Cinderella Complex

by Rebekah L. Purdy

  Perfect, now I needed to remember his locker number. Connor’s locker was easy to spot, with the array of construction paper footballs taped to the door. The cheerleaders obviously believed if they pasted enough “good luck” artwork on the football players’ lockers they’d win.

  I folded the flyer in half and stood on my tiptoes to slide it into the slot. But before I got it to wedged inside his locker, someone walked up behind me.

  “What are you doing?” Seth asked.

  I staggered back, my hand over my chest. “Crap, you scared me.”

  He grinned, then took the piece of paper from my fingers. His eyebrows rose. “You’re putting this in Connor’s locker?”

  “I’m reminding him of the Homecoming dance.”

  His gaze darkened. “You like him?”

  “Wait, what?”

  “You and Connor?”

  “No. This is for Katrina.”

  “Then, you’re not going with him?” Seth handed the poster back to me.

  I smiled. “No—and no one else has asked me either.”

  Seth stepped closer and placed his hands on either side of me, framing my face with his arms. He pressed in closer yet, backing me against the lockers. “Is there anyone you want to go with?”

  Thump-thump.

  My heart pounded so loud, I thought my head might explode. He stood so close. The heat from his body warmed mine. I inhaled his scent, his essence. All I had to do was move an inch closer and our lips would touch.

  I wet my lips, my eyes intent on his. “Yeah. There’s someone I want to go with.”

  “Who?”

  “Mr. Charmaigne—this is not the time or the place to play Romeo,” Mrs. Monteray interrupted. “Save it for drama class.”

  We jumped apart. My face flared hot.

  A smile tugged at Seth’s lips. “Later,” he whispered.

  Later? Every time he said later I ended up going for days without any interaction. My legs quivered like jelly. I didn’t know how much more I could take. Seth intoxicated me. Like a drug, he lingered in my blood long after contact.

  “There you are.” Jack hurried toward me as I slipped the flyer into Connor’s locker. His face went pale, his eyes intense.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Grimms are swarming the school. We need to get you out of here.”

  “Can anyone else see them?”

  “They think they’re birds.” He gripped my arm, dragging me behind him.

  “This will be the second time I’ve skipped in a week.”

  Jack snorted. “It’s hardly the minute to worry about a perfect attendance award.”

  As we burst into the main lobby, Jack stopped short. His body stiffened and I glanced up to see Thorna, Blythe, and Georgia. Crap. I forgot she said she’d be enrolling the girls in school today.

  Thorna’s thin lips puckered into a sorry excuse for a smile. “Where are you two going?”

  “Off campus for lunch.” Jack’s hand tightened around my arm.

  She slid off her black leather gloves and dropped them into her handbag. Her gaze never left us. “I thought you totaled your car.”

  Take a deep breath. And lie your butt off. “It is. But Grandma loaned us hers.”

  The lunch bell sounded. The corridor flooded with students.

  Thorna made a tsk-tsk sound. “Were you planning to skip class?” She frowned. “Maybe your dad should know about your extracurricular activities.”

  Dang, who let the witch out? I needed to think, and quick. “Sorry, we need to get to class.”

  I took a step back, tugging on Jack’s arm. A clap of thunder shook the ground. We hurried away from her, and as soon as we turned the corner, we ran.

  The lights flickered. From outside, the wail of the wind grew stronger. I thought the building was under attack. I sucked in a lungful of air, but it didn’t calm me. Jack led me to one of the side exits. A teacher stepped in front of us, herding the students down the hall.

  “Everyone, get back to class!” the teacher hollered.

  Up ahead, Kat caught my glance. “Maggie.” Her eyes widened.

  “We’re coming.” As the crowd moved in our direction, I linked my arm through hers.

  “What’s going on?” She held me tight, her shoulder bumping into mine.

  “Grimms. We need to leave, but the teachers aren’t letting us.”

  Kat nodded. “The weather service issued a storm warning.”

