Livia’s Life – Season 1

 

Livia’s Life – Season 1  by Jasmine Sheherazade Ebrahim, In the Livia Series

 

Chapter One

 

“Faster! Higher!” Livia grinned as Lavender patiently pushed the swing. Livia’s legs swung uncontrollably as the swing rapidly got higher. Lavender was getting worried.

“Liv, it’s getting too fast,” she bit her lip, letting go of the swing. Livia shook her head, scraping the ground with her foot.

“Look Lavender, I can get higher!” She called. Although Livia was 11, she acted like a child half the time.

“Oh, no, Liv, Liv get down!” Lavender cried, desperately. Livia wouldn’t listen. The swing was getting higher—and Livia was going with it.

Lavender ran to her sisters. “Alexa! Catherine! Help!” She yelled. Catherine was on her phone, swiping through her texts and Alexa was listening to music through her new headphones. “Livia’s in danger!”

Catherine immediately switched off her phone. “What?!” Catherine shouted.

“Where is she?” Alexa said calmly. Lavender pointed. All three girls ran to Livia. Catherine was shouting profusely.

“Get down here right now, Livia!” But Livia couldn’t get down. Alexa tried to hold the swing still, but it wouldn’t stop.

“I can’t!” Livia said, her legs flailing wildly. Lavender turned pale. Alexa held her shoulder.

Alexa stood beside Livia, telling her exactly how to come off. “You’re going to get your legs free, Liv, you’re going to jump off.”

Catherine, Lavender, and Livia gasped simultaneously. “Are you crazy?!” Catherine shrieked. Lavender covered her mouth.

“I’ll catch you. One, two, three—jump!” Alexa shouted. Livia leapt off the swing and landed painfully on the ground.

“You were supposed to catch me, Alexa.” Livia groaned, standing up.

“Livia!” Lavender ran to her sister. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Livia grinned.

“Livia that was reckless and rash and totally immature and—” Catherine listed. Alexa stopped her. “I think she understands, Cathy. Right Livia?”

“Uh,” Livia starts.

“And you’ll never do that again, right?”

“Wait—”

“Good. Come on then, Cath, the others are waiting.” Alexa gently pulled Catherine away. “Don’t be too long. We’ll meet you by the food hut.” They walked off, leaving the girls alone.

“You scared me there.” Lavender whispered.

“Sorry,” Livia looked genuinely sincere. Lavender relaxed. “But oh my gosh! That was amazing!” Livia’s eyes glistened with excitement.

“Livia!” Lavender cried. “Livia, I cannot believe you!” She shook her head before running off to join the others. “I’m going.”

Livia sighed. She loved Lavender but sometimes she worried too much. Lavender was older than Livia. She was 13. Livia had always seemed to control their relationship, but times were changing. And Lavender was changing too.

Livia buried her head in her hands. “Lavender,” she said. “Ohh.” Slowly, she brushed herself off and started to run after her sister. They ran until they stopped where the rest of their sisters were sitting.

“There you are!” Alexa smiled warmly at Lavender and passed her some money. “For ice-creams.”

Catherine nodded. “Nine, Lavender.” Lavender placed the money in her purse then ran to the food hut.

Livia stood silently, watching Lavender ordering. Lavender opened her purse to pay—but stopped. She checked her purse again. The man was getting impatient. “Do you want these ice-creams or not, child?”

“Yes, sir, I, yes,” Lavender stumbled. She brought out a single pound. The man scoffed.

“£15.” He muttered. Lavender searched her purse once more. She was blushing scarlet.

At that moment, Livia saw someone in black holding a twenty-pound note.

“Hey! Stop! Thief!” She yelled at the man. Catherine turned her head.

“Livia!” She shouted. Livia snatched the money from his hand.

“This is my sister’s!” She held it out to Lavender. Lavender was appalled. Livia then saw the man get really angry.

