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CHAPTER 1: A Head Full of Dreams
Charlie kicked at the slippery pebbles as she stormed away from the slammed door. Pushing
back tears of frustration, she was adamant not to cry. The browning grass felt rough beneath her
feet, as she ran through the garden to the grand gum tree at the back. As she reached the rotting
rung of the ladder, she hesitated. Having not visited her tree house for years, she was struck with
a sudden uncertainty over her decision. Placing a shaky hand on the ropes, and set foot on the
first rung. Climbing up, she felt as though it was natural, the product of years of childhood
routine. Instantly, old memories came rushing back. Hours spent exploring imaginary worlds,
and years of thrilling adventures floated through her mind. Charlie twirled the bell hanging on
the door, and waited with baited breath. Every time she had rung the bell in the past he had
come, but it had been years.
He might not remember
, she thought desolately.
He might not care.
With each ring, the tears threatening to spill grew harder to hold back. Finally, the familiar head
of shaggy dark locks appeared, and there he was. Riley was smiling right in front of her, and
Charlie exhaled in relief.
Riley looked expectantly at Charlie. She reflected the look back.
“You rang the bell.” Riley said. “You haven’t done that for a while.”
Charlie hung her head. “I didn’t know if you’d come.” Tears fought their way to the front of her
eyes again. She lifted her gaze to meet his. He led her into the treehouse, which was filled with
dust and cobwebs. Charlie and Riley gazed around the small room that had once been their only
refuge. It felt strange to be back here, almost as if it were a different lifetime. They sat on the two
cardboard boxes, that had at times been beanbags, thrones, or airplane seats - constantly
changing to suit their games.
“What’s going on, Charlie?” Riley asked.
Charlie sighed. Looking at Riley, she knew she couldn’t keep her problems quiet. Riley smiled,
encouraging her to take her time.
“It’s Mum.” Charlie replied. “I got an envelope today from the university. I think it has my
acceptance letter in it.”
“That’s amazing Charlie!” Riley exclaimed. “What’s the problem?”
“It’s the marathon scholarship.”
Riley’s smile faded, as he realised what she meant.
“Your mum won’t let you go, will she?” he sighed. It was more of a statement than a question.
Charlie thought back to the argument she had just had with her mum. Her mother had told her
that people like them did not become athletes. All of her life, Charlie had been taught to be the
perfect daughter. Her mother had forced her to win spelling bees, get top marks and learn all
sorts of instruments, to further her chances of getting a doctor’s degree. No consideration had
ever been given to Charlie’s passion for marathon running, which her mother had passed off as a