A Girl Named Madaline

A Girl Named Madeline

There lived a girl named Madeline Walker; she was the most mysterious, different girl you could have ever met. Out of all the numerous type of girls you could name: girly-girl, rough, tomboy, show- off etc, etc. She was just unalike.

Now her parents, Robin and Julie tried to talk her out of her unusual ways but Madeline would never hear of it. She would always reply “But mum and dad I thought I was supposed to be myself and not somebody else.” Now you can tell how her parents were dumbfounded, because Madeline was telling the truth.
Madeline was the age of eleven, long mousy brown hair with chili hot pepper freckles that made her stand out. She had a smile of an angel but these smiles were rare, because usually she never had anything to grin about. She wore normal glasses; she had tried to wear contact lenses by making herself look cool. But to her she did not feel right. Madeline did not understand why she had to change herself to make friends. If they truly wanted to be her friends they could come up to her and ask her, would you want to play? And say nice things about her. She was always neat too. With her long hair combed back to make her truly and most likely ready for her school lessons.

During school time, as Madeline was finishing her Math’s essay for the term. She had the most eccentric thought. Why do her parents seem uncanny? They don’t even talk to each other anymore? They sometimes didn’t even notice her. As you know Madeline parents were trying to take her out of her mysterious ways so any unusual questions she had, they would never answer.

“Madeline! What is 72 divided by 4?!” Madeline’s Teacher, Miss Valentine roared. Miss. Valentine was middle aged; she wore a purple jumper with a lilac skirt, and her boots were black.
“Mum?” Madeline answered.
“I beg your pardon!”
The whole class roared with laughter.
“144”
“Excuse me? Can someone please tell Madeline 72 divided by 4?”
“18!” Jessica Harris shouted. She was the most rudest and malicious child Madeline had ever met! Jessica had ginger hair; she also wore her top out, instead of tucking it in. She never wore school shoes always boots and she preferred mini skirts, than to a decent school one.
“Correct Jessica. I am relieved that someone is paying attention. Madeline I am shocked! You know your division and you could not work out a simple sum like that! Well I never want to see it happen again. You hear me!” Miss Valentine ordered.
“Yes Miss Valentine,” Madeline replied.
The bell rang…

“All of you out! Its playtime,” Miss Valentine said.
The class got up from their seats, and darted straight out the door.
Madeline was trying to be the quickest, but Miss Valentine called her.
“Madeline may I see you for a moment?”
Madeline walked straight up to Miss Valentine. Head banging…Fingers feeling wet…Anxious all over. Getting ready for a shout of a life time.
“Madeline why did you ask such a mortifying question,” Miss Valentine asked. What? Madeline could not believe Miss Valentine was being nice. She actually was being caring. Madeline could not believe her ears, she was lost for words… but she quickly came up with an answer to sum it all up.
“I was being my unusual self” Madeline replied, and dashed out the door, so Miss Valentine did not have time to ask another question.

“Ooh you got busted!” Jessica announced. When Madeline was outside on the playground.
“For your information I did not, but I will not explain myself to you.” Madeline indignantly said.
“You know Jessica I can not stand you, whatever problem you have got with Madeline just say it because I have been dying to know!” Sophia Hallowell exclaimed. Sophia Hallowell was Madeline’s so called best friend. She never wanted to be seen with Madeline for some reason. They both had something in common. They could not stand Jessica! Sophia was a brunette, but streaked her hair blonde, she was a tidy girl. So always had the correct school uniform. She never played with Madeline; just had a few minutes talk with her like any other person could do. But she always complimented Madeline. This would be the closet conversation they had. But Madeline was okay with her being her so called best friend.

After school Madeline rushed over to her mum who looked distressed.
Julie had the body of a supermodel she had the intension to be one. But she fell in love with Madeline’s dad and she knew her dream would not exist. She had long light brown hair, and usually a lot of make up on her face but this time they were all blurry with the crying she had done. She always knew what to wear, but today she dressed as if she didn’t care what she wore.
“Mum what’s wrong,” Madeline worriedly said.
“Oh nothing just had a fight with your father, that’s all-”
“But you and dad never argue.”
“Oops I have said too much, hurry up and get in the car Madeline!”
Madeline obeyed immediately she knew that if her mother was ever distressed there was no arguing.

Madeline knew this was not the time for her odd question so she tried to cheer herself up, by working out the sum Miss Valentine had asked.
“18!” she murmured to herself angrily.
“What?” Julie asked.
“Oh nothing,” Madeline replied.
Just as Madeline‘s mum was about to ask Madeline how her day had been, her mobile phone rang.
“What?”
“Court!”
“Divorce!”
“Why? We were so good together,”
“Huh,” Robin had ended the phone call... He left Madeline’s mum to think.
She was going to take Madeline to her sister Cassandra, but there was not enough time. She had to be at court right now. Madeline was aware of the situation, and knew where they were heading.

“Mrs. Walker do you have a reason why your marriage should go ahead,” The Judge bellowed.
Madeline’s mum was completely stunned. She did not have a lawyer. She was not prepared; she was one person on her own.

When the debate was over, Madeline’s mum and dad were assigned to keep Madeline one week each. Since it was on a Friday it did not really count, since Madeline’s dad would be moving his things. This would take a few days, so on a Monday Madeline would be with her father.

“So how come you’re mum looked so I dunno, frustrated last week Friday?” Sophia asked.
“We are going to have to keep it on the D-L,” Madeline whispered.
“D-L?”
“It means down low, which means nobody should know about it except us,”
“Who won the court case?”
“My dad but it was not fair to my mother because, he called her up when we were in the car. He said that she had to be at this court case. She was shocked; she did not have anything planned. So when we arrived at the court, you should have seen how she looked, so defenseless. My mum knew she had to sound sophisticated but she came out plain stupid.” Madeline explained.
The whistle blew…School had started.

