She checked her watch. There was about half an hour before she had to meet the others in town. Just enough time to check out the hill then! She smiled. At least she could tell her friends that she had finally done something a little bit adventurous. Hitching her bag higher on her back she took the path to the left. It wound in and around and up. Coming around a corner she could see something unusual in the distance. It was a little bit shiny which seemed out of place among the trees. Creeping closer she noticed that it was pulsing slightly. Bright. Dim. Bright. Dim. Her hand reached out. Bri…

Alane sat on her bed. She thought about the different ways that she could sneak out of the house. “Just go.” She urged herself. But still she sat there. A small sound at her window caught her attention. It was a bumble bee, knocking against the window trying to get out. “I know how you feel mate” she whispered. She took a deep breath in then exhaled quietly. It was now or never. She looked at the door. If she could just get out of her room without being heard. Her eyes rose “Please god” she prayed “Please. Just this once.” She took another breath. Then another. “Stop it!” she thought. ”This is ridiculous. Just. Do. It.” Her eyes lifted once more. Quietly she got to her feet and crept to the door. She opened it a fraction. She could see her uncle sitting at the kitchen table. He wasn’t looking her way...was it safe? Should she wait a little longer or just go now and hope he didn’t notice? Her head turned back to the bee, still bouncing off the window. Maybe that was a safer option?

HOW should Alane sneak out of her room? Through the door? Or through the window?

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Sera Princess thought about what her friends might want to do. The mall? The beach? Safe option were the jeans. She dressed quickly then tidied her room. Her Mum didn’t need to walk in and see that mess – not with all that was going on.

After a last look around, she clattered down the stairs and started scrabbling around in the hall cupboard for her backpack. Finding it she stood up.
“Seeya mum!” she shouted.
“Taihoa bub!” Her Mum walked out of the kitchen with a container in her hands. “Have some of these – I’ve just taken them out.” She stuffed the container into the backpack. “Better take a raincoat too - the weather’s turning.” Sera Princess nodded. Although the sun was shining, she’d thought there was rain coming. Perhaps that was why she was so fidgety? She grabbed her raincoat from the cupboard.
“Okay. Love you.” She stepped in for a hug.
“Love you too baby.” Her Mum hugged her tightly. “And don’t worry. I told you. Your Dad’s okay.”
They smiled at each other.

Once outside Sera Princess felt her mood improve. She should cut through the park while the weather was still good. She might even see the rabbits Alane swore were in there. Turning left she headed for the walkway halfway down the block.

“Oma rapiti, oma rapiti…” Her voice filtered through the kanuka trees as she walked along the path. Her attention was caught by a plastic bag caught in a branch. There was a piece of paper inside. “Where ways cross, climb the hill for heart’s wish.” Probably one of the orienteering group’s clues. But…there was something different about this clue. Something… she looked up. She could see where the paths crossed. Should she go left up the hill or turn right towards town?

WHICH way should Sera Princess go? To the Left or To the Right?

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Sera Princess sat at her dressing table. She pulled a brush through her long black hair and started to count. “Tahi. Rua. Toro. Wha…” As she brushed her hair she examined her face in the mirror. She had her dad’s nose that’s for sure. Slightly too big for her face. A little bit squashed in. Still, a nice nose for all that. Her Mum’s eyes. Creased in the corners. Incredibly long eyelashes. Sometimes when she borrowed her Mum’s mascara she ended up with little black tracks on her face. Her Pop said they looked like ants walking down her cheeks. What was it her Nana used to say about her cheeks? That’s right. “They’re red and round like apples, girl. Just like mine” She smiled and looked down towards her mouth in the mirror. Leaning in she brushed the toast crumbs from the corners at the side of her mouth.

“Toro tekau ma whitu…” Her voice trailed off as she lifted her eyes. Well, they certainly didn’t come from anyone in her family. They were silver. “Probably from all the fish your Mum ate when she was pregnant” her Dad always laughed. “Must be the starlight from the night you were born” Granda said. Sighing she dropped her brush on the dresser and got up. Why was she feeling so restless? Why was she thinking about family? She was about to go into town to meet her friends – she should feel excited, not anxious.

“I will have fun. I will have fun.” She muttered to herself as she looked for something to wear. Clothes flew through the air. Right, was she going to go ultra girly? Pink skirt, pink shirt, pink shoes, white fluffy jacket? OR should she go a little more comfy? Jeans…pink shirt, pink shoes, white fluffy jacket?


WHICH outfit should Sera Princess choose? Ultra Girly or A Little More Comfy?

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