Cinderella Complex

by Rebekah L. Purdy

  “Ms. Winters, nice of you to join us. I see that punctuality is not a priority,” Mr. Trapper said in his nasally voice. Then he muttered something about me being too much like my brother, which made me cringe.

  My cheeks grew warm as I trudged down the aisle to the only open seat. Great, I’d be stuck between Mr. Football himself, Connor Prince, and the hag queen Katrina. I felt like the center layer of a prep sandwich. Okay, so I didn’t mind the top layer of the sandwich.

  Katrina glanced up at me with a smirk. “Oh, so your outfit wasn’t tacky enough and you had to go home and change?”

  I glowered. “You might not want to open your mouth too wide. Hate for your boobs to deflate—all that hot air and stuff.”

  Her gaze narrowed. For a second, I thought she might shoot lasers from her eyes and singe me on the spot. Taylor giggled. Thank God she was here with me.

  “Now, let’s get started,” Mr. Trapper said curtly. “If that’s all right with you, Ms. Winters.”

  “Proceed.” I folded my hands on my desk.

  His face turned crimson, and for one awful moment, I thought I might get kicked out. But instead, he ignored my comment and turned toward the board. Crap, this was going to be a long hour. And an even longer year.

  By the time lunch rolled around, thoughts of transferring to another school clouded my mind. Katrina had been in every one of my classes. As if the office copied my schedule and gave it to her.

  “Hey, Maggie.” Connor stopped next to my locker. “Sorry about Katrina.”

  “Yeah, me too.” I laughed. He leaned in closer. His cologne smelled good, like someone had dipped him in a vat of yummy jelly and dangled him in front of me.

  He grinned. “If it makes you feel any better, I think she’s a snob.”

  My lips tugged up at the corners. Heck yeah it made me feel better. That meant there was no way Katrina Melville would be any competition. “So, are you eating in the cafeteria?”

  “Nah, the guys are waiting for me outside. We’re gonna toss the football around. You can come watch if you want.”

  “Thanks, but I’m supposed to meet up with my friends.” Not to mention my stomach was practically eating itself up I was so hungry.

  He hesitated. Then he stood taller, his hand brushing my arm. “Okay, why don’t we plan on tomorrow, then?”

  He wanted me to have lunch with him. Well, kind of. Holy crap. “Sure.”

  Connor’s fingers grazed mine before he stepped back. “Tomorrow, it’s a date.”

  As soon as he walked away, I squealed with excitement. I slammed my locker door shut to mask the sound. Seth sauntered toward me.

  “What’d the tool want?”

  We walked to the lunchroom together. “He asked me to come watch him toss the football around.”

  Seth snorted, draping an arm around my shoulders. “He’s so vain. I mean, who invites a girl to watch them play around with their buddies?”

  “Well, maybe he likes me.”

  “And maybe he just wants attention.”

  I jabbed him in the ribs. “Jealous?”

  He burst out with laughter. “Of that jack-weed? No.”

  Meat surprise permeated the air, assaulting my senses as soon as we ambled into the cafeteria. I wrinkled my nose in disgust as I stared at the gelatinous blob on the plates of people walking by. They could seriously use it in a horror movie as the monster. So much for hiring a new cook this year.

  “Looks like the kitchen staff is hard at work,” I muttered, changing the subject.

  Taylor hurried toward us. “They’re trying to kill us.” She looped her arm through mine as she looked at Seth. “I’m stealing our friend.” She tugged me off to the side. “I heard Connor talked to you on the way to lunch.”

  News traveled fast. I nodded. “Yep.”

  “Spaz much?” Katrina pushed around us, her lips pinched into a tight line, her eyes narrowed.

  “Jealous much?” Taylor threw her hand on her hip.

  Katrina stopped and glared. “Of her?” She pointed a crimson fingernail at me. “Please, do you honestly think Connor Prince is interested in you? Get a clue—he doesn’t date dogs.”

  “Well, that takes you out of the picture, being one yourself.” Taylor’s body trembled. If I didn’t get her away from Katrina soon, she’d throw a punch.

  Taylor was more of a kick-your-butt-ask-questions-later kind of girl. And I never wanted to tick her off.

