Chloe threw her purse down and walked toward her bed, not yet aware of her new surroundings, “Well I did get to dance with him.”
“And?”
She spun around to face her friend, “And nothing. I don’t think he will ever see me that way.” Tears began to well up in Chloe’s deep brown eyes and Nella rushed to comfort her.
“Chloe, I’m so sorry—how about we go get some ice cream and eat your troubles away?” Nella looked at her friend with compassion, something Chloe was not used to seeing and she nodded eagerly.
*~*
Later that night, as Nella lay curled amongst mounds of goose feather blankets, Chloe conceived a plan, one she was sure her father would accept, he had to. Chloe had never had a friend, a real friend, and she was determined not going to lose Nella when she was forced to attend the awful private school next year. Unlike all the other society girls who would be attending the new and exciting schools, Chloe’s father had once again decided to isolate her from temptation. He was sending her to Pinewood, an old and very strict school. As Chloe fell asleep, her mind filled with joy and anticipation for the coming day.
*~*
“Nella thank you.” Chloe stared wide-eyed at her friend as she surveyed the room in the sunlight, her first true glance at the masterpiece.
“It was nothing. I’m glad you like it.” Nella gathered up her bags as she exited the room toward the awaiting limo to drive her home, “I’ll see you Monday.”
Chloe waved and stood at the doorway as she watched the chauffer escort her home and then walked eagerly toward her father’s den, pausing to knock.
“Come in.”
Chloe entered slowly, carefully observing her father as he hunched over the mounds of papers scattered amongst his desk. After a moment of hesitation she closed the door and walked toward an empty chair and waited for him to look up. Once he did, she began, “There is this girl, my friend Nella—“
“Chloe honey, I am very busy can you please get to the point?” His eyes peered at her through his thick glasses, his hand resting on his forehead.
“Yes—sorry—well see, she talks to me and, well I really like her a lot, and—I was hoping you could find a way to help her come to school with me next year.” She waved her hand up as her father began to protest, “She is very smart, has a real talent for design and her family is large and her parent’s aren’t very wealthy—“
Her father grinned slightly, contemplating his daughter’s request, “Yes, I can get her accepted to a scholarship program there.” He put his head down to look over his notes signaling the conversation was over and Chloe silently walked out, a smile plastered upon her face.
*~*
“I do NOT need charity Chloe, how could you?” Chloe was at Nella’s home, helping her mother make tacos.
“I’m sorry, I just—I wanted—“
Nella’s face showed her apparent rage as she paced back and forth, “You what? Tell me!”
“I wanted a friend with me and I know how talented you are, I’m sorry.” Chloe spoke softly as she moved toward the telephone to call for a ride.
Nella’s mother, who had watched the scene unfold pulled her daughter aside, “This is a good opportunity to get an excellent education, one we cannot give you here.”
“But mom—“
“No child, listen to me, I have 6 children and when an opportunity comes our way such as this I cannot let you pass it up.” She placed her hand up to silence her daughter’s protests, “It was not charity, and you yourself told me how lonely she is in that big house. She wants a friend. I will miss you terribly but our family can survive without you.”
Nella listened to her mother’s words knowing she was right. She saw the way the children at school taunted Chloe, the way her father was overprotective, the way Chloe struggled for a normal childhood. She nodded silently as acceptance to her mother’s wishes. She was going to spend the next four years at Pinewood, complements of Charles Hanback.