CinderElli
Chapter 2: Prince Charming
The next day I woke up to the bitter and chilling wind. My window had been left up again. Little snowflakes were falling onto the windowpane as I closed it, then resumed my daily activities. Jeff gave me a groggy but confused look.
"You're up quiet a bit early, now aren't you, Little Elli?" he said with a big yawn. I sat down at a table, waiting for another crucial day of querulous complaints.
"Is there a problem with that?" I finally managed to say. Shocked, he said nothing and carried on with his errands.
The minutes moved by quickly. I checked my watch. It read eight-thirty. Still no customers, but that was only because the shop opened at ten. My grandmother came in for a quick bite. I fell into a nice, calm sleep until…
"Oh, look who's sleeping on the job."
I looked up. It was Karen. She gave me a prompt sneer.
"And you're in your pajamas too. Sometimes I wonder why your bakery gets much business at all." She slammed her hand on the table in front of my face, which caused me to jump. "I want a glass of tea."
"Right away, mistress," I bantered, walking to the kitchen. I boiled a cup of water in a teakettle and grabbed a tea bag. Mixing the ingredients, I heard whispers and giggles from inside the bakery. Curious, I peeked through the small gap through the door and put my ear against it. I saw Popuri, Karen, and Ann, chattering away. They seemed to be happy about something. The only thing I could catch of their conversation was, "…talk of the town… farmer… gentleman, and he… can you believe it? I heard… ball! Isn't that exciting?" which all came from Popuri. She seemed to have spilled the beans, because Ann was trying her best to get Popuri to close her mouth. I walked back into the kitchen and grabbed the cup of tea for Karen, then walked out. I handed the cup to her. She snatched it out of my hands as she took a quiet sip.
"Hmm…" she began, then her mouth curled into a small smirk. "I've tasted better."
I put my nose in the air. "Everyone's a critic," I said snootily. "Jeff, I'll be at church praying for a few malefic souls in this village." I looked at Karen.
"But Little Elli, the bakery could use your help around here," he said, as if trying to coax me, but ended up complaining.
"Tell Grandma to do the cooking!"
"She can't cook; she can't even-"
"Jeff," I started, walking up toward him, grabbing him by the collar, "I'll be only a few minutes. Now good bye; I'm going to church!" Leaving him surprised, I stormed out of the door and made my way to the church, which wasn't far from the bakery. When I went inside, I didn't see anybody but Pastor Brown. He looked solemn.
"Hello, Pastor," I said wistfully.
"Good morning, Elli," he said, looking up from the podium. "How is life?"
"Not too good. Karen's in her mood today, and I heard some rumor about a farmer."
"Ah, so I see. Come, have a seat." Pastor Brown sat down on the organ's bench and motioned me to sit down. I did. "Tell me about this farmer."
"I don't know anything about him, Pastor."
He pushed his glasses up onto his nose. I sniffed. The room was silent. "Well," he finally began, "I asked because I told Popuri and Ann not to tell anybody about the farmer coming over tomorrow. He's going to take over the deceased man's farm."
"Popuri also said something about a ball," I stated.
"A ball? Has she gone out of her mind?" Pastor Brown almost shouted. I could tell he was appalled. "That's the last time I tell Popuri a secret!" He began to play a song on the organ. "Dear Goddess! This work of art you call Earth is slowly tilting on its axis and spinning in the opposite direction! Pray with me, young Elli!"
I slowly sunk my head into my hands. Not to pray, but to complain. When he finished his masterpiece, I looked up. "You can't make this easy, can you?" I mumbled.
"Nothing is easy! You will come across many challenges and many opponents in your life. You must fight for your rights!" He praised, throwing his hands into the air.
"Just forget it," I lashed at the bipolar man, walking out of the church and back into the bakery.
The next day was Monday, the day of the farmer's arrival and closing day for the bakery. I got into my best clothes for the occasion, and headed out of the bakery.
"Whoa, wait a second," Jeff blurted. "You can't just leave the bakery without permission!"
I turned around, scowling. "Number one, today's the day that the new farmer joins the village. Number two, the bakery's closed, so I can do whatever I dang please," I replied sharply, opening the door.
"I just wanted you to wait for me," Jeff said, hinting a nervous smile. I felt a smile appear on my face.
"Oh, all right," I gave in, "but just don't hold my hand. Just because Grandma says we're getting married doesn't mean we really are."
"Thank you, Little Elli, thank you!" He yelped, giving me a quick hug.
"Hands off; I don't need lip marks on my face," I said, grasping free. "Just walk to the beach with me. Public displays of affection excluded." The two of us then walked to the Flower Bud Beach, passing other villagers. Just then, I heard a shout of excitement as we had just stepped onto the beach property.
"The boat's here, everyone!" the Mayor announced. Everyone started applauding. A rather large ship sailed slowly to Flower Bud's shore. Everyone awaited the arrival of the boy. When the ship finally came to a complete stop, we all had to wait a few minutes before we finally saw a cute young man start walking toward us. He carried two briefcases, and he looked as if he were struggling. The Mayor trotted over to the farmer.
"I'll take your briefcases to the farm for you," he insisted. The young farmer looked glad to finally have gotten rid of the heavy bags as he walked past us all. Everyone applauded again. I kept my eye on the boy until I could see nothing of him, then turned to Jeff.
"Let's go home, shall we? Tomorrow's a new day," Jeff said. I nodded and then we made our way back into the bakery.
Back in my room, I thought of the farmer. Maybe he liked cakes. He could possibly like drinking tea or milk. Is he a good farmer? All these thoughts raced through my mind. Then the big one popped in:
Is there such a thing as love at first sight?
A/N: Hiya, guys! Thanks for reading this. I wish I could update quicker, though, but things have been happening, like a few anniversaries and my birthday (I'm finally fourteen!) and we're also getting ready for graduation at our school. (We get out June 18th, unlike for most people whom got out before we.) Well, I should get going now. Bye! 3