Chapter One

Yes! Goal! And right on the buzzer! I plastered a small smile on my face, not wanting to smile too much. I didn't want the other team to feel crap. I hated making other people feel bad – unless they really deserved it. But this netball game was a good one, my team had just won the winter season, by one point! I was extremely happy. I couldn't wait to tell my family.

I firmly shook hands with the other team, and told them how well they played. Some of the handshakes were weak, some were strong. I liked a strong handshake. It told me that the person was a positive person, never really much for the negative side, nor a bad loser. I shook hands with the last person, took off my position bib, let down my auburn hair, and went to join my celebrating team. I smiled widely and joined in the group hug.

My team eventually disappeared one by one. I was catching a ride home with my best friend Kimberly. She and my other best friend Eliza chatted together while I looked blankly at the score board, thinking about how close the game was. The score was tie, with 15 seconds left. It was our ball, the whistle blew, Centre passed to Wing Attack, who passed to Goal Attack, who passed to Goal Shooter. She was too far away, so she passed to Goal Attack, who was right beneath the goals. Goal attack was Kimberly, who shot a perfect goal right on the buzzer.

Eliza barged in on my little thinking session (I day dreamed a lot, but I couldn't help it) and told me she was going. I smiled and hugged her.

"Good playing, you did really good." I said in her ear.

She snorted. "The way I tripped in third quarter, I don't deserve your congratulations." She said as she released me from our hug.

I rolled my eyes. "At least you didn't trip over your own feet."

She laughed and said, "Okay! Okay! You win." She sighed, "But God that was funny. Over your own feet!"

I pursed my lips. Great. She was going to give my crap about this for the rest of the week.

"Eliza!"

"Uh-oh. See you tomorrow Abby." I hugged her once more and she set off after her mother and sister, who gave me a warm smile while exiting the door. I smiled back. She was so nice. It was almost unnatural. I grinned to myself, nah, she was just really cool.

Kim draped her right arm over my shoulders and guided me towards the door while saying, "Abby! You played really well! ...even if you did trip over your own feet." She added in a whisper.

I groaned. Eliza and Kim were never going to live that down.

Kim laughed and just kept walking.

"That last goal was really good by the way." I said, making conversation I knew was going to last.

"I know!" She gasped, "I couldn't believe I'd actually got it! I never thought I would get it in time! But, bang! Straight in!"

She kept describing her spectacular last goal all the way until we were half-way home. I was smiling the whole way, she was so funny!

I eventually lost interest and turned my gaze out the window, deep in thought.

I couldn't wait to get home and tell mum and dad about my win. My brothers would be happy for me, but not as proud as my mum and dad. I had made a cake earlier to get my nerves down, and to give my brothers an after school treat. I loved cooking. It soothed me. But cooking was even better with music, a happy euphoria would spread throughout the house if I had my music and cooking combined. Everyone knew that.

Maybe we could have the rest of the cake to celebrate… had I cleaned everything after making the cake? The bowl, wooden spoon, bench…oh! The icing bowl! Damn...I did turn off the oven didn't I?

Oh God.

The oven. There's a minor gas leak.

Gas and Fire.

Not a good mix.

I panicked as Kim's mum turned up my street, I looked out the front window to make sure the house was fine.

No flames.

Thank-God.

And then an explosion erupted from my house and shook my world. I covered my face with my hands to protect my eyes from the blinding light and screamed.

The shaking stopped, and I became quiet. I didn't want to open my eyes. I already knew what I was going to see, I didn't want to face it. So, I reluctantly lowered my hands and opened my eyes.

There, right in front of me, was my home in flames, with my family inside.

I felt weak, shocked. I couldn't breathe. Kim and her mother had their hands over their mouths, staring, shocked. Yet they were breathing.

My mouth was slightly open, I tried to breathe, but I couldn't. I was in shock, my brain wouldn't function. So instead, I collapsed and everything went black.

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Okay, First Fanfic, go easy. I'm completely new to this, but I just wanted to write this down and share it, the story will get better, it's all in my head. I hope you like it. Tell me if you do

Peace,
Maddie =]

I don't own Artemis Fowl, the totally psychedelic Eoin Colfer does.