Hi. Bonjour. Ola. Konnichiwa. Ni-hao.
Je ne comprends pas le francais. Je suis un idiote. Oui. -nods- Yes, Canada can give out core French classes. Go translate that on Google. I think that's the best thing I can do.
Oh yeah, this is a modern-day Cinderella with people still riding horses, with king and queens, and ruling and commoners, but with the same technology we have today. I just realized that some people might have thought that the story's setting was in the medieval times or something. . Please accept my apology. (Plus it's AU, I can do whatever I want :D)
I'm taking a rest from Cinderella, since it's tiring to try to think of ways to embarass Natsume and Ruka, while making Mikan feel sad. Stupid me, why did I have to put a tragic past with Mikan?! Now I have to have Natsume, Luca (cuz I like it that way), and Hotaru guide her to the right path, and then find a happy ending for Anna. I just had to make it complicated. Fellow writers; do not start something that you haven't planned out completely! It'll make you go on hiatus and have unhappy reviews.
And also, SORRY FOR THE EXTREMELY LONG UPDATE! And of course, I'm blaming it on the education system. Damn teachers. .
I wanted to go with a elegant, waltzy sort of ball, but then I'd have no room for Anna. So think of it as a party for regular teens without the jumping and grinding and seducing and sex and all that other crap. Oops, I just completely took out the party. -.-
On with the chapter, in order for me to stop my rambling.
...
~Cinderella~
...
Muahaha. I've figured out the perfect plan. If the dance will take place in three days, I'll use my money and sew one up. Yes, I do have an evil glint in my eyes.
I'm currently skipping to the store, you see. No, I'm not Mikan. I'm Anna. Mikan's been busy with all these trivial chores, that she won't be able to work on the dress she's making. Anyway, I'm a much better designer than she is.
Hmm. Pink or red? Blue or cyan? White or magenta? What am I looking for? What sort of dress compliments her slender figure? I'm joining the dance too, of course. I've got to find something as well for my curvy body. Ooh, those beaded necklaces would look cute with my shirt. Wait- now is not the time!
I know- a clutch bag would look nice. Nah, too mature. Green? Heh, that would be something to see. Bangles are a definitely no. Ooh, beaded bracelet- check. Snagged them.
Looking towards my left, I spot some nice wedges. Perfect. A beachy look, and in the party, it would make her look untouchable. Yeah, you heard me. The so-called "ball" was actually a party to be thrown by some young adults. Dance, ball, party, whatever. It's pretty much the same thing; dressing up and looking cute or sexy. The thing's theme is casual, which is pretty much a good thing. Smiley face. :) I love that graphic tee. Heh. Got the image in my head, a cute little girl in a beachy dress, with tiny seashells and beads with a jewel as the centerpiece. Perfect.
The wedges were made out of wood, and was stringed with flowery material. I'll have to buy these.
Lining up at the counter, I took a green jeweled necklace.
"Nineteen thirty-seven please."
Taking out a twenty dollar bill, a quarter, a dime, and two pennies, I placed the money on the top of the counter while the girl quickly punched in the number and pressed (?) enter.
Well, I'm done shopping. I took out a notepad, and scribbled in some details about the dress; flowy and knee-length (of course), with a big jewel in the middle. Layered.
Off to the material, whatever you call it, fabric store I go! I love the smell of new material, it makes me feel relaxed. 50 dollars to spend, which is a bad thing for layered dresses. Ugh, this will be hard.
Yellow, white, and some pale pink. Three thin sheets of each. Fun. I'll be spending 400 dollars soon.
I looked at the fabric that was in the corner, beside the sale sign. A little purple won't hurt anybody. Hmm... What's my design? I smiled.
Definitely country style. Ooh, those checkered patterns are cute. If only they had it pink. White's nice too! I think I'll layer. It's a birthday cake! And then a shawl would do too! Urgh, what looks nice with pink and yellow and white?! Stupid. See-through olive. Ooh, this is going to be amazing! Oh look, they have buttons nearby the counter. I walk towards the button rack, and they're all...
Lame. That's all I can say. It's all snap and Velcro and ugly maroon. I frown, and turn. Searching for the cutting area, I lay my eyes on a blonde.
Oh.
My.
God.
He's really cute.
