The Ugly Stepsister

by Avril Sabine

“There isn’t much time left-” Lauren broke off as the door opened and two girls walked in.

  “We’ll sort it out,” Ellie said.

  “I hope so.”

  The bell went and they stepped outside. Ellie froze when she heard her name over the PA system.

  “Would Elizabeth Malloy please report to the office?”

  “I haven’t done anything. Why would they want me?”

  Lauren shrugged. “You don’t think it’s something to do with your mum, do you?”

  Ellie shook her head. “I doubt it. Tom said she looked heaps better when he visited her yesterday. Guess I better get it over and done with.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “Thanks, Lauren.” They were nearly there when Ellie stopped suddenly. “Oh no. What if it’s Heather? Mum said she hasn’t been at the hospital for two days. Not that I’m counting on that to continue. But what if she’s decided to track me down here?”

  “I’ll go and see for you.”

  “You don’t know what she looks like.”

  Lauren pulled out her phone. “I’ll take a photo of every stranger hanging out in the office. Unless she’s not at the front desk. I’m definitely not going inside.”

  “I wouldn’t ask you to. Just take photos of anyone you can see through the windows.”

  “Back in a sec.”

  Ellie moved off the path and stood close to the trunk of a tree. The grounds were rapidly emptying as students headed to their next class. She didn’t want to be questioned about why she was hanging around doing nothing. When she saw Lauren running towards her, she stepped away from the tree.

  “Only two strangers.” Lauren handed her phone over.

  Ellie swore. “This one. This is Heather.” She turned the phone so Lauren could see the woman in the second photo she’d taken. Panic raced through her, making her feel five-years-old again. And helpless. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

  “You’ll be sprung for ditching school.”

  “I’ll figure something out.”

  “Like what?”

  She wasn’t five and she wasn’t helpless. Panic receded and she hatched a plan. “Any teacher asks, my period came unexpectedly and someone noticed the blood on my skirt and was paying out on me. Tell them I took off home, embarrassed.”

  “I hope you don’t expect me to tell male teachers.”

  Ellie nodded. “You’ll live.”

  “Not if I die of embarrassment.”

  “I’ve got to run.”

  “Be careful.”

  “I will. And this will be all over Monday. Mum comes home then.” At least she hoped it’d be over then. Surely Heather wouldn’t have any reason to keep hassling her once her mum came home.

  Lauren rolled her eyes. “Until the next disaster.”

  “But something good always comes out of them.” Ellie waved as she ran to collect her schoolbag and head home. She sent a text to Tom the moment she was safe at home. He didn’t take long to reply.

  Want me to drop around when school’s over?

  No. All good. Staying home tomorrow.

  I’ll catch you online later.

  Ellie smiled and put her phone on the bedside drawers. She guessed she might as well kill some time catching up on her assignments.

  * * *

  Hurry up January says: You are in so much trouble at school.

  Ellie says: What happened?

  Hurry up January says: They dragged me out of class since they somehow know we hang out together. Makes you wonder if there are spies at our school reporting on everything we do and say.

  Ellie says: Might be bugs.

  Hurry up January says: And spy cam.

  Ellie says: lol. Get back on track. What happened?

  Hurry up January says: Heather was there and she had a million questions for me. Seriously, I was wondering if she was planing on torture next.

  Ellie says: She’s obsessed. I really hate that woman.

  Hurry up January says: Me too.

  Hurry up January says: You still there?

  Ellie says: Thinking.

  Hurry up January says: About?

  Ellie says: Options.

  Hurry up January says: And?

  Hurry up January says: Stop killing me. Tell me everything. How long do you need to figure out a plan?

  Ellie says: Give me a minute.

  Hurry up January says: I’m still waiting. It’s been over a minute.

  Ellie says: I’m not coming to school tomorrow.

  Hurry up January says: That doesn’t sound like much of a plan.

  Ellie says: I’ll go see my doctor and get a certificate. Tell him I’ve got really bad cramps.

  Hurry up January says: Let’s hope he doesn’t expect you to prove you’ve got them.

