The bell chimed just as the verbose Mr. Martin, engrossed in an extensive monologue, abruptly ceased speaking, resembling a duck with his neck squeezed. He moistened his lips and, though slightly dissatisfied, shrugged his shoulders to signify the conclusion of the class.
The tranquil classroom swiftly transformed into a cacophony as the perpetually boisterous children lived up to their reputation. Angela, at long last, seized the chance to yawn and stretch in blissful comfort. Her eyes, tinged with a hint of redness, unmistakably conveyed to others that she had endured restless nights.
In truth, it wasn't merely a single night's struggle; her sleep had been troubled for the past two days. And what else could be the culprit but that cursed script of "Leon: The Professional"?
"Leon: The Professional" involved too many issues. The film was directed by French director Luc Besson, who was also the screenwriter. The movie was released in 1994, so the production couldn't have been later than 1993. Therefore, the script might have been written in '93 or '92, or even more recent. If her novel-like script ended up in Luc Besson's hands, and he happened to be starting to write this script, how awkward would that be?
Despite the intended recipient being Jean Reno, the knowledge of Reno's association with Besson was widespread. Inside the envelope, Angela had included multiple colored plot drawings, one of which was a replica of the previous poster. The illustration depicted Leon donning a trench coat, carrying a green plant in one hand and a gun in the other while traversing a city street.
By his side, Mathilda, the young girl, walked alongside, clutching a paper bag and a teddy bear, observing him. Even though the male lead sported sunglasses, his distinctive nose unmistakably exposed his identity.
Thus, if indeed Jean Reno received the letter and passed it on to Luc Besson, there was no doubt, she would be in a lot of trouble.
In reality, neither of these factors was the most pressing concern. Despite the possibility of Besson actively working on the script, Angela's creation took the form of a semi-novel. Furthermore, the postmark on the envelope originated from California, United States, making accusations of plagiarism implausible.
Perhaps Besson himself would offer the sentiment that "great minds think alike." Additionally, the absence of the little girl's address on the envelope would pose a considerable challenge if Luc Besson were to attempt to locate her.
Nevertheless, the predicament revolved around Natalie Portman. If the young girl removed herself from the equation, Besson faced only two options upon acquiring the script. He could either take the risk of violating the law and proceed with filming or indefinitely delay the production of the movie. Regardless of the path chosen, the girl from Long Island would be in grave danger of never resurfacing again. The gravity of the situation was truly dreadful.
Should the French director opt for the first path, could 10-year-old Natalie be rediscovered by talent scouts, just as she had been in her previous life, and subsequently be recommended to Besson? Angela, on her visits to New York, always managed to find a way to visit Long Island, yet she had never come across Natalie.
In the case of the second scenario, things were even grimmer. In the little girl's previous life, it was widely known that Natalie'sheart was never drawn to Hollywood. If she hadn't inadvertently become involved in the filming of "Leon: The Professional," Natalie would likely have never had any involvement with the world of movies throughout her lifetime.
This formed the core of Angela's anguish. For "him," Mathilda portrayed by Natalie was once "his" beloved character. It embodied "his" dream. Within that substantial envelope, there lay paintings meticulously crafted by Angela, dedicated to Mathilda.
One depicted her seated by a window, a sense of vulnerability apparent in her gaze as she peered outside, bathed in the golden glow of sunlight.
The other showcased her on a staircase, glancing back, a lit cigarette held in her grasp. These two scenes had become iconic shots, and Angela poured her heart and soul into illustrating them, unmistakably showcasing her deep infatuation.
Thus, if the depiction of the silver screen's number one Loli was marred in her hands in such a manner, Natalie's image, considered an enduring presence for otaku or peculiar individuals, would be utterly shattered. Angela could never forgive herself for such an outcome!
The young girl rose to her feet, her movements feeble as she made her way outside. Every now and then, she exchanged brief words with the children who crossed her path. It had been a month and a half since "The Parent Trap" hit the screens, and the initial fervor from her classmates had gradually waned.
