Chapter 2: Meeting Her

"--act like a lady of a McKenzie. Remember our image is very important. You have to talk to the other children and establish a connection, especially with the golden heirs. Anna, you can charm them by leading them to the music room. No one can resist your music. Stella--Stella! What are you holding?!!"

I was jolted awake from my daydreaming when I heard my mother yelling at me. Subconsciously, I hugged Elizabeth tighter in my arms. I'm just enjoying the scenery from the window, what I've done now?

"Stella! Throw away that garbage! You are ten already and still playing with that stuff?!"

Virginia, my mother, who was wearing a silver dress, sitting in the passenger seat glared at me from the rearview mirror. Richard, my father also glanced at me from the mirror but did not say anything. His mouth was tightly sealed, but I know I did not do well again. He was wearing a white American suit and driving. Black cars surrounded us. They were for safety precautions.

Do you ask why we are in the same car? Why not let our driver drive the car? Simple. Because of the image.

My parents want to tell the world that we are one happy family. Well, I tell you we aren't.

Not that my father is cheating nor my mother. The two were giving so much importance to their image for them to do that.

As I was growing, I became aware of many things. Like I don't really have a talent in music. In fact, I hate it. What I like to do was draw and draw. And Elizabeth was the one who only knows that. What's the purpose of telling them? They will never listen anyway.

So, as I was growing up, I become quiet and just observed everything in the corner. Yup, and that's what I plan for this welcome party.

Virginia, looked back at me from the seat and reach out for Elizabeth. My eyes grew wide because I know what my mother would do. She would throw Elizabeth!

Anna, my sister, quickly snatch Elizabeth and hide my bunny under our seat.

"Don't worry mom. I'll take care of Stella."

I was relieved when she said that. I smiled gratefully at my sister which she returned. My sister, Anna, was twelve now, and she was beautiful. I looked away and focused on the scenery outside. I know what would follow...

"Oh, my daughter Anna is the best---" then I shut everything from the outside world.

*****

I looked around and felt suffocated. Ahh...so many Virginia.

Women dressed extravagantly and their accessories were all screaming 'notice me!!' Their smiles were plastered on their faces and never faltered that I wondered if they ever get tired from it.

But if one looks closely, their eyes never meet those smiles. Their expression would turn a hundred eighty degrees full of contempt and scorn when the others turn around. I was wondering, why smile at someone when you will put glaring daggers behind their back?

Chattering, soft murmurs, waves of laughter, and graceful gestures could be seen in every circle. Tired of watching them, I went outside and saw the same type of circle again. But this time, people were more younger. Some kids were the same age as me.

Because I watched those people earlier, I don't want to join these people who I know would glare at my back.

Hugging Elizabeth, I went to the garden where fewer children could be seen. I got Elizabeth secretly from my sister before we enter the hall. My sister knew I would never go outside without Elizabeth. Speaking of my sister, I watched as she was surrounded by children and teens. Then they lead her to another room, no need to ask what that room was, for I was sure it was a music room.

Again, I was left alone. Oh, scratch that. I'm never with someone, to begin with. But don't mistake me. I'm not lonely. I'm just more comfortable like this, besides I have Elizabeth in my world.

Then I noticed a small group of boys around my age approaching me. I just watched them until they were in front of me. Then one boy who had so much gel in his hair pointed his rude finger at me,

"She was the one I'm talking about. See? It is really a stuffed toy she is carrying!" Oh, let's call this boy Mr. Crab.

"How disgusting! I think she is around our age and she still plays with that stuff? Does she not feel embarrassed?" The boy with a long face said. Let's call him Squidward.

"Maybe her parents didn't teach her that only three years old carry that stuff." Mr. Crab said. He whispered something to the chubby kid in their group. Let's call him...Patrick.

Patrick smiled wickedly at me, making his chubby cheeks quiver. He then said, " Then let's teach her a lesson."

Then suddenly he grabbed Elizabeth and pull her out of my arms. My eyes go wide because I heard a tearing sound earlier. Elizabeth got kidnapped by Patrick! And she was torn!

"Give it back!" I shouted my all. My vision got blurry. I did not notice that my voice shook.

"No! You have to beg if you want your stupid toy back!" Patrick yelled with laughter. The boys also laughed. I clenched my teeth. This boy!

Tears were now pooling on my eyes. But I hold them back. If I cried, these kids might really call me a three-year-old kid!

"What's going on here?" A soft, childish voice reached my ears.

I looked at the source and was startled. A beautiful girl in a yellow dress was walking toward us. Her blond hair was following her every move. Her glassy gray eyes glared at the boys. She looked pissed, nevertheless, she was a beautiful child. Even my sister Anna, could not compare to her beauty.

If her sister was like a glass doll, then this pretty girl was like a sunflower in a field.

Let's call her....a beautiful girl version of Sponge Bob. Sponge girl?

"We are just playing with her," Patrick said while grinning.

I lowered my head. Liar. You're clearly bullying me.

"Hey Ginger, are they bothering you?" I glanced up at Sponge girl.

...Ginger?

Oh, yeah my red hair. But I am not offended since I don't feel any malice in her tone.

But should I tell her? That these kids were bothering me and stealing my Elizabeth away? What if Sponge girl told about this to my parents? They would know I brought Elizabeth.

Fisting my hands, I shook my head no. What's the purpose of telling it to her? As if she would change anything.

"See, we are just playing," Patrick said.

"Then why are you not giving back the toy to her?"

"Because she is dumb! She is ten years old and still plays with a stuffed rabbit. Isn't she embarrassed?" The boys laughed.

"She already looks ugly and with the bunny around, she looks stupid!"

"She is so ugly! See her red hair and the way she dresses! She doesn't deserve to come here at all! "

Outrageous! These kids are ridiculous! Who he called ugly! His face was ugly!

My body trembled because I was angry. So they picked at me because I'm ugly?! My grandmother won a beauty crown in her teens! Was he calling my grandmother ugly in her teens?!

"Give back to her the rabbit." Sponge girl said.

Patrick grimaced.

"No! Go away, you meddlesome girl!"

Then what followed was an eye-opener for me.

Sponge girl hit Patrick in the face with her small fist. Patrick fell down and started crying.

Sponge girl picks up Elizabeth and handed it to me. I was still dazed when she brought it back to me. But then a warm feeling spread my chest and my cheeks felt warm.

"T-thank you," I muttered shyly hugging Elizabeth tighter.

Sponge girl smiled. But her smile was different. Different from my mother, from my sister, and everything else in this room. Her smile brought warmth to my chest again. It felt so comfortable.

She then walks away and enters the back door in the kitchen. I started following her but then stopped. I saw a black-haired boy beside the bushes watching Sponge girl's back in awe. Was he also amazed by Sponge girl? Well, me too.

Not minding it, I ran after Sponge girl.

I hide first and secretly followed her.

"Because I helped you, it doesn't mean you can secretly follow me," Sponge girl said with a pissed tone.

I came out from my hiding place and smiled shyly. I didn't mind her tone. I just felt warmth.

I did not know why. But I really felt comfortable with her. Following wherever Sponge girl went became a habit of me.

At the end of the day, I learned that her father was one of the owners of the Golden Empire. Both her and I, as the children of the owners, were part of the Golden heirs. This time around, five heirs were introduced.

The black-haired boy beside the bush I saw earlier was a part of the group and his name was Kane Cruz. Gabriella Olson and Levi Pearson were introduced as well.

Also, the person that brought warmth to my chest, Sponge girl- Layla Amari Pearson.

After that day, whenever there was a family gathering, I only look forward to meeting Layla.

Years passed, she and I become best friends.