I think I know have a fetish for glasses now, along with girl-like guys. Insert fangirl scream, 'cause I know I'm crushing on him. Calm down, it's not like I'm going to go cutesy fakey on him.
I hope.
"Hi. Is this where I go and cut the material I want?"
He turned and looked. "Yes. How may I help you?"
Wow. Even better with the politeness. "I'd like to have 3 sheets of every material, about 2 meters."
Smile. He's just, wow. "Sure. Please come over here."
There was a counter, and I gave the wraps to him. Oops, heart's beating a bit faster. Calm down, Anna, calm down.
He placed a wrap and raised the blade, cutting the material. "So, what are you making with this?"
Huh? Small talk? Oh! "Umm, for a friend."
"Hmm. Is this a dress for a special event?"
Nod. "Yes."
He gave a little laugh. "I see. Is it okay for me to know about what event it is?"
Should I? Mikan, forgive me. "It's for the event that's happening in three days. I think everyone should know about it."
"Wow. Are you talking about what I think you are?"
Nod.
He laughed. Interesting. "Are you going there too?"
Nod.
He took out another wrap.
"Wow, you must be really excited to take part in such an important event. Is your friend happy about going?"
Nod. "She's really happy about dancing again."
"Again?" Oops!
"Y-yes. She's happy about dancing in her favourite shoes again."
He finished with the last wrap, and started folding, sticking on paper, most likely tags. "I see. Tell her that I'm happy for her." Smile. Really cute smile.
"Of course." Stupid heart, I'm kind of trying to talk here.
"Well, here are your pieces. And, your name is?"
"A-anna."
Smile again. "Mine is Yuu. I hope I'll be able to bump into you during the event. Well then, I'll have to be going now, it's a bit messy in an aisle. I'll see you."
"Bye."
He gave a nod, and I walked to the counter. Nice. The rest was just a blur. All I remember is that the counter lady looked familiar, and that the bag that was given was kinda pretty. I think I've been thinking about the conversation I've had with Yuu. He seems nice, and looked around my age. I don't even think that a guy working in a fabric store would be so nice.
Wait. Wait wait wait. Did he say that he'll hope that he'll bump into me during the event? As in, he's going to the event? As in, he's been invited and isn't just a normal person? Meaning that I'll be able to see him again? Wow. I'm pretty happy.
Onto the sewing and stitching. But first, the two bags. Accessories, check. Shoes, check. Fabric, yellow, white, pink, transparenty-like olive coloured mesh and more white? Double check.
I think Mikan will like this. If not, then it's for me and my figure. Oh yeah, the flower purse and the light brown leather one would look nice. Okay, that's two good outfits.
...
~Cinderella~
...
"Ugh, stupid pillow." A brunette tugged at the seams of the brown, feather stuffed fabric that was called a 'pillow'. And the same girl narrowed her eyes and tumbled out of bed, leaving a big dent in her bed. The girl stood and dusted off her navy blue pajamas. Yawning, she changed out of them and slipped on her daily outfit; a ragged brown dress and a white t-shirt underneath, and didn't match with the cute black kitty slippers that she found in her suitcase. Still, they were fun to wear and cute. Now, time to get some work done.
Ding-dong, ding-dong, the doorbell rang. Geez, it was only... uh, 10:20 in the morning? The girl ran to the door, which was basically four flights down the stairs. She grabbed her mints, popped one in her mouth, and snatched a big amber clip. Combing her hair with her fingers, the girl was already down a flight. She then twirled her hair into a messy bun, and slid on the railing in order to get to the door in time. The doorbell rang again. She was on the fourth flight down.
"Please wait!" The brunette's voice echoed in the house. The doorbell rang once more. She finally reached the door, opening it without a second thought.
".... Hey." Oh?
"Uhh... hi. Whaddaya want?" Her eyes furrowed, and stared into his.
"Luca asked me to take you to his place. I don't why, how or any of that other stuff that you might be asking."
Mikan frowned. "...What?" Trying to comprehend a word that this prince was saying. Said prince leaned down. Mikan widened her eyes.
"But first, we're taking you to my place. Just to freshen things up."
Question marks filled the brunette's head.
…
…
…
"... What the hell is going on? I need my goddamn tea this instant, or else I'm gonna have to crash. And also- why are looking through a wardrobe supposedly designed for girls?"
