Hopes Of Anna

Chapter Six: Cinderella's way to the Ball

      Pretty girl. That sounded so good and it stuck to my brain and I just kept thinking of Caldwell. Would I ever have a chance with the cutest boy ever? Look at me, thinking he's the cutest boy ever.
     Keira was around with her father. She was the daughter of my father's personal driver. A six  year old beautiful black little girl. Keira was like a family member, everyone loved her, even my father. She was my sister and I loved her so much but no one has ever loved her more than Andre.
     She caught me smiling at myself, thinking of Caldwell.
     'Anna, what are you thinking of?' She asked with a tiny high pitched voice.
      'Keira when did you arrive?' I asked trying to avoid her questions.
       'Your dad said I could stay here today.' Keira said, she looked at me closely. 'Why are you still smiling.'
      'Is she?' Andre walked in.
       'No I'm not.' I said also trying to convince myself.
      'Anna.' Andre said with an annoying smile. I turned away from him. 'Do you have a crush on a boy in your group?'
      'Andre!' Keira's eyes brightened adorably.
     'No...why em do you think that?'
     'Anna's got a crush on someone!' Keira shouted. Andre was laughing so mockingly. I did not even know how to react especially when Mom was told.
                ***********
     Plain. I said standing in front of the mirror. I was not pretty and definitely not sexy which is surely Caldwell's type.
      'Anna are you dressed for school?' Mom shouted outside my door.
     'Almost!' I lied. I was still in a robe. Mom barged in.
     'Anna.' I was totally caught unawares.
     'I....'
     'Why aren't you ready?' I wanted to lie once more but I was too embarrassed to.
      'I don't know what to wear.' I said feeling really shy and helpless. Surely, mom didn't see that coming. I always got ready before Andre because I never cared about how I looked on an outfit. Andre appeared at the door.
     'Why the hell aren't you ready?' He asked.
      'Anna's seeing her menses.' said Mom.
      'Mom what the! No!'
      'Why else do you wanna wear something nice?' Even Andre was taken aback by the words.
      'Because I—okay, I do wanna be noticed! Why are you guys making it such a big deal?' Mom squealed in complete excitement.
     'Time for a make over.' She said with excitement. Oh no.
                    ********
    Andre did not want to let me go because I was not able to walk so well on the heels but no way I would let him assist me to class. I waved him goodbye before going into school.
         I looked so different; Heels, makeup, let down hair and  a very beautiful pink gown and blue ripped jean jacket.
        I entered into the school and was welcomed with surprised but impressed looks. Even Ludie stopped to stare at me. I became more confident with every step. I could see Caldwell down the hall talking with his friends looking cute as usual. Some of his friends looked my way then alerted him to look at me. His eyes caught mine then I became nervous.
    'Wow.' He mouthed. I went to my locker where Nate, Marie and Ludie met me.
    'Yo! Way to make an entrance.' Marie said with a mocking smile.
    'I...I... I just wanted to...em...dress up a little.' I stammered.
    'Poor Anna. You're damn hot, why are you so nervous and shy. You kinda look like someone I know.' Marie said thinking.
     'You are pretty but this brought out your beauty.' Ludie said referring to all of me then he suddenly left. Strange guy. Caldwell joined us.
    'Isn't it enough I'm gonna see you tomorrow. Why the fuck are you here white boy?'Marie said.
     'You know I have friends here;Anna, who has got a whole lotta my friends feeling "that" kinda way.' Caldwell said putting his arm around me. I blushed using my hair to cover my red cheeks.
      'Looking fire Anna. If I saw Lucie I would give you a kiss.' Caldwell said holding my face. I did want that to happen.
    'Look no further.' Marie said as Lucie passed us with her eye on me. Caldwell got really close to my face then stopped before our lips could touch. I pretended to be surprised but in my head I was like: Just kiss me! Caldwell broke into a laughter, unknowingly disappointing me.
   'I'm sorry for such joke Anna.' I swallowed and let it go. He respects my feelings at least.
    'Why don't you dress this way all the time?' Caldwell asked. Because I'm scared that many people would not accept it. Of course I didn't say that but just shrugged.
                    **********
   Happiness came with a confidence that kept endless smiles on my face. I was always sure to be complemented any where I go and I realized how nice it felt when boys looked at you in awe. I was so excited and it had everything to do with Caldwell.
     On my way to a table after getting my food, I tripped over a foot. I fell to the floor. My glasses were no longer on my face, food was all over me and I could see blurry figures around me. My heart began to race; my paradise was over.
      'My dress.' I said. My foot bent suddenly. Now my heel was broken and I could here sounds of laughter that stung me.
      'Ouch spoony.' I heard a voice—Lucie. It all made sense that I would still be embarrassed.
     'Please...my glasses.' I said to Lucie’s possible figure. Surely, her foot tripped me.
      'Cinderella can't see her way to the ball? How pathetic! Did you think you can change your status by changing your clothes? Anna get this...' Lucie came close to me. I wanted to grab her and shake her vigorously but her words had gone too deep into my head.
      'You will always remain that kind of girl who will always have nothing, especially not Caldwell.' Lucie said. That was not a complete insult but a coded threat.   
       'Do go on, get looking for your third and fourth eyes. I can't believe you are almost blind without them.' Lucie said. Kids were watching and laughing at me act like a circus animal without even saying anything.
    'Yo, Lucie. Stop this and give her glasses back.' I heard Marie say.
      'Don't even try talking me outta this. It's so fun and not your business.'
     'Stop this charade Lucie.'
      'She's the one that loves charade. Look at her, thinking she's suddenly like me. What's she wearing anyway?'
      'Give the glasses!' Marie said one more time. I heard Lucie drop it in her hands mumbling curses. I took the glasses with hot tears in my eyes. I couldn't face anyone especially not Caldwell. If he comes back from wherever he was, he'd surely be told about this embarrassment.
        I walked out of the cafeteria limping and looking helpless. Some people were still laughing at my sorrow and it hurt so much. It was stupid to think changing my look would make a difference.