“Good morning everybody I expect you went to bed early. Ready for the school day to begin.” Miss Valentine said.
“Good Morning Miss Valentine,” the class replied.
“Now class we will be doing a topic about Families.”
“Wicked!” Sophia shouted.
“Cool,” someone shouted.
“Yeah,”
“Awesome!” someone else shouted.
“Calm down class,” Miss Valentine said.
“Now the idea of this project and topic is so that you can learn that not all families have happy endings. As you seen in fairytales when Ariel whisks off with Eric and they have a child named Melody. Actually even then they didn’t have a good start. But the point is, not all families are going to turn out the way you want it to! And the B.O.E Board of Education believes it’s best for you to learn this now.”
“Why should we learn this now?” Madeline asked.
“Madeline you’re so stupid!” Jessica interrupted as Miss Valentine was about to reply.
“Excuse me; don’t be so rude in my class. I will not take offensive behavior from anybody! Madeline asked a simple question and I am going to reply with a simple answer. Actually no, I’ll pass; since you said Madeline was stupid not to know the answer why don’t you tell her Jessica!” Miss Valentine said with a smirk.
Everybody was grinning accept Jessica, even Madeline couldn’t help a few giggles. She knew anything Jessica said, wouldn’t be the correct answer. Sadly, Jessica knew that herself.
“Come on Jessica Harris we can’t wait for you the entire day,” Sophia said cheekily. You wouldn’t believe how Jessica wanted to slap that audacious smile from Sophia’s face.
“Oh Sophia don’t be so rude,” Miss Valentine said. “We have plenty of time to wait for Jessica- oh times up Jessica, what’s your answer?”
“But you, you said you would wait for me.” Jessica whimpered.
“And we have,” Miss Valentine replied, “2 minutes and 15 seconds, oh wait make that 30 seconds!”
“Fine, I don’t know the answer.”
“You can stay in at break and lose your entire playtime.”
“What?” Jessica said with fury.
“Calm down, young lady. You shouted in my class, insulted a girl who asked a straightforward question, and you expect to be… let me say it in terms of language you’ll understand, ‘let of the hook’. Now you listen, and listen well. In my class you listen to me, do you know why? Because I’m the teacher, and whatever I say, you do, you got that!”
The whole class stared from Jessica to Miss Valentine; the fear in Jessica’s eyes astonished them. They’d never seen her look so defenseless, so pathetic in their lives.
“Right, Madeline the answer to your question is… you’re in YR.6, you need to be more understanding when let’s say, your family doesn’t end with a perfect ending. Not all people are meant for each other, and I personally think, all of you should not act like babies when your parents are going to court. Because at the end of the day, they’ve made their decision and you can’t stop them. You can plead, beg even throw yourself in a tantrum it won’t stop them. So, learn about it now when the time comes, you’ll be brave and ready.” Miss Valentine made clear.
She called out her helpers Ruth and Jodie, and informed them to hand the sheets she had laid on her desk out. They quickly did as they were told, not wanting to agitate the teacher and sat back down.
Madeline observed the sheets; there was a mother, a father and a small girl in the middle. But above her, the mother and father were deliberately screaming at each other. And as Madeline read the speech bubbles, it looked as if they were shouting because each other wanted full custody over their daughter. But neither of them, would hear of it, and began continuously bribing the child to say, which one it wouldn’t to be with. Madeline felt sorry for the girl, because she may be a picture but problems like these occur in real life.
“Now I hope you all viewed your sheets, and understand what is happening.” Miss Valentine informed.
“Put your hand up if you think you know what is going on?” She enquired.
Madeline shot her hand up like a lightning bolt, “Yes Madeline, explain to us what you think is going on.”
“The mum and dad are fighting because both of them want’s to have full custody of their child. The little girl doesn’t know what to do, and is scared if she chooses her father will her mother not love her! And her mother visa versa. It’s to complicated she wants to run away, run away… far away!” Madeline’s voice was becoming stronger with compassion and feeling as if she knew exactly how the poor girl felt. She was about to continue, but glanced at the clock and realized It was assembly time. Everyone glared at her as if she was the best storyteller they’d ever heard. Even Jessica and Miss Valentine. But then Miss Valentine glimpsed at her watch and realized it was assembly time, she hurriedly told her class to stand up and lead them to the assembly hall. Madeline groaned she knew it would be nothing special; after all it was Monday… like anything exciting ever transpired on a Monday.

And when she came out, she had been right. A boring lecture about a stupid rabbit that escaped out of its cage, and is roaming in their town. Big deal! Like it could kill anyone, an absolute waste of time. Miss. Valentine beckoned Jessica to stay put, remembering she had still lost her break time. Everyone moved around Jessica, giggling as they went by her, she told them to shut up.
Outside was the worst thing, Madeline should have not even thought to go. Due to the fact everyone kept asking her why she had recited her story so movingly. About a hundred times she replied “I don’t know?” She was so cheerful when the bell rang, for them to go inside.
Miss. Valentine for the first time, in Madeline’s life actually complemented her. And made her feel good, until Jessica started chanting “Teachers pet!” Madeline decided to ignore her, and remind her later of how scared she had looked, when Miss. Valentine yelled at her. Things turned out well for the entire lesson, Madeline felt, for once she was a normal girl. She actually existed in the class. Time went by like an eagle catching its prey; Madeline had never felt so content before.

“Hi dad,” Madeline cheerfully greeted, as he stood near the gate waiting for her.
“How did your day go?” Robin asked. Madeline’s dad was tall, he wore glasses and was old fashioned, but sometimes he could be really cool.
“It went incredibly well, every girl wanted to play with me. Oh, dad I felt as if I actually belonged in the class!” She cried out with merriment.
“Someone’s Miss. Popular.” He replied.
They walked to the car, and got in. Madeline smiled to herself happily for her day had gone fabulous.

When they reached Robin’s house, Madeline couldn’t wait to write in her diary. She zoomed out the car, opened the door by using her key, and ran upstairs. She leapt on her bed with her book in her hand, and her pen in the other. She scribbled on her page like never before, Robin who had witnessed his daughter’s happiness was ecstatic. His daughter had finally acted like an everyday school girl, and for once she was making friends, and feeling good about herself.
As he was about to step inside his house, a rabbit hopped past him. The house was big; it had colorful bricks out side the walls. Robin didn’t know there was a rabbit on the loose, since he was new to the neighborhood, and had not seen any missing posters. So he found it quite strange to see the fury fluff ball hopping joyfully along. He took no notice and decided to tell Madeline later.

“Pass the salt, please,” Madeline said to her father, there was no reply. “Dad, salt two inches away from you. Come on I’m chewing on cardboard right here!” As she scoffed down her handful of chips.
“What? Oh the salt. Sorry I’m in my own little world.” He replied.
“Yeah, I can see that.”
“Did you know, in the afternoon I saw a fluff ball hop pass me.”
“Fluff ball?”
“Rabbit then, I saw a rabbit hop pass me.”
“You’re telling me, you saw a rabbit hop pass you. You’re losing it daddy!” But then Madeline remembered what her head teacher had lectured about, hadn’t she said there was a rabbit that had escaped out of its cage.
“Dad was it white, with a pink nose and blue eyes?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“Dad do you know what this means.”
“No.”
“It means you found the missing rabbit!” She shouted cheerfully.
“But how could I have found it, if I don’t have the fluff ball.” He answered.
“Oh yeah,” Her voice sank back down.
“But at least we know what neighborhood he or she is in.” Madeline added on.
“But Madeline, he or she could have left this neighborhood ages ago.”
“You’re so negative daddy.” And with that she swooped up her plate, took the ketchup, the salt, the vinegar, the bread and basically everything on the dining table.