Although her inherent charm still drew attention wherever she went, the days of being constantly surrounded by admirers had essentially vanished.
But now Angela really wished that someone would surround her and ask her questions so that she wouldn't have to think about so many things. Apart from the script issue, there was another thing that hit her hard. This morning was the first time Jessica didn't sit with her on the school bus!
Just the thought of it made Angela feel hurt, but who could she blame?
If it wasn't for her strange thoughts, if it wasn't for those actions that shouldn't have happened, how could she and Jessica have ended up like this? Was their relationship of several years really over? Was it impossible for them to even remain friends?
Standing by the corridor, the young girl gazed upon the children frolicking on the lawn, a sense of melancholy enveloping her being.
At that very moment, a pair of hands stealthily emerged from beneath her ribs, playfully tickling her armpit.
Startled, Angela leaped up in surprise, swiftly darted out of the corridor, and turned her head to give the mischievous assailant an irritated glare. With a mix of annoyance and amusement, she exclaimed, "Jessica! You've tickled me again!"
"Okay, Angela, it was all your daydreaming, so don't put the blame on me," Jessica declared, raising her hands and wiggling her fingers mischievously, a hint of pride evident in her voice.
"Oh really? Maybe we should have a fair competition." Angela pretended to be angry, but her heart was incredibly excited. She coughed and casually asked, "By the way, why didn't you take the school bus today?"
Jessica's mischievous smile widened as she remarked, "What's the matter? Are you unhappy because a certain someone failed to see me?"
Angela clenched her teeth in frustration and retorted, "Jessica, hasn't anyone taught you that it's impolite to expose someone's secrets in front of others?"
"Well, if I unintentionally wounded your tender heart, I apologize," Jessica nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders. Sensing Angela's growing agitation, she swiftly added, "Alright, this morning, my dad had some errands to run, so he happened to give me a ride."
Angela chose to overlook certain inaccuracies in Jessica's explanation and cautiously inquired, "Are you... feeling better now?"
"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with me?" Jessica seemed to not understand her words.
"I... I mean... um..." Angela gestured several times, but in the end, she couldn't say it and her face became slightly embarrassed.
"I... I'm not sure what you're referring to, Angela, but..." Jessica cleared her throat, raising her fist to her mouth in a hesitant gesture. She seemed reluctant to meet Angela's gaze. "But truly, I'm alright."
Angela's mind was filled with confusion, sensing a peculiar air surrounding Jessica, yet unable to pinpoint its source. Just as she hesitated, Jessica appeared to muster her courage, turning her head to directly face Angela.
With a determined expression, she uttered, "Honestly, it's nothing, Angela. I've just come to some realizations." As she spoke these words, a sense of relief washed over her as if a burden had been lifted from her heart.
However, Angela remained clearly perplexed, her gaze fixed upon Jessica with a puzzled expression. Frowning, Jessica's eyes darted around.
Suddenly, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on Angela's lips. Startled, Angela instinctively recoiled in shock, barely able to process the unexpected gesture. Yet, before she could gather her thoughts, she caught sight of Jessica's mischievous smile, causing her eyebrows to furrow in confusion.
Without contemplating the situation too deeply, Angela instinctively opened her arms, attempting to capture Jessica, who let out a playful scream and swiftly darted away.
In that fleeting moment, Angela's mind was consumed by nothing else, not even the troubles entangled with "Leon: The Professional," because Jessica hadn't departed from her side.
...
"Darling, please remain still. If you fidget, your eyebrows might end up looking uneven," Mom advised, gently holding an eyebrow pencil and carefully tracing above Angela's eyes.
"If having uneven eyebrows means I can avoid going, then I'd rather have them uneven," the determined little one retorted, sitting upright in front of the dressing table, her frustration evident in her voice.
"That won't suffice, sweetheart. Once you've made a promise, you must honor it. If you can't..." Elena's expression remained unwavering.
