The reflection

Part 1

Alfie slammed a pile of letters down on the coffee table. 'Aria, why do keep getting so many letters? Who are they from? What are they about? WHAT IS GOING ON???' Aria snatched the letters out of her dads hands and shrugged. 'Nothing much. Just letters from my pen pal.' She ran upstairs and into her bedroom. No matter how many times she asked, Arias parents just WOULDNT let her get a lock for her bedroom door, so instead she pushed a bunch of furniture in front of it. Simple, yet effective. Flopping down on her bed, Aria tore open one of the envelopes. She chuckled as she read the letter inside; Gday Aria, I was at the shops the other day with my friend Sophia. There was a guy with an Irish accent, giving out sausage samples. Then suddenly his stall just collapsed! Sophia and I rushed over to help, when suddenly we saw a guinea pig on the ground! We took it home and, after registering it, Sophia and her twin sister Cynthia named it Leonardo. I didnt totally agree with the name, but I know better than to argue with the twins. They can be VICIOUS!

Love from England, from Owen.

(P.S. did you notice that I said Gday at the start? Im already picking up the Aussie lingo, thanks to you.)

After reading the other ten or so letters, Aria grabbed a fluffy pen and some paper from her bedside table, and began to write a letter back. G'day Owen, I can't wait till I come to England!!! Only one and a bit weeks to go! Maybe Ill be able to meet Sophia, Cynthia and Leonardo too! How old are they?

Love from Aria

She folded the letter in half, then put it in an envelope and sealed it. Aria always found sealing envelopes really satisfying, especially the ones where you peel off the backing of the sticky bit. Letter in hand, she moved the furniture back and slid down the stairs on her boogie board. 'ARIA!' Alfie shouted HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO DO THAT BEFORE YOU'LL ACTUALLY STOP!?' Aria ignored him, and walked out the door. She got her skateboard out of the shed, then rode down the street, towards the postbox. She dropped the letter in, quickly pulling her hand out before the lid dropped down again. Just as Aria was about to ride back, though, a voice stopped her. 'Hey, Fartia.'

It was Roxanna Martinez. Unlike bullies in books and movies, Roxanna wasn't popular. She just teased people because she had nothing else to do, no close friends to play with. Sometimes Aria felt sorry for her, and tried to be nice to her, but there was no point. Roxanna would just continue to be mean.'Wanna come see a MA movie with me?' the bully asked, laughing maliciously 'Oh yeah, I forgot. You're only thirteen. I guess youll just have to wait another year or two. Anyway, I gotta go to watch that movie. I dont have time to hang around with people that are called Fartia. See you, FARTIA.' She flicked her hair and strutted off into the distance.

The next day was Monday, which meant Aria had to go back to school. Luckily she had drama first, which meant no Roxanna.' Auditions for peter pan are today at recess, remember.' Reminded Mr. Henderson, the drama teacher. Whispers broke out across the room. 'Are you going for a part?' Aria's friend, Sarah, whispered to her. Aria shrugged. 'Maybe. I sort of want to be Tinkerbell, but I'm pretty sure every girl in the grade does'. Sarah nodded. 'Yeah, probably. I think youll get the part if you try, though. Youd make a good fairy.'

At recess that day, the Drama room was full of excited students. Mr. Henderson sorted them into three groups, and invited the first person on. They sang some notes, and then did an improvising task. Then they left. Eventually it was Aria's go. 'Repeat the notes I sing.' Mr. Henderson said. 'La' Aria copied. 'Now think of a character, and portray it.' He said. For some reason, an opera singer came to Arias mind, and she stood up on the stage and mimed singing. 'Okay. You may now leave.' Mr. Henderson said.

'You did so well!' exclaimed Sarah outside. 'Meanwhile, I sounded like a chipmunk. Could you even tell that I was supposed to be a Christmas tree?' Aria giggled. 'Oh, is that what you were? I thought you were a brick no offense, of course.' 'None taken.' Sarah said, and mimed brushing it off her shoulders. 'Anyway, we get to find out who's who next Monday! I cant wait!'