“Darling, time to get up.” Robin softly said.
Madeline groaned.
“Just jump out of bed and say school, school, and school.”
Madeline began poking at her fathers face.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for the snooze button.” She replied.
“Don’t let me decrease your allowance.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“50p, 60p, 70p…”
Madeline quickly scavenged out of bed.
“Dad, it’s a Tuesday nothing ever happens on a Tuesday.” Madeline moaned at the breakfast table.
“I’m sure something will come up, and when did you stop liking school. I thought you were popular.” He retorted.
She put her hand on Robin’s shoulder, “It’s not that easy being popular, too bad you never were.”
“I was on the Rugby team.”
“As the towel dryer.”
“Shouldn’t you be on your way to school?” Robin whined.
“It’s only 7:50am; school starts at 8:50. This house is two streets away from school.”
“Madeline I think your mixing up streets with roads.”
“Oh Snap!” She took of with her bag, and was out the door like a flash.
“My daughter, my strange, strange daughter,” Robin laughed to himself.

“Good Morning Class!” Miss. Valentine began.
“Good Morning Miss. Valentine,” They replied.
“Right… we all know our topic for this month, is Families. Yesterday we had a nice story from Madeline about the girl.”
They all stared at her, Madeline felt as if she would drown in a sea of embarrassment.
“So today, we’re going to be studying a boy.” Miss. Valentine added on.

The rest of the day went well, but not like yesterday. It was as if Madeline didn’t exist again. Madeline wondered whether it was because it was a boy, so everyone thought she wouldn’t make a good story out of it. It was so unfair that they were all being sexist; on Monday Sophia had actually sat next to her at lunch. But today she went by Madeline as if she wasn’t there, and nobody wanted to play with her, no one talked to her. I guess one day of popularity was enough for Madeline.

“Hi dad,” Madeline droned, when she saw her father at the school gate.
“What’s the matter Maddy?”
Her dad ever called her Maddy when he knew she was upset.
“Yesterday everyone wanted to play with me, they all talked to me. And today, well everyone just acted as if I wasn’t there. Like it used to be, I guess I have to make a start on becoming the old Madeline.” She explained as they walked to the car.
“Well, Maddy maybe you should make a start, by introducing yourself to them. What about that girl you told me about, Sophia was it. Why not start talking to her more.” He replied as they got in the car.
“But it’s not that simple, daddy!” As Madeline tucked in her seatbelt.
“How isn’t.” And he put the car in engine and began to drive.
“To tell you the truth, Sophia only talks to me is because she feels sorry for me. Sorry that no-one plays with me. I wish I could join cheerleading, and then everyone will think I’m cool, at least it’ll work better than trying on the contact lenses.”
“You did what!” Robin retorted.
“Nothing…” Madeline quickly said.

When Madeline had brushed her teeth, and began writing in her diary. She started to think whether joining the cheerleading club was a good idea after all. Madeline found it quite difficult to learn dance moves, and next week Monday was try-outs; she would have to make up her own cheer. Madeline knew Jessica Harris and Sophia would be there, was joining cheerleading worth embarrassing herself in front of the two people she knew would spread a rumor. The whole school would be laughing at her; no she couldn’t do it, the whole school smaning at her… even the teachers would giggle behind her back. But she had to prove she was confident, after all if you’re scared you’re always going to be scared. It’s time she took up a challenge, and was valiant. Yes, she would go to the try-out and pass excessively well. But for now, I guess it was bedtime.

“Sophia Hallowell,” Madeline’s gym teacher Mrs. Thompson announced, “are you going to cheer for us today.”
“No, I prefer to dance.” And she began to, Madeline had never seen anyway dance so well before. Sophia looked like Ciara on stage; Madeline began to feel a bit distraught. Had she practiced well enough? Was the song she had picked the right one? Were her dance moves good? You know what she told herself I just need to relax, everything will go perfectly fine.
“Madeline Walker!” Mrs. Thompson presented. “Do you have a song to sing for us today?”
“Yes,” Madeline replied.
Her song was “Nobody’s Perfect!” by Hannah Montanna, Madeline wasn’t truly a bad singer and she started making up dance moves when she was 6. Madeline always let herself believe that her character should be someone shy and scared, but today she was confident. She sang, she danced and most of the girls were shocked because her voice was great. And her moves were fantastic, when she had finished she sat back down quietly.
When the try-outs were over Madeline had never felt so happy.
“Whoa, what was that Madeline?” Sophia asked.
“What are you talking about?” She replied.
“You know the way you sang and danced. You were doin your thing up there.”
Madeline blushed; she could tell from the street language Sophia was using it was a compliment.
“You are fabulous dancer, how did you learn moves like that?” Madeline asked.
Sophia shrugged; Madeline could tell she was happy to be appreciated to.
“Sophia I’m going to be straightforward with you. You are mean sometimes, one minute you’re nice to me. Then the next you act as if you don’t know me, make up your mind am I your friend or not! Five years Sophia, I have had to put up with you trying to get to know me, then the next it’s as if I’m not even there! You don’t know how it feels like for someone to be nice to you, then rude the next. You’ve got lots of friends I haven’t, you’ve got someone who will always want to sit next to you at lunch. I’m always on my own. You said I was your so called best friend, and then what can of best friend are you! I was always the shy Madeline, now I’m not! You always walked over me, now I’m standing up to you. I’ve had enough! It’s either you’re my friend or not!” Madeline clarified, and she ran away without giving Sophia a chance to speak.

Sophia didn’t speak to Madeline the entire day, Madeline knew why. But she was okay with it, its better to tell the person how you feel about your friendship with them, than to waste your life pretending to be fine with it. Madeline’s chest felt clear, her head felt peaceful. She had now proven to herself she was tough, could stand on her own two feet, and confident.
Apart from the Sophia commotion, the day went steady for Madeline. She was making a start by bonding with her own age group, and it worked out quite well. She chatted with Ruth, played a marvelous game with Jodie. Sat next to Christina, Helena and Sasha at lunch, and even got invited to Mai’s birthday party. How wonderful, Madeline thought my life is turning over a new leaf.

“Hi Mum,” Madeline greeted; she waited for Julie to say ‘How’s your day been love’. But she didn’t, so Madeline decided to start of. “Mum, my day was great I ….”
“Not now Madeline can’t you see I’m on the phone.” Julie retorted.
Madeline hadn’t seen her mum’s Bluetooth device on her ear, ever since Julie had become a fashion model; to Madeline she was a total WITCH! She had changed ever since her divorce; she now wore fashionable clothes and was stylish about everything. Julie cared only about herself, and if she were to go on a date she would ask Madeline a thousand times “Do I look okay?” Some of her friends at the studio were really crude to Madeline. They would sman behind her back, laughing about her weight; she found this really annoying. She even once heard her mum say to her friends, that she was fat. Madeline had ran out the studio and cried on the pavements, but today she was the new Madeline. She hated her mum’s apartment it was too grand, it felt as if you had to be somebody else to live in there. She had also changed her to a lambgrini. And everyday they had to go to the studio; it was a complete waste of time to Madeline.
Madeline obediently walked alongside her mother to the car; it was a red lambgrini. She got inside and didn’t speak a word to her mother.

