Cinderella Complex

by Rebekah L. Purdy

  Chewing my bottom lip, I glanced around. My eyes burned. A lump lodged in my throat and I adjusted the straps on my backpack. This was supposed to be my moment. My dream come true.

  I took a deep breath to keep from crying then reached into my bag to retrieve my phone. Everyone knew Connor said he’d take me home. They’d never let me live it down. I scrolled through the contacts, wondering which person would give me the least amount of grief for a lift home.

  Definitely not Jack. Or Seth. And Taylor would want to talk. Mom worked thirty minutes away. Maybe Grandma? My stomach knotted. I wanted to throw up. I closed my eyes. Would I ever stop being a loser?

  “Maggie, good! You’re still here,” Connor called out as he trotted up alongside me. “I’m so sorry. Coach wanted to talk to the team right after school.”

  He lugged his school books under one arm, his face flushed.

  “Hey. I—I thought you might’ve forgotten.” I shoved the cell back into my bag.

  “No, definitely not.” He led me to his car. “Coach had a mini freak-out over tomorrow night’s game. Wanted to make sure we had our heads on straight.” He laughed. “The guy’s too uptight.”

  I smiled. The only thing I knew about football was hot guys wore tight pants. And, somewhere in there, they threw a ball around and got tackled. Maybe I should try out for the team.

  Connor blabbed the whole way to my house, giving me a run-down of Kensington High’s chances at making the playoffs. I nodded to show I listened, while I dreamed of him winning State and kissing me after he got a touchdown.

  “Do you think we’ll go all the way?” He stared at me.

  “What?”

  “Do you think the team will make it to State?”

  “Oh, yeah. Absolutely.” My cheeks burned. Right. Get your mind out of the gutter. We climbed from the car and walked into the house. I fanned my face as I led Connor into the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?” I pulled a barstool out.

  “Sure, I’ll take a pop if you got one.” He lowered his tall frame onto the seat and looked around with interest. “Wow. Your house is awesome.”

  “My dad and mom built it when they were still together. I can give you a tour of it later. If you want.”

  He popped the soda top open. He took a swig, then set it on the counter and turned to me. “Where’s your bedroom?”

  Holy crap! I swallowed hard, trying to act cool.

  “The third floor. It’s away from everything else. Real private.” Okay, like he needed to know that.

  Just then, the front door burst open. Riley giggled as she and Jack walked into the kitchen. They went to the fridge and grabbed drinks. He kissed Riley’s neck then glanced at us over her head.

  “Hey, guys,” he said. “Mind if we join you?”

  My mouth dropped open and I glared at him. “I thought you decided to go Riley’s?”

  “Change of plans.” Jack grinned at me.

  No flipping way. I knew that smirk. He’d barged in on purpose.

  I turned my attention back to Connor. “So, how about that tour of the house now?”

  “Knock-knock, anyone home?” Taylor swept into the kitchen, dropping her school bag on the table. Her gaze flickered between Connor and me. “Hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

  “No problem there,” I said between clenched teeth. My eyes bulged. What was going on?

  “Do you always get this much traffic?” Connor laughed, taking another sip of his drink.

  “No. But it’s strange they all showed up today.” My voice raised an octave.

  Jack only smiled wider, lifting his can.

  “Cheers, little sister.”

  “Hey, am I late to the party?” Seth sauntered into the room. His eyes flashed with humor. I watched in horror as he walked toward us. “Anyone sitting here?” He plopped down on the stool between Connor and me.

  “You want a drink, man?” Jack opened the fridge and tossed a can to Seth.

  He caught it mid-air.

  “See, you’re not the only one who can play catch,” Seth said to Connor.

  This had turned into a complete disaster. It was supposed to be the pivotal moment when Connor admitted his life-long love for me. The moment I fell into his arms. Experienced my first kiss. Instead, I had a room full of obnoxious friends and one sibling. They burped and threw things, blocking my view of Connor.

  “Wow, we’ve got a house full of people.” Mom hung her keys on the hook. “Should I order some pizza?”

  “Mom? I thought you had to work late?” This reeked of bad juju. A planned sabotage.

