Chapter 4 A Storm is Brewing

*Evening.*

Ella walked Emily home. On her way back, she felt footsteps behind her.

She stopped and looked around. No one.

She shrugged it off and kept walking,until a hand touched her shoulder.

She spun around, startled. It was Richard.

"Hey! You scared me!" Ella snapped.

"Sorry, my bad." Richard grinned.

"What are you doing here?" Ella asked as they strolled down the street.

"I live here," Richard replied.

"Here? On this street?" Ella asked, surprised.

"Yeah... I should've told you," Richard said.

"It's fine. Where are you coming from?" Ella asked.

"Rayson's place."

"Okay."

"What about you?" Richard asked.

"I just walked Emily home."

"Alright. Say hi to your mom for me."

"I will. Thanks again, I really appreciate what you did today."

"You're welcome."

"But just so we're clear, we're friends. I only helped you because I had to," Ella said.

"Got it. Thanks."

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Bye."

Ella walked into her house.

*Kitchen.*

Ella's POV

Mom was washing dishes when I walked in.

"Let me help you, Mom," I said, rolling up my sleeves.

"Thanks, dear. You should've been home earlier."

"I got here five minutes ago. Sorry, Mom." I pouted.

"It's alright. I just wanted to know where you were."

"I actually met the guy who helped me today. He lives up the street," I said.

"Oh? What's his name?"

"Richard. Richard Collins."

Mom paused. "Collins?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing. Go do your assignments."

"Okay, Mom."

*Ella's Room.*

I was halfway through my assignment when my phone rang. Unknown number.

I ignored it.

It rang again. And again.

I sighed and picked up. "Hello? Who is this?"

"It's Richard."

My eyes widened. "How did you get my number?"

"Your ID card."

I checked my bag. My ID card was missing and no where to be found.

"I'll get it from you tomorrow," I said.

"Alright, dearie."

"I'm not your dearie," I huffed.

Richard chuckled. "Okay, I'll call you later."

Click. Call ended.

*TEM's Group Chat.*

Tiana: Hey, girls.

Eliza & Mia: Hi.

Mia: How did it go with Richard?

Tiana: I was shocked. And pissed.

Eliza: What happened?

Tiana: I saw Ella in Richard's car.

Mia: WHAT?! How?

Tiana: That girl bumped into me, and we both fell. I was so mad, I hit her. Hard. She passed out. Before I knew it, Richard carried her into his car.

Eliza: Wow. What did you do?

Tiana: I stopped Richard before he left and confessed my feelings. He rejected me and walked away.

Mia: Ouch.

Tiana: I followed him. I told him how much I liked him, but he said I wasn't his type. Then Ella got out of the car and told me to leave him alone.

Eliza: No way.

Tiana: Richard took her side! He even said Ella was his type. I was humiliated.

Mia: We won't let her get away with this.

Tiana: Good. I asked Richard if we could be friends, and he agreed. Then they drove off.

Eliza: That's something, at least.

Mia: Yeah, you can use this friendship to get closer to him.

Tiana: I will. Also, the party's in two days. We need to look hot.

Mia: I can't wait.

Eliza: To see Rayson?

Tiana: What?

Eliza: Come on, we all know Mia has a crush on him.

Tiana: Oh, really? Have fun, girls. See you tomorrow.

Eliza & Mia: Bye!

*Richard's Room.*

Richard's POV

Meeting Ella made me feel something I hadn't in a long time,peace.

Her smile. Her voice. They made me happy.

I couldn't focus on my assignment. Her face kept flashing in my mind.

I needed to concentrate.

*Next Day*

*White High.*

"Good morning, everyone! Don't forget, the party is tomorrow!" Tiana announced.

"It's gonna be lit! Music, food, drinks. And boys." She smirked and walked over to Richard and Rayson.

"Hey, Richard. Morning!"

"Morning."

"How was your night?"

"Good. Yours?"

"Great! So... I'm personally inviting you to my party. As a friend. Please?" She pouted.

"I'll try."

"What about you, Rayson?"

"If Richard is going, I'll go."

Tiana beamed. "Great! Richard, don't forget!" She pecked his cheek.

Richard stepped back. "Please don't do that again."

"Okay, sorry."

As she walked off, Rayson smirked. "So... you and Tiana?"

"She wants to be friends, that's all."

"Be careful," Rayson warned.

"What do you mean?"

"She's obsessed with you."

Richard frowned. "How do you know?"

"I have eyes and ears everywhere. She literally confessed to you, didn't she?"

"Yeah, but I turned her down. She's not my type."

"Good. Now, let's talk about yesterday. How did it go after you left my place?"

"I ran into Ella. We talked a bit, then she went home. I enjoy being around her."

Rayson grinned. "You like her, don't you?"

Richard scoffed. "I like her, not like that."

They both laughed.

"I like her friend, though," Rayson admitted.

Richard raised a brow. "Really?"

"Yeah. I have a thing for Emily."

"Then tell her," Richard said.

"Maybe I will."

*Lunch Break.*

Ella and Emily sat at their usual spot.

Richard and Rayson joined them.

"Hey, guys," Emily greeted.

"Hey," they replied.

"Thanks for joining us," Ella said.

"Try this." She handed them homemade cupcakes.

Richard and Rayson took a bite.

"Wow," Rayson said.

"Delicious," Richard added, grabbing another.

Ella and Emily chuckled as the boys devoured the cupcakes.

"Who made these?" Richard asked.

"My mom and I."

"We're coming over after school," Rayson declared.

Ella laughed. "Sure."

She bought them cold orange juice.

"Thanks," the boys said.

"Cheers," Emily said.

"To friendship," Ella added.

They clinked their cups together and drank.

*********

"Girls, it's time. They're over there," Tiana whispered.

"Let's move," Mia said.

They strutted toward Ella's table.

Tiana smirked. "Hey, Ella."

Before Ella could react, Tiana poured Chapman all over her uniform.

Gasps filled the canteen.

"What the hell, Tiana?!" Ella snapped and slapped her across the face.

Tiana's face turned red. "Have you forgotten yesterday?"

Ella crossed her arms. "So?"

"You're asking for it. Girls, get her!"

Mia and Eliza stepped forward.

"Don't touch me," Ella warned.

"And if I do,who will dare stop me?" Tiana sneered.

A deep voice cut through the tension.

"I will."

Everyone turned.

Richard stood up.

The canteen fell silent.