Chapter 5

I finally got back to my room after the night's events. Sarah was back in her stable and Fabian was back in the house. If he didn't want to ignore me before, he sure does now. I closed my eyes. Foolish girl, I should've known. I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale. I'm not the one who'll be swept off her feet and led down the stairwell. This isn't Hollywood; this is a small town. I was a dreamer until I lived and let myself down. I'm a Cinderella who'll never find her fairy godmother, her magic carriage, her glass slipper, or her prince. Things like that don't exist in real life and they never will. Happy endings live in story books and dreams, all things I've outgrown. I crashed on my bed and started to dream like a five year old, which was a failure on my part.

I saw my parents fighting again.

Harriet: Please, Robert, don't start this again!

Robert: Harriet, what's the use? We were 22 when we met and we supposedly fell in love!

Harriet: Now we have Nina Marie to think about! We can't abandon her!

Robert: What does it matter? She wouldn't understand.

Harriet: She's smarter than what we credit her for.

Robert: When did Nina get in to this conversation?

Harriet: When you forgot that she was a huge factor in such a decision. If we divorce, I get Nina. I care for her.

Robert: I love Nina too!

Harriet: Oh really? Well, when was the last time you showed her that? Because last time I checked, you've been traveling for three years of her life! You missed her first day of school! She's lost 4 baby teeth while you were gone! Her eyes don't have the sparkle they used to have when we were together, when we were an ACTUAL family! She's five years old! You've missed around half her life! And you have the nerve to call yourself a father.

Mom slammed her cup of tea against the counter top and walked to my room. I was pretending to be asleep, but their bickering was too loud for comfort. Mom came in and scooped me out of bed. She started loading my little pink suitcase with my clothes and toys.

Nina: Mommy, are we going on a field trip?

Harriet: Something like that. Stay here.

She walked out of my room and I heard my parents yelling again.

Robert: Where do you think you're going? You can't leave me!

Harriet: I'm not!

Mommy came back in my room and she picked me up. She had her own suitcase ready.

Nina: Mommy where are we going?

Harriet: Far away from here.

Nina: What about Robert?

Harriet: We're getting away from him.

She took me and the suitcases and stomped out the front door.

Robert: You said you weren't leaving me!

Harriet: I'm not, but WE are! Say goodbye to daddy, Nina.

Nina: Bye Robert.

I saw the hurt in his eyes as he blurred out of my vision.

I screamed and sweat fell along my forehead.

Nina: No! Dad!

My alarm clock was blaring "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift. I punched my alarm clock with all of the strength I could muster and I squirmed out of bed. I looked at the clock. 6:00 AM. I wrote down a couple of notes and then I looked through my small closet, trying to decide what to wear today. I was debating between a puffy white long-sleeved blouse and a green v-neck shirt when there was a knock on my door. I dropped the two tops on my bed and opened the door.

Nina: Morning, KT.

KT: Hey, Nina. Brought you breakfast.

I saw her holding a tray with food. It had a stack of pancakes, a bowl of fruits, and a slice of toast with Nutella waiting for me.

Nina: Ok, what do you want?

KT: Come by the kitchen before you head off for school.

Nina: Who will I have to answer to?

KT: Amber, Trudy, Alfie, Willow, and I.

Nina: Why Amber, Alfie, and Willow? Amber should be getting some beauty sleep, Alfie should be attempting to play a prank at home, and Willow should be working on her armadillo collage. Why are they here?

KT: You'll see soon enough. Come by 7:30.

With that, KT skipped back to the mansion. This must be huge if those three are willing to wait for me here. I decided on wearing the green v-neck shirt, black denim skinny jeans that were tucked in to my leather cowgirl boots, and my little black vest. After brushing my teeth, I ate my breakfast quickly, thanking Trudy for remembering. As I dealt with the rats' nest I call my hair, I noticed something. My wrists were still marked with pen. I quickly pulled my hair in to a messy bun and rushed out of my room. In the kitchen, I saw all of my friends whispering to each other. To my surprise, even Mara was there.

Amber: I think they're cute together.

Willow: Ya, I saw it yesterday before they got called out by Mr. Winkler.

KT: I'm just worried what'll happen if Caroline and Joy find out.

Alfie: What's the worse they can do? Relieve her of her services? That'll be a dream to her!

Mara: No, Alfie. KT's right. My mother and sister would make it terrible for her. And if they kick her out, where will she go? I hate to say this, but they can't be together.

Trudy: You kids saw how they were yesterday: happy and all. They're meant to be.

Nina: What and who are you guys talking about?

Everyone turned and looked at me. Mara shifted slightly when she saw my arms and I quickly hid them behind my back.

Mara: Nina, can I speak to you in private?

I nodded and everyone filed out of the kitchen, leaving Mara and I alone.

Mara: Nina, what's that on your arms?

Nina: Who were you guys talking about?

Mara: You and Fabian. Now, come here. Let's clean your arms before mother sees them.

I let her guide me to the kitchen sink, but I couldn't help but ask. I mean, what were they thinking?!

Nina: Fabian and I? Where the hell did you guys get that from?

Mara: Well, yesterday, I was analyzing what a cute couple you two would be. It came out 100 percent in your favor.

Nina: Mara, I just met him! It's not like we had love-at-first-sight!

Mara: By the way he kept stealing looks at you, I beg to differ. I know you like him, too.

Nina: Ya, well, whatever.

Mara and I cleaned my wrists in silence and I shot her a grateful glance for helping me and for not asking about the markings. We walked in to the dining room to see Amber pushing away the remains on her plate, Willow slowly savoring her French toast, and Alfie shoving food in to the pick-up truck we call his mouth. KT picked up Amber and Willow's empty plates in her hands while balancing her own plate on her head.

