WIP (a novel)

 Heyyyy! So I'm currently feeling very bored and uninspired to create anything new. So Ive looked back at a project I was working on a few years ago, so I will now post a couple chapters of this project for you all to read and perhaps enjoy!! :))

1- A Crack in the Glass

Credit to Livsolos on pinterest for this beautiful art :)

Marie’s never been a fan of the supernatural and fantasy of fairy tales and superheroes, she’s always found it’s stretch from reality unappealing. But what was outside the window was far from unrealistic, she would argue it being too realistic. Marie chose to live idealistically( within the realms of logic and reason). But yet, for some reason unexplainable to her, she felt compelled to explore this frightful reality.

She never dreamed of leaving her solitude that day, so as to hold a grudge against her ‘treasonous’ family and make them regret their actions. Her family and her had a strange relationship, which included little to no speaking. She was a rather unreasonable and peculiar girl growing up, she never wanted things to go any way other than hers and did her best to escape reality to her own world. 

Whether it was throwing out the garbage or walking to the farmers market she found a multitude of ways to evade such responsibilities. When she was approaching the age of 9, her parents saw it fit that she was to help on the weekends with running the family store. They sold little trinkets, figurines and statues from the eighteenth, nineteenth and early 20th century. Each of which caused their heavy pockets in 2014. Their family, the Signot’s, come from a long line of wealthy royalty in the french countryside. They still had family there, and they were the only part of her family, to whom she chose to converse with regularly.

She had an affinity for the classical arts, every year she’d go out with her eldest brother Henri and their grandmother, Preminia, to see the nearby renditions of their favourite ballet “the Nutcracker.” She assumed that the rest of her family couldn’t be bothered to spend time on these ‘ancient gifts’ so it’s become tradition for the three of them

She’d always resonated with the lead Clara in her innocence and grace - though her family and classmates held contrasting beliefs. She was extremely stubborn in all walks of life. In school and at home she saw it necessary to be the best and make sure that others know of it. In her defence, she grew up the runt of the litter, having 4 older siblings who (some of which) always saw it necessary to rub their success and dominance in the faces of those younger than them.

Her parents successfully own and run a business which one of the children Florence the second oldest aspires to take over one day. She wants to create beautiful pieces of art to sell among others. Marie thought her paintings were beautiful but had a certain modern look that she favoured less than the works of Janet Archer and Edith Hipkins.

Despite her chosen disconnection from her family members, their resemblance and presence was uncanny. Marie shared the same deep brown eyes, chestnut brown skin and dull black curly mess on their heads. Marie is taller in stature like her mother and father, but her siblings were shorter for their age, or as their father likes to say ‘vertically challenged’. The kids all stood at similar heights throughout their childhood until they went through puberty.

Her parents; Jane and Benjamin Signot raised the five children in a baroque-esque mansion built in the 18th century ( which of course went through many renovations, the original appearance maintained) passed down from their relatives. The house had many rooms, the beautiful architecture and decor gave a cosy aura. The house made a wonderful place for the children to grow up and become academically strong, especially their youngest. Marie attended an ordinary school but unlike other kids, who spent their free time on video games, dolls, or sports, she read (a lot). When she was younger when asked to attend parties with the family, she would bring her favourite books with her to read.

The house had plenty of books, many of which became amazing comfort for the little girl and taught her all she wanted to know about life. She walked around with her nose high in the air thinking that she knew it all . She could spend days in her room, and manage only to have the dishes from her breakfast, lunch and dinner sent back to the kitchen, or take a seat in their beautiful garden to read or sew. She loved the simplicity of the centuries before the modern society she lived in. So, when in her room filled with paintings created by William Alexander or Charles Ansell, or books written by Charles Dickens or Jane Austen, she felt like she was living in that world of beauty and elegance. A world that she perceived couldn't be found beyond her bedroom walls.

Although her family knew she was living in her best interests, it didn’t stop them from trying to integrate her into this supposed foreign and unwanted reality. They tried to get her out by bringing her classmates over to chat, but she rejected each one of them, remaining poised and respectful the entire time. Mrs. Signon tried getting her a therapist since they figured this wasn’t normal for a child or teenager and this time she ended up rejecting the therapist much more harshly in a fit of fury, using words such as “incompetent”, “senseless”, “laughable”, “dense”, and“half witted."

Proceeding that outburst, the parents gathered that they should grant her some freedom and try to show some interest in what she was doing to gain her trust. Florence was especially interested in helping her sister. She would approach her energetically and enthusiastically as she usually is. Beginning by talking about their music tastes together and presumed that if she just agreed with every song that she liked they would be more connected to one another, which is arguably incorrect to many.

To Florence’s dismay, Marie saw right through the facade, recognizing her superficial attempt at comradery for what it was - manipulation. She not only blocked off her sister, but everyone in the family and as years passed she began to grow more distant and cold towards her family.

She would join the family expeditions to the shop, libraries, malls and parks eventually, but when together in silence there was such a great disconnect that her parents and siblings just didn’t understand her as well as family members should (and vice versa). But Marie assumed that she knew everything about anything so she wrote them all off as simple-minded sheep and moved on from the subject.

