The Shadow Crown (CHAPTER 3)

Life continued on in the same sickeningly way. Gann ignored me. I sucked it up. Nothing changed. Every day, I smiled at him in English. He nodded civilly at me and continued on getting closer to Ashley and her friends. All of the girls swooned over their new Scottish boy. Finally, he walked into class Friday and I glared at him with no remorse. His surprised look completely threw me off. He could act like a jerk to me, but I couldn’t hate him? It didn’t make sense at all!

“What is your problem?” I confronted him, standing up from my desk.

“My problem? I have no problem, Ella. Thank you for asking,” He said smoothly and slipped past me to his desk. My anger boiled underneath my skin and my breathing became irregular. The anger was blinding, I felt an odd kind of betrayed.

“Miss Belcort?” Mr. Calna asked unsurely, “You look a bit green. Would you like to go to the nurse’s office?”

I looked up, stunned that he was calling me out. I couldn’t look that bad, could I? I struggled with wanting to go to the nurse’s, but I knew that I shouldn’t. Ally’s concert was the following day and I didn’t want to ruin it, if I was sick. Although, I couldn’t deny that my stomach was doing flips and that I felt light-headed.

“Yes, please,” I sighed, finally.

“Please, Ella. Go now,” He gestured towards the door. I nodded and left my seat, grabbing my bags and heading out the door quickly, not giving a second glance towards Gann. I hurried towards the nurse’s office, where the nurse called my parents. My mom showed up and took me from the nurse. On the way home, my mother turned towards me.

“What happened, Ella?”

“I don’t know, Mama. I just don’t feel well,” I answered truthfully.

“It’s not even ten o’clock yet, hon.”

“I know, mum. I don’t know what happened. I was mad, and then sick. It happened all at once,” I sighed.

“Why were you mad, sweetheart?” She asked, concerned.

“The whole Gann thing is bothering me. Why is he ignoring me?”

“Really, darling, you have to accept this. Not everyone is going to like you. You are a very likeable person, so this must be the first time. Don’t worry, my Ella, everything will turn out alright,” She soothed, putting one calming arm on my shoulder.

“But, why? What happened that he doesn’t like me anymore? I didn’t even do anything!”

She chuckled softly, “I know, honey. You just need to stick with your siblings and your friends and everything will turn out just fine. I promise.”

We arrived home and Mom brought me to the couch, putting a blanket over me. I still felt slightly dizzy so mom gave me an advil and kissed me on the forehead.

“I have to go back to work. Call me if you need me. Feel better sweetheart.”

“Bye, Mama,” I sighed, and drifted off to sleep

I awoke suddenly, remembering my dream. I was standing on a hill, watching a war beneath me. I wore a light blue dress and my long hair was curled. I looked across the moor, my eyes focusing on a young woman that looked two or three years older than me. She wore a dark purple dressed, with red down the front. My eyes met her grey eyed gaze. Just as she met my stare, I turned and started running towards a shadow in the shape of a man. The shadow’s arms opened and I fell into them. I looked up in the green eyes of Gann.

I sighed and sunk back into the couch. My dreams had always been crazy, but this one had felt so real. The grey eyes of the regal looking woman haunted me. She had seemed so angry at me. I shook it off and picked up my book that was resting next to me. I read for about an hour, and then made myself a sandwich. It was nearly two-thirty when my older brother got home.

He ran into where I was laying.

“What happened, El? We were so worried!” He panted, exhausted because he seemingly ran home.

“I don’t know. I just don’t feel so well, Rett. But please, don’t make a huge deal out of it all. The last thing I want to do is ruin Ally’s recital tomorrow,” I pleaded. I really did not want to miss this huge milestone in my little sister’s life.

“I won’t, Ella. But please, don’t push yourself too hard,” He smiled slightly, patting my hair.

“I know, Rett,” I chuckled at him.

“So what’s up with Gann? People were spreading rumors about you talking smack to him,” He laughed, thinking it all a funny lie.

“I only called him out on his ignoring me and moving up the popular list. That’s all,” I defended myself.

“You did!” he shouted, “I can’t believe you. I told you not to. I said to leave it alone!”

“I’m not always going to listen to you, Rett. You have to let me defend myself sometimes!” I rolled my eyes. Having an older brother as your protector is not always ideal, especially when he thinks he knows what’s best for me.

“What do you mean?” He huffed, looking hurt, “I might defend you, but I do it all out of love.”

“I know, Everett. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that, you know that,” I sighed, feeling bad.

