SETTLED LOVE

Trouble

"Don't lay your hands on me." Ella said in a firm tone.

"If I do,who will stop me?" Tiana asked as she scoffed.

"I will." Richard said as everyone gasped.

"Richard,, please stay out of this." Tiana said in an angry tone.

"What if I don't?" Richard asked chuckling.

"Tiana,Mia and Eliza,you need to stop intimidating, harassing and bullying your fellow classmate." Richard said.

Ella stood up.

"Please Richard,stay out of this,I beg you." Ella said in a pleading tone.

"Okay Ella, don't you dare harm her,else you will land in trouble." Richard said as he left with Rayson.

"Emily, let's leave here." Ella said as Tiana,Mia and Eliza opened their mouths wide in surprise.

After Ella, Emily, Richard and Rayson left,the students were mumuring about what happened.

'I can't believe this,Tiana of all people, disgraced?' A student said.

' I wish the new boy can also stand for me too' Another said.

'Tiana deserves it,she got what she wanted,her and her squad.' Another said.

**SS3c class.

Ella, Emily, Rayson and Richard sat down near each other.

"Richard, thanks for protecting me, but please don't risk your self again because of me. Tiana is dangerous." Ella said.

"She needs to be reported to the school authorities." Richard said as everyone went silent.

"What's the matter?" Richard asked.

"No one dares Tiana,Mia, and Eliza, not even to the extent of reporting them." Rayson said.

"If any one tries it, the person will pay for what he/she has done." Emily said.

"We'll see to that some other times." Richard said.

**

"Can you imagine, Ella, harassing us in front of the students." Tiana said.

"We'll deal with her at the party tommorow." Mia said.

"To even think that Richard is supporting her adds salt to my wounds." Tiana said.

"You will get him,calm down." Eliza said.

"I know, Richard is mine and mine alone,I will do all I can to get Richard." Tiana said.

"Let's meet today guys, closing period is near already,I have to pack up my books." Mia said.

"Same here." Eliza said.

**Closing hour

Ella, Emily, Rayson and Richard left the class together.

"I'm starving." Rayson said.

"Same here buddy, guess what I want to eat now?" Richard asked.

"What?" Emily asked chuckling.

"Don't mind these two boys,,I think I know where they are driving at." Ella said as she smirked.

"Yeah, cupcakes." Rayson said pouting.

"Cupcakes." Richard said with a smile.

*He's so cute when he smiles* Ella thought with a smile.

Everyone looked at Ella smiling.

"Hello to Ella." Emily said waving at Ella's face.

"I was thinking about something." Ella said as Richard smiled at her,,she blushed again.

*What's wrong with me?* Ella thought.

"Okay guys, cupcakes are ready at home." Ella said as Rayson and Richard lit their face up in excitement.

"Thanks Ella." Rayson said.

"You're welcome." Emily replied.

"Are you Ella?" Richard asked.

"I'm her sister." Emily said smiling.

They walked to the main road, looking for cab.

As they were walking to the sides of the road,Ella hit her leg against a hard,big stone.

She lost balance and as she wanted to fall, Richard held her and pulled her in to a warm hug.

*What!So comfortable and comfy* Ella thought as she placed her hands on Richard's back.

"Rayson, look at them." Emily said as Rayson smiled.

"Ella, what's wrong, you seem lost." Richard whispered to her ear.

"Nothing is wrong with me,let me go now." Ella said as they unlocked the hug.

Emily and Rayson looked at each other.

"What's with you two?" Richard asked.

"You wasted ten minutes." Rayson said as he scoffed.

"I'm sorry, Emily." Ella said.

"Here." Rayson said as he stopped a cab.

The cab stopped.

"Where is your destination?" The cab driver asked.

"The next street." Ella replied.

"Come in." The cab driver said.

They entered the cab. Ella sat beside Richard,while Rayson sat beside Emily.

Ella was weak and dizzy. She was dozing and her head kept hitting the window side.

Richard noticed it,,he placed his arms on Ella's shoulders.

She slept like a baby in Richard's arms.

*She's so beautiful even when she sleeps* Richard thought with a smile.

**

"We are here." Richard said as he woked Ella, but she didn't answer him.

He got down from the car and carried Ella on his back.

Emily pressed the alarm button.

"Who's there?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"It's Emily." Emily said.

"Come in." Mrs Spencer said.

Rayson and Emily entered.

"Where's Ella?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"She's coming ma." Emily said as Richard entered with Ella on his back.

"Good day ma'am." Richard said with a smile.

"What's wrong with Ella?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"She's in pains and she's weak,she dozed off in the cab. Where should I drop her?" Richard asked.

"Her room is upstairs,the one painted with pink." Mrs Spencer said.

"Okay ma'am." Richard said as left.

"He's such a nice and caring boy." Mrs Spencer said smiling.

"Emily,who are these two boys?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"This is Rayson, he's Richard's best friend." Emily said.

"Wow, Richard is the guy that brought Ella in?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"Yeah ma." Emily replied.

**Ella's room.

Richard opened the door and dropped Ella gently on the bed.

As he turned to leave, Ella started shouting.

"Leave me alone James, please, leave me,let me go."

Richard rushed to Ella on the bed.

"Ella, what's wrong?" Richard asked.

"Richard..is that you?" Ella asked as she opened her eyes fully.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's me, I'm here." Richard said as he pulled her in to a warm hug.

"Thanks for coming." Ella said as they unlocked the hug.

"Come on,mum is waiting for you downstairs. " Richard said as he cleaned her tears.

**

Richard and Ella got down together.

"Mum, good afternoon." Ella said with a smile.

"How are you feeling?" Mrs Spencer asked as she hugged Ella.

"I'm feeling better mum." Ella said as they unlocked from the hug.

"Sit with your friends,let me get some cupcakes from the kitchen." Mrs Spencer said as she left to the kitchen.

"How are you feeling Ella?" Emily and Rayson asked.

"I'm feeling better, thanks." Ella said with a smile.

"Cupcakes are ready,eat as much as you can." Mrs Spencer said with a smile.

She went to the fridge and brought out four cups of orange juice.

"Thanks ma." They said altogether.

"You're welcome darlings." Mrs Spencer said with a smile.

"Yummy." Rayson and Richard said as they rushed the cupcakes. Everyone was laughing at what they were doing.

"Ella,eat more." Emily said as she fed Ella.

"Thanks darling." Ella said as she managed to eat more.

They all sipped their drinks.

"Richard, thanks for the other day,my regards to your parents." Mrs Spencer said with a smile.

"You're welcome ma." Richard said.

They played music, games,until they all left.

**Next day(Friday.)

**White High.

**Rest room.

Tiana,Mia and Eliza entered the rest room.

Ella was also in the toilet.

She turned to leave when she met the squad,she summoned courage to walk past them.

"Hey,come back here." Tiana said as she dragged her hair.

Ella winced in pain.

"What do you want from me?" Ella asked.

"Let's see the person that will save you here." Mia chuckled.

"You think you can disgrace Tiana and have your way?" Eliza asked.

"No, you can't. We will lock you here,and have Richard to myself all day." Tiana said as they laughed in unison.

"Please don't do this?" Ella begged weakly.

"She's begging." Eliza mocked.

"Girls let's get out of here." Tiana said as they locked Ella up.