Ever hear of the story Cinderella? I never read the story or watched the movies related to the stories but at times I felt as though I fit in with it. Well, sort of. You see I was adopted by a man who found me alone in an abandoned orphanage that was half burnt down. He said I was about seven at the time and all I had with me was a panda teddy bear almost half my size and a bracelet in my hand with initials on the inside of it and on the outside was carved a name in cursive. Emmie. Simple, a nickname I assumed, but it stuck with me and my dad. He then named me Emerie but still calls me Emmie. Only my dad calls me Emmie, and any friends I may have in my future. Well, one day, when I was about 10, my dad married my stepmom. She is a doozie, too. Samantha Billings is her name. She is thin, and has bleach blond hair with blue eyes. A stark contrast to my father who is tall, fairly well built, even though he's greying. My father's is Hispanic with a darker tone than I. He owns his own business and is rather successful with a hefty income, still we live a humble life. Samantha doesn't like that, though. She likes to flaunt my dad's money, her and my stepsister Mary both. Mary looked like her mother's identical twin. Samantha and Mary didn't only share looks, but they also shared the same attitude and had no regard for my dad's wishes, all they care about is money.
For the hundredth time we sat in the family room scattered on the couches surrounding the glass coffee table. My stepsister and stepmother were berating my father yet again because he enrolled my sister and I into a basic school. My father never wanted me to grow up greedy and selfish like all the other rich kids my age that he knows. When my stepsister joined the family he wanted to do the same for her. Though the two of them never liked the idea. They came from nothing but they act pampered. The only important thing Samantha has ever done in her life was be a model who got let go because she was no longer "needed". Or so she says. I looked at my father who frowned at them and rubbed his temples.
"Daddy," I said suddenly making the two girls glare at me but effectively getting my dad's attention. "I know you want to keep Mary and I in the same school and you want us to learn important life lessons. I think maybe it's time to consider sending us to the school Mary wants to go to. They won't stop unless you do."
My father nodded grimly, "I agree, and it's the last time I cave in for the two of you." He said addressing Samantha and Mary.
Mary squealed with joy as Samantha kissed him on the cheek. My father waved her off and looked at me. I smiled at him trying to encourage his decision but I don't think it worked. I stood up and walked over to my dad giving him a kiss on his head.
"Daddy, it's going to be okay. Maybe Mary will learn what she needs to at the new school." I said
"What about you?" He asked looking at me, "How will you adjust Emmie?"
"I'll tough it out. You don't have to worry about me." I smiled at him.
He nodded, "Very well. I'll send Jack to get your school uniforms and we'll get a new car for you guys to be driven to and from school."
"Daddy, you know you don't have to do that!" I said.
"I don't want you girls being bullied for how I like us to live." My dad explained.
"Edward James O'Neil we cannot live this way." Samantha said pleading with my father.
"That's enough!" My father snapped rising from his seat, "The way we live is final. Our daughter's will attend the school you want them to go to, but that is as far as I am willing to go." He turned to me, "Emmie, I'm going to my study, if you like you can go with Jack and Nelson to pick up your uniform or whatever you like. Mary can go with."
My father left after that. Whenever he says he's going to his study it's clear he needs alone time. I knew better than to bother my father when he was upset so I took his decision and went with Jack and Nelson to the mall. It's our father's mall so it was okay for me to disappear from Jack and Nelson. Jack went with my sister to pick up the uniforms and Nelson was kind enough to keep a few paces behind me and not make it known that he was with me. I liked Nelson, a gruff and quiet man with black hair and brown eyes. He was always like a big brother to me when in public to make me feel more comfortable and make sure I'm protected. I lifted my fingers up as if I was pointing upstairs. Nelson understood what I meant and I continued my way to the fourth floor where there was a game center. I took a 20 out of my pocket and put it in the coin machine after grabbing a basket from the counter. I then went to go play the claw machines and attempt to get every kind of stuffed animal I call a snuggly that I could.
"Miss Emmie, we need to go. Your sister and Jack are waiting for us." Nelson said coming up to me.
"Fine, but after we drop my sister off at home I want to go to the hospital." I said holding up the bag filled with snugglies.
Nelson smiled and nodded his head. "Of course we can."
We left the game center and went downstairs to the waiting car and I got in while Nelson climbed in too. As soon as I sat down next to Mary she gave me an inquisitive look.
"Why didn't you hold the door open for her Nelson?" Mary snapped.
"I never let him. Don't talk to Nelson like that. Or even Jack. They aren't your slaves." I scolded her.
"Hmph, whatever. Just wait until mom inherits the company. You'll no longer be a problem." Mary grumbled.
"Already planning dad's death?" I glared at her, "I'll make sure you or Samantha won't get it."
Jack drove home where Mary climbed out and left inside immediately. I slid over and closed her door and looked at Jack and Nelson.
"Can we please go to the hospital now?" I asked.
Nelson smiled and nodded looking at Jack, "Jack, go ahead and take the uniforms inside to Mr. O'Neil and I'll drive her to the hospital."
Jack nodded getting out and grabbing our uniforms. Once the trunk was closed and Jack started walking inside our home Nelson drove off heading to the hospital while I hugged the bag of snugglies close.
