I sit, half watching the television, amazed at the length of time it is taking my sisters to get ready. Well not really amazed. Two hours is generally the average time it takes for them, by contrast I can usually be ready within ten minutes. It is one of the many differences between us.

"You sure you don't want to come with us Chris?" Angie asks.

As step sisters go my two are definitely far better than Cinderella's, better looking too. That isn't to say we don't fight but as a rule we get on alright. I don't know how I could have coped with fathers death without them. Yes as sisters go I could have done a lot worse.

I shake my head. "No thanks I have got housework and homework to do." It is an excuse and judging by the look on her face she knows it. "I've got nothing to wear."

Cinderella had nothing to wear to the ball and I have nothing to wear to the party. We're two of a kind I guess.

"Oh come on, it'll be fun." For a moment I'm tempted to say yes. But the moment passes and I remember that my best friend, Fay is coming over and anyway I have no fancy dress outfit. I shake my head again.

Angie looks disappointed and goes back to getting ready. I sometimes wonder, were Cinderellas' sisters as bad as they were made out to be. Perhaps they were simply coming to terms with the fact that their mother had married again and they were no longer the centre of attention. Perhaps she was the one that treated them like dirt, simply because she looked better than them and she was the apple of her fathers eye.

I used to be the apple of my fathers eye, especially after the death of my mother. We used to do everything together and yes I admit that when he did remarry I treated my sisters like dirt. But then he too was taken from me and they were there to comfort me. Maybe Cinderellas life would have been easier if she had seen her sisters as potential friends not potential rivals for the affection of her father, I know mine would have been.

I sit watching the television. It is as boring and depressing as my life at the moment. Maybe I should go to the party. It could be fun. Only Fay is coming over and besides I have nothing to wear.

Anyway I doubt I would enjoy it. I don't even know Alexander Fortesque the Third or his snobbish friends. They don't know me. My sisters managed to get me the invitation. They thought it would cheer me up. It hasn't worked.

I watch my sisters leave. They are beautiful in their long, shimmering ball-gowns. Two shy, fairytale princesses off to their first ball, hoping to receive a dance from the prince, or perhaps the two ugly sisters trying to snare themselves a prince between them. But they are not ugly.

I am Cinderella sitting at home with nothing but the housework to keep my company and not even the hope of a fairy godmother rescuing me. I look down at my jeans and T-shirt, nothing but modern day rags compared to the expensive costumes that will be worn at the party and in my heart I know I long to go, just as Cinderella also did.

I do not like parties or crowds of people. I do not even know the host of the party nor have I bought him a present but for some strange reason I want to go if only to watch the others enjoy themselves. But I can't go for I have nothing to wear and anyway I said I'd do the dishes.

I make a start on them. I hate doing dishes, doing housework but unlike Cinderella I am not forced into doing them. I'm doing them out of choice just as I am not going to the party out of choice only now I think I've changed my mind and would give anything for my fairy godmother to turn up and say "You shall go to the ball." Only it's not likely to happen is it?

I hear the doorbell ring. Must be my fairy godmother. I open the door and invite her in.

Fay asks me why I am not going to the party and I retort by asking her why she is not going, knowing full well that she too has an invite.

"I have a date," the news is a surprise to me. She never mentioned anything about it to me before I don't pry though. "And you?"

"I said I would do the dishes."

"Since when has that stopped you? You hate doing the dishes. I'll help then you can get ready to go."

"But you have a date."

"In two hours anyway as your Fay-ry godmother it is my duty to make sure you go to the ball. They wont mind if you are late. If I remember rightly Cinderella was also late." The Cinderella/Fay-ry Godmother thing has been a long running joke between the two of us.

"I have nothing to wear," I protest.

"Oh Chris, you're as bad as your two sisters. Just wear what you're wearing now."

"But I can't go to a fancy dress party in jeans."

"Why not?"

"Because it is fancy dress."

"Tie your hair up, shove on shades and a baseball cap and pretend to be some movie star that no one has ever heard of."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Look even if I could I don't have enough money to get there," I lie.

"I'll drive you. I know my car's not a golden horse-drawn coach but it's not a pumpkin either."

