Being Alone is Not Always a Choice [Ella Open Tag]

[Ella D'Agustino]

Waving goodbye to the rest of her cheerleading mates, Ella turned to leave the gym. She pulled at her hair band and let her wavy dark brown hair fall in soft tumbles on her back, shaking it lightly to even it out. Her uniform was uncomfortably sticking to her body so she decided to head to the showers for a quick run through.

Feeling much better in her loose grey sweatpants and red hoodie that hugged her snugly, Ella walked down the empty hall, feeling slightly creeped out by how silent it was. Not too long ago, these halls had given her a sense of comfort. And then the shooting happened. No more comfort. Just a deep hatred of silence.

Ella took her cell phone out and checked to see if there were any messages but the moment she unlocked the keypad, the gadget gave notice of the battery dying before clicking itself shut. "Crap." She hissed as she slipped her phone into her gym bag. Taking a deep breath, she assessed her situation as goosebumps raced all over her body.

Cursing under her breath, she quickened her footsteps, descending the stairs to head for the exit. Her dark brown eyes darting left to right, head turning every now and then at the slightest sound, she couldn't help but wonder if the school had suddenly become really big that she couldn't seem to find the exit. By the time she saw the banged up locker that indicated she was near the exit, Ella was out of breath and panicking.

Blaming every stupid boy that had the school on lockdown that fateful day, the dark-haired senior was nearly in tears when she finally exited the school. Clutching her chest, she leaned against the door as she tried to catch her breath. Ella closed her eyes, hoping no one had seen her almost breakdown. A stream of curses flew out of her lips. She hated feeling so helpless especially since she had made so much progress in her sessions with her therapist.

Wiping away hot tears angrily with the back of her hand, she tried to steady herself, not realising she wasn't alone.

[christophe]

Christophe was late leaving school that day, solely due to the fact that he'[d had to finish some coursework in the school library. It was either that or take a whole host of books home with him and do it later. That held little appeal... More so given the fact that he'd be making the journey home on foot. No way did he feel like lugging a ton of books all that way. And so instead he'd opted to stay late.

The school corridors were pretty empty by the time he was ready to leave and he headed back to his locker first to dump off the books he would need for the following day. It seemed pointless to take them home, only to bring that back in the morning.

A distinct gloom had descended across the lockers but it didn't bother the French boy unduly. Darkness never did. The silence was strangely deafening though and only the merest hint of distant footsteps could be heard. Other than his own breathing, of course.

Christophe slung his pack over one shoulder and made his way to the main exit but he came to a standstill when he heard a stream of curses. A girl... and she was either as pissed as hell or upset over something. She was leaning back against the door frame, eyes closed. Her eyelashes glimmered with moisture. Seriously pissed? No, he had a feeling something else had caused her to act that way.

She rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes and then pushed herself away from the doorway. Christophe could hardly pretend he wasn't there as any movement now would surely draw her attention.

He cleared his throat slightly and then stepped out of the building. "Are you ok?" he asked in concern. He might not know her but that didn't stop him from wanting to find out if anything was wrong.

[Ella D'Agustino]

She had finally gotten a grip on herself when a voice, in her state of anxiety, practically boomed behind her, causing her to scream and jump and cry even more. Despite her sweet demeanour, Ella started cursing even more before turning and finding that it was just Christophe Broussard, one of the few new guys in Gould. Well, they weren't exactly new but Ella hadn't made a point to approach them, not really feeling up to making new friends. Quite uncharacteristic of her, really.

"Damn it," her hand clutched at her chest, not really sure whether to laugh at her idiocy or cry at how fast her heart was beating. She was literally out of breath from fear. She took a few seconds to compose herself in front of the fellow senior before looking up at him with a sheepish grin. "You really scared me, Christophe. What are you doing here so late?" She asked as she pushed her damp hair over her shoulder.

Pulling a bit of her hoodie sleeve out, she dabbed at her eyes, not really caring what Christophe could be thinking right then about her crying in school. "Are you heading home? Do you have a ride?" She asked out of politeness.

[christophe]

When she turned around he saw who the girl was.

Ella D'Agustino.

He'd seen her once or twice around school and had been told her name... just not really spoken to her before. Her scream saw him rear back in shock, startled by her reaction to him speaking. She clearly wasn't ok... A thought reinforced when she cried some more and swore like a trooper.

"Je suis désolé, Ella," he answered. "It wasn't my intention to frighten you. I had some coursework to finish. Physics," he added. "It was easier to do it here than to carry the text books home.

He frowned slightly. Should he ask her why she'd been crying? Possibly. Was it any of his business? Definitely not. Did he care? Yes, he cared.

"I would love a ride," he replied. "As long as I won't be taking you too far out of your way. I live in Riverside. Is that en route for you?"

He gnawed at his lower lip, plucking up enough courage to ask, "Why were you crying, Ella? Has something happened? Do you need to sit down and talk about it at all?" He threw her a wry smile. "I know we don't really know each other much but I am a good listener and sometimes it helps to talk..."

