Ella and Olivia - Best friend showdown - chapter 5 (the end of the book)

Chapter 5

Ella played well at netball today and even scored three goals! But she didn’t have time to sell any more chocolates. After dinner, Ella hops into bed. She is a bit sad that she won’t win the Gold Star Award. Olivia is already in her pyjamas. She is sitting on Ella’s bed playing with her favourite doll, Miss Sparkle. ‘What’s the matter, Ella?’ asks Olivia. Her big sister seems a bit gloomy. ‘I haven’t sold enough chocolates this week,’ grumbles Ella. ‘Zoe has sold nearly all of her chocolates!’ Olivia smiles a little smile. She has a little secret. Olivia goes to her room and hops into bed when Mum comes in to turn off the lights. ‘Goodnight, girls,’ she says. Ella is quiet. ‘Don’t worry,’ Olivia whispers across the dark hallway. ‘It will be OK,’ She says. But Ella isn’t sure. The last time she looked, her box was still nearly full. The next day is Friday. Ella is hoping to win the Gold Star Award today. But Zoe might win it instead. Even though Zoe and Ella are best friends, Ella is a little bit jealous. Ella has to take the remaining chocolates back to school. ‘Here is your chocolate!’ says Olivia, holding out the box. When Ella takes it from her, she gets a surprise. The chocolate box that used to be heavy is really light! She quickly peers inside. There are only five chocolate bars left! 

‘What did you do?’ Ella asks Olivia. ‘I sold the rest for you!’ says Olivia. She is beaming. She helped her big sister sell more chocolates! 

‘When did you do that?’ Ella asks. She can’t believe her good luck!‘While you were playing netball,’ says Olivia. Ella is so happy and proud of her little sister.‘You’re the best sister in the WORLD, Olivia!’ She cries. At school, everyone is nervous. Who has sold the most chocolates? ‘And the winner is …’ says Miss Baker. Zoe and Ella look at each other. Who is going to win? There is a flutter in Ella’s chest.‘Peter!’ Miss Baker says. Zoe and Ella gasp. Peter has sold TWO whole boxes! Miss Baker hands Peter the Gold Star Award. He looks very proud. Everybody cheers! ‘We couldn’t have sold two whole boxes,’ whispers Zoe to Ella. ‘No way!’ Whispers Ella to Zoe. They both smile at each other. ‘We have two runner-up,’ Miss Baker says. ‘What’s a runner-up, Miss?’ Asks Jo. ‘The runner-up is the person who comes second,’ Miss baker says. ‘We have two second-place prizes.’ The class gasps. Who could they be? ‘The Silver Star Awards go to… Zoe and Ella!’ The class claps. ‘Zoe and Ella both sold twenty-five bars of chocolate.’ Zoe and Ella are shocked. They tied for second place! ‘Well done, girls!’ says Miss Baker. She hands them each a very special Silver Star Award. Everybody crowds around to look. Even Peter is impressed. The awards shine brightly in their hands. It’s so exciting to be a runner-up! ‘Congratulations to everyone,’ Miss Baker says. ‘We have raised lots of money to help build the school hall!’ Ella and Zoe are very proud. Ella knows she couldn’t have done it without Olivia. Little sisters are cool, just like Zoe said!

When Ella gets home, she adds Olivia’s name to the awards. She does it very carefully, with a silver pen. She slips a bar of chocolate under Olivia’s pillow. And together, Ella and Olivia put their Silver Star Award up on the fridge for everyone to see.

The End