“Ah, who’s my fashion model,” Susana cried out, Julie quickly flashed poses as if she were on the catwalk. Susana was Julie’s photographer, Madeline hated her! Susana always acted as if Julie was her own daughter; she had once taken a picture of Madeline and had said it was horrible.
“Now Julie, we’re going to take some pictures of you sitting down, afterwards standing up. Think you can do that for me?”
Julie nodded; they went inside Madeline trailing behind. She hated the studio not only did her mum act like a WITCH, but her stupid companions made fun of her as well. The studio was grey and dull outside, but inside.... it was huge. There were desks for fashion designers, an office for a reporter. There was a large stage, beside it there was a catwalk, and there were racks with towels hanging above it everywhere. Everyone was busy, the only person that had time for Madeline in the studio, was Katie.
Katie was a fashion designer; she was a dark brown haired woman. She was tall, but soft hearted. She wore a grey suit, with a white t-shirt and a sleeveless checkered top over it. She loved cakes if you were to walk right pass her eating a cake, Katie could tell you a million things about it. This didn’t mean she was fat. She had been the one, who had told everyone to stop insulting Madeline. Especially Nicole and Mollie, Madeline wished she could pound their big heads in the ground. Later ride an immense truck over them, they always emotionally abused her.
“Hey Madeline,” Katie kindly greeted.
“Hi Katie,” she replied, Julie gave Katie the iciest stare ever.
“Katie you wouldn’t believe what I did today,” Madeline began.
“What did you do Madeline?” Julie enquired.
Madeline was surprised, her mum asked. She figured out, her mum was jealous of the friendship she had with Katie.
“Well I… tried out for the cheerleading club.”
“That’s fantastic!” Katie burst out, and gave Madeline the biggest hug she’d ever received, as they walked to her desk. It was messy with cutting out scraps every where. It wasn’t a surprise to Madeline to see a creamy cake on Katie’s desk. There standing right next to the cake was her coffee, and alongside whipping cream spray.
“Yeah fantastic babe,” Julie gloomily said, and got pulled away by a make-up artist.
“Wow Madeline, cheerleading...” Katie began; she trailed off because she heard Nicole and Mollie guffawing behind her back.
“Madeline- Cheerleading!” They burst out with righteous laughter.
“And what’s so wrong with me cheerleading?” Madeline asked.
Katie was stunned, something had happened to Madeline. Owing to the fact she was standing up for herself, so Katie knew not to but in. Mollie and Nicole were shocked to; they didn’t expect Madeline to stick up for herself.
“Come on I’m waiting, that’s it with you stupid models. You think you have the right to insult someone, later on the persons going to ask you why you did it, and you’re telling me you don’t know!” She stretched up on her tip- toes and slapped them both as hard as she could, and kicked them in the shins. Katie had witnessed it all and smiled, every employee had stopped what they were doing, and had come to see what the fuss was all about. Julie ran out the dressing room, half sided with make-up, the other her natural skin colour.
“Madeline what’s wrong with you! Why did you assault them?” She yelled.
“Because every time I’m here Mum, they emotionally abuse me. You do it as well! The only person that makes me feel good enough to come here is Katie!” She expressed emotionally.
“You!” Julie rudely pointed at Katie.
“Don’t ‘You’ me,” Katie began. “The amount of times you’re daughter has been here, you’ve never asked her ‘How’s you day been at school love’. You’ve only cared about yourself, you stupid freakish twit! I’m the one who’s asked her that question; I’m the one who’s told everybody to stop making fun of her. Even if Madeline is plumb, at least she’s not at skinny as you, you twig! Julie you’re a backstabbing, low life, attention seeking, disgrace of a mother!”
Julie slapped Katie, Katie slapped her back; it went back and forth. Julie pulled Katie’s hair; Katie pulled her extensions and wig of. Surprisingly, Katie did a body slam on Julie “That’s for telling everybody I was diabetic!”
Julie put Katie in a headlock “That’s for spilling coffee on my new shirt I wore last week Tuesday!” Katie reacted and gave Julie a Chinese burn, picked her mug, that had sat on her desk and had boiling hot coffee inside. “It was by accident, just like this…” And she spilt the coffee down Julie’s front.
“Oh Snap, I know you didn’t just spill coffee down my new shirt again!” Julie screamed. She grabbed the whipping cream spray, she had seen on Katie’s desk, and sprayed it on her front to cool the coffee down.
“What’cha gonna do about it?” Katie asked.
Julie suddenly grabbed two huge ice cubes from someone’s drink, stretched Katie’s front t-shirt and put them in.
“Ooh that looks lovely, I wonder how it tastes?” Katie asked, as she eyed the cake that sat on her desk and pressed it upon Julie’s face. Julie wiped the cream away from her eyes. “Maybe, you should try some!” And she threw the cake at Katie, Katie ducked and it hit Madeline. Madeline, who had been watching her mother and friend fight, was astonished at their behavior. They were acting like children, but she still wanted Katie to win.
Madeline grabbed the cake and aimed it for her mother!
But in stepped- Amanda Pistachio, which the cake fell splat on her face!

