Chapter 16

I woke up the next morning with mild expectations. Dad was still asleep, but I could hear the rustling of some people outside the door. When I opened it I found the maids going around cleaning. I went back into the room, being careful to creep past Dad, and then entered my room. I changed into a pair of faded jeans, and a bright green girls tee. It he the cute froggy Keropi on it. I put my shoes on then I walked out into hall.

"Hello madam, good morning," one of the maids greeted and I replied back to her cheerily. Despite how I felt about things, I put on a 'grin and bear it' smile and went down the hall to find where they were serving breakfast for the regular guests. I found it in the big main room where they usually held dinner. There were only a few people in the room. I walked over to the table and glanced over my options. Pastries, eggs, orange juice, and more pastries…I decided on a Danish and grabbed a cup of OJ as well. I walked over to a deserted table and slumped down in it. Today was going to be interesting. Should I go to the dance? Tonight was after all the final day. I should go…that's why I was here, and I should do it for Aden. I've upset him enough; I don't think it would be right if I just ditched it... I took a bite of the Danish. Ugh- it was sweet. Just what I needed though. After finishing my 'sugar coated with sugar' I downed my OJ and got up.

"Well I guess I can take a nice walk in the garden," I thought out loud and headed toward the main doors. I had a small flash back of meeting Aden there for Archery. My heart ached. I'll really miss him when I go home.

I walked around the side of the mansion, and by then I was already thinking that going through the garden wasn't a good idea. The sun was hot, and really bright. I supposed it was about 9 o'clock. As I made my way to the garden, I saw a few men coming out of some tall hedges, but they were talking to someone in between them. They were right in the direction I was going so I thought that I'd wait till they left, but as they turned more, I realized who they were talking to.

How convenient I thought dryly

He looked up and saw me staring. He kind of froze and looked for second, as if he was going to come towards me however the two suits around him diverted his attention and they dragged him around in the other direction. –Sigh-

"Always busy-so is the life of a prince…." I mumbled and walked into the garden.

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An hour later, I headed up the stairs with the feeling like the sun fried my brain. Almost to the top I ran into David who was on his way to the dining area. "The other guys are down there. You should join us, we're still worried about you, you know. Are you all right Cindi?" he asked concerned and I just smiled at him.

"I'm alright David, I've just been worried about a lot of things and, Aden and I aren't on the best of terms," his eyebrows furrowed, " No, its all my fault. I wouldn't listen to him…I was being stubborn." I admitted.

"Well do you feel like that anymore?" David asked and I seriously thought about the question. Was I upset about it anymore? I've been more preoccupied with him being mad at me that I hadn't thought about being mad or jealous about him. I think it hit me like an epiphany.

"No…I'm not." I answered. My spirits lightened a little. I could apologize him to tonight. Maybe we could just stay friends, or keep in touch. I don't know but I'm going to say I'm sorry tonight. "Thanks David!" I smiled brightly with a higher spirit than I had had just a minute ago.

"No problem, so how about joining us for breakfast?" He gave me a smirk and quirked his head to the side in the direction of the food.

"Yeah, I'd love to." I went back down the steps and continued to tell him what I had done that morning. I carefully left out about seeing Aden, but it was nice to talk to someone who could always make you laugh. Daddy always told me that even during the war, Duo would find some way to bring up peoples spirits. David inherited that gene and I was grateful.

When we got to the table I was surprised to see Lily sitting with them. Sitting of course next to Eric.

"Good morning!" she greeted then took a sip of what looked to be coffee. I stole a glance at the breakfast table and I found that they had put much more food out then they had had before. It didn't seem as if Aden told his twin what had happened yesterday. Usually I found that people were cautious around me when I got upset about something, sometimes it was irritating, but Lily didn't seem to know… or maybe she didn't care. Eric and Tai, I saw, gave David odd looks as we approached, and David gave them thumbs up. The two relaxed a little, and then we took our seats.

"So how are things with you Cindi?" Lily asked cheerfully. Did she know? My gut wasn't telling me anything. Oh well.

"Everything is just fine," I answered truthfully.

"I heard you got sick last night, that's why you weren't at the dance."

"Unfortunately, yeah. " I decided to keep this one lie, " I think something just didn't agree with me." I patted my stomach…that was somewhat the truth.

"Well I'm glad to see your feeling better. Tonight the final night, and I'd hate to see you not there."

"I'd hate to miss it."

The rest for the morning we kept the conversation light. Eventually two men, like the ones who were talking to Aden came and escorted Lily out, saying that they had some urgent business that couldn't wait until tomorrow.

