Page 55 of Isabella and the Slipper

Let me know you’re all right.

Five???

She smiled. Chase was worried about her. Sweet guy. Her heart pounded. She punched in a response.

I’m fine. Just at work.

Can’t wait until next week.

The fall formal. Her chest grew heavy and she tried not to cry.

About that.

What?

Something came up. I’ve got to work next Saturday.

Noooooo!

I’m so sorry.

Chase didn’t text back right away, and she set her phone down. She tried to tell herself it was just a silly dance. It wasn’t important. But deep inside she knew it would be a special night. The only night she could be with Chase as Five, but yet as herself as well.

Her emotions surged, and she blinked back more tears. Chase meant more to her than just a date to a dance. He was kind and cared about her as a person. The way he’d gotten upset last night, she could tell he was about ready to pound her stepmother into the ground. She’d felt something she’d never felt for a guy before.

He was ...She sighed and pushed that thought out of her head. He was out of reach. She couldn’t date him in the real world. Her only chance to spend a magical night in his arms dancing was next weekend.

And it wasn’t going to happen.

She picked up her banana and began to peel it. The sweet fruit made her stomach rumble. Another text came through as she ate.

I wish there was a way you could go.

Me, too.

Have a good day at work.

Thanks.

She put her phone back in her pocket. Yesterday she’d been terrified that Chase had figured out who she was when she slipped up and said she was nobody. He’d looked at her funny but then dismissed it. He acted normal the rest of the evening. He probably figured a lot of girls thought they weren’t anything special.

Elenore came in and frowned. “You’re on break already?”

Isabella forced a smile. “I thought I’d eat breakfast fast so I could be ready to put out Delilah’s art. Is it here?”

“Yes. It’s all in the back room. I want everything out before you come home tonight.”

Of course she did. “Yes, ma’am.”

Elenore still stood there and Isabella sat, uncomfortable, waiting for her to leave. Elenore studied Isabella. “You weren’t planning on going to the fall formal, were you?”

“No.”

“Because I’m not sure who you’d be going with. Delilah had a nice conversation with Chase in the mall yesterday, and he all but asked her to go with him. He mentioned she should wear silver. I’m guessing he wanted their outfits to match.” She shot Isabella a look.

“That’s great,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

“So, you see, having something to do here that night might be nice for you.”

---