Everyone stood still, even Nicole and Mollie who managed to pull themselves up.
“What is going on in here? I come here for five minutes in this country. And this is what I get, cake on my face! Don’t you people know who I am?”
“A bad-tempered lady,” Madeline muttered to herself.
“Yes of course we know who you are,” Susana began. “You’re Amanda Pistachio the first fashion model to have become a designer/reporter and have you’re very own soap. You are so stylish!” She said with pride.
“Do you know what I’d really love?”
“What?”
“A TOWEL!”
Julie grabbed a towel that dangled of a rack and gave it to Amanda.
“What happened to you?” Amanda enquired, she eventually spotted Madeline. “What is a little girl doing in this studio, it is adults only. Or can you people not read the sign that hang above the door.” She pointed towards it.
“She’s my daughter,” Julie announced.
“Then get her out,” Amanda replied.
“I haven’t got anybody to look after her.”
“Not my problem.”
“She’s eleven years old; she’s not going to touch anything,” Julie complained.
“Your daughter could be a spy for our enemies. We are Teen Trend, our enemies are Fashion unlock.”
“What does Madeline know about fashion?”
Madeline felt hurt at this, and crept her way to Katie.
Katie, who looked messier, than a dog rolled in mud, didn’t realize Madeline was standing next to her. Due to the fact she was engrossed with Amanda Pistachios rudeness towards everyone.
“Katie, are you angry with me?” Madeline asked.
“Of course not,” she replied.
“Why did you and mum have a fight?”
“Because… well it’s hard to explain. Come with me to my desk; let’s design clothes, like we did the other time.”
“I love doing that with you; you make this place seem friendly.”
They walked off, and Julie didn’t even notice since she and Amanda were still arguing.
“For the last time she’s eleven, not six. She will not touch anything!” Julie shouted.
“Fine, the girl stays,” said Amanda giving in.
“Wow isn’t that fab babe; you get to stay,” Julie cried, “Madeline?” Then she heard her laughing with Katie, she knew her daughter liked Katie best. There was no denial; she would just have to accept it. Julie got swamped with make up artists, and Madeline was beginning to enjoy herself in the building.
Soon, it was time to leave and Madeline felt miserable leaving Katie.
“Come on babe, its time to go home,” Julie said to Madeline, as she packed her things away. Madeline slouched herself to the car, she knew she wouldn’t sleep well tonight.

“Morning babe,” Julie called to Madeline, as Madeline ate on the breakfast table.
“Morning mum,” Madeline replied.
Madeline was dressed and ready to leave for school; they made their way to the Lamborghini. And Julie drove Madeline to school; they didn’t speak a single word to each other.

“Madeline can I talk to you?” Sophia asked.
Madeline felt scared; she didn’t want Sophia to start a fight with her.
“I don’t want to start a fight with you Sophia,” Madeline replied.
“A fight! I don’t want to fight you; I want to apologize for the way I’ve been acting towards you. I guess what I did was wrong, and I’m truly sorry. Do you forgive me?” Sophia clarified.
Madeline felt delighted at this; she wanted to be Sophia’s friend.
“Of course, I forgive you!” She cried in merriment.
They had fun the entire day with each other, they played together and Sophia made sure if she were Captain in Girls football, she wouldn’t leave Madeline till last. Miss. Valentine grew nicer towards the class, she didn’t shout at them once. Everyone seemed to have changed their behavior, even Jessica who politely asked Madeline for a pencil while they studied maths. School went perfect, and Madeline thought it would be more fantastic, when she saw Katie after school in the studio.

Madeline saw her mother at the gates; she really wished sometimes Katie could pick her up. All her mother could do would be to talk about herself, I did this and I did that. It was like listening to an alarm clock that wouldn’t shut up, But I‘ll get through this Madeline thought. She did not speak to her mother, afraid that Julie would get angry.
“Madeline you wouldn’t believe what I’ve heard today… Amanda is going back to America and I’m going with her- tonight!” Julie announced.
“Great mum, good for you.” Madeline gloomily said.
Madeline didn’t see what the fuss was all about, to her Amanda Pistachio was a self-seeking attention seeker, backstabbing, money making, twit. Her mother was just the same. Going to America big deal.
“I’ve packed up your clothes and their in a suitcase. Everything you’ll need is inside.” Julie cheerily said.

“Katie!” Madeline yelled as she dashed through desks to look for her.
“Madeline?” A familiar voice replied.
Madeline found Katie on the floor underneath her desk, picking up scraps of paper.
“What are you doing?”
“Picking up scraps of paper.” She stood back up and put her rubbish in the bin. “Any news today?”
“No, but why is my mum going to America with Amanda?” Madeline wanted to know.
“I have no idea, I think your mum got a promotion, what’ll be designing clothes or I’ll teach you how to sew.”
“Wow, you would teach me how to sew?” Madeline asked.
“Of course, but don’t get upset if you don’t learn how to do it in one day, sewing takes a lot of time.”
Amanda walked towards them, “Do you have my designs I asked for.”
“More like shouted for,” Katie muttered but handed sheets of paper to Amanda. She looked at every one of them carefully and said out loud, “What is this? These clothes aren’t fashion, its rubbish!”
Katie raised her voice and yelled at Amanda, “Now don’t you ever say my clothes are rubbish again you idiot! Ever since you walked in this studio took over everything, our business rates have gone down. Nobody’s buying our magazines or wearing our clothes, Fashion Unlock is making a bundle of money. When you weren’t here everything was perfect, we were doing fine!
Now listen here Pistachio pudding when you leave it going to be like heaven on earth, if you don’t ant to model my clothes fine. I’ll get someone else. And by the way I’m a way better fashion designer than you.”
“I’ll do it,” Lily Star answered.
“See, I’ve already got someone who’s willing to model my designs.”
Amada stormed off, Madeline was thrilled that Katie had given Amanda a piece of her mind, someone needed to tell that woman off.

Julie on her break walked to Katie, “I need someone to look after Madeline, I’m leaving tonight and I’ve got nobody.”
“Then take her back to her dad or let her stay at your sisters,” Katie answered. “Look Julie, I’m not being rude or anything but I’m not Madeline’s mother.”
“Yeah, but she likes you more than me… so if you look after her she’ll appreciate the idea even more. Please! I’ve packed her clothes and everything it’s in my car.” Julie pleaded.
“Fine,” Katie gave in.
They explained to Madeline the situation, and she was thrilled that she’d be living with Katie for a while. They had dialed up Robin and he agreed to it.

“Bye dear,” as Julie gave Madeline a kiss, she handed Madeline’s suitcase to her. Julie stepped in Amanda’s Limousine and they drove off.
Madeline was elated; thank goodness her mum was gone for a whole month!
“We’d better get going to, it’s getting dark and you haven’t had your supper,” Katie said.
They sat in Katie’s Ferrari (which was light blue) and she drove Madeline to her apartment.

