Dreaming of Gold

I can't pack

It's taken two years. Two years for me to finally have the change to compete for Nationals. This year, after three years of level 7, I finally got the chance but now, even though I have gotten past the trials, I have to get through and push through my nerves before I am able to have the time of my life. It's the day we leave for Melbourne and to say that I have a bad habit of packing and unpacking suitcases is an understatement. I just empty my case out for the third time when I got a call.

"How am I going to pack for this?!" I yell with frustration into my phone to my best friend, Campbell. 

"Calm down Ellie! How many so far?" Campbell said half yelling, half laughing.

"Three"

"Remember, the main things you need are your tracksuit and leotard!"

"Really?! I hadn't thought of that Cam! You seem very awake this morning" My voice dipped with sarcasm.

"Why wouldn't I be? I gotta go, see you soon! Bye."

"Bye" and I clicked end.

I looked around my room at the piles of clothes, shoes and leotards that I just tipped out of my bag again. I sigh and start to pack my bag again. I started to regret deciding on packing my bag at 6.30 in the morning.

An hour later I finished and only had 1 big bag and one small one. "A new record for me" I whisper to myself.

I walk out of my room to find my little siblings sitting outside of my door listening in again.

"Caught you red handed!" I said as they try to escape back to their rooms

"What do you mean Ellie?" My youngest sister, Maisey asked.

"Come on Mais. I caught you. Just stay away from my door. Oh before you run away, you can grab my bag and all take it." I tell them.

"Ellie!" The three kids groaned.

"Suffer, in you go Maisey, Christian and you too Alyannah!" I yelled to Aly before she tried to hide.

I followed the two girls and my brother into my room to grab my smallest bag, which contained my charger, laptop and other small things and followed the girl's and Chris carrying/ dragging my bag down the stairs. As soon as we got down the stairs Mais, Chris and Aly sprinted back upstairs. I laughed at the kids before heading into the kitchen to find something for breakfast. I ended up having a bowl of Sultana Bran.

"You all packed Ell?" Mum asked as she walked into the room.

"Yes, finally! Is Tom?" I said between mouthfuls.

"He finished packing last night and didn't decide to leave it until 6.30 in the morning like some," She said looking at me with a smile. I just shook my head and took another mouthful of cereal. I finished my breakfast and I still hadn't seen Tom or my dad.

"Wheres Tom and Dad?" I asked.

"Toms upstairs, I assume and Dad had to leave early for work but he left you and Tom something on the kitchen table" She said nodding towards the table behind me. I looked at mum, seeking her approval then got up and went to find my gift from dad. I opened the present and gasped.

"Its... Its... Gorgeous!" I said, holding up the necklace, with a gymnast on it. Mum nodded then came over to put it on me.

"Mum! Chris is in my room!" Tom's voice came down stairs.

"Chris, Tom, girls! Everyone down stairs now!" Mum yelled to the rest of my family. Tom was down first, looking annoyed. "Whats wrong Tom?" I teased him. He shot me a look of irritation and sat down at the table. "Look at the present dad left you" I told him, nodding to the present.