Cinderella: Fairytale?

Dear Josie,

I have so much to tell you. I haven't seen you since sophomore year but so much has happened. Remember how Mr. Smith was mentoring me? Well... we ended up experiencing more than just lively discussions about the best medications for a woman with osteoporosis... I know it's a cliche, but we fell in love Josie! It was wonderful! I was kind of concerned though. He's a very wealthy doctor and I was a lowly med student. I wasn't sure how long our relationship would last.But he didn't care! He proposed to me. I have, as you know, dropped out of school for the time being. It's for the best. And at least this way I never have to go home to my dear step-mom, Penelope, and my step-sisters. I am sacrificing but I am so grateful for what he has saved me from.We had the most beautiful private wedding. It was so picturesque and it was in his, I mean our, backyard! Everything is perfect except....Cassidy. Alex has a daughter from his first wife who died three years ago. She's eight, cute as a button, and completely lovable. Except she has decided she wants nothing to do with me.You know my cooking is not exactly Chef Emerald quality but she refuses to eat anything I prepare! My waffles are good yet she insists on eating cereal alone on the porch.I am not too worried. I think she might just be a solitary girl. But honestly, she leaves to go fishing and doesn't tell me when she will get home and it makes me worry. I tried talking to Alex about it but he says she probably just loses track of the time. Life is truly great though. I am sure Cass is just going through a phase. Meanwhile I am the well-off wife to a handsome man who loves me. Sorry if it sounds like I am bragging. I know you understand because you know what I went through in high school and everything. I miss you, write back soon!

Ella

Rapunzel Chapter 1: Blatant Lies

'I am so happy we worked everything out Will. I never wanted to have to leave you," Amy sighs contently, purposefully avoiding the stare of the all too knowledgeable bartender on the treadmill across the room.

'You were right Amy, love overcomes all..." blah blah blah he blathers on. Will she ever stop talking he wonders, if I continue to grunt will she let me work out in peace? Melissa will come over tonight when Amy's with her client.... Melissa.... The affair was supposedly off, but Will wasn't sure if he could let it go entirely. A little fun never hurt anyone... right?

Rapunzel paused and saved the document carefully. Her novel was complete and she couldn't help but sigh with relief. Hopefully Blatant Lies wouldn't flop like all her other attempts. She had been published once since moving out of her parents home, but one meager royalty check was not enough to pay the rent her roommate so patiently waited for.

"Dinner's ready!" The voice startled her causing her to grimace. She appreciated Evan's concern for her well being, but she was old enough to feed herself. Sometimes she just lost track of time.

"So..." Evan tried to fill the awkward silence that always surrounded the dinner table. "Uh... I don't mean to nag but it's been two months since you paid rent. And you're always up in your room... do you need help getting a job? I know the manager of the grocery store, she could get you a cashier position or--"

"I have a job Evan".

"Oh OK. Um well what to you do in your room then?"Rapunzel smiled, "I love books. You work tomorrow?"

"Uh yeah like usual".

"Well I will leave you to... sleep. Thank you for dinner" she said, as she did every night.

"No problem" he replied routinely. Will and Amy can't end up together, Rapunzel thought as she tossed and turned. I don't care what my editor thinks. Life just doesn't work out like that... I am lying to my readers! In the morning Rapunzel wouldn't remember her anxious dreams. Evan arrived at the fire station at five past nine, not prompt as he usually was.

"Whoa your lady friend keeping you busy Evan?" Anne, Evan's best friend greeted him cheerfully.

"Shut up you know it's not like that. I am NOT interested in a relationship other than friendship with anyone. Call of Duty?"

"Way to change the subject. You need to get over Trish. Now. Everyone goes through break ups. You should be proud that she's the one who lost out."

"Whatever Anne, you know I am over it" Evan forced a smile. "You have 5 seconds before I ask James to play me instead".

"Fine. You're on!"

Rapunzel enjoyed the solitude of her life. She was used to it. Being the only child of two scientist geniuses had blessed her with many advantages, but an abundance of time with her family or few friends had not been one of them. She was glad she had answered Evan's newspaper ad.

Roommate needed, upstairs floor vacant. Bed and bathroom included. $200/month call Evan (423) 566-9899

Short and sweet. It was merely a coincidence that Evan shared a name with her first and only boyfriend. She was convinced that she had merely embraced an opportunity for freedom. A chance to become a writer, not a molecular scientist. And if she told herself that's why she had moved out of the house she had always lived in, sleeping for the first time in a new room, then that meant it was true. Truth is all in perception she strongly believed.