“Wow, your apartment is so cosy Katie,” Madeline complimented, as she held on to her suitcase.
“Thanks!” She replied. Katie’s apartment was like living on heaven. Her living room was completely painted white, and her sofa’s and armchairs were white. She had black 26 inch Plasma sitting on a silver stand. The carpet was white as well. She had a circular rug underneath a silver coffee table in the middle of the room.
“Katie was up with the white in your living room,” Madeline wearily said.
“Oh that, you know I just got a thing about it. I thought it would make my living room look nice,” She retorted.
“Well it is nice, but your sitting room looks like a studio.”
“That’s fantastic then that was the idea, come on let me show you to your room,” Katie led Madeline into the most beautiful room Madeline could never have pictured. The walls were lilac, the carpet was light purple. A bed was neatly laid at the right hand side corner of the room. The duvet was lilac with butterflies on it. There was a purple desk cleaned thoroughly next to the bed. There were shelves that were light purple; the main theme about the room was basically purple. Everything you would need in a room, this area had it.
“This room is going to be mine!” Madeline bounced.
“Why yes, you didn’t think I’d stick you in a rubbish room?” Katie questioned.
“I know you wouldn’t do that. But it’s just that this room is so pretty, I didn’t think I’d deserve a room like this.”
“Well you do deserve it,” Katie protested.
“Just one question,” Madeline began, “Why do you live in a 2 room apartment? When it’s only you that lives here.”
“Being a Fashion designer isn’t easy. When you can’t get something done in the studio you’ve got to make sure you‘ve got a back up.”
“Meaning…” Madeline blankly dragged on.
“Meaning that if I designed a dress for a model. And the studio was closed that day, because of bad weather. The photographer could take it in a room like this because it’s fancy and well designed. But you’re staying here for a while so it’s yours!” She made clear.
“You’re terrific!” Madeline flattered.
She unpacked her things and placed them neatly, in the purple chest of drawers or lilac wardrobe. Madeline couldn’t wait to tell Sophia tomorrow she was living with Katie!
“Madeline time to eat,” Katie called from the kitchen.

“Wakey, Wakey,” Katie sang, dressed.
“Hrmmm,” Madeline droned.
“Seems like somebody didn’t sleep early enough yesterday,” Katie teased.
“This bed is so soft, why do I have to get up.”
“Because today is Wednesday, which means school,” Katie laughed.
“Fine,” Madeline dragged herself up from bed, laid the divan and slouched to the bathroom.
She brushed her teeth perfectly and had the most relaxing shower. Katie’s bathroom was like breathing inside the sea. It had blue tiles on the wall, and white and dark blue tiles on the floor. The shower was at left hand side of the spaced room, with sink the opposite side. A mirror hanged right above it.
When Madeline was dressed and enjoying eating a good bowl of Golden Nuggets (Cereal) the phone rang. Katie dashed to the phone not wanting to miss the caller, “Hello,” She began. “Oh Julie, it’s so nice to hear from you!” Katie said with pleasure. “Madeline, your mother would like to speak with you.”
Madeline hurried herself to the phone, “Hello mum.”
“Hello honey, are you settling in?” Julie enquired.
“Yeah,” Madeline replied.
“You’re not feeling homesick?”
Home? What home? To Madeline Katie’s flat was home, not her mother’s apartment.
Madeline politely retorted, “No Mum I’m doing just fine.”
“Well, that’s fab hand the phone back to Katie.”
Katie and Julie talked a lot, until Katie glimpsed at her watch and said she’d better take Madeline to school.

“Where’s your mum?” Sophia asked the minute Katie left the school ground.
“America,” Madeline answered.
“No way!” Sophia cried.
“Way.”
“So what, you’re living with that woman.”
“That woman so happens to be one of my best friends, I’d prefer it if you addressed her as Katie.”
“Okay,” Sophia agreed.
The whistle blew….

“Good morning everyone!” Miss. Valentine approached.
The class replied, “Good Morning Miss. Valentine!”
“We are going to watch a video; it’s about a girl who runs away because she can’t stand, that her parents don’t get along anymore.”
She took them to the Library, and sat them down on the carpet. 6G were already there, they had sat patiently. Their teacher Mr. Gomez was a tense man something always seem to trouble him. He sat on the chair troubled, yet not angry. Miss. Valentine slotted the video in the video machine, played it back and the video started…
It was really depressing the father was abusive to the mother. The mother wanted a divorce because of that, but he wouldn’t hear of it. So the girl feared that she would have to go into a foster home, ran away...
Miss. Valentine got off her seat and took the video out, but it wasn’t finished. “Sorry children but its assembly time. Stand up 6V.”
She escorted them to the assembly hall.

Their Head teacher, Mrs. Cavelt had been breathlessly speaking about the people who were packed lunch. This meant Madeline. She kept on nagging that they leave rubbish under the table, and scatter food everywhere.
But as she was about to change subject and talk about the amount of times the footballs have gone missing- in stepped Mrs. Thompson. “Mrs. Cavelt, may I please have a word with the juniors.”
“Sure, be my guest,” as she spread one arm open and walked backwards.
“Girls that came for cheerleading try-outs, some of you made it… ” Mrs. Thompson began, Madeline looked at Sophia they both looked anxious.
“Amy Harriet, Barbara Winfield, Chelsea Daniels, Kelly Park and Shenice they are all in Yr.5. Yr.6, Sophia Hallowell, Jessica Harris, Madeline Walker, Mai Miller, Jodie Union and Ruth. Come and see me at 12:00pm, lunchtime. Thank you Mrs. Cavelt I shall let you get back to your assembly,” She was out without a word.
Mrs. Cavelt looked at her watch and dismissed each class, knowing it was play time.

“Can you believe we made it?” Sophia shouted, “Just wish Jessica didn’t get in though.”
“Yeah we made it!” Madeline yelled back. They chatted to each other continuously, trying to figure out what Mrs. Thompson first cheerleading practice would be like. They went round the playground, again and again.
The bell rang….

“Right girls, there’s 12 of you,” Mrs., Thompson started, “We are going to listen to a funky CD, afterwards I’ll show you the moves. They payed attention very carefully. Finally, the Compact Disc stopped and they focused their eyes on Mrs. Thompson, as she started to show them the moves. It looked really hard at first with the jumping and hopping, somersaults and doing cartwheels. But when she broke it down it was easy enough to follow.
Some girls had difficulty catching up with everyone at first; soon they began to catch on. It was really exciting their first lesson and Madeline enjoyed it very well.

“Madeline! I’m here,” Katie called from the end of the gates.
“Oh,” said Madeline hurriedly rushing towards Katie. “I took you for someone else.”
“Yeah you wouldn’t expect me to pick you up. I’ve been thinking since you’re bound to have homework and the only computer I have in my apartment, is my laptop. I bought you one,”
“You bought me a laptop! No way!” Madeline screamed.
“Way and it’s a light blue Sony Laptop.”
“You are the best, is it in my room?”
“No, because I bought it just a minute ago, the laptop is in the car.”
Madeline ran to the Ferrari like a man bitten by a dog. Katie had to run in her Calvin Klein boots to keep up with Madeline. “Slow down.”
Madeline threw herself in the vehicle and hugged the box, she saw in front of her eyes. “Dad is probably going to say, ‘Madeline you shouldn’t have forced the poor woman to buy you a laptop’.”
Katie began to drive her car. “Madeline what do you think of me?”
“I think you’re an angel from heaven,” Madeline answered.
“No, I mean as in the amount of money I have. Like rich, well off or poor.”
“Katie to me you are an independent woman, who’s had a struggling life and has now fulfilled her destiny.”

