8-11 year olds Competition 2023

Once upon a time, there were two unlikely friends named Max and Ruby who went to secondary school together. Max was a quiet and reserved bookworm, while Ruby was outgoing and loved to socialize. Despite their differences, they bonded over their shared love of music and spent countless hours listening to their favourite bands together. Over time, their friendship grew stronger as they supported each other through life's ups and downs. Max helped Ruby through tough times, while Ruby encouraged Max to speak up more and share his ideas with the world. One day, Max received an opportunity to study abroad in Europe for a year. Although he was excited, he was also nervous about leaving his best friend behind. Ruby, being the supportive friend she was, encouraged him to pursue his dreams and promised to stay in touch. While Max was away, Ruby sent him care packages filled with his favourite snacks and updates on what was happening back home. Max, in turn, sent postcards from his ravels and shared stories of his adventures. When Max returned home, he was thrilled to be reunited with Ruby and grateful for her unwavering support. Their friendship had stood the test of time and distance, proving that true friends will always find a way to stay connected. It also proves that true friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never at heart.

PROL0GUE

It was Bells that first told me about it, the places beyond the prison that my parents locked me in day and night. Well not really a prison, more of a restrained area. What I'm trying to say is that my parents were overprotective, in a big way. Growing up my crazy parents forced me to wear a bike helmet and knee pads around the house, so I didn't scratch myself on the carpet! I know what you're thinking. You think that would all subside once I started school. Problem was it only got worse. One day at school, I tripped, fell and scraped my shin. There was a minuscule bit of blood, and I went home with a plaster on it and my parents flipped out.

From that moment I was never allowed to leave my house. My parents home schooled me. I would have died was it not for the fact that my parents allowed one girl across the road to come over on the weekends to tutor me alongside my parents. Bella was a super smart kid from the year above me. And she was really nice. 

CHAPTER  1

"So, are we going to begin Jessica?" Bella asked. "Yes, sorry I was daydreaming, and please, call me Jess." "Sure" "So your parents told me to focus on geography as they don't know much on the subject." Bella and I continued to talk, and I learnt loads. We used a trip she was going on alone to calculate different routes from longest to shortest. It was then that I made my move. "I wish I could travel the world" I sighed. "Why don't you come with me? I quickly explained to her all about my crazy parents. She knew some of it already, but she was still shocked about lots of other things from there we formulated our plan... On the morning of her trip, she would sneak out to my window and collect me. We would then run to the bus to the train station. And then our adventure would begin. I would finally get to live my life. Plus, I would be 18 in a couple of years so from there I can find a university and start me independent life.

"Jess! Stop daydreaming and eat your food!" Mum said sharply to me. "Ok sorry!" I replied. "Mum?" "Yes sweety." "Can I go over to Bella's House tomorrow?" "Please!" "Hmm...You haven't had an accident for a while so I guess you could if you wore your pads, and we covered you in bubble wrap. You can go." "Thankyou" This was the best way that could have gone! I was at least expecting one of my parents to come with me. But this, this was epic! It looked like Bell's plan would work! I just had to find a way to get my bag over to Bells house without Mum seeing me.

CHAPTER 2

It was finally time to put my plan into action. I bet I looked a bit suspicious wanting to go to bed early, but my parents thought I was a sensible quiet kid. I was quite the opposite, but my parents squashed me so much that it remained hidden until now. Once I had escaped the prying eyes of my parents I quickly put on an extra coat and grabbed my overnight bag. I would need it on the journey for food and warmth. Then it was time to wait. I waited and waited and watched the hands of my clock slowley tick by. Eventually as I was about to give up, I heard a slight noise outside of my window. It was Bella! The time to take on my adventure had finally arrived!

"Are you coming?" Bella called from outside my ground floor bedroom. (My parents thought that going up or down stairs was too dangerous.) "Coming!" I whispered and with that I clambered out of the window negotiating the child lock. From there we ran to the bus stop ½ a mile away and our adventures began.

CHAPTER 3

Bella's friendship meant everything to me. With her help I was able to be my own person and live my life. Several years after I ran away with Bells, I successfully graduated from university with flying colours and could begin my life as a successful scientist who made many amazing discoveries. Now at the age of 36 I am writing this all up so you can read all about how friendship saved my life.