Disclaimer

I do not own House of Anubis nor the characters. I do own the plot.

Author's Note: Sorry I'm late! I had an audition Sunday and I totally let it slip.

Chapter 3

Mara: Nina, you wouldn't happen to have a sample of molded bread, would you?

Nina: Um, no I wouldn't. Sorry, Mara. Are you doing another experiment?

Mara: Yes, I want to see how long it takes to reproduce spores, how quickly, and their effects on humans.

Nina: Might I ask why?

Mara: I just want to see how sick mother and Joy can get from eating a bad loaf of bread and how long will we have freedom from snobby behavior.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Nina: I'm pretty sure I don't have any moldy bread, but I'll try to make some for you. It seems like a legitimate and worthy cause.

We both laughed only until the screeching voice broke my happiness.

Caroline: Nina, you disgusting excuse for a step-daughter, get down here this instance!

I gave Mara a weak smile and I hurried out of her room, down the stairs, and in to the main lobby where my disgusted step-mother glared at me.

Caroline: Why is there soot and filthy ash in the fire place?!

Nina: Because, Mother Dearest, you burned a log last night and the fire reduced the wood in to black ash and soot.

Caroline: Don't sass me, you ungrateful twerp! I took you in after my block-head of a sister got herself in to a war, and your miserable father had to follow in her filthy footsteps! He still loved Harriet! And he died trying to find her again! And they left me with you! Clean up this mess and start making dinner! I'm starved. Trudy! Iron my dress! We're having important guests coming over and I don't want to look like a peasant!

She marched away and left me with a dirty fireplace. Cinderella cleaning cinder and soot, what a joke of a story. It's practically my life, minus the happy ending and the talking animals with clothes. It took me around half an hour to finally get the fireplace spotless when the bell rang. Oh no. Our important guests!

Caroline: Nina! Get that blasted door! It's giving me a headache!

Ya, well you're giving me a pain in the butt, so I guess we're both in a bad position. I hurried to the door and opened it, trying to be graceful.

Nina: Denby Manor, welcome. May I-

Victor: No need, servant girl. Go. I wish to meet the hostess.

Nina: But, sir, the hostess-

Caroline: Is right here. Welcome, gentlemen.

A group of men piled in to the house, fancy men to be more precise. Caroline shook hands with each of them, saying their names as she went along.

Caroline: Eric, how are you? Victor, it's nice to see you again. Edison, look at you! You've grown so tall! So have you, Jerome! Mick, how are you, sweetheart? Fabian! Look at you! You're so handsome now!

My head shot up. Fabian? He saw me and he smiled at me.

Fabian: Aren't you going to introduce her to us?

Caroline looked me over in disgust and, for once, I couldn't blame her. I was covered in soot, ash, and cinder.

Caroline: There's no need. Our little Cinderella here won't be around for long, now will she?

She waited for me to respond.

Nina: No, I will not, Mother Dearest.

Caroline: Good. Now, Nina, go to your quarters, clean up, and do us all a favor.

Nina: And what would that favor be, Mother Dearest?

Caroline: Don't. Come. Back.

Nina: Yes, Mother Dearest. As you wish.

I ignored Fabian's concerned and apologetic stare as I walked out the door and headed for my room. I ran to my room, locked the door, and started to cry. Why me? Why do I have to live with this kind of embarrassment? I can't! I calmed myself down a bit and changed from my ragged apron, dusty jeans, and torn up t-shirt to my skinny jeans, my white button-down long-sleeved shirt, and my leather cowgirl boots. I pulled my hair back in to a tight ponytail and watched my hair start to curl itself as my tears slowed. I looked at my wrists. "Believe". Believe in happy endings. "Strong". Stay strong. "28". I only have to wait twenty-eight more days until I get my freedom. I only have to wait twenty-eight days until I can get away from here. Twenty-eight days until an inspector comes and takes me away, away from here. "28". I sat on my bed, thinking about how I reacted to Fabian's question this morning. Gosh, I was seriously harsh. I shook my head.

Forget Fabian. Your life is messed up as it is. Don't bring him in to it.

I decided to let the topic go and did the one thing that could clear my mind: go for a ride.