Cinderella

The day of the dance had arrived. Girls were buzzing like little bumble bees all chitter- chattering nervously. Cindy had her share of nervous butterflies. Everyone was talking about how she and Neutron were actually going together. Whenever she walked by a group of kids in the hall, they started whispering. One time she had even heard the conversation. Granted, it was pretty weird. She was going to turn the corner when she heard some Juniors talking about it.

" I knew Cindy didn't really hate him all along."

" I think she actually likes him."

" Well who wouldn't? He's a very attractive boy! He's got to be the cutest guy in school."

" He's so dreamy, she's so lucky." Cindy flipped her hair as she came out from behind the corner and flashed them a smile.

As she walked down the hallway, she let a smile softly cross her lips. She could barely believe it herself.

" Hey Cindy."

Suddenly he was walking next to her.

" Hey."

" Ohh! You would LOVE to know what I just heard!" She squealed.

" Really? What?"

" I know some junior girls that think you're pretty dreamy." She began to laugh. " Nerdtron can't even get anyone his own age, NO! He's got to go for young, impressionable Junior girls." She burst out laughing. He just smiled.

" Oh really now?" And then he slapped her shoulder. " See ya in a few minutes."

He gave her a smile as he went into the Advanced Chem. classroom and for a moment she couldn't remember how to breathe.

She walked by one of the girls who thought her boy was dreamy. She smiled at the girl, and weakly she smiled back and then Cindy continued on to Advanced Chem.

She took her seat next to Jimmy. He flashed her another smile. " No day dreaming today Miss Vortex." He laughed as he opened his textbook and just as she opened her mouth to answer, she was interrupted by a most unwelcome sound.

" Good morning you two." Miss Honey stood at the front of the classroom. She was wearing a black short skirt and a white blouse. She looked, Cindy had to admit, beautiful. Soon she was standing right next to Jimmy.

" I hope that you shall save me a dance Mr. Neutron." Cindy stopped breathing.

" I think I will Miss Honey, but most of the night I believe I will be occupied."

Cindy had to stop herself from thoroughly blushing.

" Hopefully you can make room for me my dear boy."

" It will be my pleasure." He said and Cindy almost barfed. What right did she have to come intrude on her perfect night? The perfect chance! She angrily looked away from the boy next to her. All class period she was fuming, one minute she reminded herself it was one only one dance, what harm could it do? But then the next second she was furious. Soon the class was over. Then she thought about her beautiful dress waiting for her at home, it was a beautiful light green tub top dress donned in rhinestones, beads, and green Australian Crystal's. The way it caught the light was breathe-taking, and it was worth every penny, after all she was going with the hottest guy in the school

Jimmy was walking next to her again.

" Well that was an interesting lesson." She couldn't get herself to speak, she was too upset. " Well, I'll be at your house at eight to pick you up. See you later Cindy."

Finally, it was last hour. She could barely keep in her seat. She kept looking up, but each time the clock had barely moved. She nervously drummed her fingers on the desk. She even began to chew on her pencil. If she was this nervous now, what would she be like in a matter of hours?

Libby looked to her and mouthed.

" You're nervous?"

" Yes! I am so very nervous!" She nearly screamed. " I mean this could be the night Libby!" She threw her books into her locker not caring where they landed or how. " This could be the night." She whispered to herself. Even the thought of it made her head spin. " I mean when I accepted I really didn't think how much ALONE time I was going to have with him! I mean, it's the perfect opportunity! It's like God is saying Hey Cindy, this is the time and the place!" Libby smiled at her.

" Wow, you are nervous."

Cindy couldn't deny it.

" Maybe you want to come over and let me do your make up so you don't poke your eye out?"

" Oh Libby that would be great!"

" Hey you two in the back quiet down."

" Come around about six." Libby smiled.

" Please not operation transformation again," she pleaded.

Libby just nodded silently and faced the front again.

After class was over, Jimmy was standing outside the door.

" Hey Cindy, you aren't mad about this morning are you?"

" Why would I be mad?" She smiled at him. " You really like Miss Honey and you have every right to accept her offer."

" You don't mind then?"

" No! It's only one dance Neutron, it's not like I'm totally possessive, I mean come on, we are going as friends, and friends let friends dance with people they have a crush on."

" Oh Cindy you are positively the greatest!" And then he did something she wasn't expecting, he kissed her lightly on the cheek. Positively the greatest? Wow, as much as she hated to admit it, Jimmy Neutron, her boy genius, was in fact in love with the Substitute teacher. Her cheek tingled softly as he walked out the front door, and she placed her hand gingerly upon the place where his lips had touched. How did that saying go? When you love someone, you let them go. Tonight, she was going to tell him how she felt and then she would walk away, she would let him run to his precious Miss Honey, no matter how much it killed her inside.

Many hours later, six o clock came around and she was at Libby's front door with her hair supplies that she'd picked up at a little store called Gem Gypsy and her dress. Her hands shaking, she rang the doorbell. Mrs. Folfax answered the door.

" Hello Cindy, Libby's waiting for you upstairs!" " My goodness Cindy are you all right? You look like a ghost."

Without responding, Cindy ran upstairs. She felt like she was going to barf again.

" Cindy? Are you all right?"

" I think I'm going to be sick!" She cried racing for the bathroom. But it was a false alarm. She looked to Libby who was giving her a look like she had never received in her life.

" You're going to tell him tonight aren't you?"

" Yes."

" Well then, we'll make sure you look extra yummy tonight." She flashed a confident smile at her best friend. " First you shower. I'll get your stuff organized."

" Right." She just agreed. She showered, washing her troubles away, she couldn't believe she was doing this again!

She slipped on her clothes again, and stepped out. Libby had done her hair, softly braided and pulled back. She looked beautiful, and her make up was all done, the only thing that was missing was her red dress she had picked out.

" First we get your makeup on." She gestured for her to sit down, so Cindy did just that.

She pulled out every type of makeup she had.

" Close your eyes Cindy, no watching." Libby scolded her, and Cindy submitted and closed her eyes. It was pretty much the same thing as last time. Then the lipstick touched her mouth.

" Kiss."

So she did, and puckered her lips.

" Perfect, you can look now."

Purple eyeshadow adorned her eyes, and a light touch of green was near her eyelashes which where perfect. Her eyeliner was dark black with light green sparkles. Her lips were perfectly pink, she smiled.

" It's perfect."

" And we haven't even done your hair yet!"

She pulled out a curling iron from her drawer. She began to curl every strand.

" Libby, what should I say?"

" First off you just talk about everything normal, the weather, assignments, school, you know everyday stuff, but then you get to the hardcore. For instance, you could just start talking about that you don't really hate him and that you actually really care about him, trust me, you'll find the words to say. And when you are finished, maybe for extra effect you should tell him that you weren't affected by the love potion.

" What? Are you crazy Libby?"

" No."

" Maybe."

She inserted the green hair clips, pulling her hair away from Cindy's face. Finally, her hair was done and she looked perfect. Cindy couldn't have done better herself. Libby hair sprayed her hair, and handed her the dress. Cindy hurried to the bathroom and slipped it on. She looked, she had to admit, pretty good. When she came out Libby was smiling a huge that was now taking over her face.

" You look so beautiful Cindy, it takes my breathe away." Tears ran down her cheeks. " If he doesn't love you after tonight, he's a fool."

" Thanks."

They looked to the clock. Seven thirty. She had been there an hour and a half already? Holy cow.

" Oh no! I have got to go."

Cindy hugged Libby tightly.

" Go on with you."

" I feel like Cinderella!"

" You look like her."

And with that, Cindy was out the door.