  Mom smiled. “My client accepted the plea bargain. So court ended early.”

  “Hey, Maggie.” Connor leaned around Seth. “I wondered if you’d like to…”

  Everyone’s voices got louder. Seriously, come on.

  “What?” I pushed Seth back a little so I could see Connor better.

  “I said, can you come to my game tomorrow night—to watch me play?”

  Ring—Ring. The phone blared in my ear and Seth got up to answer it.

  “No, Mags can’t go Friday.” Seth held out the phone. “Her dad’s picking her up. It’s his weekend. At least that’s what he just said.”

  Mom took the phone from Seth, plugging one ear so she could hear Dad.

  As if we didn’t have enough people in the kitchen and my day wasn’t already ruined, the door swung open once more. This time, Grandma came in, carrying two grocery bags.

  “I brought over some leftovers from the party last night.” She handed them to Jack, who immediately set the food on the counter. He snagged a brownie then handed one to Seth.

  “I didn’t know you were coming over, Grandma.” My voice warbled. I wondered who in the world would walk in next. Darth Vader? Santa? Freddie Krueger?

  “I wanted to drop by and check in on you. Oh, that fall turned out worse than I thought.” Grandma took my face in her hands, pinching my cheeks like they were giant marshmallows.

  Jackson glanced at me around her shoulder. “Wait, she really fell?”

  “Of course? What did you think happened?”

  “Bigfoot,” I mumbled, and she shook her head.

  “Hey, Maggie, I think I’m gonna head home now.” Connor stood, eyeing the crowd. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Maybe we can have lunch together. Just the two of us.”

  “Sure. I’ll see you.”

  I started to walk him out, when Mom stopped me. “Maggie, can you take the trash out for me?”

  Seriously? A total conspiracy! They didn’t want me to be happy.

  Seth smirked. “I think the trash took itself out.”

  “You guys totally ruined everything!” I grabbed the trashcan and dragged it to the back door.

  “Ruined what, dear?” Grandma gave me an oblivious look.

  My jaw tightened. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  I stood in the garage for several minutes, cursing my family and friends and kicking a plastic chair. It didn’t help. I trudged back inside and went straight to my room.

  This day couldn’t possibly get any worse. I massaged my temples. How much would I get for a trade-in on my family? Maybe the handbook had a spell in it I could use to win over Connor or make my family and friends less embarrassing. Seconds later, the large book hit the floor with a thump.

  I knelt beside it and flipped it open to the table of contents. If you need help with your wings, turn to page five. If you have a malfunctioning wand, turn to page three-hundred and twenty-five. For giggles, I thumbed to page three-hundred-twenty-five. If the wand is broken, go to page four hundred. If the wand is causing fires, turn to page six-hundred and fifty. It was like Choose Your Own Adventures for Godmothers! And it gave me no help. I flung the cover shut and it disappeared.

  With a sigh, I stood and ran a hand through my hair.

  My skin tingled with an electric charge. My stomach fluttered. I raised my hand, palm up, as blue light encompassed it. What was happening? Pop.

/>   There, on my outstretched fingers, appeared a dream sphere. My first assignment.

  I smiled. Who would be the first recipient of a Maggie, Fairy Godmother Happily Ever After?

  I leaned closer. The globe glowed brighter. The grin on my lips disappeared.

  No way! No stinkin’ way!

  There, staring back at me in the sphere, stood Katrina Melville.

  Chapter Seven

  My wings spread out behind me. The wind raged, pushing through my hair like a high-powered blow dryer. Then everything spiraled out of control. A black hole opened up in front of me, sucking me in.

  I screamed as shooting stars darted past me. After a few moments, I calmed myself in an attempt to navigate around the odd objects littering the air. Birds, books, stars, rocks, rainbows, and even a pair of dusty old shoes whizzed by my head. It felt like floating inside a twister, dodging debris.

  Had I gotten sucked into another dimension? The scent of soap tickled my nose as a light came into view. I tried to slow down as steam emptied from the open doorway ahead. Apparently my wings didn’t come with brakes.

