An Unexpected Turn

Stepping off the plane, I couldn't believe that I was at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. Just a week earlier I had received a call from the producers of Ellen. My best friend Hannah had written to Ellen about the apartment fire we had endured a couple of months before. She mentioned that we lost everything but also happened to mention we were huge One Direction fans. Ellen wanted us to tell our story on her show and in return they'd have a surprise for us. Needless to say we were very excited.

"What do you think the surprise is, Melanie?" Hannah asks as we unpack at the hotel.
"Honestly? I think she's going to give us money." I reply.

At this point that's what we need the most. We're currently living in a small apartment that the Red Cross helped us obtain. Of course this is temporary and they do want us to vacate as soon as we get back on our feet. We are trying, but it's hard to make ends meet. I work as a cashier at the university bookstore while Hannah is a make up artist for a local photography studio.

Soon, we get ready to head to the studio where we'd film the show to be aired in a couple days. For some reason they filmed late in the afternoon. I wanted to look nice since it's not often I am on national television. I wore a navy ruffle dress with a yellow cardigan and matching yellow wedges while Hannah wore her usual skinny jeans paired with a pink sequined top and black wedge boots. I hope yellow is a good color for television.

-.-.-

"I'm so excited!" Hannah exclaims as we approach the backstage area.
"I know! I love Ellen, I can't believe we're here!" I say as we are approached by the producer of the show, Andy.
"OK, ladies, we have seats assigned for you. The audience is already entering the studio so you go ahead and go up there to take your seats. Ellen will talk about your story about halfway through the show, you will both go down there, greet her but don't shake hands. She has a thing about hands. When she gives you your surprise act grateful and yada yada."

We nod and head towards the stage where we are directed to seats meant for special guests. Within minutes Twitch, the show's DJ comes out and starts playing music and says over the microphone that he's inviting everyone to dance along while we wait for Ellen to be ready to come out. Hannah and I gladly start dancing in front of our seats while Twitch walks around dancing with guests.

After about 30 minutes of dancing, Andy asks the audience over the speaker to take a seat because Ellen is about to come out and to applaud at the cue. Just 5 minutes later, the show's theme song plays and we all start cheering and clapping as the "Applause" sign turns on. Then Ellen appears wearing a red shirt with a white blazer and white jeans. Hannah and I start cheering really loud because we're huge fans but right now, we're extra happy because we're going to be Ellen's special guests in just minutes!

It seems to take forever but finally it's time. We're halfway through the show when Ellen starts to introduce us.

"Our next guests are two young girls from Portland, Oregon who lost everything in a fire. One of them wrote to me about it, not necessarily asking for help, but more just to share their hardships. They were left with only the clothes on their back and whatever belongings they had at the moment as they were thankfully not home. Melanie and Hannah, please come on down!"

That's our cue! We both rise from our seats and head down to the stage as the audience claps behind us. We both give Ellen a hug and sit, with Hannah being the closest to Ellen since she is the one who wrote the letter.

Ellen: "So, tell me. How did ya'll receive the news that your apartment was on fire?
Hannah: "Well, we were both at work and our neighbors were the ones who tried to contact us. I work as a make up artist so I wasn't able to answer their calls. Melanie was able to answer and immediately left her work to look for me."
Melanie: "I was very scared because Hannah wasn't going to work that day so I assumed the worst when I got the call."
Hannah: "Thankfully I got called in that morning as a replacement for another person and I wasn't there."
Ellen: "Wow, I can't even imagine what could have happened had you not been called in. Now, how has your life changed since that fire?"
Melanie: "Well, right now we are living in housing that is provided to us by the Red Cross. It is temporary, but we've had trouble getting back on our feet. I know there's a long way to go but we're just so happy that both of us are alive and can be here.This is like the rainbow after the storm." I feel teary eyed.
Ellen: "I understand you're both big One Direction fans?"
Hannah: "Yes we are! Funny thing is that the day of the fire I was wearing my One Direction shirt so that is basically all I was left with."
Ellen: "Well we have a surprise for you. We told our friends at Shutterfly about you and they decided to send you something. Come on out!"

We both turn towards the back of our seats and we see the One Direction boys come out all helping carry a gigantic check. A check for $10,000! At that moment, it's like time slowed and all I could see was the world's most perfect creature. Harry Styles. I should stop staring and get back to reality. Hannah and I both stand up, bringing our hands to our mouths in disbelief. The boys hurry over and greet us with hugs. First Liam, then Louis, Niall, and at last Harry. The best is always saved for last. He went in and gave me a quick, friendly hug. If only I could make time stop. That mere second was not enough.

Once we said our thank yous to Ellen, she sent the show to break by stating she'd be back to talk with One Direction. We said our goodbyes quickly after and went back to our seats for the rest of the show. I'm pretty sure I was more excited for seeing Harry than getting $10,000.

Notes

Just keep in mind this is fiction. :) Vote and comment, please. Keeps the writer motivated.