" I am stating the facts." Bobby snapped. He stared around the room and then directly at the jury. " Do you think I am heartless. I loved Summer, with all my heart. We were going to married after college and have two lovely babies and.....and......and.......live in a small cottage........we were going to have everything we ever dreamed off. And here I am being accused for the death of my girlfriend. I did not kill her. I am still grieving for my loss."He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands.Ella looked at his pitiful expression. He lied so well. He should have decided to go to the school of arts. He should have become an actor."The facts." Mrs Sting repeated. She leaned on the desk, her face was inches from his . She could sense his fear."Are there any further relevant questions for the defendant?" The judge asked Mrs Sting. She looked as if she was honoured to have the first biggest case in salt Rock.Her daily routine was traffic fines and petty theft."No. I will question
Ella felt as if she was in school again. Her tummy rumbled loudly as she made her way to the cafeteria."Ella, wait." Her father called from far behind her.Ella did not stop, she reached the cafeteria and ordered a deluxe sandwich and a salad. She knew under so much stress and anxiety, she would just eat it away. She moved over to the dessert isle and took a large slice of blueberry cheesecake and chocolate ice cream.Her father now stood beside her and patted her hair. He understood her anxiety and decided not to interfere with her own healing process.She say down at a corner table and looked out at the cluttered streets. There were reporters outside and Ella felt relieved when she realised they could not see here. The mirror effect had them looking at themselves. They looked like vultures waiting for a carcass. Ella dug into her sandwich, stuffing her mouth to keep her from talking to her father who sat across her, with a fork a knife in his hand.He placed down his utensils and
The hour went by quickly and Ella's fake mom squeezed Ella's hand. Ella liked the warmth of her hand and let her hold it for a while.They were supposed to be mourning their daughter, Summer, but they looked so cheery. They were laughing as if nothing had happened. As if they had not buried her just three days ago. She knew it was all fake and the reality was that her mother sat six feet underground or in the sea in some sharks gut but they needed to put up the fake misery and sombre feeling so that they would not look suspicious.Ella leaned forward and whispered that everyone was suspecting them of some foul play. Her eyes now moving to the right so that her father could follow her gaze.Patrick understood her anxiety and knew that they could not just turn their laughter into sorrow. He pulled out a gold locket from his pocket and a yo yo. He placed the locket in Ella's hand and said, " this was Summer's favourite piece of jewelry. I want you to have it."Ella looked at the beautifu
Before Ella could take a seat Brook pointed at her." That is Miss Summer Ray. It is her. That lying b****. Thinks she can sit here and mock me. I see right through you Summer.""Miss Wilds, we have already addressed this when Mr Style's took the stand this morning. We will not be having any of this nonsense in this court room."Ella smiled and nodded at the judge. She took a seat with her family and stared at Brook. "Proceed." The judge ordered the policeman.Brook placed her hand on the holy bible and took her oath."I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth." She repeated after the officer.She rolled her eyes and took a seat as the officer took his place at the side. She placed her hands on the table, fiddling with the cuffs." Can you open these things, it's hurting my hands."Everyone ignored her."Miss Wilds. Where were you on the night of Miss Summer's murder?" Mrs Sting walk
" Did you know Summer was missing?" Mrs Sting asked Brook is an almost condescending manner."Duh." Brook rolled her eyes."Miss Wilds. That is not the way to answer! Duh. Is not an answer." Mrs Sting snapped. " Did you or did you not know that Summer was missing on that night?""Yes. I knew." Brook looked at Mrs Sting as if she was going to explode."How did you know?""I overheard Bobby asking people." Brook tried to convince herself when she said those words." Was the music not loud. How would you have heard if the music was loud. You were at a party." Mrs Sting scratched her head." I read his lips." Brook replied desperately."So you can read lips?" Mrs Sting chuckled. She found this rather amusing."Yes." Brook confirmed."Alright here we go." Mrs Sting mouthed out and everyone in the room looked confused."What did u just say, Miss Wilds?" Mrs Sting asked loudly."Objection." Mrs Freeman stood up and walked over to the judge." How is this relevant to the case. Miss Wilds knew,
