Cardboard to Tiara (On Hold)

Chapter 3- Fat chance

Snow began to fall. Twisting and whirling throughout the air. It settled on my cheek. Soon it had melted.

I walked down the cold, hard cement streets of New York City. I stood on the corner of an intersection.

"I have no life." I mumbled to myself. "What the hell am I even living for? I'll never do anything or be anyone." I huffed.

I closed my eyes. Wanting to end it all, I walked forward into the intersection.

Beep beep beep

I waited for impact. I peeked open my eye watching the cab hurling toward me. This is it. It's coming closer. Closer. Clos---. Just then a pair of arms pulled me back to the ledge. I fell back on my butt.

I opened my eyes, I watched the snow float down from the heavens. I felt numb.

"Geez, you could of been killed!" A man ranted.

I sat up on my elbows, and looked at him.

"Do you understand that you could of died," he said frantically with an English accent.

I stood up brushing the snow that was adhered to my rear end.

"Are...are you okay?"

I looked up at him, and then started walking away.

"Hello? I'm speaking to you." He rushed after me. He soon matched my stride. "I just saved your life, the least you can do is answer me."

I turned toward him, and he stared at me. "I didn't ask you to."

. "Well...well then...good day." He walked away.

Weirdo. My stomach growled. I turned down an alley, and began to scavenge in the near by dumpster.

Life has basically given me the finger. I could imagine life being some drunk lunatic handing free passes to some, and telling the others go screw themselves. I hate life.

Another cold night alone, and another night having to fight off death on the streets. With a stomach full of someone's leftover pepperoni pizza, I roamed the freezing streets, while sleep eluded me.

I spotted a small coffee shop and bookshop that seemed to be open at two in the morning. I entered and located a cushioned chair as far from the counter as possible. I positioned myself and hid behind a book, pretending to read. and fell asleep and found myself Immersed in a dream.

I smelt the warm sun surround me, and spring flowers. I stretched my fingers and blades of grass tickled my finger tips. I stared at the white, puffy clouds as the glided across the bright blue sky. I felt happy.

"Hey."

I looked around and felt someone nudge me.

"Hey."

I woke up, and met with a pair of bright blue eyes.

"What the hell?!" He started laughing. "I know you. You're the guy that 'saved my life'." I air quoted.

"Yeah, I am." He placed his messenger bag on the chair next to me. "Were you actually reading 'The Rise of the Roman Empire'?"

"What's that suppose to mean? You think I'm retarded or something?"

"No, I'm not saying that. It would just explain why you fell asleep," he chuckled.

"Well, I wasn't sleeping. I was meditating." I placed the book on the coffee table before me.

"Right. I was watching you for 5 minutes. You were asleep. You even had a bit of drool pooling at the edge of your lip."

"Stalker!" The cashier looked at me.

"She's kidding. I'm her personal assistant," he charmed. She seemed satisfied with his reply and continued reading her romance novel.

"Personal assistant for a teenager?" I threw my backpack over my shoulder. "No, you're not an assistant. You're just an ass." I exited the coffee shop.

"You know it's not lady-like to use foul language."

I glanced over my shoulder."Ugh...Why are you following me?"

"Because I need to show you this." He handed me a piece of paper. I glanced at it and handed it back.

"Wow, a sheet of paper." I adjusted my strap as I crossed the street.

"No, you need to read it."

I abruptly turned, causing him to crash into me. I pushed him backward. "Listen, I'm only going to say this once. Stay.The. Hell. Away. From. Me."

"I can't. I realized it when I saved you on the corner."

"Are you clinging to me because it'll make you feel like you accomplish something? Make you feel like a better person?"

"Yes and no. But if you just read the paper, you can figure out why I keep bothering you."

I stood still and thought about what he had said. "Alright. But if I read it, you need to leave me alone. Okay?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "If you wish, then yes."

I read the paper.

King Henry Langstine and Queen Anne Langstine Search For Missing Princess

King Henry's and Queen Anne's daughter, Princess Sophia, was kidnapped Wednesday night. It is believed she was smuggled into the United States. A petition was sent to retrieve their daughter, as they wait for the confirmation, they hope their little girl is alive.

I shrugged. "Okay. What does this have to do with me?"

"Here look at the king and queen." He handed a picture.

They were beautiful. I handed it back. "Okay. So..."

"You don't see it do you?"

"See what?"

"Here. This is an age progressed picture of what the princess might look like today."

I stared at the picture. My stomach dropped. Oh my god! This is me! And these are my parents!