Two Worlds, Two Girls, Two Problems (book one)

Going For A Cause: Aubrey

"Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?" Aubrey knocked on the door of Cinderella's house again. "Hello? Cinderella?"

The door swung open. She met Cinderella's blue eyes. "Why are you still here?"

"I want to help, with your chores so that you can go to the ball!" Aubrey said.

Cinderella shook her head. "I'm sorry, Aubrey. But I need to get back to work so-"

"Wait!" Aubrey touched Cinderella's hand. Cinderella looked back into Aubrey's yellow eyes. "It's your destiny. So please. Let me help, and you can go to the ball tonight!"

Cinderella thought but then smiled. "I guess it's worth a try."

"Can you wipe those windows?" Cinderella pointed to the colored glass windows in the living room. Aubrey quickly grabbed a wooden water pail and scrambled to the window with a rag in her hand. She carefully wiped the window, catching every detail.

"Next, can you wash the dishes?" Cinderella asked as she dusted the fireplace.

Aubrey wiped a drop of sweat from her brow. "Perfect!"

Aubrey dashed to the kitchen. The quartz counters were polished until the light reflecting off of it seemed to burn into Aubrey's eyes. She scurried toward the sink. She pulled the handle, and water came pouring out of the faucet. She placed the bar of wax soap, which foamed up instantly. She started to scrub the dishes, just like she had done with her mom. Thinking of her mom made Aubrey tear up. She hadn't seen her mom ever since that book swallowed her up.

But Aubrey had to stay focused. She kept scrubbing the dishes. She then put them under the running water and watched the soap bubbles go into the sink. Aubrey put the finished dishes on the drying rack.

"We're almost done. I can take care of the rest. May you go to the cellar? Jaque will assist you there. They're working on a dress. And if they have any spare fabric, they might make you a dress too!" Cinderella gave Aubrey a shining smile.

Aubrey was speechless. "Wow! Thank you!"

Aubrey hauled herself up the cellar. Dust filling her nostrils, she found ground onto the creaking wood. It reminded Aubrey of her mom's shed. Except the only light source was from a circular cracked window. A cloth was draped over dust collecting artifacts. The burlap sacks full of dried beans and tea.

"Ey! Aubrey! Over here!" a tiny voice squeaked from across the cellar.

Aubrey turned her head to meet eye contact with a brown mouse with a tiny red vest.

Aubrey crouched down. "Hello, Jaque. How's Cinderella's ball gown going?"

"It's going great! Right, Gus?" Jaque called out to a chubby gray mouse in a yellow vest. The gray mouse scurried toward Aubrey and nodded. "You bet!"

Aubrey looked at the two mice and saw a gorgeous pink dress. Lace skirted the rim of the dress. Chiffon was layered beneath the top layer of fabric. Mice and birds were attaching bows and fabric to the dress, making the scene appealing to the eye.

Gus started to munch on a hunk of cheese. "Bluey is here too!"

A bluebird flew over and perched itself on Aubrey's shoulder. Aubrey assumed it was Bluey.

"Is there anything I can help with?" Aubrey asked the two mice.

The two mice looked at each other, having an inside conversation. But Jaque shook his tiny head. "Nothing here! We've got it all covered!"

Bluey then flew down and landed next to Gus. Bluey tweeted in Gus's ear, and Gus nodded with a huge smile. "But we can make you a dress!"

Aubrey was shocked. She was simply speechless. "But, Cinderella's gown."

Bluey tweeted. Jaque translated," It's okay. But you would have to help too."

"I would be honored!" Aubrey smiled.

Gus scratched behind his ear. "But we need more fabric. If you don't mind. Can you go to the marketplace?"

"Of course." Aubrey said." But I might need a helper."

Jaque tapped his tiny foot on the ground as if thinking. "Mary! She's perfect!"

"For Aubrey or for you?" Gus teased.

"For me- I mean Aubrey. Mary, dear!" Jaque flushed but scurried over to a white female mouse, that was wearing what looked like a tiny pink dress.

"Yes, Jaque?" the white mouse asked. She put down a string of pearls.

"I have a favor to ask." Jaque said. "Do you think you can go to the marketplace with Aubrey?"

A smile and a squeak escaped from Mary's mouth. "Yipee! Finally, another trip?"

Jaque nodded. "Yup! But with Aubrey, here." Jaque used his tiny paw to point at Aubrey. Aubrey gave her a warm smile and waved.

Without a second thought, Mary darted up to Aubrey's feet and squeaked," When are we going?"

"Now. " Aubrey said. She crouched and held out her hand. Mary hopped onto her palm and scurried her way up to Aubrey's shoulder.

"Let's go!" Mary squeaked. "We'll catch you later, Jaque."

"We stole some money from the stepsisters, here." Gus held up five gold coins. "Now, go find some very nice fabric."