 1k last night. Yesterday however, was not a very writing productive day >.<

I was real busy with homework and such. So, I thought I'd get it all out of the way. I've almost done all of the homework, but I haven't touched my coursework yet... D: Perhaps I should do that today. I'll take the laptop out with me, and either write or do my homework.

I'm sure it'll be okay.

Right! Well, I'd better go get dressed. And get ready to go out. Father says we're going to this pub thing with live music. I do hope it's good music... I wonder if I'll be able to take the laptop in, and plug it in to the thinger... Probably not.

Love yar
<3
Kitty

21st October

D: I'm really pissed off. I just tried to post this blog, and my ferkin' laptop deleted it. Now my whole rant is gone. >.<

Firstly, I'm at my father's house. I love him. But not right now. This means that I'm spending a lot of time with my sister. She won't leave me alone, and because this is a two bedroom bungalow, I'm stuck with her until wednesday. There's nowhere I can go to get away from her, and I have to share the PC.

I want to go home. I haven't written anything since thursday, because last night I was too busy setting up my stuff here. I don't know what's going to happen during then Nano when I'm here. I think I'll be ready to run away by the end of it.

AND, I have loads of homework and coursework, due when I go back to school (I'm on half term break) ANNND I have to go swimming with them both later. I don't want to go.

I want to go home. D:

Maybe I'll edit this later if I manage to write anything... Other than homework, that is.

Love yar.
<3
Kitty

20th October

Whoo! So, it's Friday today. And the end of the school term. Which, can only mean one thing. Holiday! I have a one week break next week to relax, or do my homework, or prepare for Nano. Either way... I'm happy. I also did some more writing last night, Jor suggested we do one the writing prompts.


Fresh Start
It was the first day of the rest of her life. She walked outside, feeling sure of herself for the first time in years. She wasn't sure of anything else though.

Work on as many writing muscles here as you can. What is the day like outside? Where did she walk out from...a bus maybe, a hospital, a drug rehab, a college, a home, ect? Who is she? What's made her sure of herself when the rest of her world is so in doubt? Where is she going to go first? Why? Is there someone she wants to see? Why?

That's what mine's all about. it's allover crap, and doesn't make much sense. But I had fun writing it. So I don't care. 762 words, at 11 at night. Not bad, for saying I was ubertired.


Fresh Start.
I took a tentative step outside, the air was mild, and a bitter breeze blew from the north. I pulled my scarf closer around my neck, and closed the dark, oak door behind me. I looked cautiously around muyself, slipping out into the street quietly. Today was the day I started my new life. Yesterday I had told my father what I was going to do with my life, and I had survived. Which is surprisingly good considering what he did to my brother. Last night I managed to keep myself from going mad in Limbo. That was almost as bad as hell- not a term to be used lightly, but here I was. Steeping out into the light. Lifting my nose to the breeze and inhaling the soft, sweet smells of pine, snow and fresh cookies. I smiled.

The bus station loomed into view as I walked closer. I saw an old woman shuffle my way. She took a long look at my face, scanned her birds-eyes over my features, then gasped. I shook my head to show her that she was wrong.

"It’s alright Dorris. I’ve changed. I’m nice now. I’m not going to hurt you." I offered her the choice to talk to me, which she declined politely, then proceeded to tell me about her son. I was very inclined to feel guilty with this new show of kindness, because it was me who put her son into the farmyard display unit in the first place. I sat and chatted with her for half an hour, until her bus came. She waved goodbye from inside the the large mobile contraption, smiling at me through the dirty glass. In thirty seconds she had turned away, and it was obvious she had forgotten me.

Gathering my coat about me, I stepped away from the bus shelter and out into the wind. I felt the icy breath rush over my body and lower my body temperature over so slightly. This was weird. I was used to such hot temperatures back home. Pulling my gloves out of my pockets, I headed into town, to visit Smith. The baker.