  Just then the loudspeakers crackled to life. “Attention, students. This is Principal Randolf. You are under direct orders to return to your fourth period classes. Everyone is to remain calm. A storm warning has been issued, and we’ll be doing early dismissal. I repeat. Report to your fourth period classes.”

  Tornado warning alarms sounded and the lights flickered out. Screams echoed throughout the building. Panic consumed the masses as they shoved to get to class. By some miracle, Jack, Katrina, and I managed to stay together. Fear clung to me as I envisioned everything that could hide in the alcoves.

  Dim emergency lights flashed on. “Everyone sit down with your head propped between your knees.” A teacher jerked us toward the lockers. “Cover your heads and necks.”

  “I don’t think it’s a tornado,” Jack said from beside me as we slid to the floor, our heads facing the lockers.

  My body quaked. Could the Grimms be powerful enough to cause this? I swallowed, hard. If they were, then I had no idea how to fight them off. For the first time, I realized more than Kat’s happy ending was at stake. Our very lives hung by a thread.

  After thirty minutes of being hunched over, the all-clear sounded. The halls remained swathed in dusky shadows, the power still out. One by one, the teachers walked out of their classrooms to check on everyone.

  Once again, the intercom system crackled to life. “This is Principal Randolf. The superintendent called. Everybody is released to go home. Buses are on their way from the bus garage. Students with their own vehicles may leave now. Please take precautions as you make your way home.”

  We didn’t need any more prodding. I hoped Seth and Taylor were okay. But in the crowd of people, it was too hard to find them. And through the chaos, I wondered where Thorna had disappeared to. Not that I cared about her wellbeing. But her appearance here today was odd.

  As we made our way through the halls, I knew this was just a warning. The Grimms must be growing restless. And soon they’d show me the extent of their powers. I only hoped I’d be ready.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Yesterday’s “storm” played in my mind as I sat in the family room, pretending to watch TV. The weatherman talked at length about the freak event, which reduced the entire town of Ellsworth Lake without power for several hours.

  Mom poked her head into the room. “Maggie, Grandma wants to talk to you.” She held the cordless phone out to me. Once she left, I put the receiver to my ear.

  “Hello.”

  “Maggie, you’ve got to be more careful,” Grandma said in a rush of words. “There’s something evil on the horizon. I sense it drawing close.”

  “I know. I feel it too.” My arms broke out in gooseflesh. I rubbed my skin to warm myself.

  “Grimms are hiding near my house.” She wheezed and broke into a fit of coughs. “They’re planning something.”

  “Gram, are you okay?” Her voice sounded horrible. Like she had pneumonia.

  “Don’t worry about me, child. You’ve got enough on your plate. Just promise me, no matter what happens, you’ll fight to make these happy endings come true.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “I know you are, dear. I’m just worried for you. You’ve only begun to discover your powers. The Grimms know this.” She broke into another fit of coughs. “Their best chance to destroy the Godmother line is now. While you’re young and untrained.”

  My pulse thudded in my ears. “Everything is riding on my shoulders, and I have no idea what I’m doing. Maybe you chose the wrong heir, Grandma.”


  “No.” Her voice softened. “You’re the rightful heir. The legacy is yours.”

  “But…”

  “Maggie, please promise me you’ll fight hard. Promise me no matter what things come about in the future that you’ll remember where you come from. And that there is nothing more important than being a Godmother.”

  My stomach twisted. Why did it sound like she was saying goodbye? “I—I promise.”

  “That’s my girl. Now put your mother back on.”

  My shoulders suddenly felt a lot heavier. Not just because of the Grimms and their inevitable attack, but because of Grandma and Kat. Maybe I should set up camp outside Grandma’s to keep her safe. Or perhaps Jack might be able to stand watch a couple of nights.

  She’d paid her dues as a Godmother. She didn’t need to deal with this on top of everything.