“Yeah, yeah I do,” He walked away to go put his backpack on the hook. Ally came sailing through the door, skipping happily.

“I have to practice,” She smiled and ran right past me. I was glad of it.

She paused, “Ella? Is everything alright?”

“Oh yes, dear. I’m just fine! I want to hear you practicing, kiddo,” I smiled and motioned for her to go rememorize her sheets upstairs.

She nodded and gave me a thumbs up. I really was proud of how mature my little sister had gotten.

We stayed home that night to let little Ally prepare for her big recital. I lay in my bed, waiting to fall asleep when I saw another shadow. I got up and ran to the window. On the curb outside, a man stood looking up at my window. My neighbor must’ve seen the man standing outside and turned on the outside lamp. My heart started racing, waiting to see who this man really was. My eyes met the light green stare of Gann. Panic lit his gaze and he turned, running down the street. A shiver chilled my spine, but I tried to ignore it. I told myself that he must have been taking a late night walk. People did that, didn’t they?

I shut my curtains and opened my door, peering into the hallway. I tip-toed to Pia’s room and peeked in. She stood at her window, her bunny stuffed animal clutched to her chest.

“Pia?” I whispered, shutting her door quietly and creeping over.

“Why does he follow us, Ellie?” My sister asked, looking at me with her sweet blue eyes.

“I don’t know, Pea,” I sighed, trying to figure that out for myself. I scooped her off of her feet and opened her door. She clung to my neck and snuggled into my hair. We crept into the hall and back towards my room. I set her down on my bed and snuck in next to my Pea. I hugged her and covered us with my big blanket. I didn’t want Pia to be alone tonight, knowing that she was the only other family member that saw Gann lurking. In my heart, I knew that I also did not want to be alone. Maybe even more than Pia.

The next day was all about Ally. My mom woke me up and a soft smile lit up her face when she saw Pia snuggled into my side. She kissed our heads and went to wake up my other siblings. I got up, trying not to jostle Pia too much. I dressed in my black floral dress and my off white flip flop heels. I pulled my hair into a half up half down look and walked back to my room. I gently shook Pea and told her it was time to get up. She quietly protested and I laughed. I trotted downstairs and into the kitchen. It was nearly ten, I realized very surprised. Mom must’ve let us sleep in, I realized with a smile. Ally’s recital started at three and there was a ton of preparation before we could even think about leaving the house.

“Ella!” Ally shouted loudly from her room. I ran up the stairs quickly, thinking that something was wrong. I got into her room and looked around wildly.

“I need help picking out a dress,” She smiled simply.

“Ally! You scared me half to death, kiddo,” I sighed, relieved that nothing was wrong.

“Sorry! But really, this is a crisis. Mrs. Green told me that I have to wear something peach colored. She says that it will go with the song that I came up with this year,” She panicked, throwing all of her clothes on the rug.

“Mrs. Green told you that peach colored would go with your song?” I laughed.

She blushed, “She is very particular about our concert attire. This is a once in a lifetime chance and I don’t want to screw it up!”

“Okay, Ally. Calm down,” I soothed, putting my hand on her arm lovingly, “Why don’t we look for something in my room?”

“Oh, thank you!” She shouted and threw her arms around me happily. I hugged her back. I grabbed her hand and we ran into my room. I pulled my closet door open and searched eagerly, finding a peach colored dress from when I was a little younger than Allerton.

“Will this work?” I asked, pulling it all of the way out of the closet.

“Oh,” She gasped, her eyes widening, “It’s perfect, Ella. It will go perfectly with my song! Thank you so so much, big sister.”

“Don’t worry about it, Al,” I smiled. She went to the bathroom to change and I walked leisurely back downstairs, a smile across my face.

It was nearly one-thirty when Ally was finally calmed down and ready to leave the house. Mrs. Green wanted my sister to arrive at two to practice her songs with her teacher before the recital. She was always very protective and loving to my sister, a perfect mentor for her. We piled into the car happily, and started driving to the auditorium. Pia was dressed in a light blue party dress, with a black ribbon tied back in her curls. She really was a pretty little thing. Everett tugged on his too tight tuxedo the whole way there. Although, all of Ally’s piano friends would still think that he looked like a stud.

We pulled up to the front door and my parents dropped us off. They had to find a parking space in the back, and didn’t want to make us walk so far. I grabbed Pia’s chubby little hand and started walking towards the door, Everett next to me. I realized that Ally was behind us, not even following. I told Everett to head in with Pia and turned back to my oldest sister.

