Rolling Into Venice Written by Valentina Macchio Jackie somberly looked at the beach out the car window on the way to her new home in Venice Beach, California. Despite the sun shining, all she could think about was her old neighborhood in New York City. Her parents moved to Venice Beach because her mom got a new job. It was supposed to be a great opportunity, but Jackie didn't think so. The way of life in Venice Beach was going to be so different from her life in New York City. To make matters worse, it was summer vacation, so Jackie didn't know how she was ever going to make new friends. Before Jackie and her family went home, they stopped at the beach to watch the sunset. Jackie noticed a few people on unicycles and bicycles, but most kids her age were rollerblading on a path by the beach. She didn’t like rollerblading because she had been once in Central Park in New York City and fell. Ugh, she thought, I’m going to hate this place and never make friends. Just then, Jackie noticed her mom talking to two kids her age, and she waved for Jackie to come closer. "Can you believe I just met two kids who live on our block?” her mom said and then introduced Owen and Luciana to Jackie. They greeted her and smiled. "Nice to meet you,” Jackie said, just as a group of people on rollerblades sped past them. “Wow, they’re going fast!” she added in amazement. “Everyone rollerblades here,” said Owen, “and it’s super fun!” “Yeah,” added Luciana, “we’re going tomorrow—you should join us.” Before Jackie could say anything, her mother told her possible new friends that Jackie would meet them at the pier the next day. When they left the beach, she took Jackie to buy new rollerblades. Jackie hesitantly chose a bright red pair with black stripes and a matching helmet. She was very annoyed with her mother, but at the same, she didn’t want to miss an opportunity to make new friends. Language Arts Grade 4 Page 2 of 3 The next day, when Jackie arrived at the pier, her hands were shaking like an earthquake. She