Cindy: A Modern Cinderella Story(On Hold)

Chapter Two

The next day, after school, I rushed to finish my chores. The house wasn't much of a mess, besides a few dishes and everyone's rooms needed to be straightened up. It only took me an hour and a half to finish all of my chores. Upstairs I grabbed the library book, from last night, and walked downstairs where I found my Aunt Martha and Thomas watching Television. With the book hugged to my chest I walked up to the couch and stood beside my aunt.

"I have a library book that needs to be returned, is it okay if I return it and find another to read?" I asked.

My Aunt Martha looked at me then replied, "Go ahead, but ride the bike I gave you. So if I call you can make it back in thirty minutes," she paused and I walked away, thinking she was finished talking. "Oh and, Cindy," I stopped, "if I do call you better come home right away." 

As I walked away I said, "Yes ma'am," and walked outside, to the side of the house, to get the bike my aunt gave me. Before I rode away, I put the chain back on the gear then began riding towards the library. I held the library book in one hand while holding onto the handlebars and steering with the other. Once I arrived at the library I set the bike, on the bike racks, beside the entrance. Inside, the brick building, I walked up to the large desk. My mother's best friend, Sarah, was standing behind it typing on the computer, in front of her. Her eyes never left the computer screen so I spoke.

"Hey Sarah," I said. Her eyes flickered to me and grew wide. I smiled as she sped from behind the desk and squashed me into her, wrapping her arms around me.

"Cindy! It's so great to see you. How are you holding up, living with your aunt and all?" She slipped away from me and back to her desk.

"It's great to see you, too. I'm doing okay, how have you been?"

"I've been good, very busy, but good nonetheless." Remembering the book in my hands, I set it on the desk.

"I borrowed this, a while ago, and wanted to return it." Sarah picked up the book as she looked at it she typed something into the computer.

"A while ago is putting it lightly. You've had this book for a whole year. There are several waiting for this book and there are late fees." 

"Yeah, I haven't been out much, besides school. I'm sorry for not returning it sooner but the fees may be a problem."

"Why?"

"I don't get much allowance and the money I do get goes on my school lunch all week. I am looking for a job, but no one seems to want hire me. I was actually going to ask you if you need some help around here. I have chores after school but it usually doesn't take me too long. Please, Sarah, I need the money to go to prom and get a dress. I could also pay off whatever fees I owe, please." I tried to give her the best puppy dog face I could and after a couple seconds of silence I was beginning to think it didn't work. 

"Okay," I was about to run behind the desk and hug her when she spoke again, "But you have to do exactly as I say, okay?"

"Okay, so when do I start?" 

"Well, you're already here and before you do anything I have to train you, so do you want to start today?" I grabbed my flip phone and checked for any messages, there were none." 

"Sure, but today if my aunt calls or texts me I have to leave immediately." I explained as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. 

"This won't be an everyday thing, will it?"

"No, just for today, I promise."

"Okay, let's get started then, " I followed as she walked behind the desk. She stopped at the computer and looked towards me. "This computer holds all the records to the library. If someone needs a book checked out you go here," she pointed to something on the computer and continued to show me how to use the computer. After she taught me how to use the computer we walked around the library. Sarah told me how all the books were set up in a certain order called the Dewey Decimal System. As she was telling me about it I felt my phone vibrate. I pulled my phone out and opened the message. It was from my aunt she was telling me to come home. 

"That was my aunt, I have to go but I will be back tomorrow around this time. Thank you so much for giving me a chance, I won't let you down." I began to walk away, "See you tomorrow."

"Bye, see you tomorrow." Sarah walked back to her desk and I walked outside. I rode the bike home and went inside. As I entered the house my aunt yelled for me, from the kitchen. The moment I entered the kitchen my aunt spoke, instantly.

"The chef called in sick and Trixie, Thomas and I are hungry. We were supposed to have lasagna, garlic bread and tomato soup. You're cooking all that tonight."

Without hesitation I said, "Yes ma'am," and began to get out all the ingredients and set them on the counter. Then I got out all the pans I would need and preheated the oven to 350. Starting with the lasagna, first, I put a wide strip of noodle into a pan. I put spaghetti sauce, then some meat and two types of cheese on top of the noodle. I repeated the process three times and put the pan into the oven. I continued preparing the food and cooked everything until it was all finished. After everything was cooked I set four plates on the table and put each food on every plate. I opened the refrigerator and took out my aunt's wine, she drunk every night at dinner. I retrieved a wine glass along with three regular glasses for tea. The table was fully set with everyone a plate of food and refreshments, so I called the household to the meal. Footsteps from the living room followed after I announced dinner. Once everyone was seated, we began to eat. About ten minutes after a peaceful meal my aunt made conversation with her children, for the rest of the meal. My plate was empty before everyone else's and I asked my aunt if I could be excused. Without even glancing my way she let me leave the table and walked to my room. Inside my room, I walked over to my desk and looked at everything on it. There was a stack of paper, with Trixie's folder on top, and my laptop. I sat down and picked up Trixie's assignment. The first piece of paper in the folder explained what the assignment was about and extra little notes Trixie's teacher added on. The assignment was about a novella the teacher had the student's read; my guess was Trixie didn't read any of it. Booting up my laptop, I searched for the book online. I grabbed a blank piece of paper, on my desk, and a pencil out of the, little, desk drawer. For about an hour I jotted down all the research I could find. Once I understood the book I began to outline what I was going to type. I had everything outlined and was ready to begin the first draft of the assignment, when I began to yawn. Just as I was about to get out of my seat to change for bed I heard someone yell my name. It was a male voice so I figured it was Thomas. Yelling back down, I told him I was coming and began to walk downstairs.

Thomaswas standing in the hallway when I reached the bottom of the steps, "I have a science project due in a week and I need you to make something for me and havea, typed, explanation of how whatever you make involves science. This is areally important project; make sure you create something extraordinary." Hehanded me the assignment paper and waked away. Great, how am I going to have any time to work, this week, when I have todo two assignments, my own school work, and clean the entire house? Ithought as I walked, back, to my room. After setting Thomas's paper on my deskI changed into my pajamas then snuggled into my covers, on the bed. Sleepdidn't come as easy as I hoped, because I couldn't stop thinking about the busyweek ahead of me. I remembered tomorrow was Saturday and was glad I didn't haveschool the next day. Half an hour later I fell asleep.