"Guys- I think I'm going to go back to my room and just read. I want to relax a little before tonight. Maybe I'll see you later. " I waved bye to them and left them to their own devices. It was only about Noon.

I was about to get to my room when Kahea stopped me.

"Why hello little miss priss." She growled, with a snake like smile.

"What do you want?" I frowned.

"I want to tell you not to go tonight. Last night was just a blast with out you there. You know what Prince Aden and I did on our appointment yesterday?" I really didn't want to know, " we went on a pick-nick. I made it all my self. "

"Hope he doesn't get food poisoning." I smiled and she glared. She ignored my comment and continued.

"We had a wonderful time. Although something did seem, to be bugging him." He eyes narrowed, " You better not have done anything to him to make him upset. You're ruining my chances of getting picked!"

"What make you think your going to get picked?"

"Oh I'm not saying but, if I see you tonight…you will defiantly see what happens when you get me really mad." She threatened then pushed past me knock my shoulder.

"You don't scare me a bit," I called behind her, but she just stalked off.

Oh that makes me so mad! Who does she think she is? The princess of another country? AH!

Frustrated, I plopped on the bed and opened my book.

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A.N. For the rest of this chapter- it is not going to be in Cindi's POV anymore. It's going to be third person.

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A few hours later Cindi got up from the bed. It was about lunchtime so she headed down to the dining area and to get some food.

"Oh yum," she said as the scanned over the food. There were just snack foods, but it would be enough to fill her. She grabbed a few quarter pieces of cheese crisp, a bowl of tuna and some crackers. After snatching up a water bottle, she took the food to a table and sat down. She had brought her book with her, so she slowly started to eat as she continued to read.

Once she finished her lunch Cindi just meandered back up to her bedroom to read, and she finally put her book down when it was 7:00.

"Oh- just 50 pages left!" She exclaimed excitedly. She loved her book Mary Otter. She's read the third volume at least 7 times, but she put the book down and went to her closet for her dress, she brought out the pure white one she had bought that day, the one that stunned everyone into silence…that was the one she was going to wear. I hope Aden likes it. She thought optimistically.

Eventually Heero walked in to put his tux on. She said hi to him, and then closed her door so she could change. She put on a white slip, and then carefully put on her dress. She had some trouble with the zipper so she went into the other room and asked her dad to help her with it. He had already put his tux on and was just fixing the cuffs as she walked it.

"Thanks Daddy," she smiled as he put the zipper up then clipped it on the top. She turned to face him then twirled around in her dress.

"You're beautiful honey," Heero complimented, giving her hug.

"You're not so bad your self," I grinned.

"Why thank you my dear," he looked at his watch," You might want to hurry and get ready Cindi. There's only half an hour left before it starts. Are you excited?"

"Of course, it's the final day Daddy. But then we have to go home. That's not going to be fun." She said then walked back to her room.

Heero couldn't figure out what she was saying. Go home? Weren't her and Aden hitting it off? He was sure he was going to pick her. "Oh well, I'll just see at the ball," Heero thought out loud then turned to the mirror to see if there was anything he could do about his hair.

Cindi pulled out her white elbow length gloves and set them on the counter next to her. She then pulled out bobby pins and hair ties, and then plugged in her hair curler. It took Cindi about 15 minutes to do her hair. She put half of it up and into a cute bun, and left the rest down and gave them soft curls. She used the Pearl ended bobby pins she had used on the first night, seeing that they matched her dress. Once she was satisfied, and she had heard he fathers warning call, the slipped on the gloves and headed to the door. She heard lots of voice, all male and assumed all of the guys, young and old, was gathered at the door.

She went through the door to meet 14 pairs of eyes. She smiled sweetly at them as they started to compliment her.

"Come on, let's walk ahead of the dads. They walk slowly anyway." Tai suggested as they started walking and they sped up their pace.

They made it to the dining room and everything seemed normal, they went to their usual table and sat down. There were only two chairs at the royal table tonight, Eric supposed it was because the Prince and Princess were still prepping themselves for tonight. Their fathers eventually made it and then the food was served. Cindi, who was trying to prevent food from falling her lap, hardly ate anything because she was eating so slowly.

"Are you ok?" Eric asked is a small smile in his face and Cindi was leaning over her plate in a ridiculous position.

"Yeah I'm fine…I'm just trying to keep my dress clean." She laughed, and Eric laughed too. At that moment Quatre stood up in chair and the whole room seemed to empty of conversation.

