Chapter 1
2690 Words
"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"
- ----- Alfred Lord Tennyson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ms. Parker, did you stick gum in Ms. Collins skirt?" Mrs Hopkin stared from beneath her gigantic glasses at me as I stood in front of her, my head down.
Not with embarrassment or regret though. I just had an uncontrollable urge to laugh. It was kind of a habit for me. Whenever I was in a serious situation, I felt like laughing. Like someone was tickling me at a very wrong time.
"She did!" Isabella Collins bellowed in her high shrill voice. "Look, here it is,"
We both turned our attention to the sticky lump of bubblegum in her hand, the white colour now faded to brown with dirt.
"Gross," I muttered under my breath.
"Ms. Parker!" My Spanish teacher admonished. "Did you stick that in her skirt?"
"I did not..!" I started but was again interrupted by my opponent's high pitched voice. It was so annoying that I almost contemplated sticking a bunch of gums on her mouth to shut her up.
"She's lying, Mrs Hopkin!" She cried. "You can see the gum yourself, can't you?"
"Let her finish, Ms Collins," Mrs Hopkin grunted, looking tired. "And do throw that dirty thing away, will you?"
Isabella scowled at both of us and trotted off to the waste basket disposing off the mean thing that caused all the drama.
"Ms Parker?" The middle-aged woman again turned her attention to me, looking satisfied. "Would you like to tell what happened?"
"Sure," I smiled. "I did stick the gum, Mrs Hopkin but not on her skirt. On her seat. She sat on it and then it got stuck in her skirt. Now, that's not my fault, is it? You should have been careful while sitting down, Isabella,"
"Ms Parker!" Mrs Hopkin chastised. "This is not funny," Although, I could see the slight hint of smile on her lips.
"She called me a slut, yesterday," I protested. "It's entirely not my fault!"
"Ms. Collins!" The teacher exclaimed looking so horrified that I felt bad for introducing her to the word.
"What kind of language is that? Is this what you're learning here?" She continued. "How can you use such a language after being a student of our school? Do you not know we are one of the most reputed school in London?Is this what you'll be preaching to your juniors?"
"But!"Isabella protested, looking surprised at how the tables have turned.
"You're upper grade students," Ms Hopkin began, her eyes moulding into the calmness of a saint about to preach the eternal words of wisdom.
Damn, this could take forever! I glanced at my watch and huffed with imaptience. Jesus, how long was this going to go?
"Mrs Hopkins, can I please go?" I cut her off before she could start. "I am sorry for my behaviour. This won't happen again, I promise!"
"Ms Parker!" Mrs Hopkins started but I was fast enough to take the cue of the disastrous lecture coming our way, so before she could stop me, I was already out of the door.
I hurried down the staircase at a speed that would even make Ferrari blush, shoving students and even teachers out of my way.
"The match has started, Elena!" Someone said, fueling me further.
"Thanks!" I shouted, crossing over the courtyard to Wing A also know as the junior wing which further leads to the playground. Beyond the vast playground was our sports complex and that was my destination.
However, let me clarify something...I was not an athlete. Not even in my wildest dream. In fact, there was a fair chance that I was the laziest person in entire London or maybe entire UK?
My reflexes were as lazy as I was so the possibility of dribbling a ball or continously moving my arms in coordination for swimming was very low. And even though I did have long legs,they merely coordinate together. Which was why by the time I reached the basketball court, I almost fainted with lack of air in my lungs.
The court was crowded like hell. How could it not be? It was the first inter-school tournament of the term. And this time we were competing with our archrivals. But that was not the only reason for the infectious excitement among the crowd. It was the leader of our basketball team who caused the chaos. The crowd cheered his name as he scored a clean basket. The cheerleaders with their bright pom-pom's started doing cartwheels and other tricks that were beyond my imagination as they chanted his name in unison-
Adrian!
"Adrian!" I shouted, my excitement shooting up to the level of Great Wall Of China.
The 6 ft 3 inches tall guy, drenched in sweat and adrenaline turned his focused eyes to me and grinned as he dribbled the ball across the court. I didn't need a pom-pom or a megaphone to get his attention. I didn't even need to shout my throat off. All I needed was to call his name and he would hear me. That was how close he was to me ...because he was none other than my best friend, Adrian Davis.
And the love of my life but that was a secret he didn't know. And neither do he needed to. Atleast not yet.
The match finished with an easy win for our team as always. Adrian was an amazing player and had a fan-following of his own. Especially among the girls of junior grade who considered him to be their eternal crush. It was funny, the way those little girls would look at him with their doe-like eyes as he did his prefect duty during recess.
