Cinderella (Seventeen)

New Family and Tight Cupboards

Chapter One

*Hyolyn's POV*

"Appa?" I called around the house. It was just me and him, ever since my mom died. Yet, I couldn't seem to find him anywhere. For the past 2 years, he's tried to do his best, but I know he's struggling. Deciding I'm hungry and temporarily forgetting that my dad has gone missing, I ransacked the fridge for all it was worth. Yes. Pancakes. Yes. Waffles. Let me be a child, I'm only 9...

"Hyolyn?" My dad called walking through the door.

"Appa!" I jumped up, running to hug him. Then I saw woman behind him, and he had a great big grin on his face.

"I would like you to meet Jieun." She smiled, as I bowed.

"I put some pancakes in the oven, if you would like some?" I asked innocently.

"No dear, but thank you," she smiled warmly.

"We'll just head into the back room, alright sweetheart?" He kissed the top of my head. "Don't be too late going to bed, you have school tomorrow."

*the next day*

"Hyolyn, get up for school right now or else!" I heard my dad shout outside my door. "I'm not bluffing Hyo. I have the bucket here in my hands." He teased through my door.

"Yah! I'm up, I'm up!" I jumped out of bed swinging the door open.

"Hurry up kiddo, you'll be late." He ruffled my hair as we ate breakfast together. "Hyo?"

"Ne appa?" I chewed on my toast.

"What did you think of Jieun?" He pursed his lips.

"I thought she was nice, and kind. And she was really pretty too. Why?"

"Well, I've been seeing her for a little while, and I wanted to get your approval before I took things much further..."

"For how long?" I almost choked on my toast. I don't mind him seeing people, but... it's only been 2 years since my mom died. He can't have moved on already right?

Right?

"6 months," he bit his lip, causing me to choke again.

"And you're only just telling me this now?" I yelled, throwing my crust at him as he laughed picking the crust up.

"Well, I thought it was time you two should meet. And you should know, she has 2 daughters. One is 2 years older than you, the other is a year younger than you, so they're... 11 and 8..." he scratched his chin.

"Ding ding you remember how old I am for once!" I cheered. The dentist thinks I'm a year younger than what I am, due to my dad filling out my medical form with the wrong birth year. I forget who the parent is sometimes.

"Hyo?"

"Yes appa?" I put my shoes on, ready for school.

"How would you feel if they came and lived with us?" He asked sincerely.

Alright. I'm only 9. I know.

But I have to think about my dad, right? And what's best for him? He deserves happiness... he lost my mom, who he loved so much. He needs to find happiness again.

"As long as I get to keep my room and my shelf in the fridge, everything is cool with me," I smiled back as he ran and spun me around.

"Have a good day at school Hyo." He smiled as I went out of the door.

Only, I didn't realise that would be the last time things would ever be normal.

*6 months later*