[Ella D'Agustino]

When Christophe began to apologise, Ella felt really bad about screaming, eventhough it wasn't really her fault for screaming in the first place. She wasn't a maniac. And as he explained why he had been held back, she just nodded understandingly. "I know it wasn't your intent. I'm just...a little jumpy these days." She winced when he mentioned their shared subject. "Do you have Mr Connors for Physics? He's a tough cookie. His assignments are hardcore." She shook her head in distaste.

She was quick to notice that it was pretty easy for her to mask her previous stupid anguish with just one subject change. She was doing pretty fine. Well. She thought she was doing pretty fine. When he accepted her offer for a ride, she made a mental note to take out the extra helmet under the seat of her beloved Vespa.

Riverside wasn't that far off her route so she reassured him of such. "Maybe we could grab a bite to eat before. I am starving. Or do you have to be somewhere else? I could totally just drop you off at home, no biggie." She shrugged, not realising that her shaking had stopped and she was finally calm again. It was just another person's presence that made her feel safe. God, she was pathetic.

Christophe's question was met with a dropped smile that quickly turned into a small frown. Ella looked away as her hand crept up to her arm, gripping it tight. Once she realised what she was doing, giving him a clear indication that something did happen, she felt like slapping herself silly. She was a cheerleader dammit!

Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly before looking up at him with an equally wry smile. "I think it's a bit too heavy for a first introduction. I might just take you up on that offer in the near future but right now I need food." Ella turned to the exit, her smile turning into a frown again, so embarrassed that she had let her guard down so low. She silently berated herself all the way to her motorbike. She turned to see that Christophe was following her. Good, good. But the action seemed a bit snooty, going off without telling him.

Unlocking her bike, she got the extra helmet and handed it to him, glad it wasn't pink but a matte black. Her own was in her duffel bag and it was a metallic red to match her little Vespa. "Christophe, meet Junk." She patted her seat and beamed down at the red bike. Ella had named it Junk because that was what it was before her twin brother and dad helped fix until it looked brand new. "He is the love of my life and doesn't mind having strangers on him. Do you, baby?"

Ella knew it was ridiculous to talk to an inanimate object but she really did adore Junk. It was one thing she had been holding on to tightly ever since the shooting.

"Okay so what are you up for? I've got serious pizza cravings and I know a place near Riverside that has the gooiest pizzas. And the sauce...man. C'est magnifique, mon ami." She threw in what little French she knew. She actually knew a lot but she wasn't confident enough to hold a conversation with a native French. She'd just end up embarrassing herself. Oh what Christophe must be thinking of her now.

[christophe]

Christophe was only to happy to stop for something to eat on the way home. Having worked so late at school he was more than ready for food. Add to that the fact that he'd pre-warned his mother that he might be out until after supper and he knew he wouldn't really be expected - or catered for. The alternative was something like toast as that was the extent of his personal cullinary skills.

He wasn't all that surprised when she declined his offer to talk about whatever had been upsetting her. They didn't really know each other and it would have been asking a lot for Ella to open up to a virtual stranger. She seemed a lot happier now, though, and for that alone he was content.

He trailed after her as she headed over to her scooter.

"Bonsoir, Junk," he said with a formal, if small, bow. "A pleasure to meet you." It might be odd to address the bike but it seemed important to Ella, making him feel drastically less self-concious. Of course, had the bike actually replied.... then he might have been more concerned!

"Pizza sounds perfect," he replied with a grin. Her effort to speak his language was appreciated and with high spirits he crammed teh black helmet onto his head and secured his pack over both shoulders instead of just the one.

Ella climbed on first, closely followed by her passenger. Christophe had ridden a scooter before - both as driver as well as passenger - and so knew how to position himself. Vespas in particular were all over the place in paris, being the most popular of scooters.

Ella drove carefully but despite that Christophe held lightly onto her waist. No way did he want to embarrass himself by sliding off teh scooter. Equally he didn't want to hold on tightly as she probably wouldn't appreciate that.

The drive took little more than 10 minutes and soon enough they pulled up at the side of Marcello's Pizza House. A bright red, white and green building in typical Italian colours. They got off teh Vespa and peered at the outdoor menu that was mounted behind a glass-fronted frame. "They all look good," Christophe stated. "I can't make up my mind between the Greek one and the teryaki chicken one. Then again, the Patriot pizza looks gerat, too." Who could resist Canadian bacon when a good part of your life had been spent in British Columbia?

"Does any one in particular leap out at you?" he asked. Maybe they could have one each and share half...

[Ella D'Agustino]

His willingness to go along with her insanity was much appreciated and she grinned when he put on the helmet. It looked too small on his head but he didn't look like he minded so she shrugged and got on the bike. She didn't think too much about his arms around her since she was used to having someone riding with her.

The ride over was a silent one since Ella wasn't much of a chatter while driving, even in a car. Christophe didn't offer any conversation starters so they were silent and they arrived at the small restaurant in one piece. Stuffing her duffel bag into the small compartment under the seat, Ella only brought her purse and helmet and didn't even bother looking at the menu, already knowing what she wanted.

"I usually get the Greek with spinach. I feel kind of embarrassed but do you mind if I order for myself? When it comes to pizza...I'm not a big sharer," Ella blushed. "Sorry," she hunched her shoulders slightly and held up two fingers in a peace sign. "I'm a fan of pizza. So I'm not good with sharing."