"I don't know about that," I smile. "I guess you're not going to give up until I agree are you?"

"You know me too well. You shall got to the ball Cinders like it or lump it. Go get ready I'll finish the dishes."

It takes me five minutes to get ready the same time it takes her to finish the dishes.

"Have you got your invitation?" she asks. By way of an answer I wave it in front of her face. "Okay lets get going then, your carriage awaits. Now all You've got to do is bag yourself a handsome prince and be back by twelve." she laughs.

I can hear the music from outside the Fortesques' house. It is loud, incredibly loud. I hand my invitation in at the front door and am guided to the main room.

I walk into the room, no one notices me. They are too busy dancing. Dancing to the loud THUMP THUMP that is the music. It is not real music, it does not have a tune. It is dreadful. Fortesque has awful taste in music.

I resign myself to being antisocial, grab a drink and push my way through the gyrating mass of people towards a chair. Eventually I manage to sit down.

I sit watching, looking at the people and their costumes. Amongst the expensive costumes I feel truly out of place, I should never have come.

Cleopatra dances with a headless bear, people attired in medieval costumes dance with things from horror stories, rockstars with pyjama clad girls all dancing to the same THUD THUD. Somewhere amongst the mass are my sisters, having fun and a stunning, fairy tale, Prince Charming who looks as uncomfortable about everything as I am feeling.

He walks over to me, smiling slightly, not bothering to shout above the din that is the music points to the door and gestures for me to follow him. I quite happily follow him.

"Thanks," he says as soon as we are a reasonable distance away from the music.

"For what?" I ask confused. If anything I should be thanking him from saving me from that awful noise.

"For giving me an excuse to get out of there. You looked as if you were enjoying it as much as I was."

"I was. Parties aren't really my scene. I don't even know why I bothered coming along."

"I know what you mean. I'm Alex by the way," he says offering me his hand.

"Cinderella," I reply, shaking it. I'm doing my best not to laugh as does he. "You were dancing with my two ugly step sisters earlier, the girls in the ball-gowns. Though admittedly my ugly sisters are beautiful and well I guess in this story Cinderella doesn't get the handsome prince."

"Well you can have me if you want me," he says and we both burst into laughter.

"No thanks" I reply trying to keep a straight face.

"I'm hurt," he says insincerely. "So what is your real name?"

"Cinderella," I say again, the laughing's starting to hurt.

"Yeah right, since when did Cinderella wear a baseball cap and jeans?"

"Since my fairy godmother wanted to leave early to go on a date. This was the best she could do and I'm glad. I'd look ridiculous in a ball-gown. Anyway since when did Prince Charming have long hair and a nose-ring?"

"Since his parents told him he had an image to keep up and so had to look respectable. So what is your real name and don't you dare answer Cinders again."

"Oooh threatening me. I'd better comply then. It's Chris." A thought suddenly comes to me. "I don't suppose you want to leave this party seeing as we're both having so much fun and go do something else?"

"Leave the party and it's wonderful music? How could you even dream of suggesting that?" his words drip with sarcasm. "Problem is the guests might object."

"Why?"

"Well it's not really polite for the host to leave his guests . Still they probably wont even know I'm gone."

"But..." suddenly it dawns on me. "Alex short for Alexander Fortesque the Third." I ask astounded, realising who exactly it is I'm talking to. This long blonde haired, blue eyed ear-ringed rebel wannabe is nothing like the prim proper young man I had imagined him to be.

"It's just Alex please. I hate the rest of the rubbish at the end of my name. Hey you're not gate-crashing are you?" he's teasing me.

"Nope no need to worry I got an invite with the gold swirly letters and everything."

"Do you go to the university then. I handed out a whole heap there to people I barely know?"

"No, I'm still at school," I admit.

"Okay you know my sister, Sabrina then?"

I shake my head. "I think my sisters might though."

"That will explain the invitation then. She handed out more invites to my party than I did. As you can tell it's also her choice in music. She says no one would want to dance to my favourite songs and well you've got to keep the guests happy."

"I thought it was your party."

"She sort of took over. I would have been happy with a few friends over a pizza and a video but she said that was no way to celebrate my eighteenth. She kept nagging me until I agreed to let her organise one for me."