Along the road I noticed the tumbling of dead leaves, the torrents of water falling into the waterfountain in the city centre. I smiled to myself. That’s my old life. I thought. And I’m not going back. The thought brought immense pleasure, and I increased my speed to get out of the cold.

As I approached the baker’s on 49th Street, I began to hum a little tune to myself. Something I hadn’t allowed myself to do in a while. I was glad that father hadn’t decided to smite me down. I much prefered being human, and good. It was better too, because now I could eat food.

I entered the shop to the tinkling of a brass bell above the door. I was immeadiately assaulted by a number of wonderful smells. There was bread, and dough, and cookies. I grinned and followed my feet up to the counter. The man stood behind it was tall and thin, not at all like you’d expect from a man who cooks for a living. He has a mop of curly black hair that fell into his eyes and piercing blue eyes.

"Hullo Smith." I said, waving my hand, a little embarrassedly. "How’re you?" Smith continued setting up fresh bread on the counter before turning to talk to me.

"Back again, eah?" He grunted, rather agressively.

"Yeah," I replied. "I wanted to stop by and say sorry. I have some money here for that stuff I took last week. And the week before, and.. I just have all the money I owe you." Smith scowled at me, unsure whether to believe my unlikely story. Yeah right, the devil’s daughter? Apologising? Don’t have a laugh. But it was true.

"Seriously." I said, anxious to prove myself to him. "I have it here, with me right now." I pulled a tiny package out of my pocket and stroked it softly before shoving it onto the counter. "There’s everything there, from right back way." I smiled politely, and watched as he picked up the package and opened it up to reveal at least ten fifty dollar bills. They were magicked money, of course. I’d get the real stuff when I got a job.

"Thanks." He said, rather perturbed. "Why the sudden change?"

"Because," I replied simply. "I’ve turned over a new leaf. Made a fresh start. And I want to start by apologising, then inviting you to dinner."

Only 12 days to go until Nano begins!

19th October [Later]

Wooohoo! Just posting this blog so I can post another piece I wrote. I wrote 1061 words in 25 minutes. I beat yesterdays time, but probably because there are a few less words.

Here it is. It makes just about as much sense as the other one did.

Coffee House.

I slipped in beside Jo as she strode quickly towards to coffee shop. I looked around us, the winter cold was finally setting in, and despite the warmth of the sun on my neck there was a bitter breeze. Tucking my hands into my pockets I crossed the road, admiring as I stepped up the curb the beauty of the red and orange autumn colours of the leaves blowing along the black, oil-like tar mac.

"So, why are we going here again?" I asked, pulling at Sophie's sleeve.

"I told you already once today Jo. We’re going so that we can get a coffee."

"I know that." I snorted angrily. That’s what people do at coffee shops, but why on earth are we going to the one right across town? Why can’t we be normal and go the one on Taime Street? Everybody else thinks that one’s great. Hell! I think it’s great! Why can’t be go there!" I was moaning, and it was unattractive. But I didn't care. I was cold, and my head had begun to hurt; it felt as through each gust of wind had sliced through my brain and come out my nose again.

"I know, you already said that too. The one on Taime Street’s all fine and well, if you like sitting around a bunch of freaks. Besides, I’m hoping to see somebody." This was the first time I’d heard her mention meeting anybody. I shrugged my shoulders, and instantly regretting it as an icy fingertip brushed the back on my neck.

"It’s cold though!" I grumbled. "Why didn’t you tell me we’d be walking all this way? I’d have worn a thicker sweater." Sophie laughed and tucked a strand of copper hair behind her ear.

We carried on walking for a few minutes in silence. I was counting the cars. It was slow today, probably because it was 3 in the afternoon on a sunday. I had only counted seven cars since we’d left Sophie’s house that morning.

"Oh, here we are." I looked up. In front of me was a tall office-type building with transparent glass doors. My mouth dropped open as I surveyed the site, then stepped inside.