“You little thief!” He snarled, grabbing the money back. Lavender grabbed Livia’s arm. “And you,” he said, turning to Lavender. “Do you know this girl?” Livia stared hopefully at Lavender but she just let go. “Right. With me. Now.” The man gripped Livia’s wrist and pulled her away.

“No wait!” Lavender yelled. “No! Stop! ALEXA!” She screamed. Alexa came running.

“Let go of her!” Alexa shouted, pulling Livia. Catherine joined them.

“She’s yours?” The man raised his eyebrows. “Well, you should be teaching her some manners.”

“Excuse me!” Catherine gaped. “You just pulled our sister illegally handling her and what were you going to do?!” The man grunted, letting her go.

“Next time you to accuse me of stealing your filthy cash, I’ll be sure to call the cops.” He walked off. Catherine and Alexa looked furious.

“WHAT happened?!” Catherine shouted. Lavender and Livia stared meekly at her.

“Both of you, back over there. We’re going home.” Alexa said coldly. They walked behind her, staring at the ground.

“Where have you been?!” Their mum, Maya, gasped, grasping Lavender by the shoulder. “Alexa, Catherine. Can you explain all this?” Catherine frowned. Alexa didn’t say anything. Livia mouthed a ‘thank you’ which got ignored. “Your sister’s have been looking for you!”

“And we were so bored.” Brittany glared at them. Livia glared back.

Rosalind let out a frustrated sigh. “Can’t we just leave this darn park.” Maya nodded.

“Yes. We’re going home.” All the girls trudged back to the car, carrying their bags. Maya turned to Alexa. “So, what did happen.”

“We got lost, mum. We’re sorry.” Alexa lied. Maya nodded, not quite believing her. “But anyway, your absence ruined the outing for the others.” Alexa nodded sadly. They walked the rest of the way to the car in silence and by the time they got home, they were all exhausted.

Alexa retreated to her bedroom and so did Catherine. Lavender lay on the sofa with a book, Brittany wondered around upstairs, Rosalind went to apply make-up, Roxanne started arguing with her mum and Livia switched on the T.V.

“Mum! I’m hungry!” Livia whined as Roxanne came storming in. “Hey!” Livia screamed. Roxanne shoved her out of the way, snatching the remote. She switched channels.

“Mum!” Livia yelled, marching into the kitchen. Lavender put her book down.

“It’s too loud. I’m going to my room.” She ran upstairs. “Oh my god, Brittany!” Brittany was in Lavenders room, looking through her clothes. Lavender chased her out.

“I don’t have any decent clothes! Mum just bought you a new wardrobe!” Brittany pointed out angrily.

“Yeah! For me! Not you!” Lavender slammed the door to her room shut. “I hate this!” She yelled.

Everyone was surprised. Lavender rarely shouted or raised her voice. “What?!” She opened her door again. “I have the right to get cross!”

“Lavender?” Alexa walked in. Lavender crossed her arms and sat on her bed. Maya stomped up.

“Girls! Be quiet! Alexa, move. Let Lavender have some space.” And with that Alexa came out and Maya went in.

They were talking for a long time before anyone else came out. Then the girls heard Lavender crying.

Alexa and Catherine brought everyone downstairs. “Listen, Lavender’s upset and—” Alexa started.

“And what?” Brittany demanded. “What’s so important that we have to treat her specially?” Roxanne shoved Brittany to the side. “Shut up, squirt.” She muttered. Brittany scowled.

“I’ve had enough of this.” She flicked her hair before marching to the kitchen.

“Well, that went well.” Catherine sighed. Rosalind scoffed.

“What, Rosalind?” Catherine snapped. Rosalind frowned. Then maya came down. She looked upset.

“Will everyone give Lavender some space, please.” The girls nodded. “Okay.” She put on a smile. “Alexa, Catherine, and Rosalind, can you three, help make dinner. Roxanne, Brittany and Livia, you three will—wait, where is Brittany?” Everyone looked away.