  Ellie says: Nah, he thinks I’m the sweetest kid out.

  Hurry up January says: I swear you could trick a lie detector.

  Ellie says: Who me? *looks angelic and innocent*

  Hurry up January says: *while kicking her forked tail behind her with her cloven hooves*

  Ellie says: lol.

  Hurry up January says: How will that help you get out of trouble at school?

  Ellie says: Because I’ll see the vice principal. He’s not good at dealing with tears.

  Hurry up January says: Harsh.

  Ellie says: Yep and I’ll tell him how stressful it’s been with Mum in hospital and how it all got too much for me and then I was in dreadful pain from cramps and wasn’t thinking clearly… he’ll be telling me to take a week off before I’m finished with him. :D

  Hurry up January says: Should I get a sympathy card ready to send to him for when you’re finished with him?

  Ellie says: :D

  Hurry up January says: Well, if anyone can pull it off, it’d be you.

  Ellie says: Yep.

  Ellie says: Hey, I’ve g2g. Tom’s trying to chat to me.

  Hurry up January says: That’s ok. Sam’s chatting to me :D

  Ellie says: Oh, before I forget, don’t you want a kitten anymore?

  Hurry up January says: Yeah, but it isn’t my number one priority :D

  Ellie says: lol. I don’t think January is going to come any quicker even if you do your ‘think positive’ trick. It hasn’t worked for a kitten.

  Hurry up January says: I know, but I’ve gotta try something.

  Ellie says: Luck.

  Hurry up January says: Thanks.

  Ellie says: Buh-bye.

  Hurry up January says: Bibi.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Ellie read over what Tom had written. Grinning, she started typing again.

  TW says: Hey.

  TW says: I know you’re about. Even though you’re set as offline.

  TW says: Hurry up and finish talking to Lauren.

  TW says: Would it kill you to acknowledge that I’m chatting to you.

  Ellie says: brb.

  TW says: Most people can cope with two conversations at once.

  TW says: It’s called multitasking.

  TW says: Hurry up!

  Ellie says: So impatient. :D

  TW says: Impatient! You’ve got to learn how to deal with more than one conversation at a time.

  Ellie says: Nope. You’ll just have to learn patience. :D

  TW says: So why did you take off early?

  Ellie says: Heather turned up at school looking for me.

  TW says: Why couldn’t you have said that instead of ‘gone home sick’.

  Ellie says: Because that was my official excuse.

  TW says: Give me the real reason in future. And the official one too of course.

  Ellie says: Want to go to the beach on Saturday?

  TW says: Well that was certainly a major topic change.

  Ellie says: Well?

  TW says: Why?

  Ellie says: Don’t you like going to the beach?

  TW says: I don’t know anyone who hates it.

  Ellie says: Do you have anything else pla
nned for Saturday?

  TW says: Sleeping in?

  Ellie says: We can go to bed early Friday night.

  TW says: There’s a party I want to go to.

  Ellie says: So we leave around midnight.

  TW says: What’s happening at the beach?

  Ellie says: People from my grade are meeting up. I want to go, but I want to spend the day with you too.

  TW says: Sure it isn’t because I make a good chauffeur?

  Ellie says: Nah, I can catch a lift with one of the others going.

  TW says: No other ulterior motives?

  Ellie says: You look good in boardies :D

  TW says: lol. Sure, why not.

  Ellie says: Can Sam and Lauren come too?

  TW says: If they want.

  Ellie says: Can Sam provide lunch?

  TW says: Ahh, that’s why you’re inviting us, isn’t it?

  Ellie says: Well, it was a consideration. It wasn’t like I could just ask Sam to pack up a lunch for me and not take either of you along.

  TW says: Really? Does that mean you considered it?

  Ellie says: Hmmm.

  Ellie says: Interesting question.

  Ellie says: Don’t know if I should answer it…

  TW says: Just remember you want me to pick you up tomorrow afternoon when school is out so you can spend the weekend at my place.

  Ellie says: I could catch a bus.

