Once upon a time, there lived a girl named Cinderella. Her mom was dead and her father married another woman.

As the story goes, her father died and she end up as a maid by her stepmother and stepsisters.

One day, the fairy godmother came to her and transformed her into a beautiful lady. She went to the ball and dance with and the prince fell in love with her and they lived happily ever after.

‟The end’’, I said to my sister Juliana.

‘‘What? That can’t be.’’

‘‘Go to bed Julia. I’m tired. I can’t keep telling you Cinderella story all over again.’’ I straighten my night gown. ‘‘By the way, why do you like the story that much?’’ She smiled showing her teeth which has almost fallen finish.

‘‘I…..I just like it. I might be able to find my prince charming.’’

‘‘In your dreams. Look Julia, I’ve to sleep. I’ve a test tomorrow.’’

‘‘Fine, but you must promise to tell me the little mermaid story.’’

‘‘Fine, now go.’’

‘‘Piss, as if her room looks that good. I’ll just tell Charlie to tell me.’’

‘‘Fine. Go and meet him. I’ve to sleep. Goodnight.’’ I slept on the bed and heard her left.

Prince charming? I thought. Well, maybe it’s Harrell. The school charmer and the guy I’ve had crush on since elementary school.

Before I knew it, I was snoring loudly.

🐉

‘‘Kelly, wake up.’’ Charlie shouted. ‘‘Oh goodness! Look at your room.’’

‘‘Morning.’’ I rub my eye.

“Just go straight to the bathroom before mom comes up. I’ll tidy up your room. It’s all messed up.’’

I yawned and walk lazily toward the bathroom and start my daily life.

My name is Kelly Kent. Age? Fifteen. Neither that tall nor short. I’m just a normal girl. I lived with my mom and siblings in Las Vegas.

I’ve a small sister named Juliana and two elder brother named Charlie and Wayne. They are both in college while I’m still in fourth year of high school.

I love anything blue and what I’m afraid of is water. Mom never let me go near the ocean when I was young because of an incident which had happened and almost cost my life.

I was ready for school. Breakfast was toast with scrambled eggs. We aren’t that rich or poor but you can call us average people.

We do struggle but not to the extent of being poor.

‘‘Did you do the laundry Kelly?’’ Mom asked.

‘‘Yes.’’ I wore my shoes.

‘‘Have you done your assignment Julia”?

‘‘No.’’ All of us were shocked.

“No? Why?” Mom asked.

“Because I got no money to buy the materials.”

“You should’ve asked me. Now bring your homework out before I smack you.” Mom was very strict towards us.

I almost gave her the nickname witch when she beat me for not washing the dishes.

“Bye.” I got up. “I’ll take the bus. My bicycle has a flat tire. I’ll fix it when I’m back.” I ran out.

🐉

I was late again. “You again Kelly!” Mr. Murray roared at me. “I won’t take any excuse this time. Go and clean the court room.”

“Yes.” I got up lazily.

“Can’t you get up?” He shouted and I ran. It seems everyone were so mean to me.

As I was going, my eyes met Harrell. He was talking with group of girls. Looks like he’s having fun.

I went to clean the court room. After that, I was back to class. It seems like I’ve missed a lot of class. I sat.

“Miss Kent, you’re late.” The teacher said.

“I…..I was told to clean the court room.”

“Fine.” The class started.

Even though I’ve aced all the material last year, I still took some note. I was intelligent in my studies but one thing I lack is just that I’m not smart like others students.

It was lunch time. I sat down with Belle.

“I messed up right.” I said.

“Kind of. You missed a lot of classes. Here” She hand me her book. “I wrote some for you.”

“Thanks.” I smiled.

“Heard what?”

“Harrell broke up with Maggie.”

“Oh my what!”

“The school’s in chaos because she’s the director daughter.”

“That means he’s going to drop out of school.”

“Kind of and you know what, he’s from a poor family.”

“What? No way”.

“It’s true. His mom work as a cleaner. His dad was a drunkard so his parents end up being separated. He lives only with his mom.”

“Wow. This entire thing looks like a dream to me. Don’t tell this to anyone.”

“Sure.”

“God. I’m confused.”

“Of course you should because no one knew he’s from a poor family.”

“No one?”

“Yes. I just find out yesterday.”

“Can you do me a favour Belle? Don’t tell anyone about what you just said.”

“My lips are zipped.”

“Let eat and get going.”

🐉

Belle and I were in the library studying when Harrell entered. The look on his face wasn’t that good.

He looked angry. My heart skipped a bit as he was walking towards us. Suddenly, he grabs Belle by her collar shirt in a tight grip.

“Put me down!” she said. “You’re choking me”

“What did you did you just say? Put you down.”

“What the hell’re you doing?” I said and he stared at me. I couldn’t speak because I’ve never seen him mad like this.

None could see us because we were covered by the bookshelves. He turned to Belle.

“I hate people trying to pry into my life. How dare you spread rumors about my family? How dare you?” He shouted so loud that I’m sure the nearby students would’ve heard him. Belle looked so scared.

“I……I….” She was choking.

