Lina at the Games by Sally Rippin

Author:Sally Rippin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group Australia
Published: 2013-06-14T04:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Lina woke up feeling like her world had shifted. Everything that had once seemed so gloomy floated out of her like specks of dust lit up by the sunshine, floating, spinning away from her and out the bedroom window. She felt bright and clear and strong. The magazine was finished and, just as she’d secretly hoped, her father was proud of all the work she’d done. On her grandmother’s cupboard the green dress shimmered like an exotic beetle. Suddenly, her room no longer looked small and dingy and crowded with her grandmother’s musty old things. Now it was interesting and colourful and full of treasures.

Lina couldn’t wait to see John again on the bus to find out if he knew how his letter had changed the Games. It was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her. She knew someone famous. Someone whose words had made a difference, and he had only just turned seventeen! Lina was desperate to tell someone. Anyone.

She thought about Sarah. Maybe she could tell Sarah? Only Sarah – and then make her swear to secrecy? Lina knew that Sarah would be impressed. Mary wasn’t interested in the importance of words but Sarah was. Lina didn’t even need to tell Sarah who he was, just what he’d done.

Lina imagined what Sarah might say. She’d be surprised. She might not even believe Lina at first, but when Lina told her all the details, Sarah would definitely want to know more. After all, what was the fun in knowing someone famous if you couldn’t tell a friend?

But is Sarah my friend? she wondered. We did that whole magazine together, she told herself sternly. Of course we’re friends. And maybe . . . maybe she’d even want to come back to my house? Maybe once she meets my family, and sees how lovely they all are, she’ll understand that just because we speak Italian doesn’t mean we’re not hard-working or clever.

Lina’s daydreaming lingered all morning through breakfast and her chores, and even made her miss the early bus to school. Arriving just in time, she ran through the gates, past the library and straight to the lockers, where she knew she would find who she was looking for. Lina caught a glimpse of Sarah’s swinging blonde ponytail down the hall and jogged to catch up with her.

But just as she rounded the corner, Lina caught a glimpse of Mary, coming straight towards them. Lina slipped back behind the wall to wait until Mary had passed. She certainly didn’t want Mary eavesdropping on her exciting news. To her surprise, instead of walking straight past Sarah like she normally did, Mary stopped.

‘So,’ Lina heard Mary say in a cool voice. ‘Looks like you’ve got a new best friend, Sarah?’

Lina heard Sarah snigger. Her stomach dropped and she listened closer.

‘Who, Lina?’ Sarah said. ‘Are you kidding? Just because we’re working on the magazine together doesn’t mean we’re friends, Mary. She’s a wog! How can I be friends with a wog? Could you imagine what my father would say?’

Lina felt her body turn to ice.

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