Breaking the Cinderella Rules

❁ SAY MY NAME, Rose Boy

I know it's been a long time since I've updated :) I promise I will update again as soon as possible since I figured out a new twist for the story :D We've all seen the melancholic side of Ash, but we're never bored of Cinder's sarcastic tone, are we? Here's more to Cinder, her house, and her life :) And presenting, Rose Boy, the boy who gave Cinder a rose in the beginning of the story. Do you guys remember him? ;)

Chapter 8—SAY MY NAME, please

I was officially screwed. Firstly, Ash ditched me in the middle of nowhere, and it took me forever to find a taxi. Secondly, by the time I reached my house, my watch clearly stated it was exactly midnight. Lastly, the front door was locked. I pressed the bell button and waited for someone to open the door, but no one practically cared.

Since no one cared anyway, I climbed the tall iron gate of my house. You see, this was quite a big deal, especially when my gate was almost two meters tall. One fall and I might end up breaking my neck. At the tip of the gate, sharp knife-like decorations lined the top of the gate, causing anyone who desperately tries to climb it to bleed terribly by just a touch.

“Screw you, Ash,” I cursed his name secretly and started climbing, uncaring of the scratches I’ll get after the climb. At first, I hesitated. When I look up, the idea of climbing became too dangerous, especially if I focus my eyes on those knife-like decorations. The tall trees that guarded my house could cause some scratches too. Yes, screw Ash, everyone inside this house, and life.

I shook my head. “Get going, Cinder. You’re a tough girl. Don’t let this—“I gestured at the gate—“stop you. It’s a stupid inanimate object for goodness sake!” I kicked the gate, but instead of making things better, pain surged into my nerves, making me stumble.

I’m absolutely ridiculous, I concluded to myself.

Climbing slowly, I made sure my skin was touching nothing. The gate was slippery, and my foot almost slipped if I didn’t hold on even tighter to the gate. My fingers held on to the rusted iron as I pulled myself up and grabbed for another prop for support, my feet adjusting on my current footing. When I reached the top of the gate, I threw my bag over the gate and cringed as it hit the ground, hoping that my phone would be all right inside.

Then I stared at my surroundings. Right in front of my eyes, those knife-like decorations taunted me. The idea of trying to get over that thing was probably not a good idea. I scanned around my position, and my eyes landed on a firm tree branch at one edge of the gate. Gingerly, I moved my legs on the correct iron bar of the gate and slowly got myself to the edge of the gate. I climbed higher and reached out an arm to grab the branch. Relief washed through me when my grasp landed on the branch.

Everything was easy when I got myself on the branch. With ease, I descended down the tree, gently yet expertly. My experience with tree climbing fueled me. I was a few feet up from the ground when I jumped off the tree. The act didn’t cause me to go off balance. Instead, it ignited me, giving a lively feeling into my scarred soul.

The weather decided to break me off my good mood by sending a gust of cold wind heading my way. I shivered before collecting my belongings and rushing straight into the house. A wicked smile was crawling into my face. I wondered what my stepmother would say this time. My head tried to think of a few possibilities why she still wanted me in the house. She could’ve just kicked me out of the house. After all, everything my Dad owned was now hers. When I say everything, I really meant everything: the house (which was actually a mansion! Damn, she’s lucky), my Dad’s secretive business, and my life.

Yeah, the last part sucked. No one owns me.

Wait. Let me rephrase that.

No one wants me. That’s why no one owns me.