Chloe and Me

Chapter 20

Lucy's and Chloe's year level teachers P.O.V

After hearing all about Lucy and Chloe, the classes in year 9 really wanted to do something for them. On Friday, that was all anyone could talk about. I'd promised them I'd come up with something by Monday, so here I was, Sunday morning walking up and down the Albert Park Lake in the city. I lived about 10 minutes away from the centre of Melbourne and I always come here to think things over. What should I do for them? There was the obvious things like, taking in flowers, balloons and putting get well cards around their beds in hospital, I just felt that they needed more than that. Maybe a coffee would do me good. I walk over to Continental, a local shop and ordered a coffee. Surely that would help me think clearer. Lucy and Chloe were always brilliant girls, kind, caring and fun to have around. I hear a voice and look up. "Newspaper mam?" A young boy offers me a $2 newspaper. "They are selling like crazy today. " He continues. "The front page is about the missing girls." As soon as he says this I reach into my pocket, fumbling around, finding a $2 coin. I push the money into his hand and take a newspaper. "Thank you very much." I say."Have a nice day. " He walks off, his pile of newspapers down to only a few. My eyes wander down to the front page and I stare. There is a big picture of an air ambulance.

Missing girls found but are both in critical conditions.

Oh my goodness. I read the big bold letters on the front page. I read on and discover that Chloe and Lucy are both unconscious, and won't be out of hospital for a few weeks. I wonder how many students have read this. They'd all be shocked. I must admit, I'm a bit shaken myself.

Suddenly I come up with a great idea. I know what I'm going to do.

I catch the 10:00am tram to Melbourne Central. It's a Sunday so most of the shops have just started opening now it's 10:00. I go up the escalators to level two and look around, searching for the items I will need. I see it then and there. They are absolutely perfect. As I go up to the register to buy the little candles, I see a familiar face, short brown hair, it's Katherine, a girl in year 9. She's always been close to Chloe and Lucy, she comes and gives me a big hug. "How are you?" I ask, she's been very worried these past few weeks.
"Alright, did you see the news this morning? Chloe and Lucy aren't well, there in hospital." The words tumble out of her mouth.
"Yeah, I did, but they'll be ok." I cross my fingers behind my back. " Can you get a group of friends together and meet me here in 15 minutes? You can help me with the surprise." I'm glad I thought of that. I'll need some help.
"Sure! Thanks Mrs Lacey, what's the surprise?" Katherine says looking around.
"You'll have to wait and see!"
***********25 minutes later**********
"Sorry we are late!" I hear a shout and I turn around. In comes Katherine and a group of Chloe and Lucy's friends. "I couldn't remember what level you were on! We went up to level three and got lost!" Katherine puffs as they all run over.
"Thats fine! Let's get to work. " I tell them all my plan and I'm really glad that they like it. "They'll love that! How'd you come up with the idea?" Sam says, she is also in year 9. She has long blonde hair and bright green eyes. With all the helping hands, we carry the bags down to the bottom floor. We chat for a while about the big plan. "Wait when are we going to actually do it?" Eliza asks
"When we hear that they've both woken from their unconsciousness." I look around and most of the faces I see are shocked. "Unconscious?!" They shout.
"Oh, I thought you guys all knew. They are both in hospital unconscious. They will take a while to recover. " I'm surprised they hadn't heard it on the radio or on TV.

We carry on talking every minute or so, coming up with new additions to our plan.
Now, all we need is for the girls to awaken.