Short Stories

Not Quite Cinderella

Staring at that full body mirror, I had trouble finding myself under the dress and makeup. There were only one thing that reflects who I am: my Converse.

Smiling with quicksilver lips, I turned from the mirror, and went back to my room. I grabbed shorts with pockets and began to load them with whatever I might need...

I dropped my skirt, grabbed my phone from my bed, and walked toward the door.

Anna was waiting in her car, phone in hand, set to dial me. I grabbed the car door and sat down in the passenger seat.

"What's up, gorgeous?" I asked her.

She smiles. "Nothing much. Do you come here often?" she asked while shifting into drive.

"I do come here often, but only to see you."

She giggled. "Are you going to dance with your 'prince charming' tonight?"

I genuinely laughed. "Like hell Jake would ever want to dance with me."

"If you say so. I'm just saying, I dance pretty crazy, so if I bump him into you, don't think I'm helping you out or anything."

I grinned. I love my best friend.

.....

By the time we find the entrance, go through check in, and get up the elevator, the dancefloor is already packed. I scanned the crowd for Jake. No dice.

We go to our table, which Ms. Seager was kind enough to show us to, and set our stuff down. I take off my shorts and leave them on my chair before hitting the dancefloor myself. Anna stays back to enjoy a drink first and tells me she'll meet me there.

I sneak onto the edge and begin moving. Someone notices me and grabs her friend to watch. Then other people notice, including Jake. He comes up and dances with me in front of all my spectators. I can't believe it! He's dancing with me!

I just grinned and returned to my table for a drink. Jake came up and asked if I wanted to hang out on the balcony. I nodded.

.....

We came back in when one of Jake's friends came out and invited him to dance.

I went back and saw his friends in a huddle. They were laughing.

"She really thought I was into her!" Jake laughed.

It's a different girl. It has to be.

"She is kind of hot with her gray dress, though," one of his friends adds.

It is me!

I grab Jake and slap him hard. He deserves it.

A teacher intervenes and I'm kicked out. I just sit on the curb and wait with my shorts in hand.

"Hey."

I turn around. A tall guy with long hair, tattoos, black jeans, and a leather jacket is looking down at me. He's in my class.

"Need a ride home?" he asked with a crooked grin. He was wearing matching Converse.

I smiled, took his outstretched hand, and stood.

He's not prince charming, because he's learned how to truly treat a lady (even if she is wearing Converse.)