“Brittany?” Maya called. “Brittany?” She ran into the kitchen and saw Brittany devouring a whole bar of white chocolate. “Brittany!”

RING! RING! RING!

Maya turned to Catherine. “Answer the phone, will you darling?” Catherine went into the lounge.

“Huh? Who? Oh. Okay.” She said into the phone. “It’s Grandma. She wants to speak to you.” Catherine handed mum the phone. Maya turned pale.

“Hi mother…” she said. “You, you want what?! No! No, no, I mean, they, they’re my children, mother. I know, they do, but—you are? You’re coming round when? TODAY?! No, mother, there’s no problem…yes…see you then—bye.”

“What is it mum?” Rosalind asked. Maya gave a weak smile.

“Oh nothing! Just that, that Grandma is coming around, today.” Maya was so pale, she looked like a ghost.

“Grandma Gothel!” Livia gasped.

“Don’t worry, girls, it’ll be fine.” Maya replied. Catherine looked furious.

“Mum, the last time she came, she called my out on my hair choices and then my boyfriend!”

Maya sighed. “I know she can be a bit,”

“A bit what?” Roxanne shouted. “Prim? Cruel? Bossy?”

“Yes. She can be all those things but—” Maya looked like she was about to faint.

“It’s okay guys, we’ll manage.” Alexa gave mum a look of reassurance. Maya smiled gratefully. Nobody else spoke. “Come on, everyone. Let’s make lunch.”

The girls bustled about the kitchen preparing lunch.

“Ow!” Brittany yelled when she cut her finger.

“Move!” Roxanne shoved Brittany out of the way. Livia grabbed a bunch of veg and threw it in a pot.

“Livia!” Catherine shouted. “That’s the pot for the soup!”

“Girls! Look, everyone, go and tidy up. I’ll make lunch.” Maya shook her head. The girls trudged out of the kitchen.

“I’m not tidying up something that’s not my mess.” Rosalind said haughtily. Alexa laughed.

“Yes, you are.”

“I’ll get Lavender.” Livia volunteered, charging upstairs.

“No, Livia—” Catherine started. “Never mind.”

Upstairs, Lavender was sobbing into her pillow. Livia burst in.

“Go away!” Lavender cried, sitting up.

“Lavender?” Livia asked, slowly.

“I said go!” Lavender repeated. Livia shook her head in disbelief.

“Lavender, I can’t believe you.”

“I can’t believe you! You think you know everything about me Livia Bell, but you don’t! So, stop pretending you really care!” Lavender knew what she said wasn’t true—but it still hurt Livia.

Livia slammed the door shut and collapsed on the floor. “Lavender.” She muttered sadly. Lavender had grown up since last summer. She was a teenager. And Livia, was still a child. Livia walked back downstairs and sat down on the sofa. “Lavender has changed.” She whispered.

“Really,” Catherine said, hoovering the carpet.

“Yes.” Livia crossed her arms. “And I was just trying to help.”

“You shouldn’t have bothered her.” Catherine replied. Livia was shocked.

“But, Catherine, Lavender was really rude, and she, she—”

“Livia please!” Catherine interrupted. “Go someone where else will you?” She said, concentrating on the hoovering. Livia frowned and sauntered off into the kitchen.

“Hey Liv.” Maya smiled. “Here, chop some veg, will you?” Livia picked up the knife and started fiercely chopping.

“Hey, hey!” Maya took the knife away. “Why so agitated?”

“It’s Lavender.” Livia muttered. Maya sighed.

“Listen, Liv, Lavender’s upset, and we have to accept that.” Livia’s face dropped. “Why don’t you take a piece of chocolate. Might cheer you up?” Livia nodded. Maya passed her a piece. Livia ate it quickly. “Mum?”

“Yes?”

“Why is Grandma coming?”

“Oh!” Maya exclaimed. “She’s, she’s coming to—” Livia sighed.

