Over the coming weeks the GLA will publish a range of outstanding stories entered in the competition.

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This is Grace’s story.

“Just take another step, don’t worry!” Bell said, “Look at the view.”

I was so scared I was trembling with fear, the wind was howling like wolves in the night. My best friends and my Dad were right behind me, encouraging me.

The morning before, I helped Dad pack the car and make lunch. I had to say bye to Mum because she wasn’t coming with us. Dad and I were on our way to pick up Lucy, my best friend, when Dad said.

“You ready for the Sydney Harbor Bridge Walk.”

“Totally!” I said sarcastically.

Lucy came bolting out of her house, she even forgot to say goodbye to her parents, so she ran back to the front door said bye and came bolting out to the car again.

We were in the car for at least 5 hours and we were having the best time. Singing out hearts out, telling silly jokes and we even stopped at a petrol station to get fuel and lollies.

When we were back in the car, I was thinking about tomorrow. Will people laugh at me, will my best friend think I’m a wuss, I hope not.

On our way to the hotel Lucy and I were looking at all the tall skyscrapers and the busy streets, with people and their faces in phones, walking in opposite directions. All of the cars were as slow as sloths. On the radio, weather break was a forecast for strong winds in Sydney tomorrow. I was really starting to worry.

When we were at the hotel it took forever to go through reception. We got the keys, made our way to the elevator and found our room. We were in a building with 25 floors and we were on the 10^th floor. We also had dinner at the bistro there and went back upstairs to bed.

As I woke up the next day, I thought, today is the day there’s no turning back. We had to get up really early because we were doing the walk at sunrise. On our way I was fiddling with my top. I was thinking, okay, I just need to be brave, have courage in myself and not look down.

I smelt the morning’s fresh air, as I got out of the car and saw the entry to the harbor walk. 

Lucy’s first word was.

“Wow!”

I was really scared.

We got harnessed up and we met the instructor, Belle. She was really nice and we spent some time talking about the safety rules. The sun was just starting to rise, so Dad, Lucy and I had to start walking.

Now we were almost at the top.

“Just take another step, don’t worry!” Bell said, “Look at the view.”

I was so scared, I was trembling with fear, the wind was howling like wolves in the night. My best friend and my Dad were right beside me, encouraging me.

We were at the top near the flags, I had my eyes closed, because the sun was blinding me and I was trying not to freak out. 

All the mist cleared and I was taking in the view. I wasn’t freaking out at all. The sun was revealing all the beautiful things in Sydney.

“I don’t think I’m scared anymore!” I screamed.

On the way down it didn’t take very long until we were undressed and back in our clothes. 

Then I got Dad to ring Mum.

“Hey Mum, I’m not scared of heights anymore!”

“That’s great, was it fun.”

“We were having the best time.” I looked at Lucy, she smiled.

“All right, I need to go now, bye, love you.”

“Love you too, bye.”

On our way home I was so excited to see Mum. I slept most of the way so the drive didn’t seem as long.

We dropped Lucy to her home and went to our house. Mum was waiting outside. I jumped out of the car and ran to give mum a hug.

“I’m not afraid of heights anymore, I wish you were there and I overcame my fear all by myself.”

We had dinner and I told Mum everything about it, with my favourite meal, pizza.