previously on adventures on Awe Island.
Madame Amado appeared worried and said she was about to leave because Sophos needed help.
However, the old woman would not reveal where she was going.
Instead, she left Marie with a key piece of advice.
Welcome back to adventures on awe island, chapter eight.
The next clue, part three.
The last days of the school year were upon marie, jj and christian.
With final projects coming due and end-of-year events approaching, it was impossible for the trio to find a time when all three of them were free, let alone when a parent was available to take them to the island's historical buildings.
They decided they would have to wait until the school year was complete to follow up on the clue from the back of the tile.
Marie stopped into the ice cream shop as often as she could on her way home from school to see if Madame Amato had returned.
Each time as she approached the charming mushroom-shaped building, her heart pounded in anticipation, hoping the person behind the counter would be Madame Amato.
But then she'd see Xander and her heart would sink.
Still, Marie would wait in line if there was a line.
When it was her turn, she would always ask the same question.
Is Madame Amato back?
Xander always gave the same apologetic smile and said no.
Then she would ask, Have you heard from her?
Again, he would reply no with a gentle shake of his head.
Marie always reported back to JJ and Christian while they were in the lunchroom.
It became so predictable, all she had to say was, Not back yet!
And her friends would nod in understanding.
There was nothing that could be said to help the situation.
Finally, the last day of school was upon them.
It was the day they celebrated students moving up to the middle school with a special event called the fly-up ceremony.
It took place outside on the lawn as their final activity on their final day.
The students queued up in the hallway in alphabetical order.
Usually, there was a cacophony of chatter when they were all together.
But in this moment, the line was unusually quiet, in deference to how special the ceremony was.
It was their last opportunity to be together as a class, with family and staff gathered to recognize how far they'd come.
At the top of the hour, the assistant principal led the students outside.
Following them were all their teachers, as well as the principal, who went straight up to a microphone waiting on a stand.
The students assembled on risers that had been set up for the occasion.
In front of them, in neat rows, their families filled a sea of folding chairs.
It felt like the perfect moment to Marie, as she stood there amongst her classmates, looking out all the family and friends assembled to celebrate their achievement.
It made Marie feel important.
First, the principal welcomed everyone and thanked families for helping their students thrive at school.
Then students were congratulated by the principal for all their hard work and support of one another over the years.
One by one, each child was given an opportunity to share a few things they would remember most about their experiences at school.
When it was Marie's turn, she said, Her favorite memory was the day she met JJ and Christian.
They had been assigned a project together in class and had spent as much time laughing together as they had working on the project.
She said she would also remember her teacher's, who always encouraged the students and welcomed different perspectives.
Each child received a round of applause when they finished sharing.
After every student had a chance to speak, their parents and teachers formed pairs holding their arms up overhead to create a human tunnel.
All of the students ran through as everyone cheered.
Finally, the principal returned to the microphone for some ending remarks, encouraging them to continue to be curious students and kind human beings as they embarked on the next stage of their education.
They were each handed a thick envelope and instructed not to open it until they were home.
Marie's fingers tingled as she was handed her envelope.
It had been decorated with silver shooting stars and blue swirls.
This part of the ceremony was well known, not only in the school but also the entire Aue Island community.
It was something every student looked forward to immensely.
Inside the envelope were notes from fellow students teachers parents, siblings and even community members, sharing encouragement, compliments and happy memories.
Marie couldn't wait to get home and read through the contents of her envelope.
For now, though, the students were given one last round of applause, and then they were dismissed.
After the ceremony, they greeted their parents, shared hugs with fellow classmates and thanked their teachers.
Marie felt incredibly proud and grateful.
The ceremony had been wonderful and left her with a feeling of empowerment.
She was ready to go to a new school and learn new things.
When it was time to go, Marie JJ and Christian learned their parents had made shared lunch plans for the three families.
They went to a favorite restaurant and enjoyed a special meal in a private spot on the patio.
Balloons had been tied to the backs of all the chairs and flowers adorned the tables.
It was incredibly festive.
Marie JJ and Christian sat together in the middle of the table enjoying the lively conversations all around them.
The celebration ended with a cake from the local bakery.
As everyone was finishing up the delicious dessert, Marie spoke up.
We'd like to visit the Historical Society and the Civic Building as soon as possible, please.
She said, figuring it was a good time to make the request, with all parents present.
Christian's dad smiled.
Diving back into learning already?
Even on your summer break?
Very impressive. he noted with an approving nod.
Mrs. Young chimed in.
I'd be happy to take you on Monday afternoon.
Thanks, Mom, J.J. said enthusiastically.
Marie, J.J., and Christian exchanged excited smiles.
Finally, they would get to continue on their quest.