  Katrina rolled her eyes. “Oh, I’m so offended. I’ll take being witchy and hot over your country mutt look any day.”

  Carrying his tray to the teacher’s lounge, Mr. Trapper glanced over in our direction.

  Ah, crap. I couldn’t afford any more trouble today.

  “C’mon, just let it go.” I tugged on Taylor’s arm.

  “Aw, you guys make such a cute couple.” Katrina smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder and walking away.

  A couple of kids nearby snickered. I groaned. Great, more rumors. Did I mention how much I hate Katrina? “C’mon, I’m totally starving here.”

  Taylor quit bristling long enough for us to get to our table. Jackson and Seth sat there, laughing.

  “Love me some girl fights.” Jack grinned. His blond hair stood up in messy tufts like he’d just rolled out of a sleeping bag. “Just take my sister out of the equation. Not into that kind of thing.”

  I quirked an eyebrow at him. He shrugged. “Where’s Riley?”

  His girlfriend was nowhere in sight. Odd. The two were normally joined at the lips and/or the pelvis.

  “She’s mad at me for winking at Sarah Keller.”

  Taylor tossed a straw wrapper at him. “Don’t act like a man-whore, then.”

  “Not my fault the ladies like me.” He flipped up his collar.

  I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know how we can be related.”

  He flashed me a grin and stole one of my cookies. I swatted his hand.

  “You want me to beat him up for you?” Seth nudged me with his knee.

  “Whatever. You can’t take me down.” Jack flexed a bicep like he was on-stage in a Mr. Universe competition.

  “Did his head get bigger, or is it just me?” I chomped down on my turkey-and-mustard sandwich.

  “At least I don’t go swimming in fountains.”

  “Jerk!”

  “You know it.”

  Ah, I love my brother.

  After lunch, we headed our separate ways. My friends weren’t in any of my classes until seventh period. Drama class. But of course, I got to see the ever-lovely Katrina. Every dang class. When I stepped into the auditorium, I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Taylor. She sat in the back row, her feet draped over the seat in front of her. And no sign of Katrina.

  “Will this day just end already?” Taylor groaned, closing her eyes. “I forgot how much I hate this place.”

  “Yeah, well at least you didn’t get Mr. Trapper for two out of seven classes.” Yep, I lucked out and got the one teacher in the school who hated me. But it was blood-related, as in my stupid brother topped Mr. T’s naughty list.

  Seth sauntered in, smirking. “No way. Since when do you like acting?” I watched in amazement as he hopped over the back of the seat and plopped down next to me.

  He squeezed my left leg just above the knee. “I need a little more drama in my life.”

  “Please, you hang out with Jackson. That’s more than enough drama for anyone.” I smacked his hand away.

  “Actually it was either this or cooking class.”

  “I’d like everyone’s attention, please?” Ms. Monteray tapped on the microphone.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Katrina slip into class. This so wasn’t happening. Every flipping class. Why couldn’t she transfer out?

  Her eyes caught mine and she flipped me off.

  “Looks like Witchie Crocker didn’t want to take cooking class either,” Taylor said. She returned a hand gesture of her own.

  “Ms. Packard, unless you’re t
rying to tell me I have the number one class, I’d advise you to put that finger down.”

  I sank down further into my seat, covering my mouth with my hand. “At least we know if they need any hags or witches for any of the plays, we’ll be all set.”

  “And if they need anyone for a kissing scene, I’ll handle it.” Seth winked.

  “Oh, brother.”

  “Not the last time I checked.”

  I laughed.

  Taylor glanced between us. She caught my eye as if to say, “Hey, what’s happening here?”

  I shrugged. After all, it was only Seth. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself.

  Chapter Three

  At the end of the day I went to find Jackson for a lift home. The whole week-on-week-off-sharing-a-car thing sucked. But since Mom and Dad wouldn’t get us our own, I had to deal.

  However, our piece-of-crap rust-bucket was missing from the lot.

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” If my day got any better, I’d have to check myself into rehab. Digging through my now-dry book bag, I found my cell and prayed the dive into the fountain hadn’t ruined it.

  I punched in my brother’s number. He picked up on the second ring.

  “What do you want?”

  “Did you forget something?”

