The Life and Lies of Cassy Fairbanks

Chapter One

"Done," cried Olivia triumphantly. Now she could spend a whole lesson talking to her friends. She hated English, especially the writing part. She didn't mind reading, when they had read "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" Olivia and her friends had spent their time painting their nails, or reading gossip magazines. Her old teacher, Mrs Crichton, had been as blind as a bat.

"Oh, really? Let me see," said her new teacher, nosy, interfering Mr Baxter. Everyone hated him. Not only did he not wash, but he was also known as the strictest teacher in the whole of Eastwood High School. He punished his students for even the smallest of things- like forgetting to put on a tie or misplacing a book or jotter. In fact, his reputation was so bad that even among the teachers he was known as somewhat of a bully.

He leaned down and peered at Olivia's work. Olivia had to hold her nose, the stench of Mr Baxter was unbearable.

"Olivia, this work is unacceptable for someone in Third Year" exclaimed Mr Baxter angrily.

"Actually, sorry to tell you this, Mr Baxter, but we're in first year" lied Olivia.

Her friends giggled. Mr Baxter frowned.

"I have you know, Miss Grace, that lying is unacceptable in my class!"

Olivia kept his gaze.

"And as a punishment, you'll-"

"Stand outside, get a slip. Yes sir, I know the procedures," interrupted Olivia, giving a fake yawn. She did not care in the slightest about getting a slip.

"Olivia, what good is it giving you a slip? I know fine well that the parents' signatures are forged. No, I'll do something else to you..."

"What, make me wear a dunce cap? Make me write lines?" joked Olivia.

The whole class had stopped their work to watch Olivia and Mr Baxter battling it out.

"Oh, no! Something much, MUCH better!" said Mr Baxter sarcastically.

"Now class, can you tell me what Olivia hates most in the world?"

No one dared to put their hand up.

"No volunteers? Not even if I offered you some chocolate..."

Mr Baxter produced a Dairy Milk bar from his pocket. Suddenly, a hand shot up. The hand of Olivia's arch enemy, Dennis.

"I know what Olivia hates the most, besides from teachers," said Dennis maliciously.

"She hates writing stories!"

Olivia groaned.

"Well, in that case, Olivia, tell us a story. Come on, don't be shy, we're listening."

Olivia automatically opened up her English jotter.

"Oh, no. Not that rubbish you just wrote. You need to tell us a story from the top of your head. Chop, chop!"

"Oh, erm... Once upon a time there was a Princess. She lived in a castle. She married a handsome Prince. And they all lived happily ever after. Satisfied?"

"Oh, no. There was no imagination in that whatsoever. Tell me a story-"Once upon a time," began Olivia.

"Tell me a story that lasts thirty minutes!"

Mr Baxter set his pig timer.

What could she do? She was hopeless at English, there was no way she could entertain the class for half an hour by telling a story. She looked around for some inspiration. She caught sight of a name on a poster on the wall. She decided that could be her main character's name.

"Okay, so there was this girl called Cassandra Fairbanks," began Olivia.

"And she was like, so totally ordinary. But what was weird was that she was always followed by these creeps. They like followed her everywhere. She didn't know why. Anyway,"

Olivia stopped, and looked around at her classmates. At least they were all listening. She couldn't think what to say next.

"Erm... Mister, please can you stop this torture?" pleaded Olivia, looking at Mr Baxter.

"Oh, no. You get what you deserve. Continue."

"Sir, could I be Cassandra for a moment? Like tell the story as if I'm her?"

"If you want to," replied Mr Baxter curtly.

"Cassandra Fairbank. What a completely ordinary name for a completely ordinary girl... So why do people keep on stalking me? And taking pictures of me? I'm not famous- I'm nothing like my favourite celebrity- beautiful, gorgeous Dorothy Alcott. A famous actress, an Olympic Gold medal winning Athlete, an author... the list is endless. She's the most famous celebrity of all time. The best award I've ever received was "The best sleep talker award" for our Great Outdoors Trip in S1. I mean, what kind of award is that?"

Actually, thought Olivia, this wasn't as bad as she had feared...

"Okay, I'm gonna talk as if I'm not Cassandra for a second," said Olivia.

"Cassandra was in her room, doing erm... homework, it was some sort of dull English essay, when her Mum called her from downstairs.

"Cassandra, there's a Wedding happening outside!" shouted Cassandra's Mum, Eleanor Fairbanks.

Cassandra wasn't all too keen on Weddings, but, as you all know, anything is better than Essay writing. She went downstairs and- and, ATISHOO"

Hey Everyone!! Thank you soooo much for finding the time to open up my short book! :3

Now, before I finish this half-chapter, I'm going to set a few targets. I really doubt I'll reach them, but, who knows:

So my target for this chapter is to have:

10 votes

100 reads

5 comments

Again, thank you sooo much, Ermengarde xxxxx :D