Author's Note: I know this whole story is a far-fetched concept at best, but I hope you like it. Whether you love it or hate it, please review!

THE HOUSE OF TIME

CHAPTER THREE---THE PRINCE

"Now Cinder, I have a very important job interview in Burlington today, so I won't be back until ten at the earliest. So, don't wait up for me, okay?"

"Okay."

"Goodbye, sweetheart," she said while giving her daughter a farewell hug.

"Bye, Mom."

Her mother proceeded to leave the room in her dark business suit. Cinder could hear the car door slam shut. The engine roared. After a few minutes, there was only silence.

Another day on my own, she thought.

She had no idea what to do. There was nothing to do in Newbury. Towns didn't get much smaller than that. The main attraction was the diner, and she'd already been there. Where else could she go?

Well, Cinder knew that she wasn't going to stay at home. The house certainly held less entertainment that the town.

She grabbed her camera. Cinder decided that if there wasn't any fun to be had, she could at least take pictures of what was there.

Out of the door she went, heading for the "center of town," if it could even be called that. All it was was a small, grassy area with a broken fountain in the middle.

At one corner was the diner. At another was the library. Across from the library stood the Newbury schools. Cinder took pictures of the three "hallmarks" of Newbury.

The library was her favorite. It was a sunshine-yellow color with white columns in the front. It just looked so inviting.

She was about to take another picture of it when somebody slammed into her, pushing her to the ground.

"Whoops. Sorry, didn't see you there."

Cinder looked at the person who'd so rudely run into her. He seemed to be about her age, sixteen or so. He had dark hair and laughing brown eyes. He certainly didn't appear to be very sorry.

"Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?"

Cinder looked him over. "I don't think so."

"Yeah... you're that girl who just moved into the Stepp house," he said, remembering her.

He held out his hand to her. "I'm your new neighbor, by the way. My name's Prince. Prince Charming."

Cinder started to laugh uncontrollably. "Prince Charming? What kind of name is that?"

Prince pretended to look offended. "It's no name to laugh at. It's quite respectable."

That only made her laugh harder.

He smiled. "Actually, my real name is Princeton. I was named after some old ancestor of mine. My parents thought it'd be some great tribute to him." His look made it clear that he did not think highly of his parents' decision. "So, is your name any better?"

"Not really." Cinder started to walk away. She had no interest in making polite conversation.

He followed her. "Oh come on, aren't you going to tell me what it is?"

"Cinder."

"Cinder? Are you kidding me?" He started to laugh. "And you thought my name was weird." He continued laughing until Cinder sent him a killer glare. The mirth died in his throat but remained in his eyes. "Alright, so what's your excuse?"

"It's none of your business," she said, hoping to make him shut up, knowing that he wouldn't. She wasn't disappointed.

"You know I won't leave you alone until you tell me. After all, I know where you live. You might as well get it over with as quickly as possible."

She sighed. She knew he was right. "It was a mistake."

"What?"

"My mom had planned on calling me Cindy, but I guess the doctor misunderstood her. Anyway, I ended up with the name Cinder on my birth certificate."

"Wow." He paused. "How is that even possible? Wouldn't they be a little more careful about making sure the name's right?"

Cinder started to get angry. "I don't know how it happened. All I know is that it did happen, okay?" She started to walk a little faster, in the direction of her house. Her main priority was to get rid of her unwanted companion.

After a moment of silence, he said, "It fits you. Your name, I mean."

"Oh, so I deserve to have a messed-up name, is that what you're saying?"

Calmly, he said, "Not really." Prince then grinned. "But, yeah."

Cinder was beginning to lose her patience. She'd had about enough of him. She contented herself with the fact that she was almost home. Finally.

"Ahh... the wonderful Stepp house..." said her partner. "Have you found the time machine yet?"

Cinder stopped walking. "What time machine?"

"Well, it's not actually a machine. They say that the house has mystical powers, including transporting people through time."

"That's ridiculous!"

"Don't you want to find out for sure, though?"

"Of course not! I already know that it's not possible!"

Prince walked past her and entered the house. She'd forgotten to lock it.

"What are you doing? Get out of there!"

"Relax. I'm just taking a look." He glanced at her with a smirk. "I promise I won't steal anything."

As if she trusted him enough to give any weight to his promise. Still, she knew it was useless to try to kick him out. She'd just keep an eye on him. If he tried anything, she'd call the police.

They walked around the first floor of the house not finding any sort of portal through time. After checking most of the second floor, with similar results, Cinder turned to Prince and said, "See? There is no such thing as any sort of time machine. Especially not in this house. Now leave, or I'll call the cops."

Prince looked behind her. "Wait a minute. What about that room?"

He was referring to the windowless room, the one room Cinder had conveniently left out of her tour. "There's nothing interesting in that room. It's just dark and gloomy."

Prince grinned. "Sounds perfect," he said while walking into the room.

Cinder unwillingly followed. Like the first time she'd entered, she began to feel uneasy.

Prince obviously felt the same way. "Wow. Great vibe," he said sarcastically.

This time, Cinder looked around the room carefully, noticing details. Surprise ran over her. On one of the walls, almost undetectable, was a little glass design shaped in the form of a slipper. She could have almost sworn it hadn't been there before.

Right at that same moment, Prince exclaimed, "Look at that!"

They both walked closer to the small decoration.

"What is it?" asked Cinder.

"Exactly what we're looking for," answered Prince while wiggling his eyebrows. "Let's see if it works. Go ahead and touch it."

"I'm not touching that."

"What, are you scared?"

"As a matter of fact, I am. Now let's go."

"You can't leave without seeing what'll happen!"

"Watch me."

Prince sighed dramatically. In a flash, he grabbed her hand, and both of their skins brushed the cool glass.

"I can't believe you did that!" yelled Cinder.

"I had to do it. You were about to ruin all the fun."

"You jerk."

Her insult only seemed to delight him.

"Well at least it's over now," said Cinder. "So, you can be your regular, annoying self elsewhere."

Just then, the room started to tilt a bit. A strong wind blew all around. It was so powerful that Cinder had to close her eyes.

"What the hell?" said Prince.

"What's going on?"

"I have no idea."

The room was no longer tilting; it was spinning. Cinder began to feel nauseated. Faster and faster the world around her twirled until finally, she dropped onto solid ground. Then everything went black.

Hey, this one's longer than the other chapters! Hope you liked it! This is for my reviewers:

panemonium- I still don't know if the prince is in the picture or not, but at least you got to meet him in this chapter. (smile)

Phillippa of the Phoenix- I threw in the explanation of her name just for you. I hope I made it believable.

Fiyero- Welcome! I hope you keep reading and reviewing. (Okay, I need to stop saying the word "hope.")

Urazncandycane- Always a pleasure to hear from you.

ElvenSilver- I know; I know. Procrastinating IS bad, but I can't help myself. Please forgive me.

Well, until next time. Please keep reviewing!