Anna was going to Paris for the first time, so she was obviously very excited about the whole trip. She'd found a job as an au pair with a family, and was looking forward to spending three months there before going to university. She packed her clothes, her phone, and her camera. She checked her bag twice to make sure everything was there. She had a list of things she would need to take, and she hoped it was accurate.
'I don't want to forget my toothbrush!' she smiled to herself. 'Fresh breath is important!'
In the morning, her mother drove her to the airport. The weather was bright and sunny, and the journey was a short one without any traffic jams. It was very convenient to live so close to the airport. Anna felt lucky, and was very grateful to her mother for always being so helpful.
At the airport, Anna stood in line to check in. When it was her turn, the woman at the desk said, 'Can I see your passport, please?'
Anna opened her bag, and looked inside. Then, she looked again. Then, a third time. The passport wasn't there!
Anna’s face turned red. She felt very embarrassed. People behind her started to look at her and make comments. She stepped out of the queue and called her mother. 'Mum, you won't believe this, but I've forgotten my passport at home!'
Her mother was silent for a while, but then said, 'Don’t worry, I will bring it right away!'
Anna waited near the entrance. Minutes felt like hours. She was starting to feel miserable. 'I’m going to miss my flight,' she thought. 'This is hopeless. Why is she taking so long?'
After forty long minutes, her mother ran into the departures hall with the passport in her hand. 'Here!' she shouted. "The car woudn't start! I had to get a taxi!' Anna took the passport and hugged her.
'Thank you, Mum. I’m really so grateful.'
She ran to the check-in desk again. The woman smiled and said, 'You’re just in time!'
Anna passed through security and reached her gate. She sat down on the floor as there were no seats available, and took a deep breath. Then she heard a voice say, 'Get off the floor. It is forbidden in this area.' The security guard had really been quite rude.
Anna stood up quickly. 'Oh no,' she thought. 'Can anything else go wrong today?'
While she waited, a little boy near her started to make funny faces. Anna couldn’t help but laugh. He was really very amusing. His mother smiled and said, 'He loves making people laugh.'
Anna felt better. Her heart was still beating fast from the morning stress, but at least she could smile now.
Finally, it was time to board the plane. But as she walked, someone stepped on her foot. 'Ouch!' she said.
The man did not say sorry. Anna was a little annoyed, but she tried to forget it. 'This day has been crazy,' she thought, 'but at least I’m going to Paris!'
She sat by the window and watched the ground slowly disappear as the plane took off.
'Everything didn’t go perfectly,' she said to herself, 'but I suppose that's acceptable. Especially when you're stupid enough to leave your passport at home. What's the point of having a toothbrush if you haven't got a passport? Anyway, I’m finally on my way.'
And with that, Anna smiled and looked out at the clouds, ready for her adventure.
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