Smile For Me by A. Paris (top 10 books of all time TXT) 📕

She sat in quiet luxury. Her head lifted towards the sky. Her eyes gently closed. Above her, from a cherry tree, petals descended in peaceful flight. Her long brown, slightly wavy hair, swayed in the gentle breeze. Anyone looking at this scene would have stopped to stare. She had an ethereal beauty about her, a majestic aura that caused all around her to be momentarily enraptured.

She breathed in the scent of the air, and sadly, very sadly, she opened her eyes. Her deep, like the ocean blue, eyes stared at the building in front of her. Her moment of reprieve had come to it’s end. The chiming of the bell’s alerted the campus that class was about to start. She pulled herself up and dusted her bottom then took a moment to adjust her unruly sandals, before heading towards the looming building.

Although she was tired, she hid it well. When she was weak, she would only appear strong. When she was sad, her lips would curl into a smile. She was strong for her age, matured and wise. Sometimes she would forget that she was only sixteen. She thought of her brother, who had just turned eleven, as she walked.

Only four days ago they had been adopted by their new family. It was the first time in all of her years that Ella Rose Thompson felt things were changing for the better. Her brother Bobby would be starting his classes as well right now. She’d wanted to accompany him for his first day, but her new parents had been adamant about him going on his own. She felt a strong sense of separation from her brother. She was worried that with out her there to protect him, he might be bullied or hurt. Bobby had always been on the weaker side. And his mind would often drift into a world that was hard for others to interact with. Although his symptoms of autism had gradually lessened over the years, there were still obvious signs that would show themselves from time to time. For too long it had only been him and her. He was the one thing in her life that mattered more to her then her own breath. She felt as though she’d lost something this morning as she watched her new mother usher him into the car.

It was these thoughts that preoccupied Ella’s mind as she stepped into her new classroom. Her lack of interest in her surroundings seemed obvious even to the teacher. More apparent then her indifferent state however, was how breathtakingly beautiful she was. As Ella stepped deeper into the already filled room, every eye was drawn to her. She was a type of beautiful that was rare. She had a natural elegance that illuminated everything around her.

“You’re the new transfer student. Ella Thompson right?” The teachers voice was a deep bass. Ella turned towards the balding man, slightly startled by the sudden interruption of her thoughts. She realized she was standing at the front of the class, and took a moment to look over her new classmates. They were all watching her, some still wearing slightly enamored expressions.

“Yes. Ella Thompson,” she didn’t seem bothered by the stares, almost accustomed to them.

The teacher smiled, a smile that was neither welcoming nor unwelcoming. “Welcome to our school Ella. You can call me Mr. Grady. I’ll be your home room teacher for the remainder of the year.”

“Thank you,” she answered.

“Take a seat, the desk in the back near the window is open,” he gestured towards the place he had mentioned. Ella followed his hand with her eyes, then gracefully headed towards her seat.

Beside her was a girl with short blond hair. The girl turned to Ella as she sat and smiled.

“Hello,” the girl whispered, leaning in closer.

Ella painted on a smile for her facing her momentarily, then turned towards the front of the class room.

“My name is Jamie,” the girl whispered again, still leaning in.

Ella shifted her eyes towards her and nodded slightly. It wasn’t that she wanted to offend her, she just wasn‘t one to open up easily.

“How come you transferred here so late in the year?” Jamie whispered again. Ella was slightly taken back by the direct question. She ignored her, but was kind enough to once again paint on a small smile. “You can sit with me at lunch if you want.” The girl said seemingly undaunted by Ella‘s disinterest.

Ella turned and looked at her neighbor. She noticed this girls eyes seemed clear in an innocent way. They were bright and unguarded. The contrast this girl embodied from her own reclusive self, somehow caused Ella to respond with a slight nod of agreement.
Across the room, in the front row of desks, closest to the door, a set of eyes watched Ella. His eyes were a dark brown. Deeper past the color of those eyes was a feeling he had never felt before. He didn’t understand this intense feeling. It was more then an attraction, it was as if he was being pulled towards her. It was a feeling that caught him off guard and alarmed him. Never before had anyone left such a strange impact on him. He was the master of indifference, never allowing anything to phase him. To suddenly notice this woman with such intensity had instantly caused him to dislike her.