  “No, why?”

  “Ugh, you’re a pain in the butt sometimes.” I stomped my foot like a two-year-old. “You’re supposed to give me a ride. Remember? We’re supposed to be at Gram’s retirement party in an hour.”

  “Crap. I’m almost to Riley’s. Then I’ll swing back.”

  “Dang it, Jack, we’re gonna be late. You could’ve let your girlfriend take the bus.” I tossed my bag on the ground and kicked it. It skidded across the sidewalk. If he got any further up Riley’s butt, I’d need to hire a bulldozer to dig him out.

  “Need a lift home?”

  Mouth gaping, I whirled around to face the prince of six-pack abs himself, Connor. Was it too much to hope he’d suffered from temporary blindness and hadn’t seen my temper tantrum?

  “Maggie, did you hear me?” My brother’s voice faded as I took the cell from my ear and placed my hand over the mouthpiece.

  “Don’t you have practice?”

  He smiled. I imagined his lips pressed against mine. “It doesn’t start for another twenty minutes.”

  Holy crap. Taylor wasn’t going to believe this. Heck, I barely believed it. “Well, if you don’t mind.”

  Connor retrieved my bag and slung it over his shoulder.

  “Hello, are you still there?” Jack asked as I raised the cell back to my ear.

  “Never mind the ride. Connor’s driving me home. You can go back to making out with your girlfriend.” I hung up on my brother then followed Connor to his Mustang Convertible.

  He opened the door for me. I slid across the hot-as-heck black leather seat and nearly burned my butt cheeks through my jeans. Once he closed my door, he set my bag on the floor next to my feet, then hopped in the other side. Like watching a prince mount his horse, all noble and golden and beautiful. And I am obviously obsessed.

  “Do you need directions?”

  “Nope. You live right around the block from me.” He shifted the car into reverse.

  He knew where I lived. I pinched my arm. This had to be a dream. No flipping way was Connor giving me a ride home.

  He turned on the radio. Rock music filled the air. “Did you miss the bus?” I caught a whiff of his mint gum and sighed. Maybe he’d kiss me. Or maybe he’d nibble on my neck. More like I’d become his stalker.

  Turning my focus back to him, I laughed. “No, my idiot brother ditched me.”

  “Well, if he ever ditches you again, let me know. I’ll give you a ride.”

  Was he serious? Where’d he been all my life? Jack should forget me more often.

  “I’ll remember that.” Boy would I!

  He turned his thousand-watt smile my way. My body melted. “You planning on watching the game on Friday?”

  “Yes.” Dang, I sounded desperate. “Actually, I’m not sure yet.”

  Connor pulled up to the stop sign then signaled a left turn. The warm breeze tickled my face. I tilted my head toward the sky, inhaling the scent of pine trees. It felt like summer all over again, riding in Connor’s convertible.

  “You can wear my away jersey if you come.”

  My cheeks lit on fire. “I’ll have to see if I can make it.” Heck no, I wouldn’t. The yes answer danced on the tip of my tongue. But no sense in letting him know how freaking hot he was. Besides, I didn’t want to seem too eager.

  “I hope you don’t think I’m pushing myself on you.” Connor pulled into the driveway. “Just thought it’d be fun to see you at the game.”

  “No, I don’t think you’re pushing.” At least not enough. “I’ve got to check with my mom—not sure if my dad’s taking us this weekend or not. The whole divorced parents thing.”

  “Ah, no explanation necessary.” He jumped out and was at my door before I put my hand on the handle. I should’ve been able to enjoy this moment, Connor standing there, gazing down at me. But instead of enjoying it, I worried whether my butt had left a sweat mark on his seat.

  “Thanks for the ride.” I climbed out of the car. “If you like, you can come in and grab a pop or something.” Or I could give him a back massage or let him swim in our pool. Maybe play a little tonsil hockey.

  He hesitated before glancing at the dashboard clock. “I would, but if I don’t get back for practice on time, Coach will make me run extra laps.”

  My heart sank. Not that I expected Connor Prince to fall head over heels in love with me, but still. “Okay, I’ll see you at school.”

  Connor ran a hand through his hair then groaned. “You don’t know how bad I want to stay.” He caught my wrist and tugged me closer. “Can I get a rain check? Say, tomorrow after school?”