"Typical of sisters, mine are always nagging me to do stuff I don't want to."

"Hey maybe I can still get that pizza. Fancy coming along?"

"Sure, you're not going in that costume?"

"No way. I'll go get changed first."

He gets changed and we leave talking about this and that. We walk to the nearest pizzeria.

He's nothing like the stuck up snob I had imagined he would be. We laugh, we have fun. I enjoy myself far more than I ever remember doing so before. I'm having a great time as does he seem to be. I'm glad Fay persuaded me to go to the party if only because I got to meet Alex.

All too soon it starts getting late. I glance at my watch, it's 11:45. We've been finished eating for ages and haven't really noticed, caught up so much with simply talking.

We leave. It's almost twelve. Traditionally the time for Cinderella to flee back to her plain boring life, only this Cinderella is having a great time. I don't want to go home, the night is still young.

We go for a walk, simply to pass the time, neither of us wanting to go home. We talk, but the conversation seems stilted, artificial even. It does not flow the same as it did as if perhaps we are both waiting for something to happen and in my heart I don't know if I want it to happen. Actually, to be honest I do want it to and that's scaring me all the more.

He stops walking and turns to face me. I'm half tempted to run, or to tell him no, but the largest part of me is craving the kiss I know is about to come.

He kisses me lightly on the lips and then looks at me, searching for a reaction, a clue to how I'm feeling.

I don't know what to do, my heads in a spin, butterflies are flapping around in my stomach. Most of me wants more, is crying out for him but this small voice in my head is crying out NO!

I feel confused. I need air. Only I'm already outside. I have plenty of air. I need to get my head sorted out, get my thoughts straightened. Yes I like him, lots, that's not the issue here. But if not that then what is? I want to kiss him again only the little voice refuses to be silenced. I need some time to sort out my feelings. I barely know him. Everything's going too fast.

I want to tell him all this but the words wont come out.

I want to kiss him but the small voice at the back of my head wont shut up. So I continue to stand there looking at him. My head in a spin.

The expression on his face is one of disappointment. He seems upset at my reaction. He thought he knew what I wanted but how could he when I don't even know what it is. He's sent my world in a spin, completely out of control. I need to say something to him but I can't seem to. More than anything I want another kiss but the voice is still nagging. I wish it would shut up. I don't care if I've only known him for a few hours. I feel as if I've known him for my entire life. I like him but.. There's always that but in there.

"Alex," I say when my mouth starts working. "I need time. It's happening too quickly, I barely know you." The church bells start chiming twelve. "Look phone me, please, I do like you. I've got to go, please phone me. I just need to sort myself out." He seems about to say something, I silence him with a kiss then flee across the road and hail a passing taxi. It's only when I'm halfway home that I realise I didn't leave my phone number.

Two weeks pass. I give up all hope of meeting Alex again. He's a student I'm just a 17 year old school kid who dreams of being Cinderella.

Why did I run away? I should have stayed. I guess I just panicked. I needed to sort my feelings out and now that I have I'll never have the chance to tell him.

I could always go round to his house and tell him only what if he tells me to go away. I wouldn't blame him after the way I treated him. I don't think I could handle being rejected. No it's far better to take the safe option and continue my life without him.

Cinderella never had these problems. She had the good sense to leave a glass slipper whereas I left nothing but a memory.

My stepsisters are not ugly, my stepmother is not wicked, Alex is no Prince Charming and I am not Cinderella. I am Chris. Boring plain Chris. There will be no fairy tale ending to my story.

The doorbell rings. Everyone else is out. I pull myself out of my self piteous state, go over to the door, not even hoping it is for me.

I open it and stare in amazement. Alex is standing there looking as gorgeous as I remember him to be.

He seems very nervous. "I can go if you want me to."

I shake my head not trusting myself to speak for the first few moments. "Come in, take a seat," I eventually say. "How did you find me?"

A smile graces his lips for a moment, "I asked around. You would not believe how many Chris's were at that party. So I went and visited almost all of them. No one seems to remember you being there. I was lucky I finally remembered you had two stepsisters, I got my sister to find out your address and well now I'm here."