“I knew it.” She left the room. Maya stared after her, shaking her head.

DING! DING! DING!

“Agh!” Maya gasps. “Alexa, get the door!” Maya shoves the lid on the pots and pours the soup into the bowls.

“She’s here!” Alexa shouts. Maya grabs the bowls and brings them to the table.

“Let her in!” Maya replies.

All the girls stay silent as Grandma Gothel enters.

“Maya.” Gothel says. Suddenly, Lavender flies down the stairs.

“Ah. I see this is the girl you have chosen for me.” Everyone looked horrified.

 

Chapter Two

 

“Excuse me?!” Lavender stared at Gothel; her eyebrows raised.

“There’s been a mistake.” Alexa put a protective arm around Lavender. Lavender nestled closer to her.

“Well then, who is coming back with me?” Gothel asks impatiently.

“Mum? What’s happening?” Brittany asked. Maya calms herself before answering.

“Girls. There has been an agreement. Your grandma thinks I have not been looking after you properly—” Everyone starts protesting. “Listen!” Maya shouts. “So, grandma has agreed to take one of you…away…for a while.”

The girls look shocked. “How could you, mum?” Lavender whispers. Maya looked as if she would cry.

“Girls, I would never dream of—”

“But you did.” Roxanne crossed her arms.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Gothel growls angrily, “who am I taking?!” Maya looks away.

“Mum, you can’t let her take us!” Catherine shouts.

“Well, missy, I think I can!” Gothel shouts right at her.

Catherine turns away then suddenly grabs Brittany and Livia and pulls them away. They start running as fast as they can. Alexa didn’t have a better idea, so she grabbed Lavender whilst Roxanne and Rosalind ran behind.

Grandma Gothel looked furious. “And this is exactly why I’m taking you!” The girls stopped. “Maya can’t look after you!”

“Girls, come back.” Maya whispers. They do. Catherine refuses to look at Maya and Alexa is as silent as ever.

“But she can, I don’t get it…” Brittany mutters.

“Ah. You.” Gothel, grabs a hold of Brittany. “Pretty. Hmm.” Brittany keeps a steady gaze. “Make’s eye contact. Hmm. Is respectable. Can dance. Maya! If you won’t give me a girl, I’ll choose myself. This little one.”

“Brittany,” Maya’s eyes grow wide.

“Ah yes. Brittany. This girl with do well at Foxhall academy. Very well indeed.” Gothel smiles, revealing her yellow teeth. Brittany squirms. “Stand still, child.” She turns to Maya. “She will do.”

Maya reaches for her phone. “Oh!” She sees everyone staring at her. “Sorry, do sit down, mother.” Maya grabs her phone and starts dialling a number. “Excuse me for a second.” She rushes to the kitchen.

“Sam! Sam, my mother is here. She called a few hours ago and said she was here to take the girls. Yes, it’s really happening. Can you come? Great. I’ll talk to the boys. Thanks, bye!” Maya hangs up. “Sam, please hurry.” She mutters, dialling another number.

“Luka? Yes! It’s me. This is an emergency, Luka, your sister’s, Grandma Gothel is here, she’s going to—yes! Yes, thank you! Call your brother. I love you too son. See you soon!” Maya nods firmly to herself. “Gothel is not getting away with this.”

 

Maya re-enters the dining room and sits down across from her mother. Catherine is still not talking to her and neither are the others.

“This food, Maya, really? Soup?” Gothel remarks. Maya blushes. “Brittany.” Gothel orders. “Make sure your elbows aren’t on the table. It is so very rude.”

Brittany scowls. “And won’t you smile? I look down upon people who have no character.” Brittany refuses to smile. Maya clutches her arm.

“Darling, please smile.” Brittany frowns at her before mustering a small smile. She turns to Alexa.

“I hate this.” She whispers. Alexa helplessly looks back at her. Catherine sits taller.