“Let her go!” I used a force to separate them. I think I heard him groan. “Are you okay Belle?” She nodded. “Thank goodness. Let go quickly.” I pulled her out.

🐉

“Kelly Kent!!!” The principal Mr. Dugan roared at me. I was standing helpless. “Violence in school’s prohibited. Aren’t you aware of that?”

“I was” My face was down. I couldn’t dare look at him.

“Then why? Why hit Harrell?”

“Sir it was an accident. I---------”

“You don’t have any right to talk. You’re hereby punished for three week. You’re going to scrub all the windows and I mustn’t see any garbage on the school ground. Okay?”

“Yes.” I said louder.

“Now run to your class.” He loses his tie.

“Sure.” I left.

“Weirdo.” I sat on a bench. “You’re such a fool Kelly.” I hit myself. “Gosh. What am I going to do? What if Maggie and her crew bully me then I will be done for. Gosh!”

I hit myself once again. Harrell hand bled. Oh lord saves me. Then my mind flash back to the scene.

What did he mean back then? Rumor. What rumor. Don’t tell me……shit Belle.

I entered the house feeling exhausted. Charlie was seated on the couch. I guess he was waiting for me.

“Where have you been?” His voice was serious and I hate it whenever he get serious because he may loses his temper.

There was a day he’d slapped me for coming home late but I hope he wouldn’t do that.

“Coming from Belle house. I’d a matter to discuss with her”.

” What matter?” Still in same position, arms tucked beneath the armpit. Leg crossed together.

“What matter do you expect me to discuss if not studies”.

” Fine”. He got up. “I made dinner. Mom’s out and Julia’s sleeping. She got a bad cough but she’d taken some drugs”.

“Sure. What about you? Have you eaten?”

“No. I just don’t feel like”.

” Why? Because you’re in first year?”

“I’m just tired”.

” Is it about money again. How much?”

“It’s a project and I need to submit tomorrow. It would cost me about 300 dollars”.

“Oh my! Three hundred dollars? That’s too much”

“That’s what I thought so. I can’t afford the money”.

” I’ve an idea. Why don’t we sell my guitar?”

“But___”

“Let’s just sell it. It should cover up for the money and since I’m no longer interested in music”.

” But dad___”.

“Please don’t about dad. It piss me off”.

“Sorry. By the way, I’d your tyre pumped”

“Wow thanks”. A smile lit my lip. ” I’ll get going”

“Sure”.

🐉

Humming to myself, I was cleaning the tennis court when I heard Belle called at me. She walks toward me with our eyes making some .

“What’s up B___”

“I’m so sorry”. She blurted out . I stared at her for a moment.

“You’re kidding right? What do you’ve to be sorry for. For putting me in this mess?”

“Look I___”

“Just shut up and give me a hug”. A smile lit her face and she hug me. “Best friends forever”.

” Sure”.

“What the hell are you two doing!” Mr. Stinlinstik shouted and that makes the two of us jumped. “You two again”. He gave us a dead stare. “Don’t you’ve class? Now run to your class! Run!”

We both ran. Still hearing shout run after us.

“That man is crazy”. I said after we reach the hallway.

“He sure is. Are you busy this evening?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I was thinking if we could study together. The exam is coming soon”.

“Oh sure”. I said opening my locker. Then a lot of trash fell out. “Shit”.

“Oh my!” Belle gasped with both her hand to her mouth.

“I can’t take this anymore”. I storm into the classroom. They were receiving lecture. It was the art teacher.

“Miss. Kent”. She said in her tiny low voice. “You’re late for class”.

“I…… Shit”. I mussed up my hair and the class laugh.

“Shut up”. She said to the class and face me. “And you Kelly, see me in my office for coming late and looking all rough”.

“Yes”. I took my sit and mussed up my hair. I could hear the giggles of the girls. “God. This is hell”. I put my hair down to my locker.

🐉

There was chaos everywhere. I was seen in the middle of girls. They were all jeering at me. I was with my lunch on the tray.

“Let me go”.

“Go? You bitch!” A girl slapped me. My hand was on my cheek with my lunch tray on the floor. The girls laugh. Then Maggie stepped in and faced me.

“So you’re the bitch who lay her hand on my prince”. I couldn’t talk. ”Well, well, well, there’s nothing I can do but to make you face the music. You even spread rumour that he’s from a poor family”.

My eyes met Belle. She was starring at me. I understand that she couldn’t save me. “Deal with her”.

Maggie said and stepped out.

“I think we should make some pancake here”. A girl said and before I knew it, a bag of flour was poured above my head. Then the eggs came raining at me.

There was laughter everywhere. The oil came too. Before I knew it, I was crying. The laughter increased.

“Stop!” Everyone looked back. It was Harrell with the principal Mr. Dugan. Thank God or else, I would have been set ablaze but that wouldn’t happen except they all want to rot in jail.

“Are you okay Kelly?” The principal asked me but I replied with tears. “What the hell are you girls doing?” No one dare to talk. “God”. He looked at me all over. “This is a disaster. Harrell take her to the washroom and you”. He faced the girls. “You’ll be punish dearly for this”. Then Harrell held my hand and pull me out.