The owner of the place ushered them in, recognising Ella only by face. She had been here a few times already before this. As they were directed to a small booth, a little nook she had sat in all those times before, one of the staff members waved at Ella who waved back enthusiastically. "This place is awesome. Their service is top notch." After a few words in his native tongue, to which Ella replied fluently, they sat and she gave her order with extra cheese on the side and a bottle of a lemon lime mix with honey, the house specialty.

"So," Ella turned to Christophe after he had finished his own order. "I'd like to officially welcome you to Gould. I realise it's overdue but better late than never." She shrugged. Holding out her hand to shake Christophe's, she continued to introduce herself. "I'm Ella D'Agustino. I'm part of the student council so I should have been the first person you saw when you came here but...I apologise. I was knee deep in something else." She didn't go any further than that.

Sure, Christophe came way before the shooting but she was so involved with school, she barely even had time to take care of herself.

[christophe]

"It's fine... I will mkake a decision between the two," CHristophe replied with a wry smile. It would be the Patriot. Canadian bacon took some beating! It was clear Ella was known in Marcello's and they were quickly ushered towards a small booth. Nice and secluded where they could eat - and talk - in reasonable privacy. "I would like the Patriot," he said when the waitress looked in his direction.

"Good choice," she answered with a nod. "And to drink...?"

"Just plain water... thank you," he added. Another nod and the girl left them alone.

He threw Ella a grin when she welcomed him to Gould. "Merci, Ella," he replied with a short laugh. "Most definitely better late than never at all," Christophe agreed as he grasped her hand firmly. "Christophe Broussard and a pleasure to meet you. I'm not all that sure I admit what the student council is. It's not something we have in France and I don't think I encountered it when I was in Whistler either. Therefore you have absolutely no need to apologise," he added. "I mean, why be sorry for not seeing me sooner when I didn't realise you were supposed to?" He lifted his shoulders in a typically Gallic manner. "Perfect logic, no?"

He settled back on the bench seat opposite his companion. "I couldn't help but notice you speak Italian and your name... it also has that sound to it. Do you have Italian blood racing through your veins?"

[Ella D'Agustino]

The restaurant was practically empty, not ready for the dinner crowd as of yet so besides themselves there were only two other couples occupying the ten seater bistro. Christophe's laugh brought a small smile to Ella's face as she let go of his warm grasp. As he talked, Ella decided to tie her hair that had dried on the way over. It was a messy bun with a few stray hairs framing her face.

Not knowing until now that the concept of a student body was foreign to, well...foreigners, Ella perked up, happy to explain to her new found friend about it. "Well it's basically just a group of students who are the active voice for the whole school. We're the middle management so to speak. The rest of the student come to us to complain and we bring that complaint up to the board of directors of the school."

Despite the meager publicity the student council repute, Ella was happy being part of it. She personally thought that she was helping the greater good. For the school anyway. And it was great practice for future endeavours especially in business and politics. It also helps spruce up a college application so it was win win for Ella.

"I might sound stupid here but what's Whistler? Is it an academy or a country or...what?" Ella laughed mostly at herself for being a bit ignorant. "That is perfect logic, though." She nodded in agreement. When Christophe mentioned her Italian, she shook her head with a little laugh. "A lot of people think so but I'm Hispanic. I learnt Italian from my dad's college buddies who are practically family to us." She explained with a little nod at the end.

Their order finally came and Ella thanked the server and waited for her to leave before sipping her drink. "Mmm...yum. I'm going to dig in first. Boun appetito." Ella grinned before taking a bite out of the humongous slice of pizza. She moaned in delight as the cheese practically melted in her mouth. It was one of the best pizzas she'd ever tasted so she enjoyed it immensely.

[christophe]

"Whistler. Its a town in British Columbia. My family moved there from Paris and from Whistler to here. The winter olympics were held there earlier this year... A little bit before we left. I had a couple of part-time jobs. One being tourist guide in the moutains. The other one was watching orca pod Alpha-3 in Nanaimo Sound between the mainland and Victoria on Vancouver Island. I liked it there but nothing can compare to Paris," he said with a nostalgic look on his face.

Christophe smiled when he watched Ella enjoying her pizza. While he didn't know what had caused her to cry earlier she now seemed to be well past it and for that alone he was grateful.

He attacked his own meal. The pizza seemed to have a bit of everything on it. Canadian bacon, ham, pepperoni, sausage, beef, mushrooms, onion, olives, bell pepper, pineapple, jalapenos and tomatoes. Not a lot had been omitted but it tasted fantastic. "This is seriously good as well," he said to Ella. "You are more than welcome to try some. I don't even need to have any of yours in return," he added with a laugh. She'd already made it perfectly clear that she hated to share.

He paused in devouring the pizza to take a drink from the glass of water to his left hand side. "Hispanique. What country are you originally from then? Spain? Portugal? Or perhaps you are Mexican?" She didn't have much of an accent to him but then it was hard for him to pick up on such things seeing as though even basic American seemed foreign to Christophe's ears.