Page 13 of Becoming Cinderella

Liam gives my parents one last goodbye as we walk down the sidewalk towards his car.

“So, I’m thinking Saturday morning for our first lesson. Possibly nine? How does that sound?” I don’t look back at the house to see if my parents are still on the porch watching us or if they’ve gone inside.

“Nine it is.”

“I hope your toes won’t hate me,” he opens his car door and stops, leaning on the opened door. “By the way, I don’t think I ever thanked you for yesterday. So, you know, thanks for yesterday.”

“Don’t make a habit out of it, okay? I’m not used to my cardio coming from distance running.”

This makes him chuckle. “I’ll work on it. I’ll see you Saturday, Carter Adams.” He leans in and gives me a hug goodbye. It’s quick, but for some reason it activates the butterflies in my stomach.

My parents have gone inside, but are waiting at the front door, so the moment I open it they pounce.

“Isn’t that the boy you’re in love with?” My dad asks before I can even shut the door.

“Dad, stop. I’m not in love with him.” I whisper like Liam can overhear the conversation.

“Oh. That’s not the boy from the movies you always talk about? The one from your walls?”

“Yes, it’s him.” My mom answers. “What did he mean you helped him avoid getting attacked?”

“Oh, he just came into my work and nearly got mobbed by a group of girls. I helped him escape, it’s not that big of a deal.” But really, it is a big deal because now I’m spending time with my favorite celebrity who is actually super down to earth. “Anyway, I’m really tired and I need to finish my math homework.” I walk around my parents, ending our conversation, and head up the stairs towards my bedroom.

I replay the hug Liam gave me in my head when my phone buzzes in my back pocket, and I pull it out, expecting it to be from Penn further freaking out about Liam coming over tonight. Instead it’s from Jared.

Jared: Have you seen that new show on Netflix?

I have no idea what show he is talking about, but I grin at the message. Whatever the show is, it made him think of me.

Carter: You’re really narrowing it down for me

The three small dots appear under my message to tell me he’s texting me back and I sit down on the edge of my bed, staring at them.

Based on this reaction I have from a simple text, I’m definitely willing to let Liam break all my toes in order for Jared to fall in love with me.

Chapter Four

I’m pacing around in circles at the studio on Saturday morning. I don’t know if Liam is going to come to the front door or the back door. Honestly, I’m not sure if he’s even going to show up because I’ve almost fully convinced myself Liam will regret making this deal with me. Just in case though I’ve spent the past few days watching more romantic comedies than normal.

I haven’t worked with Jared since Monday, and have only received head nods and winks from him in the school hallway. Mainly because I’m avoiding him. I don’t want to backtrack what my compliment did, and I haven’t talked to Penn yet like he asked.

I do work this Monday with him though, and I’m hoping he won’t ask if I’ve talked to Penn. It’s hard enough not telling her about Jared’s confession, but I have no idea what I’ll tell Jared if he continues to ask me if I’ve talked to her. I obviously won’t be able to tell him the truth.

Great. I’m going to have to lie to Penn and now Jared. I just need Jared to fall for me before he’s able to pursue his feelings for Penn and these lies will be worth it.

There’s a knock at the front door and I turn to see Liam peeking through the window in the door. He waves when he sees me walk over, the same navy hat from the other day pulled down low to try to hide his face. I open the door and lock it behind him, just to be safe. He’s got black jogger pants on and a black tank top. I try not to stare at the way his arms look in the tank top, but they’re tanned and toned and it turns out I’m an arm girl? He holds up a glazed donut and a chocolate frosting one with sprinkles.

“Good morning, Carter Adams. I brought some fuel. I don’t know which you prefer, so I brought both.” Sprinkled donuts were my favorite, so I reach for that one. I take a bite, waiting to swallow before I thank him. “You seemed like a sprinkles kind of girl.”

“What do you mean?”

“I would say you’re bright and happy and that people are drawn to you.”

“Hmm, that’s putting a lot of weight on my choice of donut.”

“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure I’m right about it.” Liam gives me a cheeky smile as he finishes his donut in four massive bites, wiping his hands on his pants. “I should have brought some juice.”

Thankfully I brought us some water bottles and I toss him one which he catches in the air with ease.

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