Friendship on Fire

  Danielle Weiler is an innovative history teacher living in Perth, Western Australia. She is inspired every day by teenagers who are trying to find their unique identity in life. A serial diary writer, Danielle attributes much of her writing to having a large family, with five older brothers who endlessly entertain her. She wrote her first story book when she was six years old.

  Danielle is credited with being the editor of her university’s magazine as well as being president of her graduating class.

  Her writing encompasses the modern young adult and the difficulties of growing up in an unapologetic, competitive world. Danielle hopes this book will delight and satisfy the reader’s imagination.

  Danielle is attached to a loving husband, who is the funniest and most patient person she’s met. She is owned by a very affectionate ranga cat named Toppy.

  Danielle also has a passion for Redskins.

  Published in Australia by Sid Harta Publishers Pty Ltd,

  ABN: 46 119 415 842

  23 Stirling Crescent, Glen Waverley, Victoria 3150 Australia

  Telephone: +61 3 9560 9920, Facsimile: +61 3 9545 1742

  E-mail: author@sidharta.com.au

  First published in Australia January 2011

  This edition published March 2011

  Copyright © Danielle Weiler 2011

  Cover design, typesetting: Chameleon Print Design

  The right of Danielle Weiler to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to that of people living or dead are purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  Weiler, Danielle

  Friendship on Fire

  ISBN: 978-1-921829-69-7

  Digital Edition Published By

  Port Campbell Press

  www.portcampbellpress.com.au

  ISBN: 978-1-74298-045-4 (Epub)

  Praise for Friendship on Fire

  “Here’s a tale all teenagers should read. It tells it like it is”.

  —Tony Berry, author and editor

  “As the novel progresses, readers will soon get to know the loveable Daisy and live through the daily dramas of teenage life. There is a lesson for us all in this book as well…sometimes, we don’t always clearly see what has always been right in front of us. I loved this well written and engaging story that is bound to appeal to a wide teenage audience. The characters are realistic; the teenage angst and feelings of isolation and uncertainty are real; and the storyline is such that it is an easy read but does cover more complex young adult issues. All in all, this novel shows the potential of a young author who is ready to take her writing to a whole new level. This novel perfectly captures a teenager’s perspective of how confusing their everyday lives can really be - well written and engaging, Daisy, the main character is a real winner.”

  —John Morrow’s Pick of the Week

  “In Friendship on Fire Danielle Weiler skilfully uses her own experience as a young teacher, in tune with her students’ emotional highs and lows, to develop a character beyond the usual frothy romantic types typical of the chick lit genre. Daisy is feisty, vulnerable, and often inept. It is easy for her target audience to empathise with her. She has many qualities and faults teenage girls would recognise in themselves. Danielle Weiler writes with empathy and humour. Her descriptions of many of the background characters, for example the intriguingly named ‘Mr Head’ the headmaster, will cause many a chuckle. Friendship on Fire is a fast paced page turner, and while we may suspect it will be a happy ending there are sufficient twists and turns to make it less predictable than expected. Ms Weiler also cleverly conveys a deeper message: there is life after Year 12!”

  —Christine McCaffrie, Author, The Janus Illusion, Sid Harta, Melbourne, 2010

  “It’s (Friendship on Fire) an interesting dissection of someone’s final year of school, and packs a lot of messages and life lessons … A great voice and sensational read.”

  —Steph Bowe, YA author of ‘Girl Saves Boy’ 2010

  “The author writes about what she knows best - high school teenagers. Weiler is a high school history teacher and is a born writer. This story is about high school kids and their daily lives as they tread the minefield of sex, friendships and relationships. What sets this book apart from many similar attempts is that Weiler “gets it”. The teenagers portrayed are not cliched - they are true characters. Definitely a book that teenagers will enjoy. It’s full of fun, friendship, angst and positivity. This writer has started her path to a writing career in youth fiction that few master.”

  —Wendy O’Hanlon, Acres Australia

  “Captivating and real, this book reflects the social and moral turmoil found by all teens. A fantastic read.”

  —Gavin Williams, secondary school principal

  “Friendship on Fire has what all good novels should have: a tight storyline that keeps you turning the pages, and characters you can (and do) believe in - and care about, even after you have finished reading. Its topical immediacy and the refreshing honesty of its portrayal of the emotional world of young adults makes it a pleasure to read, even at its most painful points. I particularly like the light touches of humour that could so easily have been killed by a heavier hand (cue Principal Richard Head!), and the way that the characters kept surprising me with their depth and complexity.”

  —Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Avondale College.

  “A witty coming of age story that portrays an intuitive insight into the realities of teenagers today, with experiences to relate to and drama that will keep the reader hooked.”

  —Larissa, 24, English teacher

  “I loved it. It is easy to read and understand. Funny, sad, romantic and everything else. Some great twists in the story. Almost perfect the way it is.”

