You probably know the story of Cruella Devil the wicked fashion designer who tried to make a coat out of dalmatian puppies but what you might not know is that before the story you know, the full story involves a broken friendship, a crumbling empire and a stolen diamond. For now, though, let’s go back. it’s 1953 in London and the fashion empire run by Edward de vil is on top of the world every season. His fashion empire comes out with a new collection and people go nuts for it. But our story starts not with fashion empires or priceless jewelry but on a school bus on its way to pick up a new student, Stella De vil. On this bus sits Anita Darling, a simple 17 year old girl with dreams and school work but with no idea that her world is about to change. The bus stops and Anita takes little notice until there is a loud gasp from the whole bus. She looks out the window and sees a beautiful and luxurious mansion sitting on a hill and, when the bus doors open on walks the new girl she wears a simple black skirt with a thin black waist-length coat but most distinct of all is her black and white hair. Silence no one knows what to think about this new girl but then the whispers break out “that’s the famous fashion designer’s daughter right?”. Stella slowly walks down the bus and stops at the only available seat, the one next to Anita. She asks to sit and Anita says yes. As the bus moves through 1953 London. Stella looks over at what Anita is drawing in her sketchbook and there she sees the most beautiful drawings ever. Dalmatians running and sleeping and playing. Stella loves them and she and Anita start talking about their shared love of fashion. The bus pulls up to the school and Stella gazes at a grand looking building with a gate separating it from the outside world. Anita bids farewell to Stella and heads off to class. Once Anita reaches her class, we see Roger, who Anita has a secret crush on. They sit down and class begins. Anita has good grades, but she doesn’t listen in class very much. She is more focused on the fact that she is sitting next to Roger. Anita first met Roger in the music hall when she saw him playing the most beautiful music on the piano, and they have been close friends ever since. The school bell rings, waking Anita from her daydream, signaling the next class. When the next three classes have finished, Anita goes to the cafeteria for lunch and spots Stella sitting all alone. Anita decides to join her new friend, and they start talking and laughing and, before Anita knew it, three months had passed and she and Stella were inseparable. Stella taught Anita to stand up for herself and gain her confidence and Anita taught Stella how to draw and design the beautiful Dalmatians she saw Anita drawing on their first bus ride. Everything seems fine. Until it all comes crashing down.

Thank you for reading the first part of my new story “a cruel twist of fate” 

(Please note this is based on Disney’s 1961 film 101 Dalmatians and is not canon to the movie. And is also very very loosely based on the book Disney twisted tale: cruel truth.)