Glass Slipper

Chapter II.

"Miss Natalie? Miss Natalie!" I am shaken gently awake by Veronica. "Miss Natalie, you going to be late if you don't get up now," she whispers fervently. Her dark skin and hair blend into the shadows of the room. The white of her eyes and teeth sparkle in the dim light. I glance at the alarm clock from home. It's only 4:30.

"Why are you waking me up so early?" I groan. My maid bows her head.

"Miss Natalie, you have to walk to school in the morning. Your homeroom starts at seven and you gots an hour walk," she stutters. I look at her questioningly. "I'm sorry ma'am, but that's what I been told." I take in her quivering hands and poor English.

"Veronica, did you ever go to school?" Her eyes lower and she shakes her head.

"No ma'am, when I was about your age, I was taken out of the orphanage and left on the streets. They said I was too old. Mrs. Cheryl took me in as a maid for her daughter Harley. She was a year older than me. Now I'm her maid because I'm too stupid to get any other job." I sit up in bed and give her a sad smile.

"You're not stupid," I tell her. She angles her head as if to study me.

"I don't have a education Miss Natalie. I can't read or write." Sympathy for the woman washes over me.

"An education. You don't an education," I correct her. "And I can teach you! Everyday I will teach you to read and write and maybe even some Math." I take her dark hands in mine. "You're my only friend here," I tell her. A warm smile spreads across her face.

"Thank you Miss Natalie, I promise to work hard, I promise!" She does a dance around the small room and I suppress a giggle.

"Friends don't refer to one another as 'Miss'. Now, help me find something to wear!" Veronica giggles and covers her mouth with her hand.

"If there's one thing I do know, it's fashion." She picks me out a blue jean skirt and burnt, orange halter top. I throw the outfit on and slip on my dark, brown cowboy boots. Veronica squeals in delight. "You look so gorgeous Miss-" I give her a knowing look. She chuckles. "Natalie. You look absolutely adorable, Natalie." I smile and twirl a few times. If only I had a mirror.

"Thanks Ronni, see you later." I climb down the latter onto the second floor. Sofi won't be up for another hour to go to the same school. Oh well, I tell myself. I go downstairs into the grand kitchen. I grab a peach and head out the door. I look up the directions on my phone and set out. Lord, please give me strength--and say hi to my mom.

"Well, well, well, you must be the new girl. Small town," a tall boy with light hair and piercing blue eyes says. He saunters up and holds out his hand. I try not to look overly exhausted from my walk as I shake his hand. "I'm Liam," he says. I smile.

"Natalie." He angles his head and takes in my outfit and boots.

"Natalie," he repeats. "Nice. So, where 'ya from?"

"Georgia," I reply. "Not far from Atlanta." He nods and a bell sounds.

"Catch you later?" I nod and wave as he lightly jogs toward the brick building. I make my way to the front office and grab my paperwork. My homeroom is with a Mr. Nichols. I find his room and open the door. A room of twelve or so students, all stop and stare. Heat rises to my cheeks and I slowly approach Mr. Nichols.

"Natalie Matthews," I say shyly. He nods and waves me toward the desks. I spot Liam and he stands to greet me. "Hey," I whisper. He laughs and finds a seat next to me.

"What are the odds? Let me see your schedule." I hand him the blue sheet of paper and peer over his shoulder. We have every class together except for Theater and History. "Pretty and smart." He hands the paper back and I look at him questioningly. "You're in all honors and you're taking Pre-Cal instead of Geometry."