did,” she says. “But no.” She kicks up her heel. “These tootsies are size nine. No way they’re squeezing into those teeny-sized shoes.”
Prince Jordan’s face falls. “But then who —”
“They’re Cinderella’s!” Jonah yells, pointing at her.
He turns to her. “You?”
Cinderella nods nervously.
“Let me just repair the shoes with a zap and you’ll see for yourself,” Farrah says. She waves her wand toward the slippers, enveloping them in a burst of yellow. “There you go. Try them on, dear. You’ve earned it.”
“But — but — but —” Beatrice stutters.
“No buts,” I say. “Now please get out of Cinderella’s happy ending.”
Beatrice lets out a loud humph , and then tries to follow her mother, who is slowly backing toward the door.
“Why don’t you two hang around for a while?” Farrah says, and sends a sparkle-zap their way.
They instantly shrink into two little birds. Two caged little birds. Two caged little birds in drab gray dresses.
The prince turns to Cinderella. “Hi, again,” he says.
“Hi, yourself,” she says softly.
“Ready for the shoe test?”
Cinderella sighs and takes a seat on the couch. She kicks off her loafers. “Let’s do this.”
He picks up the first shoe and it slips perfectly onto her foot. He picks up the second and it does the same.
“Hurray!” we all cheer. Jonah and I high-five.
Farrah grins.
Even Kayla says, “Congratulations. I’m happy for the two of you.” But she has a sad look on her face.
The prince takes Cinderella’s hand and pulls her to her feet. He crouches on one knee. “Cinderella, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Finally! It all worked out! The story can go on as planned! We saved the day!
Cinderella looks at Prince Jordan and then at Kayla and then back at the prince and then back at Kayla and then down at her glass slippers. “Prince Jordan, I’m so sorry, but —” She takes a deep breath. “No.”
E veryone gasps.
Jonah tugs at my arm. “Abby, why did she say no? Isn’t she supposed to say yes?”
“I don’t know!” I say. I really don’t. What happened here?
Cinderella sits back down and pulls off the slippers. “I’m so sorry,” she says. “Two days ago, there was nothing I wanted more than to marry you. I wanted you to rescue me. But since the ball, I got to stand on my own two feet and make my own money, and now everything is different. I love making crownies. I want my own place. And I don’t really love you … not the way Kayladoes. You deserve someone who loves you for the right reasons. Everyone does.”
We all look at the prince for his reaction. I kind of expect anger. Or bafflement. But what I see instead surprises me.
He looks relieved.
“To be honest,” he says, “it was my father who was so taken with you. Not that you’re not beautiful. You are. But I really enjoyed the time I spent with …” He turns to Kayla. “Excuse me, what’s your name again?”
Kayla squeaks. Nope, she’s not a rat again, she’s just excited. “Kayla,” she finally sputters.
He smiles at her. “I was secretly hoping the slipper would fit you, not Cinderella.” He looks at Cinderella. “No offense, okay?”
“None taken,” she says.
“This is wonderful,” Farrah says. “I’m so happy for you three!”
It is a super-happy ending. Different from the original ending, but I like it anyway.
Prince Jordan hesitates. “But … I’ve already made a royal proclamation that whoever fits the slipper will be the new princess. I can’t undo that.”
No, no, no! They will have this happy ending! “Maybe you can’t undo it,” I say, “but I can.” I pick up both slippers and throw them hard against the brick fireplace, smashing them to smithereens. “Oops.”
“Yay!” Jonah cheers. “No more slippers! I guess Kayla can’t try them on.”
“You do know that I can fix them,” Farrah points out.
We all stare at her, holding our collective breath.
She
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