The Necklace

It was a sunny warm Saturday afternoon and Anna was in her bedroom getting ready to go to her friend Lisa’s 15th birthday sleepover with a couple of other girls from her class at school.

“That necklace that mother got herself yesterday” Anna thought to herself, “would go perfectly with my dress.”

Anna tiptoed to her parents’ bedroom and opened her mother’s jewelry case. It suddenly felt chili and Anna shivered slightly as she opened up the case and saw all of her mother’s precious jewelry inside. Anna’s eyes fell on the necklace that she had seen her mother unwrapping the day before and her hand shot out to grab it. She gently picked up the treasure, and smiled as it shimmered in the sunlight which shone through the window. Just then Anna heard someone coming up the stairs and she quickly hurried back to her bedroom, with the necklace hidden under her cardigan, before anyone could catch her.

At the party Anna got plenty of comments on her necklace and she loved being able to show it off to all her friends. The party was a great hit and the girls thoroughly enjoyed doing each other’s make-up, cooking, and all the other girly things one does at sleepovers. Anna loved being with friends and her laughter mingled with that of her friends, but all this changed later when she discovered her necklace was missing.

The girls were watching a movie together when Anna realized she was not wearing her necklace. She didn’t remember taking it off, and she started to panic. Her face turned pale and she felt sick. A picture of her mother’s face, when she unwrapped the necklace that she had been eyeing  for months in the Women’s Weekly Magazine, came to Anna’s mind and she wished she hadn’t taken the precious item from her mother now.

“Lisa!” Anna croaked, with dry lips and her eyes were wide with fear.

“What is it?” Lisa asked, not taking her eyes of the movie screen.

“My necklace…. it’s gone!” Anna spluttered her eyes moist with the tears she was fighting back.

“It can’t be lost. Let’s finish the film then we’ll all help you look for it.” Lisa said, snuggling up closer to her friend.

Anna couldn’t concentrate throughout the rest of the film. She bit her nails and ran her fingers through her curly brown hair, which she did when she was anxious or upset. Images of her mum’s face filled Anna’s mind and she could think of nothing else.

After the film the girls all joined in the search, but no necklace was found. Anna felt like rolling herself up into a ball and bursting into tears. She couldn’t believe that this was happening to her. What could have happened to the necklace?

“You’ll just have to tell your mum the truth.” Lisa said putting her arm consolingly round her friend, as the girls got ready for bed and into their sleeping bags.

“Will she ever forgive me?” Anna mumbled, trying her best to stop herself from crying as she didn’t want to show her friends how upset she really was.

Anna couldn’t get to sleep that night. She tossed and turned but all she could think about was the necklace. The next Anna packed her bag with a heavy heart, wondering how she would tell her mum about the necklace.

Back at home Anna hardly said a word and her mum knew that something was wrong. Anna was usually chatting away about everything, especially after a party or spending time with friends. But what could be wrong?

While Anna and her family were sitting down to lunch there was a knock on the front door. Anna’s mum went to answer it.

“Hello Lisa, love. Fancy seeing you here.” Mum’s voice drifted into the dining room.

Anna was at the front door before her mum could mutter another word. She grabbed Lisa by the arm and pulled her away from the front door and into the lounge.

“Did you... find anything?” Anna whispered to Lisa.

Lisa smiled and took a small package out of her bag and handed it to her friend. Anna opened it quickly and smiled. The necklace was in her hands and safe once again!

“What are you doing with that?” Anna’s mum, who had followed the girls into the lounge, asked.

Anna’s face turned pale and her heart started to beat away in her chest.

She had been caught!

“I’m sorry mum. I couldn’t resist. I took it to the party… but then I lost it… and Lisa found it… and brought it back. ” Anna said, her cheeks turning pink as she recounted what had happened.

“Well, I’m glad to hear you are sorry and I hope you have learnt a lesson about taking things without asking.” Mum said.

“Yes, mum. I hardly got any sleep last night as I was so upset and I am truly sorry for taking your necklace.” Anna blurted out, unable to look at her mum.

“I’m glad you’ve learnt a lesson, and that you found it. The necklace is actually for you, to congratulate you for doing so well in your exams.” Mum smiled.

This week is poem and short story week so feel free to post your poems and short stories!!!!