The Sweetest Devotion

A Million Secrets

A/N: Sorry for the delay, I was so so busy with work. But I have the next two weeks off as I tested positive for covid so expect lots of updates! This is kind of sort of a filler chapter. But the next chapter is going to have lots and lots of drama, so buckle up!

TW: reference to sexual assault. 

Ella kicked at the gravel under her feet as she slightly rocked back and forth from her spot on the swing. She watched as the other kids around her ran around playing, seemingly without a care in the world. She wanted nothing more than to be another one of the kids running around aimlessly on the playground. To be able to act her age without a care in the world. But her ribs were still healing and she didn't want to risk hurting herself anymore than she already was. 

It had been over a week since Ella was able to spend the day with Sarah and the young girl found herself missing the older woman terribly. So terribly that she had decided today on her way home from school would be the day that she used the phone Sarah had gotten for her. Her mother would be working late which meant there was no chance her mom could catch her with the device she knew she wasn't supposed to have. 

As soon as Ella heard the bell signaling the end of the day she sprinted for the doors and raced to her locker. She quickly threw the metal door open and grabbed her book bag before she spun on her heel and raced out the doors. She waited until she was a few blocks away from the school before she found a bench along the sidewalk and sat down. She cautiously looked around before reaching into her book bag and pulling out the phone with shaking hands. She unlocked it and pressed the only number programmed in it, holding the phone to her ear with baited breath. 

"Hello?" 

Ella felt her eyes fill with tears at the warm voice. She hadn't realized how much she missed Sarah until she heard her voice. 

"Sari?" Ella managed to choke out. 

"Ella!" Sarah squealed. "How are you? Is everything okay?" She asked urgently, as if she just remembered why she had given Ella the phone in the first place. 

"I'm okay, I just miss you really bad." Ella said shyly.

"Oh, sweetheart. I miss you more than you can even imagine." Sarah said earnestly. "What have you been up to? How has school been?"

Ella found herself relaxing and telling Sarah about her week at school. She told her about the assignments she had done, the grades she had received, and the mean boy named Luke in her music class. 

"It sounds like Luke might have a crush on you, honey." Sarah said with a laugh. 

"Ewwww!" Ella squealed, her smile taking over her entire face. 

"How have things been with your mom been?" Sarah asked gently. 

"Fine." Ella said easily. It wasn't a lie, her mom had been working late most of the week and for the most part had left Ella alone much to the younger girls delight. "Can I see you this weekend?" She asked shyly. 

"I wish you could, honey. But I'm in Los Angeles right now for work, I won't be back until next weekend." 

"Oh, that's okay." Ella said, fighting to keep the disappointment out of her voice. 

"You are the first person I plan on seeing when I get back, I promise. I'll call your mom later this week to set something up, okay?"

"Okay." 

"I miss you so much little duck. I promise I'll see you soon. And don't forget you can call me at anytime, no matter what. Okay?" 

"Okay."