The Princess Pages: A Girl Like Cinderella

Song Seventy Eight

HAVE YOU EVER WAITED FOR SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT?

"Congratulations, you are now Graduates of Green Day High School. May you prosper and thrive in your future endeavors. I wish you all the best of luck!"

That was one day in Lucy's lifetime that she wouldn't forget. She could vividly recall the emotions playing on her face as she had woken up on that particular Friday morning: Happiness, excitement, sadness, remorse, nervousness, but overwhelming her most of all was the motivation for a new chapter in her life. A new beginning.

She could still remember how her stepmom, Gail, had made an effort to prepare a special breakfast for them: for Lucy and Beverly. The elder Stone had been visibly awkward and embarrassed, but she was pleased to see our satisfied grins at the display of yummy food.

On that Friday the 13th, Lucy had felt like the whole world was in slow motion: the hours leading up to graduation felt like the longest and shortest she'd ever had to wait. And despite her negative history in her first three years in high school, the bespectacled brunette couldn't deny that she would miss her professors, her subjects, the places she'd made so many memories with Carter, Jackie, and the short-lived time she'd bonded with Beverly, Josh, and Genevieve.

Her lips never failed to twitch into a fond smile whenever she reminisced her younger brother's behavior that day. On the day of her graduation, 13-year-old Vance had pulled out all stops to make her feel really special: He'd made a scrapbook filled with photos of their memories with their parents, including snapshots of the two of them goofing around as kids, and candid pictures of her days as a waitress, including images of Dan, Ronda, and Annie.

Vance had worn a long-sleeved polo in the same bluebell shade as her eyes. And to cap off his heart-warming efforts, when his elder sister had climbed down the stage after receiving her diploma, he confidently strode towards her and handed her a bouquet of forget-me-knots, her favorite flower. She had kissed his cheek in gratitude, and the crowd had 'awed' at his antics.

On that day, there were so many diplomas and grad caps tossed in the air. A wave of cheers and applause had erupted in the auditorium. There were tears, hugs, and several commemorative photos taken among friends, families, and classmates.

Lucy had styled her long black hair into a low, elegant bun, and around her pale neck hung a lovely golden heart locket with the words To Lucy, We Love You engraved in cursive on the front. It had been given to her from Jackie and Carter. When she clicked open the heart-shaped locket, she would see two colored pictures, one in each small frame: Nestled inside one of the hearts was a clear photo of her whole family: Her parents, Vance and her, with Dan, Ronda and Annie in the sidelines. It was taken at the diner many years ago.

Meanwhile, sitting inertly inside the other heart was a nicely taken group shot of Lucy with Carter, Jacqueline, Beverly, and Genevieve, all of them in wacky poses. It was captured when they had gone shopping at the mall for their graduation attire.

Speaking of which, underneath Lucy's white toga, she had been wearing a red sleeveless dress with a boat-neckline, and a soft handkerchief skirt that flowed to her knees. While blue was still her favorite color, she decided to try out red often. It complimented her pale skin and raven hair.

"Congratulations, L," Vance praised his sister while they were on their way to a fancy restaurant with an army of friends and family members. Around a dozen or so occupied Genevieve's luxurious black van.

Lucy had beamed at him. "Thanks, V."

Her brother's aquamarine eyes lowered to her right wrist, which was encircled by a silver moon bracelet.

"What's the plan now?" Vance had inquired, his head resting against her arm.

Plan? Lucy softly combed his chocolate hair using her fingers, as she pondered the question.