The Princess Pages: A Girl Like Cinderella

Song Sixty Four

GOOD COP, BAD COP

Brad and Lawrence slid into a two-seat booth next to the wall-to-floor window where they had a clear view of the bushes outside and rumbling dark afternoon sky.

"You know what I wake up for everyday?" the black-haired teen asked, the brown of his eyes looking darker than this chestnut sweater.

His gray-eyed friend with dirty blond hair and glasses turned to him. "What?" Lens prompted.

Brad grinned at him. "Cheat days."

Lawrence chuckled, then he raked his gray eyes around the crowded diner.His wandering gaze landed on one of the waitresses, the young brunette in a yellow polo and dark ponytail who was swiftly dodging tables, her moves quick and efficient as though she had been doing this her whole life.

"She strikes me as independent and industrious. I can understand why Trent would like her, although he never had a specific type in reference to girls," he reflected seriously.

"Mm-hmm," Brad replied in a non-committal tone. His neck was craned behind him.

"What are you staring at?" the bespectacled blond demanded. His eyes followed his friend's riveted stare, and he spotted a pretty girl two tables away. She had ruby lips that matched her long silky red hair, and her dark eyes popped in contrast to her sleeveless black blouse.

Lawrence, the father of the group, picked up his peach-colored menu and leaned over the table to smack it against the back of Brad's head.

"OW! What the hell?" Brad groaned, rubbing his scalp. He shot his friend a dirty look.

"We're here to interrogate someone, not to hit on cute girls," the blond in a pink checkered shirt chided.

"But she's--"

Lawrence raised his palm and caught the attention of the bespectacled brunette, whose face seemed to pale when her blue eyes filled with recognition.

"Be discreet. We'll surreptitiously lure her into the topic. Pretend you know zilch."

"I don't know anything in the first place!" Brad barked, disappointed to see that the lovely redhead was already leaving the restaurant with her girlfriends.

Soon, the young girl with a long black ponytail stood in front of their round table, her pencil hovering over her notepad.

"Welcome to Lance's Diner! What would you like today?" she chirped.

Lens tried to speak but Brad cut him off, holding Lucy's gaze as he asked: "Do you happen to know the girl sitting at that table over there a minute ago?" He pointed. "She had long apple-red hair and was sporting a black top?"

A crease formed on the brunette's forehead, but she shifted her attention towards the table.

"You mean the redhead who was drinking a milkshake?" Brad nodded eagerly at her reply.

Lucy went on: "Her name is--" She stopped suddenly.

"What? Why'd you pause?" Brad urged.

The waitress avoided his eyes and chewed her bottom lip. "I'm not sure whether to share that information." She met his flummoxed expression. "She's a classmate of mine, and I've heard of your.. reputation, Mr. Brad Fields, famous for your string of flings and Casanova."

Lawrence, who had been temporarily mute for the past few minutes, let out a small chuckle.

Brad scowled at Lucy. "That's none of your business. And you mentioned she's your classmate, not your friend, so there's no reason for you to withhold her identity."

"With all due respect, Mr. Fields, I don't have to divulge anything to you. Especially since every girl you've encountered ended up with a broken heart, I'd like to show some care towards the welfare of my schoolmate. Now." She poised her pencil on her order slip. "What would you like today?" she repeated, throwing the two celebrities a polite smile.

Lawrence chimed in before Brad created a scene. He picked up his peach menu, flipping it open.

"I'll have three chili dogs, a banana split, a slice of cherry pie, and to wash it all down, a tall glass of red tea," the blond in a checkered shirt enumerated.

Lucy and the sulking Brad gaped at him. "What? It's my Cheat Day."

After scribbling down Lawrence's order, the young brunette swiveled to the black-haired teen in a chestnut sweater whose features were gloomy.

In a dreary voice, he recited his cravings: "Nachos with dip, a plate of cheese fries, three slices of pecan pie, a platter of onion rings, and mango shake."

It was their turn to gape at Brad's order. Five minutes later, the food arrived. And thirty minutes later, the two 18-year-olds had wiped their plates clean.

"Yes? Were the meals satisfactory?" the young waitress asked when Brad called her over.

He replied with an inelegant burp. She gave a small laugh, blocking her mouth with the back of her fist as she laughed.

"Lucy," Lawrence said, which made her stiffen in alarm.

Her eyes were questioning. He pointed at her nameplate. "Your name tag," the blond clarified.

She seemed a bit placated. But then he asked: "What time does your shift end? My friend and I need to talk to you in private."

The brunette stared at Lawrence for a moment. She pressed her lips together, as if to contemplate his query.

Finally, her eyes darted from the diner's clock, then back to his expectant look.

"Six," she answered plaintively. She sounded as miserable as her expression conveyed.

Brad interjected: "That's a nice necklace you've got on."

Lucy didn't realize she'd been fingering the moon pendant the entire time.

Lawrence meaningfully flickered to Brad, then Lucy, then Brad again, waiting for something to happen. And it did.

Brad's brown eyes lit up with comprehension. He put two and two together, recalling the picture he'd seen from Trent's phone; the one where Trent stood beside Cara, who had on the exact same necklace.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lucy asked, oblivious to the situation.

"You--"

The door of the diner swung open, and in burst a 12-year-old boy with dark brown hair, blue-green eyes, and a Ben 10 t-shirt. His hand carried a school notebook while he launched himself towards Lucy, whose arms were spread open in anticipation.

"L! L! I need your help," the boy announced so loudly, several heads turned.

Lucy laughed fondly and caught her brother, who ran into her ready-hug. "Hey, V," she greeted.

Vance flapped his notebook in the air. "I have to make a speech for graduation."

She ruffled his hair after he released the hug. Lucy smiled down at him. "A speech? Why?"

"I'm the class valedictorian," he informed her humbly, looking sheepish.

The brunette sunk to one knee to meet his eye. "I'm so proud of you, V," she told him.

Vance beamed at his older sister. Then he frowned upon seeing the two male teenagers.

"Who are they?"

"You can't be serious," Brad said, his arrogance in full swing.

Lucy stood up and ushered her brother towards Dan's cooking station. "You're probably hungry. Go sneak some snacks from Dan while he's preparing orders. I'll be home in an hour."

When her sibling was out of earshot, she clapped eyes with Lawrence. "Six pm. The mansion."