"Hey!" He jogged towards me after receiving the trophy and shaking hands with a few people I didn't know.
"Hey! Hey!" I grinned and squealed as he picked me up single-handedly and whirled me around. "Welcome captain!"
I could feel some girls of my grade shooting daggers at me but by now I was use to that anyway. After all I was the best friend of their ultimate crush and I was his top most priority...always has been for as long as I can remember.
"Did you see that?" He asked eagerly, completely oblivious. "We rocked it today!"
"You sure did," I smiled fondly. "As always. And as always it's your pizza treat today!"
"Deal," He smiled, grabbing my backpack and throwing it over his shoulders as if it weighed nothing. "Ready to go?"
"Yep," I nodded. "Let's go,"
"Oh, I need to change first," He said staring down at his sweaty vest . "Go and wait by the parking, I'll catch up with you in ten,"
"Okay." I nodded. "As you say, sir,"
"Oh, Ellie, can you grab me a energy drink from the cafeteria?"He asked.
"Sure thing," I nodded. "Alright, see you in ten,"
---------------------
"I can't believe she called you a slut!"Adrian exclaimed as he parked his Harley in the Davis's garage.
"Exactly," I muttered, my attention juggling between what Adrian was saying and the melted dark chocolate in my hand.
"You don't even have a boyfriend," He pointed, frowning.
"Exactly," I said, sucking the chocolate out of my thumb.
"And you haven't even been kissed yet," He added. "My, Isabella Collins must be nuts!"
"Exactly!" I repeated. "Wait! I did kiss John something in fifth grade!"
"That doesn't count," Adrian smiled, wiping my mouth with a tissue. "When will you learn to eat a chocolate properly?"
"Soon," I smiled at him, almost melting inwardly.
"Come on, let's go," He said, grabbing both our backpacks. "Mom must be waiting for us. Dad's home too,"
"Oh...cool!" I grinned. "God, I am famished!"
"You just ate an entire bar of chocolate," He pointed. "You'll gain weight if you keep up your carbs at this speed,"
"It's not like I am going to compete for Ms Universe, anyway," I rolled my eyes. "Wait...Are you calling me fat? Am I fat?"
"Now you're body shaming, Ellie!" He chuckled, opening the main door. "We are home!"
"Welcome sweethearts!" Aunt Amelia called from the kitchen.
"Hello!" I called, flopping down on the couch. "Hmm, something smells good!"
"I am preparing lasagnas for dinner!" Aunt Amelia smiled at me.
"Woahh...then I am staying for dinner as well!" I exclaimed, flopping down on the couch. "I'll let mom know!"
My mother was a well-known physiotherapist and an orthopedist and my father was a really high profile architect which meant both of them stayed out late most of the times. My elder sister Jessica was in Harvard pursuing her masters in law. Since no one used to be home atleast before evening, I used to spend my afternoon at Adrian's. He helped me with my home work and projects and aunt Amelia made sure I was well fed. My family and his was in reality one,just living in different houses.
"Your parents are coming for dinner tonight, dumbo," Adrian said, slapping me on the head. "Don't you remember? It's Friday? Our family weekend dinner?"
"Uh, right," I nodded sheepishly. "I almost forgot!"
It was a ritual for us. Every Friday our families used to gather for dinner whether at my place or Adrian's or sometimes outside at some restaurant. The elders used to catch up about their entire week, politics, life and what not while Adrian and I...we did what we pretty much everyday do, hang out.
"Come on guys, go change," Aunt Amelia pestered. "Lunch is ready. And then I want Ellie and Adrian to do some chores for me,"
"Sure," I smiled at her. I loved aunt Amelia too much to say no. Plus, I will do anything anyway as long as Adrian was a part of it!
"What chore?" He asked, scowling at me.
"I need some groceries for the treacle tart," She said. "I can't go, obviously so I want you two to go shopping,"
"I can't," Adrian protested. "I have to work on a project in the evening and I am dog tired, so I am going to take a nap after lunch and then start working on it!"
"Are you suggesting I go alone?" I exclaimed.
"Absolutely not!" A voice said and all three of us turned our attention to its owner.
Uncle Julian climbed down the stairs, a big smile on his handsome face just like always. He was a darling and I adored him. He was so sweet and fun and caring and was no less than my father for me.
"Heyy!" I rushed to hug him and he hugged me back, staring down fondly at me from beneath his spects.
"Hey, Munchkin!" He smiled. "I think you have grown!"
"Really?" I exclaimed. "Do you think I can reach Adrian?"
