Ella (2)

After sitting down on my cot to work on the dress, I looked up to see out of my little window to find both of my step sisters looking my way. Hesitantly, I stood up and started to pace. 'If I go out there and talk to them it could turn out awful and they will give me too many chores to finish before the ball' I worried, but then anxiety kicked in and I thought 'if they saw me glance at them and they think I'm ignoring them, then they will just get madder and I could be making things even worse now.

I pressed myself against the dusty wall and peeked back out through the window with one eye in hopes that they were gone and I could avoid any altercation. They were still standing there, still as statues. Their hair flowing in the wind, both brunette, practically identical despite being a year apart. They stood in their cloaks to shield them from the wind. I knew I couldn't avoid them anymore if I wanted to keep them in a good mood. 

Brushing myself off quickly, I decided to hide my dress under my blanket and hurry towards the main house. Their expressions didn't leave their faces as I approached, especially Anastasia's. She was always the one who despised me the most and I never understood her hatred for me. 

"Good morning, sisters" I greeted with a smile and a small curtsy. 

"Well well well, now I'm reminded why we call you 'Cinderella' with all this soot on your face," she responded with a smug look on her face. 

Curious, I felt my cheek that I had pressed to the wall when peering out the window and sure enough, it was filthy. I had wiped off my dress but forgot my face. 'Damn, Ella, you fool' I beat myself up on the inside. 

Not meeting their gaze, I managed to respond "I am sorry, sister, I don't mean to be in such rough shape," 

"No need to be sorry, Cinderella, you can't help it if you look like one of the pigs," she said looking smug. 

I glanced up at her then and saw Drizella giving her a look of disapproval but no words left her mouth. Her eyes met mine and I saw a hint of guilt in them. 

Drizella was always the complicated step sister. She wasn't a bully, but she never stood up for me when Anastasia was mean to me, this morning is a perfect example. She always aimed to please her mother and sister, but I could tell she was the nicest of three evils. 

Anastasia, on the other hand, was a whole other story. She knew that she was clumsy and not much to look at, so she brought others down to lift herself up. She always had to be the center of attention, have all the nicest things to wear, and she always had a mean comeback prepared. I think she practices them in her mirror. 

Step Mother always took the sides of her daughters, of course, no surprise there. Most of the time, she acted as if I didn't exist. I didn't quite mind that fact, though, I liked my space. Some days I would wish she would pay attention to me or treat me with some kind of affection since obviously, I would never get anything of the like from my stepsisters. Through the years, eventually, I had accepted her contempt for me, which is why I was so shocked when she told me that I could go to the ball, and why I was so worried about upsetting any of them today.

"If you don't mind, sisters, I would like to get back to my shed. I have things to finish before tonight." I curtseyed and took my leave without looking back, eager to get back to my dress.

* * * 

Drizella

"Oh. My. Word. Did you see her face?" Anastasia smirked.

"Must have been from those little fires she makes to keep herself warm during the cold times of the year," I assumed. "You know she doesn't have much in there, and there are holes in the walls, I'm sure it gets frigid at night." 

"Who cares?" she asked sharply.

I shivered from the breeze since it was still early morning and the sun was just barely visible through the trees. Putting my arm on her back, I turned Ana towards the house and smiled at her "let's go get ready."