• In the changing room cubicle, I twirled before the mirror in the gorgeous black dress. It was silk with lace over the top. It's beauty was slightly detracted from by the occasion I was buying it for. My Gran's funeral. I sighed as I smoothed the skirt and decided this was the right one. As I changed back into my top and combats, I was feeling pretty glum. But then a thought came into my head that cheered me. My best mate Casey was just outside the cubicle waiting for me. Changing done, I pulled back the curtain and grinned at her. "Which one did you choose?" she asked.
    "The silk and lace one," I replied. She nodded and linked arms with me. Together we went and paid for the dress and, after we'd been for a milkshake, I went home. Stepping inside, the grim atmosphere hit me immeadiately. It had been like that for days, ever since Gran died in hospital after having a stroke. My stepdad Callum was playing with my little half-sister Rosie in the living room and Mum was sat in the kitchen, munching toast and silently staring into space. "Hey Mum," I whispered, sliding my arms round her.
    "Hi darling," she mumbled in a monotone. "Did you get a dress?"
    "Yep." I lifted it out of the bag and held it up in front of me. Mum's eyes misted over. "It's beautiful, " she said hoarsely. Tears started trickling down her cheeks - a regular occurence these days. I fetched her a tissue and dabbed at her face. Talk about role reversal. Once she'd calmed down a little, I made her a cup of tea and headed upstairs to hang my dress up. I grabbed my coat and shook it on, before going back outside.

    I knew my way to the park off by heart. The reason I was going there? Last time I went I saw a total dreamboat of a boy and I was hoping to see him again. Upon arriving - oh joy of joys - I did see him. He was with another boy, nowhere near as good looking as he was. I started walking along behind them, keeping my distance so they didn't suspect anything, and listened into their conversation. It was a thoroughly boring chat about football (typical boys) but I did learn one useful detail - Dream Boy's name was Jake. I also learnt his mate was called Kev, but I didn't really need to know that. But I was happy - I could now put a name to the face which occured so often in my daydreams. I was just starting back on my way home in a dreamy daze, when something happened I hadn't banked on. It was cold, so there was a slippery ice patch on the path going out of the park. I was in such a daydream that I didn't notice it until it was too late. I was skidding over it and flying into the air before I realised it. "I'm going to fall on my bum in front of Jake - help me!!" I thought desperately as I soared towards the ground....only to find myself being caught ina pair of strong arms. I looked up to see my saviour's face - Jake. My insides felt light and fluffy - this was like something from a romcom movie, my crush saving me. OK, it was only from falling on my bum, but he still saved me. "Careful dolly daydream! You OK?" he laughed, putting me back onto my feet. "Y-yes, t-t-thankyou," I gasped, then dashed off before I stammered anymore. I felt as if I was swooping through the clouds and orbiting the planets. Jake was like my Prince Charming - but was I good enough to be his Cinderella?

    I lay tucked up beneath my star patterned duvet that night, my heart in a knot. In a week's time, it was Gran's funeral - how was Mum going to cope? I was also thinking rose-tinted thoughts about Jake and there was another thing adding to my worries too - a certain letter lying in my drawer, written by my long-lost father. I'd have to do something about it sometime, not just keep burying my head in my sand like I was currently. Gulp....