As you can see, Mikan without her tea is a very cranky Mikan. Very cranky Mikan equals to Mikan going OOC, and Mikan going OOC equals to author notes, and author notes equal to breaking the fourth wall. And the author does not like breaking the fourth wall. That's just a no-no. It's like storming into a church and paint its walls red with blood. That's also a no-no. But we're getting carried away.
As Natsume rummaged through his sister's clothes (Mikan seemed to be small enough to fit a zero in jeans), he found something that seemed fitting for Mikan. Taking a graphic tee with a zoo on it, skinny jeans, and a belt from outside of the closet, he threw them to Mikan lightly.
But Mikan, being a klutz, clumsily had the belt hit her forehead, and the skinny jeans fall onto the ground. Surprisingly enough, she had caught the graphic tee.
"Klutz."
Mikan gave a mad, rather aggravated pout. "Love you too, Hyuuga," she stated with scorn, and picked up the jeans that had fallen to the floor. "What am I supposedly to do with this? Wear it? I haven't worn jeans in 5 years! I'm probably a size 9 with all my blubbering fat!"
Natsume cracked up when he heard that. He smirked and waved it aside. "Yeah, or maybe you're a size forty seven. No, it just so happens that my sister dragged me into the world of fashion, since my parents were too cheap to hire me a designer themselves. Anyway, I had to learn the basics of which colours had to match which, and which pieces of clothing were, as my sister said, a good show, or a no-no. Judging a girl's body to see whether they fit or not." The boy shuddered. "It was hell. I didn't even know what the sizing was even for!"
Mikan gave a disbelieving face. The raven-haired so-called 'jerk' smirked again.
"Now go and change."
And coincidentally, she just barely was able to fit into the zero jeans, which were surprisingly stretchy. The t-shirt fit to a, well, tee, no pun intended, and the belt was surprisingly able to hold her waist.
Joy. She can hardly move in these clothes.
"I don't think that I'd be able to walk in this comfortably with a smile and a straight back."
Natsume rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to slouch. That's what basically teenagers do. With exceptions of course." An unfamiliar sheen showed in his eyes, as if he turned to the camera.
"Stop trying to break the fourth wall. The readers don't find it fun."
Mikan crossed her arms and proceeded to slouch, following Natsume to the car at the front.
"I have something to talk to you about. It's about our compensation as helping you with your ball appearance."
…
…
…
Luca was shocked at how normal Mikan looked when she arrived at the gates with Natsume. She looked like your regular, not to mention cute, teenager.
The brunette had tried to put on converse, but sadly she didn't know how to put it on, until the very last minute. Her face was painted with make-up, and it felt heavy. Not fun.
"We're at Luca's. He's at his house with his mom."
"..." She couldn't believe how normal the house looked. It had a prince living in it, and it only had 4 floors. Unbelievable.
Natsume proceeded to walk up to the door steps, and dragged Mikan with him. Her face screamed irritated, but willingly walked up the stairs.
"So, I'm going to help you guys with ruling, by marrying Luca? Wait, I'm confused. Not with the marrying part, but with the ruling. How the heck am I supposed to do that?"
"Well, all you have to do is smile and look beautiful. Since his kingdom is in his rebellious state, they'd pretty much accept commoners to become their queen. You already have the training, don't you?"
Mikan nodded.
"Good. You can probably pull it off, since Luca can only hold an interesting conversation with you for mare than 10 minutes... most likely. Anyways, it'll be perfect for you, right? You'll return to the fancy life, and it'll help give fame as the Sakura daughter that came back from the dead. That would definitely be the headline. So, what do you say? At the ball, you'll meet up with Luca, and then you could dance, and that Cinderella story that took place before can happen again. I think it's a good idea. All you have to do is agree and swear with your blood."
The brunette nodded again, rephrasing the talk Natsume gave her and gave him an assuring smile. "Thanks," she said gratefully. "You're somewhat doing this for my sake..."
Natsume pretended he didn't hear that.
…
So, that's it. I've changed the summary so it sounds more fitting for the story. Read, drop a review, and I'll be happy to reply if you have an opinion. I'm looking for a beta-reader, so I hope that I can find one soon. Any ideas on how I can improve? I'm trying to stay away from the Mary-sue plot line, or the cliché, and sorry if I haven't suceeded yet.
See you next time!
~Nyani Henshi