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something was different this time. Kami didn’t hug back. Charlie understood that her adventure
with Kami had come to an end - for now. Charlie bent her forehead to the koala’s.
Thank you
.
She heard footsteps behind her.
“Hey Charlie,” Riley said softly. “Your mum is calling you.”
She dropped the stuffed toy, and stared back at him, not wanting to go back to reality. The
memory of her mother’s argument rang in her head.
“Do I have to go back?” she asked quietly. “Can I stay here with you?”
Riley grinned sadly. “You’ve got to talk to your mum, Charlie. And anyway, she’ll freak out if
you live the rest of your life on a deserted island.”
“I think she’d freak out if I lived in a treehouse for the rest of my life too.” Charlie sighed.
Riley laughed quietly. “Promise we’ll do this again soon?”
Charlie nodded. “Promise,” she whispered.