The Study of Ella Marie

Miss Ella Hudson grinned widely as the plane skidded along the runway. After months of tedious planning, she had finally arrived in London. A quick glance out the window told her that everyone's presumptions about England were true-- It's always gloomy. None of that trivial garbage mattered to her, however. Ella was far more enthralled with the history and the impressive architecture than the weather patterns. 

   Single file, the passengers filed themselves off the plane. It was cramped, and uncomfortable; shuffling around with the other passengers. The heavyset woman in front of Ella fumbled around with her luggage, occasionally bumping into her. Ella ground her teeth together, trying to contain her anger. If it was one thing she hated more than anything, it was being touched. 

    Thankful to get out of the crowded plane, Ella made her way down the gangway, which seemed to be miles long. Her chest tightened as she thought about what would greet her on the other side of security. Was it as luxurious as it all seemed? Was it riddled with crime in the streets? Suddenly, a pang of fear rocked her body as she realized that everything she knew was left behind in Canada. All she had here was one family member. A single confidant, and that's all. 

   Ella wound herself through a maze of metal bars, slowly slugging herself-- and her luggage-- to the security checkpoint. The guards all looked stern, and foreboding. Each of them wore a neatly pressed black suit with a red and blue tie. They wore their somber expressions blatantly, and it was rare to catch one smiling. Ella approached a female officer, who simply extended her hand for Ella's passport. She scanned over Ella's immigration documents and peered over the edge of the pages, eyebrow raised. "Movin' to London, are we?" She asked, almost hostile. Ella struggled to keep her composure.

"Yes, I'm moving in with my aunt. Studying human sciences at the University of London." 

"All the way from Canada? Quite a long way away from home." The officer replied, stamping all of her documents. 

"Quite." 

"Alright then, you're all set. Enjoy your new life in London." The officer said, handing Ella her documents in a neat pile. When Ella looked up from her hands, she noticed the woman smiling. 

"Thank you, madam." Ella said before shoving through the metal gates. The welcoming feeling that that officer gave Ella proved to be reassurance for the road ahead. 

    As soon as she breached the top of the escalator, Ella was greeted by a thick crowd of people. People of all ethnicities rushed past her, on their way to their next destination.  Most of them staring down at their phones. Ella struggled to get through the mess of bodies without getting touched. The thought of so many people that she did not know brushing past her made her pulse accelerate at an alarming rate. Her fingers trembled and she broke out in a sleek sweat. She knew that what she had had a name, and she hated having a label attached to her personality. Social anxiety was a heavy cross to bear.

    She attempted to distract herself with something more intriguing than human nature. She couldn't help but allow her attention to drift to what looked like a glittery wonderland. As she traveled down a wide corridor, she had glamorous shops on either side of her. The shops were full of luxury items, the likes of which have been seen on the wildly rich and famous. 'In an airport?' Ella thought as she felt herself gravitating towards the shop. A silver sign sat on the roof of the outlet which read "Harrods." She walked in, smelling the luxurious perfumes and seeing the Swarovski gems. 'Is London entirely posh?' She wondered to herself. Everyone that she passed seemed to be wearing the most expensive clothes. Chanel, Givenchy, and Armani seemed to be the norm. Ella looked down at her own choice of wardrobe, suddenly feeling insecure with her choice in Wal-Mart brand sweatpants.