ღ Finding Cinderella (37)

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author's note:

don't look at the comments. it's hell down there.

ღ Finding Cinderella- 37 ღ

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Finding Cinderella- 37

-Kylie-

Two bad omens happened later that day.

First, Mr. Cross handed back our tests from last week. I was expecting to see a D grade once again on my paper, which made me shut my eyes for a good ten seconds to pray for a miracle, but instead, much to my absolute shock, in a big fat red marker was written... C-plus. A passing grade. In Calculus.

I almost collapsed in relief. Okay, baby steps. Baby steps.

However, my mental celebration ended as quickly as it had begun because Mr. Cross announced another test this week, and I could tell it was going to be much more difficult. His teaching methods had always been incremental torture, and I was expecting that by the time the finals came, he would have a class full of sleep-deprived teens wishing to drop out and a few honors kids hyperventilating in panic.

Second, as soon as I got out of the hell classroom, I was greeted by the last person I wanted to see.

"Hello, Kylie," Ronnie said with an unnerving retail smile. Even the way she said hello made my skin crawl.

"R-Ronnie? What are you...? I thought you were absent today," I stammered, taking a step back.

"Oh, I just took a few hours off to have a 'me time' and reflect on some of the things happening lately," she explained. Her tone was sickly sweet. She suddenly grabbed my arm, and her retail smile widened. "Now, come with me because I want to discuss those things with you."

My warning bells rang. As nicely as I could, I tried to refuse her invitation. "Sorry, but I need to go home right now. There's a big test coming up, and I have to study. Let's do it some other time, okay?"

Her grip on my arm tightened—sharp fingers dug into my skin that hurt a bit—but the smile remained on her face. What was going on with her? "No, Kylie. Please come with me. It's really important."

I glowered at her. If she insisted, fine. Let's get to the bottom of this.

Ronnie placed down a can of coffee in front of me. "My treat. It's the least I can do to thank you for joining me right now," she said, sitting at the opposite side of the picnic bench.

Reluctantly, I took the can and opened it. For a moment, we sipped our drinks and observed the courtyard in silence. Then she put her can down and began, "Kylie, have you ever had that moment where you worked your ass off to get something you really wanted, but in the end, someone else stole it?"

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