  —Tyler, 17, student

  “I LOVE IT! I couldn’t put it down. I need more. What happens in Daisy’s future? The author is honestly a brilliantly talented writer, this book is amazing!”

  —Innika, 17, student

  “The characters have great depth and are explained fully and the storyline is addictive once you get started. I wish there was a sequel!”

  —Hannah, 17, student

  “The author was very mysterious, not telling us what was going on. It was frustrating, but good. I found Daisy irritating because she reminded me of myself a whole lot. It was weird how much I could relate to her story.”

  —Amber, 17, student

  “This story keeps the reader guessing. There are heaps of different issues/ layers and problems to deal with. The reader has to keep thinking - how will the characters solve this? The author is very good with timelines and structure within the school year - it gives perspective and is detailed.”

  —Rachael, 19, office worker

  “There are so many different storylines going on: the boys, the sex, the bitches, the teachers/head of school, family. Daisy is a girl you can relate to; we’ve been there. It’s great how the poems have been integrated into the story - it gives the reader a better comprehension of what’s going on inside, and gives the reader a change to let their creative juices flow.”

  —Rachel, 18, student

  “This girl (Daisy) is struggling with identity and belonging. The whole time Daisy is supported by her family, especially her brothers even if it seems like they d
on’t care sometimes. THIS IS AN AWESOME BOOK!”

  —Konrad, 18, student

  “After reading the first chapter of Friendship on Fire I thought, wow, has someone been spying on me? This book tells the very realistic story of a teenage girl who is trying to balance school, work, friends, family and a new boyfriend. Through day-to-day life she experiences the typical emotions all of us feel, but finds in her a new strength. There is the embarrassing dad, attractive bad boy, lost friend, loving grandmother or a scenario we can all relate to. It’s not a fairytale but doesn’t disappoint for those who want a happy ending.”

  —Kristina, 19, office worker

  “This book is funny, witty and a joy to read. It provides insight and comic relief for teens as it explores friendships and relationships. For the ‘young at heart’ it will also bring back memories and allow some reminiscing of the issues experienced through high school and the journey into young adulthood.”

  —Stacey, 27, business analyst

  “I liked how Daisy, naive as she was, wanted the love story, and she was getting it from the new, dark man in her life, but not from Roman. I liked how everyday stresses of school life were present: bullying, the backstabbing best friend, partying, which anyone can remember from their own school life. It is everyday life situations, but it’s constructed to be interesting. I like that it’s got a happy ending, and Daisy gets her prince charming in the end, and he literally fought for her.”

  —Casey, 26, housewife

  “Friendship on Fire is a brilliantly written novel, and if it was my choice I would put it right on top of the best sellers list! I loved the romance and every time something romantic happened I would feel really warm. Also the key to the book I thought was the comedy, and cheekiness. I loved it! This book is one of the best books I have read in a long time.”

  —Marian, 13, student

  “Friendship on Fire is the best book I’ve ever read! The way the author writes the story, it makes you feel like you’re actually in the book, like it’s a film. I love, love, love the book!”

  —Megan, 16, student

  “The book is awesome! The ending was epic! I really did love it.”

  —Gaby, 14, student

  “I think this book is fantastic, you get into it more and more with every page. It really hits the spot about how a teenager feels and what they go through in the norm. Personally, I think its a great book for all ages!”

  —Steph, 14, student

  “The words in the book flow amazingly. I loved all the different characters and how they interacted with each other. I liked the way that each character has a secret story and all their different personalities.”

  —Amy, 13, student

  “The author completely understands what goes on in high-schoolers’ heads. I like the way situations are described, it makes you feel like you were there and understand what Daisy is feeling. Every time Daisy makes an embarrassing mistake or humiliates herself you find yourself wincing. This really flows well and is easy to read.”

  —Naomi, 26, primary teacher

  “The thing I like best about the book is that I can relate to how the main character is feeling, and how she is real - in that she still makes mistakes. The author is really good at describing the places and the things that happen, and it makes the story come to life!”

  —Carly, 25, ADRA volunteer

  “I liked how it was about friendship, romance and family all at once. It was really interesting and it kept me wanting to read more all the time! It was great how it was truly like high school. I loved it!”

  —Amber, 13, student

  “The book was very addictive, well written and had a great storyline and climax. Everything was built together to create something that clicked together amazingly well. The story is like a puzzle: every piece represents something and at the time you can see where it fits and what happens, though you can’t know for sure until you have completed the puzzle and everything comes together as one.”

  —Katie, 13, student

  “The author really caught Daisy’s problems head on and didn’t bother sugar coating it. This is the best book on earth!”

  —Makenzie, 13, student

  “I thought that the characters were great. The development was excellent. It was easy to get in to who they were and what they were like. I always like to personally think I know the character so that was good. It is a great book for high school girls. It covers real experiences that they go through. The exact kind of book that I would have read when I was 15 and above. I loved how you wrote the love story between Roman and Daisy. I think he is so adorable. I loved the family dynamics with the three brothers and the relationship between them and Daisy.”

