Fiction

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PREVIOUSLY IN THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD REVISITED...

The group visited the ancient territories of the Aztecs and the Mayans. Stephanie received a text from her sister, Elizabeth, saying that she would be in the Andes as an exchange student and was very excited about that.

AND NOW...

A week later the group flew to the Andes. When the plane landed they decided to have a picnic lunch. They grabbed a basket, a dozen peanut butter sandwiches, lemonade, sliced fruits of various kinds, napkins, and a large picnic blanket and headed off to find the perfect spot for picnicking. They decided to stop near a cozy little house. Lionel, Alexis, and Ben spread out the blanket, and then everyone helped put the basket, food, and other items on.

"Where is your sister staying, Stephanie?" Matthew asked her. "She should be here by now, shouldn't she?"

"Yes, she should," Stephanie answered. "I'll text her after we eat and see where she's staying."

Just then the door of the little house opened, and a young girl came out. She had long, blonde hair and pretty blue eyes, just like Stephanie. She, however, looked younger. "Steph, is that you?" she called.

Stephanie turned around to face her. "Elizabeth!" she cried. She ran up to her sister and threw her arms around her. "Elizabeth, it's so good to see you!" she cried. "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you, too," Elizabeth said. "Have you found the cities of gold yet?"

"Not yet," Stephanie said. "We've just come back from visiting some historic sites, but we're en route to find the cities of gold now." She paused. "Elizabeth, I know you're here as an exchange student, but I've missed you like crazy and was wondering if you would like to join us on our tour to find the cities of gold."

"I'd love to!" Elizabeth cried. "Let me go ask the family I'm staying with. I'll be right back."

"Okay," said Stephanie. "I'll wait here while you do."

When Elizabeth had gone into the house, Ben said, "I hope they say she can come. That would be really great."

"It sure would," Stephanie agreed.

When Elizabeth came back, she had a big smile on her face. "They said yes!" she exclaimed.

"Yay!" Stephanie cried, giving her sister a hug. "Let me introduce you to all of our fellow travelers. This is my boyfriend, Ben, our friend Matthew, and our chaperones and friends, Lionel and Alexis. Everybody, this is my younger sister, Elizabeth."

Everyone said hi to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth said hi to everyone. Elizabeth immediately thought that Matthew was cute, and for the rest of the day she thought about how she would get him to notice her. She decided she would ask Stephanie if she could borrow her makeup and one of her skirts and blouses, and she waited for an opportune time to ask her. When she and Stephanie got a minute alone, she asked, "Hey, Steph, can I borrow your purple skirt and white blouse and put on some of your eyeliner and mascara? I met a boy while I was up here and want to impress him."

Stephanie smiled. "Sure," she said. "Help yourself."

"Thanks!" Elizabeth exclaimed. She went into the plane, changed her clothes, and put on the makeup. When she came out of the plane, she came up to Matthew and said with a smile, "So, Matthew, what do you think?"

Matthew grinned. "Oh, how cute," he said. "It's cute to see a little girl dress up like her big sister."

Elizabeth felt a lump in her throat and tears well up in her eyes. "Excuse me," she said, hurrying back to the plane.

Stephanie tried to call her back, but Elizabeth ran past her. Stephanie went up to Matthew. "Matthew, what is wrong with you?" she asked angrily. "Elizabeth was dressing up for you because she likes you and wanted to impress you!"

"That was not cool, man," Ben said. "And you're the one who was complaining that he couldn't get a girl."

Matthew's face fell. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't realize that's what she was doing. I honestly didn't. I'm really sorry."

"Don't tell us, tell her," Ben said.

"I will," Matthew agreed. He turned to go to the plane, but then noticed it was gone! "The plane isn't here!" he exclaimed. "Elizabeth took off in it!"

"Oh, no!" Stephanie cried. "Elizabeth doesn't know how to operate a plane. What if she crashes!"

"We have to find her! There's no time to lose!" Ben cried. "Matthew, Stephanie, follow me!"

"Where are Lionel and Alexis?" Matthew asked.

"Looking for a trash can to throw all of our picnic garbage away," Ben answered. "But we don't have time to wait for them if the plane crashes. We'll have to text them and let them know what happened. Come on!"

"You're right, Ben," Stephanie said. "Let's go!" She and Matthew followed Ben, and they began their search for Elizabeth.

TO FOLLOW...

Ben, Stephanie, and Matthew look for Elizabeth from morning until night. Elizabeth lands the plane in in El Dorado. Ben, Stephanie, and Matthew arrive in El Dorado but do not see her right away, as it is late at night. They find her in the morning. Lionel and Alexis look for them but then find them when Ben texts them and tells them where they are. Read the next episode of THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD REVISITED.

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