Chapter 19: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo

           I rose from my bed, shaking slightly. Had I imagined that? I had nothing left though. This was my only chance, even if it was nothing. 

           I pulled on my normal rags and pulled my hair back to look more presentable. Then I dashed around the back.

           There was no one there. 

           "Why, Gus-Gus, why?" I cried. "Jack, what have I done?" I leaned on the cage, letting out a deep, shuddering sob. I had cleaned up after my step-mother, I had cleaned up after my step-sisters, I was a good kid! Or adult, I suppose. But what had I done that prevented me from attending the prince's ball? Nothing weighed on my conscious. I was lost. The world was just tough. I buried my face in my hands, crying and crying and crying. 

           "Cinderella?" 

           I sniffed. "Hello?"

           I turned around, scared. "Who's there?"

           "One moment, dear," the voice replied. A poof of blue power momentarily blinded me, and the next second I was staring a white haired old lady wearing a blue cloak with a purple bow. I realized she had a wand in her hand. 

           "Are you... my fairy god-mother?" I said, shocked. I had heard this kind of thing in stories and fairy tales...

           She giggled. "Sort of, my child! I'm the daughter of a witch and a fairy, so I'm a mix I suppose. Reach into your pocket..."

           I stuck my hand into my pocket and my hands curled around a little piece of paper... It was the piece of confetti! "Oh my!" I said, shocked, "Have I been draining your magic?"

           The witch-fairy took the piece of confetti and set it on the ground, where it disappeared with another poof. She let out a sigh of relief. "Sort of, my child. You see, I'm a rather powerful fairy-witch... But we aren't too magical at this age," she explained, patting her stomach. 

           "You're not that old," I protested, already liking this short little woman.

           "Oh, dear," she said, laughing again, "Maybe not, but I'm nearing my hundreds!"

           "Really?" I said, my hand over my mouth.

           "Yes. Now, stop your crying," she said, patting me on my back. I let out one last sniffle. "Now let me explain something. Sit down," she said, patting a chair that came out of nowhere. 

           I sat, gazing upon her in awe. 

           "So, my child, I came to this house once I located the source of my power drainage. I saw that it was you. I saw you cleaning and cooking and washing and baking and scrubbing and dusting and just plain ol' exhausting yourself. I did some research. You're my late friend's daughter. When I was a teenager, I babysat your mother. A very sweet girl. We became close friends as she grew. We would have tea parties when she was young, and when she was a teenager herself, we would talk and yap and chatter. When she was an adult, we were still close friends, despite the age gap. But eventually, she married and left where we grew up. Although we still kept in touch, our phone calls and visits became further and further apart, until we finally stopped making them. I found out about her death, but I never knew she had a daughter."

           Tears leaked out of my eyes as the old lady took a deep breath.

           "That is, until a few months ago. And when I knew whose daughter you were, I knew you had to be a kindred spirit. And you are," she said, cupping my face with her hand. She raised my chin and wiped of my tears. "Although it may not seem proper because I wasn't officially asked at your birth, long ago your mother told me that should she ever have a child, she'd want me to be their godmother. So here I am. You know, I believe in the saying 'What goes around comes around', don't you? I think it's time your good karma got rewarded, or however you say it! You want to meet the prince? You'll meet the prince! You want to go to the ball? Well, you're sure as my name is-well, you're going to the ball, my child. You'll have a beautiful gown and shoes... and what were the words again?" She had her hand with the magic wand in it planted on her hip, with her other hand scratching at her chin.

           I stood up, feeling that was the proper moment to.

           "Ah, right now..." She swished her wand, and a tinkle of sparkles dripped from it. She marched up to me, measuring me with her wand. "Lets see here... Your size... And the shade of your eyes... Uh-huh. Something simple... But daring, too!" She backed up and gasped. "Just leave it to me, what a gown this will be!" She took another step back, and swished her wand. Sparkles flew towards me. "Bibbidi Bobbidi... Bibbidi Bobbidi... Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!"

