The Diaries Of Liz Davids: Secrets Uncovered (Book One : Complete)

Chapter 1

© 2013 Beryl Pretorius All Rights Reserved

September 1, 2010

Dear Diary,

James and Vanessa bought me a quill and parchment. It looks like they've gotten over the fact that I don't really belong there. Everything about England is just ... everything that isn't me. The cold, the houses, the people ...

James and Vanessa haven't talked about The Event with me yet, which is something I'm grateful for. We didn't have enough money for therapy back home, and that was more than a month ago, so I just think it's a little pointless now. I'd like to play through the pain by myself anyway. I mean, most people lose a parent somewhere in their life, right? Some, like me, lose both? At the same time? Right?

Anyway.

September, 1, first day of school, after a very long and very tiring summer vacation (although I wouldn't exactly call it summer at 20°C), I am finally going to see Jess – she also moved over here with her mum and dad. Her dad lost his job and her mum works from home. They don't really have anything keeping them in South Africa, so they decided to take a chance and come with me.

I’ve missed her. What with the funeral and all the documents and moving into my new room (and new country), I really haven’t had much time to spend with her.

She did call a few times, though.

I should say, James spent a whole lot of money on me. They took me to a nearby mall and bought me everything I needed for an entire room makeover. It's all vintage, of course, but no pink. Hence, the quill and parchment.

P.S. I got a belly-ring a few days ago. I’ve gotta wait for at least two weeks until I can put a new one on, but I’m going to wait till my birthday, and try to buy a special one …

Oh, gotta go to my doom... uhm, I mean, to school.

I quickly shoved my journal into my school bag and ran downstairs. Aaron and Vanessa Cuthburt, my cousin and aunt, were already there and I followed them to James’ silver Mercedes outside. A few seconds later his fat frame appeared in the driver’s seat and he started the car after greeting me under his breath. He was not really good with strangers, and a stranger to him was anyone he knew for a shorter time than a year.

Both Vanessa and James were a little overweight, and no one could understand why Aaron was so very skinny. Another thing was that Vanessa had rusty brown hair and James had red, but Aaron had dark brown hair. A quick glance would fool one's eye into thinking it was black, like mine.

I barely listened as Aaron started talking about all his ambitions for the new year. He was the biggest nerd I had ever met. If his nose was not pressed to the pages of a book, it would be pressed up against his computer screen. He attended some private school I couldn’t remember the name of. The drive was a wee bit long, and I thought about what school would be like. There was going to be new people, new teachers … new enemies.

At least it’s a school only for girls, I thought, and Jess is going to be there. I thought about a movie I’d seen about an American girl who had been sent to the very same school I was going to now. The movie’s name was Wild Child. I was rather fond of it, and perhaps things would work out for me the same way it did for the girl in the movie. I would become great friends with my roommates and play sport – and try my best to blend in. And Jess was going to be there. She was the bright silver lining on my dismally dark cloud. I hoped against hope that Jess and I would be able to share a room.

Aaron kept talking all the way to Abbey Mount, and James barely greeted me as I got out of the car and took my trunk. Vanessa smiled warmly at me and wished me luck, and that they would see me in the holidays again. I kept my facade in place and smiled at her in turn.