Another Cliche Cinderella Story

4

Dylan's POV:

I thought she ditched me, it wouldn't be the first. Dad always ditches me for the smallest of things, yet he expects me to follow his dreams.

I study her quietly as she concentrates on focusing her photo. Once she had finished her photo and started developing it I asked for her help.

She gladly helped me out. If she knew who I really was I'm sure she would be running straight out of the door, unless she was one of the crazy girls in my year that constantly drooled over me. Seriously some of the girls should be in an asylum. On last years valentines day I had this girl sending me roses and when I didn't give her anything in return, she went crazy.

Talking about crazy, I finally broke up with Jenna. It was about time, I don't even know why I was still with her. She was someone I could play around with. I've had enough of playing around, I need to concentrate on getting a portfolio sorted out so I can apply for Dales art academy.

"Jake?" Cinderella asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I'm showing you how to do a double exposure," she said slowly. I think she was losing her patience with me.

I nodded as I watched her show me. She then told me to try so I did. Placing the photo into the developer I started packing my things.

"Are you okay?" I mumble whilst placing my hand on my neck. Why was I nervous? She's just a girl.

"Yeah?" She sounded unsure. It's a yes or no question but she seemed to be debating about something.

"Are you sure? Because yesterday you seemed rather upset and if you need a punching bag I can be helpful, I used to do boxing so I can take the pain. Well, I wouldn't really call it pain because I doubt you can even hit a fly with the size of your hands," I chuckled slightly. I hear her sigh quietly before she responded.

"Are you saying I can't box because I'm a girl? I'll have you know I used to take boxing too. Well, my dad taught me the basics. And by basics, I know how to hold my fists correctly I never did box," she smiled shyly. The lights were so dim, I couldn't see her properly but when she smiled I could catch a glimpse of her pearl white teeth.

"Hit me with your best shot," I said confidently.

With the room only being lit by the red glows of the photo booths,  I could just about see her body lunging towards me.

I blocked her easily. This was no fair fight, I had the upper hand whilst she was all over the place. I turned around, where on earth had she gone?

I heard her before I saw her. She yelled something in a different language before leaping onto my back and punching my shoulders.

"Is that all you've got?" I pulled her off me, the next thing I know we're spread out on the floor laughing. I haven't laughed like this for a while. 

As I get up, I pull her up gently. She knocks into my chest slightly, stepping away she giggles. Was she embarrassed?

"Seriously are you okay? Because yesterday you seemed really down." 

I waited nervously for a reply, I haven't been in one of those situations where the girl is in need of a hug. Whenever Jenna was upset she would cry to her minions, thank god. I couldn't handle someone whining and crying all over me.

"Yeah, it was just a tough day. But that's fine because I'll be getting far away as soon as the month ends," she grabs her bag and starts rocking on her feet. I don't have to look at her feet, I can see her head bobbing up and down.

"And whys that?"

"I'm going to Dales art academy. Well, that's if I'm accepted. It's my dream to go there. My mother was a fan of photography and attended that academy so it just makes sense that I go there too."

Does she want to go to the same place I do? She will know where I can get an application form from.

"Really? That's where I want to go, do you know where I can get an application form from?" I'm preying inside that she doesn't say online because there's no way I could do that without my dad finding out.

"On the website." 

For crying out loud!

"Would you be able to print a form off for me?" I asked kindly.

"Why can't you do it yourself?" What was I suppose to reply to that? I can't tell her who I am or why I can't, I'll look weak.

"I've got no ink at home," I say bluntly.

"Oh, well okay. I'll do it tonight." 

I mumbled thank you for a reply before finishing up with my work.

I turn to the so called Cinderella and see her cursing under her breath. As I walked closer to her I realized she was looking down at her phone with the screen illuminating the time brightly.

"I've got to go, I'll meet you same time tomorrow?"

And with that, she was gone. I didn't even get her real name. I soon left and headed home.

•••

My father wasn't home, as usual, so I had to cook something up for myself. As I shoved some pasta into a pot, my phone buzzed.

The real Cinderella: Sorry I had to go.

Me: It's okay, I had to get going anyway :)

I waited for a few minutes for a reply but a few minutes turned into half an hour, which then turned into an hour. I still hadn't got a reply. Usually, girls would be texting me until there thumbs fall off. Oh yeah, that's right she doesn't know who I really am.

Jumping onto my bed, full of the pasta I had eaten, I notice the ball of paper I had picked up the day before in class.

No wonder why your dad killed himself. Freak.

How could someone be so horrible to say that sort of thing to someone, especially if their dad is dead? I would jump in and stop the girls saying horrible things but I can't. It would ruin my reputation and if I was to be seen sticking up for the girl that everyone picked on, I would look like an idiot. All my mates would ditch me and I can't be ditched by anyone else.

First, it was my mother and then my dad. He doesn't want anything to do with me except send me off on a football scholarship which I don't even want.

I just need to get into Dales art academy, to prove my dad wrong.

____________________

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Until next week,

MG :)