Picture Perfect

chapter 14

I dedicate this chapter to pivotpoint. She is an amazing writer! Go check her out! And merry Christmas! Have a very happy holiday with family and friends!

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The night of the play, and the day of publishing our article. I worked it all out with Kendal and Jack, they seemed relieved and published the article along with the newspaper the same day. The school seemed to like the newspaper.

Later the night of the play my parents wanted to watch it, maily because Alex was in it. I can't believe them! All they think about is Alex, how much he has made them proud. It gets on my nerves! Whenever I try to give them my newspaper, they say that they'll read it later. They never read it!

It gets on my nerves how much I'm shuned. I just wish that they would notice me, that I can make them proud like Alex does. Mom and Dad buy the tickets and take our seats. The play begins and as always Alex is one of the most characters that speaks, Charles Dickens, also the narerater.

The play went on for a bit Halie appeared. My heart skipped a beat before he finally said his lines and the play continued. After the play there were some photographers and reporters. Also people trying to get the actors signatures.

I went over to Halie and looked at him. He didn't look at all like the same brown haired young boy a couple hours before. He had a black top hat on, black over coat, and a white wig on. He smiled when he spotted me and gestured me to wade through the crowd to him.

I did just what he wanted. Once I got over to him he finally said over the crowd. "I see you watched the play." I nodded. "You were very good." Halie smiled. "Thanks, I like you Ella, you're one nice girl. Normal girl. How would you like for a date?" Halie asked. I was shocked.

"I just met you, and you expect for me to go out with you?" I could just imagine what Charlie would be yelling at me. Say yes, say yes!

"Um, I like another guy." I answered. "Who, that guy who didn't have your back when you needed it most? The guy who agreed to kick you off of the newspaper article? Yeah, he seems like the perfect guy." Halie muttered. "How did you?" I asked. "I know, I have eyes and ears everywhere. Do you really think he loves you?"

I pondered this a moment. "I-I don't know, I love him. He loves me. You can't just break-" but I was cut off by the nauseating sense of lips pushed into mine. Was Halie really kissing me? Was I letting him do it? I pushed away. "Why would you do that?" I asked. "I love you." He answered.

"No, you can't just kiss a girl the first day you meet her. You have to get to know her, to actually meet her." I was trying to keep my voice down. "Why can't we do that on a date?" He asked. "Just, don't ever talk to me again." I answered and ran away from him.

Leaving Halie standing in the crowd. I left the auditorium doors, I sat down on a nearby bench and started to cry. Making my makeup run so I tried to hide my face with my hand. I then heard a sort of weeping sound. I looked over through the garden bushes to find another bench right next to mine.

It held Jack on it, crying with a bouquet of flowers in hand. I realized those flowers were for me. "Jack." I said, sort of a whisper to try and not make him jump. He jumped anyways. "Ella," He wiped his eyes. "I didn't see you there."

"Why were you crying Jack?" I asked. "I wasn't crying! I just, had something in my eyes that's all." He wiped his eyes again. I went over to his bench, scooting close to him. "Why were you crying?" Jack asked. "What, oh, a total jerk kissed me." I could feel Jack tense up. "I didn't like it, I pushed away, knowing that I already have someone." I curled up next to Jack.

"Oh, right, I love you Ella. I'm sorry I wasn't on your side earlier today. I was really confused with what to do, with the article and our grades in the balance I just wanted to do what was right."

"I understand, I probably would've done the same. Are those flowers for me?" I asked. Jack looked down, seeming to remember that he had a bouquet. "Yeah, but when I saw you with that Scrooge guy I sort of lost it." Jack saw me with Halie? No wonder he was crying.

"Well don't worry, you'll have me now and forever." I answered and curled up closer to him, even if I had running mascara down my cheeks I still felt beautiful with Jack. I felt like even in my toughest days I still felt beautiful around Jack. "You have me now and forever." Jack repeated.

Then, Jack kissed me. I felt butterflies in my stomach. Sadly this wasn't my first kiss, but it was my first boyfriend. Jack pulled away. "Almost forgot, here." He gave me the flowers. "Thank you." I smiled. He lead me toward the auditorium doors and kissed me again, again giving me butterflies.

"Good night Ella." He said romantically. "Good night, prince charming." I answered. "Now and forever." He replied. "Now and forever." I smiled. I went into where my family was waiting. "Where were you?" Mom asked. "I was out getting some fresh air." I replied.

"Ok, we have to go." Dad answered. We left toward the car. I couldn't help but think of Charlie. I'll make things right with her. I won't wait for her to apologize, I'll apologize first. And for my mom, I feel like I don't need to be as pretty as her, or please them the way Alex does.

If they can't see my talent then so be it. If they don't care for me, or what I do, then it's their problem. I have a life now. A love life, thanks to Charlie.