The Princess Sisters (The Princess Sisters Series)

by Stacy Lynn Carroll

  The Princess sisters all leapt up from their seats and jumped up and down, clapping their hands. Then they surrounded Grandma Johnson and almost suffocated her with hugs.

  “What do you say we go to the fabric store tomorrow morning to check out patterns and fabric?”

  This brought on a whole new wave of excitement and the girls started chattering enthusiastically about how their dresses were going to look.

  “Can I take that as a yes then?” Grandma Johnson asked, smiling.

  They all nodded.

  “Yes! Perfect!” Belle said.

  “That would be awesome!” Aurora chimed in.

  “You are amazing!” Cinderella said.

  “You might want to hold back compliments until you see how the dresses turn out,” Grandma Johnson said with a sly grin.

  “I mean it!” Cinderella added with enthusiasm. “You’re like our fairy godmother!”

  “Oh sweetie,” Grandma Johnson waved the comment aside with a brush of her hand. “Fairy godmothers are just grandmas in disguise.”

  ***

  "No!”

  “Come on Mom!” Cinderella said, pleading with her hands.

  “No!” Dana repeated. She looked defensively at each person in the room. They had all gathered together to try and convince her.

  “Dana, the girls are just trying to fit in at school,” Rachel said.

  “If I wanted my daughter to fit in, I wouldn’t have named her Cinderella,” Dana said stubbornly.

  “Okay, wrong choice of words,” Mary said. “They are trying to stand up for themselves and get rid of a bully. You remember what high school was like, don’t you?”

  Dana gave Mary a hard look. “There is no way I am allowing my daughter to go to a dance with a college boy! Let alone one I have never met!” she said, angry that no one else seemed to share her opinion. “If they have to go to the dance, why can’t they just go with high school boys?”

  “We told you Mom!” Cinderella said, close to tears now. “None of the boys will take us, that’s why we have to go!”

  Dana opened her mouth to protest again, but she was cut off sharply.

  “Oh stop being such a nincompoop!” Grandma Johnson, who had been silent the entire argument thus far, finally spoke up. “These girls have come up with a brilliant plan, and they’ve already approached me about dresses. Don’t spoil things for them now! Not when they are doing so well!”

  “But…” Dana started again, but with less confidence now. In all the years Dana had known Grandma Johnson, she never once had spoken to her so forcefully before.

  “The girls need to do this.” Grandma Johnson continued. “Those boys aren’t that much older anyway. They are barely 18, so stop thinking of them as old men after your little girl. Besides, it’s just one date.”

  Everyone stood quietly, their eyes darting back and forth between Grandma Johnson and Dana.

  “I’ve said my peace.” Grandma Johnson broke the stand-off and opened the front door in preparation to leave. “I know this is a family matter so I will leave the rest up to you. Just let me know what you decide.”

  The front door clicked shut and everyone turned their attention back to Dana who stood motionless, contemplating all that was said.

  “Alright,” she finally said quietly. “But he has to pick you up here so I can meet him before you leave,” she added, pointing a finger at Cinderella so she would know that she meant it.

  The Princess sisters all cheered and Cinderella ran to her mom, giving her a big hug.

  “Thanks Mom!” she said, beaming.

  “I’ll go call Grandma Johnson so we can go shopping tomorrow,” Aurora said, and she raced from the room before Dana could change her mind.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Monday, September 13th

  Monday morning came much quicker than Belle had anticipated. But the weekend turned out to be a lot busier than she had thought too, making the time fly right by. Saturday was filled with measurements and what felt like hundreds of pattern books, looking for the perfect dresses, and yards and yards of fabric. Grandma Johnson and Grandma Hamblin drove the girls to three different stores until they each had exactly what they needed. Each of the Grandmas had taken on the task of making one dress, so Sunday was spent apart, discussing what they had in mind with their partnered grandma. Belle had spent most of her afternoon at Grandma Lice’s house, chatting and helping her cut out the dress.

