“ ‘My name is Scarlett Joe Hansen. I am an orphan. I am at the Saint James Orphanage in Scotland with my best friend Lucy Smith. My parents both died when I was young. My dad died of lung cancer and my mom died of a heart attack. The worst part is that they both died in the same month. In their will they left me everything, but I will only get the money when I come of age.

My mom was from France and my dad was from Madrid. They both grew up in New York and met in Greece. I was born in Texas, which was not so exciting. My parents liked to travel a lot. They were both journalists and would go anywhere for work. They always left me with my grandparents, who died when I was eight.’ ”

I read my homework out to myself and think if I need to work on it more, I don’t think so. Finally, I’m done with my homework.
“Mum! I’m done with my homework!” I yelled in my strong English accent.
“Good, Scarlett!”
I stood up from very large desk in my room.
“I’m going to watch TV mum!” I said while I walked over to the couch.
“Okay I’m just cleaning out my closet!”
I turned on the TV and was very confused by what was on.
“What is this?” I said quietly to myself, I wasn’t sure. I skipped to flubbles, my favorite show, and lied down on my back. A few minutes later I wondered why mum was unpacking her closet.
“Mum!” I yelled with all my might. “Why are you unpacking your closet?!”
“I didn’t tell you?!”
“No!”
“Well might as well tell you now, we’re moving to Madagascar!”
“You DEFINITELY did not tell me!!!”
I started getting dizzy. Uh-oh…

2 hours later

“Scarlett?” I heard my mum say in her humble, soft voice.
“Scarlett! Thank goodness you’re up. When I heard no response to chocolate cake I knew something was up.”

I looked around the room. I hoped all I could that it was all a really bad dream. But the smell of mum’s hands told me otherwise. The smell of soap and clorox wipes. I never smell clorox wipes, unless mum is cleaning her room, but she never does. Then I saw a very large suitcase. Definitely not a dream.

I’ve always wondered if we would move, but NOT to Madagascar! I get traveling anxiety. Why now, why here, why at all! I started to get a headache. I closed my eyes but as soon as I did, my mum shook me saying, “I don’t want you to faint again, so come and pack.” She stood up and walked over to the kitchen. “So, how about some chocolate cake.”
“That would be great,” I said in a weary voice, “Bring it to my room.”

I took out my large suitcase and opened my closet. Everything toppled over onto the ground. I never open my closet, I only ever use my dresser, there for, my stuff always falls and I need to put it back. I ram all of the clothing into my suitcase. I walk over to my drawers and, one by one, dump all of it in the stuffed bag. “Now,” I said to myself, “How am I going to close this?”
I sat on my suitcase and pushed. I had to get off to shove in the clothing that was hanging out. After a while I got it and was very relieved. I brought my suitcase into the living room and sat at the kitchen counter.
“I was about to bring in your cake,” mum said as she handed me my piece of warm, gooey, chocolate cake.
“Thanks,” I said. I ate up my cake and went to my room.
I got on my computer and searched up Madagascar. It looked truly beautiful. It looked like there were a lot of rocks and trees. I guess it couldn’t be too bad. It would make a perfect Instagram account, AfricanNatureLife, now it definitely didn’t sound too bad. It looked like perfect selfie lighting. All of my friends will be so jealous. But then I realize, new language, new lifestyle, new house, new friends, Madagascar is perfect for social media, but not for living. I look at the clock, it was already 10:00. I guess I could sleep on it. And with that I was in bed ready to complain about Madagascar the next morning.

My alarm woke me up very early. I guess my mum set it early so that we could finish packing up. The next morning our flight is at 6:30am so we have to pack really quick but efficiently. I hop out of bed and get on my shirt with black and white stripes on it, I also put on my navy blue jean shorts. I walked out into the living room. It smelled like clorox wipes, I knew my mum was either up super late or up super early. Either way she got a lot done in the time that I was asleep to the time I woke up. I remember those beautiful pictures of Madagascar, the trees the rocks, but then I think about my loving friends, Georgie, Sam, Carly. I would much rather stay here, but moving to Madagascar is a great opportunity and adventure, but It’s not my choice, so I have to move to Madagascar.

I checked my Snapchat, Instagram and all of my texts. I texted my friend group chat called “Squad❣?? ?” and said,
“My mum just told me that we are moving to Madagascar… well not just, but last night.”
Soon after I got a response.
“UM… WHAT!!!” My best friend Sam texted me back.
“Yeah, tomorrow morning.”
“OMG… you HAVE to come over!”
“At 8:00pm? I’ll ask my mom, but I’m not done cleaning yet.”
“I’ll come over to help you!”
“I’ll ask, but don’t be disappointed if she says no. If not, we can FaceTime for like maximum 2 hours.”
“Okay, but that’s if she says no.”
“Okay. I’ll ask now.”
“Great.”
“Mum!” I yelled. “Sam wants to come over… can she!?!?”
“I guess… since she lives right next door!”
Yes. I can’t wait to tell sam.
“She said yes!”
“So did my mum!!”
“YAY!!!!!”
“I’m walking over now.”
“Cool.”
Moments later I heard the doorbell ring. I open it and almost get knocked down by the impact of Sam’s hug.
“How come you didn’t tell me??” Sam said.
“I just found out myself!”
“Okay, I’m almost done cleaning but, you can help me!?”
“Sure.”
Sam followed me to my room.
“Wow. Your room is pretty clean already.”
“ I know, but maybe after we clean, we can watch a movie!”
“Sure. What movie?”
“The Lion King??”
“Sounds great!”
“Okay.”
Sam and I cleaned for about an hour, but then we got bored and started watching the Lion King. Once the movie was over my and Sam said our goodbyes. I started crying.
“Since we’re leaving early in the morning I should get some sleep.”
“Okay,” my mum said. I walked over to my room and went to sleep.

My alarm clock woke me up at 4:00 in the morning. I got up right away because I knew I had no time to dilly-dally. I put on my clothing and went into the living room. My mum must have gotten up before me because she was all ready to go.
“Are you ready?” Mum asked.
“Almost,” I said while getting my coat. I get on my sneakers and my scarf. We went outside and got in a cab. We drove to the airport and got our luggage checked. I am terrified. We get on flight 26B and take of to Africa!

“How was the flight?” my mum asked me.
“Fine,” I said.
We got outside and I was astonished by how beautiful it was. The sun the heat the water the breeze. Maybe Madagascar won’t be too bad after all.

THE END