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It was a picture perfect memory. As if someone had 

recorded that time and stuck it in my head. Everything was 

in slow motion and the moment was on repeat. Mother was 

young, beautiful, happy, and carefree. She sat on a wooden 

bench swing with her dark, brown, wavy hair comfortably 

lying a little past her shoulders. Her light skin shined in the 

sun as her light brown eyes crinkled as she laughed. 

Father’s black hair was pushed back into a natural look. His 

naturally colored sky blue eyes twinkled in the sun as he 

pushed mother higher and higher on the swing. He was 

mumbling words into mother’s ears which only caused her 

to laugh louder, revealing her perfect, and straight, white 

teeth. My short, seven-year-old legs moved me in circles 

around a tree as I attempted to hide from my older sister, 

Drizella.  

Being myself, I thought I was fast enough and decided to 

take a break. Heavy breathes were released from my 

mouth as I tried to regain my breath. My small, pale hands 

pushed my radiant, auburn red hair out of my eyes as I 

turned my head to find my sister. I felt a tap on my 

shoulder and turned around to come face to face with 

Drizella. I squealed in surprise as she laughed; her brown 

curly hair bouncing while she beamed in triumph. Her 

brown eyes stared into mine before whispering tapping me 

again and saying,

“You’re it!” I laughed again before chasing her around in 

circles while mother roared in laughter on the bench, and 

father was pushing her on the swing higher and higher. 

We were all having so much fun, in our large backyard.

Everything was perfect, but nothing perfect lasts forever.

I sat at the polished, wooden table, picking at the oatmeal that had 

been sloppily put in front of me. It was such a bland color of beige. 

The squishing noise it made sounded disgusting, but the smell was 

worse. My sore back slouched in the soft chair as I let out a heavy 

sigh.

“Sit up, Anastasia, and eat your food.” My mother strictly obeyed me 

from the head of the table.

“I’m not hungry.” I muttered, setting my spoon down before forcing 

myself to sit up straight.

“You will eat your food, we have the royal ball later, and for once I 

would like for you to not look like a fool.” She instructed, her voice 

getting more and more annoyed.

“Yeah, try not to look like a fool, Anastasia.” Drizella sneered as I sent 

her a glare. I rolled my eyes before forcing a spoonful of disgusting 

oatmeal down my throat. While setting my spoon down, my elbow 

knocked over the glass of water that was set for me, splashing water 

all over the floor.

“Oh dear, not again. Cinderella? Where is that child? 

Cinderella!” My mother called in an angry voice. I 

heard dainty footsteps echo through the hallway as 

she made her way into the room. 

“I’m sorry Stepmother; I was just-“Cinderella tried to 

explain.

“None of your excuses, child. My god, your father 

whom I married after my husband’s death, would be 

so disappointed in you. I ask only one thing from 

you, yet you can’t even do that?” Mother exclaimed. 

A small part of me felt bad for her, but the other part 

was attempting to hold back a smirk. Cinderella 

sighed before grabbing a napkin and dabbing the 

water beside my feet.

“When are you going to stop being so clumsy?” 

Cinderella whispered so only I could hear her.

“Whenever you learn to hurry up.” I whispered 

annoyed. She shot me a glare before continuing 

cleaning.

“C’mon Ella, you’re the only person in this dreadful 

mansion who I want to talk to.   Please, can’t we at least 

try to be friends?” I hopefully questioned. It was true, 

no one here understood me and I felt like Cinderella 

would be the only one who could. She set down her 

towel before lifting her head up to look at me. Her blue 

eyes studied my brown ones before she stood up and 

pushed her golden blonde hair out of her face.

“We may be stepsisters, but we will never be friends.”

I heard a knock at my bedroom door. 

“Come in.” I mumbled while I lay on my bed in 

relaxation.

“The ball is in an hour. You need to get ready.” I heard 

the voice of no one other than Cinderella. I had 

completely forgotten about the ball. Mother’s dream for 

Drizella and I was to attend the Prince’s royal ball. I had 

only ever heard of the prince, but never met him. 

Drizella was ecstatic when she found out we were 

invited. I on the other hand, was not exited. I was not a 

huge fan of dancing, dresses, or prince’s. Now was the 

time when I was forced to show up and not even have a 

good time; lucky me.

“Ok. You may go.” I told Cinderella as she slammed my 

door shut, causing me to jump. 

I slowly stood up and made my way over to my 

closet, where the dress mother had ordered was 

hung. I grabbed the silk, long, elegant, light pink 

dress and lay it on my bed. After I was done getting 

ready, I curled my hair and let it rest on my 

shoulders. Before walking out the door, I took a look 

in the mirror. I was beautiful, and I had never looked 

better. I quickly slipped on some white shoes and 

walked out the door. I made my way down the grand 

staircase. At the bottom of the staircase, Mother and 

Drizella were waiting for me.

“Hurry up, Anastasia! We are going to be late!” Drizella 

whined in an annoying high pitch voice. My feet briskly 

made their way down the stairs until I reached the 

bottom.

“Oh Anastasia, you look wonderful!” My mother said in 

awe

“For once.” I heard Drizella mumble. I rolled my eyes as 

mother lead us outside where our carriage awaited.

“Cinderella, I don’t want any trouble, do you 

understand?” She scolded. Cinderella nodded her head 

as she looked at the floor, attempting to make herself 

look like the innocent victim she always seemed to be.

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