: LIKE A CINDERELLA STORY

CHAPTER 4

SAMANTHA'S POV

I opened the front door slowly and sneaked in, making sure to close it silently behind me. My stepmother would kill me if she found out I was just coming home by 1:00am.

I took off my sneakers, making sure for the stitch I did yesterday not to tear so the shoe doesn't completely fall apart. I snuck up the stairs and into my bedroom, locking the door behind me. Finally! I sighed, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I switched on the lights and shrieked in shock. "And where are you coming from by this time?" Evan, Daphne's Younger brother, and my step brother smirked, twirling in my chair. "I...it was busy at the restaurant, I was working late." I lied, trying to sound as believable as possible. "Really?" He asked sarcastically. "I wonder what mother will think when she finds out you're now a liar," He cooed as he walked up to me, taking long intimidating strides towards me. He was only eighteen, and he wasn't that huge, but compared to my smallish stature,he was extremely intimidating. I knew what was about to happen as I tried to run outside, but he slammed the door before I could and locked it, throwing the key under the bed as he smirked. "Now...how about we teach you a lesson." he smirked, and tears only filled my eyes as I had no choice but to succumb to his torture.

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HENRY MONTGOMERY'S POV

"Man!!! Ridgewood hasn't gotten any better!" Julian laughed as we walked into an old gaming centre GAME ON! ARCADE, where we usually went to play video games as kids. "Same ol' same ol'" Dom concurred as we walked up to our favourite arcade video game.

"EPIC QUEST Here I come bay-bay!" Julian whooped as he laughed and took the first turn and failed almost immediately. "Dang! I'm getting rusty!!" He whined. "Not really. If nostalgia serves me right, you are awful at Epic Quest. You were always more of a street racers, United guy or Pacman, " Dom teased, and he and I laughed at Julian, who was already frowning.

***

"Beers, boys?" Dom suggested. "Yes, please!" I immediately agreed as we walked to a famous bar. "The Bob-Kelly Taproom? Since when?" Julian laughed as we walked in and up to the bar table. There stood an all too familiar redhead as she served drinks and ordered her workers about. She sighted us as we sat, and her look of shock was later replaced with a wide smile. "Woah. If it isn't Ridgewood's tres fabulosos (fabulous three), what brings y'all back to Ridgewood?" Kelly, Bob's daughter and apparently now owner of the new bar, asked as she attended to another customer. "Reminiscing old times." I smiled as she nodded and winked at Dom, who winked back. "What can I get y'all?" She asked as she rested on the counter. "I'll take a clean whiskey, scotch to be precise, make it strong please," I ordered, and she gestured to Julian, who ordered a fancy daiquiri. "And you sexy?" She asked Dom, who licked his lips and rested on the counter, staring directly into her eyes. "How about I have you on a silver sheet covered bed?" he winked. "I could probably make that happen, but it's out of your budget, handsome." Kelly smiled. "Still the smart mouth aren't you Kelly Roberts," I teased, and she smiled. "Yunno. These drinks are on the house for old times sake. You guys were amazing friends. " She smiled as she sent a bartender to attend to us.

We sat reminiscing about old times and talking about high school and how life changed afterwards.

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SAMANTHA EVANS'S POV

"Good Day step mother" I said, bowing my head because I knew she would get angry if I ever stared at her in the face. "You look dull, didn't you sleep last night?" She asked, eyeing my dull demeanour. Evan walked past me, eyeing me evilly, daring me to speak. "I didn't sleep much, I was busy with chores." I said, mustering my best contented smile. Daphne walked in and eyed me. "Are you sure it's okay, mum?" She asked, referring to me as IT! "Even if she's not, it's not your concern. Don't bother your pretty head with trivial things. Aren't you late for your visit?" Victoria, my stepmother, asked Daphne, and she nodded as she popped a cookie in her mouth, grabbed her purse and car keys, and walked out of the house. Victoria eyed me wearily. "Take the day off..." She said reluctantly, "...you need it. " She seethed and walked out, grabbing her things. Evan finally came up to me after they'd both left. "Y'know if I didn't hate you so much, I'd be sexually attracted to you," he laughed as he walked away. I sighed and slumped on the ground as I held my head in my hands. I can't... I can't do this anymore. I need to get out of here fast.

I picked up my phone and dialled Lucas. "Hey Sam, what's up?" He said over the phone. "Luc...he did it again. He...Eva...he...." I sobbed, and the line was quiet. "Are you home?" He asked, and I whispered yes. "Is he there?" He asked again. "No. He left just now, " I whispered in reply. "I'm on my way. Just pack a few bags, okay?" Luc said gently and cut the call.

*****

The ride to Lucas's place was quiet, and I could see Luc grabbing on the steering wheel, his knuckles white in anger. "Luc..." I whispered. "I'm going to kill him," Lucas seethed. "N..no.." I begged. "Why, Sam?! Why do you let them hurt you?!" Lucas fumed, and I jerked at his anger. "I'm sorry. I'm...it's just Sammie. You can't keep doing this." Lucas pleaded. "I know. I'm working on getting out of this town soon, trust me. I just have to endure for a few more years, and I'll be out." I said. "You don't need to endure all this maltreatment, Sam. I'm more than happy to house you for as long as you need. My mama would be happy to have you. Hell! If you need your privacy so much, Lola is more than ready to house you in one of her many apartments in town!" Lucas said. "I know, but I'm fine. I am." I said even though I didn't exactly believe my own words. "What exactly does the bastard do to you anyway? Does he..." Lucas's eyes widened in horror. "No!!!! He doesn't sexually assault me. He just beats me. It mostly happens when he's high and last night he was really high, " I said. "I hope you realize you don't need this. I can't force you if you don't want to. Take care of you, okay?" He said as we got out of the car and I walked in. I think I'll be here for a few days and think exactly what I want. Maybe Luc is right.