Stepsisterella

THE STORY

There are girls who live in orphanages, boarding schools, or in foster care. But I think my life is the worst possible life a girl can have! I am stepsisters with the prettiest girl in the world. Now, I’m not going to lie to you, so here’s something you should know about me: I’m very vain. So living with Cinderella (That’s what we call her) is a huge pain for me! My twin sister. Gwendoline,  and I keep her busy with the household chores, and my mother yells at her from time to time. It’s not like she’s the one with the terrible life (that’s me), but from the way she acts, you think we starve her! That’s totally not true, because we let her eat crumbs off of our dinner plates!

About a week ago mother received an invitation in the mail for prince Edward’s annual ball. The night before the ball, I was reading my fairy tale book that my father gave me for my birthday (before he died and mom remarried, bringing Cinderella into my life.), and I noticed that most of those stories end up with the poor, innocent girl getting married to the prince. That made me think. I asked myself, “If my life were a fairy tale, who would be that girl?”  Then the answer came to me. It was obvious who it was. Why does Cinderella have to wreck everything for me? I’m the one who’s supposed to dance with (and hopefully marry) the prince!  

After waiting all day, the night of the ball finally came. Cinderella helped Gwen, mom, and me get ready for it. “Let me go! I’ll do anything,” begged Cinderella. “No!” I barked. No way is she going to the ball and stealing my prince. “Come on, Alex,” she said, staring at me with her watering eyes. “I’ll do anything.” “No!” I said again. Those puppy dog eyes are not going to work on me! “Come on mom!” I ordered, and we stepped in our carriage.

Once we arrived at the ball, I started looking for Edward right away. When I found him dancing with a princess, I pushed her to the side and looked at him, fluttering my eyelashes. “May I?” He asked, and my heart fluttered. The prince himself wanted to dance with me! My heart was thumping super hard the whole thirty minutes, but I didn’t care. I was dancing with the prince!

Then the castle door swung open, and in walked a gorgeous girl. She walked right over to us and smiled at the prince. Slowly swaying with the music, she waited for the girl to go away, but she didn’t. Finally, after all the awkwardness, the prince smiled at me regretfully and let go of my hand. Then he bowed to the girl and they started to dance. All. Night. Long.

When I got home I flew myself onto my bed and cried. How could this be happening to me? I thought I was having the best night of my life and then… she came along.

A week later, my mom called me downstairs (I was still sulking in my room about the ball.). Gwendoline was there too. “Girls,” she said, her voice prim. “This is Bob, a castle guard from prince Edward’s castle. He is here because Edward is looking for the princess he danced with the night of the ball. They found a glass slipper on the steps of the castle which belonged to the princess. Whoever’s foot fits is the true princess, and they shall be married to the prince.” Bob just nodded. “You first,” he said to Gwen, holding out the slipper. My sister tried to wedge her foot in, but it just wouldn’t fit. Next I tried. I just knew it was going to fit! But when I tried to put it on, it didn’t work at all. Inside I felt like screaming “Nooooooooo!” But I kept a calm face.

Just then, Cinderella walked into the room. “May I try?” she asked innocently. Bob held out the slipper and she took it. When she tried it on, her foot fit perfectly. Then, she whirled around and around and she transformed into the beautiful girl from the ball! My heart stopped beating as I fell to the ground.

So, dear reader, just remember this: Things aren’t always happily ever after.