Trudy: Alfie! You're going to choke.

Nina: KT, let me help you.

I took the plate from her head, balanced it on my own, and picked up empty glasses with one hand. In my other hand, I held a tray to put the glasses on. I then took the empty pitcher of orange juice in my empty hand. I slowly pushed the kitchen door with my hip and made my way to the sink. There, I washed the pitcher, glasses, plate, and the tray, just to be safe in case Caroline decides to do an inspection.

KT: Thanks for helping me out.

Nina: No problem. How are things at the diner?

KT: You know the night shift, always slow. The good news is that I've saved up enough money to hire an instructor!

Nina: Oh, congratulations, KT! I'm so happy for you! I sure do hope that those dance lessons work out.

KT: No worries, I've saved up for four months-worth of lessons. They'll pay off soon enough.

Nina: Congratulations.

I was about to make my way back to the group when she laid her hand gently on my shoulder.

KT: Nina, what's all this I hear about some guy named Fabian?

Nina: Nothing, he's just this new kid I sat with yesterday and we talked.

KT: Why did you just sit with him? Did you think he was cute?

Nina: No! I was forced to sit with him.

KT: But didn't you two talk to each other?

Nina: Yes, we did. He's quite sweet. He let me use his pen.

KT: He was sweet to you?

Nina: Yes, plus he's quite- what's the word again?

KT: Was it hot? Maybe it was attractive? It was probably sexy, am I right?

Nina: No! I was going to say friendly! He's cute, but-

KT: You just said-

Nina: I said he was friendly, sweet, and cute, nothing more!

KT: You sure about that? I saw you two riding on Sarah, his arms wrapped around you, your bodies touching-

Nina: Ok, yes! I admit he's really cute! He is hot and possibly even sexy! Yes, we were riding yesterday, but he never rode a horse! I was teaching him! I guess I like him, but I wouldn't know! I've never liked a guy the way I like him! I've just met him, so what does it matter?

KT: Well, it matters if you want to be just friends or more than that. Which do you prefer?

Nina: I- I don't know, ok? We'll have to see.

KT: I understand. You need some time?

I simply nodded and she nodded back, pulling me in to a hug. We separated and went to the dining room. The dining room was empty except for Amber, who was gathering her things to leave. Alfie and Willow must have left already.

Nina: Amber, where are you going?

Amber: I have to do some drama exercises today with my partner for our project.

Nina: Wait, project? What project?

Amber: The one Mr. Winkler assigned at the beginning of first hour yesterday.

Nina: What? I didn't know about this project.

Amber: I'm betting you were flirting with Fabian when he announced it. We all got partnered up.

Nina: Do you know who my partner is?

Amber: Yes.

Nina: Amber, that's great! Who-

Amber: Mick Campbell.

Nina: What?

Amber: You heard me. The project is due on Monday. You two have to create a scene where your characters fall in love at first sight.

Nina: Can't I change partners?

Amber: Why would you ever do that?

Nina: Well, for one thing, I don't know Mick. I'm not comfortable-

Amber: Just do it. It's a major grade. It doesn't mean anything. I have to get going. Bye!

Nina: See ya.

Who the heck is Mick Campbell? Whoever he is, I have no time to ponder. The clock on the wall says its 7:55. Time for school! I went back to my room and grabbed my messenger bag. When I went to the garage, I noticed my bike was missing. Suddenly, I heard my bike bell ring. When I turned around, I saw Joy riding my bike with an evil smile on her face. That's my only ride to school unless- I've got it! I ran back to the kitchen.

Nina: Trudy!

Trudy: What is it, love?

Nina: I need to ask, can you ride Cinnamon to school while I ride Sarah? Joy stole my bike and it's the only way I'll make it on time.

Trudy: But, of course I will! Just like old times. Are we riding the bike trail to school?

Nina: Yes.

Trudy and I ran to the stables and got the horses ready. By the time we were set, it was 8:05. I quickly mounted Sarah as Trudy mounted Cinnamon and I took the lead as we trotted down the hidden bike path to school. When we were about four minutes walking time from school, I stopped.

Nina: Trudy, can you please lead the horses back home? I'm going to walk from here.

Trudy: Alright, sweetie. I'll see you later!

She took the horses back as I ran to school. It's 8:20 by the time I make it to my locker. After grabbing my books, I use the mirror in my locker to fix my destroyed bun back in to a messy one. I walked off to class and made it by the time the early bell rang. I was about to sit in my normal spot next to Amber when Mr. Winkler stopped me yet again.

Mr. Winkler: Miss Martin, can you please sit up front with Fabian again?

Nina: Of course, Mr. Winkler, but might I ask why?

Mr. Winkler: Well, Mr. Rutter needs the company and I thought you would be the best candidate to represent the model student of this school.

I sat next to Fabian's seat and Mr. Winkler whispered something to me.

Mr. Winkler: You and Mr. Rutter also need to work on your- social skills, so I assumed you two would be a great pair, couple, whatever you wish to call yourselves.

I blushed as he walked away. Did he just refer to Fabian and me as a couple? I pushed the thought of Fabian and me holding hands aside and remembered the project. Mick Campbell. The name seems familiar, but where have I heard it before? Then it hit me. He was one of the special guests from last night, just like Fabian was. Oh, great! Now I have to sit next to someone who hates me because I dug in to their personal life and a partner who'll hate me because I'm a servant. Even worse, I think I might have a crush on Fabian, the new kid who hates me already. Can today get any worse?