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ღ Finding Cinderella- 21 ღ

-Kylie-

"Wha-what are you t-talking about?" I could barely speak without stammering, and all the muscles in my body had frozen in panic.

"Answer me, Kylie. Where were you during the Valentine Ball?" he asked again. His grip on my shoulders was tightening by the second.

With my heart banging like crazy, I tried to push him away and took quick, calming breaths. I couldn't let him see how nervous I was; it would only make him more suspicious otherwise.

"Why are you asking me that? I was at my house, obviously. Where else would I have been?" I answered as innocently as I could, hoping my lie could warp his ideas a little.

"You're pale and sweaty," he observed. "Are you nervous, Kylie?"

Dammit.

"No. You were just too close for my liking, okay?" I said. "Can we stop this already? This is such a waste of time."

Before I could turn away, Tristan grabbed my arm again.

"No. Don't you dare walk away without answering me." The intensity in his eyes remained, but his voice sounded urgent this time, almost desperate.

I sighed. "What else do you want to hear, T? Okay, I repeat: I stayed at my house that night. That's it. Period. Am I speaking in an alien language, and that's why you can't understand me, or did you smack your head on the ceiling fan when you were a baby, which would explain why you're being such a dickhead?"

He bit his bottom lip in frustration and shook his head. "I don't believe you, Kylie."

"Fine. Don't. I gave you my answer, so this talk is over." I spun around and took fast steps away before he could notice my wobbling knees. I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I need to get— 

"If memory serves right, Clark told me that when he came to your house that night, you weren't there."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"And then when I called you, you said that you went out to buy something. Now, this time, you're saying you stayed at your house. Which is it, Kylie? Or were you lying this whole time?"

My breathing hitched. Shit. I'd totally forgotten that alibi!

Gulping for the hundredth time, I turned to face him. "Oh. Yes. That. Actually, I was... uh..."

"You were what, Kylie?" Tristan snapped. "Why can't you answer me right away?"

"Well, I did go out to buy something," I reasoned, fiddling with a loose thread on my shirt. "M-mints, yes. I went to buy mints, then I went straight home."

"Mints? It took you hours to buy mints?"

"A-and a bathroom cleaner, too. Because our toilet got, um—what's the word—clogged. Yeah. And then it took me hours because I walked to the store. For exercise, you know? Get some fresh air, too. E-enjoy my 'me time' under the moonlight, stuff like that..."

He pursed his lips, unconvinced. I opened my mouth to add more, but oh my God, I couldn't think up any excuse any longer. I cast a helpless glance at Lacey, but she could only give me a sorry look. Only a miracle could save me—

"Hey there."

I felt like a light from heaven shone around me the very moment I heard Erik's voice. I rotated my head to see him approaching me. His forehead was drenched in sweat, and his skin was glowing pink from running, but his smile made him look fresh.

"Hey," I squeaked.

"Sorry for the wait. Let's go?" he asked. I frowned in confusion, and he stared at me hard like he was trying to convey a secret message. "You invited me for a study session, remember?"

Light bulb moment. He was bailing me out.

"Oh, right! I remember. Let's go," I stumbled out, relief surging through me. Erik grinned as I went to pick up my bag from the seat. Once again, Tristan held my arm to stop me.

"She's not coming with you," he said heatedly to Erik. There was an inexplicable look on his face—a mixture of anger, despair, embarrassment... I didn't know. I wasn't sure. But for a second, I almost felt sorry for him. "We still have unfinished business to take care of," he finished.

"Actually..." I yanked my arm away. "Our conversation is over, T. Take it or leave it, I don't care."

Tristan clenched his fists at his sides, and the dark look on his face remained as he watched me turn my back on him. Then I walked alongside Erik, beaming in triumph.

ღ

"Come in."

"Is it really okay? The groundskeeper might see us."

"Milburn? Nah, he won't mind. He knows it's my secret hangout spot, anyway."

I gave a tentative nod. "Well, if that's what you say..."

We entered a huge garden shed. The place featured a variety of well-cultivated herbs, shrubs, and flowers—all potted and neatly lined up. The air smelled like fertilizer and weed spray, and sunlight flashed through the glass ceiling, giving the whole shed a peaceful, vibrant look.

