Chapter Fourteen - Cinderella

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Selena's POV

I brace a hand on the handle of the door, a sleek black ride, inconspicuous enough to blend in with every other car in my school's parking lot. My nerves are fried, the headache building behind my eyes makes me tip my head back.

It's a school I've been going to my entire life, people I've known since before I could walk. I shouldn't be this nervous to simply get out of the car, but God, I couldn't get my legs to obey my brain.

But truthfully I knew it wasn't about facing the hoards and hoards of gossipers or the judging teachers my father's paid off. I can handle all of them in my sleep.

It's just...so much has changed. Things I'm not sure I want to go back to normal.

I'd gone from chatty mornings, spent snipping at Justin and annoying Jeremy; to empty dinning halls and a waitstaff that's walking on eggshells around me. I'm back to a silent driver instead of Ryan's stupid ratty, loud truck.

I feel like an imposter in my own life, and worry I won't ever stop feeling like this.

(And if I miss Justin just a little bit too much, that's entirely my own problem.)

"You have to get out at some point, Selena."

Adam, my driver says, catching my gaze from the rear view mirror. He wears that gently concerned look I've been privy to more times than I care to count, in our many years together. I wasn't allowed a car, and Adam was pretty great about picking me up from sketchy places in the dead of the night, without running to tattle to Daddy. He never seems disappointed or upset, just quietly concerned.

I sigh, and lean my head against the cool window, "What if we just drove of? Away from the world for awhile?"

He smiles this sad thing that I feel rattling in between my rib cage , "I don't think that's one we'd be able to hide from your Father."

It's silent for awhile, and I bask in the safety of it all for just another moment. I steel myself and prepare to get through this day without breaking down. I am a Gomez, and I will act accordingly. 

Nodding once, I check my watch and wince, "Right. Be here at three o'clock sharp, O'Malley. Or I will cry."

"It's an oath." He laughs short and sweet.

"This is gonna be hell on fucking earth."

My first three classes go surprisingly smooth. The most people ask is about how the other side lives. If I got sent away because I was pregnant, or murdered someone, or had a mental breakdown. All the usual shit I can remember buzzing around the school anytime someone came back from a long leave.

It doesn't bother me that all the rumors are about me. I've never particularly liked any of these people anyway.

By lunch, I'm tucked in the green room, where they film the morning news. The only person who's ever in here this time of day is Jefferson, and he's busy cheating on his wife with Coach Walters.

I'm in the middle of idly biting at a carrot when my phone rings so loudly in the near dead silent room, I stop breathing for a second.

"Sel- you look weird." Ellie greets, narrowing her eyes toward the camera, as if she could somehow see past the confines of it's screen. I feel my heart tug, smile blossoming on my face before I had the chance to fight it off.

And, I presume I do. The headband pushing back my hair, the small diamond earrings, and tie fitting my uniform together. Ellie's never seen me like this. My look consisted of just rolled out of bed, or t-shirts and a skirt. My hair a mess of wild curls. I try and not think about it.

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