  TW says: But would I let you in?

  Ellie says: Yep :D

  TW says: Okay, you win. Of course I would.

  Ellie says: We’ll call it a tie. I didn’t want to go to the beach unless you were coming too.

  TW says: Was that so hard to tell me?

  Ellie says: Excruciating.

  TW says: I just asked Sam and he said yes to both questions.

  Ellie says: Both?

  TW says: He’s coming and he’ll make lunch. Any preferences?

  Ellie says: Well…

  TW says: Not pancakes.

  Ellie says: :(

  TW says: You’ll live. It’s not beach food anyway.

  Ellie says: Fine. Tell him to surprise me. Is he asking Lauren? Since I’m no good at multitasking :P

  TW says: Yeah. She’s coming.

  Ellie says: Great.

  TW says: I’ve g2g. Just wanted to see how you were before I head to the pool.

  Ellie says: Sorry. Will give you both excuses next time.

  TW says: Please.

  Ellie says: You be online later?

  TW says: Eight?

  Ellie says: I’ll catch you then.

  TW says: K. Later.

  Ellie says: Buh-bye.

  * * *

  Ellie and Tom were parked in front of Lauren’s house. They waited for Sam to bring her out. Ellie didn’t want to test Lauren’s parents’ change of mind over letting Lauren socialise with her only when they were in a group. She grinned when she saw Lauren burst out her front door, half dragging Sam with her. He was looking over his shoulder, nodding to Lauren’s mother who’d followed them out. Lauren waved to her mother before she reached the car, pulling the door open.

  “I thought we’d never get out of there. Just ignore her Sam. She’ll keep talking otherwise.” Lauren tugged on Sam’s hand, dragging him into the car.

  Ellie laughed. “But you know how she adores Sam.”

  Sam blushed as he got in the car, closing the door. “It’s not so much me as my father. She can’t stop asking me questions about him.”

  “I bet she’s already planning the wedding between the two of you.” Ellie grinned when Sam went even redder.

  “Behave.” Tom dropped his hand on Ellie’s thigh.

  “Oh, I am. I’m on my best behaviour today. I even gave Lisbeth the day off.”

  “But what about Lizzie?” Tom asked.

  “You can’t have everything.” She linked her fingers through Tom’s and glanced in the back. “Awfully quiet in there. No getting x-rated. My innocent eyes couldn’t cope.”

  “Innocent! Yeah right,” Lauren said. “Keep your eyes forward and you won’t have a problem.”

  Ellie laughed. “Just give me a minute to get my phone out and start recording. I could make a fortune online.”

  Tom’s hand tightened on hers. “You’re in a good mood today.”

  “Yep. I like going to the beach.”

  “Hmm.”

  Ellie glanced at Tom. “What?”

  “Why do I think you’ve got something else planned?”

  Ellie shrugged. “Because you’re permanently suspicious?”

  “No, because you look like you’re up to something. Trouble.”

  “The way you’re talking you’d think I was always planning something.” Lauren laughed and Ellie turned so she could grin at her friend. “And no comments from you.” She turned back to Tom. “I don’t always go out of my way to plan trouble. It tends to find me. I’m like a magnet for it.”

  “Sure.”

  “The whole world is a critic.” She shook her head sadly. “I don’t know how I put up with all of you.”

  “Because we feed you?” Tom suggested.

  “Well… that’s a good point.” Ellie grinned at Tom when he glanced at her. “Aren’t you looking forward to a day at the beach?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well there you go. So am I.” And making sure Michelle and her friends set their sights on someone else to pick on. But that was between her and Lauren. Tom didn’t need to know every single thought she had. Well, maybe she’d tell him. She’d think about it.

  * * *

  Ellie looked around the beach at the crowd. It seemed like half her grade was there. Although that was probably an exaggeration. She spotted Michelle and waved to her with a friendly smile.

  Lauren came to stand beside her. “Are we doing the right thing?”

  Ellie watched Tom and Sam who were setting up a beach umbrella and blankets. “Yes. By the time today ends, every female in our grade is going to be interested in Sam.”

