The Story of us

Chapter Twelve: Complications

It was because, after everything I'd been through - declaring war on Zayn Malik, enduring all the hardship the school had thrown on me, yet always being helped out by people of great standing - I'd started subconsciously viewing myself as a sort of heroine.

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Congratulations, Eleanor Hennessy.

"Why did you have to put my full name, Daddy?" Ellie pouted as she kneeled on her seat, peering at her white-iced cake in half-delight, half-incredulity.

"Because it's a very grand occasion," Dad replied, ruffling her hair. Ellie had just been picked to join the new gifted and talented class in her school, which just so happened to be taught by her favourite teacher. It was just as well, because a child as bright as her wasn't being challenged enough in her normal class, but it was still too big of a step to move her up a grade.

"Alright, dinner before dessert!" Mum said jauntily, setting down a plate of lasagne on the table. As we took our places, passing around plates and cutlery.

after dinner and cake, I sat on my desk in my bedroom, my hand hovering over my drawer uncertainly. I'd been opening and looking inside it a little too much recently... In a quick and decisive movement, I pulled it open and carefully took out Sarah Chang's music book. A burst of excitement filled my chest as I traced my finger over the cover, still trying to absorb the enormous truth about this book.

"We just had a call in for ninety thousand pounds!"

Zayn regarded me intently, his hands in his pockets. "You can accept a thoughtful gift this time, can't you?

I shook my head vigorously as my heartbeat accelerated. "Ugh, this is crazy," I muttered, thumping my chest, "Zayn Malik. I really don't understand you."

And then because the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I felt, I laid the book back inside and slammed the drawer shut. I picked up my school bag from the floor and began to dig through it for my homework.

Niall's jacket fell out.

Picking it up, my thoughts went to him instead. I'd been trying to find him all week, but to no avail. I hadn't seen him at all since the last encounter with Ariana and Zayn, and I couldn't deny that I was feeling worried. I wondered how he was doing after Ariana's bombshell.

"Niall Horan..." I sighed, refolding his jacket neatly. "Tomorrow," I said in a determined voice, "Tomorrow he'll be there and I can give this back." With my mind up firmly, I put his jacket away and got started on an essay.

Unfortunately, I had no chance of seeking Niall out the next morning. The moment I stepped out of my house, I was confronted by the rather tremendous sight of a luxurious white Range Rover evoque parked by the curb.

"Wow," I breathed.

The driver window rolled down and to my utter astonishment, a petite girl with biracial honey blonde curly hair waved ecstatically at me.

I cocked my head to the side, "Danielle?"

"Layla!" she yelled, all smiles, "How do you like my new car?"

I walked over to her, flabbergasted. "When - when did you get this?"

"Birthday present," she answered with a wide grin. Wow. So this was the difference between my typical birthday present and a rich person's. "Come on, get in! I'll show you just how fast it can go."