The Girl With Red Hair

Chapter 1

I stared at my blank canvas, creating an image in my head to copy onto the empty white space. I had saw something in the forest that would create a great picture but despite my art skills, I couldn't repaint the beautiful image exactly as it was. I had painted my family and friends and some wildlife perfectly, but this particular task was going to be tricky. I saw the most beautiful black wolf anyone could ever lay eyes on. The way the streaks of sunlight hit it's fur through the tree's made it look beautiful and the piercing brown eyes could burn into your soul. It wasn't just any wolf though, it was huge. I mean massive! It was bigger than me on his four paws and I bet could be much taller on his hind paws. We had shared a gaze for moments until he galloped into the depths of the woods, his black body disappearing like a shadow when the sun goes in.

I stared at the still empty canvas and sighed in frustration. It was going to be impossible to paint the magnificent creature. I walked to my single bed and looked out of my window into the woods. The sun was going down now and the woods looked more mysterious than usual. I looked at my white wooden door. I should probably go down for my dinner.

I stood up from my bed and walked to the door and pulled it open quietly and walked down the hallway. I stopped at the stair case. An Image popped into my head and I ran back to my canvas. I reached to my paint stained table and picked up my paint pallet and paint brush. I speedily yet skillfully spread the colours across my canvas. The page coming to life. The tree's were a dark shade of brown and had just the right detail to show the bark. A mossy green colour acted as the forest floor, like a green blanket. In amongst the tree's I stopped. How was I going to paint the amazing detail of the wolf?

I stared at the empty space and sighed. I am not going to give up now! I rubbed the paint brush onto the black and carefully did the outline of the giant creature. Proud with my progress I carried on, inputting the detail of the light hitting the wolf's fur and the glint in it's eyes. Once I was finished I stepped back and admired the picture. The colours and shading were just right. The mischievous look in the wolf's eyes were just right and the fur was just the perfect shades. I smiled and put my finger to the corner of my lips.

My best painting yet. I thought. I changed into some clean clothes and walked down the stairs happily. I walked into the dining room. The table had two plates on the table, as always, and upon them was bangers and mash. I sat down onto the leather chair and tucked in. My dad walked in from the kitchen and smiled.

"Took your time." He joked. I smiled at him.

"I think I have done my best painting ever today, dad." I said proudly. He smiled at me and sat down next to me in the next chair.

"Looks great." I said matter of factly. The mashed potato's scent wafted up my nose and the sausages were just the right shade of brown. I picked up my metal knife and fork from the glass table and began eating my food. It tasted heavenly as it made my taste buds dance on my tongue.

"And it tastes good too, thanks." I said after I swallowed.

"My pleasure." He said.

We ate in mostly silence as usual and then I helped him wash up the plates. The scent of the lemon bubbles filled the air, replacing the smell of the sausages. I dried my hands afterwards and walked to the living room, jumping onto the sofa when I arrived and put the telly on.

"Uh, it's bedtime. You have school tomorow. Get to bed." My dad said, jerking his thumb towards the stairs.

"Dad, I'm sixteen, It doesn't matter when I go bed?" I said in more than a question than I intended.

"Bed." He said sternly. I sighed loudly and stood up from the sofa sluggishly and walking up the stairs. My dad laughed at my childishness and I couldn't help but smile too.

I walked into my room and looked at my painting again. I couldn't see it in my darkened room but I knew it looked amazing. I turned on the lights and walked to my large set of drawers and pulled out some comfortable pyjamas.

I slipped into the warmth of my bed and fell into a deep sleep.

***

I was awoken by a low grumble, I opened my eyes quickly to see the wolf I had seen the other day. His eyes were looking straight into mine. I sat up slowly, he growled at the movement and I stopped instantly. I looked down to see I was still in my pyjamas, thankfully. I looked around and realised I was in the woods. My eyebrow raised questionably but then my heart thudded slightly faster in my chest as the wolf growled again. He raised his head slightly and took a few steps back., giving me enough room to stand up. I slowly got to my feet, showing my hands in a sign of innocence. He sniffed the air and bounded away quickly...

I awoke in my bed, the annoying alarm on my clock beeping loudly, purposely getting on my nerves. I sat up quickly and looked around. I was back in my bed, in my room. I sighed in relief and looked at my painting. It was just as I left it.

I sighed and got off of my bed, my blazing red hair a mess on my head. I walked to my long mirror and grabbed and brush from the side. I tugged the brush through my hair until it was straight and neat. Satisfied, I changed into a white blouse and black trousers and walked into my bathroom to clean my teeth. The taste of the strong mint made me pull faces and my lips feel funny. When I finished I gargled some mouthwash and left the bathroom. I walked out of my bedroom and down the hall way. I ran down the stairs and walked quickly into the kitchen to prepare my lunch.

After I was finished it was time for me to leave.

"See 'ya!" I called to my dad before I shut the door and locked it behind me, putting my key into my bag. I quickly made sure I had all my folders and books before heading into the direction of the school.