A Call From Mars

Chapter 1

I was in my bedroom, listening to the latest remix the Internet had created. This time, it was called "Hippodance" which was a mix between the Danse Macabre of the medieval periods and Little Einsteins.
The Hippo bobbed up and down, muscle and flesh wobbling in a series of ripples. One day, this'll be bigger than anything- I'll be the biggest internet sensation.

Nan said that she thinks the Internet is rubbish- to which my mother nearly dropped the jug of milk.
I have to disagree with Nan. I don't usually disagree with her, because she makes the most scrumptious apricot jam known to mankind. I proudly parade it at school alongside my Tiny Teddies and shortbread biscuits.

"Mars, what's that godawful sound you're listening to?"
My older brother. Jaymie.
"Hippodance," I said proudly. Gosh, I've saved almost three dollars to buy that animation app, and Jay's going to make fun of it.
"It's stupid," he said, grinning. I knew this was going to happen. He just doesn't know when to stop.
"Take it off the 'net, before someone hunts me down and kills me."
"It's nothing that Alison hasn't seen before," I replied sharply. I knew who Alison was. She's Jay's girlfriend, and a total prat.
"That didn't make sense," Jay said, before standing up and marching to his room. "I'm playing League, so don't disturb me."
"I won't."

The hardwood beech floor was fantastic in the hot Australian summer- it kept my feet nice and cool. It was a nightmare in winter though, when my suburb was just below zero degrees Celsius.
"Shortbread, love?" My nan suddenly said, appearing through the shadows with a lavender cardigan and thin-rimmed round glasses perched perfectly on her sharp nose.

"Don't feel like it," I told her.
She chuckled. "Jaymie's just learning about the world, like most boys his age. You're well mature to know about the world now, Marsie dear?"
I brushed off her sarcastic remark. I've been having a stressful day at science. I don't have time for all this "grandmotherly" advice.
"I made a fresh bunch. If you can't eat it for tea today, expect to have it for recess tomorrow."

That'd be lovely. Everyone goes mad for Nan's biscuits, whatever they may be. The most popular ones with Kim at the moment are lemon creams and shortbread.

---

"Shut up."
"What?"
"Shut up."
Kim frowned, then stared at the ground. "Gabriel isn't talking to us much."
The playground today was overrun with a bunch of year sevens who were waving their pencils and sticks around like a bunch of gangsters. They'll pass that stage one day.
Kim stared at Gabriel, the brown-haired boy that used to sit next to Kim and I. Of course I've noticed that Kim had a crush on Gabriel- they're both bookworms and are discussing the brilliant life of Alexander Graham Bell or Marie Curie. At one point I thought that Kim and Gabriel were going to get together. Apparently not.

"Yeah, I've noticed," I said. Really, Kim needs to get over Gabriel. What makes him so attractive for her, I dunno.
"How's Jaymie?" Kim huffed, hoping to shift my attention.
"The usual, hanging out with Alison."
"Oh," Kim said, kicking the bark around. She sighed.
"If you need me, I'll come to the library, yeah?"
She picked up her pink and blue bag and scraped her shoes to Parkin Oval.

I sat down on the silver bench, which wasn't really made out of silver. The year sevens were playing a game on their phones. At least I think so, anyway. Karin Roberts said they weren't. Then again, Karin almost always lies.

I let my eyes wander to a short girl, black hair draping her face like the way Kim's used to. She must be new- at least a year seven or something. I could tell from the way she walked- nervous and cautious at the same time. She reminded me of myself- when I first arrived here at Snowby.

Gabriel kicked the ball to Jan, who passed it to Cloe. Cloe passed it to Hannah, who passed the ball back to Gabriel in sheer instinct.
Cloe laughed, then tripped Gabriel over. Jan beckoned to Donald Carr, who played, obviously. Donald and Gabriel were the only boys in year eight who played soccer. Everyone else played cricket, hoping for a position in the distant future.

Donald was a Manchester person- followed Manchester like a bloodhound.
I'm not sure what team Gabriel followed- but he was fond of soccer nonetheless.

I don't know why Kim lied. She would never lie to me- not usually. It was the day after the long weekend...