All about love

Chapter 1

I have seen two girls throw eggs at my porch; one threw two eggs with a slingshot which almost hit my window; another with her bare hands cursing violently. It’s been a year since I started living in my Aunt Linda’s home. In a way I kind of adore being here—having company all, instead of living in the foster system with strangers.

            Tomorrow will be the first day of my senior year in Leaside High, although I don’t have many friends – only for Chloe, I’m quite thrilled. Everything about this year will be perfect; I can feel it in my bones. And though you might not believe me, I’ll tell you that usually everything does work out all right at the end of the day—or year in this case.

            Let’s face it, none of us ever really like school. However, this is my last year and I have to leave an impression before I move on to the next chapter of my life.

            I pulled out a photo of my parents from a bible; it’s the only place I could keep it safe. If I put it in my wallet, it might get stolen and I’ll never be able to see them again. In the photo, my father has black hair, green eyes and olive-like skin tone. I could not see my mother’s face though, it was blurry. All I could see was her dark brown hair and thin silhouette. At the back of the photo, there was a written message saying ‘A photo to remember us by, if you’re ever lonely. Love you.’

            At that moment, my door slammed open and hit my toe. I yelped. It was Aunt Linda, she screamed just as loud as I did.

            “I’m so sorry!” Aunt Linda apologized too many times, “I’ve called out your name three times but you didn’t answer, I was worried…” she patted my back as a way to comfort the pain from my stubbed toe.

            “It’s alright, it’s just a toe. No biggie.” I replied, my face filled with anguish.

            I then realized that I dropped the photo, which I could not find around me. My heart dropped like I was falling from the sky and I’m about to head onto the sea. I searched around the floor, crawling.

            “No no no,” I exclaimed, “this can’t be happening!” I screamed.

            “Is this what you’re looking for?” Aunt Linda reassured.

            “Oh yes, thank God—thank you, I mean.” I said, taking a deep breath.

            “Who...Who are they?” she asked, her eyes filled with questions.

            “I think they’re my parents, I’ve had this photo since – well, as long as I can remember” I chuckled, “it’s very important, don’t you remember my mother? That’s her in the pink dress.”

            “Oh, right.” “Your mother and I, we weren’t very close. She’s a uh…distant cousin.” She said, playing with the hem of her dress. She seems to know something, but I trust that she’ll tell me in time.

            “By the way, Ella, your friend Chloe is downstairs. Should I let her up here?”

            “That would be great, thank you,” I nodded.

Aunt Linda smiled, the corners of her mouth wrinkled, her pale skin complemented her bright hazel eyes, and her short brown hair fell to her face. She is beautiful. I wondered why she didn’t have a long line of men waiting at the doorstep.

            “Are you excited for tomorrow?” Chloe asked as she stepped in my room, her bright smile makes my day.

            “Yeah, I’m actually excited to go to school for the first time. We’re finally on our way out to the real world.”

            “Let’s just hope this happy mood of yours lasts for the rest of the year.”

            “That’s true, I wish I could.”

            “Anyway, I went shopping yesterday and I got you this top. And yes, I know I don’t have to buy you anything but it’s a new year and there has to be a new you!” Chloe got me a blue buttoned up shirt. I felt uncomfortable, my cleavage were showing. “Also, we need to get rid of your pink hair. You look like you’re still fourteen.” She added.

            I agreed. I need a fresh start, and I promised to myself that I will be a better person. No more being immature.

            “Uh, how about we go shopping right now? I racked up some money from my summer job.” I asked.

            “As long as you wear that top to the mall, I’m in.” she sat on the bed, wearing her evil smile – she knows I have no other choice.

            The mall was filled with teens shopping for clothes. A girl passed me by, wearing a cropped top and low waist shorts; another with high-waist shorts and a sheer top. I shook my head, why do they dress so provocative? And they wonder why boys don’t respect them.

            Chloe dragged me in a store called—God knows what. It was filled with shorts and tank tops, underwear and useless things. She selected a bunch of clothes and made me try them on, most of them were too small and too baggy. I rolled my eyes.

            “You are hopeless!” Chloe claimed, she put her hands on her forehead.

            “Can’t you pick a store that’s a little more…” I pulled down my shirt to cover my pierced belly button. “Conservative?” I raised my eyebrow.

            “Fine, but whatever I purchase in this store, you’ll have to wear.” She turned around and raised her jaw, pouting at me.

            Finally, after two hours of agonizing pain of walking around the mall, we’ve finished shopping. I have to admit, even though it was uncomfortable to try on clothes…I liked it, maybe it was my inner feminine self telling me to embrace my sexuality.

‘One step at a time, Ella one step at a time.’ I tell myself, I didn’t want to be overwhelmed.

            Chloe and I love fast food but nowadays she’s been eating a lot of salad. Back then, we didn’t care about the number of calories are in a burger or fries—I still don’t. However, Chloe cares and I don’t want to judge her. She’s beautiful in her own petite way; blonde hair, high cheekbones and a smile that lights up the room.

            “Your burger smells so good,” she rolled her eyes back.

            “It tastes even better,” I took a big bite, “Mmmm…” I mumbled.

            “You’ve got ketchup all over the new shirt I got, how could you!” Chloe laughed.

            I looked at my shirt and cursed; I ran up to the counter to get napkins and wiped my chest. I turned around to go back to our table but I bumped into a man, causing me to fall down on my bottom.

            “Watch where you’re going, little girl” The man said. His voice sounded so familiar, but it was deep and much more mature. I looked up to see Thomas Garret, my jaw dropped. I remember Thomas to be small and friendly, he was at least two inches taller than me but now he’s so tall and lean—I can’t even begin to explain how attractive he looked. It's not that I never thought Thomas wasn't good looking, I've always thought he was good looking - only now he's a ten; if you know what I mean. 

            It took me a while to realize that he’s walking away, leaving me lying on the ground. I was enraged with anger, “what a jerk!” I screamed in my head. People turned their heads toward me; I guess I didn’t say it in my head after all.

Thomas stopped to turn around and grin, hands in pockets, and then continued to walk away.