ELLA'S POVWe were sitting in the cafeteria during lunch period when Susan abruptly dropped her fork, letting it clatter loudly against her tray. She stared down at her food, methodically jabbing a wilted lettuce leaf with a plastic fork."Susan?" I reached over and touched her arm gently. "Are you okay?"Before she could respond, a voice suddenly rang out across the cafeteria."Can I have everyone's attention please!" Susan and I both whipped our heads around. Liam was standing on a chair, hand-in-hand with Dolly beside him. They shared a meaningful look before Liam cleared his throat again."We have an announcement to make."I felt Susan stiffen beside me as all eyes turned toward the two boys. I gave Liam an encouraging nod and a small smile.Taking a deep breath, Liam leaned forward and pulled Dolly into a fervent kiss. A collective gasp rose from the students followed by stunned silence. After a heated moment, they finally broke apart, both slightly flushed. Liam lifted his chin
Ella's POVI watched in numb horror as the paramedics wheeled Trent's lifeless body out on a stretcher. Other students crowded around, straining to catch a glimpse."Everyone stay back!" I shouted, raising my arms to create a barrier. "And don't touch anything they may have been in contact with!"Muttered gasps and whispers rippled through the onlookers. I hurried forward, waving my arms to disperse the gawking onlookers. "Ella!" Lucinda suddenly materialized at my side, eyes wide with panic. "Oh my god, is Trent going to die? Tell me he's not going to die!"I gripped her trembling hands, struggling to keep my own voice steady. "I don't know, Lucy. But we need to stay calm and let the paramedics do their job, okay?"As the last stretcher bearing Jessica's unconscious form was loaded into the back of the ambulance, I noticed one of the EMTs beckoning to me and Mrs. Zaytseva. We hurried over, our footsteps ringing with finality."You two will need to come with us to the hospital," the
ELLA'S POVThe room felt suffocating, the beeping of the machines like a ticking clock counting down the precious seconds. Trent still hadn't opened his eyes since being admitted yesterday. The fruits and get-well cards I'd brought lay untouched on the nightstand, a painful reminder of how powerless I was to help him. A tendril of fear coiled in my chest as Jackson's haunting fate replayed in my mind. I couldn't bear the thought of losing Trent too, not when our relationship had finally started mending after years. Readjusting the blanket covering him, I brushed a stray lock of hair from his clammy forehead. He had to pull through this.Hushed voices suddenly echoed from the hallway outside. "Which room is that bastard son of mine in?"The gruff, authoritative tone was unmistakable - Trent's father. Fear gripped me anew as I realized he was coming here. He mustn't spot me, never.I scanned the room before ducking behind the folding screen in the corner, holding my breath. A moment
TRENT'S POVI slowly blinked my eyes open, disoriented as the world around me came into fuzzy focus. An array of machinery surrounded me - IV stands, cardiac monitors beeping steadily, plastic tubing snaking across the bed. Wires and electrodes were adhered to my bare chest, trailing off to various devices.As my senses slowly rebooted, memories trickled back in flashes. The feverish chills racking my body...Ella's alarmed face swimming into view as I collapsed...the rash on my skin. With a start, I realized where I must be - the hospital, recovering from what I don't know.I shifted, relieved to find the strange rashes had faded from my exposed arms and torso. A pink envelope propped up on the bedside table caught my eye. Stretching over, I snagged it and flipped it open.The looping handwriting scrawled across the card made my chest pump: "Get well soon, Trent. I'm here for you, always. Love..."My cheeks flushed hot as I hastily turned the envelope over, half-expecting Ella's na
ELLA'S POVMy heart pinned when Trent took the stage, his jaw set in a way that screamed he was going to spill things he wasn't supposed to. As much as I knew this wasn't my business, I couldn't just watch him get humiliated - or worse, incur his father's wrath. I had to stop him before it was too late.My eyes scanned the auditorium, searching desperately for anything that could halt whatever havoc he was about to unleash. That's when they landed on the fire alarm - a sleek red box mounted on the wall with a simple lever handle. It was my only option.i slowly rose from my seat and began sidling along the row towards the aisle. i had to time this absolutely perfectly. Trent leaned into the microphone, his deep voice ringing out."i'm not here to eulogize jackson today..."I picked up the pace, practically power-walking now as I neared the fire alarm box. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Trent leaning in grimly towards the microphone."What I have to say goes beyond that..."
ELLA'S POV"Move it, people! We don't have all day!" Amelia barked at the students volunteers carrying boxes from the storage room. We still had over one hour until the Serpent Soirée kickoff, but of course she was rushing everyone like we were already behind schedule. Typical Amelia."And don't forget the good luck flowers and refreshments stands!" she yelled, spinning on her heel to face me with hands planted on her hips. "See why I said we don't need this rabble slowing us down? The volunteers you insisted on were more hindrance than help.""Maybe if you weren't treating them like slaves, they'd be more motivated to hustle."Amelia opened her mouth, nostrils flaring, but the last straggler finally emerged lugging the final crate. "Never mind, let's just get this show on the road," I said, turning away before she could retort.I led the way outside to where the festivities were already in full swing on the grounds. A high energy beat was thumping from the DJ's speakers as the basket
ELLA'S POVMy heart felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest as Mr. Donovan's piercing gaze swept over the crowd.Just then, Trent's voice rang out, "You're mistaken, Father. The person who truly inspired me wasn't a romantic love at all."Every eye turned towards the stage as Trent ascended the steps, jaw set. We utterly silent as he came face-to-face with his Dad.Trent planted his feet, shoulders squared. "My greatest inspiration has been you, Dad."Mr. Donovan's brows hiked upwards as he studied Trent. A cruel smile then twisted his lips. "Oh, is that so? Well isn't that good to hear."He started clapping slowly, prompting the rest of the crowd to join in with confused but relieved applause. Striding forward, he clapped Trent firmly on the backtings."I'm proud of you, my boy."He pulled Trent into a stiff embrace, I watched Trent's hands clench into white-knuckled fists at his sides. The muscle in his jaw ticked rapidly.When they finally pulled apart, Trent's gaze i
ELLA'S POVThe sudden feeling of arms wrapping around me made me jump. Mom had snuck up behind me as I was packing my bag for school, her hands brushing against my chest in a squeeze.I stiffened, memories of yesterday flashing through my mind - Trent's darkened gaze as he drank in my half-naked form , the way my bra had felt entirely too flimsy under his piercing stare before I'd grabbed my clothes and fled the closet in humiliation.Quickly shoving those thoughts aside, I turned to find Mom beaming at me, eyes bright with a joy I hadn't seen in months. "Mom? What's got you so worked up this morning?" I asked, one hand straying to protectively cup my tender chest.She grabbed her phone and thrust it into my hands, a bright grin stretching her face. On the screen was a message from a number labeled 'Debt Collector':"See that?" Mom crowed as she jabbed a finger at the words. "That debt collector can kindly go kick rocks!"You have successfully paid off the remaining balance. Thank yo