An Ariella Story

We're going where?!

Click. Click. Click.

I took a shot at every angle of the beautiful flowers. Their pink and white petals glistened with the early morning dew. It was beautiful and I wanted to capture the image to keep forever even though I would return here again soon.

I called the place a meadow even though it wasn't really a meadow at all. There were large oak trees and flowers that were sprinkled throughout the grass. Tulips, daffodils, and dandelions. The sun was always shining, making everything glow. And the best part was, everytime I came back, nothing had changed. Almost like I was the only one who knew about it.

It was my happy place. My own seperate world.

I took a few more pictures of the trees and swaying grass and then checked my phone to see what time it was. School was going to start soon and I had to rush to make it there in time.

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"So as you all know, I've been trying to decide on a field trip for us to take and teach you more about the French culture. Well the time has come, students. I've finally chosen our destination and the schoolboard has already approved. "

I was in the middle of my French class with Ms. Parks dramatically explaining her plans for our field trip. She seemed excited while the rest of us were slouched in our seats trying not to fall asleep.

"Maybe we're gonna pull a 'Magic Schoolbus' and teleport to France." Stazi whispered from behind me. I had to stifle a laugh.

"We're going to France!" Ms. Parks cried excitedly.

My jaw wasn't the only one that hit the floor.

"The principal and I have agreed that you are very well behaved students and deserve a trip. We'll be touring around Paris and visiting the museums and small villas."

"Do we have to pay?" Gabe asked.

I rolled my eyes. Well, duh. The school wasn't going to just hand us over the money for plane tickets and a place to sleep. He was such an idiot.

"Yes, Gabe. You'll need three hundred dollars to pay for the plane ticket and your share of food. The school is covering the hotel expenses. All you guys need to do is get the three hundred dollars and you're good to go."

"How long are we staying?" someone else asked.

"We'll be staying in Paris for two weeks and we're officially leaving the U.S. in a week."

A week?

Cheers of joy sprung up around the classroom. Everyone was bouncing in their seat and clapping their hands in glee. All except me.

I turned to face Stazi. "How am I going to get three hundred dollars in seven days?"

"The old hag won't lend you the money?"

"You know she won't."

Nastastia nodded her head in understanding and then put on her thinking face. Her face lit up after a moment and I could almost imagine a lightbulb appearing above her head.

"Okay first, you get a nose job and and lip injections. Then you wear some different colored contacts so she doesn't recognize you when you offer to clean her house. She'll pay you to clean her nasty home and then you can go! You'll-"

"No. I am not getting a complete face transplant." I cut in.

"Fine then. Just steal the freaking money. She won't notice."

"But what if she does notice?"

"She won't if you do a good job of covering your tracks."

Stazi made it sound like I was a professional thief when I'd never stolen a thing in my life. Well, besides a piece of gum that she'd left in an open pack on her desk...

The bell rang and we continued on with our classes. For the rest of the school day, that trip was on my mind. I could already picture snapping photos of the Eiffel Tower.

I'd do anything to get that money.

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"I can't wait!" Tiffany squeeled in the living room.

I could hear her and Jessi discussing what outfits they were going to wear and when they'd need to schedule appointments for a manny-petty. The girly vibe coming off of them was enough to keep me in the other room. I'd never been one to worry about my nails or clothes.

"Good evening, Miss Ariella." Harvey smiled when he came into the kitchen.

"Good evening, Harvey."

"Would you like a glass of lemonade?"

"Yes, please."

He poured me a glass and even went the extra mile by placing a lemon on the rim and slipping a tiny umbrella into the drink.

"So are you also going to Paris?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. I highly doubt that Lynn will have enough heart to give me the money."

Once I said it, the temptation to actually steal the cash washed over me. It'd be spent on France. Wasn't Paris worth the risk of me getting caught?

I was starting to think so.

Apparently Harvey had the same train of thought that I did because he then said, "Money goes missing around here all the time..."

I smiled at him. "I know. It's a shame that it's never used on a anything good. Like a special vacation of sorts..."

We laughed and then abruptly stopped when Lynn entered the room.

"Speak of the Devil.." Harvey murmured under his breath so only I could hear him. I covered my face with my hand so she didn't see me grinning.

"Harvey, why isn't the pool cleaned?" she growled.

"Ma'am, I'm the butler. I'm not the pool-cleaner."

"Well then call the service and demand that they come more frequently!"

He headed out of the room so he could use the telephone. I sat at the island with my lemonade between my hands. My foster mother glared at me.

"I see that you're not doing your chores." she stated.

"What chores? Oh.. you mean acting like your bitch?"

"You ungrateful little-"

I didn't hear the end of her sentence. My feet carried me away from her and into my bedroom where it was nice and quiet. A place where I could actually think.

I sat on my bed with my legs crossed, looking at the photos of the meadow that I'd developed earlier after school. They'd turned out better than I'd thought. I'd managed to edit a few of the images on the computer so the corners were blurred and your attention focused more on the buds. My work was pretty good, if I do say so myself.

My phone buzzed on my nightstand and I reached over to retrieve it.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Did you do it?" Stazi asked.

"Do what?"

"Take the money. I'm not going to France without you."

"No. I haven't done anything. And besides, we only found out about it today. I have six more days to figure something out."

"Don't procrastinate! It's a bad habit."

"Bye, Stazi." I laughed

She hung up and my smile slowly faded from my face. Maybe she was right. There didn't seem to be any way for me to earn three hundred dollars.

Was I even capable of stealing?

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Author's Note: I kinda rushed through this chapter so I'm sorry for any mistakes that I missed. This chapter didn't really turn out like I wanted it to because of the time limit I had but I'll do better next time! I promise :)