           A beautiful blue gown enveloped me. It was absolutely stunning. It was strapless and bell shaped, with flower designs and white fabric at the bottom. The upper part was corset like with a bow at the back, and I was wearing blue gloves. 

           "Oh, what a beautiful dress!" I gushed, elated. "Oh, thank you, thank you!" I twirled in it, and glanced at my feet. "Glass high heels? How cool!"

           The old lady beamed at me. "Run inside and look at yourself properly. I'm going to call a taxi." She winked at me and held up her wand. 

           I did as she said and gazed at myself in the mirror. The gown was breathtaking, but my hair had also been done up really well. There was a blue bow in it. I also had silver hoop earrings on, and even a bit of blue eye-shadow! I walked outside to find a limo waiting for me. 

           The old lady handed me some money and smiled at me. "Good bye and good luck, my child!"

           "Oh, thank you so much! But I don't need the money, honestly," I said.

           "Nonsense, dear! It's for the cabbie driver on the way back!"

           I smiled. "This is like a dream! How can I ever thank you?"

           "Well, my child, I doubt you'll be thanking me for long," the old woman said, slowly. "As I'm aged, and this is a strong piece of magic, it can't last for too long. You have until the final stroke of twelve to return home before all this magic disappears!"

           "I thought it wouldn't disappear if someone was touching it?" I questioned, confused.

           She let out a deep sigh. "Because I'm part fairy, part witch, magic works in a strange way for me. Just be home by twelve!"

           I nodded. "Thank you so much!"

           "No worries, my child-oh my! Look at the time! Be off! Dance!" she hurried me into the limo. 

           I waved at her until the limo turned a corner and my witch-fairy godmother disappeared from sight.

           The limo driver drove quickly and silently. The ride there was quite pleasant, in fact. When we finally arrived, I was just itching to see the prince. I had been envisioning him for days and days-he would be tall and well built, with flowing blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes. We would be the cutest couple and have little blond haired babies with blue eyes! Oh, I couldn't wait!
           I was getting a little ahead of myself. But I was anxious to get there, which explains why the moment we arrived, I leaped out of the limo (after thanking the driver), and dashed towards the entrance before remembering myself.
           As I ran, I passed-you guessed it-step-mother! I nearly peed my-underwear? She was speaking to someone else and was perhaps preoccupied, but I still swear to this day she saw me out of the corner of her eye. Once I calmed down enough, I entered with an elegant walk. The stairs leading to the main ballroom were vast, red steps that killed my feet. But it was worth it. I passed by a dining hall that was exquisite, with ornate red carpets, gold chandeliers, and elegant glass tables.
           I walked past a room that had a lot of people in it and reached the end of the long hall. I started to trace my steps back, but I got lost, with twisting turns and this and that. I finally found myself on the hallway that I passed the room where lots of people were, but I was stopped by someone.

           "Would you care to dance?"
           I turned to find myself in front of the most handsome man in the world. He had dark hair and lovely brown eyes, with a pale yellow dress jacket with square shoulders and red pants. His features were so masculine, but his expression was so soft. I was lost for words.
           But I remembered. I needed to meet the prince. "I..." I began, but he was so sincere. It wouldn't hurt to dance with him.
           He smiled curiously at me, then said, "What I mean is..." He bowed, and took my hands in his. "May I have this dance?"
           I gave him best smile and said, shyly I hope, "You may."
           Little shivers went up my spine as he placed his right hand on my waist. I placed my left hand on his broad shoulder and we clasped our opposite hands together, dancing little twirling circles. I wasn't sure how long we were dancing for, but he was so handsome, so strong, so graceful-oop! He stumbled forward somehow, catching me in an embrace. As he fell into that hug, I fell into love.
           No, no, it was true. Trust me. It was like what I had felt with Talan, but much more real and mature. I think he felt it too.
           Anyway, he back up, deeply embarrassed. "I'm terribly sorry," he said, his face turning bright red and boyish.
           I giggled. "Oh, you needn't worry. Nobody's perfect," I said, and he laughed as well.