“I’ll deal with this.” Catherine turns to Maya. “Mum. If you will excuse us, we have had enough of this visit and are ready to leave.” Maya opens her mouth to speak when Catherine interrupts. “Thank you.” She stands up and leaves the table.

“How rude!” Gothel exclaims.

“I am very sorry, mother.” Maya says as the girls are leaving. “You have to go.” Gothel looks stupefied.

“Excuse me, Maya!” She gasps. “I am still eating.”
“Sorry.” Maya repeats. Gothel stands abruptly stands up, her face red with anger.

“Maya, I am taking Brittany, now. I can clearly see that you can’t look after these children. So, Brittany!” Gothel shouts. Brittany stands in front of her. “You will be coming home with me.” Brittany stares at her mum.

“No! No mum! You can’t let her! No!” Brittany yells. Catherine hears her cries in the kitchen and she comes rushing in.

“How dare you try and take Brittany! Brittany, get behind me! Mum, I don’t care what Gothel says but I am not letting Brittany get taken.” Catherine says loudly. Maya sighs.
“Mum, you must go.” Maya says to Gothel. Gothel frowns.

“Mum! Mum! Mum! Look!” Someone shouts. Lavender peeks through the stairway.

“Mum, seriously, come!” She says, smiling. So, Maya, Catherine and Brittany charge up the stairs (Gothel doesn’t, she just tuts at their speed) before running up to Lavender.

“Mum, it’s amazing!” Lavender coos. She ushers them into the little attic room where Livia is sitting with a creature on her lap.

“Maya! Eww!” Gothel shrieks. “It’s a bird!” Maya shakes her head at her mother before kneeling to pet the bird.

“Where did you find it?” She asked softly.

“It jumped through the window.” Livia smiled, her eyes familiarly glistening with excitement.

“We think it’s injured.” Lavender whispers. Maya carefully takes it from Livia’s arms.
“Girls, get some soft material, we can make a bed.” Maya says to Rosalind and Brittany. “Someone get a bandage, or some wool.” Alexa nods. The three of them rush downstairs and emerge five minutes later with the equipment.

Maya, Lavender and Livia nurse the bird and half an hour later, it is chirping happily. Everyone is mystified. “Can we keep it mum?” Brittany asks. “Oh please!” The girls nod.

“Yes, yes, yes mum! Please!!” Livia begs. Maya smiles.

Catherine shrugs. “I’m going to finish my work. You coming, Alexa?”

Alexa shakes her head. “Guys, a pet is hard work. We would have to be dedicated.”

Gothel snorts. “As if Maya can handle that!” Catherine scoffs.

“As if you could do that!” Catherine shakes her head, marching out of the room with Alexa following.

Brittany sighs. “I guess we can’t keep it then.” Livia gives her a mournful nod.

“Well, if Alexa and Catherine disagree, then I guess we can’t.” Rosalind shrugs.

“And it’s mother must miss it’s baby.” Lavender smiles.

Slowly, Maya helps the girls lift the bird. They take of the bedding and sit it on the roof. It hops and jumps.

“Ready?”

The girls nod. The bird gets ready and suddenly takes flight. Everyone is in awe. Even Gothel. They watch the bird swoop through the air until it disappears behind the trees. Rosalind smiles. “That was beautiful.”

“Ugh! Why are we all getting soppy!” Rosalind cries, disguising her smile. Everyone laughs as they walk downstairs.

The minute they are all seated, Gothel crosses her arms, a menacing glare on her face.

“Mum?” Maya asks.

“What?” Gothel snaps. Rosalind and Roxanne seat themselves next to their grandmother and Livia, Brittany and Lavender sit beside their mother.

“Mum, am I going?” Brittany asks in a small voice. Livia is shocked. For as long as she could remember, Brittany has always been uptight, cocky and in your face—but now, she was sincerely worried. Livia had to do something.

“Yes, you are, child! Pack your bags, you’re going today.” Gothel says. Brittany face creases. Livia knows this is her last chance to save her sister.

