Chapter 5
1354 Words
"That's weird. Why Cinderella?"
***
SAMANTHA
"They've been gone forever. Psh," I complained as I sat on a chair backstage.
I was here all alone, and none of the other theater club members had shown up yet. It was frustrating. I’d been waiting for a while.
To avoid getting bored, I picked up the book Kayleigh gave me. I was about to start reading it, but I was interrupted by someone speaking at the door.
"That’s a nice book. Kayleigh's the author of that one," Diane said calmly as she sat beside me.
I furrowed my brow. Is she being nice all of a sudden? What, is she bipolar?
"I know, she told me earlier," I replied, bored, as I looked at the book’s cover.
I moved a bit farther away from her since I’m not the type of person who easily forgives. I hold grudges, I know that.
I never had a good impression of her from the start, but I didn’t know it could get worse until I spoke to her in person.
The book cover was beautiful. It showed a woman sitting, holding a cat, with wings behind her, staring at the sky.
What could this have to do with the story?
"It’s a story about Kayleigh’s brother and his girlfriend," Diane said, halting my thoughts.
"Kayleigh has a brother?" I asked.
She nodded and rolled her eyes. Yeah, I guess it was a pretty obvious question.
"Kayleigh’s brother, Kent, has a sickness, but he still managed to love a girl named Selene. They loved each other, but fate got in their way."
I didn’t respond and just listened to her. It’s a spoiler, but it's fine.
"The girl has amnesia. But she did everything she could to remember. The painful part is, she never could. Something happened that she didn’t expect."
I looked at Diane and saw her wipe away a tear before continuing her story. I didn’t think she was pretending now.
"In the end, the girl never found out about her past."
I was surprised when she suddenly looked at me, her eyes filled with sadness.
Why?
"Samantha, would you let that happen to you? To stay in the dark until it's too late?" she asked.
I couldn’t answer right away. She sighed and then walked out of the room.
"You're so late. You even came?" I muttered when Diane and Chester finally arrived.
Chester had his arm around Diane, and Diane was leaning on his chest. She was nice earlier, tsk. She’s a snake. She should live in the jungle.
I didn’t know why, but I stared at them.
They look good together, damn it. But we’re a better match. We have chemistry, and they don’t!
Wait, why am I so annoyed? What am I even saying?
I looked away, but Diane’s smirk didn’t escape my notice.
With that smirk, I felt like pulling her hair out.
Go ahead, annoy me some more. I’ll make sure you’re bald when you nap here in the theater club room.
"To all the new members of the theater club, congratulations, you're officially members now!" Diane said cheerfully as she looked at me.
She gave me another glare!
Honestly, I’ve been wanting to scowl at her for a while, but I was holding back. I just gave her a forced smile and looked away.
"Anyway, we have a new play. It’s called A Cinderella Story," she explained.
"Ches, please pass out the scripts to everyone. Pretty please," Diane said cutely, pouting in front of Chester and even holding his hand.
What nerve. She acts like she's so pretty when I’m clearly way more beautiful and cute than her!
I didn’t even realize that I had clenched my fist. I forced a smile when our eyes met.
So annoying! Argh! And I’m even more annoyed because I don’t know why I’m annoyed!
"No need to do that. Tss," Chester said irritably to Diane before passing out the flyers.
It’s only been a week since our eye contact, but why does it feel like I’m getting too attached to him?
I’m so pathetic for feeling that way.
"Samantha."
I didn’t realize Chester was standing in front of me, waving the paper in front of my face.
I immediately took it from him before clearing my throat. Did I really stare for that long?
"Thanks," I said coldly.
He smiled at me and continued handing out papers to the other members.
I looked at the title.
A Cinderella Story.
"Nice title, huh?"
I was surprised when a guy sat next to me and started talking to me.
He was a mestizo, chinito, and had smooth skin. Every time he spoke, dimples appeared, which distracted me. His messy hair suited him.
He looked like the boy next door.
"Weird, right? Why Cinderella?" I responded.
Is this supposed to be a fairytale?
He shrugged and started reading the script Chester gave him.
"By the way, I’m Slade," he introduced himself, extending his hand.
I was going to raise an eyebrow, but he seemed approachable. Plus, I should be friendly, especially since this is my first time being part of an organization.
"Samantha," I replied, shaking his hand.
"I know," he said while looking at me and smiling widely.
"Huh? You know me?" I asked, surprised.
Am I famous now?
"Who doesn’t know you? You're known all around this school, Samsam. You just don’t realize it."
I automatically turned to him when he called me "Samsam."
I was going to ask him more, but he suddenly stood up and walked away.
"Wait—"
I was about to chase after Slade, but I was suddenly tackled into a hug.
"Sammy! I missed you!"
"Mich! Let go— Let go! I can’t breathe!"
I fell to the floor because of Mich who was on top of me.
I grabbed my back because it felt like my bones might’ve cracked.
"Sorry, Sammy!" Mich said and quickly got off me, giving a peace sign.
She helped me stand up and sit back down in the chair I was using earlier.
"Are you okay?"
I was surprised when Chester suddenly approached me, worry in his eyes.
I just nodded at him while holding my back and gently massaging it. Seriously, Mich? I’ll tell her boyfriend about this! Grrrr!
"Ches," Diane called him.
"Next time, be more careful," he said, showing concern before walking over to Diane.
They seemed to be talking about a meeting for our project.
"Chester’s concerned about you, huh? Wew," Mich teased me.
I just glared at her and started reading the script again.
I was surprised when Mich suddenly grabbed the paper I was holding. Ugh, I can’t finish reading this!
"Hey, give me one of those!" Mich yelled at someone next to her who I didn’t recognize.
"Hey, Miasse, stop yelling. It’s like you swallowed a microphone," came a voice from the door.
We all turned to look at who had spoken.
"Hey, Kristoff De Jesus! You’ve been here for a while! Stop being such a show-off!" Mich shot back.
I grimaced at the loudness of Mich’s voice. She really does sound like she swallowed a microphone.
Kristoff just gave her a smirk and then looked at me. Honestly, my brother looks so handsome when he’s acting all cool and leaning against the wall, posing like he’s modeling. Should I apply for Bench?
"Colline, I’ll wait for you at the main gate. Let’s go home together," my brother said before walking away.
"Sorry for the chaos my brother caused. Go ahead and get back to what you were doing," I apologized to the members since my attention-seeking brother interrupted our meeting.
I was surprised when I saw the other theater club members staring with their mouths hanging open.
"OMG, that’s your brother, Sam?"
"He’s so handsome!"
I just grimaced at what they were saying.
Ugh, my brother is "handsome"? NEVER.
"Handsome? Where?" I heard Mich whisper, so I suddenly slapped her arm.
She glared at me, and I gave her an irritated look.
She read the script and furrowed her brow when she saw the title.
- Writer
