Ella's pov:

I listen as the click of heels come closer

to my bedroom door.

"Ella Maria Sanders, you better be out

of bed." I make out the sound of my

moms voice before she opens the door

to my bedroom.

I look back at her as I stand in front of

my large closet of cloths ranging from

sundresses to expensive hand made

dresses.

Well, I guess you know now.

I'm Ella Sanders, and my life..

Sucks.

My mom pushes me out of the way

and digs through all of the dresses.

"Great, you have nothing to wear." She

mutters.

I roll my eyes as I pick out a dress.

"This one?"I question.

"Ella, this is an important meeting,

I can't have you looking like you got

your dress from a community mall.

She rolls her eyes and takes the dress

out of my hands putting back on the rack.

She digs through some more until she

finds one of the way more expensive

dresses I keep in the back... for a

reason.

"This will just have to do." She says

examining it closely.

She walks over and puts it on my bed

before walking out without a second

glance.

This is the way it has always been, so

I'm used to it.

Expensive house, cloths, maids, chefs,

the dream life right?|

Wrong!!

The worst part is having a twin sister.

Who is perfect. at everything!!

Like she was summoned, she walks

into my room dressed up and picks up

my dress.

"This color looks good on you." She

smiles.

Exactly, even perfect at being nice.

I know, it seemed like I don't like my

sister, but that's totally false.

She isn't just my twin, she s my best

friend.

And believe it or not, we have never

fought once in our whole 17 and a half

years of living.

"Iguess." I shrug my shoulders.

I have never been the dress up kind of

girl like my sister.

She likes dresses,

nd makeup, but

she isn't the kind of girl who brags to

everyone she has it.

And then on the other hand, there is

me.

Ilike legging and sweatshirts, I like

sneaking around and watching the

football and basketball games on tv.

I hate dressing up and caking my face

with make up just to 'show off' to other

families of my own families wealth.

I'm just not like that.

Both me and Ally, my sister, are

homeschooled.

The only time we actually are allowed

to leave the house is when my mom

takes us on her shopping trips.

She loves, and I mean loves, to spend

money.

Especially because my dad is the head

of his own business, he is why we have

so much money.

I always wondered what it would be

like to attend a high school.

To actually have friends,

Ride a bus,

Have an annoying teacher who

everyone talks about behind their

back,

Laugh as the class clown annoys the

teache r,

Feel what it's like to fail a test and try

to hide it from your parents,

Cram stuff into your locker because the

school doesn't understand how big the

textbooks actually are,

and even taste how bad cafeteria food

really is.

Well, according to movies.

I watch a lot of those.

It's the only way I can really connect

with life instead of outside my big glass

window.

It didn't even do much though, when

your house is surrounded by large

trees, you don't get much of a view

after all.

"Earth to Ella." Ally says waving her

hand infront of my face. I blink a

couple times before looking back at

her.

Hmmm?"

"We are leaving in ten minutes." She

says laughing as I stare at her wide

eyed.

"Shoot!" I yell as I push her out of

my room. I turn around and put on

my dress before walking into mny

bathroom and glaring at the makeup.

My mom always tries to have me put

on more makeup.

But I never listen.

I put on a light layer of Mascara and

eyeshadow.

I look at my glass mirror again and

cringe.

My hair was somehow sticking straight

p.

Where in the world is gravity?

Isn't that suppose to like, push that

down or something?

I groan as I take water and flatten it

down.

Is it just me or does a hair brush

actualy make your hair worse?

Every time I brush my hair, I swear my

hair just like.. purposely gets thicker.

After I do one last overall check, I walk

down the stairs just in time to see my

parents and my sister waiting

"Sorry." I apologize looking down.

"You're two minutes late." My mom

says in a gruff voice before following

my father into our large dining room.

I hesitantly took a seat next to Ally as

about four or five men joined my dad

at the head of the table.

Then, a row of maids come in each

with a plate of food and set it infront of

us.

They remove the lid and I internally

cringe at the chicken.

Okay, don't get me wrong.

Ilove chicken, but the chef..

Somehow makes the chicken not taste

like chicken.

