Today, Tomorrow, Forever

Chapter 3: New arrivals

Elle's taxi drove into a huge car park and stopped. The driver turned around to announce that they've reached their final destination. Feeling as if she has just woken up, Elle looked out of the window. 

It took her a second to remember where she was and to gather up her thoughts. Here it is - her new school! 

She climbed out of the car with a huge effort. Everything here was new to her but she was surprised, coming to realize that it excited her. Instantly, this place felt like home. 

She paid the driver and watched the car leave the school grounds. Seeing a bench nearby, she started walking over to take a seat. 

'I wonder how come she isn't here yet?' - thought Elle out loud. - 'The plane from Italy must have landed in London hours ago.' 

Just as she said it to herself, a shining black Bentley pulled up. It was spotless and looked as if it has just left the auto center. A tall, young driver in uniform and sunglasses stepped out of the car, quickly walked around it, and opened the backdoor.  

The girl in the car took her time before demonstratively getting out. Watching her in Bentley's side-mirror, Elle observed how she put on her lipstick, fixed her hair, and sprayed just a few drops of perfume on her wrists and collarbones. Then, she contentedly smirked at her reflection in the mirror, reached out for her bag, and finally, stretched out her hand to the driver who stood there patiently the entire time, waiting for her to step out of the car. 

"Oh, Elle, you're already here! How delightful!" - said the girl, passing her bag to the driver and graciously advancing from the Bentley.

"How was Italy?" - asked Elle keenly.

"I didn't go." - replied the girl carelessly. - "But even if I went, I'm sure I wouldn't have encountered anything I haven't seen there before." 

Elle's eyes widened. 

"Are you serious? Didn't those front-row seats cost you millions?"

"Don't be so dramatic, Elle. Maybe a few thousand at maximum."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes... Either way, I went to Paris."

"Why?"

"Well, when I was in the airport, on my way to the plane that would take me to Italy, I met a guy."

Elle couldn't hold back a smile. 'How typical of my sister' - she thought.

Meanwhile, her sister continued:

"So, I've met this guy and he offered me to jump on his jet."

"He had a private jet?"

"Of course."

"What do you mean 'of course'?"

"Well, maybe, if you let me finish, you'll understand." - said her sister with reproach. She clearly had a great story to tell, and being interrupted by Elle every other sentence was ruining the impression of the plot twist she was building up to. - "So," - she continued. - "I've met this guy. We boarded his plane and he brought me to Paris, where not only did I get a front-row seat, but also a VIP pass to the backstage."

Elle was staring at her sister, confused.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. The guy I met was Christian Louboutin. He invited me to the Paris fashion week."

Her sister said it without any fascination or pride. It was as if she spoke of the most common occasion. 

"Christian is the nicest guy." - continued her sister, ignoring Elle's surprised look. - "What a gentleman too! He presented me with the cutest pair of shoes! They are from the new collection and I find them absolutely adorable! Look!"

And with these words, she lifted her foot off the ground. She was wearing beautiful suède high heels with red soles. 

Now, Elle was truly startled, to say the least.

"What a lucky coincidence!" - she exclaimed.

"If only..." - calmly said her sister.

"So you knew Christian would be flying to France that same day?" - Elle was getting even more puzzled. 

"Well, of course! The TMZ leaked a little tip for their exclusives last week." 

"How lucky that all their other exclusives didn't show up too!"

"Elle, you are so naive sometimes! I am THE exclusive!"

"As in, the only one?"

"Yes!"

"Aria, the things you get up to sometimes leave me speechless!"

"Thank you for that flattering and absolutely unnecessary comment, Elle." 

Aria was gloating. It was rare when Elle complimented her but when she did, Aria enjoyed hearing her sister's admirations. 

"But what about Italy?" - Elle was suddenly becoming concerned.

"What about it? Who needs a single fashion show in Italy, when you can have a whole fashion week in Paris?"

"But you just wasted your seat. Someone else could've had it! People were on the waiting list for those seats for months! And you just let it be wasted!"

"So what? Elle, your overly humanistic qualities really get on my nerves sometimes." - Aria frowned. - "I would much appreciate it if you didn't guilt-trip me like you always do. Haven't you noticed, I'm in a lovely mood?"

"But..."

"No 'buts', Elle. I've had a wonderful time... Now, let's go and check out this "fantastic" new school, for which I've given up another week of travels."

And just like that, the two sisters set off to investigate this new place, which was bound to become the place of unfamiliar experiences and unique adventures for both sisters - so different, and yet, so similar to each other...

"Andrew, get the bags! We've got some exploring to do" - called out Aria to the driver, who stood by the car the entire time the two sisters were speaking.

"Who's Andrew?" - asked Elle. She's forgotten all about the guy.

"Oh. He's my new driver. He'll be sticking about for a bit. A great lad! You should acquaint yourself."

"If you say so..." - said Elle dreamily. Now that she's seen her sister again, the next subject of her attention was the new school. She paused as if reflecting on something.

"Why are you still stood there? Let's go! Andrew will get your luggage too." - said her sister impatiently. - "Andrew, don't scratch my Louis Vuitton. It'll cost you your salary! Elle, let's go!"

The two sisters set off. Andrew was following them, with a trolley full of bags rolling behind him.