"Wow," I marveled. "I've been going to this school for four years, but this is my first time stepping into the greenhouse. It's so pretty."

"Glad you like it here," he said.

I watched him smile, and my heart fluttered. I remembered those little moments in ninth grade when he and I used to move our chairs closer so we could talk about our favorite computer game. And whenever our arms would brush against each other, our knees would bump under the table; it felt like fireworks were set off in my body.

That old feeling of delight was coming back; this time, it was accompanied by uneasiness. As much as I wanted to deny it, I could see the possibility of liking him again. Hell, I could fall for him right there and then, but...

"Was Tristan giving you a hard time earlier?"

I snapped out of my trance. "Y-yeah. A very hard time," I replied, carefully tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Erik began picking weeds from around a plant. "He was nagging you about the Ball, wasn't he?"

"Yeah. And I probably would've been dead if you didn't come to rescue me, so thanks."

Now that I thought about it, maybe it wasn't so bad having Erik know about my secret. He understood what I was going through when I was around Tristan, and he actually stepped in to help me escape that guy.

Like a knight in shining armor.

My face heated up at the thought.

"He'll get over it soon," he reassured.

"God, I hope so, but I doubt it. I know Tristan. When he wants something so badly, he won't stop until he gets it. I'm not sure how long I can keep this up."

"Why don't you steer clear of him?"

I thought about it for a second. "As much as I want to, it's... kinda complicated. I mean, for starters, we're neighbors."

"Well..." Erik walked toward me until we were only two feet apart, and I could clearly discern the freckles across his nose and cheeks. He lifted an eyebrow as he added, "I think it's easy. Just ignore him."

I narrowed my eyes at him, asking for an explanation.

A mechanical smile broke over his face, and his electric blue eyes gleamed. "Don't answer him. Don't even look at him. Pretend he doesn't exist. And while you're at it, stick with me. I promise you'll be fine."

ღ

Erik's words lingered in the back of my mind. I spent the next day in a daze, my thoughts officially divided between him and Tristan. I went to my locker to put my books away, and as I closed the door, Julianne slammed her hand on the next locker, yanking me back to reality.

"Jeez, you scared the bejesus outta me!" I put a hand over my pounding chest. "Don't do that again, or I might develop a nervous breakdown."

She didn't look amused at all. Her face was giving off no emotion other than displeasure. Grabbing my hand, she began to drag me behind her, saying, "Come with me."

"Wait, Jules. What's going on?" I tried to pull away, but her clutch tightened.

She stopped walking to face me. "You have some serious explaining to do, Kylie. I overheard a conversation between Lacey and Tristan yesterday that had something to do with the Ball. Your sister kept denying something about you, and then she even said—"

I quickly pressed a hand over her mouth. Oh. My. Goodness. I almost had a heart attack.

"Julianne. Please not here," I hissed.

She pushed my hand away and cried, "I knew it! So this is why you've been acting so strange! Why didn't you guys tell me anything about it, huh? You and Lacey. Oh my God! We're best friends, Kylie, and we swore we wouldn't keep secrets from each other."

I gave her a pointed look. "You don't get to say that, my friend. You didn't tell me that Erik was back. You kept it a secret from me for months."

She gulped and tried to smile innocently. "Right, touché. But... I told you about it when you confronted me, so now I'm confronting you about this Valentine Ball situation, and you gotta spill the beans likewise." Then she added with puppy eyes, "Please?"

I sighed. "Okay, okay, but keep it quiet. Somebody might hear you. And can we talk about it later? We have English in two minutes."

"Don't worry about it. Mrs. Cox is not around today, and she didn't get a sub. I looked for her in the faculty office," she answered. Oh, of course. Julianne was the only student I knew who would bother to visit the faculty offices on occasion to gain our teachers' favor. "Now, tell me everything!" she exclaimed.

"Fine. But again, not here. Too many people," I replied, glancing at all the students around us.

"Let's go." Julianne grabbed my hand again and dragged me to the nearest girls' bathroom. She was about to hold the doorknob when the door jerked open, revealing Fiona Ryder and Ronnie Sullivan.