“Ally?” I said, walking towards her.

“I’m scared, Ella,” She whispered and I took her hand into my own.

“No need to be scared, Ally. You are so talented and the crowd will love you, cutie,” I smiled and squeezed her hand.

“Thanks, El. I’m glad you are here,” She smiled slightly and squeezed my hand back.

“Come on, Ally. Let’s head in. We can’t keep Mrs. Green waiting for too long, or she’ll get nervous that her biggest star won’t make it to the concert,” I chuckled, trying to make her feel better about everything.

She laughed and we walked into the school, hand in hand. Everett and Pea were waiting for us inside. Pea came over and leaped into my arms, nervously.

“What’s wrong, Pea?” I laughed, having to comfort my second sister.

“The shadow is coming,” She whispered and clung to me nervously.

Everett looked at me oddly, not hearing Pia’s answer and I chuckled, “She’s nervous to meet Mrs. Green after hearing so much about her.”

“Aw, pea. No need to be so nervous! Ms. Green’s super nice, she will love you Pia!” Ally smiled, patting the little girl on her back.

“Okay,” Pia said. She wasn’t used to lying. To be honest, I don’t think that anything close to a lie has ever come out of her angelic little mouth.

I naturally switched Pia to my hip and patted her on the leg as we walked, hoping to soothe her. Although I tried to act as though I was completely okay, I was shaken. Maybe, Pia had seen someone walking in early and mistaken it for our mysterious shadow men. I knew that somewhere inside of her little mind, she knew the difference between a regular person and whatever was scaring her so much.

Ms. Green hugged Ally and kissed her on the cheek with a perfect smile. The middle aged woman was really beautiful. She had dark skin and light green eyes. Her long black hair was swept into a long braid down her back. She turned towards me and Pia, with Rett behind us.

“You must be Pia,” She smiled, reaching out her hand towards Pea, and laying it on her arm. Pia smiled.

“Everett and Ellanyra, how nice to see you again!” She said, turning towards us with familiarity. It surprised me at how well she knew my full name, “How are you, my dears?”

“Very well, thank you. How are you?” I nodded and set Pia onto the ground. She clung to my hand when she was back on the ground.

“I am having a very wonderful day. Getting to see my students perform tonight is amazing. Especially with having my Ally here,” She smiled, putting an arm around Ally and pulling her in for another hug, “I am going to take Allerton back and get her ready. I want to hear the song that she made before the concert starts. Please, sit in the audience. Don’t wander off without your parents near.”

I was surprised to hear her say something like that. Why would she warn us not to wander off? I knew this school like the back of my mind. After all, I had gone here for middle school.

“Yes, Miss Green. Don’t worry,” Rett nodded, pulling me and Pea into the audience. We walked to a couple of seats in the back and laid our jackets across two of them, saving them for Mom and Dad. After mom and dad arrived, people started to flood in in groups. I went back stage only minutes before the concert started to wish my younger sister luck before her big performance.

“Ally!” I shouted, spotting her nestled in a group of girls. I pushed through them and threw my arms around her.

“Ella!” She blushed, embarrassed by my love.

“I just wanted to wish you luck, little Al. I love you so much and you are the best and most talented person that I know,” I whispered and released her from my grasp.

“Thank, Ella,” She smiled slightly and I sighed. It was odd to see her so grown up. I remembered when Mom had her. I used to follow Mom around, asking if I could feed the baby, or hold the baby etc. She always politely told me no, or occasionally yes to holding Ally. Ally was my whole world. I felt so cool at preschool telling all of the other kids about my baby sister, so did Rett. Now she was a seventh grade protégée that was embarrassed by my love for her. That thought made me chuckle, knowing that I was too young to have a kid be embarrassed by me.

I nodded to her friends and they awkwardly smiled at me, “Good luck to all of you, ladies! I am sure that you will all be wonderful!”

“Thank you,” They collectively mumbled.

I chuckled and squeezed my sister’s hand one last time before her show. I left the backstage area and walked out into the auditorium. I spotted my family and walked over to them.

“Does she look nervous?” Mom asked, clutching her program nervously herself. She wanted Ally to do well.

“A little nervous, but mostly excited. She and the other girls are all preparing,” I replied, sliding into my seat in between Pia and Mom.

I turned to Pia, “How is everything, my Pea?”

“I haven’t seen him yet,” She answered, knowing what I implied.

“Okay, cutie. Let me know,” I kissed her cheek and put my arm around her, pulling her towards me.

