A Tiny, Sweet Princess
Based on a book by Francis Hodgeson Burnett
Chapter 1
"Papa?" Seven- year old Sweetie Belle asked her father, Sir Ebrum, who was driving. They were going to Sweetie Belle's boarding school while her dad was going to fight in a war. Sweetie Belle was honored to attend the same boarding school that her mother, Lady Like, attended when she was her age, and yet at the same time, sad that she was going to be separated from her father.
"Yes?" Sir. Ebrum wanted to know. "What it is, princess?" 'Princess' was Sir. Ebrum's nickname for Sweetie Belle. He only called her that and no one else, and Sweetie Belle loved that.
"I know I asked this a bazillion times already, but are we there yet?" Sir. Ebrum chuckled.
"We're almost there. We'll be there in a minute." Sweetie Belle perked up and hugged her doll, Sara. Her father had given her the doll as a going-away present.
"You hear that, Sara? We're almost there!" Sir Ebrum turned a corner.
"Look, Sweetie Belle! You can see the school now!" Sweetie Belle looked out the window. Indeed, the little girl could see a giant stone building. In front of the building was a sign that read: 'Jessica's Boarding School for Girls'. Sir Ebrum then parked in a parking spot, and stopped the car. He got out. He then opened the car door so his daughter could get out." Okay princess, you can get out now." Sweetie Belle unbuckled her seatbelt and got out, carrying Sara. He got out Sweetie Belle's things from the trunk, and locked the car. He went by his daughter's side. "Okay princess, we can go now." They went to the building together.
"Can you help Daddy by ringing the doorbell?" Sir Ebrum asked his girl. Sweetie Belle nodded and with one hand, rang the doorbell. "Thanks doll; we can go in soon."
While they waited, Sweetie Belle looked in from the window. She saw a hallway. The floor was a tan brown, there was a chandelier on the ceiling, and the walls were a mint green. The door opened then and Toadette was on the other side.
"Oh!" She said. "You must be Sir Ebrum." She then looked at Sweetie Belle. "And this must be the new pupil, Sweetie Belle." She gestured them to come in. "Come in, come in." They went in. Sweetie Belle looked around. Toadette went to the stairs.
"Jessie!" She called. "Sir Ebrum and Sweetie Belle are here!" Sweetie Belle saw Jessie descend the stairs.
"Welcome to my boarding school!" She began. "I am Headmistress Jessie. If you follow me, I'll show you to Sweetie Belle's room."
"Come on, sweetheart." Sir Ebrum told his child and went after Jessie. Toadette went in the opposite direction. Sweetie Belle was about to follow, when something caught her eye.
Isabella was mopping the floor. She wore rags for clothing and wore a bonnet on her head, Sweetie Belle waved at the girl.
"Hello." She greeted. Isabella didn't answer. "I'm Sweetie Belle; what's your name?" Isabella still didn't answer. Sweetie Belle was about to ask again when she heard her father.
"Sweetie Belle!" He called. "Are you coming?"
"I'm coming, papa!" Sweetie Belle shouted. She went off. Isabella glanced up at the departing Sweetie Belle, sighed sadly, and continued mopping.
"Class," Jessie started as they entered the classroom. The girls settled down and looked at their headmistress. She gestured towards Sweetie Bellle. "This is your new classmate, Sweetie Belle and her father. Give a warm welcome to her. They came all the way from India"
"Hello, Sweetie Belle!" Each girl said in unison. Antoine sat at his desk and looked at the newcomers as well.
"Hi." Sweetie Belle said back.
"And this," Jessie said about the coyote, who stood up and walked over to them. "is Antoine D' Coolette. He's going to be your French teacher." Antroine bent down to the little girl.
"Aw, 'tis a pleasure to meet you young Sweetie Belle." He greeted her. Sweetie Belle smiled. She then looked at her father in question. Her father knew what her daughter was getting at and looked after Jessie. Antoine continued teaching his native language to the girls.
"Jessie," Sir Ebrum started. "Sweetie Belle already knows…" But Jessie had already left the room. Sir Ebrum looked at Sweetie Belle. "Oh well, you can tell her later." And with that, the two left the room.
"And this is Sweetie Belle's room." Jessie told the two as they entered a room with a bed and drawers. The walls were blue and the floor was the same brown as in the hallway. Sir Ebum set all of Sweetie Belle's suitcases on the bed. "Now, classes start at eight in the morning and concludes at four in the afternoon. I'll leave you two to say your goodbyes. You leave for the airport soon, Sir Ebrum." And with that, Jessie left the room. Sweetie Belle looked all around the room.
"So?" Sir Ebrum started. "You like it?" Sweetie Belle looked at her father, tears in her eyes. She ran to her dad and embrace him in a hug.
"Oh, Papa!" She sobbed. "Do you really have to go?" Sir Ebrum comforted her.