He puts too many expensive spices

in to take away the chickens, well

chicken.

What is the point of chicken if you can't

even taste the chicken?

I look at the business men as they

almost drool at the food set before

them.

I whisper to my maid a thank you, like

I always do.

My mom says you aren't suppose to

give them any gratitude because that's

their 'job' and they get paid to do it.

Which doesn't make sense.

But she wasn't always like this.

She grew up in a poor neighborhood

with my single parent grandmother.

From stories from my grandmother,

she was a strong independent, woman.

But then when she met my father, she

changed.

She just, wasn't the same independent

Woman as before.

She relied too much on chef, maids and

other people to do her own work.

Like taking care of her own children.

I don't think I can ever forgive her for

that.

Let me further explain.

Inever really grew up' with parents.

Well yeah, they were around, but I was

basically raised by Amy.

Amy is the house babysitter who took

care of me and Ally,

Well, she still does today.

She was the one who made sure we

had breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she

took care of us if we were sick, she

read us bedtime stories when we were

little girls, she made sure we got the

sleep we need, and. well everting

parents should do.

My father is a different story.

He is nice, and cares for me and Ally,

but he is never around.

We talk to him every once in a while,

but that is like what?

Once a day?

I don't even think we ever tallked to

him more than ten minutes.

But it's not like he doesn't want too.

He tries, but it's like the world just..

pulls me and my sister from him.

Something is always keeping him away.

And that... is work.

He works all the time, and when he's

not, he is at least thinking of work.

He doesn't hate his job, he likes being

in charge of his own big company.

I feel an elbow to my side and I turn

to my sister who nods her head at my

mom.

"Did you hear what I said?" My mom

asks looking at me.

I give a questionable look as she only

rolls her eyes.

"ExCuse my daughter, Ella these kind

men are asking you a question. She

says.

I look at everyone at the table who

were looking right back at me.

Then, one of them spoke up, "IHow

would you like to be on the cover of

our next magazine." He says.

My eyes go wide.

Mostly because he is asking me and not

my sister.

She was the one who was usually

asked to be on magazines for the

company.

Why?"

I swear.

It just slipped out.

My moms eyes go wide as she clears

her throat, "What she means to say 1s."

"No." I say standing up. I hear Ally gasp

as I look at my father.

"Why may that be?" My dad asks

calmly.

I can almost feel my mothers anger

coming off of her in waves.

"Because I would not like to take

part of the magazine,"I look at the

man, "thank you for the offer, but my

answer 1S a no."

I then excuse myself from the table

and quickly walk to my room and shut

my door.

I was about to take a seat on my bed

but my door slams open and my mom

walks in with a hard look on her face.

"I can't believe you just did that Ella."

She says starting to pace back and

forth in front of me.

For the thousandth time today, I look down, "I'm sorry, I just-.."

"No! There is no excuse. You have

embarrassed me and your father, you

are to stay in your room-.."

"I already am in my room." I say

looking back up at her.

She pauses, but then looks at my

dresser and grabs my phone.

"You will not be seeing this for a very

long time." she says holding it up

infront of me.

She then turns on her heel and walks

out of my room, but not before

slamming my door behind her.

Ella's pov:

Have you ever felt like a piece of your

life is missing?

That you feel you need this to find

happiness?

Well, mine was taken away from me.

And that...

Is my phone.

I groan loudly as I lay back on my

bedroom floor.

It's been only two hours since that

meaningless meeting and I havent

gotten my phone back.

Now I know what you are thinking,

'Ella, can't you just do this thing called

go outside?

Well yes, yes I can.

But that involves standing and that's

too much effort for one day.

Plus, I have been in my backyard so

many times I lost count.

Like I said, my parents don't like me

and my sister out of the house a lot

because, and I quote, Tt's so dangerous,

you can get hurt and bla bla bla.

And the worst part is that I literally got

my license a week ago and I can't even

use it because of these rules.

What's the point of a license if you're

not even allowed to drive?

The only time I got to go behind the

wheel was when I was learning how to.

I hear a knock at my door and I look

over to see Ally walk in.