"Do you want some tea? Coffee?"

"No. Chris I just wanted to apologise for... well... everything. I had a great night. I'm sorry. I..." "It's me that should apologise. I should not have run off. I should have talked things through with you, tried to tell you how I was feeling." <p> "And how do you feel? I'm sorry I'd like to know. My feelings are the same for you as they were two weeks ago. I love you." <p> It's so good to hear those three words. I don't know what to say. I like him, I can't deny that I am very attracted to him but well I barely know him. I'd like to get to know him better though. <p> In a perfect world this would be the end. I'd reply "I love you too, Alex" and that would be it. We'd live happily ever after. <p> This is not a fairytale though. I am not Cinderella and Alex despite his gorgeous looks and his great personality is no Prince Charming. There will be no happy-ever-afters. <p> I am Chris. Plain boring Chris with my plain boring life. I live in a different world from Alex, with his money and his student friends. I look at Alex. He is sitting, waiting with anticipation for my answer. <p> I still don't know what it will be. I stand up again and start pacing. Three little words will change my life for better or for worse. <p> "I love you," or "let's be friends." <p> Which will it be. Which will it be. <p> Cinderella had it easy, the decision was made for her by society. I am not so lucky. I am not Cinderella. I am Chris. I should stop comparing my life to hers. <p> I take the seat next to Alex finally resolved. He looks straight into my eyes, looking for a hint regarding what I am about to say. <p> "Alex, I'm sorry," as soon as the words are out I almost kick myself. That's not what I meant to say. His face falls, the hope all gone. He looks dejected. I want to see him smile again. <p> "I understand," he says not giving me a chance to say anything else. He stands up, I grab his hand, he looks startled. <p> "No you don't," I insist. "Sit," I say pulling him down. He does so. He's looking confused. I long to see him smile. I raise his hand to mouth, kiss it lightly then let it fall. His face brightens up, hope restored once again. <p> "Sorry, look what I meant to say is that I do like you and everything, I like you a lot. Can we try and get to know each other better first before we get too involved. <p> "No that's not it either, look I'd like to see more of you a lot more of you and well can we just take the relationship slowly, that is if you want... Look this isn't coming out right. I've never done this before and..." <p> "Chris you want a relationship?" he says simply. <p> "Yes, no. I don't know. I want to take things slowly but I want to spend time with you too. I want... I don't know what I want." <p> "Do you want to catch a movie?" <p> "No, not just now. I think I just want to sit and talk." <p> "You should be more decisive," he says smiling. "Look if friends is how you want to start off I'm sure I can manage that as long as you tell me if you want to take thing slightly further okay. Is it a deal then?" <p> "Sure." <p> So this is certainly no fairy tale ending. It's not really a happy-ever-after. Maybe we'll be happy, maybe not. There are no promises for the rest of the future. But at the moment I'm happy and isn't that what matters. <p> I'm not Cinderella, maybe life would be better if I was and I knew there would be happiness at the end of it all but somehow I guess it wouldn't be so satisfying, so worthwhile. If I want a relationship with Alex to work we're both going to have to put the effort in. If I decide that a relationship is not what I want I hope I'll still have a valued friend. <p> Cinderella never had the choice. She had to marry the prince. It was what was expected. Anything else would have been a disappointment. <p> Even if I do decide on a relationship, there's no guarantee of it working but if it does I'm sure it will be ten times more satisfying than a fairytale romance handed to me on a golden platter. <p> Maybe one day I'll want to be Cinderella again, I'll want back the idea of an effortless happy-ever-after but at the moment I'm just happy being Chris and all that that means. <p> <hr> <p> <center><h1>Goldilocks</h1></center> <p> I sit watching the phone, waiting for it to ring but it never does. <p> I love him. <p> I miss him.<p> I need him.