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Chapter One: Monday Mornings

AVA

There were two things in the world that Ava Darlington loved more than most; pancakes and dogs. Well, one dog - actually. His name was Percy and he was a bulldog. Her mother had bought him after she found out that Ava's dad had been cheating on her, and he'd been an emotional sponge ever since.

Despite the fact that he spent the majority of his time drooling and farting, there was something about the little beast that just made Ava smile. This was part of the reason why she was lying on the carpet in the lounge, half dressed and playing with said pet.

The other part was it was a Monday morning and she was aggressively procrastinating going to school.

"I just don't see why I have to go today! Nothing special ever really happens on a Monday." She was lying, of course. Ava was well aware that she had both an English essay to start, and a piece for her design board to finish - but her mother didn't need to know that. Besides, there was always tomorrow.

Vivian sighed, flicking her hair into a bun for work before she replied. "You're well aware of why you have to go. There are children all around the world that would kill to have an opportunity to be educated the way you are!"

Percy tried to lick Ava's face, but she dodged it just in time, rolling onto her back so that she could stare up at the ceiling dramatically. "I'm not saying I don't want to be educated, just that I don't want to attend school today... it's not that big of a deal."

"If it's not that big of a deal, why don't you just go? I can even give you a ride if you hurry." Walking over to the island, she stuffed lipgloss, her wallet and a spare scarf into the black purse which waited on the edge. "They don't need me in the office until nine-thirty, so we could even pick up a coffee or hot chocolate on the way?"

Vivian Darlington was a trend forecaster, and quite the successful one at that. She had dropped out of school at fifteen and by the age of nineteen, she was working for one of the most prestigious companies in the industry. Fast forward a decade or two and she's on top of her game, running her own business and making three times as much as her ex-husband ever was. To her, that was the definition of success.

Her daughter groaned, "but think of all the things I could be doing if I weren't at school!" She sat up a little, letting her hair collapse around her face and tickle her skin.

"Like what?" Vivian gave her a look, "eat hot chips and dance to ABBA in the front lounge?"

Ava huffed, "why do you have to know me so well?" She sat up, patting Percy who is in the middle of cleaning his rear end. "Classy, Perc, classy," She added, slowly making her way to her feet.

Smiling fondly at her daughter, Vivian perched on one of the bar stools and grabbed her phone, "Come on then, put a shirt on as well. I doubt the school will be very pleased if you turn up in your bra."

"Really?" Ava stuck her hands on her hips, popping out her small chest, "I thought this was the new trend? Everyone at school is doing it."

Vivian gave her a look, one which caused Ava to huff once more and climb back up the stairs to get dressed. She already had half her uniform on as she had woken up in the morning with just enough motivation to put part of her clothes on, but not enough to go much farther than that. Finding Percy was just the best way to procrastinate anything.

He came waddling after her, his little tail wagging in delight as his tongue hung out from his mouth - as per usual.

Once in her room, it didn't take Ava long to locate her school shirt and put it on, after which she brushed and tied her hair up and out of the way, all the while making unsatisfied grumbles. She couldn't be bothered with much makeup so she just did her eyebrows then applied some lip gloss and mascara. Mondays were Ava's least favourite day, and because of this she usually looked rather unkempt - simply because she just didn't care enough to try as hard as her other friends did.