Her relaxing bath was cut short by a sharp ring. The phone her agent forced her to purchase was screeching at her.

5 minutes later Rapunzel was slowly getting dressed, focusing on her deep breathing to prevent her from screaming. Rapunzel couldn't believe it. Her novel was a BESTSELLER. Her head was swimming, she would surely faint. Think logically she commanded herself. Rent money would no longer be a problem. So what she had compromised and written the ambiguous happy ending her editor had wanted with both characters still married but hiding secrets? She would have more opportunities to write the novels she wanted to now! She just hoped that Evan wouldn't come across her book. Or notice how her name coincidentally was the same as the author of the book that would soon be..... Oh well. She would worry about that later.

Rapunzel Chapter 2: The Firefighter

The adrenaline fueled him, preventing him from noticing the heat or the absence of oxygen causing his lungs to struggle to expand. She is in there, he reminded himself. This wasn't a normal job, the stakes were too high. He would risk his life because it was worth less to him than risking hers.

Rapunzel was stumped. She was surprisingly good at writing dramatic romantic chapters in her novels. Unfortunately, she HATED doing it. Her agent had warned her about doing things 'her way' versus the 'public's way' and there was really no choice. Her first royalty check had come in that morning and if she kept this up Evan would never complain about late payments again.

Sffsssssssssssssssssssssssh! Suddenly the toilet was overflowing. Stupid faulty plumbing! Her next royalty check would be used to fix the stupid pipes in the house. She didn't have enough cash to pay for a repairman so she'd have to wait until Evan got home.

Meanwhile, her bladder couldn't wait 5 hours so she decided to use Evan's toilet. Obviously today was not a good day for Rapunzel. As the second toilet int he house began to flood the bathroom her mind was flooded with images of the awkwardness of asking Evan to fix both the toilets. She tried plunging but to no avail. There was something actually wrong. What a great day.

"Anne this TV show sucks. Majorly," Evan complained.

"This is the best soap opera on the network. Besides I beat you at Halo last night so I get TV priveleges for the week. So suck it up princess."

"How about... a rematch? Double or nothing?"

Anne pondered for a moment. "Fine, you're on".

"You really suck at this Evan. I am going to toast you again".

Evan grimaced. "Well it's not like I can afford every game on the market right now. Rapunzel still hasn't paid her rent".

"You know... they say moving in is a big step for any relationship" Anne smirked at Evan.

"And you know it's not like that with her. How many times do I have to remind you?"

"I am just saying. You are a hot firefighter and she's a geeky, poor, cute, and mysterious girl. Things change..."

"I really think you need to stop watching soap operas all together Anne".

Rapunzel was so stressed about the toilet situation that she figured she should go for a walk to clear her head.

"You wanna play some chess lady?" nine year old Lucy challenged her. Rapunzel couldn't help but smile. A self-esteem boost could do nothing but improve this day. Maybe even give her enough confidence to talk to Evan later.

"Sure I have time for a game".

3 hours later

"I have to go home soon lady".

"Shush I am thinking!" Rapunzel hushed her, stressed. After losing two games in a row Rapunzel was both embarrassed and outraged. "Where did you learn to play chess so well?"

"It's in my blood. You know the Mona Lisa? Well I am the great great great great granddaughter of Leonardo da Vinci and the woman in the Mona Lisa. I inherited his geniusness." Lucy replied, completely seriously. Rapunzel was too tired to think of a response to that.

Evan was getting worried. Rapunzel was always home when he got back from work. He made supper, she came and ate then they went their separate ways. Tonight though she was no where to be found. He waited but eventually decided she could heat up left overs. He was so worried that he burned the mac and cheese. He called her cell but it was sitting on her desk upstairs. As the minutes ticked by he started to get angry. Why did he care? It's not like he was her babysitter. She just seemed so vulnerable...

When Rapunzel got home she wasn't prepared for Evan's reaction.

"Thanks for showing up! I thought you died or something! I am exhausted and you know I have to work tomorrow! What were you thinking?!"

Rapunzel didn't reply. She grabbed a bowl of mac and cheese from the fridge and heated it up.

Evan was disappointed. He wanted her to yell back or defend herself or SOMETHING. He was ashamed of his outburst and didn't know what to do other than tidying up the kitchen. Rapunzel cleared her throat.

"Thank you for supper. The rent money is in the envelope on the counter. And both the toilets are clogged. Goodnight."

"Thanks" Evan replied before walking to his room.