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Snow flakes endlessly falling from the sky indicated that it was really winter. Maria was trying to convince her that she have one month to depart from her friends, but she kept feeling sorry for herself.
Maria had tried hard to make friends since she had just moved here 3 month ago. But now, the effort she had done was being useless. Her friends told her that they were going to a new school in 5th grade because their mother wanted more education for them. Maria had begged to her mother to let her join Aria and Calia in 'Butterfield'- the name of the new school- but her mother said no. She thought that 'Fliaroe'- the name of the school Maria is attending- was good enough. But, Maria thought the most reason her mother didn't let her attend Butterfield is because you need to pay money to attend Butterfield, but attending Fliaroe is free. Maria's family wasn't rich as Aria or Calia. So, they couldn't afford money for schooling.
Maria sighed. She was thinking that this kind of schooling wasn't fair, when a hand clapped over her back. It was Ava(as usual). She was the most active kid in her family. When Ava was born, Maria was quite happy. She had always wanted a little sister, and she had hoped that this sister will be more fun than Bella(short from Isabella). But, she had never imagined that this young sister will be like a boy when she grows up.
"What are you sighing about? And, you can't sigh in this house. It's the rule." Ava said. It was partly true because her little brother, Jack had made this silly rule that sighing is not allowed in this house. Unlike Ava, Jack was absolutely a mild boy who is not very strong. He is the brightest, and most loving kid you will ever met. Though, he is annoying sometimes; like now. "I am sighing because of you. You keep slapping my back! I won't be surprised if one day, I would find a bruise in my back!" Maria lied. "Sorry." Ava said, not looking sorry at all. "Oh well, I can understand you some what." called a voice behind her. It was Bella. "Bella!" Ava ran toward Bella. Before Ava could slap her back, Bella turned to Maria.
"Maria, did you took my brand new sneakers?" she asked. Maria looked away. She did took Bella's sneakers but, she had forgot to bring it back home after her art class. "Maria, did you take it or not?!" Bella almost shouted. Then, the rescuer came for Maria. It was Jack and he was holding a strange paper in his hands. "Bella! Don't shout in the house!" he said, imitating the voice of their mother. Then. he stuck his messy paper in to the wall. It said, 'THE RULES: 1. DON'T SIGH 2. NO DIRT ALLOWED 3. DON'T RUN 4.···········101. DON'T SHOUT' He added the word '101. Don't shout' to the list with his pen.
The three girls stood in silence. Then, Maria said, "74. No paint allowed?! What are you talking about? If I am not allowed to take my paint brush and paint in the house, where should I put it?!" "Outside the house." Jack said simply. "Are you crazy? The cold air out side will destroy my paint brush!" Maria shouted. "89. No needles? What does that mean Jack?" Bella asked. "No needles allowed in the house. It is quite dangerous." Jack said, a little annoyed. The three girls were stunned to this sudden remark, but the girl that reacted the strongest was Ava. She ran toward Jack, grabbed his caller and pointed to a rule that said, "21. No exercise" then she said, "Erase that rude remark at once! Why can't I exercise?!" Bella and Maria each grabbed Jack and Ava before Ava could chock Jack to death.
"Let me go!" Ava screamed. Then, someone said, "What is the matter?" It was mother. She was staring at her pupils with startled eyes. "Oh, it's nothing mother. We are..." Bella said, but she was interrupted by Ava. "It is something! That crazy boy," Ava pointed to Jack. "made a silly rule that said I can't exercise!" "No! I said you can't exercise in the house!" Jack protested. Mother looked at Jack, then at Ava and back at Jack again. "Do you think it's wise to end this year with hurt feelings?" she asked in a dangerously low voice. The children shook their heads. Out of the corner of her eyes, Maria spotted Jack mumbling something then saying in a more clear and loud voice, "I'm sorry for making silly rules..." he apologized. "Of course! It was..." Ava stopped. Maria had just kicked Ava's shins with all her might. "That hurt Maria!" Ava cried. Then, she noticed mother and her siblings were all staring at her. Ava blushed then said, "I mean I'm sorry for calling you a crazy boy..." Mother nodded approvingly. "Now, is the problem solved?" she asked to her pupils. The children nodded. Maria caught a faint smile on mother's lips.
That night, Maria wrote in her diary, 'It was a challenging year for me and my siblings. We have had many events that we might forget as time passes. But, I will never forget the times we spent together. I hope next year would be more fun, exciting, challenging, and happy.'
BY. SILVERSTREAM