There aren’t many people involved in her life, especially as it is summer. Nobody had ever honestly approached her, and she suspected that her parents tried to bribe kids into playing with her. Otherwise why would that toadstool of an idiot Mary come by, she thought to herself.

However, there was someone who didn't need money to seek her companionship. He was ‘the boy next door’, Oliver. When his family had moved in, Marie's parents already wrote him off as a potential (paid) friend for their youngest and tried to pair him off with the second youngest, his age-mate- Benji to become friends. So the parents convened and the boy came over to their house for the first time and was introduced to the family.

 Benji was thrilled to meet Oliver and said they could be the best of friends. Oliver and Benji sat across from each other in their large dining room, the rest of the family- except for Marie- were seated at the table as well.The middle child, Klara said but a few words and retired to practising her drums, she was neither rude or friendly, just short with him. Florence was feeling especially chatty and took up most of his time, asking increasingly personal questions which the eldest Henri had to divert a multitude of times.

“So, what’s the deal with your parents? They only wanted one kid? Or is your mom,” her voice reaching a low volume level, “ unable to bear ch-?"

“-Hey, Florence I was wondering if you could help me with this over here?” Henri stated, smiling as Florence walked over enthusiastically with a nod.

Now with Oliver able to breathe, his mind began to calm down. He became more conscious that he was no longer in London. He was practically in the middle of nowhere. In this large house surrounded by some vampire-like energy sucking people that just tired him out. He remembered his parents telling him they had five children. Florence, Henri, Benji, Klara...

“So, about your other child?” he asked. The family members all shared weary glances. The boy then assumed the worst and began to apologise but they all protested saying she was in the back garden doing one of her “experiments”. The boy was curious as to what they meant by experiments, him being a scientist in the making and asked to go out back. A silence followed. The eldest Henri replied,

“Sure, why not go take a look for yourself?”

Oliver noticed a hint of restraint in his demeanour. His body is overly still, and eye contact unmoving.

“The garden is my pride and joy,” The mother added, with a plastered smile. They all agreed he should go himself.

Without visible hesitation he walked around the side of the house observing the rich and plentiful flowers in the garden. He could smell the distinct scent of lavender and let the bright and colourful scenery engulf him as he trudged forwards. He grazed the lovely green aloe and jade plants, consciously stopping short of the cacti.

The greenery surrounded him and left him in a trance, his eyes following the squared hedges and the outlines of the potted plants lining the walkway.  The sun's beams hit the small pond on his right, the water glistening.

He walked towards the back fence, noticing a pathway of stone leading out past the fence. He could hear a grunting noise from back there. And curiously stepped forward ignoring the pathways sides as he had so carefully walked before.

He reached the end of the path to see a girl fighting a scarecrow and managing to slice the body which happened to be a bag of grains. Being somewhat of a combat lover himself he recognized her skilled form and movements. But was amazed at her agility and grace, and unconsciously began to clap.

Startled, she turned - her sword at her waist, and her eyes piercing through him.

“H-Hi, I’m Oliver. I moved in today just a couple houses down.” He mustered. She didn't say anything, but began walking towards him.

All sense leaving him stumbled backwards tripping over an out of line stone and falling.

“Who are you? State your business.” she nudged the sword towards him, his mouth curved into a smile. She frowned.

“I am Oliver Harrington, I just moved in next door” he replied as he began to get up.

“Your real business” she sighed. He shrugged, giving her a strange look she couldn’t quite read.

“Really?” she held the sword higher and below her chest, “Or do you attempt to steal my belongings and rip my corset! Are you one of Andra’s little minions” She pouted. Andra being a girl that Marie went to school with and had ripped her first corset while trying it on without Maries permission. He grabbed the sword with his bare hands, and threw it behind him.

“I don’t know Andra, but she sounds like a sore thumb” she looked shocked and murmured something as she crawled backwards on the ground with a look of surprise.

“I want to be your friend,” he smiled,“Here let me help you,” he reached his hand out to her, with which she latched onto and flipped him over so that he could land safely and look up to her. Astonished at her display of animosity, he dusted himself off and rose from the ground.

She spoke softly, “I don't need any more friends… or enemies, so you may be on your way.” She turned her back and walked towards the house.

“But I need friends,” he replied, “The loneliness there is nowhere to get away from it, no ledge to climb up to.” She stopped walking and stayed facing away from him.

“What did you say?” She asked, not turning. Before he could answer she sighed, “Well, find someone who will actually tolerate you,” She paused. “Benji is always looking for someone to chat with about... Fortnite.” pronouncing it more like f-ort-nite. She continued walking into the house, and headed up the stairs ignoring her family members who stood at the windows and listened to the entire conversation. They rushed out to the boy and offered him some juice and cookies. He said he’d preferred tea, and a slice of bread if possible. The eldest nodded and headed to the kitchen. He looked up the stairs to see her door shut as the faint sound of drums played in the background, he threw on a smile.

“So… Benji, tell me about uh, Fortnite.”

[end.]