"Are you okay?" She asks sitting next to

me while I am laying back on the floor. |

"Not really." I say sitting up.

She gives me a look to continue.

"Don't you wonder what it's like to not

be stuck in the house all the time?"

"No, not really." She says shrugging her

shoulders.

"You don't?" I question her, again she

shrugs her shoulders a second time.

"I just never really think about it."

"Don't you even wonder what it's like

to be out on our own, getting to drive

around wherever we please?"

"But mom and dad said."

"But mom and dad think it's dangerous

when you lift up a butter knife." I say

lifting an eyebrow at her.

"Well, it's technically a knife-.."

"Butter knife." I cut her off and stand

up.

I peak through my open door and look

down the long hallway to see Mom

talking to one of the maids.

"What are you doing?

"Shhhh." I whisper to her, I try to listen

to their conversation but they were too

tar away.

That was until I feel my arm being

yanked back and my door being shut.

Ilook at Ally who was now standing

in front of me with her arms crossed

across her chest.

"What?"

"Why have you been acting like this

lately?"

"Acting like what?" But I knew she

could see right through me.

I mean, she is my twin for a reason.

"All those years, you seemed to not

care at all about being home, but

now.."

"But now we are older! Ally we are

seventeen, and the only time we really

see other people is when mom drives

us around on her "Trips' or when we

have to go out to dinner. Have you

ever wondered what it's like to actually

go where we want to go?" I say in

frustration.

Ally just walks past me and sits on my

bed. "Well, I never minded staying

here. I mean come on Ella, what more

do we need? We have a nice family-."

"Who don't even talk to us."

"A house-..

"That is literally filled with random

people."

"Food?"

"Did you somehow taste chicken in

the.. well chicken?" I say, now I'm the

one crosSing my arms over my chest.

"Fine, then what are you going to do?"

Ally asks looking up at me from my

bed.

What amigoing to do?

I can't just go up to my mom and be

like 'Hey, I know you are very serious

about me and Ally staying at home, but

I want to go outside. No not backyard

outside, to go out on my own.

That's the last thing you want to do,

especially if you have even met my

mom.

So what do I do?

"Exactly," Ally says standing up, "You

don't know what to do." She turns on

her heel and leaves my bedroom.

I lay back on my bed where she was

previously sitting.

What does freedom cost to me?

"See, isn't this nice." Mom says picking

up the jewelry from its shelf.

It's that time of week when mom takes

me and Ally out shopping.

Why?

Because she is obsessed.

"I love it." Ally says beside our mom.

Trust me, I love Ally as my sister, but..

How do Isay this..

She is a suck up.

"I knew you would dear." Mom says

Smiling at Ally.

I gag as they walk, arms linked to the

cash register

I then gag again when I see a fancy

dresses hanging uP.

If you enjoy wearinga scratchy dress

and tights, please, be my guest.

But this is how it has always been.

Usually I only choose to get one thing

on these trips, whereas my sister and mother get about twenty each.

Which I don't even understand

because when I don't have to dress

up, can't you just wear stuff, over, and

Over, and over again?

I mean, there is this thing called a

washing machine for a reason.

I roll my eyes as they walk right past

me and load their stuff into the car.

"Ella, you haven't gotten anything yet."

Ally says pointing at my empty arms.

"Guess I couldn't find anything." I say

shrugging my shoulders.

Couldn't find.

Didn't want..

Same thing right?

"We are going to one last store and

then straight back home." Mom says

signaling the driver to our last store,

which we usually went to in a routine.

My mom sat back and went through

her phone as Ally went on hers.

Did I mention I still didn't get my

phone back?

When the driver pulls up, Ally walks

out but my mom doesn't.

"You go in Ally, I need to talk to your

sister." Mom says.

Ally hesitantly nods her head then

walks into the store, only looking back

once.

I turn to my mom who was already

watching me.

"Yes?" I ask trying to put on a smile, but

I really wasn't in a smiling mood.

"Ally told me that you had thoughts on

trying to leave the house."

My eyes widen, how could Ally tell her

that?

In all my 17 years ofliving, we never

told our parents once what we were

talking about.