" Why would I ask Bobby? What should I ask Bobby? " Mrs Sting asked curiously." About his girlfriend. She was a suicidal maniac." Brook shouted hysterically.Bobby shook his head."Miss Wilds. We cannot be going around in circles. You are now accusing a person of hiring someone to kill them. First you insist that Miss Summer Ray is alive. You accuse Miss Woods of being Miss Summer Ray. Then you go on to say that Miss Summer Ray committed suicide. Now she has paid someone to kill her. With which money? That you are unsure." Mrs Sting's word stung like a beesting.Her words were sharp and cut through the air like knives. Everyone seemed to question the mental capacity of Brook Wilds. The jury started to discuss amongst themselves."Silence.", The judge roared." Miss Sting, do you have any more questions for the defendant?""No. Your honour. I think I have made my point." Miss Sting said humbly before taking her seat. She smiled at herself for being so clever."Miss Freeman, do you wish
Ella walked hurriedly to her father black mercedes that was parked outside the building.She jumped into the back and slammed the door shut.Her father jumped into the passenger and her fake mother sat next to her. Her fake mother cuddled her for a bit but after a while Ella shrugged her off. She was tired and just wanted to go home and sleep. As soon as they reached the hotel, Ella wished them a good night and closed her door behind her.She slid down onto the floor and sobbed like a wounded child. Placing her head between her knees and leaning against the door, she broke down. She wondered if she could make it through the next hearing. She back tracked to their statements and wondered if she had really known her boyfriend. They had grown up together, she felt she had deserved to be loved by him, but instead a he did was lie to her. His love was a lie.Everything was fake. He was a fake. It was still early, the sun had just begun to set in the far west. She knew her father would
Was she now becoming mentally ill?Ella did not want to analyze her dream any further. She decided to ignore the realistic dream and go back to sleep.She wondered if it was Bobby or Brook tapping into her subconscious.It was most likely to be Brook but she didn't want to speculate.The rays of sun fe on Ella's cheeks like morning dew and her cheeks felt warm.She opened her eyes slowly, letting her eyes adjust to the brightness.She had already forgotten about her dream and got ready to have breakfast.Since she did not have supper last night, she felt as if she was starving.She met her father and fake mother at the dinning room and took a seat with them.As they ate their muffins and enjoyed a cup of coffee, a sheriff barged in and disturbed their morning banter."Miss Woods?" He asked holding an envelope in his hands.Ella raised her hand slightly and he handed her the envelope." Sign here."Ella signed the document and started to open the big brown envelope.Her eyes widened and
"Trust you?" Ella choked out. She was a mix between furious and panicked. She was worried about Tyler , scared of Brook and now the person that betrayed her is asking her to trust him."Yes. Ella. I am sorry. I know I can't change the past but I can protect you now." Bobby inched his way closer to her." My sister wouldn't have needed protecting if you just stayed faithful to her. "Ella stepped back.From the corner of her eyes, she watched Brook start to sit up on the ground. " Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands shook.She started to bang the gym door frantically, screaming for Tyler." No one is coming for you Ella. Trust me. I will keep you safe from Brook. " Bobby grabbed her arm tightly.Ella screamed loudly as he began to pull her towards the forest behind the university.A loud bang, the gym doors swung open and a large silver grey beast jumped out. He sprinted across the park and toppled Bobby onto the grass.Those green eyes were unmistakable.Bobby let out a large
Three o clock came and Ella walked to the library. She felt like a disgrace for not being a team player and letting Tyler do all the work. She decided that although she didn't like him, she would just have to stick it out. Maybe she is wrong about him but only time will tell."Ella. You are being weird. I don't know why you don't like Tyler but eventually it will affect your grades." Mary stood behind Ella who was standing outside the library doors and looking in."Mary. It isn't what it seems." Ella said as she struggled to move her feet into the library. It was if her legs were jelly. Her mind was unwilling to go in no matter how much she persuaded herself."Oh no. Not this again. My Luna had been suppressed for so long and now I had to have a trigger." Ella thought to herself."Ella. We don't have all afternoon. If your aren't going to go in atleast step aside. Justin and I have an assignment to do." Mary snapped.Ella drew in a deep breath, calming her nerves. Her legs had now re
