Rider was in the boy's dressing room, minutes before the concert. It was the night of our big dance routine. There was only one song I got to do in the spotlight and it looked like I was going to mess it up.

Rider and I haven't been on good speaking terms in the past two days. I would say I don't know why, but I'd be lying. It has everything to do with my step sisters and Kylie Reynolds.

From what Easton overheard, Demi and Scarlet walked up to Rider in the hall and told them the girl he kissed was Kylie. I assume Kylie promised them money and popularity perks in exchange for convincing Rider of this lie.

"How did they find out... Uh.. She kissed Rider?" I asked, referring to myself, but knowing the cafeteria was not a good place to confess my feelings for Rider.

"I guess they saw your dress in your closet." Easton shovels more spaghetti in his mouth.

"What makes you think that?" I question, pushing my own plate to the side.

"Well," he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, "They saw your dress. They put the pieces together. I heard them whispering ever-so-loudly after their conversation with Rider."

Before he can occupy himself with eating once again, I spit out, "What else? Come on, Easton. I know you're holding something back." I shake his arm in an attempt to get the whole story out of him.

When he looks me dead in the eyes, he says the most meaningful words I've ever heard him profess.

"We're best friends, Brynn. When we were younger I'm sure we both had crushes on each other. But what's important is that we've remained friends throughout the toughest times. Maybe that's why Rider is jealous. But you and me, we have a special bond because of the parents we have lost. And that's not something to be jealous over. I love you, Brynn, but as a best friend. I need you by my side. But this is where I have to tell you something awkward in order to tell the rest of the story. Okay?" He says the last part slowly and with ease, like he's trying not to hurt my feelings.

"Shoot." I sigh.

He takes in an audible breath, "Demi and Scarlet told him you and I are dating. They said to forget about you and told him he needed to find Kylie and tell her how he felt."

My stomach flipped. When you're on a roller coaster and there's that split second where your stomach feels like it's floating, that's how I felt at the moment.

"Hey! Brynn! You almost done? Show's going to start soon!" One of my fellow students knocks me back into the present as I remember why I'm here. I am going to give the best performance I have ever given.

The curtain pulls back as I hide in the wing. My white, metallic leotard is compressed to my skin with an added flowing white skirt. Rider is wearing a fitted white t-shirt and black tights. It's supposed to be very casual but beautiful all the while.

As the other members join the stage in their routine, I watch as Rider dances around, looking for my character in the midst of the other girls.

Well this is ironic.

I gracefully complete a grand jete across the stage and "fall" into Rider's arms at the end. However, I suddenly feel scared that he won't catch me any other time. But even if he's mad at me, he doesn't want to see me hurt, does he?

The rest of our number isn't as smooth as I hoped for, but it's obviously due to our lack of communication. He's upset with what he thinks I did, therefore, creating a gap between us.

By the end of the concert, I'm positive he's going to dash out of here without a single word to me.

And that assumption was correct.

***

Why weren't you at my party?

When Rider sends me this text the day after our concert, I freak out. Do I tell him a lie? What other choice do I have? If I tell him I was there, won't he get even more angry with me because I didn't tell him sooner?

I had to work. I didn't tell him I got out of it to go to the party.

You know what's interesting? Your step sisters weren't invited, but they somehow got in.

What was that supposed to mean to me? I know they took my invite, but I still got in with the band.

I had no idea they were there until they told me they knew who my "Cinderella" was. I didn't understand how they could have possibly got in?

I finally gather my bearings and reply.

They took my invitation and forced me to stay home and clean. Once again, I did not tell him the whole truth.

I thought you were working?

I guess teenage guys are smarter than we give them credit for. It was time to admit everything. But I was not going to do this over text.

Okay, so, there are some things I need to confess. Meet me at our place?

To be honest, I was terrified he was going to deny me of meeting him.

Sounds good. I'm very confused.

I made a vow to myself that I wouldn't leave anything out. My feelings were going to be let loose once and for all and I would be free from avoiding Rider.

After a short drive to the coffee shop, Warm Thoughts, I spotted Rider's sports car and headed inside. I wondered if he felt as anxious as I did. Or maybe he was going to tell me he professed his love for Kylie already.

Why did I always put crazy things into my head when I'm already nervous? My hands were shaking as I found Rider and sat across from him in a booth.

"Hey." He said. Usually, upon our meetings here, he would greet me with a smile. He didn't bother this time. Rider meant business.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner. I was just... Afraid." I spill out.

He cocks his head in confusion. A slight smile tugs at the corners of his lips.

"What exactly are you admitting to, Brynn?" Like he didn't have a clue. We both knew I was busted. In a way, I was grateful he figured out. It meant he knew better than to have feelings for Kylie.

"I'm your Cinderella. I was the lead singer the night of your party. I... I kissed you and didn't even tell you my name." The words fly out of my mouth. If you've ever walked a dog that's twice your size and it spots a squirrel, you know how it feels to lose control and the dog runs away from you. Imagine in this situation the dog is the words coming out of my mouth.

"Wow." He slowly and quietly starts clapping. All the while, he lets a wide grin spread across his face.

"W-What?" I stutter on the one word.

"I knew it was you once you ran out of my house at our rehearsal. The way you frantically ran up the steps was all too familiar." He winks at me before continuing.

"You really ought to stay longer, Brynn. I'd love to get to know my Cinderella better." My blush deepens as I realize I've ran out on him twice now.

"Do you wanna go play some video games at my place? Just know I won't be able to hide my swoon-worthy grin when I'm with you." Rider holds out his hand after I stand from the booth, following him to his car.

"It'll be just like old times." I say, sounding very cheesy.

Rider bites his lip as we approach his car. When I give him a curious look, he speaks up.

"Only this time I won't hold back my need to kiss you when you beat me."

A/N
Terribly sorry that it took me so long to update! I thought about making this the last chapter, but I realized we still have issues to resolve. The book will have at least one more chapter!

Thanks for reading!
Always, Sunny