So sorry that it took so long to get this posted! I've actually been working on another project of mine…that and I've been swamped with AP homework, band practice, and football performances. I'm still sore from the Friday before last Friday! Our game yesterday was the most AMAZING game ever. The band performance was the best we've had ALL year! I'm so excited. We rocked, not to brag but… We've sort of been having an off season so far, what with the intense heat, new directors, and loss of people. Anyway, sorry, I had to share the good news.

And now for the next chapter, I must point out that I used 'Prince Char' and 'Prince Charm' here. They are two different characters from two different books. Prince Char is one of the sweetest characters I've ever met! He's from Gail Carson Levine's book Ella Enchanted, if you've read it, then you know; if not…YOU NEED TOOOOOO! Prince Charm, however, isn't so nice…He's from Margaret Peterson Haddix's book Just Ella. He…well, let's just say that he didn't pick "Cinderella" (Ella) because he loved her. He just wanted her because of her looks. He was a really shallow guy that couldn't even think for himself. It's a really good book that twists the Cinderella story up and down and all around. It actually takes place after Ella and the Prince are engaged, after the ball, the whole Cinderella story. So, if you're interested, I definitely suggest that you check into it. It's a worthwhile read, they both are.

Please Review! Let me know how you like it, or don't…and why or why not. :-D

LETTER FROM A FRIEND

"Nancy," eighteen year old Bess Marvin continued, "I'm done with them. For some demented reason, I thought that this time things would work out, but now I see that…that it's just not meant to be. Perhaps, I'm made with this mad desire to be with someone, but it's all for naught."

"Oh, Bess," eighteen year old Nancy Drew, Bess's best friend, tried not to laugh, "Don't you think that your being…I don't know…a little melodramatic?" The two sat in a café near the center of their small hometown of River Heights, enjoying a warm breakfast.

"No, Nancy, I'm being dead serious," Bess said with a pretty serious look on her face, "I'm convinced that I'll die a spinster!" She took a bite of her croissant.

"Bess," Nancy attempted to reason with her friend, "You've just…" She strained to find the right choice of words.

"I what, Nancy?" Bess said plainly, "Just go ahead and say it, I'm hopeless."

"That's not what I was going to say," Nancy argued, biting off a piece of her sausage.

Bess pushed her half finished plate away, "I'm not really hungry."

Nancy sighed, "You're not going to let this stupid guy get to you, are you? I mean, you do realize that he was just a perverted jerk that will forever think he should own women, right?"

"Yeah…I guess," Bess said gloomily, "It's just…I don't know. I suppose I've had a bad last few relationships…I just want…I just want to find someone who…" She wiped a stray tear from her face nonchalantly.

"Oh, Bess," Nancy reached across the table to soothe her friend. She patted Bess's hand. She really did feel for her, she just didn't have the words to comfort her as much as she would have liked to. "There's someone out there just for you," Nancy said with the utmost confidence, "You just have to give it time."

"How much time?" Bess whined.

"He'll come," Nancy reiterated.

"That's easy for you to say," Bess snorted, "You've got the most perfect boyfriend in existence."

Nancy smiled at the mention of Frank Hardy. He and his brother lived in New York, so it was a long-distance relationship. But it's totally worth it, Nancy thought.

"Bess," Nancy said, "I spent so many years of my life with the wrong guy, not to mention all the others that came to and fro. Ned was a big part of my life, and …and I don't regret spending that time with him. He helped me to grow, and to learn, and to…to find myself. But, it just wasn't meant to be. We were never supposed to end up together. I would have made a grave mistake if I had put my values and opinions aside just to please him. Now I know that. Look, all I'm saying is that your Prince Char will come…you just might have to go through a few Prince Charm's before you get there."

Bess thought for a moment. She seemed to take in what Nancy had said, "Okay, so maybe I won't give up guys completely. Not yet anyway." She smiled, "Soo, how are you and Frank doing?" Nancy blushed, turning away. "Come on girl," Bess prodded, "Give me all the goods! What's the latest update?"

Nancy laughed. Bess was always power hungry for 'juicy' romantic details. It was no wonder, she was always reading those sappy love stories like Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. "He sent me a bouquet of red roses," Nancy said.

"Ooh, red roses."

"And one of the sweetest notes I've ever read."

"How many roses did he send? Hey, what's the occasion for roses?"

"That's just it," Nancy's eyes shone, "there is no occasion. He sent one rose for every year that we've known each other…amounting to a grand total of fourteen roses."

"How romantic is that!" Bess squealed. The girls continued their chat and finished their breakfast. Nancy paid the check, since Bess had picked her up. The two headed for the Marvin home. Bess had convinced Nancy to come over and watch a movie with her. The girls pulled into Bess's driveway slowly. Bess parked in the garage and locked the car. Nancy headed for the garage door that connected into the laundry room of the Marvin home.

"Hey," Bess said to Nancy's retreating form, "I'll be in as soon as I check the mail, okay?"

"Yeah, sure thing, I'm just going to look through your videos for something that sounds good." Nancy walked into the house. She was warmly greeted by Mrs. Marvin. Mr. Marvin was out running some errands. Nancy made her way to the living room. She was in the midst of scanning the shelves for a good movie when Bess entered, plopping down on the couch. Nancy glanced at her friend momentarily before returning to her search.

"Hey," Bess perked up, "I got a letter from George!" George Fayne, Bess's cousin, was in Tennessee on a farm. She had been invited to stay with a friend that she'd made at a science summer camp one year.

Nancy looked at Bess in surprise. She tucked a stray strand of her reddish blonde hair behind her ear, "Oh, yeah? What's she got to say?"

Bess silently read her letter. Suddenly, she became quite animated, "Nancy! Nancy, look at this!" Bess jumped off the couch and rushed to Nancy.

"What is it?" Nancy asked curious.

"George wants us to come stay with her," Bess hopped up and down in excitement, "she said that Erin, the girl who invited her out in the first place, told her that she could invite us along too. She said, 'I talked about you guys so much that she figured I wouldn't miss you as much if you were here…well, that and she wants to meet you!' Oh, Nancy, isn't this exciting!"

"Bess, she lives on a farm," Nancy said flatly, "You don't like farms… remember?"

"Oh, Nancy," Bess's tone said 'you-silly-little-girl', "I think farms are soo cute!" She headed toward her mother's room, "I just don't particularly care for all the animals, but it's not like I would give up a vacation trip over that. Beside I've never been to Tennessee. It would be enthralling and new. I'm really looking forward to it already. I've just got to get mom's approval…oh, you too. Use the phone in the hallway, I'll be right back." She headed into her mother and father's room. Nancy smiled, shaking her head as she went to call her father.