Ella sat in the dimly-lit backstage of the theater, her long braids pulled into a loose ponytail as she meticulously went over her lines for the evening's performance. She was the lead actress in the play, and she took her role very seriously. She had always been a perfectionist, and she wasn't about to let anything slip now.
As she went over her lines, she noticed Vivian, the red-haired actress, watching her from across the room with a sneer. Ella had never been one to back down from a challenge, and she was determined to confront Vivian about the rumors that had been circulating backstage.
Ella marched over to Vivian, her eyes blazing. "I heard what you said about me, Vivian," she demanded. "I want to hear it from your own mouth."
Vivian, taken aback, tried to deflect with a sarcastic comment. "Oh, Ella, I didn't know you were so sensitive. I was just having a bit of fun at your expense."
Ella rolled her eyes. "Save your breath, Vivian. I'm not in the mood for your games. Just tell me what you said."
Vivian, unable to deny Ella's directness, finally spit out, "I said that you couldn't keep your legs closed, that's all."
Ella tried to keep her anger in check. "And what does that have to do with anything, Vivian? I'm pregnant, not diseased."
Vivian, sensing that she was losing ground, tried to backtrack. "I didn't mean it like that, Ella. I just think that you're not ready for a child, that's all."
Ella wasn't buying it. "And who are you to decide what I'm ready for, Vivian? You're not my mother, and you're certainly not God."
Vivian, growing frustrated, snapped, "I'm just trying to look out for you, Ella. You're young and black, and that child's father is Asian. You know how people are going to talk."
Ella, with a sad smile, said, "I know, Vivian. But Raymond and I love each other, and that's all that matters to us. We're going to raise our child together, no matter what anyone says."
Vivian, seeing that Ella was not going to back down, sighed and said, "Fine, Ella. I'll keep my opinions to myself from now on. But I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
Ella, with a steely look in her eyes, responded, "I know exactly what I'm getting myself into, Vivian. And I'm not afraid."
Vivian, realizing that she had been bested, got up and left the room, leaving Ella alone with her thoughts.
Ella took a deep breath and went back to her lines, knowing that she had faced down her adversary and come out stronger. As she recited her lines, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that she was going to be a mother and that nothing could stand in her way.
The end of the chapter.
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