The Cherry Trees

Chapter Twelve: 2014

Turns out Lexi was. Only a day later, I received a letter in the mail from her. I knew she must have sent it days before I left, in attempt to make it arrive here on this exact day. I chuckled. What a dork.

"Who is that from?" Jeff asked, looking up from the kitchen table.

I had my finger under the flap of the envelope, ready to open it. "My best friend, Lexi."

"Oh that's nice," he said.

I nodded, and continued to tear open the envelope. I let out a yawn as I pulled the notebook paper out. I could tell that she had ripped it from a spiral notebook, for the ends were ripped up. I smiled to myself. She hadn't even bothered trying to make it look nice. Typical Lexi.

"Not even read it and already smiling?" Jeff asked in his weird accent.

"Lexi has... character."

He chuckled and returned to his newspaper, The London Times.

I carefully unfolded the letter and smiled when I saw Lexi's messy handwriting.

Anne,

I hope you don't mind me not using the friendly letter format. Anything Ms. Lenny taught me went down the drain.

Anyways, things here are pretty much the same. Besides you missing, obviously. Will and Luke are pretty down about it. What the heck, so am I! I miss you already. And yes I did send this a few days before you left so you would get it the day after you got there. So yes, most of this letter is predictions of how I am feeling or what I am doing, but I'm guessing they are pretty accurate ones. I have already called you on the walkie- talkies a few times, before remembering that you probably can't hear me. Can you? I have pretty much been spending my days sulking in the tree house, spying on Abbi and her family. Okay, I can't really say much else because I have to know more about what has really been happening before I can tell you. All I know is that I miss you.

So how is England? Do people talk weird? Is the food yummy? What time is it? Is the money strange-looking? Have you seen the Queen yet? How about those weird buses with two floors? Is the guy you are staying with nice? Are there any people you could make friends with? Remember, Anne, don't be shy. YOU NEED A SOCIAL LIFE. And not everyone is going to come to you like I did. Is it raining? Do men wear skirts? Or is that a different country? Do they spell things weird? What does your room look like? Have you seen your school? What about gymnastics? Have you seen the giant clock? What about the castle? Do you get to have a pet pigeon? Tell me everything about this so far!!!!

Welp, just write back when you can!

Lexi

P.S. Luke says hi.

P.P.S. Will wants to know if you have tried the fish and chips. I have no idea what he is talking about.

I read the letter over again, laughing at all her questions, and predictions. I wanted to write back as soon as possible, so that she would get it soon and I could know what was really going on.

"Do you have a pen I could borrow?" I asked Jeff.

"Yup! Right over there," he said, pointing to a cup on the counter.

I grabbed the pen, my stationery, and the stickers that my mom bought me to write letters to Aunt Kristy. "Thanks," I said to Jeff as I rushed into my room. I flopped out on my bed, and began writing back to Lexi, non- friendly letter style.

Lexi,

I don't care that you use improper format.

I really miss you guys. And thank you for your predictions haha! I can't wait to hear about what really happened. To answer all your questions...

No, I can not hear you on the walkie talkies. England is... interesting. Different. I like it a lot. I know, surprise, surprise, but it actually isn't bad at all. I mean, I've only been here for a day, but so far so good. Yes, people talk weird, but you know, to them we are the ones who talk weird. Isn't that crazy? The food is good so far, but I have to put extra salt on it. My dad said something about the time here being five hours ahead of the time in Georgia. So right now if it is eleven here, it is six there. So naturally I was super tired when we got here. I haven't seen the money yet, in fact I didn't even know it was different. But you know the cars here are backwards! I would be lying if I said I have seen the Queen, but when I do I will tell you all about it. I haven't seen the buses either. The guy we are staying with is extremely nice! His name is Jeffrey, but we all call him Jeff. He's funny, too. I'm glad we are staying with him instead of our own apartment, or flat. I haven't met anyone that I could become friends with yet... I've only been here for not even a day! Bur I promise I will go on a friend hunt... soon. It will be easier to make friends when school starts. Yes, it is raining, but only a little. It is really cloudy here, as well. I have to say I haven't seen a man wearing a skirt yet, but I'm pretty sure that's in Ireland anyways. I don't know if they spell things weird. I guess I could check the newspaper. My new room is much smaller than my real bedroom. The walls are a really light purple, and I have a dresser, a closet, and a nightstand. I have to sleep in a twin bed instead of a queen, but that's okay. I haven't even begun to unpack yet. No, I haven't seen my school, and I have no idea where I will do gymnastics. I think we will go out today and have a look around. But I think that right now, that is the last thing on my parents' list to do. I have not seen Big Ben, or a castle. I think you are picturing London much differently than how it really is. And no, I do not have a pet pigeon. But maybe I will ask for one.

Keep telling me how things are going in Georgia, and PLEASE keep spying on Abbi. I hope she doesn't take my bedroom!!

Anne

P.S. Hi Luke! Tell RickyBob I say hi.

P.P.S. No, I have not tried the fish and chips yet, but I will tell you when I do.

Satisfied, I sealed the letter, wrote out Lexi's address, and set it on the counter so it could be stamped and sent. Then I skipped out to the living room, where Jeff had moved to.

"Do you have the list of people who live in the building?" I asked, wanting to accomplish Lexi's request.

"Yes?" Jeff said, uncertainly.

"Can I have it?"

"Sure." He got up and pulled a folder out of a cabinet. Then, he opened it and began sifting through all the papers, humming to himself. "Ah! Here we are," he said, holding the paper up triumphantly.

"Great," I said. I sat down and started going through the directory, trying to find kids my age. One name caught my eye.

Remy Thompson, born 7/12/04.

She was my first stop, and my first step towards making a new friend.