           There was a dull pause, and he rested his hand on my shoulder and I rested my hand on his waist. Reverse roles. He raised his eyebrows at me, and I let out a pathetic giggle and we started dancing, me acting out the guy's parts, he acting out the lady's. It didn't end well, and I ended up tripping on his foot and stumbling a bit. We laughed and smiled at each other.
           We made eye contact, and our smiles faded. With our hands still held, we leaned in gently, slowly, cautiously to each other... His breath was fresh and minty, his teeth clean and white. His lips looked so juicy and succulent...

           "Would you care to dance?"
           Oh my dear lord. It was Drizella. The man and I parted, startled by this rude intrusion. Drizella glared at me, but I was certain that it was because I was dancing with this handsome man, not because she recognized me. Anastasia walked up as well and started talking.
           "Ladies, excuse me," he said, grabbing my hand and walking away with me. I felt like I was walking on air. I wanted to stick my tongue out at Drizella and Anastasia.
           "Where were we?" He teased, gently taking my face in his hands. I wrapped my hands around his back and slowly leaned into him.

            As our faces got closer and closer, I could hear bells chiming... How wonderful. No! Wait! That was the clock chiming! I jumped back, alarmed. "It's midnight!" I said, scared.
           "So it is," he said, leaning in to me.
           "No, no, you don't understand!" I said, pushing him away, "I've got to go!"
           "What, why?" he asked, perplexed.
           "Uh, strict curfew," I said. I sounded like a four year old. "Besides, I haven't even met the prince yet!" I said in sudden realization. Oh no, how was I supposed to live a fairy tale life now?
           "Don't you know that-" he said, but I cut him off.
           "I've really got to run!" I said, and dashed away. I started running, my dress all in a flurry. My high heels suddenly felt like a very bad choice.
           "Wait!" he cried, "I don't even know your name!" He started chasing me.

           "I'm sorry!" I cried, running out, hoping beyond hope that there'd be a taxi available or maybe even the limo would still be there. In my rush though, one of my high heels fell off. I turned to pick it up, but the man was right behind me. I'd have to leave it. I didn't want him to see me looking like a disaster. I couldn't.
           "Wait, your shoe!" he cried, picking it up and waving it at me.
           To my intense relief, the limo was where I had see in before. The clock was chiming for the tenth time.
           "How will I find you?" The man yelled again. He looked so distraught.
           My limo driver sped away as fast as possible.
           Halfway through the ride, the limo morphed into a taxi. A moment later, my beautiful ball gown turned into my everyday rags that I had been wearing before, and I felt my makeup was gone, my earlobes bare, and my hair was once again pulled back into a ponytail. When we arrived home, I handed the taxi driver the money, and she drove away without a word.

           I walked over to the back to tell Pino and Gus and Jack about my night. They squealed excitedly as I took them in my hands and described my night. "You guys saw the dress, didn't you? It was gorgeous. I never got to meet the prince, unfortunately," I said, and my furry friends squeaked with shock. "But I did meet a wonderful man! He was so handsome, so kind, so gentlemanly, so... I'm sure even the prince himself couldn't have been more... more... oh, well, it was wonderful," I gushed. 
           Jack let out a squeak and crawled over my foot. "Jack!" I cried. glancing down. He was seated on my glass slipper. I smiled. This was no accident. "Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you."
           I returned inside, changed into my pajamas, hid my glass slippers under a loose floorboard (that I had loosed for such occasions) and slipped into bed. I hoped dearly that my steps would think I was there the whole night.
           The next morning, I kept a disappointed face on while making breakfast before sitting down across from Drizella and Anastasia and asked them how the ball went. If I hadn't gone to the ball, that was a question I would've asked right away.
           "Well," Drizella drawled, "I sashayed out, in my beautiful and elegant ball gown, into our awaiting limo, where my fellow peers greeted me with open arms." I thought that 'elegant' was a bit of an overstatement. Although it was very dressy, Drizella had made me cut a slit into the gown that went so high up on her thighs that you could see the top of her tights and a sliver of bare leg underneath.
           "The entrance part was quite nice," Anastasia added in.
           "There was a fountain, tiled floor, glass windows... It was at that point when I saw Talan-he and I had  been seated at opposite sides of the limo. And some vampire, too... She was dressed in pink with her hair pulled back. A splendid dress if I do say so myself," Drizella pondered. "Anyway, I heard Talan muttering to himself. Something about Anastasia."

