The sun seemed intent on actually baking the open jotter on the desk in front of me. Mr Gregs finished “performing” the poem (drama queen) and I couldn’t help but sigh. History, even with an over-zealous teacher, was such a dull subject - what was the point in pretending to study the past when he had the glorious present?

My mom (also has zeal to spare) was thrilled that I was learning about Ancient Egypt but I couldn’t care less, not really. My life priorities revolved around making the cheerleading squad and making sure that someone other than Jaimie asked me to the Spring Fling.

A quick glance in Jaimie’s general direction told me he wasn’t exactly surfing a tidal wave of knowledge either - he was asleep, his platinum blonde hair glinting in the sun.

I really tried to concentrate on what Mr Gregs was saying. He was talking about that stupid poem again (which didn’t really seem like a poem to me, it didn’t even rhyme!) and how it related to some old myth.

“Now can anyone tell me the myth of Cecilia?” He asked. I looked up, thinking he had said my name. Of course he hadn’t - my name was Cecily - (pronounced See-See-Lee by the way) my mother assures me she was giddy at the time of my naming.

A hand shot up and everybody groaned - Holly was going to answer. She took a deep breath in preparation and everything!

“Cecilia is the name given to the fictional female warrior princess. Cecilia was supposedly created by the Gods to destroy an evil demon plaguing Egypt. In the tale, Cecilia abandons her post to marry the son of the King. They ran off together and were never seen again,” She explained. She folded her arms and flashed me a smug smile. I glared back, thinking “I’m prettier than you” and hoping she could hear me.

“Well done Holly,” Mr Gregs beamed, obviously pleased that someone was paying attention. “But it is not known for certain that the story of Cecilia is actually fictional. It could be true and…” He began, no doubt preparing to launch himself into a long-winded explanation.

Lucky for me, the bell rang.

Jaimie waited for me by the classroom door, and plucked my heavy history book from my arms.

“Thanks,” I smiled, rubbing my eyes - I was really tired. It was strange, only Mr Greg’s classes had that affect on me.

“So Egypt. Thrills a minute,” He giggled, ignoring the hair that was dangling into his eyes.

“Oh yeah, sure is,” I replied dryly as we made our way down the bustling corridor.

“You know, you kinda look a little Egyptian,” He said as we reached the top of the staircase that would lead to the cafeteria, where my lunch was waiting for me.

“Shut up Jay,” I smiled, thinking he was just trying to tease me. I swear, that boy lives to tease me. I reached out to punch him lightly on the arm.

My hand never made it.

The sun was shining brightly but I didn’t mind. My white cotton tunic was tugged lightly in the sultry breeze, the gold trim of the simple gown dancing merrily in the sunlight.

I tightened the belt of my tunic and caught a glimpse of my perfectly bronzed skin. I was wearing a gold band on my finger - Ahmed had given it to me.

Ahmed - even the name filled me with a pleasant warmth. I glanced across the diamond studded surface of the Great River, admiring the pyramids as always. Ahmed was swimming in the water, his dark eyes shining. He waved at me, inviting me into the water to swim with him.

I waved back, surprised that Ahmed had noticed me. I was kept under lock and key in the palace, but Ahmed was one of the few people allowed to look upon me. It was not time for my destiny yet, or so I was often told. But I felt it was time for me to fall in love.

I began wading through the cool water while Ahmed urged me to join him and his friends. I was smiling, he was smiling - everything was fine and happy in the light of the sun.

It was as if the sun switched off, the memory, daydream or whatever it was disappeared. I wasn’t stepping into the gently swirling waters of a river.

I was falling head first down the never-ending flight of stairs.

“Ok, ouch!” I hissed as Jaimie helped me to my feet. My ankle was a little sore, but I was alright. My social status however was in a critical condition.

“Wow, I always knew you were a klutz Cecily, but I thought that was our little secret?” Jaimie actually sounded worried as he led me to the nurse’s wing.

“Jaimie you better be quiet or you’ll be taking more than a tumble down the stairs!” I warned. He grinned his dopey grin and shrugged.

“Well you must be fine if you’re threatening me. Why did you fall anyway?” I blushed at his question.

Should I tell him it was because I got caught up in a daydream? Maybe daydream wasn’t the right word - it was so vivid. Once again, I thought I was losing my mind: a common feeling in the scary world of me.

“Uh, it was the shoes,” I lied - the heels I were wearing were kinda high.

“Well the nurse’ll call your mom so you can go home,” Jaimie said as we reached the little office.

“Cool,” I smiled as I sat down in the chair.

“Well bye. Despite your traumatic injury you’ll still call me as usual right?”

“Right.” I nodded. With a smile and a careless wave, he left.

My mom appeared ten minutes later looking absolutely terrified. My mom’s the kind of woman who’d faint at a paper cut.

“Oh sweetie, oh Cecily are you alright? Are you hurt?” She gasped, grabbing my cheeks to look into my eyes.

“Yes! It’s not as if I’ve got malaria or anything! I just fell down the stairs.”

“Well I thought those shoes were irresponsible,” She tsked as we walked out to the car.

“Mom, these shoes have plenty of responsibility. They have a job and everything,” I grumbled as we got into the car.

The journey was pretty uneventful. Mom sang along to her tape of obscure country western songs. I stared out the window and tried to remember what day-time television could do to the untrained mind.

It was as if the world shifted and I thought I was going to fall into another daydream, but I didn’t. I just heard this horrible high-pitched giggle. It made me cringe and I gripped my seatbelt, waiting for it to stop.

Metal screamed and my mom shrieked as our car ploughed right into the oncoming truck.