Cowgirl Boots: a Cinderella Story

Chapter 16

Iris's POV:

That night, after we had eaten supper and cleaned up, Georgie and I prepared for bed on the living room floor.  We had given the guest room to Selina so we could talk by ourselves.  I glanced over at Georgie as she crawled under her blanket.  

"Why haven't you and Grace talked to each other for the whole day?"  She asked me.  

I felt my face muscles tighten.  

"She didn't believe me when I told her what happened."  I replied, laying down and pulling my blanket over me. 

"Oh."  

I stared at the ceiling, fighting tears.  

"Do you want to talk?"  

"If Grace was the only person near by, how can I prove to the judge that Alicia tried to kill me, and is probably planning another attack right now?"  I blurted out, drying my tears with a blink.  

"I don't know, Iris."  Georgie answered, then paused before continuing, "God will provide a way."  

I took a deep breath, steadying my shaking hands.  How could I forget?  God is in control.  I have nothing to fear.  

"The Bible says somewhere, I can't remember where, but it says to not fear those who can harm your body, instead fear the One who can send you to hell.  God is all powerful, and even though we don't deserve it, He still loves us.  You gave Him your heart, Iris, He's keeping it safe."  Georgie whispered.  

I let a tear trickle down my cheek and turned to face my step-sister, no, my sister.  

"When did you learn all that?"  I asked.  

"Benjamin and I have been doing a lot of Bible study."  She answered.  

"Thank-you."  I whispered.  

"Always, sister."  Georgie assured me.  

I smiled and whipped the tear off my cheek.  

"How are you doing?"  I asked, after taking a deep breath.  

"Better, now that I've grown closer to God, but I'm more worried about Selina."  Georgie answered, her voice cracking slightly.  

I reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it.  

"She hasn't talked to anyone, as far as I know, and that's not a good sign, Iris.  She isn't even insulting anyone.  I don't know what to do."  

Seeing tears roll down Georgie's cheeks made something inside me break.  The river of tears I had been holding back from releasing again fell freely again.  I squeezed Georgie's hand tighter.  

"We pray."  I whispered.  

Georgie nodded and we both bowed our heads into our blankets and prayed as hard as we could.  

Dear Lord, please give us strength.  Please help us, Jesus.  We need You... 

The following morning, Georgie and I woke up to Benjamin and Roy pulling our blankets away and clapping in our faces.  I didn't know wether to cry or laugh, so I did both and hit Roy, who was closet to me, with my pillow.  He grabbed one of the pillows off the couch and started a full on pillow fight.  

"What's going on in here?"  A voice demanded from the door of the living room.  

We all froze and turned to the speaker, Selina.  She raised an eyebrow.  I was about to ask why she cared when Roy threw his pillow at her, landing it right in her face.  She let out a short gasp and let the pillow drop to the floor in front of her.  Then she stared right at Roy in a way that made me glad I wasn't in Roy's shoes.  

"Excuse me?  Don't ever underestimate my skill in pillow fighting!"  Selina snapped in mock attitude.  

My mouth dropped open in shock.  Selina picked up the pillow and walked up to Roy, looking him in the eye.  He smirked.  Of all the things?!?!  

"But we're even now, so I won't enter this fight."  She told him quietly, then spun on her heal and walked out of the living room, "Breakfast is in ten minutes." 

"I knew I'd get through to her eventually, I just didn't think the pillow would do the trick."  Roy chuckled, punching the pillow and throwing it back onto the couch.  

"Whoa, whoa, whoa."  Georgie exclaimed, pushing Roy onto the couch and folding her arms, "what was that?"   

"What was what?"  Roy asked, innocently.  

I threw my pillow on his face.  

"Start talking, buddy."  Benjamin told him, grinning. 

"I tried to help her yesterday, so she hit me.  So, this morning I hit her back, with a pillow.  Nothing to it.  Now, you heard her, breakfast's in ten minutes.  Let's clean this room up."  He replied with a shrug, and pushed himself off the couch.  

I didn't want to believe that that was everything, but I began folding Georgie and mine's blankets anyway.  

Selina's POV:

He's a rascal, that's what he is.  He's going to be a weakness in your tough demeanour, I told myself as I poured milk in all the glasses on the table.  

"Thank-you for your help, honey."  Mrs. Adam thanked me. 

I nodded, giving her a polite smile.  

"Selina, honey, I want you to know something." Mrs. Adam began again.  

Here goes more sympathy.  

"Look at me."  Mrs. Adam told me gently.  

I hesitated before I did so.  Her eyes were filled with genuine kindness, something I had never seen in anyone's eyes before.  

"If you need to talk about anything, before, during or after the trial, I want you to know that I'm here for you."  She told me.  

"Thank-you."  I answered simply, not knowing what else to say.  

Suddenly, everyone came in silently, most likely seeing Mrs. Adam's hand on my shoulder.  I shook her hand off as I set the milk down and sat in the nearest hair available.  And then, of course, that rascal sat next to me.  I suppressed an annoyed breath and instead pursed my lips, reaching for the cereal.  

The meal went on smoothly.  I tried not to think about the trial, until I was forced to when Mr. Adam brought it up.  

"Are you girls ready for the trial?"  He asked.  

Everyone quieted down and turned to us, somehow at the same time, even though I was on the opposite side of the table than Georgie and Iris.  Iris shifted uncomfortably in her seat.  Georgie took a deep breath.  I tried to reveal nothing, but somehow I knew that the rascal, whatever his name was, knew I I was fighting myself.  

Should I tell them what I saw?  How do I know I can trust them?  

HEY EVERYONE!  THANKS FOR READING!  IF YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER, PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING AND/OR COMMENTING!