Football Stars Don't Date Cinderella, Finale

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The lodge bedroom had a double bed, with pink and green floral patterning on the duvet and pillowcases, forest-green velvet curtains and a white dresser with a mirror perched on top. Beside the bed was a little table with a lamp, a glass, and a small white telephone. Through the window, there was a perfect view of the sprawling fields past the farm.

“What do you think?” Flora asked. “Mum thought you’d need your own space.”

“I love it.”

Zane King, Flora’s dad and Laurel’s ex-husband, had already left, saying he needed to arrange court proceedings to have me officially removed from Claudia’s custody. If she really was planning to steal my inheritance, she would get a lawyer as soon as she could – assuming she didn’t have one already.

I had no idea that Flora’s mum was a registered foster carer until today.

“Are you OK?” Flora asked.

I nodded, sitting down on the bed. The duvet was soft and comfortable. “Yeah, it’s…it’s been a long day. I can’t believe I’m out of that house.”

“I can’t believe what Claudia and Craig were planning!” Flora sat down next to me. “But Dad’s going to make sure the book gets thrown at them – well, her anyway. Craig’s still a minor.”

Suddenly she flinched. “Craig’s going to make your life even worse at college, isn’t he?”

I hadn’t thought of that at all.

“I’ll text Dad and tell him about that.”

The phone rang, making us both jump. Flora scurried over to the table and answered it. “Mum? I don’t know, I’ll ask her.” She held the phone away from her ear. “Does Claudia drive a white Jaguar?”

“No, she…”

Wait. A white Jaguar.

“I think I know who that is. It’s not Claudia.” But what were they doing here?

I ran out of the lodge and towards the farm car park, just in time to see Patrick and Jocelyn emerge from the sleek white car. The car shrank and turned back into a pumpkin.

“Afternoon, Mina!” Jocelyn said cheerfully as she picked up the pumpkin. “Just came to give this back to Ms Greenfield, since we don’t need it anymore. And you must be Flora!”

“Yes.” Her eyes widened. “Wait – are you guys the reason Mina came to the first two parties?”

“Speaking of the parties,” Patrick said, holding out three black dry-cleaning bags and the black pumps, “we thought you might need these. There’s still one outfit left, right?”

Tears welled up as I took the items; I couldn’t help myself. “Thank you both so much, for everything.”

“Like we said, we help because it’s the right thing to do.” Jocelyn’s smile was warm and kind. “I’m glad we could help you. Oh – and don’t worry about anyone else claiming the necklace. The magic in it works for only you.”

***

Friday night

“You’re shaking.”

I looked down at my hands and saw that they were trembling slightly. “I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be,” Laurel said from the driver’s seat. “You’ve got nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, Mina.”

She was right – I didn’t. I was going to go into this last party as myself, with my head held high.

But I was still nervous because I was going to collect my necklace from tonight’s host.

Ethan.

“Enjoy the last party, girls,” Laurel told us. “I’ll call when I’m on the way to collect you.”

She drew the car to a gentle halt.

Something came to my mind. “Using a spell on someone’s memory without their consent is illegal, right?”

“Yes,” Laurel replied. “Very illegal.”

“Claudia said it’s not the first time someone in Topaz Coast has used one. I forgot to tell Mr King yesterday.”

“Don’t worry about that now,” Laurel said soothingly. “I’ll tell him about it; you just go and have a great time.”

My final outfit was a dress the exact same shade as Mum’s sapphire. It was sleeveless, with slight ribbing at the waist and a lacy pattern around the shoulders. I was glad I’d saved it for last.

Flora wore a pale pink dress with a leaf pattern and three-quarter length sleeves. She’d carefully arranged her hair so that some of it was tied back from her face and the rest fell in waves down her shoulders and back. She looked stunning.

Several kids our age headed towards a large house with a sweeping garden in front of it. Glass orbs full of light hung from the trees, and tiny fairy lights decorated the exterior of the house. Music, talk, and laughter filled the air.

Flora wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Excited?”

Yes. “I am. Let’s find Ethan.”

We walked up the little path towards the house. I could smell cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Everything about the house seemed warm and welcoming, just like Ethan.

I hoped he wouldn’t tell me to leave when he found out who I was.

Flora nudged me and pointed towards the door. “There he is.”

He was in a black satin shirt and black trousers. His hair looked slightly tousled, and he looked a little nervous.

Something blue and silver dangled from his hand.

This was it. I took a deep breath as I walked up to him. “Hi, Ethan.”

“Hi, Mina. You look beautiful.”

Why hadn’t he greeted Flora?

I glanced over my shoulder and saw her standing a few paces behind me, grinning.

“Ethan, um…” This wasn’t the time to let nerves get the better of me. “I saw that blog page, and…that necklace is mine. I’m Cindy, and I can prove it. The first night, we ate salted caramel apples, and you stopped your brother from taking a picture of us. The second night, you asked me if I wanted to go for a milkshake after your next game.”

He nodded slowly and held out the necklace. “I believe you.”

I took the necklace, fastening it around my neck with trembling fingers. As soon as I was finished, the pendant began to glow white around the edges.

I looked up at Ethan. “Do you recognise me?”

“Yes.”

The magic flared up one last time, as if in triumph, and disappeared.

“To be honest, Mina, I was hoping it was you. There was something about Cindy that seemed so familiar, and she reminded me of you even though we just talked to each other on the bus. And…this might sound creepy, but…”

He looked down at his shoes, hands behind his back. When he looked up, a couple of stray locks of hair had fallen over his forehead and there was a slight blush on his face. “After I met you on the bus, I really wanted to get to know you.”

What? Was I hearing this correctly?

“And my mum knows Jocelyn’s type of magic. She recognised it from the photo.”

Now it was my turn to blush. “I can explain about that…”

Ethan held out a hand. “Let’s go inside. Mum’s set up a huge chocolate fountain, and I know Brendan wants to get at least one picture of me and my mystery girl tonight. He knew you’d show up again.”

“Did you know I would?” I asked.

“I hoped you would.”

Unable to stop smiling, I took his hand, and we walked into the house.

***

Two weeks later

“Have fun!” Laurel called after us. “And remember, stay warm!”

Flora laughed, waving. “Bye, Mum!” Immediately after that, she put her hands into the pockets of her thick green jacket. “She’s right, though. It’s gotten colder.”

I didn’t care about that. Maybe I would later, but I was looking forward to seeing the football match – something I never thought I’d say seven years ago. Maybe watching someone special to you play made all the difference.

“I hear it’s a really good team they’re playing against,” Flora told me.

“It is. Ethan says the two colleges have always had a friendly rivalry when it comes to football.” I could already see people making their way towards the field in the distinct colours of the two teams: blue and yellow for Topaz Coast, purple and white for Crystal Lake.

Ethan had told me that the offer to go for a milkshake still stood. It would be our third date.

Flora and I wove our way through the crowd until we found some empty seats that would let us get an unobstructed view of the game. There was a hint of smoke in the air – someone must have started a bonfire somewhere – and it only added to the anticipation and excitement around us.

As the two teams jogged onto the pitch, I cheered and waved along with everyone else, but I only had eyes for my boyfriend. He glanced up at me, and I could see his smile from where I sat.

Both teams got into their positions. I held my breath, one hand gently touching Mum’s necklace as if for luck.

The whistle blew.

The End. Thank you for reading!

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