I am literally on my knees, in front of my laptop, begging you to even read this. And I won't blackmail you into reviewing ("More reviews Faster Chappies!" ring a bell?). And because this is a school project, this fiction will be LONGER, but the chapters will be uploaded FASTER! Yippee! It's a win win!

But promise me... review?

Almost Cinderella

Chapter One

The Cinderella story had always been twisted and pulled and stretched to suit the younger readers. Little did the younger readers know what the REAL Cinderella story was. Cinderella only has one stepsister, The Prince falls in love with both Cinderella and her stepsister, the Prince's grandfather was really a power hungry old fool and that Cinderella's father hadn't really died - he left for business in America and that because he couldn't stand having his daughter taking the spotlight from him. Two made it seem so sinister, and it seemed so unfair, two against one.

"What's in a name? By which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet."

Although true, the meaning of the name makes all the difference. It's like an ice cream with out the cherry or chopped nuts, whichever you prefer.

Cinderella's name wasn't Ella at all. Her real name was actually Misha, but they changed to Ella because Cindermisha didn't roll off your tongue like Cinderella, and because Misha meant 'honey' and Ella meant 'beautiful fairy maiden'. Who could blame Disney? I too would rather have a beautiful ash covered fairy maiden, than have honey ash.

Her step sisters are called Anastasia and Drusilla. Anastasia means 'resurrection' or the one who will rise again. Drusilla means 'the strong one'. I often wonder if they made a mistake with the names. After all, the sisters are neither strong, nor to they 'rise again'.

But Disney portrays the sister to be ugly, but contrary, our stepsister is quite beautiful, she is happy and cheerful, but for all the wrong reasons, hence we have Hilary.

The stepmother, although her name is unknown, we can assume it was Linda, which means 'serpent' and by all means her motives are snakelike and sly.

The prince, Kai, means 'open', and he is an open sort of person (sort of). But thank goodness his last name isn't 'Charming'. Otherwise, it would be complete irony, and there wouldn't be a story.

Who ever knew, the well known and loved story of Cinderella held so many secrets.

Here is where we start the story.

"Family meeting!" cried Linda shrilly.

Misha rolled her eyes. Rent Paying Day. Taking a few notes from a glass jar, she left her room. Or attic. Ever since Misha's father had left for business opportunities, she had been kicked out into the attic. What's more is that Linda demands 'Rent'.

Sitting in the pristine living room make her skin crawl. The mellow yellows, pinks and greens that covered the entire house gave her a headache.

The woman, known as Linda, was a very artificial sort of woman. Her face was heavily caked with makeup, there was always string of fat pearls around her neck, and her body was clothed in designer clothing; whatever designer clothing her large body would allow.

"Misha." Linda held out an oily, pudgy hand. Misha handed Linda the notes.

"Oh yes I forgot. Misha, you'll be moving schools." Linda said offhandedly as she took a drag of her cigarette.

Hilary looked smug.

Misha and Hilary had always attended different schools ever since they started high school. This was after Bill had left. Hilary attended the local private school; The Melba Academy. Misha attended the local high school, Wilmore High.

"Why?" Misha asked, "I'm fine at Wilmore."

Linda gave a heavy sigh, "Your principal called and he came and talked to me because he believes you are gifted in volleyball and academia." She spoke as if it was a great pity, "He told me, he had sent your latest report to The Melba Academy, and he just... Informed me, that you got a scholarship there." she said.

"WHAT?" Hilary exclaimed as she leapt up from the couch. "Mother! You can't! She's going to ruin my life there!"

"Oh, honey, don't be silly, no one will know you're step sisters." she said, with a certain sense of malice in her mouth. "See, Misha's last name is Yeun. Our last name is Tachibana. They won't know, see baby?"

Misha wished she was dead. Living under the same roof as Hilary was hell. Going to the same school? She may as well be dead.

"But that's no reason to get a big head, Misha. I'll take you to get your uniform tomorrow."

Misha stared incredulously at the uniform. She liked the design; the skirt was dark blue, there was a plain white short sleeved shirt, a charcoal woolly jacket, and a fitted navy blazer. The only problem was the size of some of the skirt. Linda had bought the skirt so the hem came down halfway down her calves.

"I don't want you looking like a hooker." she said.

Oh, so it was okay if Hilary's skirt was halfway up her thighs so when she bent over, you could see her underwear, but it's not okay if Misha's skirt was just above her knees.

Thank goodness that Misha could sew; otherwise school would be a nightmare.

The next morning, as she was just about to leave the house, Linda poked her head from the living room.

"You know you still have to walk to school." she said snidely.

"I know, I always do." Misha said calmly, pulling on her black low-heels.

The school had a weird policy of having the 'young ladies' dress like, young ladies. They were quite adamant about it.

All girls must wear black low heeled shoes.

The 'must' was underlined, bolded and italicized.

Hilary, on the other hand, was chauffeured to school in a shiny black car, so she didn't have to leave until 8:30.

As Misha walked down the willow lined street, she couldn't help but complain to herself. It was always Hilary this, Hilary that. Even when Bill was here. He actually seemed to favour his step daughter more than his actual daughter. Maybe he blamed her; blamed her for causing Kayla's death. Kayla had died in childbirth, but lived just long enough to utter the word 'Misha'. Maybe she meant to say "I'll miss her" but the 'I'll' was lost somewhere, and that she didn't have enough energy to say 'her' properly.

Carrying a large box of books in heels was difficult.

Hey my lovely readers!

I love the story of Cinderella, but it's too plain, so... TADA! We now have 'Almost Cinderella'. Please review. This is an ACTUAL school project so I am desperate for reviews. If you find it's too cliché, there are spelling mistakes, or grammar errors, please tell me. If there are any areas you would like to see are improved, I'll try my best. If you decide you like a certain pairing, please tell me (No Yaoi/Yuri couples). Every little piece of criticism helps. Maybe even flames... (I'm going to regret saying that).

By the way... I am from Australia, so I spell 'color' as 'colour' and 'neighbor' as 'neighbour' and 'favorite' as 'favourite'. So don't point these things out.

Vampirate