           "Something about Anastasia, alright!" Anastasia bellowed, seething. "That dirty little a-hole cheated on me! I caught him making out with some slut, and Neo Liang confirmed it with me. I told Talan that that was the last straw, enough, and that we were DONE, but right as I shouted that, he butted in and screamed at me that we were breaking up! I was kinda confused, but then I went, 'That's mature Talan. I can't believe I ever went out with a loser like you.'" Anastasia crossed her arms defiantly. 

           Drizella eyed her warily. "Yeah, he's a jerk. Anyway, tell Cinderella who you saw step-mother," she lowered her voice dramatically, "Flirting with!'

           I made a face. "Yeah," Anastasia said, "It was pretty weird. Just as I was talking to Neo about Talan, even though that sockless bum was right there, I heard step-mother talking to... Drum roll, please." I drummed my fingers on the table. "Simon Hodges, her boss." I made a face.

           "He's not that bad looking," Drizella considered. "He's just really hairy. He's such a bachelor!"

           Anastasia laughed. "Yeah, I'm sure if he shaved and got a haircut he would be quite suitable."

            "Anyway," Drizella said, rolling her eyes, "Jared was there!" Anastasia giggled. "Shut up!" Drizella said, glowing pink.
           "What?" I said, curious. 
           "Well," Drizella continued, growing more pink by the second, "he took me into a vacant room-shut up!-where he hugged me. I was a bit taken aback, but I've always had feelings for him... Anyway, he grabbed my hands and started confessing-shut it-how he felt about me. He said that he had harboured secret feelings for me-one more time, Anastasia, I swear-and that he thought I was really sweet. Oh would you just shut up Anastasia!" Drizella said with annoyance, and turned to her. "At least my night was successful!"
           That shut her up.

           "So while he was talking," Drizella continued, "I just leaned in and kissed him! I don't know what came over me!" Anastasia let out a cough that sounded an awful lot like 'lust'. "He was really surprised, but then he grabbed me and we just started making out..." Drizella's eyelids fluttered as she thought of it.

           "Um, gross," Anastasia said. "When they came out of the room, Jared strutted around and Drizella's hair was all screwed up."

           "Was it really?" Drizella shrieked.

           "No, ya ninny!" Anastasia said, annoyed.

           "Did you meet the prince?" I asked, excited.

           My step-sisters looked annoyed.

           "We chatted with him, yes," Drizella said.

           "He asked us to dance," Anastasia added.

           Drizella shot her a look. "After seeing me talking with him, some paparazzi woman strolled up to me and asked me all sorts of questions about him! Stardust Woods was nearby in a disgusting outfit-truly horrid! I think she might be a vampire."

           "Can you describe the prince? What he looked like?" I said curiously.

           Drizella grinned. "I got a good look at him. Brown hair, dark, flashing eyes, and he looks like he has a nice six pack. He was wearing the normal prince stuff, dressy clothes, and stuff." 

           "It was annoying though," Anastasia said, bored. "He wouldn't stop dancing with some blond chick in a big blue ball gown. It was really pretty."

           Anastasia and Drizella gave each other jealous looks. "He ran by me once," Drizella said, "chasing after her. Right about midnight. I guess she was playing hard to get."

Holy mother of witch fairy godmothers. I had danced with the prince. And he had my shoe.