Yet he couldn‘t look away from her.

His eyes took in her appearance, glancing at her delicate hands as she took down notes. He watched her listen half heartedly to the girl sitting next to her. He noticed the way her eyes, and lips seemed unwavering no matter what the girl said to her. He was agitated by his inability to read her. This girl seemed to wear a mask of apathy as well as he did.

Ella walked quietly home, her foot steps quicker then normal. Her heart was heavy and burdened with worry. Although the day had passed quickly and with out any problems, she hadn’t been able to keep herself from worrying about her brother. Only after she saw him would she be able to relax.

Ahead of her the small house she now lived in welcomed her. She spotted Bobby standing at the front of the gate. He was glancing from side to side until his eyes landed on her. Ella felt her lips pull into a smile. A breath of relief escaped her.

“Sissy!” He called to her. He was bouncing on his heels, excited to welcome her home.

When she reached him she pulled him into a tight embrace. “Did you have a good first day?” She asked . Her voice was always full warmth for the child. She looked down at him. Her eyes meeting his own.

“I did sissy. I even made a friend. This was way different from the other place. I’m allowed to take art classes even,” he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door of the house.

Inside the soft scent of a home cooked meal welcomed her. “Are you happy?” she asked him. He nodded his head then continued to tell her stories of his first day.

“Welcome home Ella,” Tracy Emmerson, Ella’s new mother, greeted. She was a slender woman with light blond slightly graying hair. Her eyes were a soft honey color and she wore a kind smile.

“Thank you.” Ella answered.

For her new parents Ella tried her best to appear cheerful. She always fixed a smile over her lips when she spoke to them. .

“I made pot roast,” Tracy said with her usual kind smile. “ John will be home soon, we can eat then. Why don’t you and Bobby go get cleaned up while we wait for him.” Ella nodded her head and led Bobby up the stairs wash up.

The dinner that night was filled with light chatter, mostly coming from the excited Bobby as he spoke about the things that had happened to him that day. After dinner the newly formed family watched a movie. The atmosphere was still slightly awkward, but Bobby’s cheery nature helped ease the tension.

Before bed John and Janie approached Ella, “I hope you and Bobby can learn to enjoy your life here. I understand that the two of you have lived in that orphanage for almost six years off and on, so adjusting to a real home will take time. I just want you to know that if there’s any kind of trouble, any at all, you can come to me or John.” Tracy told her.

The three of them were sitting in the living room. Bobby had already been sent off to bed. The sound of him loudly playing above their heads didn’t pass anyone’s notice.

“Thank you.” Ella answered.

She wasn’t sure if there was something more she was supposed to say. This was very new to her. Because of Bobby’s autism, most families hadn’t even taken the time to notice the pair of siblings. If Ella had ever caught someone’s attention, she was quick to affirm that her and her brother were a package deal, and they would be quickly dissuaded. They were both too old for adoption, and Bobby’s autism scared people away.

The Emmerson’s were the first couple to ask to see Bobby directly before ever knowing anything about Ella. She had learned that they had a son who died ten years ago that had also suffered from autism.

“We’re both really happy to have you hear Ella, you and Bobby both,” John affirmed. “Is the school uncomfortable for you? I understand that before you only attended class at the orphanage. It must be a big change for you.”

Ella smiled trying to look as bright as she could. “It’s very exciting. Meeting new people and experiencing new things,” her false perkiness wasn’t noticed by the smiling couple. “Bobby really seemed happy today too.” She let out a soft sigh, allowing her true feelings a moment to show, “For that, I’m really thankful.”

Tracy smiled at her and grabbed her husbands hand squeezing it gently. The two of them shared an appreciative look. “You should head to bed now,” Tracy suggested.

During the late night while everyone else was sleeping, Bobby crept into Ella’s room. She had expected him. She gladly opened up her blanket for him and allowed him to cuddle next to her. She placed a gentle kiss on the top of his head and slowly, only now, allowed herself to drift off to sleep.