A Not So Cinderella Story...

Shopping with Maggie

It was Saturday morning already, the sun already shining all around my room, and as I woke up the first name that came to mind was Toby, then Jasper, then Maggie. Oh Maggie! I have to go shopping with her, right. So fun. My mom always favored my sister more because she shopped, I on the other hand, do not enjoy the smiling store clerks, bright lights, and too loud music that makes you want to do stupid stuff.

I reluctantly get out of my warm pocket of blankets. Ruby yelps, "Oh gosh Ruby!" I yell as I jump back, I kneel down to rub her paw and she licks my hand, "Why don't I make it up to you, you can go shopping with Maggie and I'll stay here." She shakes her head making her ears flop. "Aw man," it was worth a shot, I get up and go downstairs as Ruby follows and I hear quiet television playing. I look to my right to the living room, mom is asleep with her head leaned back and her mouth open, the coffee sitting untouched is probably cold by now.

I throw a blanket over her and grab her cup of coffee to put on the counter, Ruby whimpers slightly at the back door. I slide over to open it and she goes bounding out. I pop some bread in the toaster and jump when it dings. I hear my mom gasp and the shuffle of blankets follow.

"Hey kiddo," she smooths my hair, and I push her away like I always do.

"I am going shopping today, just letting you know," I say, ignoring her shocked expression, "with a friend, so yeah I might be home late." I run upstairs with my toast and grab a bottle of orange juice on my up, as I get to the stairs I hear my mom mumble to herself, something about being shocked. I roll my eyes and flip on my own tv.

"Back to you Chuck!" The perky weather girl says to the anchor. And just as Chuck is about to talk about more problems in this world, my phone buzzes. Its Maggie.

"Dress accordingly!!" Whats that supposed to mean? I throw on an old tee and some capris with flats. I am hoping this is dressing accordingly...

I spent about an hour watching, but not really watching, television before the doorbell rang and Ruby went crazy. She's a good dog, a great dog, but when the doorbell rings she's an absolute nut. "Coming!" I yell. And I open the door, not surprised to see Maggie slightly bouncing on the step.

"Are you ready?" She says smiling.

"If I say no, does that mean I get to stay home?"

"Nope," she walks past me and into my house. "So you just get your stuff ready and we can leave, I've got the car today so it's all good!"

"You have a car?" I asked not able to hide my full surprise.

"No, I have *the* car, me and Mike share a car, twin thing I guess." I just smiled.

"Alright I'll go grab my stuff now."

She clapped her hands excitedly and Ruby perked up her ears.

The car was nice, an older car, I'd say 2004. A faded green color.

"Don't judge me by the car," Maggie said, " I was sick the day they went to go get it and I couldn't even leave bed to go. So now we are stuck with this horrible car." I just laughed. She was listening to some rock music and slightly thumping her thumbs on the steering wheel.

At the mall Maggie made a beeline for the directory and picked out a few stores she knew would have good dresses for homecoming. I groaned in my mind. Then before I knew it I found myself walking into a store with loud upbeat music and clerks who greeted when you entered and then asked you if you want any help. Maggie pulled my wrist to the back where I saw so many shades of colors of dresses. So many styles too, Maggie listed them, "corset, poofy, mermaid, elegant, ballroom..." She went on, but I had gotten lost when she asked me if she should go with eggplant or violet.