"Then I shouldn't have agreed in the first place, right? I understand," Angela interjected swiftly, letting out a sigh. "I agreed to attend the party out of guilt for missing the premiere, but it doesn't signify anything more than that."
"In that case, you should learn to say no," Mom remarked, setting aside the eyebrow pencil. She leaned down, gently pressing her body against the little one's head, and gazed into the mirror. "You look stunning, don't you think?"
Angela glanced at her reflection in the mirror and shrugged, acknowledging her own beauty. Her soft, flowing blonde hair cascaded down, gently adorned with delicate curls that enhanced its allure.
The few bangs resting upon her forehead added a touch of adorableness, while her vibrant emerald eyes exuded a captivating radiance. Her round face boasted a subtle contour, emanating a youthful innocence capable of captivating any lolicon.
The young girl felt content with her appearance. It was only natural for everyone to desire to look beautiful, and while Mom may not have been a professional makeup artist, she always managed to bring out her best features. That was a testament to her impeccable taste. However, Angela couldn't help but daydream about trading the long dress she was currently wearing for a comfortable pair of pants.
Despite the light yellow dress gracefully reaching just above her ankles and its modest design that concealed her shoulders and collarbone, Angela couldn't shake off her distaste for it. Perhaps attending the Disney party wasn't such a good idea after all?
But who could have predicted that "The Parent Trap" would go on to achieve a staggering box office success, surpassing the previous version from Angela's past life by a whopping $40 million, with a total of $100 million in the United States? It was truly astonishing, and it certainly couldn't be denied that Julia and Meg played significant roles in its triumph.
"Mom, are you absolutely sure you won't come with me?" The young girl gazed up at her mother, attempting to portray an innocent expression.
However, Elena, who had already discerned her daughter's intentions, firmly declined, "Absolutely not. This is your own achievement, completely independent of me or your father. Furthermore, Mr. Sparrow will be accompanying you, and you'll encounter familiar faces at the event. It's best if you attend obediently."
Observing her mother's reassuring smile, Angela shrugged helplessly. "Alright then, I'll go."
The bell chimed just as the verbose Mr. Martin, engrossed in an extensive monologue, abruptly ceased speaking, resembling a duck with his neck squeezed. He moistened his lips and, though slightly dissatisfied, shrugged his shoulders to signify the conclusion of the class.
The tranquil classroom swiftly transformed into a cacophony as the perpetually boisterous children lived up to their reputation. Angela, at long last, seized the chance to yawn and stretch in blissful comfort. Her eyes, tinged with a hint of redness, unmistakably conveyed to others that she had endured restless nights.
In truth, it wasn't merely a single night's struggle; her sleep had been troubled for the past two days. And what else could be the culprit but that cursed script of "Leon: The Professional"?
"Leon: The Professional" involved too many issues. The film was directed by French director Luc Besson, who was also the screenwriter. The movie was released in 1994, so the production couldn't have been later than 1993. Therefore, the script might have been written in '93 or '92, or even more recent. If her novel-like script ended up in Luc Besson's hands, and he happened to be starting to write this script, how awkward would that be?
Despite the intended recipient being Jean Reno, the knowledge of Reno's association with Besson was widespread. Inside the envelope, Angela had included multiple colored plot drawings, one of which was a replica of the previous poster. The illustration depicted Leon donning a trench coat, carrying a green plant in one hand and a gun in the other while traversing a city street.
By his side, Mathilda, the young girl, walked alongside, clutching a paper bag and a teddy bear, observing him. Even though the male lead sported sunglasses, his distinctive nose unmistakably exposed his identity.
Thus, if indeed Jean Reno received the letter and passed it on to Luc Besson, there was no doubt, she would be in a lot of trouble.
In reality, neither of these factors was the most pressing concern. Despite the possibility of Besson actively working on the script, Angela's creation took the form of a semi-novel. Furthermore, the postmark on the envelope originated from California, United States, making accusations of plagiarism implausible.
Perhaps Besson himself would offer the sentiment that "great minds think alike." Additionally, the absence of the little girl's address on the envelope would pose a considerable challenge if Luc Besson were to attempt to locate her.
