“Dude, what was that about?” Phillip asked.

“What?”

“Henery, you were totally hitting on blondie.”

“Yeah and?” That’s when Eric spoke up.

“I thought you wouldn’t date girls who go to school here. I think you said it was too much work.” I watched Cinderella walk out from the kitchen balancing two different trays one in each hand and serve her tables.

“I might make an exception this time.”

Phillip, Eric, Adam, Fred, Naveen and I walked from the fitness center to the school restraint. We have been friends for years, we do everything together and never hide anything from each other. It’s been about a month now since I first met Cinderella and I still haven’t made any leeway with her. In class, she’s always first to answer a question or do the extra credit work. She also works really hard at her job. We walked in the dining hall and took our usual seats at our usual table. I waited as Cinderella walked over to us. Today she wore gray flats, an old light blue dress, and an old blue sweater. That’s another thing I notated about her. She always seems to be wearing old clothes that were never in style. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail that swung at her shoulders. She never wore makeup, but she’s such a natural beauty that she doesn’t really need to. I smiled as I watched her blue eyes sparkle when she walked over to us.

“Are you ready to order?” She looked tired and I could tell she was forcing her smile. I was about to say something to her when I was interrupted by a yell.

“CINDERELLA!” everyone at the table looked over at the girl who was yelling. She’s a tall girl with long red curly hair and freckles. Her eyes are dark green and have a hint of amusement in them. Her bright pink dress stopped at her knees and has no sleeves. She wore heels that matched the color of her dress and were shiny like plastic, large chunky jewelry hung around her neck and wrist. Pulling in toe behind her was a tall boy who looked to be about the same age as us. He has medium length brown shaggy hair and bright green eyes. He wore brown dress shoes, brown skinny jeans, and a red t-shirt. The girl stopped in front of Cinderella. “Cinderella look who I found. It’s your little rat. I figured you would want him, so here.” the girl pushed the guy at Cinderella and walked off flipping her hair over her shoulder. I looked back at Cinderella only to find her grinning and hugging the new guy.

“Jaq what are you doing here?” Jaq wrapped his arms around Cinderella and swung her around in a circle. He put her down and looked her over.

“You look awful what have your evil sisters been doing to you?”

“Running me ragged what else is new. But what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in France.” Jaq looked around the dining room. Everyone seemed to be back in their own little world except the table they stood next to. We were watching them and not even trying to hide it. Cinderella looked at us.

“Oh I’m so sorry,” she separated herself from Jaq. “Can I take your order?” I just stared at her.

“Are you going to introduce us to your friend?” I asked her. I really wanted to know who this guy was.

“I don’t see how it’s any of your business. Now can I take your order?” Jaq started laughing. Which made her smile and pissed me off. Once we gave our orders I watched Jaq walk off with Cinderella. As I sat there fuming the guys started laughing. Naveen even fell off his chair from laughing so hard.

“Hey, prince charming you’re really making her fall for you,” Phillip said in between drags of breath and laughing.

“Dude, what is up with your game? I have watched you talk your way in and out of things for years, but I have never seen you tank as bad as you did today.”

“I don’t know. I could get any girl in here except her.”

“The hardest one to get is usually the one who stays,” Adam said looking up from his book. I looked at him, the guy has been spending a lot of time in the library lately and none of us know why.