"Something like that." The boy said. "Are you just using me for protection?" Ella asked."No. And yes." The boy smiled shyly."Actually, I am the head of the monthly paper and I wanted to have a chat with you about writing short creative stories or true life stories or something rather interesting for the school paper." He said." And yes. Since you are the daughter of Mr Patrick Ray, I guess you are like the most untouchable person in this school. You have defeated James Wallas and for that , I am grateful. Just sitting here is an honour."Stop trying to suck up to me." Ella laughed."Can we be friends?" He asked."I don't even know your name!" Ella chewed a large piece of lettuce." I apologize for my bad manners. I am Scott. Scott Jones. " He stuck out his hand to shake hers."Ella Woods." Ella shook his hand." I will think about your offer.""That's great." Scott smiled.They both sat for the entire hour, getting to know each other.He had told Ella his entire life story in one hu
"Maybe it's because you never tried to make friends. You bullied people ." Ella explained ." Please come of the ledge and trust me . Everything will be okay.""No. I am going to jump. I don't want to live this life of poverty."James replied but did not move.Ella knew he wasn't going to jump. It was just an empty threat. She empathised with him deeply. She knew what it was like to try and fit in."We aren't meant to fit in. We are all meant to stand out.", Ella shouted." If we were all the same than there would be nothing unique. Money doesn't make us. We make money. We work hard. You bullied your way all through the years, egtting people to do your work. If your just worked hard, you could be anything you wanted to be. It's not too late , I can be your friend."Ella felt sorry for him but he disgusted her with his bad manners and unhygienic ways. It would take a lot of work to change him and now she regretted the words she had said. She didn't want to be his friend but she had no cho
The next morning Ella walked into class. She decided to have a new outlook on life. She looked at James Wallas as he entered and to her surprise his greasy hair was now clean and shiny. He had trimmed it and spiked it up with some hair gel. His clothes were no longer big and bulky and his face was super smooth and no longer looking like a dry sponge cake.He looked at Ella with a big smile.Ella took her seat next to him.James turned to look at her directly. He stuck out his hand , " I think we got off on the wrong foot. Hi. My name is James Wallas."Ella looked at his fingers, his nails were no longer long and dirty. They were nearly trimmed and clean. It was almost as if he had had a manicure.Ella shook his hand," pleasure to meet you James Wallas. I am Ella Woods."James smiled widely."Erm erm." Mr Theo cleared his throat and Ella let go of James hand. " If your two are done , we can all leave to the auditorium. The winner of the journalist scholarship is going to be announced."
"Tell me Ella. We project that by the end of the year, which is in three months time, you should have atleast three million to your name. What do you plan on doing with this money." Mr Green asked as he looked around the auditorium.Ella didn't have to think much. She already knew the answer to that question. After speaking to her father yesterday, Ella realised there was not to life than just making money. She wanted to be the change. She wanted to help other people."Well, Mr Green. I am going to sponsor fully paid university programs for those who cannot afford it."At first the auditorium was dead silent, James Wallas stood up and clapped loudly. Ella knew that James would be the first person on her list.Others stood up and joined him."Miss Woods , please can you read us the first five chapters of your book?" Mr Green asked."Mr Green, I don't want to put people to sleep." Ella laughed.The blonde girl stood up," We all want to hear!"Ella could hear the sarcasm in her voice. Sh
"Chapter two. Shattered.Patrick adorned himself in the finest suit. Black with navy trimmings, a navy tie and a white shirt. He looked handsome for his age. For a dying man he looked happy and healthy. He smiled at himself in the mirror. Felicia was brushing his thinning hair. Today he knew that he would sign over his company to Adrianna. He knew that she was the most suited. She had earned it. Felicia had worn a navy blue dress. It was long sleeved and draped the floor as she walked. Her hair was curled and pinned to one side. And around her neck she wore her wedding jewelry set. A bright blue gem set onto a white gold choker. " You look ravishing my darling", Patrick said as he turned around to look at her. He hated lying to her about his illness but he didn't want anyone's pity. He knew he had just few weeks and after today he will be taking that holiday they much needed. It was supposed to be their fiftieth anniversary gift but he didn't have time left. He decided it wo
"Chapter 4. Annie's funeral"The rain poured down fiercely on the grassy hill top. Peter had chosen a large plot in the private cemetery. They had seperated the land from the other burial plots upon his wishes. It was fenced off with beautiful golden rose designed fences and a small gate. There were red roses planted along the fence line. This was the honorable thing to do for his beloved, he wanted it to be as beautiful as she was . He knew she deserved a respectful send off to the arms of the Lord. Patrick Walters denied him the right of using the family burial garden. He never did accept Annie in life and now definitely not in death. Annie had no family except Peter and their daughter. The Walters family attended as a gesture for their image in the public eye. They knew that this was the current news on television and the paper. All the servants huddled at the far end. Martha craddled Adrianna in her arms under her large black umbrella held up by Russell. They all wept. Annie was l
"Chapter Five.A surprise visit."Annie was laid to rest. Everyone returned home. Peter returned to his study to drown his sorrows with a bottle of whiskey. Martha took Adrianna to her room. It was 6pm and the house was silent. Suddenly a loud knock on the door startled Mr Russell. He peeped through the looking glass on the door and sees old Mr and Mrs Walters. He quickly opens the door and welcomes them in, escorting them to the large sitting room. They sat on the large grey and red L shaped couch. It was italian style, soft and very comfortable. They looked around while they waited. The room was designed beautifully. Annie had designed it herself, red and grey curtains. Her paintings hung on the wall. Throughout the house were Annie's paintings. All were unique like her, beautiful and elegant. They massive 85 inch flat screen was mounted above their electric fire place. And a small glass coffee table was in front of them, letters lay unopen on it. Old Mrs Walters instructed Russell
The year was almost over , it was the last week of school and Ella had made a lot of friends since her book was published. She had written short stories afterwards for many other anthology books in different countries. Her had become so busy that she had forgotten about her past until they had announced a homecoming dance on the last day of school.Memories flooded Ella's brain and she stormed off into the rest room. The overwhelming feeling made her nauseas and she opened the tap, splashing handfuls of water, wetting her hair and her blouse.She patted her face fry with a paper towel and exited the restroom feeling slightly better."Are you alright?" Scott and James asked Ella as she took her seat next to them in the cafeteria.Ella smiled weakly. " I'm alright. I'm just not a fan of the homecoming dance."They both looked at eachother and then at Ella, they decided not to ask." Well, if you aren't going, then we aren't going." James sipped his milkshake."Don't be foolish. You can'