My Cinderella Story (Be Mine Again)

Chapter 16

4 years later...

"Riley are you serious?! Like legit! Not fooling around with me?!" I step outside of Starbucks trying not to spell my drink as I balance it in one hand and press my cell to my ear with the other while doing my best to contain the excitement boiling inside me.

"Yes I'm serious!" she exclaimed through the phone, "Now go find yourself a nice dress baby cuz you're in!"

I hang up the phone setting it into my pocket. One, two, okay breathe Millie. Nope too late.

"Yes yes yes!" I jump up and down ecstatically on the sidewalk like a maniac. I didn't care who saw me because finally my dream was coming alive. Life is great and I am about to get my first piece of artwork feature in my friend, Riley's art gallery.

Finally coming down from my high with a huge grin still plastered on my face, I ran to the homeless person leaning against the building and handed him my coffee along with a twenty dollar bill. He stares at me like I was joking with him, but I set it down.

"Thank you and god bless your heart," he smiled up at me.

"You too!" I got up heading towards my small apartment in the middle of busy Manhattan restraining myself from skipping down the sidewalk.

Unlocking the brown door that leads into my apartment on the fifth floor, I step into the small space that was my own. My apartment was small but it functions and that was enough for me, plus it was in a decent neighborhood. There is a living room that opens up to the tiny kitchen and a short hallway that connects to the kitchen which leads to a closet, a bathroom and then my one bedroom. The walls inside were mostly white except for the wall with windows facing the city which I painted over and covered it in a field of flowers.

I set my bag on the kitchen counter and headed towards my room. Switching on the lights, I turn to the picture of my parents hanging right next to it and smile telling them that I finally made it. When I was satisfied, I stripped myself of my black slacks and white blouse tossing it into the hamper. Stepping out into the hall I grab a fresh towel out of the closet and went into the bathroom.

Flipping on the lights, I stare at my almost naked body in the mirror. I still wasn't used to what I saw every day. Three years now, I've had this body. My legs were pale and thin with little curves connecting to my flat stomach and then my slightly larger than normal breasts. Although many of the scars on my body were now faded and barely noticeable, evidence of abuse was still apparent on my skin along with faded stretch marks on the side on my stomach.

After leaving Ravenswood, I was so broken and deep down I probably still am, my appetite fluctuated along with my weight. Now I'm merely 110lbs. Sighing, I step into the shower pushing back memories that I don't want to remember and fill my head with thoughts of the upcoming event I'm going to be part of.

-

"That dress looks great on you!" Riley said walking around my and eyeing me like I was a doll on display.

"You think? I think it's a little too expensive for my taste and revealing," I checked myself out in the huge body mirror. I definitely love how the green emerald dress hugged my body. The lace long sleeve dress came down just above my knees and the color play well with my red hair and fair skin but the low v cut in the front reveals more of my chest than I like.

"Nonsense!" Riley disagreed, "The price is totally worth it and besides, I just know that your painting will sell. And for as long as I know you, you need a man in your life so show them busty melons."

I grin at her, "I agree with the first half, but I don't need a man in my life."

"Whatever. So are we getting the dress or what?"