Lady Ellie Crawley

Chapter 3: The Cute Stranger

I smiled nervously. "I'm sorry! I'm still sorry!" I repeated. He chuckled. "Jeez, calm down. I'm not angry or anything." He slightly joked. I covered my mouth to giggle. "Ok. I was just heading to the bathroom." I told him. He hummed in response and smirked. "Good to know. Same here." He joked. Gosh, is he full of jokes? I laughed, caressing my hair. "Anyways, I should go." I said before heading to the girl's bathroom. "Wait!" He called. I turned around. "My name is Archie." He said, smiling. I returned the gesture. "I'm Ellie. Nice to meet you Archie." I said. He nodded as I went inside. After a minute, I walked out to see a different Rover outside driving off. Sybbie and Marigold caught my presence when I sat on the table. Marigold smiled teasingly. "How's meeting that stranger?" She teased. I looked at her confusedly while sipping my frappe. "What do you mean?" I asked. Sybbie shrugged. "That boy you spoke to on the way to the bathroom." She said simply. My cheeks burned red once she mentioned Archie. He seemed nice and funny. But we don't know each other that well. I sighed. "It's nothing. We bumped into each other accidentally." I told her. Sybbie fake laughed. "Cmon, Elle! We're not stupid! You both were eye-locking." She said.I playfully rolled my eyes and chuckled. "If I say yes, will that make you smile more?" I asked sarcastically. Marigold giggled and sipped her cup rather with sound. Sybbie rolled her eyes which made me laugh. "What's his name?" She asked. I smiled. "Archie. He didn't say his last name nor did I say mine." I said. They looked at me confusedly. "Why not? Isn't it polite?" Marigold asked. I shrugged. "Yeah but I rather not have someone else my age recognize me as Lady Ellie or the 'daughter of the Earl of Grantham'." I said. I've said it and I'm proud. If I were to have friends outside the house or in fact date someone, I'd want them to only call me Ellie or Elle. My last name shouldn't be brought up by anyone I meet or know...except important people we'd meet during grand events. Sybbie smiled impressively. "Well, I'm relieved you feel that way. You're not expected to marry anyone mighty." She said. We laughed more. Suddenly, our chauffeur Gordon came in the cafe. He cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt m'ladies, but you're expected back at the house by your ladyships." He said politely. We shared confusion. "Why? How come?" Marigold asked. Sybbie giggled. "Same old. Our moms are always concerned. We should head off." She said. I scoffed, finishing my frappe and cookie. "Mainly my mom." I joked but in a serious tone. Marigold smiled as Sybbie placed the 40$ bill on our table. We got up and readied ourselves before leaving the cafe. Marigold's phone buzzed. "It's Mom." She said, referring to Aunt Edith. We made ourselves comfortable while Gordon drives off.

Back in the house, I chilled in the drawing room by watching TV. Downton really adjusted to technology lately which is a relief. I can't be living in this century without TV. My thoughts shifted to meeting Archie. Hm, Archie. That name sounded a little familiar. Especially his face. I don't know if we've seen each other before or we probably haven't. My phone buzzed. An anonymous number. Who is this? All my contacts go by everyone's name. Probably just spam calls. I cleared my throat and answered. "Hello?" I said politely. That familiar voice echoed through my ears. "Hi Ellie. It's Archie." He said. Archie? How did he get my number? I gasped, turning off the TV. "How the hell did you get my number?! You could've asked for my number instead of stalking!" I whispered/yelled. He chuckled. "That's because your cousin gave me your number. One of those two girls." He told me. I mentally groaned. Marigold. "I'm terribly sorry for her inconvenience." I said sarcastically. "It's alright. I'm glad she did though." He said softly. My cheeks burned red. "Well, Archie what can we talk about?" I asked. "Anything but school." He joked. I laughed and crossed my legs. Soon we talked all about each other except I didn't mention being an Earl's daughter. If I did, he'll probably use me for money or to just see my giant house. Honestly, our conversation was the best 40 minutes of my life.

******

In the servants hall, I sat on the table with Johnny and mentioned Archie. Of course he did some teasing about my "supposedly crush." Mr. Carson was out today so technically Mrs. Hughes was in charge right now. He chuckled. "So, have you met him? Outside Starbucks?" He asked. I nodded my head no and sighed. "Even if I did, the problem is making sure Maya or George or my parents know." I said. He shrugged. "Tell then he's a friend from school. They'll totally believe that." He said. I smiled innocently. "Yeah. I'll say Mom and Dad, I've met a friend from school but don't think he is more than a friend." I said sarcastically. Johnny covered his mouth to giggle. "George was right. You're impossible." He said. I nodded in agreement. "My job is to do the impossible. That is how I'm taught...by Grandmama Violet." I joked. We laughed more. Grandmama Violet can be really unstoppable like myself. She never stop until she get what she wants. It gets a little hilarious whenever she visit with grandma and grandpa. We took deep breaths to calm down. Johnny hummed in response. "What about Maya?" He asked. My eyes widened. What? No! She is the last person I'd want to know about Archie. She'll tell our parents during dinner and probably intentionally embarrass me. I huffed. "No way. She'll use it to her advantage enough to humiliate me or irritate me." I quickly said. He looked down and chuckled. "Cmon, she's not too..." He trailed off. I fake smiled and counted off my fingers. "Rude, mean, cruel, mentally destructive." I said through gritted teeth. This made him laugh more. I playfully rolled my eyes and giggled. Mrs. Patmore came in holding a plate of two slices of a baloney sandwich. Mmm! Delicious! She smirked. "So this is where all the laughter comes from. Here's your food Johnny." She said, placing it in front of him. He smiled nicely. "Thanks Mrs. Patmore." He said. I looked at him confusedly. "I missed breakfast hour." He told me. I nodded in understanding. It was only a matter of time until I heard Mrs. Patmore's yelling from the kitchen. "Daisy! Don't drop the tray! We need to put it in the oven!" She shouted. I chuckled. I remembered spending all my free time making desserts with them and sneaking off to find Mrs. Patmore's jar of chocolate cookies. Sybbie and Marigold often joined all the fun but sometimes whenever Marigold could visit. Thoughts returned back to Archie. Should I go sneak off to see him? We're friends and friends can hang out. The problem is making sure my family doesn't get suspicious. "Any advice on seeing Archie behind their backs?" I whispered. Johnny sighed. "Go see Archie first thing when you leave the house anytime. Don't be seen by anyone from upstairs or downstairs outside. Don't act too sneaky or they'll get suspicious." He whispered in my ear. I nodded in understanding. "Anything else?" I asked. He swallowed his bite and brushed dandruff off his pants. "Be chill with your sneakiness. Always say I'm visiting my school friends. You're an Earl's daughter but titles mean nothing to you when you're with them." He advised. I smiled happily and cheered. "Exactly!" I said. He chuckled. "Great. Now off you go. I got shifts to do." He said. I nodded before happily racing out of the hall to upstairs. This is a brilliant plan. All I need to worry about is one thing...sneaking off.