The Cinderella Contract (on hold)

Chapter 5- The Beginning

        Once I closed my door, relief washed over me. What a crazy day it's turning out to be.

        I made my way over to my desk where I had deposited my backpack the day before to take out my laptop. Now, I don't have a fancy laptop. In face I've had it for a couple of year. It may have accidentally fallen off my bed once or twice... However old and crappy it is, it serves its purpose, keeping me in contact with my friends and family back home. Blackford University isn't in the States. It's actually located half way around the world in a small country that goes by the name of Paninthur.

        I chose to come here for college because I am really intrigued by the foreign government located around here... That and the official language is English, which is absolutely crucial. I suck at learning different languages. Four years of Spanish and all I can really say is "no hablo español." Despite everyone speaking English, I still stand out as a foreigner. I lack an accent that everyone here possesses.

That's why my laptop is essential for staying up-to-date with the goings on back at home.

The familiar hum of my laptop coming to life filled my ears. It's slow to start, but once everything is functioning, I logged into Skype. Clicking on the contact that read Hope183, I waited for the line to connect.

"What's up bestie?" A voice came out of the speaker before the video became clear.

I smiled. "Hey crazy Kat, good to see you." Once the picture had focused, Katherine flashed her signature smile, big and full of her bubbly personality. As perusal, she had her blonde hair done perfectly and her make-up done just right that it brought out the blue flecks in her green eyes.

"It's good to see you too. We all really miss you over here. Of course, I miss you the most." Katherine twirled a strand of hair around her finger as she spoke.

I smiled at that. We have been best friends since preschool, my sister from another mister. "How is my dad doing?"

Katherine shrugged. "He's good. Really busy with work though. Ethan really misses you. He keeps asking 'when's big sissy coming back'. It's kind of cute actually... Well, it would be if it wasn't so frequently asked." Just then the sound of a distorted ring-tone broke through the speaker. "Oh Des, one sec."

She brought the phone to her ear. "Hey babe, I'm Skyping right now. I'll see you in an hour. Love you." She hung up almost as suddenly as she answered it. "Sorry about that. The dummy needs to learn to text first."

That made me chuckle. "Got a hot date with Chris tonight?"

She nodded. "I'm pretty sure tonight's the night. I'll definitely let you know if it is. Enough about that, though. You need to get moving."

"Get moving?" I put on my best confused face. I knew exactly what she meant.

Kathrine crossed her arms, a look of annoyance flashed across her face briefly. "Don't play innocent. I know you know what I'm talking about. Your dad's concerned about you. He thinks you work way too hard. I completely agree of course. He doesn't want you to miss out on life because you were trying so hard with school."

I shrugged. "I have big dreams and I'm not about to let him get in the way of them."

Kathrine's eyes practically popped out of her head. "Him!? Who's him?"

Ah crap... I silently cursed myself for letting that slip. My mind raced in attempts to recover my fumble, "My dad of course. He worries too much. I'm fine."

"I am so not buying that cover story Desiree Marie Hope. Spill the beans. Did you actually meet someone who penetrated your iron wall of restraint?"