Chapter 2

"Wake up Ella! You're going to be late for school!" Aunt Mary called in to Ella's room.

Ella bolted upright, sending her aunt's cat flying into the air with fright. She caught him and soothed the cat,

"Shhh, its okay Rumple. Its okay." Ella set the unconvinced animal down and rushed to get dressed.

"Aunt Mary? What is the dress code for the school?" she asked-yelled down the stairs.

"Same as your school dear." the older woman called back.

"Okey-dokey." Ella said, opening drawers, think about what to wear on the first day. She chose a pink short sleeved shirt made out of lace and a same color pink cami underneath it, short jean shorts, sandals that were the same color pink as the shirt, and gold bracelet to match.

Ella brushed out her hair, parted it, grabbed her white backpack with navy stripes and hope anchor and white ray ban sunglasses, and got in her aunt's car. Aunt Mary climbed into the blue Lexus LF-LC a few minutes after Ella.

"You'll learn everything you need to know about the school at the school." Aunt Mary said once she got in.

"And what is the name of 'the school'?" Ella asked.

"You'll see." her aunt replied, pulling out of the driveway. Ella put on her sunglasses, and stared out the window for most of the ride.

They pulled up to the school, which was called Glenwood Junior High. Ella got out, surveying the front yard for cute boys, friendly faces, or girls of high order. She slung her backpack over one shoulder, and strode to the front door with Aunt Mary. Guessing by the looks she got, Ella was pretty sure she was going to like it here, especially with the dumbstruck gazes that followed her movement.

By the time she got to the door, Ella didn't even have to open it. Five guys fought over each other to open the glass door that led into Glenwood. Aunt Mary sidestepped them and opened the door for Ella. She and Aunt Mary left the boys to brawl until they realized there was no one to open the door for.

The inside of the school was bland. White walls, white tiled floor with a spot of blue here and there. As was the front office, gray carpet, brown desk, gray countertop. Ella laid down her backpack and sat down in one of the plush faux-leather chairs. A stern looking woman with too much makeup on, eyebrows that if they stretched up any higher, they would touch the ceiling, and a way too low cut pant suit, sat at the big wooden desk.

The two ladies started talking, the Stern lady, explaining the rules and procedures, and Aunt Mary, registering Ella. About two minutes later, Aunt Mary turned to Ella and said,

"Will you run out to the car for me and get me my purse?" Ella nodded and waltzed out the door. She walked into the main hallway, then went out the front door. Nobody noticed Ella came out of the building until she crossed the traffic circle.

That was when the calls started.

"Hey girl!"

"Wheeeeeeeeet-Wheeeeeew"

"You from Cali?"

"That car a rental?"

"See me tonight?"

"Hey Goldielocks! Where are the three bears?"

"I've got a blank space baby!"

Ella whipped her head around, and replied to the last catcall.

"Don't write my name!"

"Ohh."

"Burn."

"You need some ice for that?"

"What if I already have?"

"ELLA?!"

Ella stopped, still holding Aunt Mary's purse, and slammed the door and locked the Lexus. She spun around angrily, thinking, Great. Now they know my name.The thought died like a squashed bug, when she turned around. "LAUREN?!"

Both girls shrieked, taking off faster than fighter jets. Ella, surprisingly, ran fast carrying Aunt Mary's purse. They collided in a hug. Ella pulled back and looked at Lauren, who had features similar to Ella's: waist long & curly blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and slightly tan skin. Only Lauren was half an inch taller.

"Still taller than me huh?" Ella asked, smiling.

"Yep." Lauren replied, also smiling. The pair walked back towards the school, the crowd of students standing outside in shocked silence, still waiting for the first bell to ring.

"I hope you brought makeup, 'cause mines all messed up now." Ella breathed, still winded from her thirty-foot sprint.

"When have I not?" Lauren panted, similarly winded. When the pair arrived at the double glass doors, action resumed. Boys seemed to come in from all directions, most of them wanting to open the door, while others had different reasons. Ella slid the Lexus keys from her pocket and pressed the 'ALARM' button. BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP, WHOOOOOOOOOOP, WHOOOOOOOOOP, PEW PEW PEW PEW. BEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOW.

The girls snuck through the door, in the scare of the car alarm. From inside, Ella turned off the alarm. She waved at the frustrated guys outside, then walked into the office with Aunt Mary's purse and Lauren. Her Aunt didn't turn around when she reached for her handbag, so Lauren remained undetected.

When Ella and Lauren sat down simultaneously, Ella noticed Lauren's outfit: light gray crop top with the British flag painted on it, white jean short shorts, dark blue toms, and a light blue necklace. Lauren handed Ella a purple cosmetic bag and mirror. Ella unzipped it and started touching up her makeup: black mascara, sparkly pale gold eye shadow, coral pink eyeliner, and a couple of dabs of blush and foundation.

She pulled out her favorite lip gloss, a shimmery light pink tube that smelled like oatmeal.

"Okay Ella, all you need to do is sign this- Lauren?" Aunt Mary asked, turning around. "Oh, I forgot you moved to Galvadonna! It's nice to see you again!" she exclaimed.

Lauren gave Aunt Mary a beaming smile, "Nice to see you too."

Aunt Mary nodded and handed Ella a form and a bright red schedule, the final steps of being a Glenwood Gladiator. She quickly signed her name, and looked over the red paper:

Math

Gymnastics

TX History

Science

Choir

English

Band

"Yay! We have all the same classes!", Lauren rejoiced, comparing schedules.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Bell rang!", Lauren shouted, jumping up and taking off, Ella in tow.