She swiftly picked up Gothel’s mug of tea and flung it at her.

“CHILD!” Gothel shrieked, her hair drenched in murky liquid and her dress ruined. Not that it was very good anyway, Livia thought.

Maya hid a smile. Roxanne started laughing and Rosalind joined in. Even Brittany found it immensely funny. But Livia was laughing harder than everyone.

“Right, Brittany, pack your bags—NOW. And you,” Gothel points a crooked finger at Livia. “You are coming too.”

Livia gasps. “Wait—what!” Her eyes well up. “But! But! But I, I—no mum! Please—no!” Maya breaths heavily.

“Mum, you can’t take my children, let them stay, please.” Gothel shakes her head, firmly.

“I am taking them.” Brittany threw herself upstairs and started packing. Livia doubled over, falling on her knees.

“Mum, I beg you, let us stay! Gothel, I can’t go! No!” Livia shouted as Gothel pulled her up.

“Your mother isn’t in charge any more, I am.” Gothel cackled. “So, join your sister and start packing for Foxhall Academy.”

Livia ran upstairs despite her tears. Alexa heard Livia crying and she ran out of her room. “Liv! Livia, what’s wrong?”

“Livia?” Catherine opened the door.

“Gothel’s taking Brittany—and me.” Livia sobbed. Catherine clenched her fists.

“Right.” She muttered. Catherine stomped downstairs, angrily, a frown implanted on her face. Alexa held Livia’s hand.

“It’ll be fine, Livia. Where’s Brittany?” Alexa asked, running into Brittany’s room. Brittany too, was crying. Alexa ushered Livia in then gave both girls a hug. “Maybe it’ll be fun.” Livia cried harder. Alexa took a deep breath. “Let’s go downstairs.”

The girls walked slowly downstairs then gasped. Could it be??

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

“Dad?!” Alexa shouted, rushing towards a man in a large coat. Catherine was already furiously talking to him.

“First she tried to take Brittany and now she’s taking Livia too!”

The man looked cross but it was hard to tell under his scarf which was wrapped around his face like a jedi in Star Wars. He stepped into the house and at that moment Alexa spotted a familiar face behind him.

“Luka!” Alexa throws herself onto the boy, tackling into a huge hug. Catherine sees him too and gives him an equally huge bear hug.

Livia and Brittany rush down and leap into his arms.

“Luka!” Catherine grins. “It’s you.”

Maya turns her head from the living room and her eyes light up.

“Luka! Sam! You made it!” She gives both a big hug then stops, suddenly. “Where’s Zain?”

Luka takes a breath. “Zain. Zain, couldn’t make it.” He looks away, not meeting his mother’s gaze.

“Is he all right? Is he hurt?” Maya frets anxiously. Luka sighs.

“It’s—complicated.” Maya looks upset.

Then Livia gives Luka an eager grin. “I missed you so much!”

“Me too.” Brittany smiles. Rosalind and Roxanne charge over when they see the gathering. Lavender joins them too.

“Oh girls. Every time I see you, my heart lightens.” Luka smiles back. He quickly glances behind him and smiles again. “Girls, everyone, remember Yasmin Amira?”

The girls nod. Yasmin was his wife, they married last summer. Luka smiles once more and takes a step to the side revealing a beautiful lady in a fancy dress.

Brittany gasps happily. “Yasmin! I love your dress.” Yasmin smiles graciously.

“Aww. Thank you, sweetheart. Yours is equally stunning.” Brittany beams with pride. Luka smiles again and walks into the lounge. Everyone follows. Sam is still talking to Catherine.

“Maya! Maya, wait.” Sam shouts, grabbing Maya’s wrist. “Catherine told me everything. Is she still here?” Maya gasps, just remembering that her mother was here to take her children.

“Yes!” Maya runs back into the lounge where everyone is now sitting. Gothel sits there too.