"It’s big." I stated simple. Sophie nodded and led me around a small corner into a little common room. Inside were at least a dozen college students, only a couple of years old than myself. Each one of them was sat at a table, or poised neatly over a piece of paper, pen in hand. I took my hands out of my pockets and rolled up my sleeves. The warmth of the building had quickly seeped into my skin, and was crawling up the back of my neck, making me sweat profusely. Despite this however, I suddenly felt perfectly at ease, and followed Sophie as she went and sat in one of the over-sized squishy armchairs in the corner.

"So.." I began, relaxing back into the warm, soft brown leather. "What should we do now?"

"I have something to show you." I smiled and Sophie reached inside her jacket, pulling out a notebook and black Biro.

"What’s so special about that?" I asked, squinting at the paper as if I expected it to come to life, and tell me itself. "It’s just paper."

"Yeah," replied Sophie handing me the notebook and pen together. Her hands were warm, and her eyes glinted.

"Well?" I asked, getting rather annoyed.

"You remember last year. Last November actually. You told me how badly you wanted to go to that writer’s meeting thing? You’re mother wouldn’t let you, right? And you had to drink coffee all on your own to finish your novel?" Sophie said it slowly, as if she thought I wasn’t listening, deaf, or just plain stupid.

"Uhuh." I nodded.

"Well," she started, "I knew it was getting around to that time again, and since you hadn’t mentioned anything to me, I figured you were just going to sit down at your computer all lonely again, and write another sad love novel." I grimaced.

"Last year’s was pretty crap wasn’t it?"

"Lack of coffee, and writing buddies. See, that’s why I brought you here."

"I don’t get it." I shook my head and looked at the notepad again.

"This is the writer’s group from last year. They meet here every sunday and saturday during November, to push out their novels." I laughed, and then saw she was serious.

"You mean, you brought me here, so that I could write a book?" Sophie nodded and grinned at me insanely.

"I know how much this thing means to you. I’ve decided I’m going to take part this year too. I’m going to write a novel about the two of us."

"Woah." I leapt forward, out of my chair and hugged her tightly. "You’ve really brought me here, because of what I said, all that time ago?"

Sophie blushed and grabbed my hand. "Yeah Jo. You wouldn’t shut up. I think the whole school heard about your coffee shop fiasco." I laughed.

I sat back down, still unsure. I wasn’t really used to writing with all these people around. I sank back, and reclined in the warmth of the shop, a gush of welcoming smells each tried to grab my attention. I could smell coffee, and muffins, and, was that perhaps cookies? I smiled and closed my eyes.

"Thanks Sophie. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

There was a cough, and I opened one eye lazily. "Excuse me ladies, what can I get for you?" I glanced at Sophie alarmed.

"I don’t have an money." I hissed.

"Don’t worry," she said sleepily. "It’s all taken care of.
Hey Al. This is Jo, the girl I was telling you about last week. Can we get two Capuccinos please? We’re with the writing group." The man stood tall before us, his back though, was slightly hunched and his thin rimmed glasses hung off his beak-like nose.

"Certainly m’love. I’ll have Kathy send them right in. You enjoy yourselves now."

"You mean, you’ve been here before?"

"Well, yeah. Of course. I had to check this was the right place didn’t I?"

"Yeah. I guess." I smiled at Sophie again. "Thanks." I really did mean it. I really was happy. And this really was my place.

It's really baad. And it's boring. But I guess when I write like this in the Nano it won't be too bad, because the characters are interesting, and developed.

19th October

This morning I woke up, any my eyelids were as good as glued together. But now, after a long hot shower, I'm feeling much better. I'm also rather pleased with myself. Last night I decided I was going to figure out how long it would take me to write 1,ooo words. After some serious procrastination, and very little writing (of the fictional, or homework kind) I sat down at my desk, turned my internet off, put on some good music, and told my friends to go away. I wrote solidly for half an hour.

