Right now since it was the holiday break, Jessica and Ella (my friends from Sydney) were both not coming to my house because they both were on holidays, so I hanged out with my surf-mad friends at Caitlin's house.
"Hey, have any of you won the traveling to New York competition?" asked Caitlin to us, looking directly at me.
I shrugged.
Katie stared at the ground.
Summer shook her head.
"But... I do have some news." I said, turning to face my friends.
"What?" asked Caitlin.
I smiled at her. Caitlin was my best friend and we were like two peas in a pod.
"I'm going to New York soon for my birthday present," I said. I waited to see their reactions.
Summer clapped her hands.
Caitlin looked around.
Katie gave me a fake smile.
"Guys... Why are we looking so dazed?" I asked them.
"I don't know?" They all replied in unison, though to me, it sounded like a question.
I twisted my bottom lip in thought "Um, so..."
There was an awkward silence.
"iiiI have to go," Katie said stammering.
"Ah, same," Summer said, a little guiltily in my opinion.
"I have to go as well," I said giving Katie a look.
We all trampled out.
"Later," Caitlin said giving us a half-smile half-frown.
Then we went our separate ways.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Poof! I fell of the bed. Again. That was the second time I fell off. The last time was when my annoying brother, Christe 'accidentally' put the bed ON my head (about 2 years ago). Like seriously, who would do that? Only Christe would. Anyway, I looked at the caller and it was Caitlin.
I hit the green button.
"Come quick! Emergency at Summer's place, NOW!!!" Caitlin's panicked voice said in the phone.
"Okay, bu-" I said but Caitlin didn't wait to hear the rest, she just cut me off. I felt curious at what was going on, so I picked up my mobile phone and stuffed it into my sling bag.
I dashed to Summer's place, which was only a 3-minute walk from my place. I hurriedly opened the door and tumble in. "I'm here! What's wrong?" I asked. Then I looked around.
Summer's eyes were all red, like she had been crying.
Katie's hair stood on all end, like she was frightened.
Caitlin's jaw had dropped.
I stared, taking it all in.
"What's wrong?" I asked, again, softly.
"My cat just died," Summer said quietly.
I put my hand to my mouth and my eyes got as wide as an owls. "Oh no, Marie?" I exclaimed.
Caitlin nodded.
Ding! Ding! It was 12'o'clock on Summer's grandfather clock.
"I really have to go," Caitlin said, standing up.
Katie nodded and stood up as well.
Everyone looked up at me. After all, I only just arrived.
Summer nodded.
I sighed. "I have to go as well,"
We all walked to the door while Summer waved us off, still brimming with tears.
"Keir," said my mum, Nora all excitingly.
"What," I said grumpily, I was not in the mood, ever since I left Summer's place. The only thing that could cheer me up was a trip to New York now or a surf out on the beach. But both those options were probably not available. It was too cold for the beach and I would've known if we were going to New York early.
"We're going to NYC earlier, it's going to be an early birthday present, SURPRISE!!!" my mum shouted.
"What?!?" I exclaimed. That was Awesome and Fabulous. New York City, here I come.
"I know, darling! Amazing, I won a trip through the New York City live and dream comp, where Grandma Claire worked before and I won but when I checked the date it was this week!!!" my mum said.
"Does Christe know?" I asked.
My mum nodded.
I happily trampled to my bedroom.
It's been 2 days and I've packed everything, but here's a mystery. When we moved to Queensland, my grandma/my mother's mum gave us her house in her will. She used to live in Queensland you know. So we repainted the house and upgraded the bathrooms and kitchen. The only thing that hasn't been upgraded is the attic. It has all of my grandma's letters, treasures and other things. I poked in them today, while my parents and Christe were busy (they don't let me up there and why would I let Christe up there with me?). I found an old box and some letters in a bundle in the trunk. I turned the box around and inscribed on it was: Keisha/Keira. I nearly tripped because how shocked, and amazed, I was with that box. I tried to open it but it was locked. I looked at the bundle of letters. It said: To: Keira, ONLY OPEN IN NEW YORK! There were only 4 letters. As I flipped through, I realized 2 notes fell out. 1. was a map of NYC with 3 large pink dots and 2. a short letter. The letter said:
To: Keira,
I hope you enjoy this treasure hunt. I may not be able to join you because I'm starting to get old but I hope you can. There are lots of fun places in New York for you try, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy them as well as the treasure hunt.
Grandma Claire😘
P.S You will meet some of my friends at the places. Good luck! Au revoir.
I felt silent tears dropping. I miss Grandma Claire, she was the best joker and storyteller. In other ways I felt curious. I quickly closed the trunk and quietly sneaked downstairs. With the letters in one hand and the box in the other I raced upstairs to my bedroom. I opened my top drawer and felt for a button. I pressed it and a hidden compartment popped out of my side desk. I put the box in there and stuffed my letters in my suitcase, then I close the compartment. At night, I gave my suitcase to my dad and he tossed it in the car, then we headed to the airport.
It was pretty busy there. People were milling around either to get to there plane or saying goodbye to friends or family. We had already gave our luggage so we boarded on to the plane. Me and my mum were on one side, while my dad and Christe were on the other. Soon I snoozed off.