“You’re a mess”. He look at me all over. “Let’s get you to the washroom”

“Thanks”. I said getting out of the washroom. My uniform was clean.

“I’m sure you can walk yourself to the class. I’ll get going”. He left.

“This guy is so rude”. I frown. “Well at least he cared”. I smiled. That was where my life with Harrell start

I entered the house. Mom wasn’t at home.

“Where’s mom?”

“Out”. Wayne answered.

” Wayne”. I cling on to him. “You’re back”.

” Yes my baby sis. You seem to have grown up while I was gone”.

“Yes”. I smiled. ” Have you eaten?”

“No. Just thinking of going to the mall to buy some foodstuffs”

“May I join in?”

“Sure. Why not”. He smiled at me and pull my cheeks.

” Aww. That hurt”.

“Sorry”.

” Where’s Charlie and Juliana?”

“Out with mom”.

” To where?”

“To assist the neighbour moving in here”.

” Neighbour? You mean down the elm of the road?”

“Yes. A woman and her son just moved in”.

” Wow. Can’t wait to see them”.

“Are you gonna stay here and talk all day or follow me to the mall”. With his serious tone, I think he’s getting upset.

” OK just let me drop my bag”.

“Gosh. Forget it”. He walk away,

” Wait”. I ran after him. Wayne could be a little naughty but he’s a good brother.

It was dinner time. Mom was talking as she place the food on the table while I was asking Wayne question about his college.

“Those people are so nice”. Mom said to me.

” Really?” I took a spoonful of soup in my mouth.

“Oh my. You should have seen her son. He’s well mannered”.

” Here she goes again”. I said to myself.

“At least better than you”. She looked at me.

” Wow. This soup taste horrible”. I said.

“Really?” Charlie took a spoonfull and swallowed. “God. This is really horrible. You forgot to put salt”.

” Oh. That must have skipped my mind”.

“Are we gonna starve?” Julia asked.

“No. I’m gonna have it cooked again”. She packed the soup in front of us.

” I’ve to go. My room is all mused up”.

“Of course you should”. Charlie said and I left.

The bell 🔔🔔🔔 was tolling. Everyone was assembled to the hall. I was panicking.

” What’s going on?” Belle asked me.

“I’ve no idea”. We all took our seat. Then the principal got up. There were whispering everywhere.

” Silent!” The principal shouted and everywhere was silent. Out of the blue, my name was being called. “Step forward Kelly”. I walk toward him. His facial expression wasn’t good. ” Let this serve as a lesson to all of you”. He face me. “This was found in your locker”. He showed me a magazine and I gasp. ” Can you explain it?”

“I swear it wasn’t me”.

” But it was found inside your locker”.

“It wasn’t me I swear. Someone set me up”.

“Shut up!” I was quiet then he faced the student. “The student before you was found guilty of reading porn magazine”. Everyone gasp then the whispering began. ” This will serve as a lesson to all of you because if anyone is found guilty, you’ll be expelled. Okay?”

“Yes”. The student said lowly.

” And you Kelly. You are hereby suspended from the school for three week. That’s all”. He left and the student too left. I fell.

“Are you okay Kelly?” Belle ran towards me.

“Okay?” I was in tears 😭😭. “Do you axpect me to be okay? What would I say to mom? She’s gonna kill me!” I cried more.

“I…… I trust you Kelly. You wouldn’t do such”.

” It wasn’t me I swear”. I cried more.

I was at my locker packing my books. Belle was helping me out while the other student were giving me a bad stare.

“I’ll come to your house”. Belle said.

” Sure”. I picked the last of my book and turned to leave but I was stopped by Maggie with her girls.

“Well, well, well. Look at what we got here girls”. Maggie said and the girls giggle.

” I’m not scared of you. Do your worst”. I said firmly.

“Really? Seems like the magazine wasn’t doing its job well”.

” So it was you. You framed me”.

“Oh my. Did you just accuse me…… You bitch”. She slapped me and laugh.

” Stop it”. Belle ran towards me. “Are you okay Kelly?”

“Next time you get in my way, I’ll do more than this. Let’s go girls”. They left.

I was at the field crying. Then I saw someone handing me a handkerchief. I looked up. It was Harrell.

” Are you gonna bully me too?” I wipe my tears.

“I wasn’t here to do that”. He sat beside me. “Here”. I collected the handkerchief from him.

” You better go before Maggie finds you here”.

“I saw what happened”.

“Seems like you believed them”. I smirk.

” Of course I should. I don’t know you but I just know you’re innocent”.

“What?” I stared at him.

“Actually, I saw them putting it in your locker”.

“You saw them and couldn’t stop them”.

“I…… I didn’t know it was a porn magazine. I thought it was some kind of book”.

” And it implicate me”. I got up.

“You shouldn’t shout at me. I’ve done nothing wrong”.

” Of course you haven’t. You’re of no use to me because I……. I’m doomed. What should I as when I get home”. I cried.

“I’m sorry”.

” No don’t be. I should be the one to say that. I apologize for what I did to your arm. Bye”. I left.