Young Writers Society

Chapter One: The Move

Bella laid on her gorgeous bed, of colors violet, bright green and blue. There were two pillows and three throw pillows stacked neatly on top of each other. Bella was turning eleven years old very soon and still Laura was sitting on that bed of hers. Laura is Bella’s doll. The doll is quite small, actually. She has golden hair, exactly like her mother’s and wearing a school dress.

Bella had been thinking about how great it is to be in a wealthy family. Her father owned a dairy farm, a tobacco port, a garden of fruits and vegetables, and an orchard filled with apple trees. Her mother ran a rather large shop in selling woman’s dresses, hats, shoes, gloves, fans and buttons. All in the latest fashions.

Bella certainly loved being rich. She loved the huge mansion she lived in, she loved all the servants, she loved the privet school she attended and all the tutor lessons she had been taught. Bella loved her horse Wilma, and her mother teaching her how to ride. Most Bella loved was the spectacular parties her mother planned with all her friends from the sewing society, and the horse-back riding club, and the Young Woman’s Right’s Club. Bella’s mother also joined the gardening society, which she particularly liked the best.

Just last year, when she had turned ten years old Bella’s mother made the very best party Bella ever had. Through all the Christmas parties, and New Year parties. The Easter celebrations, and the Halloween feast, Bella had to admit her tenth birthday party was the best she ever had. Her mother had made a beautiful dress, white and red with fake roses on them. The cook had served her favorite foods. Pecan pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie, corn bread, jonnie cakes and apple sauce were only the dessert menu!

All evening the fireworks were in the sky. Bella had looked at them for at least an hour. She still remembers how beautiful they are. Bella’s three best friends were guests, and so were a hundred other people, most of them that Bella never saw before in her life. She had received forty or so gifts, but only three of them she liked. Her father’s present, was a horse named Wilma. From her friend, Sophia, Bella received a set of a bracelet, earring and a necklace. And her most favorite gift was a doll house she had gotten from her Grandmother. The doll house was large and beautiful. Filled with furniture, windows, doors, and general items. Bella named the doll house, 57th Street, Wilson’s Place. Laura now lived there.

Bella loved many things. She loved her family too. Her father, mother, younger sister named Annie who was the age of six, and her older brother James, who was already nineteen years old and working. She loved all her friends, Sophia, Elsie, and Maria. Bella loved her beautiful dresses she wore every day, from either her mother who was known as the town’s best dress maker or from Betty’s Dresses, a dress store her mother approved of very strongly.

Bella had only one more thing she loved, her country. Bella loved England the moment she was born. The culture, the cities and foods. The performances in the streets and all the amazing buildings. The people who greet her every morning. Bella could never imagine leaving England. Perhaps when she grew to be James’s age she could move to another city, or if she decided, maybe to the country side. But never leave England.

Bella’s mother appeared at the foot of her bed room. She was wearing riding boots, thick pants, a helmet over her wavy, gold hair and a fancy collar jacket. “I’m going riding out in the orchards. Would you like to come? I won’t teach you or anything. Just a slow and steady ride through the orchards.” her mother asked.

Bella stood up from her bed and answered “Of course! I haven’t gone riding on Wilma in at least a week. I’ll just change as quickly as I can.” she ran all over her room looking for her riding clothes. Her mother laughed “Bell, you know you’re going to have to act more mature when you turn eleven. Remember I’m going to make a better birthday party then last year!”

“Oh, yes! I completely forgot. My birthday is only three weeks away! Remember that I don’t want too many guest this year. Just grandparents, Uncle Bernard, Sophia, Elsie and Maria. You can invite your friends too though. I just don’t want over a hundred people like last year” Bella pointed out. “Oh, I’ve already invited thirty people. And you forgot to say Aunt Monica. I invited Chelsea too. I suppose she’s a friend of yours”

“Aunt Monica! Do you really have too? She says I have unacceptable manners and should know how to win a game of chess. I hate chess! But Chelsea is a friend, we play with each other often. Yes, she may come” Bella insisted. “Aunt Monica must come Bell. She is your relative. Now, get ready. I’ll be waiting for you outside” her mother left Bella’s bed room and walked down the steps.

She opened all her wardrobes and took out a fresh pair of riding pants. Opened a closet and brought out boots. She quickly pulled on a clean ruffled shirt. Her helmet was stored in Wilma’s shed. She ran down stairs and hurried through the dozens of rooms. When Bella reached the kitchen she stopped and asked to the cook “Mrs. Barrington, what are we going to have for supper?” “Chican soup, pasta, Greek salad, and pumpkin pie for dessert” she said proudly. “Sounds great!” Bella rushed outside and found her mother sitting on the bench her father had engraved to say “Wilson”, her family’s last name.

“Hello, dear. I’m just thinking about your party. It will be really the best you’ve ever had. I’ve already made your dress, and given the recipes for the foods to Mrs. Barrington. The decorations have been all ready from my Horse-Riding Club. The servants will be cleaning the house until we see ourselves everywhere we walk. My friends at the Gardening Society gave me beautiful fireworks. The only problem left is your gift. I really have no clue what to give you” she said sighing.

Her mother leaped on her horse. “I brought Wilma out for you, save you time”. Bella got on Wilma and settled herself in. “Thanks. And by the way, if you give me a rock, I’ll still love it just because it’s from you” Bella lied. Her mother had even noticed she lied. Anyone would know that Bella lied from this sentence. Everyone knows how much Bella loves being rich. Getting a rock from her mother would make her angry, and out of words.