<p> Too late, do I realise this. He is gone now never to return. He loves me not. He doesn't even want to be friends. <p> He hurt me. He is wrong. I don't live in a fantasy world. I don't. I live in the here and now just like he does. I know that I am not Cinderella but he says my constant comparisons drive him crazy. He used to think it was cute, used to think I was cute. Not anymore. <p> Of course I'm not Cinders for if I was my Prince Charming would never have left me. We weren't even lovers though and I know in my heart there will be no happy endings. <p> I am alone. So alone. Even my fairy godmother has deserted me. No that is not fair, it was I that deserted Fay for Alex. I neglected our friendship so badly that we never speak. I am an awful person. I deserve to be alone, yet still it does not make the pain any easier. That is why, when Goldilocks approaches me I am more than surprised. <p> "Heya Chris, long time no see," she grins at me, "I see you and Alex are still fighting," she tuts under her breath. "What you fighting about?" <p> Sabrina with her blonde hair and baby blue eyes is the spitting image of her brother. It hurts to be reminded of him, reminded of what I have lost. "Rina, if Alex has not told you then it is certainly not my place to do so." <p> "It's silly, you two were such good friends and now all both of you ever do is mope around." <p> Alex mopes around? Perhaps he does miss me. Perhaps I should phone him, but he hurt me. It should be him that is the first to call. <p> "You want to come out for a coffee with me after school?" <p> The invitation shocks me. We have barely spoken before today but I am so alone and perhaps through Rina I will be able to see Alex again. <p> "I'd love to," I reply feigning a smile. <p> But she does not notice my smile is false, she just smiles sweetly and announces, "it's a date." <p> <hr> <p> We sit sipping coffee talking of very little. Even the silence is uncomfortable. Whereas Alex has depth, Sabrina is all surface. I miss him so badly. Why did we have to fight? <p> She drags me off shopping with her. I hate shopping but how can I say no? Specially not with the chance to see Alex again so near. <p> Then I notice her slipping a scarf into her bag without paying. My heart leaps into my mouth as we walk out. I should tell someone but we are already out of the shop and no one has noticed besides Alex would never forgive me if I was responsible for getting his baby sister in trouble with the police. <p> "Something wrong Chris?" she asks with sacharine sweetness and all I can do is shake my head in response. <p> <hr> <p> We walk up to the house. Mr and Mrs Baird the door declares. My hearts pounding. I can't believe I'm doing this. Sabrina reaches under the mat, snags the spare key and slips it into the keyhole. I can't believe I am doing this but Sabrina is my only friend and I need to keep her that way besides if I tell her no my chances of ever making up with Alex will be ruined forever. <p> She unlocks the door and turns the handle offering me an encouraging smile. The owners wont be back for hours she informs me and I believe her. <p> We step in, it must be the most difficult step I have ever taken in my life. First thing she does is lead me into the kitchen and start searching through the fridge, "want a beer?" she asks waving a can at me. <p> <i>'Somebody's been drinking my beer' cries Daddy Baird.</i> <p> I shake my head, I don't particularly like beer anyway. <p> "Suit yourself," she pops open the can and gulps down the amber liquid before tossing it in the bin. I don't think I have ever seen a girl drink so much in such a short space of time. <p> "All the good stuff will be upstairs," she declares, and like a lamb to the slaughter I follow her into the master bedroom. "Sit down I wont be long." <p> <i>'Somebody's been sitting on my chair' cries Mummy Baird.</i> <p> I decide to sit on the edge of the bed instead, least I wont be at risk of breaking that. <p> After rummaging through the room pocketing whatever takes her fancy Rina sits next to me. I feel slightly sick, mind full of thoughts about what will happen if we get caught. She leans over and kisses me lightly. <p> <i>'Somebody's been sleeping in my bed' cries Baby Baird, 'and they're still there'</i> <p> My stomach turns sommersaults. I can't do this. I can't. I push her away, panicking, leaping to my feet. It's not bears I'm afraid of being eaten alive by but her. <p> She shrugs, not looking all that upset by my reaction. "Let's get out of here" and for once I agree whole heartedly with her. Goldilocks games are not for me. <p> <hr> <center><h1>Sleeping Beauty</h1></center> <p> I hear a sound at my window, the noise of a stone hitting glass. I run to the window for a moment hoping he is there but when I look down I realise it is Goldilocks and not Prince Charming. My step-mother doesn't like her much so I guess Sabrina decided not to botherus by phoning first. <p> "Chris, let me in" she cries. <p> <i>'Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair.'