Chance vs. Payne

Chapter Three

***Sorry this chapter switches Points of View so much!!***

Gemma’s POV

In a week I finally get to see Maura again. The last time I saw her, I was eleven.

***Flashback***

It was six years ago. My family offered to host a family from a U.S. History Club. Their trip this year was Cheshire, U.K. I am really excited! My dream someday is to go there and see all the cool things that are there; Mt. Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Yellow Stone, Disney World, Disney Land, and Mall of America were my favourites. I am going to ask her about them. My brother, Harry, isn’t as excited as me. He’s twelve. He doesn’t like the fact that two more girls will be living at our mum’s house for a month. But I wasn’t like that, I was really excited to have two girls around my age staying here! We are going to stay up all night painting our nails, talk about boys and watch the final round of the X Factor.

“Gemma!” I heard. I jumped off my bed and looked in the mirror to make sure I looked okay. The American family is finally here!! I’ve been waiting six months for this day! I ran down the stairs and see Harry standing behind everybody else. But I just shoved my way to the front.

Suddenly, I stopped. The lady in front of me is like 30 years old or something. “You’re old!” I finally think to say. “I thought you were going to be my age. I’m eleven.” I say proudly.

A girl steps out from behind this old lady. She has bleach blonde hair with sparkling blue eyes. “I’m eleven,” she shyly says, “My name’s Maura.’’

Her thick American accent catches me off guard. It sounds nothing like the way I speak an American accent.

My mum steps beside me. Smiling, she says, ‘Welcome to Cheshire, Robertson’s’! I hope you enjoy your month here. I’m Anne and this is Robin.”

The old lady shakes my mum’s hand. “Thank you so much for letting us stay here. It means so much to us! I’m Kendra and this is my husband, Kyle. My oldest, Tricia, she’s thirteen, and Maura, she’s eleven.”

My mouth dropped. Tricia is thirteen! A teenager! When I’m thirteen I’m allowed to wear make up! My smile gets bigger. Maybe she can help with fashion!

“Hey Tricia!” I say brightly, suddenly not as excited that Maura is the same age as me, but that Tricia is two years older than me.

Tricia scowls at me. Kendra pats her on the back, “Say hello to Gemma, Tricia.”

“Mom, I’m not stupid!” She rolls her eyes. “Hi Gemma,” she says with the snottiest voice I’ve ever heard. My heart drops. I already didn’t like Tricia and Maura seemed way to quiet.

Tricia shoves me over and walks into our house. “Where’s the bathroom? I have to pee so badly.” She keeps speed walking around the house, but suddenly stops. Harry is standing in the corner staring at Tricia.

“Oh, hey there!” She smiles brightly at Harry, “Do you think you could help me find the bathroom?” Harry shudders and starts to shake his head no, but then sees Mum nodding her head.

“Sure, I’ll show you,” his voice flat.

***3 hours later***

Maura is a lot better than I thought she was going to be. She likes the Beatles; her best friend is a boy, and best of all she likes Taylor Swift, too. Since the X Factor is tonight she’s going to stay up and watch it with me. Mum said we had to go to bed at 11:00 but we’re going to stay up later, talking. I’m teaching her to speak with a British accent and she’s teaching me to speak in an American accent. This is the best thing that has happened to me my whole entire life.