Outside the window a starry night sky glowed, as vast and dark as the loneliness that I felt inside me. A single star sparkled and danced,

reflecting its light in the solitary tear that rolled down my wrinkled cheek. I reached up and felt the cool stone wall of the tower and let the

breeze stir my hair and dry my tear. I slowly sank to the ground, feeling the relief seep into my aching bones, and unlocked the old trunk

in front of me. The lid opened with a creak and I looked inside. A smile crossed my face as I held the glass slipper in my hand. I rubbed

my fingers across its surface as memories came alive. I remembered how grand the castle had looked that night.

Candles lined the marbled halls and beautiful lords and ladies danced to the music. I had been so afraid and had felt so out of

place, even in my gown and slippers. I had considered going home and was just about to turn around when I saw him. He came

toward me. The crowd parted and I had been sure he had found out my secret. A look of panic crossed my face and as I turned

to run, he had grabbed my hand.

"Dance with me…" I felt a greater fear than before. Dance? No, not with everyone watching. I couldn't! I was the girl who

hid in corners and didn't make eye contact with anyone. I had only meant to be a casual observer. He smiled kindly and led me

to the center of the ballroom. He twirled me and lessons from my father came rushing back. I fell into step with him, elated. One

dance and then it would all be over. During that dance I found out that eyes had very persuasive pulls. When his held mine, a

few dances felt like one. Three hours felt like three minutes.

A loud booming sound had filled the great halls and resonated in my head, shaking me back to reality.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must go!"

"Oh please, no. It's only twelve!" he called after me. "I don't even know your name! Where can I find you?"

I ran. But I didn't want to. Something had happened to me. Someone had noticed me. I had never realized how nice it was to

have someone look you straight in the eyes. To have someone want to be with you. I turned to get one last look just as I reached

the top stair. Down I went in a heap of gown and arms. Horrified that he would catch me and see me change back, I picked

myself up and kept going. I didn't even noticed what I had left behind until I was safely concealed behind trees. I watched him

pick it up and prayed. Oh, please don't let it disappear in his hands. Please.

I felt my dress change back to rags, and my carriage into a pumpkin but my shoes remained the same.

I slipped the slippers onto my feet and held onto the window sill to pull myself up. The shoes felt odd and I took a minute to steady

myself before I let go. I inched out into the center of the room and glanced out the window. I smiled at the happy little star. Slowly, I

began humming a tune that I had long since forgotten. I forgot the constant ache in my feet as I swayed back and forth in my glass

slippers. I held up my hands and turned as though I had all the time and grace in the world. My eyes flew open as a hand slipped into my

hand.

"I thought I'd find you here." I smiled. I laid my head on his stooped shouldere and together we completed another circle in our life,

one more round and one more turn.