Marie hoped they would be able to solve the clue quickly.
When everyone was finished eating and talking, the party disbanded and families headed home.
Later, when she was alone in her bedroom, Marie sat on her bed with her thick envelope of notes and letters.
She took a breath and stared at the envelope.
It had been a monumental, almost surreal day.
She unfastened the clasp on the envelope and dumped the pile of notes on her bed.
Some were just folded pieces of paper, while others were sealed in their own envelopes.
She picked up the first note, unfolded it, and began to read.
It was from a classmate.
Dear Marie, you are a kind person.
I really appreciated it when you shared your lunch with me when I forgot mine.
I'm glad we were in the same homeroom together.
It was fun when we got to choose an art project for the class together.
Your friend, Zedrick.
Marie smiled as she read.
Kind.
Zedrick thought she was kind.
She hadn't realized her small action of sharing her lunch meant so much to him, and it made her heart feel warm.
She moved on to the next note.
This one was from Dr. Bowski, Christian's mom.
Dear Marie, congratulations on flying up to middle school.
You are so generous to spend your free time helping out at the Awe Island Animal Shelter.
You make the animals feel safe and loved with your kind words and gentle demeanor.
Again, congratulations.
I am so proud of you.
Mary Bowski Marie was filled with joy and anticipation.
Dr Bowski was the veterinarian for the shelter so Marie saw her sometimes when she was volunteering there.
Getting to shadow Dr. Bowski as she cared for the animals would be incredible.
Marie folded the message and set it aside, making a mental note to ask Dr Bowski about it the next time she saw her.
To choose the next letter.
Marie closed her eyes and fished her hand into the pile of letters to pick something from the middle.
Her fingertips felt an envelope that had a very different, very smooth texture to it.
She pulled it out and opened her eyes, blinking in surprise at what she saw.
In her hand was a shimmery metallic blue envelope with her full name written on the front in old-fashioned, slightly shaky-looking print.
She turned it over and gasped at what she saw.
The envelope had been sealed in gold wax and the seal was imprinted with the strange butterfly clover symbol that had been on Sophos' handkerchief and on Dragon's cave.
Marie ripped open the envelope and a note card dropped into her lap.
The note was written in the same shaky print.
Dear Marie, I am writing this early in case I am not available to do so closer to your fly-up ceremony.
Although we have only recently met, I have seen what an amazing person you are.
You care deeply about your friends and are eager to help others.
You lead not only with your head, but also your heart.
And your strong sense of determination will serve you well on your quest.
When things feel insurmountable or you fear you are not up to the task, please do not give up.
You are enough, exactly as you are.
You are the right person for the quest.
Just keep trying.
Count on your friends, and together you will find the way forward.
Sophos Marie sat on her bed, frozen, staring at the letter, barely able to breathe.
She traced her finger over the lettering.
Of all the people she thought might write a note for her fly-up envelope.
She did not anticipate Sophos.
He must have written it before he left.
And to have him say such wonderful things about her.
She quickly read the note a second time. feeling a purpose coursed through her veins.
She would not let Sophos down.
She would not give up.
Together with JJ and Christian, they would complete the quest.
She set the note down and stared out the window for a moment, wondering if JJ and Christian had also gotten notes from Sophos.
Jumping up from her bed, she raced into the kitchen, where she heard her parents talking.
Her abrupt entrance caused her parents to pause their conversation mid-sentence as they both turned toward her.
Since the school year is done, can I message JJ and Christian?
I want to ask them something Marie said quickly, hoping her urgency wouldn't inspire questions from her parents.
Yes, you may, if you need to, her mom said.
Thanks, Marie said, already ducking out of the kitchen before her parents could say anything more.
She headed back to her bedroom and sent a quick message to her friends.
Yes, came the reply from JJ, in all capital letters, followed by the word Ditto with an exclamation point from Christian.
Even though the replies were brief, The way JJ and Christian replied told Marie that all three of them had information to share about a note they'd received.
She was bursting to talk to her friends, but it would have to wait.
This was a weekend for celebrating their fly-up with their families.
Marie slid the note from Sophos back into its envelope, then placed the envelope in her desk drawer with her detective's journal.
She paced a few times around the room, buzzing with energy, ready to move forward on their quest.
Deep down.
She worried about Sophos and Madame Amado, hoping they were both okay wherever they were.
With school behind her, Summer ahead and Sophos' encouragement in her heart, Marie felt certain a big breakthrough was imminent.
Somewhere in those historical buildings, the next piece of the puzzle was waiting.
Marie, JJ, and Christian are about to follow up on the clue from the back of the tile.
Will the answer be as simple as visiting historical places?
Find out when the adventure continues in our next episode of Adventures on Awe Island.
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