"Mom -"

"Ella you know how dangerous it is out

there." She says folding her arms.

[ look down, "Are you sure you're not

just a little over exaggerating?" I ask,

internally cringing at myself.

Gosh I'm so awkward it's not even

funny.

"Ella that's enough, you are not leaving

the house until you are up age."

Up age..

Up age!!

"And when is that?1" I raise my voice

at her with tears starting to form in the

corner of my eyes.

She only looks at me before opening

the door and going to the store Aly just

walked into.

I wasn't just sad, I was angry.

She can't just keep me locked up in the

mansion forever.

I look out my window before making a

decision.

Tomorrow, I'm sneaking out, whether

they like it... or not.

Ella's poV:

As I pace back and forth in my room,

I can't help but think that this might

have been not so much of a good idea.

I mean, sneaking out of my house?

Where would I go?

It's not like I am leaving for good.

Ilook around my room one more time

before making a decision.

I don't WANT to do this.

I NEED to do this.

I peak out my door down the long

hallway to my parents bedroom.

Without any sign of the maids, I sneak

down the hallway and into their

bedroom.

Their room was plain and simple. The

walls were a creamy white and the

room was barely decorated.

Since they were both currently

attending a meeting, I knew that

they wouldn't be up here for at least

another two hours.

That would defiantly be enough time

to sneak out and in without them

noticing.

I walk up to my mom's large dresser

and open the small b0x which had

three sets of car keys.

I pick up one set before quietly heading

towards the door.

That was until I saw something else.

Oh my baby" I coo as I grab my phone

and hug it to myself.

Yes, I love my phone.

No judgey.

I put it in my back pocket and quietly

walk out of the bedroom and into the

hallway.

"What are doing?" A voice scares me.

Ijump up and turn around to see my

sister leaning against the wall with her

arms crossed.

"It's none of your business Ally." I roll

my eyes attempting to walk away.

Normally, I am never rude to my sister.

But all I can think about is her telling

mom.

She knew that mom would freak out

on me if she knew that I wanted out of

this house.

Not even a second later, I feel the car

keys in my hand being ripped away.

"What are you doing with these?!" She

says holding them up in front of my

face.

"I said it's none of your business."I

grab the keys from her hand but she

doesn't let me try to walk away again.

I look up at her as she looks at me with

a confused face. "Since when have we

not told each other everything?" She

questions.

"I don't know Ally, since when have we

went behind each others backs?" This

time, it was me to cross my arms over

my chest.

"What are you even talking about?"

She throws her hands up in the air.

"What do you mean what am I talking

about? Why would you tell mom I

wanted to be free for once?"

Her eyes go wide. "Ella I."

"Don't Ella me. I trusted you."

And believe me when I said this.

"I was trying to help you."

"By telling mom something that I only

trusted you with?"

She stays silent, and don't hesitant to

walk away towards the stairs.

"You're making a mistake." She calls

out, but I ignore her.

I'm not letting this life control me

anymore then it already has.

You know those moments in life when

you feel what you are doing is right

but on the other hand you feel you are

breaking some sort of law in the mean

time?

Well, let me introduce you to me...

Who doesn't know what the frick she is

doing.

Let me go into further detail

"And may I ask why you are trying to

leave?" The security guard questions

standing right in iront of the exit to my

house.

So maybe.. I didn't think this through.

At all.

You see, I kinda just thought,

Hey! Tm going to steal my moms car

and drive away.

It wasn't until five seconds later I

remembered about the security guard

my dad hired.

So, here I am after I pulled up the car

to the security guard.L

I let out a nervous laugh. "I need to go

to the plaza."

"For what?"

With a fear of getting in trouble, I

shout out the first thing that pops into my head.

"I need tampons."

I did not just say that.

Please tell me I did not just say that.

Oh my gosh I actually said that.

His eyes go wide as he stares at me

with some sort of expression I really

don't want to know.

I silently cringe at myself as he

scratches the back of his neck and

moves out of the way.

"Have a good day... Miss?" His

sentence came out more like a

question but I was too busy beingg

awkward to care about that.