Her mother started moving and they rided until Mrs. Barrington called for supper. The ride had been very quiet and peaceful. Bella talked about five words, when her mother talked none. “Mother, are we going to live in England until we die?” Bella asked when they reached the mansion, that they called they’re house. “Well, I’m not sure. Anything can happen at any time, but I am almost certain we will not be leaving this country. And I love it just as much as you do” she hugged Bella.

They sat at the large table filled with bowls and plates of food. “Will father be here for supper?” Bella asked her mother. “Yes, he only went to meet a friend. I suppose he’ll be here in any minute.” Bella started eating her soup, and thought about how father wouldn’t be at the house until supper was all over. He didn’t eat with Bella and her mother very much, and this was just another normal day.

“Bella your history lessons will be starting in any moment now. I suggest you to get ready.” her mother said. Bella did not want to go to her class, and this is the first time she didn’t want too. She felt uneasy. Was she changing? Did she not want to be pampered with beautiful dresses, lessons from tutors, and living in a humongous house? No, no she was just feeling a bit tired, that’s all. “Mother, could I skip my class just this one time? I’m feeling a bit- a bit sleepy” Bella yawned out her last word.

“It’s only four o’clock in the afternoon! You will be going to your history lesson, and after that remember that book club is today. I hope you’ve read the whole book by now. You had three days. And when evening comes I reserved your father and I to dine at a very nice restaurant. Mr. Donald will be caring for you, I asked him to take you to a tour through your house. You really don’t know much, and our ancestors lived here. It’ll help with your history lesson.

I don’t want you to wander around at night, remember that. Your father and I will be coming late home, and we want to see you in bed. There is no time to play in the garden or creek in the entire day, so please don’t. You have all of Sunday to do that. I am now going to my bed room to sew-” her mother’s sentence nether did finish. She pointed out the window.

“Look! Your father is here! Go out and greet him. Tell him his supper is waiting” Bella’s mother pushed her, and Bella ran out. He rode in a horse carriage, with a driver. He was in the back seat smiling and waving at Bella.

She ran and hugged him, even though she was angry at him for being late, again, she really was happy to see him. “Father! Your finally here! Mother told me to tell you that your supper is waiting inside.” she raced her words so she could have time to say more. “I’m happy to see you too darling. How is your mother doing? Was she all right with me leaving for an entire day? I really do hope so.” he asked.

Bella’s excitement shrunk, until it was gone. She thought that her father had only wanted to come home to see mother, and not her, or Annie. “Oh, yes and she’s doing fine” Bella sighed, “ You can come home now you know!” she laughed. He nodded “Ah yes, I’m sorry that I will have to tell you a large, but unfortunate bit of news to you.” Bella’s father told her. Bella nodded, “All right, what is it?”

“I’m going to have to leave to the-the United States, in America, for a whole week. I’m so sorry Bella. Your mother is going to have to leave with me too though, she can’t stand an entire week without me. But you’ll be in good hands with Grandmother and all the servants. Annie will stay with you too” her father bickered the words out quickly. Bella certainly did not want to cry, but tears were already trembling in her eyes.

Bella hated crying in front of her father. It makes her think how weak and puny she is, compared to her tall and strong father. “Why? Why are you leav-v-ving” she asked, trying to control her tears. “A man of the name Thomas Jefferson invited me to the country’s government. I’m not going to move there, certainly not. I’m just going to tell them no, it’s much better in person then in letter. Your mother and I will even buy an American style doll for you” he added, thinking that’d make Bella happier.

She nodded, “I understand.” she couldn’t control anymore. Soon, tears were marching down her face like little soldiers. Pouring, for another word. She left him and ran to the garden. She loved sitting on the bench, and looking at the amazing flowers. The creek was quiet and all the birds weren’t singing anymore. Bella didn’t care she was going to miss her history lesson, all she cared about was her father’s news.

Bella thought, and thought until her brain was worked out. She came out with the conclusion that she couldn’t be 3,000 miles away from her parents for a whole week. She’d just go crazy, she needed her mother to tell her what to do and her father comfort her. Bella would have to go with them. Even though she loved England, she could leave for just a week. A week isn’t really too much, when you think about it.

Bella stood up from the bench, and at that exact moment Mr. Donald walked to ward’s her. He stopped until his nose was almost touching hers. “You have missed your history lesson and your book club meeting. I am afraid that you will have to be punished. Tomorrow you will be preparing dinner with Mrs. Barrington. If you continue to behave badly, I will send the three other servants, to watch you. Bella’s stomach grumbled to hear that feeling. Mrs. Barrington, Mr. Donald, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Hollen, and Mr. Henry all watching her, making sure she wouldn’t make any mistake at all.

“All right. Anyway, mother told me you’d take me on a tour or something.” she bickered out. “Ah, yes you are right. I will be taking you to the attic this evening for a tour of all the antique items in this mansion, and ancestors of yours. You know, this house was owned by your family for more then two hundred years?” he said, gasping, like it was a miracle or something.

“Whatever. Just take me there. And I don’t suppose I’ll be going with these rusty clothes, I‘ve been sitting here for hours. I’m going to take a hot shower right away. If you don’t mind, prepare the bath for me. And take my clothes out. And please do not say no, you don’t want father telling you, or do you?” Bella smirked. Bella was certainly spoiled. Even though sometimes she could be very normal, and on occasions kind, she had a feeling deep inside right at that moment she needed to be bad.

“Young girl! What did you say? I’m going to tell your father, all right! Tell him you need to learn your matters! Go to bed immediately! And to think I would show you jewels and antiques!” he yelled. She put her hands to her hips and laughed, “I’m not going to bed! Your taking me on that tour, or else I’ll tell father on you.”