Proudly, I managed to write 1,163 words. Which, for me, in half an hour? Is absolutely fantastic. So it just goes to show that when you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want. :]

I'll post it below, if you don't believe how crap the writing is; because it is very very bad, you can read it. I don't know where it came from, but I certainly know that it isn't going anywhere in the near future. <3


What happens when you’re left in the dark?
I’ve always been afraid of rats. Nasty little things they are. They bite you, scratch you, and god knows where they all come from! I hated them. About as much as I hated water. I hated water more than anything. I guess I was going to have to get used to it.

I took a deep breath and heaved myself onto a tiny ledge to my right hand side, gasping as the cold stones scraped across my bare flesh, where my trouser leg had fallen off. I shook my head and rubbed at the tender, icy skin, my morale completely deflated. Outside, and about me, I could hear the steady flash-bang of the guns and the loud ominous crashes of the bombs as they fell upon London. Swaggering past me I caught sight of a young woman and her fella. A strange sight to behold in fact; for she was blind and he had only one arm. I closed my eyes and bit my lip, drawing blood.

Look what the German’s had done to us! Look how we were forced to scramble, climb upon each other like rats! Look how we had to eat the blasted things down here to survive. The bombing had been going for months, and this raid had been pounding away at London’s skyline for the past three days. Even I was scared. I was supposed to protect them.

I was twenty-six years old. Newly recruited and filled with hope when the war began. Soon I wished I hadn’t volunteered. I wished that I could have gone back in time, turned back to a time before this. before the constant noise, and the buzzing flies and the arrival of so many body-bags! It was okay at first. The driving was easy, the lifting wasn’t too taxing. But then when I had to lift my own sister onto the stretcher? That was the last straw.

The water around my knees sloshed up to my thighs before slipping back down the side of the wall. I let my foot dangle, not really caring about getting it wet anymore. I was beyond that. Looking around me I could see family after suffering family. Each of them as miserable or more as the last. I saw young children, the ones who had been brought back after last years’ "peace talk", they were playing in the water, throwing rat carcasses at each other. Or they were huddled to their mother’s in the constant hope that when they went home, their bedroom and toys would still be there. And that was if they could go home. I knew just by looking that half of these families would have to move. Have to rebuild their lives because of a stray German bomb.

I sighed to myself, and jumped off the wall, heading over to the sewer gates. I folded my arms across my chest, tucking my fingers under my armpits in a desperate attempt to return some small warmth to the blood flowing through them. When that failed, I brought them out from under my arms and blew on them, shuddering as the heat faded away almost instantaneously.

"Hey! Kay!" I let my hands drop to my sides and spun around, only to be attacked by a young woman around my age. Her dark ringlets bobbed around her face as she hugged me. "How’s it going?" I laughed at her, she always reminded me of a springer-spaniel.

"Hullo Katy." I nodded to her and hugged her back. "I’m cold, and wet. But other than that? It’s going good. How’re you doing? How’re Charlie and Veronica?" Katy fell into step beside me and we resumed our stroll through the icy torrents of putrid water.

"They’re alright I guess." She answered, tucking her arm beneath mine and slipping her hand into the crook of my arm. "I spoke to Chaz earlier, he said that Ver is fine, she’s getting a bit tired, but I think she’ll be okay. I mean, she’s survived one war, why not do it all again?" She smiled then looked down.

"But that’s not all is it?" I inquired, stopping and spinning Katy to face me.

"No, she answered delicately. "We’re having trouble over west, with the newcomers. They keep disrupting all the old dears." I shook my head in disgust.

"You send ‘em my way Kat, and I’ll give ‘em what-for." Katy smiled somewhat pitifully.

"Yeah, I’ll do that." She patted my hand and started walking again. "How’s it going at your end?" She asked. "I heard you had some trouble with the blokes yesterday." I grimaced.

"They can be such a pain, you know. All pretty and fine, but you call them a coward? Oh, they’re on you like tonne of bricks! I asked this man what he was doing for the war effort; he told me he was stacking logs." Katy let out a burst of laughter.

