a new chapter

the time had come. lupe packed her sack and lay it on her bed. the first days of autumn were nearing, and that great step in her life was about to take place - whether she was ready for it or not. the summer was long and fun, and she enjoyed it with all her friends. but now that was about to change.
last week school started and lupe was old enough to start first grade. her friends would sit indoors all day. and even when they finished their classes there was homework to be done, projects, chores...
"time to go, honey", lupe's mother shouted from downstairs. lupe took one last look at her room, her pink little room, and closed the door on the way out.
lupe didn't have to go to school. she was going elsewhere.
lupe's father was a scientist. his work was taking her family away, far away for a long time. the family was abandoning their home for three years, and they would live on a boat, in a distant country, while he researched a endangered species of fish.
lupe would no longer spend time with her friends nor would she her teacher give her homework. that would be replaced by adventures with new friends of different races and species, and home schooling by her mother.
but will she have what to talk about when she returns?