Ella's Story

Chapter 2

Word count: 1200

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The light hits my face, waking me up. I have the misfortune of inhabiting the only room with a window that shines a light on my face when the sun rises.

I sigh and get dressed. I look over at Anna's now dry petticoats. I have to forcibly remind myself to not put them on, even though that would help so much. I hate how I look now. The pants only accentuate what I have downstairs, and my shirt clings to my broad shoulders.

I pull all of my hair into. That and start the day. I make breakfast for my stepfamily, then help them get dressed, then clean up. Only after the kitchen is clean am I allowed to go into town to get groceries.

I sprint down the path to meet my friends. Ash is waiting by the old oak tree for me, they are holding a basket for groceries, but curiously, they are also holding a full bag.

"Hey, Ash!"

"Hey!" They don't use my name because they know I hate it. I appreciate the thought.

"I have some things for you." The set the bag on a nearby stump, then step away, letting me open it.

I step forward cautiously. Ash is known for their pranks, They love messing around with potions, elixirs, and medicines.

I open the bag and gasp at the contents. It's some of their old dresses.

"I know your stepfamily doesn't want you to wear them, but You can wear them while we go shopping."

"I love them!" They're old, and several are ripped or stained beyond repair, but they are mine! I have dresses that are mine!

"Go change, I'll wait here. Matthew said he has an extra chore, so he'll be here in a few minutes."

I step into the sparse forest and change into the dress. It's much simpler than any of Anna's or Annie's dresses. This one is all in one piece, with an apron that you can tie around your waist. The sleeves hug my arms up until my elbows, where they disappear. And the whole dress is dull yellow.

When I'm done I let my hair down and step in front of Ash.

"Oh my goodness! You look so pretty!" They cover their mouth with their hands.

"Who does?" Matthew walks up to us, then does a second take when he looks at me.

"Ellio—" He starts to say my name but then cuts himself off. "Sorry."

"Ella," I tell them both. smiling.

Ash squeals. "Ella's the perfect name!"

"You look good, Ella," Matthew tells me.

I smile again. "Let's get going."

We walk into town. I can't stop smiling.

As we go from vendor to vendor I change my voice, trying to make it sound nicer and more feminine.

Eventually, I stop talking because my voice is raw.

With our baskets full of food Matthew, Ash, and I all go to the hill that overlooks the town. We eat our lunch there, just fruit. The more time I get to spend with them the better.

"I heard there was some sort of announcement coming today," Ash says while eating their apple.

"I heard the same, I'm not sure what it would be though. No one in the royal family is old enough to have died yet."

Ash shoves Matthew. "Oh, hush. I'm sure it isn't that bad."

"Who said it wasn't? When was the last time there were any good announcements." I say.