Allison woke up with a start. "Maybe it was a nightmare," she thought hopefully. "Maybe we aren't moving after all!" But her hopes were shattered as she looked around her room. There was nothing in it except for a sleeping bag, a pillow, and the clothes she would wear that day. Allison sighed as she got dressed and went down the stairs. As she entered the kitchen she asked, "Mom, why do we have to move?" for the billionth time that week. Her mother's voice echoed as she answered, "Because your father thinks his job will be better there." Allison walked dejectedly to the table and poured herself some cereal. Just then, Allison's twin sisters, Chrystal and Sarah walked in. "Moving Day is here!" Sarah exclaimed happily.

"I can't wait to get to the new house to unpack my room!" Chrystal said. "Our room," Sarah corrected.

"Whatever."

"Allright you two," their mother said. Settle down and eat so we can leave." The twins sat at the table, giggling. Suddenly, Sarah noticed Allison and asked, "Aren't you happy about Moving Day?"

"No." Allison stated.

The twins stared at her with a mystified look on their faces. "Why not?" Chrystal asked. "Because we have to move to a whole new town on the other side of this state and we have to go to a new neighborhood and..." Allison could have gone on more, but she saw the stern glance of her mother. Allison finished her breakfast and went upstairs to pack the rest of her things. She brushed her teeth and put her toothbrush away. She rolled up her sleeping bag and put it and her pillow in a box. She put her pajamas in the box too. Before taking the box downstairs, she stole one last glance around the room. When Allison went downstairs, everyone was ready to go. They filed into the packed car, and were off. During the car ride, Chrystal and Sarah looked out the window excitedly, taking everything in while Allison quietly read a book. After about 7 hours, the family arrived to their new home. "Everybody out!" Allison's dad said. The twins barely heard what he said because they were already bounding to the house. Allison slowly got out of the car and stretched her muscles. She picked up her box and walked to the dreaded house. The family had already put some things away, so the house didn't look quite as empty. Allison walked to her room and started putting her things away.

After half an hour, Allison heard the doorbell ring. Two pairs of feet pounded to the door as Chrystal and Sarah both yelled, "I'll get it!" Allison also came downstairs and stood by the door. Chrystal and Sarah had already flung the door open to find a shy girl about Allison's age. "Hi," she said. I brought you some brownies. I live just across the street." The twins' eyes opened wide looking at their favorite treat. "Thanks!" they exclaimed, taking the brownies to the kitchen. The girl turned to Allison. "My name's Chloie, what's yours?" she asked.

"Allison," was the happy reply. "Come inside!"

Chloie stepped inside the doorway. "Let's be friends!" she said.

"Okay," Allison answered. "Let's go to my room."

As the girls went to Allison's room, she thought, "Maybe moving won't be so bad after all!"

by SET