The Princess Pages: A Girl Like Cinderella

Song Seventy Six

LOVE TAKES EFFORT

The first thing Trent Morgan noticed was her shock upon seeing him.

Next were her red and swollen bluebell eyes, as though she'd just stopped crying.

Both her cheeks were flushed pink, and her full lips a rosy red against her pale skin.

"You?" she breathed in disbelief.

"Lucy. I---" Trent's green eyes dropped to her clothes. She was wearing only a black batman hoodie that fell over her knees and a pair of matching boxers peeking out from the hem. She wore her long raven hair in a cute, messy way, and her feet were bare.

"Are those men's clothes?" the blond model instead asked, looking like he'd been slapped.

The bespectacled girl couldn't stop gaping at him with her mouth ajar. Her arms limp beside her.

"Lu? Who is it?" A guy's voice called from behind.

Trent Morgan stiffened at the sound,but he maintained his calm and determined demeanor.

Within seconds, a male of average height, wavy brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a simple yellow Sponge-bob shirt and brown shorts stood behind the slim, pale girl in black attire.

"Oh, hello," the guy greeted casually. He extended his right arm and offered his hand. "I'm Carter Jackson. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Out of social courtesy, the tall blond singer accepted Carter's hand, shaking it. "Trent Morgan."

"What brings you here, Trent Morgan?" He was feigning ignorance, completely immune to the heavy glare his best friend was shooting him.

Lucy's cheeks burned when Trent's green eyes set their gaze on her face. "I need to talk to Lucy."

"We have nothing to talk about," the long-haired girl managed to squeak out.

The graying sky gave a deep rumble, making Lucy's heart thump wildly in her chest. More clouds were piling up against the darkening sky, and she knew that lightning would strike soon.

She fixed the handsome blond with a stern look. "Trent, go home," she commanded. "It's going to rain." Her hand reached for the doorknob but his hand swiftly curled around it, halting her.

Lucy's face broke into an irritated frown, but her ears were tinged pink.

"Trent, let go."

"No."

"What do you want from me?" Her moist lips quivered.

"I told you. I want to talk to you." Trent glanced at Carter. "In private."

Carter nodded his head, and,ignoring his best friend's violent protests, he pushed Lucy out of the house,still barefooted and carrying her tub of ice cream, then he locked the door.

The two teenagers stood a few feet from each other, not uttering a word for a pregnant pause.

From the corner of her eye, Lucy surveyed Trent's appearance: his short blond hair slightly ruffled, his expression weary. But she was relieved to see the fullness of his cheeks and figure. It meant he was eating properly again. He wore a very familiar blue scarf around his neck, a white v-neck t-shirt with sleeves reaching his elbows, and a pair of gray pants and brown shoes.

After a few minutes of tense silence, the famous model and singer broke the ice.

"Cookie dough ice cream," he mumbled softly, gazing at the mediocre can of soft and enticing dessert.