It was true; Katie was not born in a soft hearted family. Her father died at birth because of a car crash, her mother was an alcoholic and left her baby cradled in a basket on the streets. She was never seen again, nobody knows what happened to her, some say she committed suicide. It was not long until an elderly woman picked the baby up and took her to a social worker. The social worker looked after Katie as her own, but when she reached the age of 5, Katie was taken to another family The Mitchells. She did not like them one bit. The family were ill mannered, noisy and rude. They acted polite when people were around, but when they left they were back to their normal selves. The mother forced Katie to iron, the daughters pushed her around. They were eleven much bigger than a five year old. The father always shouted at her.
Finally, Katie was saved at the age of 10 when she moved in with the Slater’s. They were elegant, nice and kind and didn’t have a child of their own. Nobody pushed Katie about and she wasn’t forced to work. She was loved and that’s all she wanted, was to be cared for. They looked after her as their own daughter, but as time grew on the parents seemed to care for Katie so much… The Slater’s adopted her! Since then Katie has been with them, she’s never let them down. She has always worked extremely well in school, and tried her best in everything. Katie went into one of the best secondary school, the finest college and one of the topmost Universities! She had always had a dream to be a fashion designer, the Mitchells always laughed at her. They said she could never be become one. The Slater’s supported Katie, by buying her a sewing machine and Mrs. Slater taught her how to sew. Before you know it Katie started making clothes of her own. Now she’s one of the world’s famous fashion designers, who could not be proud of someone like her!

Katie flicked a tear from her eye. “Thank you Madeline that was a fabulous thing to say.”
Soon after, they reached Katie’s apartment. Madeline grabbed her box which held her light blue Sony laptop inside, shut the car door and raced to the flat.
“Wait a minute,” she stopped, “Shouldn’t we be going to the studio?”
“Wednesdays are my days off,” Katie replied.
“Yippee!” Madeline yelled. She ran to Katie’s floor, whilst Katie simply walked. Katie opened the door and Madeline dashed to her room.
Katie came into Madeline’s well designed room. “Okay Madeline lets get your laptop up and running.” They took the laptop out from its box and Katie set it up.
“Thank you so much!” Madeline cried, when her gorgeous laptop was working.
“No bother,” Katie smiled. “Madeline you can’t take your laptop out of my apartment.”
“What about my dads?” Madeline asked.
“Doesn’t he have a computer?”
“Yes.”
“Then its settled do not take your laptop out of this apartment, it’s only for your schoolwork. You can play on it too, but my point is that the reason I bought your laptop, was so you could do your homework and anything else that is educational. If your dad has a computer in his house why would you have to take your laptop?” Katie expressed.
“True,” Madeline answered.
Katie walked out the room to get on with her latest fashion designs.
“Katie!” Madeline called.
“Yes.” Katie poked her head round the door.
“Does this Sony laptop have internet?”
“I’m afraid not Madeline, I’ll try and get that sorted out this week. Okay.” With that Katie shut the door.
Madeline couldn’t believe her luck: first, she had been given a Sony Laptop; second, she was going to get Internet on it. Could life be any better living with Katie! She was like an angel from heaven. Madeline couldn’t wait to tell Sophia tomorrow…

“Sophia you would never believe!” Madeline shouted.
“Believe what,” Sophia retorted.
“I have a Sony Laptop!”
“Shut up! No way!” Sophia yelled.
“Way!”
“Who got it for you?”
“Katie!” Madeline yelled.
“Whoa, that lady really is an angel from heaven.”
“Yeah!”
The school started and they walked inside the building, as Madeline waved to Katie.

Madeline’s Thursday was tremendous, they finished the video. It turned out the girl who had run away found a nice lady who looked after her. The lady fed, bathed, and dressed her. But you know the joy can’t last. Aimee the small little girl was soon discovered by the police. Her parents were so desperate to get her back; they tried to work things out between them. The father stopped abusing the mother so there was no need for a divorce. Eventually, Aimee returned home.
Afterwards they were assigned to fill out a sheet, answering questions about the cassette.
At lunchtime Madeline had cheerleading practice, it was great-again! They were taught how to do somersaults, cartwheels, and handstands and be really flexible. Obviously, you won’t learn how to do all those things in one day, but as time travels by they will gradually be capable of doing it. Madeline was becoming popular, she was known all over the school. Somehow rumors seem to spread that Madeline had been chosen the Captain of Cheerleading. It turned out Mrs. Thompson had told Miss. Valerie who was a teacher for YR. 4. She had gossiped to her class and the pupils told everyone.
In the afternoon they had art. Madeline loved this subject, because you could be openly minded. They were lectured to paint The Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. Miss. Valentine put a picture from the computer on the Smart Board so everyone could see. Madeline found painting The Mona Lisa quite hard, owing to the fact there were so many colours you had to put in! Like a dozen of them… her face was the hardest to paint, but Madeline eventually pulled through.

“Sorry I didn’t call yesterday,” Julie apologized.
“That’s all right,” Madeline replied. She was in the studio with Katie, and Julie was calling on Katie’s mobile phone.
“So how’s your day been love?” Julie asked.
“It went great! Cheerleading Practice was awesome; I know how to do the splits.”
“Wow!”
“And I might even be the Captain.”
“Your day really went-aaah!” Madeline heard a gunshot.
“Mum! Mum pick up the phone!” Madeline was literally screaming so loud, you could’ve heard her if you were across the street.
“What’s wrong Madeline?” Katie yelled. She took her phone of Madeline and realized the phone was dead.
“What happened?” Katie asked.
“I was chatting with mum suddenly, she screamed. The line was a bit dodgy, but I think I heard a gunshot! Oh no what if it were mum that got shot?” Madeline replied.
“Try not to worry,” Katie calmly said. Consequently, her mobile phone rang.
“Katie I’ve got the most dreaded news!” Amanda announced from her phone.
“What is it?” Katie worriedly said.
“Julie- got shot! She’s dead!” Amanda cried.
“No!” Katie screamed. Madeline heard this, and grabbed the phone of Katie. She wanted to know the news.
“Mum-” Madeline began.
“It’s not your mum, it’s me Amanda,” She retorted.
“Where is my mum? I want my mum!” Madeline protested.
“Sorry Madeline you can’t have your mum. She’s- dead!”
“No, no, no she’s not dead. You’re lying to me aren’t you! Stop lying! I want the truth!”
“She is dead Madeline; you’ve got to accept it.”
Madeline dropped the phone and ran out the studio; Katie didn’t run after her she knew Madeline wanted to be alone.