"These past four days have something, haven't they?" he started, and there was murmur of agreement around the room. "I personally want to thank all of you again for coming here. This house hasn't seen this much activity since the twins were born. They've told me that they have had a wonderful time, and that they know whom they are going to choose tonight. They've also told me that it was difficult for them to choose since there were so many fine young Gentlemen and Ladies. Again I thank you, and I'll see you all in the Ball Room." With that final statement, he took Dorothy's hand the two walked out of the dining room.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house…

"Aden are you okay? Your really pale."

"I feel like I'm going to be sick Lily." He was standing near the fireplace with his elbow up on the mantle. Their fathers Library was always a relaxing place for the twins to hide away in.

"But I've told you a thousand times that Cindi seemed fine. I talked to her during breakfast and nothing seemed to be bothering her. All she said about missing the dance yesterday was that she got sick and that something didn't agree with her." Lily walked up to her brother and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"And you didn't catch that?" he asked

"Well of course I caught that, silly. You were the one who didn't agree with her, but honestly Aden she seemed fine."

"She didn't seem fine when I saw her in the garden. She just kind of stopped in her tracks. I wanted to say hello but- those stupid men." He cursed.

" I know Aden… Just-," she couldn't finish her sentence because Rashid came into the room and told them that everyone was heading into the Ball room.

"Why didn't you tell us Kahea threatened you again?" Tai interrogated after Cindi finished her re-telling of it.

"Well it happens all the time so I really didn't-,"

"But that girl is wicked! She's going to do something."

"No she wont… she always says she will and never does. Its really nothing to worry about." she reassured them.

The conversation continued until they were into the ballroom. The royal family walked in and took their seats. Tonight the Prince and Princess would not be dancing. Cindi noticed as several of the guys started at her as she passed, and she couldn't keep the blush off her face.

Three girls walked up to Tai, David and Eric and asked for a dance. Eric, who wanted to refuse, decided it would be cruel to let her friends dance and not her. So all three of the guys went out onto the dance floor. Cindi just stood idly watching them dance. She scratched a spot under her glove around her elbow them but her hands back down. She gripped her hand around a note that she had written for Aden just in case she didn't get a chance to speak to him in person. Her father waved to her from the little circle they here standing in. She waved back.

Tonight was going to be a goodnight for her she decided. Nothing was going to ruin her spirit. Then as soon as that thought passed through her head Kahea approached her with two cups of red punch in her hands.

"Hi Cindi," she smiled

"Er- Hi Kahea"

"Your so pretty tonight, that dress was defiantly made for you," she complimented and Cindi faltered. What was going on?

"Thanks- Your dress is really pretty too… I guess," she mumbled the last part.

"Oh thank you. Mother had it sent it from Paris." Cindi frowned at the thought of Ruth. In reality, Cindi thought Kahea's dress was 'alright' and that is didn't match her at all. Against her tan skin the light blue dress seemed to almost be insulting her.

"Oh here I brought you a cup of Punch…" Kahea held out her hand

Aden looked over the crowd to try and find Cindi. His father had told him that it didn't matter whether or not the girl he wanted to pick was there; he had to pick someone regardless. He had to find Cindi to ease himself that she was there. Finally he found her and saw that she was talking to her stepsister, which he found odd.

David glanced to the side during he conversation with his dance partner and nearly stopped dead when he saw Cindi talking to Kahea.

Tai, who saw David look to the side followed his stare and almost stopped breathing, once he saw who Cindi was talking to.

Eric was already staring hard at the two girls. "What are you looking at?" his clearly irritated dance partner asked. He didn't respond.

"Thanks Kahea…" Cindi said nervously reaching out a hand. Kahea took a step forward, and pretended to trip.

Both cups of punch splashed all over Cindi's dress.

The punch soaked into the pure white material and ran down the dress till it dripped onto the floor.

"M-my dress…" was all Cindi could stutter. She stared down at her dress, taking deep breaths trying to not cry.

"Oh dear, Cindi…" Kahea started, " Cindi looked up at her then Kahea smiled her snaky grin, " You should really be more careful with punch."

A big man had moved in front of Cindi and Kahea so neither of the guys could see what had just happened. However Aden had seen the whole ordeal but as he made a move to get up, his father stopped him. "You can't leave, not until 12:00," he scolded. He saw Cindi look up towards him.

"How could you-," Cindi choked, then she looked up with teary eyes towards Aden and met his eyes. Had he just seen that?

"I warned you," was all Kahea said before Cindi made a dash for the door.

As she ran past Rashid- she stuffed her note into his hand before running down the long hall. Tears streaming down her face, Cindi just ran not know where she was going to stop.

End of chapter 16! Can you believe that Kahea? Geez! P's and Q's. …Well let me know what you thought and I should have the VERY LAST installment of A Cinderella Story to you very soon. Thanks!