"Right," Adrian scoffed. "Besides you saw her day before yesterday, Dad. She can't grow in a day!"
"Of course," Uncle Julian smiled, ignoring Adrian's smartness. "Why not!"
"What about my groceries?" Aunt Amelia demanded. "Adrian said he can't go,"
"I can't," He agreed. "I am going to go and change,"
"I will go with her," Uncle Julian said. "What say?"
"Cool," I grinned. "Can I drive?"
"No!" Aunt Amelia, Adrian and Uncle Julian all cried in unison.
I rolled my eyes. Jesus, I was not that bad!
-------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- -------------------
"Let's see what else do we need?" I muttered, roaming around with a shopping cart with Uncle Julian following me dutifully.
"So, Ellie how are your studies going on?" He inquired, stuffing two tins of baked beans in the cart. He had some kind of obsession with baked beans.
Shit...that's the question I don't like!
"Great," I muttered, eager to dodge the topic. I just hated studies and I also hate to talk about it!
"Have you figured out what you wanna do after graduation?" He asked and I realized he was not going to let go of the topic.
"Of course, I am going to drop a year and prepare for Cambridge, so that I can join Adrian next year," I answered, grabbing two crates of eggs.
"Hmm," He nodded and I sighed with relief. Thank God!
After we got the things and uncle paid for it we headed to our favourite cafe just nearby. Both uncle Julian and I loved the chocolate eclair pastry they sold there.
"Ellie," He said once we have ordered. "Are you sure you want to go to Cambridge?"
I frowned. Where did that come from?
"Why do you ask that?" I demanded.
"Look, you're like my daughter. And I want to make sure that whatever decision you are gonna take in this matter...you really want that," He said with a warm smile. "I know how you feel about Adrian,"
"You do?" I exclaimed, going red. "Are you mad at me?"
"Why would I be mad at you?" He laughed. "I wouldn't want anything more than for you two to be together. But this is your life and your choice. I want you to do what you want to do with your life. Not what you want to because of Adrian,"
"I will be happy with anything as long he is a part of it," I answered and smiled at the waitress as she served us the pastries and coffee.
"So investment banker that's what you really want to be?" He asked, raising a brow.
"I just want to get into Cambridge," I answered, taking a bite of the delicious cake. "I will figure something out when I get there,"
"It's your entire career, Ellie," He scolded. "Don't neglect it. I know you don't want to go to Cambridge or become an investment banker,"
"But then what will I do?" I asked, making a face. "You know me! I am good at nothing,"
"I don't believe that," He said, squeezing my hand. "Check the link I sent you,"
I frowned and fished out my phone. Clicking on the link that uncle sent me opened up the website for Academy For Culinary Arts, Switzerland.
"What is this?" I demanded, feeling puzzled. What was uncle Julian upto?
"This is the application to apply for ACA . It's one of the best culinary schools in the world," He smiled, looking pleased with himself.
"It's in Switzerland!" I exclaimed. "And I like to cook but that doesn't mean I can make a career out of that,"
"You are the best cook I know," He protested. "You have the potential and nobody enjoys cooking more than you do!"
"But it's in Switzerland!" I exclaimed. "I have to leave everyone! I have to leave Adrian! We have never been apart in the eighteen years of our lives!"
I knew I sound pathetic but the idea of not seeing him everyday, not seeing my parents everyday was horrifying for me. And I was not even sure if this was the right choice for me! Hell, who am I kidding? I didn't know if even Cambridge was the right choice for me. I was about to graduate 6th form in like two months and I was still clueless what I wanted to do about my future. Can I be any more pathetic?
[6th form in UK is similar to High School in USA and higher secondary in India]
"Sometimes sweetheart, you have to do things for yourself!" He said. "Your mother left her everything behind and moved here to make an identity for herself. Adrian knows he wants to be an investment banker and he is working his head off towards it. He has even received his acceptance from Cambridge. Is the fact that you haven't been accepted yet stopping his goals? No,"
"He is positive I will get in!" I defended. "He has been tutoring me!"
"Look, this is your life," He said softly. "Just apply, okay? For me? And in the meantime that you have got until your graduation, use that time to think what you want to do. Don't waste your life trying to do things for Adrian. Whatever you do, do it for yourself, okay?"
I stared at him and wondered why was he being so insistent about applying in a culinary school? Was there something he was not telling me? I respected uncle Julian too much to say no to him. So I gave him a smile and nodded.
"Yes, I will apply," I smiled. "Your wish is my command!"
"Good girl!"
I smiled and nodded. Now what?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N : Hey guys! So this was the first chapter...eagerly waiting for your feedbacks!
- Writer
