Not Another Cinderella Story

Chapter 3

When I woke up it was 3 in the morning and boy was I bored, so I decided to do what I always did. Go for a walk. Outside it was chilly and dark, the only light came from the full moon shining above me as if it were guiding me on my way. I set out on the footpath and made my way down passing the closed restaurants and drunks along the way. I never actually got scared of the drunk people, to me they were harmless. I always came down the same path and it was always the same drunks that smiled at me and mumbled their incoherent words. one time I'd witnessed a fist fight and without hesitation I tried to stop it, my theory worked luckily I got other drunks to take them to opposite sides of the street until they decided to head home. I felt like I had the power invested in me but obviously I didn't. It just felt good to help out. when I told my parents though they had the opposite reaction I was lucky they still let me go for my walks after hours. We had no enemies so no one harmed us intentionally. Mum always helped out at charitable events and Dad coached the junior boys soccer team. Walking around at this time helped me clear my head, get ready for the upcoming day and schedule what I'm going to do.

Down the path I followed heading straight for the deserted closed down path. Big metal fences and gates surrounded it and closed it off from anyone getting inside, this however was my favourite place. It showed that every beautiful thing can turn into an ugly wreck and fall back together into place. Well after I'm done with it. I planned to fix it all up, make people and myself happy.

"Go in, idiot" come a familiar voice scaring the Jesus out of me that I actually screamed. when I turned around however the very one and only was standing behind me smirking.

"What are you doing here?"

"walking" he gestured around the place, it was dark but again the moon allowed me to see the full view of him. He was in a pair of shorts, white shirt and all topped off with a black open hoodie.

"Its almost four in the morning" I looked at him stupidly realising I couldn't say anything much myself. I blushed at my stupid question and just turned to look back at the park. I heard some rustling then metal and then a whistle coming from Riley and when I looked back at him he held the bottom of the fence up and gestured for me to crawl under.

"uh uh, no way am I trespassing" I stated Cleary shaking my head, although I really did want to go inside, he shrugged it off and went under mumbling a "whatever".

its like I was planning someone's death. well atleast it felt like it, then my inner demon thought 'lets take a risk for once' and so I did just that.

"wait " I called out to him crawling quickly under the fence as he turned he smirked, nodded and just began walking. We made our way around the park walking silently as I looked in awe of the place, anyone else would say it looked like a junk yard from the amount of trash people throw over it but not me.

"its beautiful" I whispered more to myself then anyone.

"are you f**ked" he burst out laughing.

"sorry?" I winced at the word

"its disgusting" he stated

"No, its merely a work In progress. It just needs help" I smiled at the broken rusted swing, carefully I sat myself and kicked a bit off the floor.

"its not human" he said kicking a can of Jim Beam.

"Humans aren't the only ones that need help, for instance this place. It was built by humans, destroyed by humans and it just needs humans to rebuild it. its had a fair share of problems in its life and it will continue to. That doesn't mean its over though" I finished smiling at myself for defending the fine Peice of art.

"So, smart ass. Tell me who's gunna fix this Peice of crap?"

"Can you please stop with them words, I am."

"good luck with that" he scoffed throwing a stone as far as he could manage.

As we both sat just swinging softly on the swings I couldn't help but smile, it was good company sharing what is shared alone every time with someone else. I mean who else walks around town at early times in the morning like this?

"So why are you out here when you could be sleeping?" I turned to him and for the first time since he scared me, our eyes met. without any doubt I blushed and looked back to the floor.

"I could ask you the same"

"I like walks" I shrugged not knowing any other possible explanation.

"At four in the morning? Around a broken down abandoned park where you can potentially be hurt? sounds exciting" he laughed to himself.

I did nothing but nod, because it was true.

"Reasonable explanation for myself, I couldn't sleep." he added

"why not?" I looked up at him curiously.

"Dunno, maybe it was the guys throwing a party without me next door, or my parents arguing, or I just couldn't get an unrealistic, imagined fictional character out of my head" he said looking me dead in the eye.

Pure embarrassment courses through me and possibly even hatred. why did I do that? I'm such a bum! I thought to myself.

"Riley, I am sorry. I don't even know what stupid things were going on in my head" I burst out.

"Yeah, you realise we have to be at school in about four hours smart ass. C'Mon." he jumped up and we both begun walking back, ducking under the fence and I watched as he secured it shut as if nothing had happened. After that we'd both gone our separate ways without a bye even.

He dislikes me, very much.