Adrien smiled. "Great! You work on the outfits, ill work on cleaning... everything."
...
Two hours till the ball, and all was going to the plan.
Addie and Adrien has cleaned the entire house. Swept floors, scrubbed toilets, washed Windows, and even organized Chloe's closet.
They reorganized the kitchen and made everything neat and tidy and perfect.
And Addie had made costumes for the masquerade ball.
She took Adrien's suit from his mother's funeral and redesigned it a bit. She repurposed her black dress paired with Charlie's "reject pearls" from the same occasion. She wouldn't remind Adrien though, this was the happiest she had seem him since mom just wanted him to have this. Have one night of fun.
As long as Chloe didn't ruin anything.
...
Together, they walked down the stairs, towards the door. In a few moments, they would be free. They would go to the ball in a cheap carriage and have fun. They could dance. Having the time of their lives. It would be great.
Addie hadn't felt this excited since before her mom had died.
Addie descended a few steps, and then froze. "Adrien, the floor?!" It was streaked with mud. All over. She ran down and tried to wipe it. "It's too late to clean. "
Chloe walked forwarded them with a laugh. "Ha. I guess you won't go to the ball." She pulled on Addie's necklace and the beads scattered across the floor. "That's what you get for stealing from me."
Their father chose that moment to walk out.
"You had one job. One. You had to clean. And make your own costumes. And you couldn't even do that. This floor is worse than it was before you were here. And you stole clothing. "
Adrien was hugging his sister, on the verge of tears. "Does this mean that we can't go to the ball."
His father paused.
His step mother laughed, an evil laugh disguised as cutesy and innocent. "You can go to the ball, when this floor is spotless."
Chloe and the adults walked out as Adrien and Addie stared helplessly at the floor, the tears hidden in their downturned faces.
...
After a moment Adrien sighed. "I guess we should clean."
"No." Addie sniffed. "Thats what they want. We should do what we want. Let's go."
"But that would cause more trouble than its worth. "
"You deserve this. We deserve this. "
"Its fine." Adrien's voice was firm.
Addie's voice was shaky. "Its not fine. It isn't. Life has been really crappy to us. We should have fun. "
"Life isn't fair. We can't even make it to the ball on time. Look at yourself. Your dress is ripped and your makeup ruined with tears. You should've not let Chloe get to you."
"I know. Shes just so mean."
Adrien grabbed a rag and started wiping the floor. "All of my dreams get crushed."
Addie joined him. "I wish we could go to the ball."
"FINALLY!" Exclaimed a voice from behind them. "I will grant you two miserable BEINGS your wish. Go to that ball. You need a break. I got this."
Addie and Adrien turned to each other. Then they slowly turned around.
Behind them, was a small floating cat.
And it spoke to them.
...
Slowly Adrien and Addie spoke in unison. "What the hell are you?"