Nudge

As a child, Nudge had been riveted by tales of princesses and princes, off magic and adventures, each with its own happy ending. As she grew, her interest in fairy tales did not wain, rather, it began to focus on one in particular. She began to read it, again and again, taken by the similarities she shared with the princess, and a hope that her life would end with such a happily ever after.

"Monique!" A female howled, as her door slammed open, and demanding. "I'm hungry!"

"Don't call me that." She moaned into her pillow, peeking from the refuge to the pink alarm clock to her right, "It's only 5:50!" Mia was truly one of a kind. Who in their right mind would ever voluntarily wake up so early on a Saturday? During spring break, no less!

"I don't care, go make something already!" Mia insisted, continuing with what should be prepared, how long it should take, and precisely how it should be done. One would think, with as much detailing as she gave, she would see the genius and simply doing it herself. But what else was a step sister good for? When Nudge gave no reply, the raven haired girl huffed, slamming the door, through it shouting, "If you're not down in five minutes I'm calling mom!"

Ah, 'mom'. A Cinderella story wasn't complete without a vindictive step mother to ensure her precious daughters' every need and desire was well catered to. With all the trouble they caused, it was a wonder no one had ever given in to the idea of hiring a maid, or at the very least, a cook. However, Isa – Nudge's evil step mother – believed doing so would only cause a possible leak, and all their secrets would end up plastered across every nation-wide newspaper across the country. Which led Nudge to believe the woman had watched one too many soap operas.

However you looked at the situation, it was she who ended up doing most of the housework within the Taylor mansion. At times Nudge considered whether or not her step mother simply did not want a maid because it would make life easier on her step daughter. The idea certainly seemed plausible.

Moments later Nudge urged herself from the bed, walking toward the door. A muscle near her shoulder blades twitched, and she was reminded she was not entirely like Cinderella. They certainly had some differences. Nudge stepped into the hallway, another difference dashing around her feet, barking. Not only was their dog not a cat, but he was not evil, nor named after the devil. He was just Total. Totally Total.

Also, Nudge had been blessed with only one terrible step sister. She nudged a door, down the hall from her own, open, stepping in and flicking on the lights. Spoiled, most certainly, but too young to be considered anything but adorable. "Sarah, wake up, breakfast will be ready in ten." Nudge announced, before closing the door, allowing the younger girl a while to get up, and heading down the stairs to begin breakfast. At the stairs she took a running start, before jumping and sailing over all twenty steps with ease.

"Nudge!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, go watch tv or something. I mean, really, do you expect me to cook everything to your prestigious liking with you looking over my shoulder and commenting on something every five seconds. I swear, I–" Nudge continued as she walked into the kitchen, picking out an armload of ingredients, before heading toward the frying pans. "Give me twelve minutes, will you? Everything will be ready, and then–"

"God, Monique, will you shut up?"

"I told you! My name is Nudge!"

"Humph, just fix me my food, quietly, Nudge." After giving a huff of her own, Nudge obliged, albeit mumbling about ungrateful sisters and their giant egos. The rest of breakfast passed by smoothly, everyone enjoyed their meal, although, for the sake of maintaining her usual air Mia still complained.

As Nudge walked around the table, cleaning it off, Mia spoke up once again. "Oh, has mom told you yet?" She began haughtily, continuing before Nudge could give a reply, "We're all going on a vacation to the Bahamas!" Her elder sister gave a coy smile. "Well, we are, anyway. Mom thinks it's been a while since you've gone to visit Aunt Delores, and you know how important family is."

Despite her sister's obvious attempts, Nudge was not bothered. In fact, she had found out about the trip weeks ago. Sarah was not one for keeping secrets, and when Nudge had walked into her room one day, finding her in the midst of piles of clothes and bathing suits, the beans had quickly spilled. Rather than being disappointed by the fact she was not accompanying them, she was entire three months, free of the troublesome duo and her aggravating step mother. What more could she possibly ask for?

Everything was already set, a private jet was landing tomorrow evening to escort the three to their vacation home, and Nudge was leaving tonight. Bag already packed, all that was left was to wait. Humming cheerfully, the mocha-skinned girl washed the last of the dishes before heading upstairs. Yeah, as much as she liked Cinderella, they weren't alike in every aspect. Once she'd reached her room, Nudge maneuvered to her window, pushing it up, before launching herself out.

Cause, poor Cinderella, she didn't have wings.

For a moment Nudge hung suspended in the air, before chocolate wings snapped open, and suddenly she was flying, and so began Nudge's feathery tale.