Nevertheless, the predicament revolved around Natalie Portman. If the young girl removed herself from the equation, Besson faced only two options upon acquiring the script. He could either take the risk of violating the law and proceed with filming or indefinitely delay the production of the movie. Regardless of the path chosen, the girl from Long Island would be in grave danger of never resurfacing again. The gravity of the situation was truly dreadful.
Should the French director opt for the first path, could 10-year-old Natalie be rediscovered by talent scouts, just as she had been in her previous life, and subsequently be recommended to Besson? Angela, on her visits to New York, always managed to find a way to visit Long Island, yet she had never come across Natalie.
In the case of the second scenario, things were even grimmer. In the little girl's previous life, it was widely known that Natalie'sheart was never drawn to Hollywood. If she hadn't inadvertently become involved in the filming of "Leon: The Professional," Natalie would likely have never had any involvement with the world of movies throughout her lifetime.
This formed the core of Angela's anguish. For "him," Mathilda portrayed by Natalie was once "his" beloved character. It embodied "his" dream. Within that substantial envelope, there lay paintings meticulously crafted by Angela, dedicated to Mathilda.
One depicted her seated by a window, a sense of vulnerability apparent in her gaze as she peered outside, bathed in the golden glow of sunlight.
The other showcased her on a staircase, glancing back, a lit cigarette held in her grasp. These two scenes had become iconic shots, and Angela poured her heart and soul into illustrating them, unmistakably showcasing her deep infatuation.
Thus, if the depiction of the silver screen's number one Loli was marred in her hands in such a manner, Natalie's image, considered an enduring presence for otaku or peculiar individuals, would be utterly shattered. Angela could never forgive herself for such an outcome!
The young girl rose to her feet, her movements feeble as she made her way outside. Every now and then, she exchanged brief words with the children who crossed her path. It had been a month and a half since "The Parent Trap" hit the screens, and the initial fervor from her classmates had gradually waned.
Although her inherent charm still drew attention wherever she went, the days of being constantly surrounded by admirers had essentially vanished.
But now Angela really wished that someone would surround her and ask her questions so that she wouldn't have to think about so many things. Apart from the script issue, there was another thing that hit her hard. This morning was the first time Jessica didn't sit with her on the school bus!
Just the thought of it made Angela feel hurt, but who could she blame?
If it wasn't for her strange thoughts, if it wasn't for those actions that shouldn't have happened, how could she and Jessica have ended up like this? Was their relationship of several years really over? Was it impossible for them to even remain friends?
Standing by the corridor, the young girl gazed upon the children frolicking on the lawn, a sense of melancholy enveloping her being.
At that very moment, a pair of hands stealthily emerged from beneath her ribs, playfully tickling her armpit.
Startled, Angela leaped up in surprise, swiftly darted out of the corridor, and turned her head to give the mischievous assailant an irritated glare. With a mix of annoyance and amusement, she exclaimed, "Jessica! You've tickled me again!"
"Okay, Angela, it was all your daydreaming, so don't put the blame on me," Jessica declared, raising her hands and wiggling her fingers mischievously, a hint of pride evident in her voice.
"Oh really? Maybe we should have a fair competition." Angela pretended to be angry, but her heart was incredibly excited. She coughed and casually asked, "By the way, why didn't you take the school bus today?"
Jessica's mischievous smile widened as she remarked, "What's the matter? Are you unhappy because a certain someone failed to see me?"
Angela clenched her teeth in frustration and retorted, "Jessica, hasn't anyone taught you that it's impolite to expose someone's secrets in front of others?"
"Well, if I unintentionally wounded your tender heart, I apologize," Jessica nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders. Sensing Angela's growing agitation, she swiftly added, "Alright, this morning, my dad had some errands to run, so he happened to give me a ride."
Angela chose to overlook certain inaccuracies in Jessica's explanation and cautiously inquired, "Are you... feeling better now?"
