He Called Her Cinderella

Chapter Two

        I was sitting in Math class, doodling prom dresses.

        "Ruth, can you answer this problem?" the teacher asked.

        I looked up, suddenly realizing I should have been paying attention.

        "Busted," Darien whispered next to me.

        "x over 2b plus 3," I said, seeing the problem on the board.

        "Stop being so smart," he whispered.

        I was valedictorian because I could doodle and get good grades at the same time. I should put that on my resume.

        It was Wednesday afternoon, and I was freaked out about three things: Stephanie getting married, me getting to college, and me wanting to go to the dance.

      Okay, I wasn't actually freaked out about the last one, just kinda down. And the fact that I've been staying with the Bradfords every weekend since my dad died, and I was forbidden to do that anymore. 

        The bell rang, shaking me out of my daydream.

        "No homework for tonight, I know most of you are trying to get ready for Friday, so have fun!" Mrs. Berk was my favorite teacher for many reasons. Math was not one of them.

        I went out to my locker and packed my bag, then waited for Olivia.

        "Ruth!" Olivia grabbed me into the tightest hug I've ever had, and probably will ever have unless I meet a boa constrictor.

        "Stephanie's getting married," I said, after she finally let me go.

        "I know. Mom wants to take us out to coffee so we can talk. Do you have time?" she asked hopefully.

        "I think so, Stephanie's at yoga until six," I answered, and we went out to the parking lot.

        She got in my car, and I tried to start it up. I failed.

        "Pumpkin, please?" I gave puppy-eyes to the steering wheel. She turned on. 

        "You never change," Olivia giggled.

        "Neither does Pumpkin," I grinned and drove to the Starbucks where Mrs. Bradford was waiting.

        She had already ordered our favorite drinks: a chai-tea latte for Olivia, black coffee for me.

        "Thanks mom!" I smiled.

        "Thanks!" Olivia echoed.

        Yes, I did just call Mrs. Bradford my mom, and, yes, she's cool with that.

        "Let's talk about Stephanie," she frowned.

        I took a seat, "She's getting married to some guy I didn't know she was dating. She hasn't mentioned it to me yet, I just know because she announced it to everyone she knows on Facebook."

        "What's going to happen?" Olivia asked.

        "She's going to produce whatever papers she has saying the inheritance is hers, because she'll be ready for me to leave. The only reason I'm sticking around is because I need that money for college," I groaned. "Now I'm not going to college and I'll probably be homeless."

        "First of all, you know you're welcome to move in with us," Mrs. Bradford interjected.

        "But college," I said. "I don't know what I'm going to do yet."