  My cell buzzed, startling me. “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Oh, my gosh. Connor just called and asked me to Homecoming.” Kat squealed. “I’m totally shaking right now! I can’t believe this is happening.”

  Finally, something to smile about. “That’s awesome. See, I told you it’d happen.”

  “So, do you think you can come over for a little bit?”

  “Um—you could’ve just poofed me over.” I chuckled.

  The line went silent for a moment before Kat answered. “Well, I wanted to make sure you weren’t in the middle of something. It’s not fair if you’re constantly zipping over to take care of me.”

  Katrina totally surprised me. For once, it wasn’t all about her. She’d changed.

  “Thank you,” I said. “It just so happens there’s nothing going on right now. Be there in a few.”

  After I hung up, I went to tell my mom I was heading out. As I walked into the kitchen, I heard her talking.

  “How much time do you have?” she asked.

  I pressed myself against the wall, my breath shuddering in my throat. Was she still on the phone with Grandma?

  “I’ll take care of the kids. Don’t you worry about them. You need to worry about yourself.”

  I didn’t want to hear anything else, because by the sounds of it, Grandma wasn’t doing well. The image of her shrunken, wrinkled frame shimmered in my head. I covered my mouth to keep from crying.

  “I’ll stop by tomorrow to take you to the doctor,” Mom said.

  Once she hung up, I composed myself. Finally, I poked my head into the room. “Hey, I’m heading over to Kat’s. I’ll be back later.”

  Mom had her back to me, her head bowed. “Don’t be too late.”

  Her shoulders shook, and for a second, I considered going to her. But I knew she needed a moment.

  “Love you,” I called out.

  En route to Kat’s, my mood grew somber. Was Grandma dying? If so, how long did she have? I didn’t want to imagine a world without her in it. Her hugs, her ridiculous presents, her house—the way she always knew when something was wrong.

  I chewed my bottom lip, urging the tears to stay back. Pull yourself together. This isn’t the time to have a breakdown. When I landed on Kat’s porch, I almost laughed. It seemed odd to be using the front door.

  I lifted my hand to knock. The door burst open and Kat ushered me in.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.” Her smile filled her face.

  “I can tell.”

  She hugged me. “You don’t know how much I owe you.”

  My ribs felt as if they’d been displaced. She squeezed tighter. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m your Godmother. It’s my job to take care of you.”

  She released me and straightened her shirt. “So, now that I’ve got a date for Homecoming, we need to talk dresses and transportation.”

  I sat in the recliner while she curled up on the couch. “This time, I promise to get the dress right.”

  “Ugh, let’s hope so. Because I’m sure not showing up to the dance in my bra.”

  “I bet Connor wouldn’t mind,” I teased.

  Kat tossed a pillow at me. “Funny. But the boy ain’t seeing me naked. At least not anytime soon.”

  “Okay, I’m totally changing the subject.” I propped my feet up on the chair. “Maybe we can get ready together. Well, that is, if I can get a date.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “I really don’t want Connor to see my house. I mean, if he does, I don’t think he’ll want to be with me.” She played with the fringe on her jeans.

  “We’ve already been over this. He’s not superficial like that. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with where you live.”

  “But the house is so small compared to his. And his whole family drives around in cars that cost more than my dad makes in a year.”

  “Money isn’t everything,” I said softly. “My dad’s got lots of it, and it doesn’t make him a better person. If anything, it changed him. And not in a good way.”

  The front door opened and Mr. Melville walked in. “Hey, girls.” He hung his black jacket on the coat rack then sat down on a chair and took off his work boots.

  When he finished he stood and planted a quick kiss on Kat’s forehead. Dark circles painted the undersides of his eyes, his shoulders slumped as he sat down on the couch. He closed his eyelids for a moment, rubbing his temples.

  Kat caught my glance and nodded. “Why don’t we make you dinner tonight?”

  He opened his eyes and smiled. “That’d be great, honey. It’s been a long day.”