  I flailed as I was thrust into the light. Splash!

  Cold water seeped into my shoe. I glanced down to find myself wearing a poufy white lace gown and satin slippers. The glass sphere still rested in my hand. As the steam cleared, I groaned. Great. I ended up in a bathroom.

  “Dang it !” My foot was in a toilet filled with blue cleaner. Blue stains crept up the hem of the gown.

  “Who’s there?” A familiar voice called. The shower curtain whipped open to reveal Katrina.

  She screamed, floundering to grab a towel.

  I jerked my foot free of the toilet, stumbling toward her. “Shh…don’t scream.”

  “What are you doing in my bathroom?”

  She sounded hysterical. It wasn’t like I’d chosen to drop in on her in the middle of her shower. Besides, if it’d been my decision, she sure as heck wouldn’t be my first assignment.

  I cleared my throat. “I’m your Fairy Godmother.”

  Wrapped in a towel, Katrina stepped from the tub. “Is this some kind of sick joke?” Tears welled in her eyes. “I get it. You want payback.”

  “Trust me. It’s no joke.” Although, getting her back for everything she’d done to me sounded good. I turned and flapped my wings, lifting off the ground. My head thumped into the ceiling. Dang. I might need an aviator license to fly.

  Katrina gasped as I landed on my feet once more.

  “Kat, is everything okay in there?” A male voice called from the other side of the door.

  “I’m fine, Dad. Just a spider. A big, nasty, hairy one.”

  I narrowed my eyes. She totally didn’t deserve a happy ending!

  “Well, I’m heading to work now. Make sure you get the dishes done and throw in a load of laundry.”

  The front door closed. Katrina turned to me. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get changed without you staring at my breasts.”

  “Trust me, looking at your inflatable chest is the last thing I want to do tonight. Believe it or not, you interrupted my date.” Okay, so Connor had already left by the time the sphere bobbled into my hand. But I sure as heck wasn’t telling her that.

  “Oh. Taylor came over?”

  Someone, please help me. I stormed from the bathroom and into a narrow hall leading into a small living room. I gazed in wonder at the worn carpet and peeling wallpaper. Her TV looked like something my grandma used to own years ago. The faded brown couch and matching armchair had definitely seen better days. The living room led to a tiny kitchen. I saw a stove, fridge, and table. Homemade shelves piled with dishes lined the walls.

  Holy crap. This place. Not quite what I expected. I walked through the living room and noticed two doors leading to bedrooms. I peeked inside the first, which was painted lavender and had a twin bed, a dresser, a lamp, and a rack where clothes hung, swaying like limp ghosts. A couple posters of actors hung on the wall, but nothing extravagant. The other room contained a futon, a dresser, and a pile of work uniforms. And that ended the tour of the whole house. No mansion. No maids or expensive furniture.

  “I suppose you’re going to tell everyone at school?” Katrina stood in the doorway, watching me.

  “I don’t get it. You come to school in a limo. You wear brand labels.” I spun around to face her, the fabric of my dress brushing against my ankles.

  Katrina snorted. “You moron. My dad’s a limo driver. He drops me off on his way to work every morning. And I shop at consignment stores. Sometimes, people my dad drives for leave stuff behind. If they’re not claimed in thirty days, he gives it to me.” She jerked me from her dad’s bedroom back into the living room.

  “Oh.” Well, this certainly changed things.

  Katrina plopped down on the couch. Her wet hair hung in her face. She played with her hands in her lap then raised her gaze to meet mine. “Are you going to tell?”

  “No. I’m your Fairy Godmother—I have to make your happy ending come true.”

  The globe radiated in my hand, sending tingles up my arm. Time to see what Katrina Melville’s happily-ever-after was. I wondered if it’d be too much to ask for a change in attitude.

  Katrina moved closer as I glanced into the flickering glass sphere. My eyes bulged. There stood Connor Prince, wearing a crown. Katrina clung to his arm.

  What? No way. This was the year for Connor and me to finally hook up. He was supposed to be my first kiss. My happy ending! My fantasy fizzled before me.