It started to get dark… Madeline was still outside on her own.
“My foster mum, The Slater’s, told me when someone dies it like a hole inside your heart,” Katie commented, as she sat herself on the pavement next to Madeline. Madeline didn’t answer she was still crying hunched up.
“I never believed her because everyone I knew hadn’t passed away, but now I understand.” Katie added.
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to get at,” Madeline said, unquenched.
“When you found out that you’re mum was dead. How did you feel?”
“Hurt. Angry. Mad. Furious!” Madeline shouted.
“Why all those things? Why not sad?”
“I’m angry because my mum passed away, before that I disliked her. I’m hurt because she left me I’m all alone.”
“You’re not alone you’ve got me and your dad.” Katie reminded Madeline.
“I know, but I’m furious that God had to call for her know! He couldn’t wait till she was 57.”
“Isn’t your mum 29?”
“She lied, mum’s 35.” Madeline laughed.
“Someone’s getting better. I see you’re laughing.”
“I’m really going to miss her… You’re right Katie; it does feel like a hole in your heart when someone dies. I mean she’s got shot, but I can feel her pain.”
Katie nodded, and took Madeline into the studio. Everyone tried their best not to look at them, Mollie and Nicole stayed out of Madeline’s way. Remembering, what she had done to them, when she was angry. Katie did her best to cheer Madeline up. It was rather difficult. Since whenever someone mentioned her mum she would burst into tears. Madeline was sad, annoyed and very depressing. She would talk about death like as if she were Goth. Say the most peculiar thing that was not necessary. Katie was starting too get irritated with Madeline, because she was insulting her designs.
“What kind of neck line is that on the dress? It looks as if the dress is swallowing her up,” Madeline rudely commented. She was sitting at the side of Katie’s desk.
“Well if you think you can do so much better?” Katie said ignorantly, “Why not have a try.”
“All right I will,” Madeline answered. She got off the desk, sat in front of Katie’s design and changed the neck line.
“Ha! Did it, isn’t that much better?” Madeline said, as she pointed to the change of the neck line.
“It is much better,” Katie replied, “really better. Madeline I think you’ve got a gift!”
“I haven’t got a gift; I’m just drawing what I think it should be.”
“Yeah you’re right, time to be going anyway. Pack your things and grab your coat.” Katie told Madeline.
Madeline obediently did as she was told. She and Katie walked to the Ferrari, and Katie drove them home.
Madeline had had her supper, brushed her teeth and wore her P.J’s when the phone rang. Katie, as always, dashed to the phone. “Hello.” No reply.
“May I please speak with Madeline?” The caller asked. Katie put it on loud speaker.
“I can’t let you speak with anyone, until I know who you are,” Katie retorted.
“Let me speak with her!” The caller was becoming angry.
Madeline had heard this. She was scared a strange caller wanting to speak with her. Who could it be? She thought, how does he or she know my name?
“Until I know your name you may not speak with anyone!” Katie raised her voice.
“Okay, you won’t believe this but it’s me…Julie!” The caller announced.
“What? It can’t be your dead. You’re supposed to be in the afterlife. What happened? How can you be alive?” Katie asked a mouthful of questions.
“Let me explain. At the time of the shot I was using a payphone. Since Amanda and I were at a party, I decided to call Madeline. Owing to the fact I wasn’t having fun. Back to the subject… a gang of gangsters arrived! They were just shooting their guns around for a laugh. I heard people acting silly but I didn’t think it was murderers about, so I stayed talking to Madeline. But one saw me, and before I could get away, he pulled out his gun and shot right at me. I was still clinging to the phone while this happened. Luckily, because I’d been wearing my favourite locket, that was right in front of my heart, the bullet hit there! Amanda jumped to conclusions and announced I was dead before she took me to hospital. She saw from an angle where you could just say ‘Oh that persons dead. The bullet aimed at their heart.’ So it wasn’t a very clear one. Any who, when I arrived at the hospital the minute they laid me on the bed, I woke up. Everyone was astonished some were religious and crossed themselves. I’m in Amanda’s Limousine right now, as we’re driving to the airport.” Julie put into words.
“I’m not being rude or anything Julie, but you only went to America this Tuesday and coming back today, which I do believe is Thursday. You were supposed to have gone for a whole month! But you haven’t even lasted a week!” Katie commented.
“Katie this country is far too dangerous for me. I must come back, before you know it, I might end up dead. I’ll probably arrive this Friday evening. Can you please look after Madeline until Sunday? I will collect her in the afternoon. Her dad and I have clothes for her in our homes that way Madeline never needs to take outfits from one to another,” Julie clarified.
“So what you’re saying is… on Sunday Madeline doesn’t go to her dad’s. It begins on Monday. And you both in your homes have school wear for her. So Madeline doesn’t carry anything only her schoolbag. You’ve also got other clothes as well and jackets and stuff,” Katie answered, “Oh and yes, I will be able to keep her until Sunday afternoon.”
“Bye.” Julie hung up the phone.

“What was that about?” Madeline queried.
“Turn’s out your mothers alive,” Katie retorted.
“This is a shocker, in the afternoon we got told that mum had passed away. Now, we’ve been told she’s alive!”
“Yep that’s pretty much it.”
“I’m going to bed.” Madeline walked into her room and shut the door behind her.

“Katie are we doing anything this Saturday?” Madeline asked as she was eating breakfast and dressed for school.
“Yes we are. We are going to the hottest theme park of them all! We…are…going…to….CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES!!!!”
AIEEEEEEEEEE!” Madeline screamed with delight, “No way! Get out!”
“Way! Out!”
“You are like the best guardian ever!”
“Am I really?”
“Hold on a minute,” Madeline jumped back into real life, “why are we going to Chessington?”
“Because I thought it would be quite nice to do some thing this Saturday.”
“Really? Or is this just a quick scheme so you can get to it.”
“Get to what?” Katie answered confused.
“Get to my precious possession of them all. My Laptop!”
“Why would I want to do a thing like that?”
“I don’t know. So you can take it back and use the money on yourself. Yeah that’s it isn’t. That way you don’t have to pay for the internet! I’ve tracked you down Katie Boulevard.”
“Madeline you are being ridiculous.” Katie teased.
“No you’re the one that’s ridiculous. Wanting to take my Sony away from me!”
“Madeline I don’t want your Sony.”
“You don’t.”
“No! What I want is for you to stop calling me a thief.”
“Oh. Then I’m sorry. It’s just someone says something and before you know they change their minds. Like Amanda said mum was dead, hour’s later mum rang up to announce herself alive.” Madeline made clear.
“I know it must be hard for you. You’re only young, but you’ve dealt with life harder than any eleven years old should. Come give me a hug,” Kate sweetly said.
Madeline hugged Katie like never before. She knew her life was not the perfect existence. But with its ups and downs it was an adventure! Madeline would never have traded it for anything else…. If she ever wrote a book her first one would be called ‘A Girl Named Madeline.’

Author: Ashleigh Kelsey