"Stacking logs?" she spat incredulously. "What on earth was that about?"

"That’s exactly what I said." I ran my free hand through my hair and chuckled. "Mind you, he wasn’t so tough when I slugged him. Him and his mates were going mad, so I just slapped him, and the whole lot of them ran off."

Katy laughed at me, and dragged me down towards her end of the line. She pulled me past the rusting, black metal gates and into the older parts of London’s sewers. I held Katy still for a moment and began to feel around in my pockets for my battery torch.

"I can’t see a damn thing!" I muttered.

"Sorry." Katy tickled my chin. "I’ve gotten used to not seeing sunny-side up. You will too when you move down here." Katy’s words slowly registered.

"When I what?" She lifted her hand to her mouth and let out a sort of half-gasp.

"You mean you didn’t know?"

"I’m being moved? That’s news to me, Kat."

"Oh drat! I thought you knew. Yeah, you’re coming down here to help me with my shift. Marco’s gone off... He disappeared yesterday, and he’s not back yet. They can get one the spare’s to do your shift, somebody, well, younger. Besides," she added hastily when I raised my eyebrow. "We need somebody much experienced down this end. More people who think they can rush outside in the middle of a raid and not get killed. I had to bring three down this morning. They get a little strange you know, after being down in the dark for so long." I nodded and we continued walking, as we trudged through the water, I could see the shapes of people growing dimmer. Almost like looking through frosted glass, or sticky-back plastic.

"I guess you’re right there." I smiled at her and nudged her in the ribs. At least it won’t be so lonely. I missed you."

"I missed you too."

18th October

Okay. So this dummy-run week is wearing me out xD I don't know how bad the real thing will get if I'm not careful! But it can't be that bad, epecially if I have coffee. Which I do.

I also have the permission to go to the pre_nano meet up in Nottingham! I'm so excited. If my mother doesn't object too much, I might ask to go every saturday too. I'll get the bus or the train, or whatever. I'm really excited though! I've come up with three nice plots twists. One of which was caffine induced, but it's the best thing I've come up with in a while. That made me happy.

I really should go and do my hair now, before I write any more. -Goes to sort her hair out-

There. That's better. I also made my bed too. <3

Well, I just looked at the clock. It's 7:26am. If I don't leave for school very soon, I'm going to be late to Alex's house. >.> And she wants to tell me something.

Love yar.
<3
Kitty

17th October 2006

So, here I am, getting into the wonderful habit of updating my blog daily. Thinking of it as something like a dummy month. This way I know exactly when I can update and when I'll be busy. At the moment I'm in my computer class at school. I've finished the work, and there's nothing for me to improve on, so I figured I'd browse the Nano forums and post a blog.

There's not much to say really, not much has happened since last night harhar xD But I have come up with another good idea for the character Merri [Merce and Taylor's sister]. I've made her a nanny. It doesn't tie in with much in the story, but it made me feel good that I'm planning well. And my ideas aren't just stagnating in my head.

I'm much happier now that I've posted this, so I think later I might post up blogs with characters bios, for those people who are way too lazy to read my novel when it's up here :]

Loveyar
<3
Kitty.

16th October 2006

Well. Today I created this blog. There aren't really many reasons why I did it, only so that you and I both can keep track of my NaNo progress. I've not much to say really, other than how excited I am about writing 50k words in a month. Which is really nerdy actually. But I don't care. It's going to be fun.


I'm currently trying very hard to get my best buddy to join Nano, but she doesn't want to. Actually, I know she want's too, she just can't be bothered. I know her type. OHYES I do.

Nevermind eah? I'll get her so annoyed at me that she'll just have to join up because I won't quit bugging her xD

Okay! So there's you introductory post. I hope you enjoy reading my sleepless ramblings, and reading my even worse novel.

Love yar dahlings.

Kitty.