"I'm afraid I do." Sir Ebrum answered. "I hate to leave you, but I have no choice. Where I'm going, is far too dangerous for a sweet, little child like yourself. But when the war's over, I'll come back and get you my princess, I promise." Sweetie Belle looked up at her dad.
"I'm going to miss you."
"And I you, my pet. But you have Sara, Headmistress Jessie, and all of the other girls in the school to keep your company. And if you ever feel scared or lonely, just hug Sara. You won't just be hugging her, but me as well. And I have another present for you." Sweetie Belle beamed.
"Really?"
"Yes, now turn around." Sweetie Belle was confused.
"Why?"
"You'll see." Still unsure his daughter withdrew herself from her dad and turned around. "Now, close your eyes."
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and felt something cool land around her neck as Sir Ebrum tied a golden locket necklace around it.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and gasped in delight as she grabbed it in her hands.
"Oh Papa, it's beautiful!" Sir Ebrum smiled.
"Only the best for my little girl." Sweetie Belle opened it and saw the images of her mom and dad.
"My mother and you, Papa."
"Yep!" Sweetie Belle then sighed. Her mother died when she was just two- years old.
"I wish I could remember her."
"Well, she loved you very much, and I loved your mother. I've been ever so grateful to have married a wonderful woman such as your mom."
Sweetie Bell then traced her hand all over her father's face as if she would forget what her dad's face felt like.
"Are you memorizing me by heart?" Sir Ebrum wondered out loud. Sweetie Belle shook her head.
"No, I already know you by heart."
"As you should. Your mother and I will always be with you, no matter where we are. Same with you and your mother." Sweetie Belle smiled. Toadette went into the room then.
"Your plane leaves in two and a half hours." She told Sir Ebrum. "You better leave now." Sir Ebrum nodded.
"Right." He agreed. He looked at his child again. "Well, I got to go now, princess. Remember, every girl in the world if they choose, is a princess."
"I'll remember." And with that, father and daughter hugged each other until Toadette reminded the father he had to leave. Sir Ebrum then withdrew himself and left the room.
"Bye, papa, I love you!" Sweetie Belle called after him. "I'll write to you!" Her father waved to her as well.
Sweetie Belle sat on the windowsill, clutching onto Sara. She watched as her father left in his automobile.
"Oh Sara," She told her doll. "I already miss him."
The next morning, Sweetie Belle had woken up late. She quickly got out of her bed and did her mourning routine. She was pulling up her left sock, when she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in!" She called. The door opened and Jessie walked in. she looked at Sweetie Belle.
"Sweetie Belle," She started in a firm voice. "you're late. You're keeping up breakfast."
"I know." Sweetie Belle said. "I'm sorry; I woke up late. It won't happen again."
"It better not. I don't like students who are late. It's unprofessional."
"I understand. I'll be ready soon." Jessie closed the door and let Sweetie Belle finish getting ready.
"Where's the new girl?" Louise Belcher wanted to know at the table. "She's late!"
"And keeping us starving!" Mertle Edmonds said. She pounded the table. "Doesn't that girl realize she isn't the only one here? I want to eat!"
"Relax, Mertle." Bonnie told her. "She'll be here."
"You know what?" Mabel Pines started to say. "I heard that her father's friend of his found a mine full of diamonds and is going to share it with him, so she's rich!"
"She's so lucky!" Louise said. "I wish my family was rich like that."
"Me too."
Sweetie Belle then skidded into the room.
"Sweetie Belle," Jessie warned. "We don't skid."
"Sorry." The girl apologized and sat in her chair. The girls fell silent, all said grace, and started eating without a word. Sweetie Belle noticed this. "Why is it so quiet here? Did someone die?" Every girl gasped and looked at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle looked at them. "What? All I want to know is why no one is talk…"
"Sweetie Belle," Jessie began. "No one talks at the table here." Sweetie Belle looked at Jessie. She was confused.
"Why?"
"They just don't. It's the rule."
"Why?" Jessie began to get firm with her again.
"It just is, okay?! Now, don't question it again!" Sweetie Belle grabbed a fork and jabbed a piece of waffle.
"Okay, it just seems silly is all." All the girls gasped again. Jessie didn't respond and she and the girls resumed on eating. Sweetie Belle just shrugged and put the waffle piece into her mouth.
It was the first class of the day, French class. Antoine came into the room.
"Bonjour, little girls." He greeted.
"Bonjour, monsieur Antoine!" The girls all greeted in unison, including Sweetie Belle. She raised her hand and Jessie called on her.
"Do I have to stay in this class?" She wanted to know.
"Sweetie Belle!" Jessie scolded. "What a mean thing to say! Of course you have to stay in this class."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude. I just already…."
"Apologize to Antoine at once!"
