It Started With A Whisper.

Chapter Two -- Come As You Are

"Ella? Ella? Elle! Wake up!" I hear Taylor calling me.

"Hmm?" I mumble from my curled ball on the floor.

"Wake up baby girl! It's almost time to go."

"Mmmm." I hum

"Drew made blueberry waffles."

"I'm up!" I jump up and rush to the kitchen, where my best guy friend is pouring strawberry syrup onto blueberry waffles.

"Cool whip?" He asked

"Always!" I say, sitting at the island. Taylor sits next to me as Drew passes us plates and coffee from starbucks.

I look at the clock. "It's 7:30 in the morning. Why are you guys always here. Do you sleep here or something?" I ask

"I slept here last night." Taylor responded "By the way, I'm borrowing your gem jeans today. Cool?"

"Cool, but I'm wearing your MCR top."

"Sweet."

"Yeah, I didn't sleep here. I just woke up hella early and decided to go get coffee." Drew explained "I texted and asked if you wanted some. Tay told me you were asleep, and to bring you both some coffee. So, here I am."

"Well thanks, I'm glad you're here. And I'm glad you know my favorite breakfast." I say

"Fruit-n-fruit waffles and Caramel Mocha Starbucks." Drew says smiling.

***

"Hey girlie," Taylor says "what's that in your hand?"

I realize I still have whatever Charlie gave me held in my fist.

"I'm not quite sure." I reply "Charlie gave it to me."

"Charlie?" Taylor says, "Who's that?"

"Charmont." I reply "I don't know his last name. He was at my party last night."

"I didn't invite a Charmont." Taylor says with a concerned tone

"Well a Charmont showed up." I reply

"What's he look like?"

"Not sure, it was really dark. I only saw his black chucks." I say

"Hey Drew! Do you know Charmont? Or Charlie? Or whatever?"

"No ma'am I do not. But I would like to know what's in your fist Elle."

I look at my fist. I'm actually a bit afraid of what might be in it. But, in reality, what do I have to be afraid of? So, I slowly open my fist and see the shimmer of a heart shaped necklace. I hold it up for my best friends to see.

I hear a simultaneous Whoa come from my friends.

"That. Is. Amazing." Taylor says. "Open it!"

"What?" I say

"It's a locket right?" She replies "So what's inside?"

I examine the heart pendant. There's a little diamond on the front. I kind of hope it's not real. For someone to spend that much on me? No way. I examine a bit more and see a small latch. I press it and the necklace pops open. Revealing a small, folded slip of paper. I unfold it and read it was you.

"What's it say?" Taylor asks.

"Oh! It says, Happy Birthday." I lie as I slip it into my pocket. "Come on guys, we don't want to be late."

***

At school I spend the day searching for the black converse with studs on the side. Nowhere. All I could find was girls walking around with teddy bears, flowers and chocolates. You'd think it would be over by now, Valentine's was yesterday. But alas, some girls love to show off. By last period, I've given up. I go to my locker to put away my books and get my homework when a light blue envelope marked Princess Ellenor falls out. I break the seal and pull out a note that reads

"No one understands me quite like you do. Through all of the shadowy corners of me." ~Landon Pigg

Meet me after school. Corner table of the Starbucks on 54th. Come as you are. Beautiful.

Charmont.

I excitedly slam my locker and run to show Taylor the note.