  —Krista, 26, high school teacher

  “This book is very creative and Weiler really captures the characters’ personalities and the themes are relevant to teenage life. There is a great message to everyone who reads it.”

  —Jordan, 13, student

  “This book is so unique because these days all you can find in book stores are stories about vampires and werewolves with a random love triangle. Friendship on Fire is original and truly Australian.”

  —Chloe, 13, student

  “This book was addictive and the message sprung on people and kept their attention. The afterthought of Friendship on Fire was truly memorable and different (in a good way) from all other romances.”

  —Abby, 13, student

  “This book was uniquely awesome! I loved that it was unpredictable and every character had their own personality, they weren’t just cliches.”

  —Michaela, 13, student

  Humbly dedicated to my students,

  who were my most supportive critics.

  And to my husband, who sat with me

  and listened.

  ou would think that at a school as large as mine one could go unnoticed and subtly anonymous for one day. I have seen others manage it and their modifications were a lot more drastic than mine.

  ‘RANGA.’

  Not for the first time today.

  ‘It’s really not that bad,’ said Rachael, my closest friend of five years. I tested her words against her smile. Genuine, but with a hint of underlying humour. It was bursting, and she was doing her best to be composed.

  I sighed.

  Even with Rach’s support, and I loved her for it, I knew it was hard to miss the flaming red locks coming out from under my school hat. It was all right for her; she was brunette and totally natural.

  This was going to be a long day.

  We walked down the long hallway leading to the year twelve common room; or our haven, if you like. In it we already planned to have an endless supply of Freddo Frogs, cans of soft drink, and, God-willing, a stash of McDonald’s cutlery and sauces stolen from my work. Our common room symbolised our status as school leaders, set apart from the rest of the peasants. Role models.

  I tripped on a shoe as I came in the doorway. Rach burst out laughing and handed me the shoe. I threw it back across the room into the masses.

  ‘Daisy Brooks, to my office. Now, please …‘ the principal, Mr Richard Head, bellowed at me through the doorway. His toes stopped short of entering the common room.

  My face turned as red as my hair as the whole common room filled with a hundred or so year twelve students went quiet and looked at me. When they saw my hair, if they hadn’t already, they erupted into laughter and threw a tirade of redhead jokes at me.

  ‘Who let you out of the zoo, ranga?’

  ‘Hey carrot-top — what happened?’

  ‘How’d you burn your hair?’

  I was the only redhead (or ‘ranga’, as I had affectionately been called) in the whole graduating class of St Dominic’s College. Anyone else who might have been naturally red was either bullied into dying it brown, put streaks into it, or was sick of the ranga jokes. Although we were told we had to be accepting of all people, it was obvious high school had no rules.

  Some of the less arti
culate boys were making orangutan movements with their hands cupped under their arms. I tried to raise my chin and look dignified, at least until I left the common room. Inside, I felt anger and embarrassment as I followed Mr Head towards his office.

  It wasn’t my fault Dad bought me the wrong colour and type of hair dye. It was my first time and I entrusted my entire social status to my father’s ability to choose brown, semi-permanent hair dye. Instead, he chose deep red, permanent colour, that mixed with my naturally honey blonde hair to make a delicious orange red that was, it’s true, like an orangutan. I needed to grow it out, and fast.

  Mr Head’s lofty, belted pants jiggled a little too high above his heels, something that has provided me with hours of amusement in the past. Today he revealed a pair of Mr Tall Mr Men socks. Blue, green and purple. Pulled straight and tight who knows how far up his milky calves. Classy.

  I raised my eyes as we reached his office door and nearly ran into him. He caught me inspecting his fashionable socks.

  ‘Anything in particular you wish to share with me, Miss Brooks?’ His eyes narrowed as he squinted up at me.

  Think quick. Don’t mention the socks. ‘Nice socks, sir.’

  His pants seemed to go higher as he self-consciously pulled at a belt loop. ‘Sit down, Daisy.’ He vaguely gestured to the chairs positioned in front of his desk.

  While I sat, Mr Head rearranged the ornaments on his desk in his obsessive-compulsive way while no doubt thinking of manipulative ways to word his impending lecture to me.

  ‘I saw you, Daisy.’

  He held a gold beaver ornament in his hand and gazed at it delicately in the only ray of sunlight bursting through his blinds.

  When I didn’t answer straight away he cocked his head slightly at me, his glasses slipping down his nose to fit their usual groove. His blackheads were atrocious.

  ‘Standing out like a beacon in the sunlight, like you have no pride in the school. Like you’re already not taking your school captaincy position seriously, as I knew you wouldn’t,’ he continued. He waited for his words to affect me, watching my eyes fall. ‘We have full school assembly this morning, and I don’t need a prank like this one holding up my phone lines from irate parents telling me my control over the students has gone.’