I was in NYC! There was a lot of bustle but it was nice. My family grabbed our suitcases and raced to our apartment. We got our keys and then we settled in. I had a nice, cozy room. Mum and Dad's room was on my right, while Christe's room was on my left. Then we were grabbed our guidebooks and cameras and raced off for some sightseeing. I had my letters in my bag and I was dying to know what was in them. Finally, after an hour me and Christe got to go on our own.
"Be careful," mum said after the hundredth time.
"Yes mum," I murmured.
Then I set off to a cafe shop while Christe went to the Louvre.
I sat down and ordered a chocolate milkshake. Then I read the 1st note, including some American money:
New York, 1st note
I hope you're excited, I am. You're off to a fabulous fashion shop near an island called Manhattan. If you have time enjoy a ferry ride to Staten island as well. You'll meet my friend, Layla and she'll give you your... Something. The treasure hunt is short but why will be revealed soon. Enjoy!
Grandma Claire
I knew Staten Island was where the Statue of Liberty stood. I checked my watch, glad that I bought it and realized that I only had an hour and a half to do the treasure hunt so that was bit easy. I looked at my page of directions and it was only 15mins from where I was.
As I put my chocolate milkshake in the bin, I bumped into a girl. She had lovely blonde hair like me and a big smile.
"Sorry," said the girl. "I'm Riley Smith."
"I'm Keira Carlton, I'm from Australia," I said.
Riley's eyes lit up. "I'm from London and I love, love, love Australia, it has the best beaches," she said.
"Do you like to surf? Because I love to surf," I asked.
"It's awesome, I love surfing, and what have you got there?" Riley replied.
"My Grandma Claire, made up this treasure hunt and I do need some help along the way... If you're willing???"I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Definitely," Riley nodded.
"Well, first is going to be the chocolate shop near Manhattan, where you get ferry rides to Staten Island. I think it's the chocolate shop 'Love Chocolate' because it's near all that, right? And we're going to meet my Grandma's friend, Layla as well," I said.
"Hmm, yep but I have to be home in an hour and a half," Riley said checking her watch, a little bit anxious.
I laughed.
Riley looked confused. "What," she asked, her face twisted.
"I have to go home in an hour and a half, and I have the same watch brand as you," I giggled.
"Well, we better get started," smiled Riley.
After 1 hour, visiting all the places (The 'Love Chocolate' shop, The statue of Liberty and The Louvre) we got my gifts, my favourite book, a bracelet that said 'Grandma Claire 💗's You' and a key.
"What's the key for?" asked Riley.
"Probably for a locked box back at home," I said.
Bring! Bring! "I've got to go home," said Riley sadly.
I found a piece of paper and said that she had to write her phone number, email address and home address. After that, I wrote down mine and ripped it in half. Then I gave her my side and she gave me mine. After that we hugged each other, promised to stay in touch and waved each other goodbye.
As I headed down Lane street, with Riley heading in the opposite direction, towards Central park. I kept thinking, why did Grandma Claire do that Treasure hunt, you see, She and I aren't that close. I loved here and missed her but I wasn't about to cry about her. I always felt my Grandma loved Christe more. I didn't know why but I just felt it. I checked my watch and decided to run.
I dashed to the hotel and I just made it. We ate dinner as a family and then we went to sleep. Turns out, mum had to go home early for something so we had to go home the next day. So the next day we bought souvenirs for our friends back home and for us. I got a bracelet saying NYC Lover and a tiny little bear. For my friends, I got Caitlin a Best friend Bracelet saying best friends forever in New York! For Summer a cute key ring of the statue of liberty and for Katie a NYC surfer key ring. I also got Jessica a bundle of paints, since she loved to paint and Ella a painting of New York. Christe got a boring shirt with the Empire State Building on it. Mum and Dad were on fire, getting over 20 presents for them and their friends. Soon we boarded our plane and headed home. I realized I hadn't opened my fourth note so I did on the plane, pretending to read a book. The note said:
Dear Keira
Enjoyed the treasure hunt? Well you might be wondering why I did it and why it was so short, so I'll tell you why. I love you too the moon and stars and back. But whenever you come I notice you're always hiding in your room. I've heard you say why and I just want to say that I love you as much as Christe, no more so please forgive me if you think so. It's short because I want you to enjoy NYC as well as the treasure hunt.
Grandma Claire
P.S I love you
I smiled at the note and in my head I said 'I love you too Grandma Claire'
After that I fell asleep and when I woke up we we're back in Queensland! Caitlin, Katie and Summer were there to greet me. Caitlin's mum had volunteered to drive us home. Caitlin was having a sleepover with Summer and Katie so she practically begged to come with her mum and greet us. I gave them their presents (they all squealed with delight when they realized I had bought them gifts) then we toppled into Caitlin's car and headed home.
At home, Jessica and Ella face-timed me and I said I'll either mail them their gifts or wait for them to visit Queensland or we visit Sydney. Then I got a text from Riley saying 'she misses me' and I gave a 👍=🤣 back. Then I opened the box it was just some photos of me and Grandma Claire. They weren't much but they would treasure me forever. Then I went to sleep. It had been a exciting, exotic and tiring journey. I had fun of course. And fun was what I wanted. And New York.
The End👋
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