  She had been so busy thinking about the dance that the elections had flown right out of her head. But now as she walked down the hall toward the student body officer (SBO) room, her stomach filled with nervous butterflies. Belle pushed open the door and looked around the room, hoping this wouldn’t be her one and only time seeing it. Several posters covered the walls; a random assortment of musicians, movies, and school activities from over the years. There was even a ‘No Parking’ sign, obviously taken from a street corner somewhere. There were several couches around the room, where a few candidates had already gathered, and a large LoveSac lay enticingly in the center. Belle moved toward the LoveSac and plopped down on her stomach, feeling the sides enclose around her. From this angle, she noticed a mini fridge wedged between two of the couches.

  The door opened and several of the current junior and senior SBO’s, voted in at the end of last year, entered the room. A couple of them glanced at Belle, lying comfortably in the middle of the giant bean bag chair, and snickered. The door opened again and Mr. Daniels, the SBO teacher representative, came in the room.

  “Everyone take a seat and make yourselves comfortable,” he said, mostly for the sophomore’s benefit. Then looking down at Belle he added, “Although it seems Ms. Princess already has.”

  Belle swung her legs around so she was sitting now. The door opened and closed three more times before Mr. Daniels spoke again.

  “Is everyone here now?” he asked, looking around and counting to himself.

  Everyone in the room did the same and then nodded. Mr. Daniels pulled out an envelope and everybody collectively held their breath. Many of the sophomores clasped hands with the person sitting next to them, or put their arms around each other for support. It reminded Belle of those competitions on TV, when the results are revealed live. The competitors are always holding on to each other, showing support for the other person even though they are secretly hoping the other person will lose so they can win. Belle felt like this race had been the same. They had all spent a good deal of time together, getting to know each other through the course of the elections. So she genuinely wished they could all win and move forward together. However, since that wasn’t a possibility, she was hoping to have trounced them.

  It seemed as though Mr. Daniels was moving in slow motion as he pulled the envelope open and took out a piece of paper.

  “I just wanted to say I think everyone did a fantastic job running for office, and I am honored to work with any one of you.”

  Yeah, yeah, get on with it! Belle thought.

  “This was a very close race too, so don’t be too disappointed if you didn’t win. No one won by a landslide. Actually in one case, the winner only won by a few votes. So you should all be proud of the work you put in.”

  This made Belle freeze in place. Only a few votes? That means it could be anyone! Her throat suddenly felt very dry and she wished more than anything that she had a glass of water.

  “Sophomore class secretary is…Amelia Wall,” Mr. Daniels announced.

  Amelia, a short girl with very short blonde hair smiled and hugged the girls on either side of her. She had a look of pure relief on her face. The intensity of not knowing was gone and she could now enjoy hearing the rest of the results.

  “Sophomore class vice president is…Craig Jacobs.”

  Craig was good-looking with his shaggy brown hair and chocolaty eyes. He was also on the basketball team, so he was slim and fit. Craig high-fived several of the kids sitting around him, including a junior who also played basketball.

 
Belle shifted in the LoveSac, she straightened up and then froze in place, not wanting to miss a word.

  “And finally, the sophomore class president is…Belle Princess.”

  Belle could feel warmth enter her cheeks as every head in the room turned toward her. Then everyone got to their feet and those who had lost quietly slipped out the door. The winners hung around while the junior and senior SBO’s offered their congratulations. Amelia ran over to Belle and gave her a big hug around her middle.

  “We’re going to have so much fun!” she said.

  “Yeah, this year is going to rock!” Craig said, coming up to join them. “I really liked your speech, by the way,” he said to Belle.

  “Oh, thanks!” Belle said smiling.

  A couple senior girls walked passed them. “Congratulations Amelia! You too Craig!” they said. Then they glared at Belle before exiting out the door.

  “What was that all about?” Amelia asked.

  “Oh, they’re probably friends of Cynthia,” Belle said shrugging. Both Craig and Amelia nodded. They knew exactly what that meant.

