Page 8 of Examining Ella

She squealed in excitement the moment the confirmation appeared on screen.

But that excitement quickly faded, leaving a sense of sheer dread in its wake.

Being a Little was a source of anxiety for her. She always felt so self-conscious about it. She’d never been able to share that side of herself with anyone! Could she let all those inhibitions go and just enjoy this magical cruise? Could she go from hiding in secret to being out and proud about her unique nature?

The dread continued to wash over her. She hurried from her home office to the bathroom, fearing she might get sick. She hunched over the toilet and took big, long breaths.

This isn’t a bad thing, Ella. It’s a dream come true. Go. Enjoy the trip. Who knows what the future holds? This might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Life’s too short not to have a little fun.

And remember, he ordered it.

Dr. Kirk told you to do this.

The nausea passed and she slowly stood upright. She walked to the mirror and studied herself. Finally, a smile began to spread across her lips.

She was going to go on that cruise. It might be terrifying. She might consider backing out a dozen times before she actually boarded that ship.

But she was going.

And she would have a blast.

Chapter Six

Ella couldn’t believe it when the horn blasted, and the behemoth ship left port.

Specifically, what she couldn’t believe, was that she was on the thing! Setting sail on the high seas and about to have the time of her life…with other Littles!

And who knew? Maybe with her Daddy.

One thing at a time, she reminded herself.

The way she was dressed, no one would even realize she was a Little. She planned to rectify that immediately.

Her cabin was big enough for her, but it wasn’t anything huge. It had a TV and she wondered how it would get a signal once they were in the middle of the ocean. It couldn’t have cable. Could it? She then remembered satellites and figured that’s how the ship had Wi-Fi, too.

The flat-panel television hung over a long dresser on the wall directly across from the bed. There was also a chair and small table. The closet was set into another wall. There was a compact bathroom, and it was big enough to shower and take care of other needs one might have—but just barely.

The small room size didn’t bother Ella. She wasn’t going to be hanging out in her cabin very much, anyway. She’d paid some cash—and had overcome too much anxiety about the trip—to waste it just sitting around by herself.

She was bound and determined to have some fun.

She found the remote control, turned on the television, and was greeted by the ship’s information channel. She watched as images of the buffet scrolled by. A moment later, a slide stating the pool times appeared on the screen. After that, a commercial for the store came on.

That’s what I’m looking for, she said to herself with a smile.

It was time to get properly outfitted for her cruise.

***

She went onto the deck to see Littles scurrying about, eager to get to the plethora of fun activities. Some were in groups. Others were with their respective Mommy or Daddy. Some were alone, making Ella feel a little less out-of-place.

She walked around for a while, finding out that the deck was a massive space. The ship seemed to go on forever! And that was just one level. There was a lot more to explore, not to mention the parts that were inside.

“Well, hello there. May I be of assistance?”

She turned to see a man of about fifty years smiling at her. He looked sharp in his crisp, white captain’s uniform. Beside him was a woman—maybe a decade younger than him—smiling as she hung onto his arm.

“I’m Captain Sam Reagan. This is my wife, Nelly. Welcome aboard the Little Star. We’re glad you’ve joined us for this excursion.”

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