  I followed her into the kitchen. She pulled a package of ground beef, two tomatoes, a head of lettuce, and a bag of shredded cheese from the fridge.

  “Do you like tacos?” She stood on her tiptoes and reached into the cupboard to grab taco shells, then pulled out a can of refried beans.

  “Oh, yeah. And pretty much any other type of food.” I laughed.

  While Kat browned the meat, I cut the veggies. Once we finished preparing the meal, we set the table, then called her dad in to eat.

  “Hmmm…everything smells good.” He sat down across from me and piled taco meat into a tortilla shell.

  “Would you like some refried beans?” I asked.

  Mr. Melville grinned. “I better pass. I don’t think you girls would care to be in the same room with me if I ate ‘em.”

  Kat covered her face. “And he wonders why I don’t invite friends over.” She brought her hands down to her lap, her lips twitching.

  “What’d I do? Everyone gets flatulence, even you.” He bit into his taco. Tomatoes fell onto his plate. He picked them up with his fingers. “You might pretend to be all girly, but you fart and burp just like the rest of us.”

  I laughed. “What other bad habits does she have?”

  Kat shot him a warning look. “I think that’s enough bodily function talk for one evening.”

  He reached across the table and patted her hand. “My Kat’s a good girl. She takes care of things around here while I work.”

  My chest tightened. I remembered a time when that used to be my dad and me.

  “Let’s just eat.” Kat gave me a half smile and rolled her eyes. But I could tell from the glow on her face she really didn’t mind.

  Once we finished eating, Kat loaded the dishwasher. I offered to help, but she waved me away. So I followed her dad into the living room.

  He propped his feet onto a stool. “You should come visit Kat’s mom with us this weekend.”

  I glanced at the doorway to see Katrina standing there, her face pale.

  “Are you sure it’ll be okay?”

  “Yeah, she likes visitors.” He smiled. “Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

  Kat nodded, but refused to meet my gaze. “She likes it when people come to see her.”

  I wondered where the visit would take place. I was really curious. Her mom could be in jail for all I knew. My stomach knotted at the thought. Or most likely, her parents were divorced.

  The clock in the hall chimed eight. “I should probably head home, now. I’ll see you later.”

  Kat walked me to the door. �
��You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

  “No. It’s fine. I think it’ll be nice to finally meet your mom.” Please let me be right.

  When I stepped onto the porch, Jack appeared beside me to escort me home. To my surprise, his jaw was clenched and his hands were fisted at his sides.

  “What’s wrong?”

  We walked down the sidewalk. The moon glittered above. The streetlights lit a gloomy path ahead of us.

  “Riley broke up with me. She said I’m never there when she needs me.” He punched a nearby trashcan. It wobbled then crashed onto its side.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. Everything’s just so screwed up right now.” He stopped mid-stride, body rigid. “For once, it’d be nice for something to go right, you know? Dad’s a complete jerk. Mom’s working all the time. Grandma’s sick, and I can’t even keep you safe.”

  I put my hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at me. “You don’t need to handle everything by yourself. No matter what, you’ve got me.”

  “I know.”

  We started walking again. We remained quiet the rest of the way home. When we got to the house, we saw Dad’s car parked in the drive.

  I groaned. “Great, wonder what he wants now.”

  When we stepped inside, we found Dad in the kitchen… with Mom.

  “Thorna said she caught you two skipping school.”

  Jack’s jaw clenched. “Bull crap. We weren’t cutting class. It was lunch time.”

  Mom glanced between us, her lawyer eyes staring us down. “You better be telling me the truth.”

  I dug my nails into my palms. “We didn’t skip, I swear.”

  “Good enough for me.” She rested her hand against the counter.

  “So that’s it? You’re just going to take their word for it?”

  “What do you want me to do, Hal? The school didn’t call, and since they didn’t actually skip, there’s nothing to punish them for.”

  Dad’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not raising them properly. If you’d actually be a mother instead of trying to be their best friend, they wouldn’t have such bad attitudes.”