Alia was a young, beautiful and talented schoolgirl. She had cheery, sunshine yellow hair, and clear, emerald green eyes. Alia was stubborn and passionate, caring and generous. She was 8 years old, and her grandmother had just passed away. Today was the day of her grandmother’s funeral.

“Ali-en! Come into the kitchen!!! Breakfast is ready!” Alia!s mother called from the kitchen. Alia groaned and slumped 

against her bright, hot pink bed,  

She hated tit when her mother, Rayna Amphi called her that. Even worse, her mother had a cheery tone that matched the sunshine outside. Alia felt a wave a fury surge through her.Did her mom already forget grandma’s death? Good. Alia thought, She clenched her fists and grimaced. She’ll need it..

Alia and her family drove to their grandma’s funeral. The Amphi family had a speedy, fiery red car. It gleamed with fiery light and sped through the town in a flash. Alia wasn’t used to the speed, and she thought she would throttle her parents later. 

It was the moment. The day. Dad checked his watch. “7:00AM.” He called over his shoulder. “Well goodness we arrived an hour earlier! I d would not want to miss the funeral.” Alia finally gave up to her instincts and let herself vomit out slimy, icky green stuff. Her mother shrieked as she saw the vomit. Alia glanced at her mother with relief on her face.  “What the hell have you done?” Her mother sputtered. “I vomited.” Alia simply replied back.

After a long, tiring time of waiting, the funeral finally begin. The fluffy, white clouds greyed into angry rain clouds. Small, delicate raindrops dashed down the sky, fuelled with hatred. “We thank Ms. Shira Lin for her long service and kindness. We were always lucky to have her on her side.” Many people wept and stepped forward to give Shira their thanks. The Amphi family went last. Millions of wet, cold tears trickled down their skin. Alia knew this funeral would change the Amphi Family forever. There would be one, tiny part of them no one could ever give back. 

Chapter 2: Moving

Alia was lying in her rainbow bed, tossing and turning. The heavenly golden rays of the sun hit her again and again. Alia moaned in horror. Now that her grandmother was gone, all she wanted to do was sleep. Nothing else. Even though she kept wishing for that, she would never get a good sleep. “Alia! Lunch is ready!”. Her mum called from the living room. Alia sighed. She didn’t try to get up and go. She just stayed in bed, and fluttered her eyes

shut. No one, no thing would ever comfort her again. Alia sighed and drank deeply in the darkness closing in on her. She was so comfortable, so calm. No emotions could come into this place. She longed to drink in it deeper. She hungered for it. Until a sharp, steady sound yanked her back into reality. Alia sat up, immediately upright. Her silvery, white door opened slowly with a creak. A plump, middle-aged woman with tight, night black hair and dark, blue flecked brown eyes slowly emerged from the door. She took a deep breath and turned to face Alia. “I know it’s hard, honey, but

everyone suffers in life. Grief is a thing, a thing that every human and animal will suffer no matter what. Now I have a very hard task for you that you might not want to complete. But if you try that, it will be worth it. I promise.” Alia’s mother placed her pale hands over her heart. Alia sat up straight and gasped. “O-o-off Course I will complete your task! I have never failed you before!!” Rayna smiled. “Of course you would. Now, let me tell you about the task. Can you hold your anger and sadness while we go somewhere else?” Alia racked her brain, trying to make sense about what Rayna had just said.

“Wait”! Alia tugged on her mother’s shiny, red dress. “What are we doing?” Her mother smiled, but her eyes sparkled with pure sadness. “Oh honey, I knew that you were brave, but I don’t think you’re truly ready to hear this. Alia almost smacked her mother. Her hand was one inch away from her mother’s face. “Just. Tell. ME!!!!!” Alia screamed. She was a hundred percent sure the whole neighbourhood could hear her. She knew her mother loved her, but this wasn’t love! This wasn’t love when you keep secrets! Alia shoved all of her anger and desperation into her gaze. “Just tell me.” She pleaded. Rayna

sighed and stared down at the floor, but she knew there was no way to hide from her daughter now. Rayna sucked in a huge gulp of air before telling her daughter. “We are moving.”

Chapter 3: Unexpectedly

Alia wasn’t sure if she heard her mother right. Either she had some ear problems or her mother was joking. “Are you serious?” She managed to ask. Rayna sighed and looked Alia deeply in the eye. “Yes Alia, I am.” She confessed. Alia’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened in shock. “WHAT AND WHY ARE YOU MOVING AWAY FROM GRANDMA?????” Rayna begin to leave for the door, but she gave Alia one more message. “Pack up, please, we’re leaving soon.” She walked away and carefully closed the door shut. That was all too much for 

Alia to bear. She clutched her sides, and icy tears ran down her blue eyes. Everything became blurry and intense. It was all too much for Alia. She sat down on her bed and gave out a long sigh. Alia moaned and flung her white feather pillows on her own face.  She cried and cried, muffled by the pillows. Alia glanced at her window and vowed that she would never love anyone again.

Chapter 4: The Pain of Moving

“Honey,” it’s time. Alia’s mom called Alia was clutching her favourite stuffed animal, lying on her flower-patterned rainbow coloured bed. She sniffled and arose weakly from her bed, glaring at the sharp light of the sun on her window. She turned around, faking a smile, and said “Yes, of course! I’m so happy to be moving, it would be amazing to taste different delights, get new clothes, and so on, cei la vie.” Rayna managed a smile. “I knew you would give it a chance.” Rayna hugged her daughter. “Just give it a chance.” Or so, she thought.

Rayna climbed down the slender stairs towards the living room. She flicks on the light and turns towards the wooden table on the right side of the living room. Rayna pulled out a wooden chair coated with white paint, and plopped down onto the chair. She sat and examined every inch of the living room. The bright, light chandeliers, the widespread honey-yellow carpet, Alia’s stuffed toys, and her mother’s great grand wooden chair. A tear slipped down Rayna’s cheeks as she waited for her family to come down. One day, Alia would understand why she did it. “Ah!” Rayna heard Alia and her newborn sister arguing. 

“Unnie is mine!”Alia’s little sister said. Alia signed and shook her head as she surrendered her pale pink, stuffed unicorn towards Jade. She moved down the wooden stairs, creaking with every step she took. Sadness and guilt had hardened the weight of her heart, and every step took a lot of effort. She touched the white walls, and felt her fingers trace the white ivy pattern. Follow it. Her grandmother had once said. You will find the secret of why this happens. Alia sighed, and sat down, she was too weak to stand anymore. Suddenly, an idea bolted into her head! Follow the white ivy! That was what her grandma told her!