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Shelby Cummings took the stage with confidence. In her hands were large posterboards with a story on them, complete with illustrations. She began her tale with a happy, gentle storytelling voice. "Once upon a time, there was a big, strong fighting frog." The crowd of students, teachers, and parents laughed when Brianna emerged from behind the curtain, dressed as a football player. Shelby continued her story. "He had a beautiful girlfriend," she said, "and his dad owned the biggest pond in all the land."

Shelby cocked her head, looking almost mystified. "But, he still wasn't happy." Samantha Montgomery, who stood near the front of the crowd of students. She had a sinking feeling that this was more than just a fairy tale.

"If only he could find a princess--" Shelby narrated as Gabriella emerged from the curtains in the arms of several cheerleaders. She wore a dress much like Sam's from the dance. Shelby watched for Austin's reaction. She smiled--he knew what this was about. "...who could kiss him and turn him into a prince, and they would run away together." Shelby now looked for Sam's reaction. Shelby was satisfied as she watched recognition dawn on Sam's features.

"One night," Shelby's voice grew tighter, "after the slimy frog ditches his super cute senior poll most popular girlfriend," Shelby was being very deliberate now, and having fun watching Austin grow very uncomfortable.

Austin shook his head. Did Shelby really think getting Sam out of the way would make him take her back?

"...he met his princess." Shelby continued.

"Your highness!" Brianna intoned to Gabriella, who flipped the back of her hoop skirt up in response. The crowd laughed and cheered, except for four people--Sam, Carter, Austin, and Austin's father Mr. Ames.

"Alas," Shelby, furrowing her brow, "it turned out that not only did our frog have a secret identity, but also had a secret relationship--" Brianna and Gabriella both reached for cell phones and Gabriella began to "text."

"...with a pen pal named PrincetonGirl." Shelby finished her sentence.

This has gone too far. Austin thought to himself, and stood up from his seat. He jumped onto the stage and took the microphone from Shelby's hands.

"Hey, guys." he tried to smile, but couldn't. "I think it's great to have freedom of speech, but not--" he looked over to Shelby. "Not for the purpose of humiliating a peer and fellow student. "My private life--" he continued, "is just that--my private life.

"I apologize, parents, teachers, and peers for interrupting the pep rally, but for me, that was not a display of school spirit, nor was it entertaining." he glanced up, and to his relief Sam still stood where she was, waiting. "I am ashamed that my friends chose to present it." Abruptly, he jumped down from the stage and followed Sam out to the student parking lot.

"Thanks." Sam smiled gratefully.

"No problem." he grinned. "So you're Cinderella."

"Are you disappointed?"

"No. Just surprised at how obvious it should have been to me. It was so obvious, only a blind man could have seen it." he thought about his choice of words. "If, in fact, that's possible." Sam laughed.

"I guess it is." she said.

"Why?"

"Because--they say that anything can happen if you just believe."

"That should be on a commercial." Austin laughed. And only Sam and Austin were laughing a year later, when at a friend's apartment at Princeton, Carter's acne cream commercial aired.