I pull out and sigh in relief when I am

out of view.

But the relief all drains away when I

realize what I'm doing.

OH.

MY.

GOSH.

I just sneaked out..of the house I have been trapped in

for years.

Okay so maybe 'trapped' is a little big

of a word but that's surely how it has

felt.

It's not like it's the first time out of my

house.

lts just the first ever time on my own.

Like I already said, my mom took us on

our long.. very long shopping trips, out

to dinner, other fancy places and bla

la bla.

But this time, I am doing everything on

my own.

So where do I go first?

Well..

"Hello, welcome to McDonald's how

may I help you?" The person says from

the drive in speaker.

Yes, McDonald's.

The first time on my own and I choose

a fast food restaurant.

Doesn't that say a lot?

After placing my order down, I pull

up to the next spot and take out the

twenty dollars I brought just incase.

Because I knew that if I was spending

money.

It would be on food.

After paying, I get handed my bag and I

park my car and start to eat.

I still can't believe I'm doing this.

I look at the clock to see I had another

hour and a half until my parents

meeting was over, which wasn't a lot of

time to see everything, but I'll take it.

I pull out my phone and go onto google

maps.

There were so many places that I didn't

even know where to start.

So, I closed my eyes and pointed at a

random spot on my phone like any non

childish person would do.

When I open them, I smile.

The local park...

Perfect.

I start up the car and pull out, with

one thought on my mind, I am going to

make the most out of this hour and a

half.

"EXCuse me lady, have you seen my

sister?" Ilook back to see a boy looking

up at me.

I decided to walk around the park for a

while since I got bored of sitting on the

bench looking like the loner I am.

"No T'm sorry I haven't," I kneel down

to the boy, "but I can help you find her

if you want?"

"Really?" His eyes brighten as I nod my

head at him.

"What is your name? 1 question him.

My name is Jake." e says.

Tagain nod my head and stand up and

signal him to follow me.

"What does she look like?"

"Well, she has glasses, uhm.."

Tlaugh as Iwatch him try to think.

Oh she has brown hair...uhm.."

"Anything else?"

"She is pretty lazy."

I don't think that will help."

"She reads too many books, like who

does that?"

"I think we are getting a little off

track.."

"She actually likes school!" He says

throwing his hands up in the air.

So now I know how difficult it is to be a

good person.

Great.

We continue walking in silence for a

couple of minutes until we get to the

main clearing.

At least I'm pretty sure this is the main

clearing.

Did I mention I have never been here

before?

I try to look around for someone who

fits his..

Not very good description.

"Is there anything else you can tell me?

Like what she is wearing?"

"I don't krnow." He says shrugging his

shoulders.

Meanwhile I feel like banging my head

against a wall.

"Jake!! Oh my gosh you gave me a

heart attack!! Are you okay? I am such

a horrible sister!" A voice cries out.

I look ahead of me to see a girl, who

looks the same exact age as me, run

Over and engulf, what I'm guessing now is her brother in a hug

After they hug and I stood there

awkwardly for a couple of seconds, the

girl turns to me. "Hi, my name is Julie."

She smiles at me and holds out a hand.

I'm Ella." I say back shaking her hand.

Thanks for helping my brother, I'm

pretty sure my mom would have killed

me in my sleep if I lost him." She says.

I laugh as her face shows complete

horror as if she was imagining her

mother.

"It was really nothing." I shrug, but she

shakes her head at me.

"No really, thanks! Are you new?"

"What do you mean?"

"To this town, I haven't seen you here

before.." she starts to say but I shake

my head at her.

T'm homeschooled" I say and she nods

her head in understanding.

"Oh, okay." she says, suddenly, her

eyes go wide.

Oh no."

"What's wrong?"

"By any chance do you know what time

it is?" She questions.

I pull out my phone, "5:30, why?"

"I just promised my friend I would be

at his match. I better go. It was nice to

meet you." She says and waves as her

and Jake scurry out of the park.

I decide that I should leave too just

incase my parents meeting is done

early.

I walk back to my car and start to head

back home.

Well, at least that's what I thought.