Hey, I guess it was time for a new story. This one is about Ella Pucino, whose Greaser background has little effect on her mildness. Gary's best friend from childhood, she knows more about him than most of the kids at Bullworth. Her knowledge puts Gary in defensive action. But Johnny Vincent, who had always known Ella as Ricky's little sister begins to take notice of her. Read and review please!!
Bif was worked up, that much she could tell. Bright blue eyes screwed up like something was amiss, his hands flew through the air. He always talked with his limbs, but this time it was frantic.
"And my step-father wants me to spend winter holiday in Monaco, where he and my mother are vacationing."
"So?" She asked, focused on him.
"Well, mother wants me to broaden my horizons."
"Oh, so she wants you to dump me again?" Ella asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's so unusual about that?"
"Our annual gala is in two weeks, and she wants me to take a girl like Christy."
"Christy? What's so great about little Miss Redhead?" She demanded, catching one of his swinging hands in her own. "Is this what I think it is?"
Bif's broad shoulders bobbed into a shrug. "I have to, Ella, I have to. You wouldn't understand."
"You're fucking right I wouldn't." Her voice tottered between a screech and a whimper. She sounded like Ricky Pucino's sister now, her face fierce with fury. But she wasn't completely iron, her spine felt like someone had removed the skeleton and left only the cord, leaving her frame wobbly.
"Oh, El, you know I wouldn't leave you if I wasn't being pressed. My mother is threatening to send me back to Downthresh Academy if I bring you."
"Christ, Bif." Ella replied, split between several emotions. "If that's all you had to say, I'd appreciate it if you just left."
He'd never seen her so openly hostile, Greaser background obvious despite her soft Aquaberry sweater and neat khaki miniskirt. It wasn't the length for school regulation, and her pale legs seemed to stretch underneath the hem of the fabric.
"Sweetheart, I can't just leave you here. It'll take you twenty minutes to walk back."
"Bif Taylor, if there's an ounce of heart in your stupid body, you will leave right now." Her famously mild manner vanished, and she covered her mouth loosely as though she weren't sure what would escape.
He tried to loop an arm around her shoulders, just to have her shrug out of it. Standing and shaking sand free, Ella had a certain fragile strength to her. Bif watched, slightly dazed, as she ducked from their secluded spot underneath the pier, then as she dashed above him, sandals clicking on the aged wooden boards. He didn't hear the sobs as she rounded up upon Shiny Bikes, looking for Ricky.
Leaning against her brother in tenements felt somehow very comforting, despite the musty smells and dilapidated atmosphere. Head upon his shoulder, she closed her eyes.
"Now remind me again why I shouldn't get every single one of my friends to knock this bastard out?" Ricky asked, voice low and caring.
"Because he's not worth it." She regretted those words, because she knew internally it wasn't true. Ella had been Bif "The Boxing Legend" Taylor's girl for six tangible months, and now she wasn't so sure what the future held. She felt like she lost a lot of time to the auburn headed boy, but Ella wasn't ready to regret him just yet. A strong regard for him still echoed in her chest.
Ricky didn't answer for a long time. "Have you told Gary yet?"
"I came straight for you. I was right by the bike shop and luckily you happened to be there."
She could feel the vibration of his laugh. "Just like a big brother should be. I must've felt something bad was going to happen, unconsciously of course. Got it there, chief?"
"Got it there, chief." It was an old inside joke, whenever their mother needed either sibling to understand something quickly, she jabbed a "Got it there, chief?" at whoever was listening.
Ricky and Ella weren't complete siblings and there wasn't a great difference between their ages either. Ricky was barely ten months older, and even though his father wasn't the same as Ella's, there wasn't much that was able to separate the pair, even Ella's collection of Aquaberry.
She went to Bullworth on scholarship. Ricky went there because his paternal grandmother pitied him, because she felt the need to pitch in where her son didn't. It scared Ella to think that Ricky was becoming more and more delinquent every day. Sometime she thought he did it just to cement the distance between their personas, the good one and the bad one. But Ricky was still the best big brother she could ask for, even if he'd stepped into trouble one too many times.
"Want to stay with me and Johnny for a night?" Ricky asked, elaborating. "Johnny wouldn't mind, he's still crazy over Lola."
Ella faintly smiled, remembering Gord's similar habit. Gord's ego was so blown he'd challenged Bif more than a few times at the boxing ring, but Bif had beaten him enough that Gord didn't ask for it anymore.
"No, I think I'm going to just go back to the girl's dorms."
"No more Harrington House?" Ricky mocked her, just gently enough to make her grin.
"I don't think I'm welcome there anymore. Besides I was never hung around anyone there besides Bif and sometimes Parker, when he wasn't being annoying, but that was only once in a while."
"Maybe you should find some female friends."
"Like Lola?"
"No, but someone that you won't fall for. Isn't that what happened with Bif? And before him Justin, and nearly Parker, right?"
Ella smacked him softly. "That's a generalization."
"That's a fact."
"What about Gary?" She asked, wanting to take it back.
"You couldn't force Gary to go out with you. You're close friends, stemming from childhood, but he wouldn't date you. Gary does whatever he wants."
She sighed in agreement. "I'd better get back to school. Where's the closest bus stop from here?" Ella asked, standing.
"You mean you don't remember? I'm so disappointed." His voice made her turn, and she truly regretted this action.
Johnny Vincent stood; leaning back, weigh above his left hip. He looked worn, but still himself. Maybe it had to do with all that extra time he'd been spending with Lola, who nearly hated Ella even though she'd never really done anything to deserve it.
"Hey Johnny." It was weak, but she wanted to leave, she didn't want to be played with, which was what Johnny always did. He manipulated her easily and Ricky never seemed to notice.
"It's down three block and to the left." Ricky replied, greeting who could probably be considered his closest friend. "I was just counseling the little one."
"I can see. I guess you're leaving us. Meeting one of your Preppies, huh?"
"I've actually got a lot of work to do before tomorrow, so I was going to head back to the girl's dorms."
Johnny smirked. "Not adventurous to stay with me and your bro?"
"No, not stupid enough. I've got to go, or I'll miss the next bus." Turning to Ricky, "Thanks for the advice. Love you and see you during chemistry!"
Ricky waved her off before telling Johnny how they were going to ruin the Taylor family's annual winter gala.