Cinderella in Reverse

Six - Ashton Kutcher and Other Surprises

Months passed as I slowly got used to living with the Callahans'. I became really close with them, and I even got used to Theo's incessant bullying. Ashley and Steven were practically my second set of parents, and we spent a lot of time getting to know each other. I even knew about Ashley's 'matchmaking' ways.

And... I guess Finn and I were more civilised around each other. Ish.

Ever since I challenged myself to get in the top 10 rankings for my exams, I hadn't managed to get any study done...because frankly, I didn't know how. I always ended up getting distracted and I never seemed to get anything right.

It was only a few months until our final exams, and I was still lying in my bed on a Sunday doing absolutely nothing, just napping and checking social media. Thanks to your lazy attitude, this is exactly the reason why Miss Reardon's not going to keep her job for long. You're absolutely useless!

There was a knock at the door. "Hey honey, can I come in?" Crap. I bolted to grab the nearest textbook I could find before letting Ashley inside.

"Oh, wow," she said. "Are you studying? I could've sworn you've been in your room for like, the whole morning!"

Yeah, napping.

"I uh, wanted to um, brush up on my...maths for the exams." I lied sheepishly.

"Oh really?" her eyes widened. "Can I have a look?"

My palms became sweaty. "Uh...sure." I opened up my textbook, luckily to a page where I actually had done some work. Okay, two questions. But that still counts, right?

Upon further inspection, Ashley frowned. She turned to stare at me blankly. "This page is just marked with crosses, Sophia. Are you sure you don't need some help from Finn?"

I shook my head. "No, I think I'll be fine," I lied.

"It'll be good," she insisted. "I heard he's the best in the grade."

I scoffed. Yeah, and the biggest jerk in the grade. "He wouldn't want to help me anyway..."

She gave me a look. "He might." What was that look she just gave me? It was the one where she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, winked at me and grinned devilishly, like she was planning something.

I rolled my eyes back at her as she dismissed herself from my room.

Well, time for a nap.

~~~

Tori, Vienna and I were in the student lounge, and we were complaining about our study patterns during our study period the next day. Tori shot me a doubtful look, glancing over at another table. "Uhh...Soph, I think Finn wants you to go over to him."

I looked over to where she was gesturing too to, and I saw Finn beckoning me. I couldn't believe it. Were my eyes deceiving me? Did Finn actually want to see me in public? Quick ma-get the camera!