REVERIE: Twisted Reality

The Death of Cinderella

Subconscious Chronicle Entry (Reality), Archive 10, 2nd Shelf

As I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the white ceiling of our school clinic.

'I must've fainted due to exhaustion.'

I wasn't able to get enough rest the past few days because of my part-time jobs. The tuition due date is almost near and I still haven't made enough.

I sat down on the bed and wore my shoes when I heard a mellow voice just out the curtain, "Did you see Alexandria Lennon's face? It's as pale as a sheet! You don't think she's actually dead, do you?" He asked curiously.

I heard another guy's voice but unlike the first one who spoke his voice was mawkish, "Don't be ridiculous. The school nurse told us that she just fainted. I think she that it was due to exhaustion or something like that."

"That's a relief. Still, why is no one visiting her? She seems like the type that would be popular and has a lot of friends." The guy with the mellow voice asked.

I was about to inform them that I was already awake when the guy with the mawkish voice suddenly said, "Well, she is rather popular with guys who's into the cold type but Alexandria Lennon doesn't have any friends. Every time someone tries to invite her to hang out, she always declines. I guess she thinks she's too good for us or something."

I stopped and listened to their conversation.

"I'm sure she's just shy..." The guy with the mellow voice tried to defend me but the guy with a mawkish voice scoffed.

"Hah! Shy? You should have seen how she shot down that second-year just a month ago." The guy said as if his friend just missed the show of a lifetime."' I don't have the time or the money to waste.' were her exact words. It's really annoying how she acts so conceited when she can't even afford to pay our tuition." His tone was condescending.

"Really?! You must be joking!" I heard his friend asking in disbelief.

" You don't believe me? It's true!" The guy said in a persuasive voice then added, "I once overheard the teacher say that she goes to this school on a scholarship but since her grades are failing they are debating whether to kick her out or not. My gf also told me that she saw Alexandria in a BMW with an old guy. She probably sells herself out after class to pay for the extra expenses or something. But I guess hat's understable. Everyone knoes she doesn't have a father and her mother's gone nutzo so whe can't work. The money has to come from somewhere-"

I opened the curtain and said, "...I'm awake, you know."

The guy who was badmouthing me shrieked in surprise.

"HSDWIHSI! OH MY GOD DID YOU HEAR ALL THAT?!" He asked nervously. 

I took a good look at both of them. The guy who had a mellow voice had blond hair and looks like a foreigner while the guy with a mawkish voice looked like a delinquent because of the blue and black highlights on his brown hair.

"Yes, and to be honest I have heard worse." I told them calmly and wore my shoes. I stood out of the bed and looked at both of them. "So you two don't need to look like a pair of elementary students caught reading porn."

I went towards the door and thanked them on my way, "Thanks for taking me here but if you'll excuse me I should be going back to class."

I continued with the rest of my day and headed to Sir Claudius' office after school...

"I know the conditions are difficult in your house and you need to work, but do try to focus more on your school work. After all, you are a second year and it is important for you to start considering univ options. You should consider quitting one of your part time jobs and focus on your studies instead. If your financial situation is really that desperate, I can postpone the tuition due date for you if you so require." He told me.

 "Thank you. I will think about it." I said so that the conversation would not go on any longer.

Sir Claudius sighed and removed his glasses and told me, "Don't push yourself too hard , Miss Lennon."

I just nodded and he walked me to the door of his office. He handed me his business card before I could leave.

I looked at the white card where his name and his company name were printed but on the back of the card was his handwriting and his personal number.

I remembered the conversation we had in his office...

"You know, Alexandria, you should just quit your job and become my lover. It will make things easier don't you think?"

I looked at Sir Claudius blankly and said, "I really hope you were joking, Sir Claudius. I am a high school student not a prostitute. I suggest you go look somewhere else for the service you are looking for and I'm also pretty sure the ring on your finger doesn't approve."

Sir Claudius chuckled and looked at me with a glint of amazement in his eyes, "And you didn't even bat an eye. It's impossible to rile you up is it?" 

He looked at me seriously then added, "But I wasn't joking about my offer. If you are uncomfortable because you're still a minor then I'm willing to wait a few more years until you become a legal adult. I am also willing to pay for the 4 years of your university tuition along with any other expenses you may acquire during that time. That should save you a considerable amount of time and energy shouldn't it?" He asked.

I frowned at the ridiculousness of his voice. I thought he was done with the craziness but he then added,

"And as for my lovely wife. You don't know her as well as I do. As long as her credit card doesn't freeze she could care less who I was sleeping with."

I looked at him in disgust and told him, "...You have a terrible personality, Sir Claudius."

But he just laughed and admitted it, "Haha. I can't deny that. Still, regardless of how despicable I am, think about my offer. I promise you it will be worth the time. Here's my business card. I wrote my personal number there call me when you have made your decision."

I look at the card in disgust and tore it on my way home. 

But I would be lying if I said that I did not feel an ounce of regret. After all, I was throwing the most obvious method of improving my situation. 

Even how unconventional it may seem, Sir Claudius was literally 'the prince' the had presented himself in front of me, the Cinderella girl in need of saving.

But if  I allow him to save me, I would also allow myself to give up the last shred of self-worth and pride that I have, the only valuable things in my penniless state.

And as useless as it may be to my penniless state, without those I would just be a pretty doll like my poor mother,

Hollow, empty...

Nothing but just a pretty face.

So no matter how tempting Sir Claudius' offer is, no matter how hopeless the future may seem,

I will have to push on 

By myself.