The Letter

"Get up, Aleera! It's time for school!" *groans* "Wait, school? What! And you're just waking me up now?" she said, looking at the time and jumping out of bed. "Wait... my alarm didn't go off. It's supposed to go off at 6 from Monday till Friday," she said, picking up her phone. "Mom! It's Saturday!"

"I know that, but what could I have said to get you out of bed early on a Saturday?"

"Why do you need me up early on a Saturday?"

"Because of this," her mother said, showing her a white envelope with gold and red diamonds. "What's that?"

"It's a letter."

"I know it's a letter. I mean, who is it from, and who is it for? It looks like it came from a rich royal person."

"Well, it's a letter for you, and it came from Lumeria!" her mother exclaimed childishly. "Wait, a letter for me? From Lumeria?!"

"You got that right, honey."

"No way!"

"Yes way, baby. We're going to read its contents after breakfast with your dad. Now clean up and come down," her mother said, then exited the room.

Immediately, Aleera went into her bathroom, then to her wardrobe, and out of her room to the dining table. Her mother was placing what looked like a cake on the table before motioning for her to move faster. "Mom, why do we have a cake?" she said while taking her seat.

"We need a cake because the letter from Lumeria came, which means a celebration!" her mother said in a high-pitched voice, causing Aleera to frown.

"Mom, a letter from Lumeria doesn't always mean something good. It could be a death threat for treason or something related."

"Well, as far as I know, our family hasn't done anything bad, so it's a good letter," Aleera's mom replied, placing the letter next to her plate.

Watching the drama, Aleera's father couldn't help giving his wife angry looks. "Mum, you read the letter, didn't you?" Aleera asked in a more serious tone.

"Mum!"

She shouted when her mother didn't reply. "You said we were going to read it after breakfast," she said grumpily with her hands crossed.

"Baby, I'm sorry. I just got so excited... I mean, it's Lumeria!"

"Oh, whatever. So what does it say?" Aleera asked with a mouthful of food, then looked at her parents when she didn't get a fast reply, seeing them silently arguing. "I said, what's in the letter?" she asked again.

"You're going to Lumeria High!" her father blurted out, receiving a hard hit from her mother. "I said I was going to tell her!"

"Well, you've already told her enough. It's my turn to talk."

"Lumeria High?!" Aleera suddenly shouted, giving her parents a shock and ending their bickering.

"Yes, honey. According to the letter," her father said, grabbing the letter from her mom, who was about to read it, then continued, "it says here, 'Good day, Aleera Flynn. You have been officially invited to be a student at Lumeria High for your outstanding results at your current school. In two days from today, you will be picked up from your home, so prepare yourself for a life-changing adventure. Welcome to Lumeria High.'"

"No way! It's real! But did you say two days from today? That means tomorrow! The letter came in yesterday!" she exclaimed.

"Mum, Dad, what are we gonna do?"

"Oh, baby, your dad and I have got this covered. We're taking you shopping for school. Now, aren't you happy we read the letter early? Now let's hit the road." Aleera groaned.

"Why do we have to go shopping, and what are we shopping for?"

"Aleera, Lumeria is far away, so do you think you're still going to be a day schooler?" her mother asked, seeing Aleera's facial expression change. "Well, now that you've realized that, let's go; your dad is waiting for us."

"So, Mum, what are we shopping for?" Aleera asked when they walked into the mall.

"We need to get you a new traveling bag," her mum said. "And a few other things," she added. They shopped for a while before deciding to go home. Aleera's mum helped her pack her bag while she sat and watched. Suddenly, Aleera spoke up, "Mum, can I ask you something?"