In Time We Trust

Chapter 1

I calmly wake up to the sound of my step mothers voice screaming out to me. Stretching my arms over my head as I follow the same routine that I have followed for the last 12 years. Wake up, tend to their needs, clean, sleep, and repeat.

I walk down the staircase that had once brought me immense joy. It has been five years since I lost my father, and sadly, twelve years since I met my stepmother, heather, and her daughters. I could tell that my father had felt something for her when he saw her, but I could never have imagined that it would lead to this.

They got married about three years after they met, the reasoning behind it, my father thought I needed a mother figure in my life. But that was the last thing I needed. I had been angry at him for not only falling in love with another woman not long after my mother's death, but also for leaving me alone with her. I know it was something beyond my control, but I couldn't resist the hatred that seemed to consume me.

I quickly snap out of my thoughts as I hear heather scream out my name again, even louder than the first time. Quickening my pace as I spin around the corner and scurry into the kitchen where I see them sitting down, tapping their feet impatiently.

"And where were you?" My stepmother snapped at me, her voice cold and dripping with venom. My stepsisters snicker as I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "I am sorry heather, I was distracted, it won't happen again." My voice coming out in fake apology.

She nodded, content with my answer and going back to concentrating on whatever she was doing. This was the sign for me to serve them breakfast. I knew it well, and despite the hatred I had for them all, I did not dare defy them. Shuddering at the thought of the consequences that would follow, my feet shuffle towards the counter where my hands automatically begin to grab the trays.

They all scoot back comfortably into their seats, each showing a different form of fake gratitude. Something I have long been used to. Holly with her small smile, Samantha with her grunt, and heather with her hands folded together contently. Three reactions that I have come to dread.

            I place each tray in front of them respectfully, bowing in politeness as I walk back over to my regular spot, waiting for them to finish. My eyes observing them with a feeling of resentment and a tinge of jealousy. I remember when I used to do that with my parents. How my father would tell us all about his day, and how my mother would laugh at the way he told it.

I can't help but miss the way things were. Back when I didn't have to despise waking up each day, when I didn't have to tend to someone else all of the time, when I had time for me. I lost myself the day I was left with them. I lost everything. My stepsisters would address me as the dirty servant girl that they were forced to live with, and my stepmother would address me as the disgrace that she had to care for.

            But after a while I didn't care. It was as if I had just accepted the insults they threw at me, and in a way, I had. "Layla, we are done now. Please clean the dishes and put them away. After that the floors need cleaning and the furniture has to be polished. Holly and Samantha will be having a couple of friends over later tonight and I want this house to be spotless for when they come." Heather calmly tells me while my hands work to pick up their dishes.

"Yes heather" I answer sweetly as I go over to the sink and begin to start my to- do- list. "I will not be home until late tonight as I have a meeting with some friends of mine, so I expect my bed to be ready for when I come home. Is that understood?" She tells me sternly, causing my head to nod in agreement and understanding.

"Good" she says, before standing up and calmly walking out of the room to prepare for her meeting, heals clicking against the floor. My stepsisters- the witches of the world- are quick to skip up to me, their annoying voices ringing in my ears.

"Oh poor Layla, stuck with the dishes again tonight, you poor thing." Holly coos into my ear. Samantha chuckling in amusement at her sisters choice of words before focusing her gaze intently on me. "You better hurry, there is so much work to be done with so little time to do it." She snickers to me, Holly giggling next to her.

My gaze wavers between the two of them as I watch them walk away, laughing amongst themselves. My eyes rolling as I continue to wash the dishes, before getting ready to complete the rest of my chores.

*************

"Bye girls I will see you tomorrow!" Heather sings out cheerfully to her daughters, ignoring my presence entirely. Something that did not happen often. She walks out the door, her deep red, knee length dress disappearing down our stone walk way. The door slams shut as my step sisters finish waving to their mother. Their smiles dropping and their eyes showing me looks of disgust.

I know their friends will be arriving any second, so I quickly walk towards the back door that leads to the garden. I hold my arms out, feeling the hot summer sun beating down onto my face, my pace quickening as I feel the wind blow through my blonde hair. My body feels like it is flying. Escaping the grasp that my step family has on me.

For once my mind remembers the freedom I had during my childhood. I feel like a caterpillar that has finally developed into a butterfly and has gotten its wings. A sense of freedom that does not last forever.
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I'm in the living room, reading a book that my mother used to read to me. It is my favourite. But the giggles of my stepsisters and their friends upstairs distract me immensely. I grasp the pages tightly, my knuckles turning white in annoyance. My feet begin to carry me towards their room upstairs, but stop outside the door. I know my limits.

I eavesdrop a little, something I used to do quite often to my parents. They didn't like it when I did it, but I found that it was something that kept me busy when I was bored. "I swear I saw him.. he is so dreamy." I hear their friend- Isabella- gush.

"No way that is impossible! You know he rarely makes an outside appearance.. I just don't see it happening." I hear a different voice scoff. I assume it is Gabriella, a girl they met not too long ago at the market. All the girls giggle from inside the room, my feet turn against the floor boards as I start to head back to my bedroom.

                My mind is turning, trying to comprehend what they were talking about. Based on Isabella's short description, it comes to the conclusion that it is about the prince. Prince Noah is a complete mystery they say. His charming good looks and cold, mysterious personality drives the local girls crazy.. even my stepsisters.

               Something that I didn't understand at all. He barely ever shows up in public, and sometimes, I forget that he even rules the country. In some eyes that would probably seem disrespectful, but I can not help it.

               I lay down on my bed after turning off the lights, thoughts of the prince still running through my head, and the laughter from the other room filling the otherwise silent house.

               I have always been confused about how one can crave someone they know nothing about. Only relying on what outside sources say and what they overhear. My laugh rumbles softly against the pillow that is pressed against my cheek.

                 My eyes begin to close as I think about the possibility of my stepsisters and their friends meeting the prince, an event that is nearly impossible. The kind of impossible that  only happens in fairy tales.. and this I know, is no fairy tale. 

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Hey guys! What did you think of the first chapter? I hope you like it! Happy reading 🙂 ~ragingflames