Ha. Great timing.

They both smiled at us, but Fiona's expression was more like a sneer. They looked like they had the entire beauty salon in their purses and had spent the last period redoing their makeup. When they brushed past us, a strong scent of perfume drifted past my nostrils. Ronnie's straight hair swung effortlessly behind her as she strutted.

"Hey, did you know that Ronnie's been hooking up with Fiona's ex-boyfriends?" Julianne said close to my ear as we entered the bathroom.

"What?" I asked, wondering where that rumor came from. I made sure to lock the door for privacy.

"It's so not right, don't you think? One time, I saw Ronnie batting her eyes at Tristan. All hell would definitely break loose once Fiona finds out about her best friend's dirty little secret."

"Jules. Deep breaths. You're babbling."

"Right, sorry. I can't stop it, especially when the gossip is"—she kissed her fingers like an Italian chef—"spicy."

I closed my eyes, groaning. "Now that you say that, I don't think telling you about my situation is a very good idea."

"No, no. I won't tell anyone, swear! You know I've never broken a promise in my whole life," she said.

"Yeaahhh, except the one where you swore you'd never pick your nose in public."

She cracked an apologetic smile. "Okay, that was an exaggeration. But this time, I swear—I swear on my grandma's stack of Bibles that I'll never tell anyone." She took my hands and squeezed them. "You can't leave me hanging, Kylie, so please just tell me what happened."

"All right, relax. Hold on for a moment. We have to make sure this room is all clear."

She rolled her eyes. "Sure."

After we had inspected each cubicle and made sure no one was lurking in them, I said with a deep sigh, "Okay. How should I start this?"

I started from the part where Lacey had been sent to the clinic to the part where I had run away from the dance, only skipping a few details (like what had happened to my bladder that night) to save my ego. Being the good listener that she always was, Julianne listened intently without interrupting me. My heart was racing so fast, I thought I'd pass out as I relayed the events to her.

When I was finished, I took another deep breath. Julianne flapped her hands as a silent scream erupted from her mouth. She looked like she'd just been offered a diamond ring.

"Oh my God. I mean, seriously. Oh. My. God," she gushed. "I can't believe it all happened to you. You know what? I bet this would be a big hit in the school paper! The headline should be 'Cinderella on the Loose: Who Was That Girl at the Ball?' Or maybe it would be better if I put 'Mystery Girl Spotted—'"

"Jules!" My loud voice bounced against the white walls of the room, and I shook her shoulders to snap her out of it. "You promised you wouldn't tell this to anyone! And now you're planning to turn it into a news article? Are you out of your mind? I'd be screwed, Jules! I'd be screwed!"

Her menacing grin widened. "But the rumors have been going wild around here. This will make the school paper return to its former glory."

"At my expense," I argued. "I don't want everyone's attention on me, Julianne. I just want to maintain a low profile. Please, I'm begging you. Don't put it in the school paper."

She laughed. "I'm just pulling your leg, Kylie," she said. "No wonder why Tristan likes to tease you so often. You have the best freaked-out expression in the universe."

I made a face. "That's not funny."

A bang on the door made us jump.

"Hey, who's in there? Open the door!" a girl screamed from outside. She knocked again, more forcefully now, and I supposed she was desperate for either the toilet or the mirror.

"Can't!" Julianne shouted back. "Someone took a massive shit here, and now the toilet's leaking. You don't want to smell it."

The knocking stopped, replaced by a series of moans and blasphemies. Just how many people had been waiting outside?

I frowned at Julianne, but she shrugged and said, "They'll live." She pressed her back against the sink, and after a moment of silence, she asked, "So, isn't it exciting, Kylie?" Her tone was almost taunting me.

"What's exciting?" I said.

"Ugh. Hello? The fact that Tristan Jon Hartford has been looking all over for you? Haven't you noticed that he and his friends have been acting like Sherlock Holmes for weeks?"

"I know that, okay? And it's far from exciting. It's more like running away from a nightmare."

"No, just think about it, Ky. Your life has become a huge freaking fairy tale now. Can't you see it? Huh?"

