December. 101. 19.

Dear Ariclo Henterson,

My parents continue to spoil me. It's been six years since they started teaching me 'money is all I need in life. It's mine and only mine.' I know I'm only eleven but I don't think that's the way life works. They always yell at me if I ever try to give some money to the poor. After they scream or hit me they usually just say something along the lines of: "Those people are living examples of what happens when you don't put money above all else." It's not a good saying and I hate it. I wish I can run away.... I have to go Ariclo, the people I call my parents need something from me. I do hope that I see you again... and hopefully soon. Sincerely, Aribella Ventigi

Eleven year old Aribella quickly sealed the letter she was writing and ran down the hall at the sound of her name. She rushed down the large staircase and into the living room. Aribella fixed her dress and hair before entering the room. When she entered she saw her parents, Mr. John Ventigi and Mrs. Lucia Ventigi and her friend's parents, the Veronas. "Hello darling, how are you this fine morning?" Lucia asked her daughter, slowly sipping on a glass of white wine. "I am fine Mother." Aribella then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Verona along with their twin children Adam and Evelyn. She curtsied slightly. "Good day sir and madam." "Good day my dear." Mrs. Verona replied sweetly. "Now Aribella we have to talk with the Veronas please take Adam and Evelyn up to your room." Aribella's father said. "Yes, father. Follow me." The girl then led the two fourteen year-olds upstairs and into her room.

"So... Ari... do you really have to curtsy now?" Evie asked sitting on Aribella's large pink bed. Aribella just nodded and walked over to her desk. "Do you have another letter for Ariclo?" Aribella just nodded again and handed the emerald envelope to Adam. "Please make sure he gets it." Adam hugged the young girl. "Anything for my little sis." He said ruffling her hair. "Hey!" Evie pouted. "What about me?" Adam crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue at her, receiving a whack in the face with a pillow. Aribella just went back to the desk and grabbed a red envelope. "Hold onto this for me. If you don't hear from me for longer than six months give this one to him." "Why don't you just use the same color for both of them?" Evie questioned the girl's color choices. "It's a secret code between me and Henterson..." Aribella then smirked. "And because Adam is soooooo retarded I color coded them so he wouldn't give the wrong one." Evie burst out laughing as Adam stood there shocked. Aribella put on a pair of sunglasses. "Get roasted!!!!" "THOSE ARE BIG WORDS COMING FROM A LITTLE RAT!!!!" Adam yelled chasing the eleven year old around the room.

About an hour later the three friends heard their parent's voices. The trio straightened up and quickly went downstairs. "Thank you for such a wonderful offer Mr. Ventigi. We are certain to make big money off of this deal." Adam, Evie and Aribella walked into the living room to see Mr. Ventigi and Mr. Verona shaking hands. "Come on Adam and Evie, were going home now. See you next week John." "Same with you Brian." The Ventigi's walked to the door and waved good bye as the Veronas pulled out of the driveway and drove off.

As soon as the other family left the Ventigi's acts dropped like a metal ball in water. Lucia went into the kitchen, most likely to grab some alcohol, and John went into his 'man cave.' leaving the eleven year old by herself. Aribella stood there for a few minuet, lost in her thought. She soon shut the front door and ran upstairs only to receive a yell from her now semi-drunk mother. "ARIBELLA ESTONIA VENTIGI!! NO FUCKING RUNNING!! IF YOU TRIP AND GET BLOOD ON THAT CARPET ILL BE FUCKING PISSED!! THAT CARPET IS FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS!!" Aribella didn't care. She ran up to her room and locked the door. 'See...' She thought. 'They don't care about me... they only cares about their stuff and their money. Not how I am and how I feel.' Aribella then broke down into tears.