"A literary passage is an excerpt from a written text. It can be as long as a chapter, or as short as a sentence. Usually, the length of a literary passage is several paragraphs long. This excerpt can be any genre of literature, from poetry to fiction." Tyler answered the question.Ella thought that he sounded like a web browser."Thank you, Mr Style's. That is the correct answer." Mrs Moore clapped again." I guess we have two A grade students sitting next to each other. I am sure you two will get on like a house on fire."Ella rolled her eyes at that statement. There was no way she was going to be friends or even an acquaintance with him.Tyler smiled and looked at Ella who just stared at him coldly. There was tension in the air between them."Let us now dig deeper into the passage. What is this passage about? Who wrote it? Why do you think he wrote it? Does it have a deeper meaning?" Mrs Moore asked.The only two people who actually answered the questions were Tyler and Ella. "You
Ella's blood froze in her body when she heard the words that flowed out of Annie's mouth.Annie was apologetic but Ella was now growing angrier by the second. Annie had gone back on her word.She was supposed to make sure that Bobby, Brook and Jason spent their entire five year sentence in prison and rehab.Bobby and Brook were let off on good behaviour while Jason was on parole.Ella's fists clenched as she disconnected the call.She wondered if that was Bobby or just the boy she had met.Monday morning Ella reached her class and took her seat. Everyone was silent and Mrs Moore called someone in from outside of the class."Meet Mr Style's Tyler Styles.He had just transferred in from another college to complete his final year of journalism with us."Everyone greeted in unison and he nodded back at them.Ella knew that this was the boy from Salt Rock and it irritated her."Please have a seat next to Ella." Mrs Moore pointed to Ella.His surname made her stare at him coldly. She wonder
"Ella. Will you be my girlfriend." Scott whispered lovingly in her ear."This can't be." Ella mumbled to herself.Scott stepped away when he heard those words. He didn't stand a chance to be her boyfriend and she made it quite clear. He didn't want to offend her again by being in her presence after asking her such a question. Her answer was quite clear and Scott walked away.James followed Scott while Mary excused herself to go to the ladies.Ella stood frozen in place.It was dark where she had seen that familiar figure. She rubbed her eyes thinking that she was mistaken but those features were unmistakable. She looked at her phone and up again but the familiar face she had seen was now gone.Her throat was dry and her palms were sweaty.She weaved her way through the crowd to get a closer look at where she had seen that person she thought she knew so long ago.As people danced, Ella tried to maneuver her way through the basketball pitch without getting bumped. She had finally made i
*Three years later*Ella had forgotten about her revenge, she reminisced about the homecoming dance at Palm beach high as she touched the large trophy on the shelf in her dorm room. Although the university was a half an hour drive from her home, she opted to stay at the university. She thought that she would get more work done here than she did at home.She only had this to complete before she would do her practicals at the Palm newspaper firm.She now wondered if she ever did want to be a lawyer or was she just living in some fantasy.She felt as if she had sacrificed too much of herself.Although many boys at the university tried to date her, Ella wasn't much of the dating type. Most of them just wanted a quick fling or a long-term relationship that would probably end up in marriage. It was three years and Annie and Ella had drifted apart. Annie took up the full time job of being the management at the hotel and both their lives had become equally busy.Annie had even stopped tortu
Ella faked a smile. That afternoon she went home with a glum look on her face."Why the long face, Ella bear?" Patrick asked. He was concerned by her almost lethargic behaviour."The day I hate the most us tomorrow." Ella said as she dragged her bag behind her."I am guessing that it is the homecoming dance. We host it every year Ella. I think it will be good for you to go. You get a second chance . This time you might just enjoy it." Patrick tried to brighten her spirits and change her mind. "It's like rubbing salt to my wounds." Ella grunted." I know that it was a horrible experience, but it led you to me. Trust me. This won't be like the last dance. There is no Bobby or Brook. And besides you don't even have a boyfriend. Who is going to betray you? James Wallas? Or Scott Moore? But the most interesting question is, which one of those dodos is taking you to homecoming dance?" Patrick teased. His tone was light and full of giggles."Oh my gosh , dad. You never fail to surprise me w
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'
"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