She nodded and put her head on my arm, tiredly. She was up late last night. Just as we settled in, Ms. Green walked through the curtain and called for silence in the auditorium.

“Today, we are here to celebrate the hard work of our pianist girls,” She started, “Over the years, these girls have developed into beautiful young women, as well as beautiful pianists. My goal is to let these young ladies develop to their full potential. Today, we have ten young ladies performing for you all. We will start the concert off with our eldest performer, Ellen Kian, and end with our young, Allerton Belcort.”

Rett let out a shout when Ally’s name was called, in support. I smiled brightly at the prospect of hearing my little sister last. Ending it with a bang, is what we could call it.

“Now, we will begin with Miss Ellen, playing The Entertainer,” Ms. Green clapped, and the curtains opened, revealing a tall blond girl at the piano.

Ellen played roughly, and to be honest, I was glad when it was over. They went through every performer, each doing as well as they could. They called Ally to the stage and she entered.

“Now, please welcome my youngest student, Miss Allerton to the stage. She will be playing an original song,” Ms. Green clapped and smiled towards her favorite student in support.

Ally nodded and shut her eyes tightly. She let out a breath and opened them, looking at the filled crowd. She moved her hands towards the piano and our hearts stopped. The melody that drifted across the room made us all feel as if we were in another world. The emotions that welled up in me surprised me. I was happy, sad, angry, and elated all at the same time. The song moved my mom to tears and Pia squirmed under my arm. I thought that she was enjoying the song. I didn’t realize that she was saying my name until she tapped me on the cheek.

“Sh, Pia. I’m listening to Ally, you should too,” I dismissed and pulled her hand from my cheek.

“He’s here, Ella. He’s here!” She shouted in my ear, and I realized what she was trying to tell me. I followed her point and saw Gann standing in the aisle across the way. Why would he be here for the recital? It was just for family members!

“Thank you for telling me, I will take care of it when Ally is done,” I whispered and she relaxed slightly. When Ally’s song was over, the crowd erupted into clapping. I stood and continued clapping, everyone followed. Ally stood from her piano, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She smiled. I noticed Gann suddenly ducking out of the auditorium and I knew this was my only chance to confront him about everything that had happened since he first came to school.

“I will be right back,” I whispered to Mom and she barely noticed, giving me a nod. I think that pride for her daughter was blinding her judgement. I pushed past the crowd and out into the lobby. Gann was just heading out the door. I ran after him, into the parking lot.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” I yelled.

He turned and his eyes went wide, “I… I don’t know… I was… around!”

“You were around!” I rolled my eyes, “Why in the hell are you following my family around? It’s a little disconcerting to wake up to my terrified five-year-old sister telling me that there is a man outside! I look out the window just to see you, standing outside, looking directly at my house like some weirdo!”

“I was taking a walk,” He suggested, clearly started to sweat.

“Oh yes! I suppose you were just in the area then too!” I fired his own words back at him.

“Just leave me alone, would you!” He screamed at me, “All I am trying to do is protect you, but you wouldn’t understand that at all! Just let me do what I want, when I want and everything will be great between us, Ellanyra! Just get the hell away from me!”

“What does that even mean?” I shouted, but he ran away from me, leaving me alone in the middle of the school parking lot. I stood for longer then I should have, completely alone. Confusion and hurt flooded through me. There was definitely something wrong with Gann. Maybe he was just completely crazy. I hugged my arms around me and walked back into the school. When I walked in, looking stunned, my parents rushed up to me and inquired about my whereabouts.

“I thought I saw Jen,” I lied, trying to compose myself. Rett looked at me and I gave him a look that told him to keep his mouth shut. He nodded lightly and turned back to Allerton.

I pushed back my parents and ran over to Ally, “Oh, Al. It was so beautiful. I’ve never been more proud.”

“You weren’t there,” She spit out.

“What?” I gasped, stunned.

“You missed it. You didn’t even congratulate me,” She cried angrily.

“Ally, honey, I saw the whole thing! I just stepped out towards the end.

“You didn’t see the end, Ella, you just left!” She spat turning her back on me to talk to Pea.

I shut my eyes tightly and asked myself where my life had gone so wrong. Ally was my best friend and I never wanted to disappoint her because I had to argue with my crazy stalker. I reached my hand out to her, but pulled it back. I had to give her a good long time to cool down. 

This is my unedited draft of The Shadow Crown. Had a bit of writer's block throughout this chapter! Sorry if it's bad :) Ugh this is my second time trying to submit this! It didn't go through last time  but still took my points :(