Chapter One

Most little girls dream of being just like one of those Disney princesses. Me, I'm still waiting for my Cinderella story moment.

I guess you could say I haven't exactly had a charmed life. My dad left me and my mom when I was little. Even before he moved away to live with his new wife, I never saw very much of him.

My name is Marley Rose, and this is my fairytale.

My dad was constantly away on business trips, which I never thought very much of, up until my tenth birthday.

He told me that he had a weekend conference in Cleveland, and that he would be leaving right after my party.

My best friend Lindsay Matlow's dad worked for the same company my dad did, so I figured that Mr. Matlow would be going too.

Long story short, my mom and I found out that he wasn't going to Cleveland, but rather to Lima, and it wasn't for work, but instead for another woman.

So now here I am. It's been nearly six years since I last saw my father. He doesn't deserve to be called dad or, much less, daddy.

August 9, 2012

I stared blankly at the horrible letter that sat on the kitchen table.

"What do you mean I have to move to Lima? I want to stay here with you! He can't honestly think that after six years he can act like that hero and take me away from you," I yelled defiantly.

My mom sighed, defeated. "I don't have a choice Marls. Even if I did, your father makes a good point. Times are tough around here, you know that. I don't know how much longer I can keep my job Marley."

"Then I'll get a job too! I don't want to leave New York. What about Lindsay and Hailey? What about you?" I asked. I knew that I wasn't going to win this fight, but I had to try.

"My hands are tied kiddo. If the circumstances were different, I would say no to him immediately, but things are the way they are. He paid for your plane ticket and everything," She tried to calm me down, but I wasn't buying it. She sighed at my stubbornness before informing me that my plane left on Saturday. Beautiful. Three days until I kiss my life goodbye.

I stormed into my small room that I'm pretty sure was actually a walk-in closet at some point. All I had in there was an air mattress, a small desk lamp on a side table, and some clothes hanging on racks out in the open, further proving my closet theory. I didn't mind though. It was cozy, and it was all I needed.

I sat down on my mattress, swinging my feet up over the side. I glanced back over the letter once more.

Marley:

Real sincere start, father dearest.

It has come to my attention that you and your mother are currently struggling to make ends meet back in the city. In an attempt to reconnect with my little girl, I would like to invite you to come live with me and Sue here in Lima. Please consider my proposal.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Rose

Listed below his name was the contact information for not only him, but his attorney and his newly-opened business in Ohio. Leave it to him to turn this into an advertising opportunity.

I scoffed instantly at one line in particular.

"You didn't contact me or Mom for almost six years, and you still think you have the right to call me 'your little girl'?" I mumbled to the letter, pretending my father could hear me.

It was no use though. I knew that this was a battle that I could never win. I couldn't exactly blame my mom, though. She was just looking out for me. Still, it didn't settle my anxiety about the idea of actually having to live with my father and the step-monster, Sue.

Sighing in defeat, I grabbed my duffel bag from underneath the side table, and began throwing things that I didn't need immediately into it. I had to face the fact: I was leaving my life behind in three days.

Hello my beautiful readers! It's been so long since I posted anything, so here's my first chapter of SBE! Let me know what you think! New chapters every Saturday definitely, and possibly earlier if I'm in a good mood ;) So yeah, please review. Do you think I should keep going with this story? Anyways, love you all to bits and pieces!

XOXO

-Lauren