  “Well, don’t worry about them,” Craig said, putting his long arm around Belle’s shoulders.

  Belle smiled up at him. “Thanks,” she said.

  Craig put his other arm around Amelia, which he almost had to stoop to reach her, and the three of them walked down the hall together to wait for the announcement.

  “Attention students,” came Mr. Daniel’s voice over the loud speakers.

  “Here we go!” Amelia said, clasping Belle’s hand.

  “The results are in from the sophomore class elections and they are as follows: Amelia Wall, secretary; Craig Jacobs, vice president; and Belle Princess, president.”

  The three of them stood in the hall, grinning as they listened to little cheers burst from nearby classrooms. They all congratulated each other again and then went their separate ways to first period.

  ***

  “You did it!” Cinderella squealed when Belle walked into the gym five minutes late. She ran up to her cousin and threw her arms around Belle. The girls bounced a little in place as they excitedly talked with their hands.

  “Congratulations! This is so exciting!” Cinderella said.

  “This means our reputations aren’t ruined for good!” Belle said, happily. “You should have seen her friends after Mr. Daniels told us all who won.”

  “Oh yeah?” Cinderella asked.

  “They looked so pissed!”

  “Well who cares about them!” Cinderella said.

  “Cynthia can suck it!” Belle added vehemently.

  Cinderella stepped back, a little startled by how quickly Belle’s tone had changed from pure elation to sudden rage.

  “Sorry,” she whispered, much more calmly.

  “Princesses?” Coach Rucker said loudly.

  Belle and Cinderella turned to face his stern reproach.

  “Sorry Coach,” Belle said.

  “Yeah, sorry,” Cinderella added.

  Coach Rucker just shook his head and motioned for them to join the other students who were forming teams for volleyball. As Belle walked by, several students offered their congratulations. She just smiled and demurely thanked them but on the inside, Belle felt as though she was going to burst with excitement.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  That afternoon, when the girls arrived home from school, they found Mary and Rachel waiting for them.

  “So?” Mary asked, eyeing Belle expectedly.

  Belle wanted to toy with her mom and leave her in suspense for a minute or two, but she just couldn’t hold it in. “I won!” she shouted.

  “Alright!” Mary exclaimed, giving her a high five. “That’s my girl!” she added, giving Belle a huge bear hug.

  “That’s so great!” Rachel said, coming over and squishing Belle in a hug from the other side.

  “Okay...can’t breathe,” Belle wheezed.

  Rachel released her and looked down at her watch. “Yikes! We better get going!”

  “Get in, let’s go!” Mary said, eagerly waving them toward the cars.

  “Go where?” Belle asked.

  “We have some asking to do!” Rachel said, excitedly.

  Belle and Aurora climbed into Mary’s car, while the other three got in Rachel’s.

  “Do you remember how to get there?” Rachel asked, turning in her seat to look at Cinderella.

  “We’re really going all the way to Logan?” she asked.

  Rachel nodded. She seemed more excited than any of the girls did! “You promised you would, so we’re just making sure you keep that promise. Plus it sounds fun!” she said, clapping her hands together.

  “Scott did give me his address,” Cinderella said, looking it up in her phone. “Yeah, we should be able to find it.”

  “Then let’s go!” Rachel exclaimed. She put the car in drive and waved out her window, for Mary to follow.

  ***

  “Oh gross! What’s that smell?” Snow White exclaimed, as they came out of Sardine Canyon. Cinderella laughed as the three of them sat, plugging their noses.

  “It will go away soon,” Cinderella said.

  “You weren’t kidding!” Ariel said, looking out her window as they drove down Main Street. “This place is fabulous! Look at all the cute shops.”

  Cinderella guided them down Main Street, toward campus. Her stomach was dancing. Even though she wasn’t actually going to see Scott, this was where he lived! He could be close to her right now! They went past the older part of town, and were soon driving past stores and buildings that were much newer.

  “This is where you want to turn,” Cinderella said, pointing to the right. “Here. Right here!” she said loudly, as they drove past the turn.