"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with me?" Jessica seemed to not understand her words.
"I... I mean... um..." Angela gestured several times, but in the end, she couldn't say it and her face became slightly embarrassed.
"I... I'm not sure what you're referring to, Angela, but..." Jessica cleared her throat, raising her fist to her mouth in a hesitant gesture. She seemed reluctant to meet Angela's gaze. "But truly, I'm alright."
Angela's mind was filled with confusion, sensing a peculiar air surrounding Jessica, yet unable to pinpoint its source. Just as she hesitated, Jessica appeared to muster her courage, turning her head to directly face Angela.
With a determined expression, she uttered, "Honestly, it's nothing, Angela. I've just come to some realizations." As she spoke these words, a sense of relief washed over her as if a burden had been lifted from her heart.
However, Angela remained clearly perplexed, her gaze fixed upon Jessica with a puzzled expression. Frowning, Jessica's eyes darted around.
Suddenly, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on Angela's lips. Startled, Angela instinctively recoiled in shock, barely able to process the unexpected gesture. Yet, before she could gather her thoughts, she caught sight of Jessica's mischievous smile, causing her eyebrows to furrow in confusion.
Without contemplating the situation too deeply, Angela instinctively opened her arms, attempting to capture Jessica, who let out a playful scream and swiftly darted away.
In that fleeting moment, Angela's mind was consumed by nothing else, not even the troubles entangled with "Leon: The Professional," because Jessica hadn't departed from her side.
...
"Darling, please remain still. If you fidget, your eyebrows might end up looking uneven," Mom advised, gently holding an eyebrow pencil and carefully tracing above Angela's eyes.
"If having uneven eyebrows means I can avoid going, then I'd rather have them uneven," the determined little one retorted, sitting upright in front of the dressing table, her frustration evident in her voice.
"That won't suffice, sweetheart. Once you've made a promise, you must honor it. If you can't..." Elena's expression remained unwavering.
"Then I shouldn't have agreed in the first place, right? I understand," Angela interjected swiftly, letting out a sigh. "I agreed to attend the party out of guilt for missing the premiere, but it doesn't signify anything more than that."
"In that case, you should learn to say no," Mom remarked, setting aside the eyebrow pencil. She leaned down, gently pressing her body against the little one's head, and gazed into the mirror. "You look stunning, don't you think?"
Angela glanced at her reflection in the mirror and shrugged, acknowledging her own beauty. Her soft, flowing blonde hair cascaded down, gently adorned with delicate curls that enhanced its allure.
The few bangs resting upon her forehead added a touch of adorableness, while her vibrant emerald eyes exuded a captivating radiance. Her round face boasted a subtle contour, emanating a youthful innocence capable of captivating any lolicon.
The young girl felt content with her appearance. It was only natural for everyone to desire to look beautiful, and while Mom may not have been a professional makeup artist, she always managed to bring out her best features. That was a testament to her impeccable taste. However, Angela couldn't help but daydream about trading the long dress she was currently wearing for a comfortable pair of pants.
Despite the light yellow dress gracefully reaching just above her ankles and its modest design that concealed her shoulders and collarbone, Angela couldn't shake off her distaste for it. Perhaps attending the Disney party wasn't such a good idea after all?
But who could have predicted that "The Parent Trap" would go on to achieve a staggering box office success, surpassing the previous version from Angela's past life by a whopping $40 million, with a total of $100 million in the United States? It was truly astonishing, and it certainly couldn't be denied that Julia and Meg played significant roles in its triumph.
"Mom, are you absolutely sure you won't come with me?" The young girl gazed up at her mother, attempting to portray an innocent expression.
However, Elena, who had already discerned her daughter's intentions, firmly declined, "Absolutely not. This is your own achievement, completely independent of me or your father. Furthermore, Mr. Sparrow will be accompanying you, and you'll encounter familiar faces at the event. It's best if you attend obediently."
Observing her mother's reassuring smile, Angela shrugged helplessly. "Alright then, I'll go."
