Cindy: A Highschool Cinderella

Chapter Eight

“What?” I said with a nervous laugh. Was he serious? He doesn’t even know me. He hasn’t even seen me without my mask. He doesn’t even know my name! Well, that’s because I refuse to tell him. Oh, well…

“I mean, uh…” he began to say. Luckily my phone rang. I’m saved by the bell! Technically, it isn’t a bell but the ringtone’s name is twinkling bells so, whatever.

“Uhm, I have to take this,” I said awkwardly to him while holding out my phone.

“Oh yeah, sure. Go ahead,” he said with a bit of embarrassment. I can’t blame him. You ask a girl to kiss and she doesn’t want to kiss you? That must be a slap on the face.

I walked to the edge of the balcony, near the railings, and as I looked down my phone I saw Natasha’s name flashing on the screen and I picked it up immediately.

“Cindy, I’m on my way home. I’ll be there in less than an hour,” she said and hang up on me. I wasn’t even able to reply or ask why she’s calling. But I do know one thing; I have to get the hell out of here.

I turned to look at Jeremy who apparently has been staring at me the whole time. “Sorry to cut our conversation short but I really have to go,” I said and dashed for the door. He stood up with that unbelievable look on his face like he just got busted.

I ran down the stairs and looked everywhere for Emma. I figured Emma wouldn’t be in the backyard anymore but where could she be? The only place that I haven’t searched is probably the second floor and the supply closet. Could it be…

I ran towards the supply closet and opened the door and I was right, Emma was in the supply closet. With Michael. Lips locked. Her hands around his neck and his around her waist. As soon as they sensed my presence they immediately pulled away from each other.

“Cindy!’ she said, scandalized. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m afraid you have to reschedule your interaction ‘cause we have to go,” I grabbed Emma’s wrist and headed for the door. As we made our way through the crowd we unfortunately bumped into Hayley and Mackenzie. Of all the people, why them?

“Sorry, excuse me.” I said with a high-pitched voice so they wouldn’t notice me. Hayley stared down at me like I came out of the ground but Kenzie just let us through.

“Why are you rushing?” she asked.

“Natasha just called and she’ll be home in less than an hour,” I explained. “I’ll be dead if she found out that I wasn’t home and I have dreams, Emma. I don’t want to die yet.”

She pulled me to stop and looked at me like I was crazy.

“Where’s your shoes?” she asked.

Oh, shit. Totally forgot the shoes upstairs! “Forget about them! We have to go!”

“But those were worth $50! I won it from Teen Vogue!”

“I promise to get them back if I live through the night!” I said and dragged her to door.

“Hey!” I heard a familiar voice said. I looked back and saw that it was Jeremy running towards me while clutching something white. I have no time for this! I opened the door and headed to the car. Note to self: never walk barefoot on an asphalt ground because it freaking hurts. We reached the car and I immediately strapped myself on the passenger’s seat and Emma on the driver’s.

We were home in less than 30 minutes and fortunately Natasha’s not home yet. We immediately went inside and sat on the sofa.

“And we’re home,” Emma said and slouched. She reached for her paper bag and took out a packet of makeup removers. I took it without saying anything. I already removed my mask so I just rubbed the wet tissue on my face removing any trace that I went to a party. Suddenly, we heard a car approaching the house.

Shit, Natasha.

We ran upstairs to my room and Emma helped me out of my dress. I immediately wore an old ratty shirt and pajamas. We hid all the paper bags under my bed and I plopped on the bed with Emma. Just as we settled down, Natasha opened the door.

“Why is she here?” she said and pointed to Emma.

“I went to a party but then I thought I’d rather spend quality time with my best friend,” Emma explained.

“Can she stay?” I asked pulling of my best puppy eyes look although that never worked on Natasha but it was worth a try.

She sighed and stared down at us. “Just make sure that she’s gone first thing in the morning,” and with that she closed the door not so gently.

Both me and Emma exhaled and started to laugh. These are the moments when what we thought what was impossible was actually possible, miracles really.

“I can’t believe we pulled it off!” I said.

“IKR,” she said and covered herself with my blankets. “I thought I was going to die with you under Natasha’s hands.”