</i> <p> But my hair is far too short so I do the sensible thing and open the front door. <p> I sneak her through the house to my bedroom. She doesn't look good, her face is pale and drawn, she is not her usual lively self. Something is wrong. <p> "Sit down, I have some bad news." <p> I do as she asks trying not to wonder what she is about to tell me but already my mind is racing ahead of me thinking of worst case scenarios. <p> "There's been an accident." <p> "Alex," I almost scream the name. Please let it not be Alex, please let him be alright. Please. <p> She gazes down studying her feet. "His bike got hit by a car. He's in hospital." <p> Thank the heavens he is still alive. "How bad?" <p> "He's got a few broken bones. He's not doing well. He hasn't woken up yet." <p> Oh Alex, my love please do not die. <p> "Can I visit him?" <p> "They only allow family." My heart sinks as she pauses. "I'll tell them you're my cousin or something." <p> "Thank you Rina." <p> <hr> <p> There's no problems getting into the hospital. With Sabrina here I never suspected there would be. <p> He lies there like a marble angel, blond hair spiling onto crisp white pillows, looking so peaceful almost as if he were asleep. <p> Oh how I wish he truly were asleep and not lost to the world completely. <p> "I'll give you two some time together," for once Sabrina is all tact, slipping off to leave us alone. <p> My sleeping beauty, he lies there I almost wonder if a kiss will awaken him, but this is not a fairytale and love does not solve all problems. There are no happy endings in real life just pain and hurt and arguments. <p> But we are alone. I've been waiting for this moment since all those months ago when we argued, the last time I saw him. I wish I had realised then how much he meant to me, how much I cared for him. Perhaps things would have turned out differently. I guess the old saying is right however, 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone.' I hope Alex is not gone. <p> I lean forward and kiss him featherlight on the lips. His eyes flutter open sleepily then widen as he sees me, "Chris?" <p> He is awake. He is all right. I feel like laughing and crying all at once. So much I want to say to him but I just reply dumbly, "Alex." <p> He smiles, a soft warm smile that sends my insides all juddery. "I never believed Rina when she said she would take you here." <p> "You weren't in a coma?" Sabrina must have tricked me. <p> "No just sleeping," he smiles again, a touch of mischievousness "thought that was the most lovely way to be woken. You're not upset that..." <p> "Alex I'm just glad you are alive," I butt in. <p> "I'm glad you are here." <p> "So'm I." <p> He's not going to apologise to me. I can see it in his eyes as clearly as I se ethe love shining there. I guess we'll just pretend that everything is okay, that the argument never happend. I suppose I can live with that as long as he can. <p> "Does all this make me Sleeping Beauty then?" he teases softly. <p> I laugh, "I guess so." I know so. <p> He grins, "then you must be my handsome prince and even I know what happens next." <p> He's using my own metaphors, I can't believe it. Trying to communicate with me on my own level. "So what happens next?" As if I don't know, I'd like to here it from his own lips. <p> "We get married and live happily ever after." <p> "Married?" I almost spit out with surprise, I hadn't expected him to say that. <p> He's laughing his heart out now tears rolling down his face at my horrified expression. <p> "Well I'm sure that you would look truly delightful in a pure white wedding gown, Sleeping Beauty." <p> Laughter stops and he pulls a face at me, "okay maybe not married," he agrees. "I'll easy settle for another kiss instead though." <p> I smile and comply, his lips taste as good as I remember. I could really get used to this. <p> Finally he breaks away, "I love you." <p> I smile hearing those words, "Love you too." Oh how I've ached to say that. This is love, not a glance across a room, not even lust after an evening together spent my two almost strangers but two people who know each other so well finally admitting how they truly feel. <p> "So do we get out happy ending?" <p> I chuckle in response, "oh I doubt that. Sabrina seems to have a thing for me which I have the feeling is going to make things difficult." <p> "We'll cope." <p> We, oh how I love that word. We. Us. Me and Alex. Alex and Chris. <p> "And things are never going to be easy for us. Nothing in the fairy tales prepares us for what happens if Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella were to get together." <p> "Or two handsome princes, right Christopher?" <p> "Or two hadsome princes." <p>