Cowgirl Boots: a Cinderella Story

Chapter 9

The following day, Thursday, I hastily wrote the conclusion for my essay on the way to school, as Selina's music blared through the speakers in the truck.  I knew I should have remembered to finish it yesterday when I had time, but Georgie needed that dress and the dance is this week.  

The whole day was a blur of rushing from one class to another and trying to remember what the teachers were attempting to teach me.  I don't think I learned anything except the short cuts to classes that day.  

Selina surprisingly left the rock music off on the way home.  She completely ignored us and wouldn't meet our eyes, keeping them on the road.  

When she finally pulled into the driveway, she hesitated to join us in our dash for the stable.  I prayed that she would be alright and focused on doing our chores.  Benjamin hadn't done them today for some reason.  

Georgie and I ate our supper quietly, before I cleaned it up and we met in my room.  There was no weekend homework this week, although I couldn't understand why-not that I was complaining or anything.  

"There's something off with Selina."  I sighed, plopping down on my bed.  

"I noticed."  Georgie mumbled, laying down beside me.  

"Do you have any idea why?"  I asked, twisting my body so I could look her in the eye.  

"Well, I haven't seen her give a real smile to anyone since Father died."  Georgie began, a flicker of remorse and fear flashed through her eyes, almost to fast for me to catch, "but I can't imagine what happened to make her sadness worse."  

I thought for a moment.  Georgie must miss her Father too.  

"How did you deal with your grief?"  I asked Georgie quietly, remembering my Father.  

"I cried myself to sleep for months and then just submitted to Mother and Selina.  I decided to win their approval with my services.  I know Selina still cares for me, despite how cold she acts, however I'm certain Mother is a psychopath."  Georgie whispered, tears welling in her eyes.  

She took a deep breath and sat up.  My eyes widened.  

"Why do you think that?"  I whispered back, glancing toward the door.  

"Because she doesn't have a weak spot and she has no feelings or conscience."  Georgie whispered back.  

I took a deep breath.  

"This is terrible."  I mumbled, shaking my head.  

We sat in silence for a few moments before I took Georgie's hand and met her eyes again.  They were filled with tears.  

"Thank-you for being here, Iris."  She whispered, enveloping me in a hug.    

I hugged her back, blinking back my own tears.  

The following morning, Alicia gave me more chores than I could possibly do by myself before school started.  

"Georgie, please help me."  I mouthed at her as I threw a bunch of clothes into the washing machine.  

Georgie nodded.  I didn't even know where these clothes came from.  Were they all Alicia's?   

"I'll take care of the horses, just get to school."  Georgie whispered, before running out of the house.  

I hurried through the extra chores, washed the dishes and jumped into the truck before Alicia could find me.  She had eaten with an odd expression this morning.  I had no idea what had come over her.  

Selina and Georgie soon ran out of the stable and jumped into the truck with me.  

"Alright idiots, I've got some news.  We're going to the dance on Thanksgiving.  Your leaving Jacob to me, if you manage to finish your chores in time.  Oh, and Iris, your not aloud to shower."  Selina told us in the dullest tone you can imagine, except when she mentioned Jacob.  

There was no way I was going out of my way to please Selina, but I wasn't going to try to get in her way either.  Georgie and I exchanged eye contact before clutching our homework and scrambling for seatbelts when Selina pressed the gass petal.  Selina soon turned on her rock music, engulfing us in noise.  

Eight hours later, I rode home from my night shift, unsaddled Thunder and started my extra chores.  It's not like I had time to shower anyway.  I took a deep breath as I shinned the furniture in the living room.  

"Dear Lord, please give me energy to keep going.  Please help Georgie see your light and love.  Amen."  I prayed as the moonlight streamed through the windows.  

I glanced at the clock, finding it was close to one am.  I finished polishing the living room and crawled into bed.  This was going to be one crazy weekend.  

HEY GUYS!  I HOPE YOUR HAVING A GREAT WEEK!  THANKSGIVING IS COMING UP, AND I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU GUYS AND EXTRA CHAPTER OR TWO THE WEEK OF!:)  PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING IF YOU ENJOYED!  THANK-YOU FOR READING!