The Library Girl

Chapter 11

January 31, 2015

So, Diary, I have now been writing to you for a month.

It has been a month since the New Year's party, when I was so happy and excited, and wrote my first entry in the diary I had only just received.It has also been almost a month since the fire. I have now been an orphan for almost a month. It has been almost a month that I have been living in the library.

And I am sad, very sad. And not just because of this month business. I am also sad because tomorrow is my birthday.Yes, I know that's usually something to be happy about. But this will be my first birthday that I won't spend at my beautiful home, my first birthday without my parents and Lily to celebrate with me. There was always some kind of celebration, but this year there will be nothing. It makes me feel so lonely, so empty,and I want to bury my face in a pillow and cry.There is only one good thing that came out of the fire, and that is all the reading I get to do now that I live in the library. But that doesn't mean I'm grateful for this whole thing. No matter how much I love reading, if I had the choice, I wouldn't be so foolish as to trade my home and family for a book. And I'm sure you wouldn't, either. But that's what I've been forced to do, and there's nothing I can do to change it.I think I'll stop now, Diary. I'm too sad.

February 1, 2015

My birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is now night. My birthday is drawing to a close. But I think I'd better write and tell you how happy I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before you ask, yes. There has been a change in events. And a good one, thank goodness! I'd better tell you about it.So, this morning, I woke up early. When I remembered what day it was, I cried a little. Then I realized that I'd better enjoy myself and so I dried my eyes, found a book and buried myself in it. As usual.

It was just coming up to one o' clock when friends started arriving. Emma, Lily, Amelia, Brooke, Daniel, Hannah, Johnny...all my friends seems to be here! I was a bit overwhelmed, but I didn't suspect anything... yet.That's when I noticed that everyone was carrying a wrapped gift, and some also carried a plate of food or a game. What's going on? I wondered. There must be some kind of party happening in the library. Just my luck that it's happening on my birthday. Leanne was standing nearby, greeting everyone with a smile.

"Finally," she said. "You're all here. Here's the decorations," she held up a sparkly golden party bag. "We can all help put them up."

All my friends reached into the bag and pulled out handfuls of beautiful party decorations. Soon they were all busy putting them up around the library.Leanne looked over at the couch where I was sitting and laughed. 

"And there's Rosa, buried in her book," she said. "We should let her know what's going on, shouldn't we? But first, let's set up the food. I've made lots of yummy nibbles! And I see some of you have brought a plate, too. Can someone go and get that fold out table back in the staff room? You'd better tell them what you're up to, or they won't let you in!"

Daniel ran off and came back lugging the table. Soon everyone was running back and forth from the staff kitchen,bringing plates of delicious looking food. My mouth watered just looking at it. As I sat on the couch, I looked up from my book and watched it all unfold. What Leanne had said had made me wonder. Could all this be something to do with me?

"Hi, Rosa," said Emma, coming up to me on the couch."How are you?"

"I'm alright," I told her. "What's all this about?"

Emma laughed. "Can't you guess?" she said. "It's your surprise birthday party! Happy birthday, Rosa!" And she handed me a brightly wrapped present.

I sat and stared as, one by one, my friends handed me presents and wished me happy birthday. I couldn't believe that Leanne had done all this to me, and I was so grateful that I felt like hugging her and giving her a kiss, and I was so touched that tears started streaming down my face. Of course I would still rather be at home, having a party there. But this was wonderful. I couldn't thank Leanne enough.It was a wonderful party. Leanne is very good at organizing things. Of course, all the food she made was wonderful, and we played all my favourite games. But the best part of all came at the end of the party, when me and my friends were all sitting around the library together and Leanne had bustled away to the staff room.

"Leanne's gone to get the cake," whispered Emma. "Wait for it."

I glowed with happiness as Leanne walked slowly into view carrying a huge cake alight with candles. Everyone began to sing...

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Rosa

Happy birthday to you!

I don't think I have felt as happy since the fire as I felt that moment. As I closed my eyes and blew out the candles, I wished a wish...Yes, I know you're not supposed to tell people your birthday wish. If you do it won't come true, that's what they say. But I'll tell you anyway, just between me and you. Here was what I wished for when I blew out the candles on the cake at my twelfth birthday party.

I wish to adjust to my life at the library as quickly as possible, and for most times to be good times. I wish for love, happiness and books.