  “Not too interested,” Lauren protested.

  “Don’t you trust him?”

  “Why would he want me if someone like Michelle was throwing themselves at him? She’s bikini-model-gorgeous.”

  Ellie dropped her arm around Lauren’s shoulders. “Don’t sweat it. He’s not going to look at anyone other than you. He adores you. You’re his first girlfriend. He worships the ground you walk on.”

  “I think Michelle wants to talk to you.”

  “Yeah. Give me a couple of minutes. And get our boys half naked for me.” Ellie grinned. “Tell Tom I’ll meet him in the surf.”

  “I’ve been wondering if I’ve done the right thing ever since Sam invited me.” Lauren glanced towards Michelle again. “Her tongue is sharper than every knife in Gregory’s kitchen.”

  “Leave her to me. You just work on having a good day and seeing that Sam enjoys himself. And make sure he gets his shirt off when I’m over with Michelle. Even if you have to strip it off him.”

  Lauren giggled. “Like that’s going to be a real hardship.”

  “I know. It’s a tough job, but I’m relying on you.” With a wink to her friend, Ellie pulled her dress over her head and handed it to Lauren. She’d worn her bikini under her dress to make it easier to hit the water as soon as possible. A quick wave to Tom, who was still helping Sam set up their spot, and she strode towards Michelle.

  “I couldn’t believe it when you turned up with Tom. There’s been so much talk about you pair and everyone is wondering what’s going on.” Michelle stared past Ellie’s shoulder at Tom.

  “Isn’t he just die-in-his-arms gorgeous?” Ellie couldn’t resist another glance at him.

  “How on earth did you manage to get your claws into him? I swear every single girl in our grade, oh what am I talking about, every single girl at our school is absolutely green.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that. I’m sure not every girl. But yeah, I’m not surprised. He was certainly a hard one t
o catch.”

  “How did you do it? And how on earth do you manage to put up with his brother? Sam is such a loser.”

  Ellie leant in close to Michelle and dropped her voice. “Just between you and me.”

  “Yes?”

  “Him and his brother are extremely close. Best friends. I made friends with Sam first.”

  Michelle drew back in surprise. “Get outta here! Really?”

  Ellie nodded. “Absolutely true.”

  “Wow. You’d never think it when you see them together at school.”

  “Only because they’ve got different interests. But they spend heaps of time with each other and they get along better than any siblings I’ve ever known.”

  “Wow.” Michelle looked over towards Tom and Sam again.

  Ellie grinned when Lauren removed Sam’s shirt and Michelle grabbed her arm with a sudden indrawn breath. She managed to stay silent for a few minutes longer, but when Lauren started to rub sunscreen on Sam, Michelle’s grip tightened on her arm. “Are you alright? You’ve gone awfully quiet.” She managed to make her expression suitably serious.

  Michelle met her gaze. “Baby Face has a body.”

  “Of course he does. You need something to attach a head to.”

  Michelle rolled her eyes. “Abs, muscles, my god, who’d think that was hidden under his shirt. Where’d he get it?”

  “I told you, him and Tom are best friends. He trains with his brother on the weekend to keep him company.”

  “Pity he looks like he’s barely thirteen and can’t string more than two words together.”

  Ellie shrugged. “And a guy who prefers to listen is a problem because?”

  Michelle grinned. “Of course it’s not a problem. But is that really how you hooked up with Tom?”

  Ellie nodded. “Yep.”

  “How long have you been with Tom?”

  Ellie shrugged. “A couple of weeks or there about. Why?”

  “Oh, you poor thing. Isn’t five weeks his longest relationship?”

  “Who wants to worry about something like that?” Ellie waved the concern away. “I’m planning to enjoy every second I do have with him.”

  Michelle watched Tom as he ditched his shirt and put sunscreen on his chest. “How can you stand to let him out of your reach? You never know who might snatch him away from you.”

  Ellie shrugged. “If I’ve got to keep that close a watch on him then I’m not interested.”