At that moment, my brain cells chose to commit suicide, and all I could do was deadpan, "I don't eat carrots."

She rolled her eyes to the ceiling, her nose flaring. "For heaven's sake," she murmured to herself. "Honestly, I feel bad for Tristan. I've never seen him look so desperate. So infatuated. I gotta say—he's unfortunate that it was you." She returned her gaze to me. "Why can't you just tell him the truth? Again, the poor guy has been looking for you."

"No way," I replied. "He hasn't been looking for me but for the masked girl. And she... she wasn't me at all, Julianne. That girl was just an illusion to everyone. She only existed on the night of the Ball!"

"That's not true, Ky. You're still you whether you put on a wig, a mask, and wear an extravagant dress or not."

"You don't understand. That girl wasn't the real me." I exhaled, remembering how I'd faked everything about myself that night. I turned to the mirror and saw how freakishly pale I was. Comparing myself to my "other" image, I could claim that there was a great deal of difference between us.

"Just give him one hint, Ky. Just one. It may be the only way to put him at ease," Julianne said, completely sounding like he was her younger brother and she was deeply concerned about his well-being. I grimaced.

"No. I'll leave him dying. I know it's mean, but I really don't care about him." I chewed on my lip. My conscience was tugging at me, but I remained stubborn. "He's been a downright evil jerk to me all this time, so he deserves to suffer."

She twisted her lips in a firm pout. "Kylie, I think you've been judging Tristan's character too much," she said. "A downright evil jerk? What if it's just his façade? What if everything you think and say about him doesn't touch on his real personality? Listen, why don't you take the time to know him better? Give him a chance. You used to be friends with him, right?"

I couldn't come up with an immediate reply. My conscience kicked in again, making me feel worse with every passing second, but eventually, I shook my head and countered, "No. I'm done with the whole 'get to know him better' bullshit. We used to be friends, sure, but... we're different people now, and he's turned into this egotistical douchebag. He's been picking on me ever since Valentine's Day in ninth grade. Remember that time?"

"Oh yeah. He slipped a tarantula in your locker, and it made you go insane for the whole week," she replied with a light chuckle. "Wait, are you still afraid of it?"

I ignored her question. "Not only that. There's a lot more humiliating stuff he did to me. His asshole friends started picking on me, too, thinking it was fun and cool. No, it was damn annoying. I don't know what started it, but I can look back and say I didn't do them any harm to deserve their rudeness."

She shrugged. "Maybe it was because they were just a bunch of stupid, immature kids. And this is high school. You know, peer pressure?"

"Not an excuse. They're still a bunch of stupid, immature kids." I rubbed my face, sucking in air. "Well, they may not be as bad as they were before, but I can't forget all the torture. Tristan picked on me the hardest, and now, I get to torment him emotionally." Even if it means hurting myself in the process.

Julianne was giving me a sympathetic look. "But... haven't you noticed something about him these days? He seems to be changing—"

"He's probably just pretending to get what he wants. In actuality, he's very calculating and nasty."

She let out a low whistle. "Harsh, but... okay."

"I can't trust him anymore."

"Let's see."

I threw her a weird look. She seemed very confident in her answer.

"Whatever. Let's get out of here. I'm starting to actually smell poo here," I said, and she snickered.

We opened the door, and to my surprise, there was no mob of angry girls waiting in the hall. They had probably fallen into Julianne's "leaking toilet" trick a while ago.

"You know, Ky," she said as we went downstairs, "you can keep your secret for as long as you want, but mind you, secrets have a way of getting out."

I slowed down my walk until I came to a complete stop, whereas she continued to make her way. My stomach began to churn.

She was right, considering Tristan was starting to figure out the puzzle.

Why? Why does he keep looking for me? Just what will he get from finding out the truth? What does he want?

Everything felt like a ticking time bomb that could explode any minute. I had to be more careful from this moment onwards.

"Pretend he doesn't exist."

Erik's suggestion suddenly resurfaced from my subconscious. Maybe I should consider it now. I knew it would be hard to do, but there was no harm in giving it a go, was there?

A smile snuck onto my face.

Right.

I needed to stay away from Tristan at all costs.

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