"But…"
"Apologize!" Sweetie Belle sighed and looked at Antoine. She was about to apologize, when she had an idea. She started talking to him in perfect French. Jessie, Antoine and the class were impressed.
"Je suis, Je deja savoir Francais. Mon Papale enseigne moi dans inde."
"Well?" Jessie asked Antoine when Sweetie Bell was done. Antoine looked at the headmistress.
"She apologizes," He told her. "and that her papa taught her French in India. She's right. She doesn't need this class."
"But…but…" Jessie stuttered. She glared at Sweetie Belle. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"I tried." Sweetie Belle said.
The next class was Math. The kids were reciting their multiplication tables to Jessie. Jessie called on Dot Henderson.
"Eight times nine." Jessie said.
"Eight times nine." Dot repeated. "Right. Let's see, eight time nine, eight times nine." The girl scratched her head. "Uh…"
"Dot!"
"I got this, I got this! Is it 66? No wait eight times eight was 64 so it can't be 66. 57? No wait, 100? No, that's too much. 80?"
"You don't know, do you?"
"I'm sorry, no I don't, but I assure you, I studied all night. It's just not coming to me." Jessie sighed.
"I'm disappointed in you, Dot. You need to study harder." Dot hung her head in shame.
"Yes, Headmistress Jessie." She sat in her desk. Jessie called on Lisa Simpson.
"72." She said.
"Correct." Lisa sat back down.
Sweetie Belle looked at Dot and noticed a teardrop fall from her cheek.
"I'm stupid." Dot said after class to a bunch of girls surrounding her, including Sweetie Belle.
"No you're not." Sweetie Belle reassured her. "You may not have known the answer, but that doesn't make you stupid." Dot sighed.
"Yes it does, and I should've known the answer. I am so stupid." Sweetie Belle felt bad for the girl.
'Dear Papa,' Sweetie Belle wrote to her father that night. 'I miss you every single day. Things are fine, but there are so many rules! I try to obey them, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I hope you're reading this with a smile on your face. I can't wait to see you again! Love from your sweet little princess, Sweetie Belle.' Once Sweetie Belle was done, she stamped it and licked it shut with the letter in it.
One night, Sweetie Belle was studying when a loud crying and screaming sound interrupted her. She tried to focus with the noise, but couldn't. She groaned and went out of her room.
"Calm down, Tootie." Toadette consoled the crying girl. "Don't throw a fit. Students are staring, Oh, please Tootie. Please stop crying; I need a rest."
"Uh, Toadette?" Sweetie Belle asked her. Toadette looked at her. "I think I can calm her down."
"Well, if you're sure." Toadette stood up. "Be my guest." She then went off. Sweetie Belle looked at the sobbing girl.
"You know, it's hard to study with you going on like that."
"I CAN'T HELP IT!" Tootie wailed. I miss my mom!"
"Well, you'll see her again."
"NO, I WON'T. SHE'S DEAD AND I'M NEVER GOING TO SEE HER EVER AGAIN!" Sweetie Belle felt sorry for her.
"My mom's dead too, but just because she's dead, doesn't mean she's not with you." Tootie stopped crying and wiped a tear.
"What do you mean?"
"She's in your heart as well as my mother in mine even through I don't remember her because she died when I was two. But I still talk to her and she's always there to listen."
"Really? How does she do that?"
"Because she's an angel in heaven. Your mom is an angel too and they all live in castles inside of the clouds. They send messages to the loves ones that are still on Earth But, she can't hear you when you're kicking and screaming. They do try again though, in case their love ones missed them." She then noticed Isabella. Isabella panicked and took off.
"Wait!" Sweetie Belle stared. She was about to go when Tootie held her back. Sweetie Belle looked at her.
"That's Isabella. We are forbidden to talk to her." Sweetie Belle was surprised.
"What?! Why?"
"'Cause she's a servant. She's an orphan and she's poor."
"That's sad. I sure hope I don't become an orphan and poor."
Later, Sweetie Belle went upstairs to the attic where Isabella stayed. Isabella jumped at the sight of her as soon as she opened the door. She was just changing her shoes.
"Can I assist you?" She asked.
"No." Sweetie Belle said. "Sorry I scared you." She looked around the attic. There were spider webs hanging from the ceiling and the floor was filthy. This sent a shiver down her spine. "I just can't believe you live in a place such as the attic."
"Well, I do. And I hate to tell you, but we'll both be in trouble if you don't leave now."
"Are you going to be alright in here?"
"Yes, yes I am, now if you please, leave!"
"Are you sure, because it doesn't…"
"Yes, I'm sure. Now leave, please! I don't want you getting in trouble." Sweetie Belle sighed.
"All right." She closed the door.
Poor girl, She thought. Living in the attic like that in all of those rags all by her lonesome. No parents and poor. I just can't imagine. She then had an idea. That's it! I'll give her something. We'll be best friends forever. And with that thought in her head, she went down the stairs.