  “We actually want to go there first,” Rachel said, pointing to the large Wal-Mart sign ahead. They pulled into the parking lot, Mary pulling into the stall beside them.

  “Did you decide how you’re going to ask yet?” Mary asked the girls.

  “Ummm...were we supposed to?” Snow White asked.

  “That’s what we talked about the whole way up,” Belle said.

  “We brought plenty of paper, markers, scissors, glue, that kind of stuff. So all we need to get now are the specific things, depending on how you’re asking.” Mary popped the trunk of her car, so the girls could see. Sure enough, it was full with boxes of art supplies.

  The girls stood quietly for a moment, trying to come up with something brilliant. “Why don’t we go inside and walk around so you can get some ideas,” Rachel said.

  “What did you decide?” Cinderella asked Belle, as they walked toward the building.

  “I’m getting a fish!”

  “A fish?” Cinderella asked, her eyebrows raised.

  “Yeah! Then with it I’m going to say: Out of all the fish in the sea, I choose you to go to the dance with me. Then I think I’ll tape my name to the bottom of the fish bowl.”

  “That’s cute!”

  Belle beamed. “I can’t take all the credit though, my mom helped come up with that one.”

  “You could just use goldfish crackers or something,” Ariel offered.

  “I know. But how cool would that be to give him a real fish?!”

  “True.” Ariel nodded. “How are you going to ask?” she asked, looking to Aurora.

  “Well, I think I’m going to do a heart-attack to his door. You know, make a bunch of paper conversation hearts, and tape them all over the place. Then, I’ll put a note that says: I’ll have a heart-attack if you don’t go to the dance with me.” She looked at her cousins, waiting for approval.

  “That’s a great idea!” Ariel said.

  Snow White was starting to look nervous. “I don’t have any idea what to do!”

  “We’ll help you sweetie!” Rachel said, putting an arm around her niece. “Now where to start?” she asked aloud, as they entered the large warehouse.

  “Fish!” Belle yelled, excitedly. She grabbed a cart and starte
d plowing down the aisles, in search of a pet department. She picked out a bright blue and purple Beta, who seemed completely content to swim around his little cup while they finished their shopping.

  “I got it!” Cinderella said, as they were walking down the candy aisle. She picked out a bag of Red Hots, then hurried toward the gardening center without saying a word. The others had to walk swiftly, just to keep up.

  “I’ll fill this pot with Red Hots,” she explained, holding up a small, brown terracotta pot. She added the pot to their shopping cart, then moved forward again, talking as they went. “Then I’ll put two fake rose buds in the pot. The Red Hots are to help the flowers stand up. On the pot I’ll write: It would be hot if a couple of buds like us went to the dance.”

  “Genius!” Ariel exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. She placed a hand on her chin, and tapped it slowly. Her eyes narrowed as she searched for the perfect idea.

  “Why buds?” Snow White asked, when the others started moving forward again.

  “Because I don’t want him to think I’m using this dance as an excuse to go out with him.”

  “Well, aren’t you?” Snow White whispered.

  “I guess, kind of, but it’s more about proving a point to Cynthia and her stupid friends.”

  Snow White smiled at her, obviously not convinced.

  “I mean it!” Cinderella defended herself. I want Scott to know I’d rather be buds than never see him again. Honest!” she added, at the skeptical look on Snow White’s face.

  After another ten minutes of searching, Ariel came running toward the group. “I’ve got it!” she said, holding up a box of Jell-O. I’ll put a stapler in some Jell-O and say: Let’s wiggle and jiggle on the dance floor, this Saturday night!”

  The girls all stared at Ariel for a second, then everyone burst out laughing. “That is so brilliant!” Aurora said, having to wipe her eyes.

  “You are just too much,” Rachel said, laughing.

  “Only one problem,” Mary said. “We don’t have the place or the time to make Jell-O.”

  “I can just get some Jell-O cups then,” Ariel said. “Although, what am I going to do about a stapler?”