  Katrina smiled. “I knew you weren’t going to date him. You’re not his type. And this proves it.”

  “Wand.” It popped into my hand. One magical wave and I could poof her to Siberia, or better yet, turn her into a toad. I mean, did I seriously want to let this happen?

  Then I remembered Grandma’s words. With a sigh, I lowered the wand.

  “Maybe we should start,” I said evenly, “with you trying not to be a witch.”

  “Please, people with money always act snotty.”

  I glanced around her house. “Um—did I miss something? Because the last time I checked, you’re not rich.”

  She frowned. “I have to maintain a certain image. There’s no way I’d survive high school if people knew the real me.”

  I wanted to tell her no one liked the “fake” her, but decided it probably wasn’t the appropriate thing for a Fairy Godmother to say to her princess-to-be. “We’ll start working on your happy ending tomorrow.” I waved my wand in the air, hoping to poof myself back to my room. Instead, the globe disappeared into my palm.

  With a groan, I stalked to the front door. I glanced around to make sure no one was looking, and then flew into the sky. Katrina stood on her porch, watching me as I struggled to clear a tree.

  Please don’t let me crash in front of her.

  By some miracle, I cleared the tree and thanked whatever God or Godmother watched over me.

  I made it around the block before something jerked me backward. I’d clanked into a flagpole. Clutching it for dear life, I realized my bulky dress had gotten all tangled up on it. Rip.

  My fingers wound tighter around the pole as I slid down. The skirt of my dress tore away. This so wasn’t good. The lace bottom fluttered, parachute-like, to the ground. And there I hung, butt to the wind, wearing only the top portion of my dress and my blue thong.

  My fingers slipped again. Horns honked from below and guys leaned out their windows.

  “Yeah, baby—take it all off.”

  Aw, crap. This definitely gave a new meaning to pole dancer.

  One of the cars stopped down the road. I recognized the football players. No way! I had to get out of here. Just then the parking lot lights went off, plunging us into darkness.

  Pushing away from the pole, I frantically flapped my wings, flying toward home.

  This easily won the award for the worst day in history. And I’d be lucky not to find my bare butt all over the internet. I only prayed the jocks didn’t have eno
ugh time to snap shots.

  Katrina Melville two. Me, zero.

  Junior year was not going to be the best year ever. In fact, it’d be amazing if I survived it at all.

  Chapter Eight

  “You guys should’ve seen this chick on the flagpole last night.” Max Weller pushed through the crowded school entrance. “Totally hot butt.” He held up his phone. “Now if only we could find out who she is.”

  Greg Bloom laughed. “Maybe we should print the pic and see if anyone claims it. We need the girls to show their backsides for sure.”

  Heat raced to my cheeks. I ducked my head, rushing down the hall. Great, now my blue thong and I were the talk of the school. From here on out, I planned to wear white granny panties.

  I set my bag on the floor when I got to my locker. I spun the combination and jerked the door open, smacking the locker next to mine.

  “Okay, so where did you disappear to last night?” Taylor leaned against the wall. “I went up to your room to hang out. But you weren’t there.”

  I shrugged. “You guys ticked me off after barging in on Connor and me. So I went for a run to cool down.”

  Her smile faltered and she touched my arm. “Okay, I totally owe you an apology. It’s just, he’s the first guy you’ve ever brought home. I got excited.” She dug into her handbag, pulled out a pack of gum, and offered me a piece. “If it makes you feel any better, he seemed really into you.”

  I shoved a stick of Minty-Bubble Pop gum into my mouth. “Well, dating Connor probably isn’t a great idea, anyway. I mean, he’s uber popular. Me, I’m not even on the radar.”

  “No way am I going to let you give up. Hello. You’ve been stalking this guy since, like, elementary school.” She shut my locker for me.

  I noticed Katrina’s auburn hair as she shoved past everyone. Her gaze met mine, and I knew my day was off to a crappy start. She pushed between Taylor and me.

  “We need to talk.” She grabbed my arm.

  Taylor clutched my other arm, inciting a human tug-o-war game. “Since when do we register on your witch-o-meter?”