In an old house in Paris
that was covered with vines,
there lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.
They left the house at half-past nine,
in two straight lines,
For one last time.
The smallest, still,
was Madeline.
The twelve little girls who attended Lord Cucuface's School for Girls were no longer little girls, to their own surprise. They were now finally graduating after more than ten years together. The previous night had been spent reminiscing, filled with both laughter and tears. They were reluctant to go their separate ways, even with the promise of staying in touch and visiting often. The girls had been through most everything together for nearly all their lives. They had all cried at the memorial service for Madeline's mama and papa, fumed at Pepito, who still was living next door, when he had tried to scare them and play practical jokes, fretted together when Genevieve had gotten lost, tried not to giggle at the headmaster's name whenever it was mentioned - even as they became young women - and always treated one another as if they were sisters.
"I can't believe we're all leaving after so long," sighed Madeline as she packed. She had nearly finished, and stopped for a moment to look at the framed picture of her with her parents. Before the fire, she couldn't help but think, fighting back tears as she always did when she remembered them. "Oh, Madeline," said Chloe, noticing her friend's expression. "I'm sure they would not want you to be sad." The other girls couldn't help the small tears rolling down their own faces as they thought of how devastated young Madeline had been after her parents died in a house fire. "Oui, mon ami," said Madeline, wiping her tears. "I suppose you are right." "Besides," Nicole smiled. "You still have us! And Miss Clavel!" "Oui!" exclaimed Danielle brightly. "And you always will." Madeline smiled too, glad that she had so many friends who cared about her so much. And besides, Chloe and Danielle would both be attending Oxford University with her in the fall, and Nicole would be a student at a school in London, which wasn't very far away. The trip to England would be a long one, but, as with so many moments in their lives, they would be experiencing it together. It was the absence of the other eight girls that was sure to make it bittersweet. But they promised to visit the others as soon as they could.
Miss Clavel opened the doors to the girls' bedroom, saddened at the sight of their stripped beds. "Oh, girls," she said, trying to smile. "This is truly a very important day, little- uh, I mean..." Miss Clavel trailed off, remembering that they were no longer her little ones, but young ladies, some already eighteen! The girls sighed in chorus, then giggled, remembering how in sync they had become years before. Miss Clavel laughed too. "Now, be sure you don't leave anything behind! Look under your beds and in the chest drawers. Lunch will be ready in an hour." She closed the doors behind her, leaving the girls to continue packing. Danielle looked under her bed and retrieved her doll, placing it gently in her suitcase. Yvette finished packing all of her things, but couldn't get her suitcase to close. Chloe sat on top of it with her until they heard a click. They no longer needed three girls to close one.
At lunchtime the girls had finished packing and were chatting together as always until Miss Clavel sat down and they all said their blessing. "We love our bread. We love our butter. But most of all, we love each other." they all prayed together. Then Mrs. Murphy brought in the roast beef, made especially for the occasion. The girls smiled as they ate their meal. Mrs. Murphy had always been a wonderful cook. "Madeline," Miss Clavel said smiling at the girl sitting to the right of her, who was much taller now, but still not quite tall. "Are you excited for your trip?" Of course she was referring to the vacation Madeline would be taking with Chloe to Germany for the summer after graduation. "Oui, Miss Clavel," Madeline replied. "It should be trés amusant!" Chloe nodded next to her excitedly. The conversation went on, the girls giddy with anticipation, as some of the others handed Genevieve rather large scraps of their roast beef under the table. "Genevieve," Madeline giggled. " We spoil you, don't we?" "Oh no," said Nicole from across the table. "Only the best for Genevieve!"