  “Yeah, that’d be great.”

  He grinned, releasing me. “Good, tell your brother you’ve got a ride home. ”

  Heart hammering in my chest, I watched him jump into his car, reminding me of the old Dukes of Hazzard television show my dad loved so much.

  As he backed out of the driveway, he honked and waved.

  ****

  “You still ticked at me?” Jackson sped down the highway toward Grandma’s.

  “Wouldn’t you be?” I swiped a strand of hair behind my ear, staring at the cornstalks. “Believe it or not, the world doesn’t revolve around you and Riley.”

  He flashed me a smile, taking the curves at white-knuckle speed. I gripped the door and closed my eyes, wondering how I’d look splattered on the road.

  “The way I see it, you owe me a thank you.” He slammed on the brakes at a stop sign. My seatbelt tightened, jerking me against the seat.

  Eyes narrowed, I turned to him. “Have you gone out of your flipping mind?”

  “What? If it wasn’t for me forgetting you, Connor wouldn’t have given you a ride home. Not that I don’t think he’s a butthead, but still.”

  “You are un-flippin-believable.” I threw my hands in the air. “Mom must’ve boinked some random guy because there’s no way we’re related.”

  He chuckled, socking me in the thigh. “Where do you think she got the idea to call me Jackson? Named me after my real dad.”

  More like Mom had been madly in love with Jackson Logan, a huge soap star when she was younger. My lips twitched. He might be an idiot, but he knew how to make me laugh. “You’re not off the hook, but yes, I did enjoy Connor bringing me home. And he’s coming over after school tomorrow.”

  “Cool, I can go straight over to Riley’s without you tagging along.”

  Jackson turned down a dirt road. I rolled up my window to keep the dust from swirling in. Trees lined either side of the street, their great canopies like umbrellas blocking out the sky. Clunk-clunk. The car hit a pothole. We veered sideways, as he regained control.

  “Might want to slow down before the bottom e
nd drops out on us.” I closed my eyes and uttered a silent prayer.

  “Your bottom end or my bottom end?”

  To this day, I’ll never know how he passed driver’s training. Maybe he’d had an affair with old wart-lipped McGee, the instructor. I mean, grannys had needs too, right? Okay, better not think on it anymore. Total ick factor. But it was the only explanation that made sense.

  After two miles on the bone-jarring road, we reached the long, winding driveway leading to Grandma’s farm. I spotted the large white house with the wrap-around porch. We joined several other cars parked in the drive.

  The porch swing rocked back and forth beneath the gusts of wind. The scent of flowers and baked goods floated in the air as we climbed from the car. From the familiar shutters and stained-glass windows, to the flower gardens and the ancient oaks and maples I used to climb as a kid, my grandma’s house welcomed us as if we’d never grown up and left it behind.

  Musical voices floated from the opened windows. We followed the stone path to the wooden bridge leading to the front door.

  “I sure hope this doesn’t last all night,” Jackson muttered beside me. “I’ve got fifty calc problems to do.”

  I frowned, elbowing him in the ribs. “Don’t you dare ruin Grandma’s night.”

  “Ow.” He rubbed his chest. “Violent much?”

  The door swung open. Grandma stepped forward and clutched us to her chest. The smell of her rose perfume made me smile. It was so familiar and calming. So Grandma. She held us at arm’s length to look us over.

  “Well aren’t you two my most precious grandchildren?” Her ivory hair was knotted at the top of her head. Her blue floral dress was long and flowy on her petite frame. A pair of homemade bead earrings hung on her lobes, her skin was wrinkled like wadded-up paper, but she still looked beautiful to me.

  “We’re your only grandchildren.” Jackson tried to fix his hair where she’d messed it up.

  “Pish-posh, don’t be such a spoil-sport, Jack.”

  I stifled a giggle. “Yeah, you spoil-sport you.”

  He glared at me, then scanned the room. “Wow, you sure invited a lot of women, Grandma.”

  Clusters of people stood everywhere, all women of varying ages and shapes and sizes. Even some teens and college-aged girls, much to Jackson’s interest. He quickly forgot Riley, the love of his life.