"There's no way you just beat me." My jaw drops as I watch her pump her fist in the air. She gives me a sly smile, "Want a re-match?

I sigh, "A third re-match? Brynn you've murdered me." I dramatically fake my death by collapsing my head onto her lap as we sit on the couch.

She laughs at my playfulness and begins running her hand through my hair. I don't know what it is about her touch, but it sends goosebumps down my arms. I lift myself up and sit close to her side.

"Do you think Kylie will hunt me down?" I suddenly ask. Brynn snickers and grabs my hand.

"She will probably hold a grudge against both of us for quite a while, yes. But who cares?"

I just want to make sure I live to see tomorrow.

"Brynn?" I speak up again. She's probably getting tired with my questions, but she keeps a smile on her lips the whole time.

"Yes?" She replies.

"Did you have a wig on the night of my party or was I really that oblivious?"

She laughs, "Yes, I wore that wig you bought me some time ago."

The wig that started our friendship all over again. That night was our very first date. That brown wig turned out to be more special than I ever thought it would.

All of a sudden I find myself leaning towards her to kiss her. My hand brushes the stray hairs away from her ear and I cup my hand on her cheek. Softly, our lips meet and sparks fly.

I realized right then that Brynn would always be the girl I had a connection with. It didn't matter that she was disguised the last time I kissed her, it was still her. The spark would always be with her. Maybe that's why I questioned myself so much. There was no way it could've been any girl other than Brynn.

She breaks away, but our foreheads still touch.

"So can I say I'm officially dating Rider Jackson or do you want Kylie to keep chasing after you?" Brynn chuckles.

I roll my eyes and bring myself to kiss her again. No matter how much she teases me, I can't stay upset with her.

"I want you, Brynn. The real deal. The one and only. The girl with purple highlights," She smiles as my thumb makes circles around her hand.

"The girl who can beat me at any video game. You can totally show me up in a dance performance but choose to do a duet. And for that, Brynn, I love you. I should've told you sooner but I've always wanted to be with you."

She bites her lip, "Well, considering I kept my double identity from you for a while, I think we can call it even." A grin a mile wide appears on my face.

"Yeah. A shoe or something would've been nice to leave behind." I smirk, sarcasm lacing my voice.

She throws her head back in laughter, "You didn't think I was that cliche did you? Come on, Rider, you have to think a little."

I shake my head, "No. I didn't have to think, not for long anyways. Because who else could've sped up my heartbeat like that? What girl could possibly make my mind go blank while making my head spin? It had to be you, Brynn."

She's about to speak up when my father's voice comes down the stair rail.

"Seriously? I created this mancave to get away from chick flicks and lovey-dovey romance stuff. Now you're down here watching, what, some Nicholas Sparks movie?"

Brynn starts to chuckle at my dad's outburst. I don't comprehend why until I realize how inaccurate his accusations were.

"We were playing Call of Duty, Mr. Jackson." Brynn folds her fingers into mine, but my dad doesn't notice. He turns a crimson red as he slowly walks back up the stairs.

"We can watch a chick flick if you want to..." I start, but she waves me off.

"Don't even call it that. You would probably cry just as much as the next girl at any Nicholas Sparks movie. They are not just for 'chicks'.''

I take a mental note to never make a sexist remark again. If my brother were here as of the moment, I'm sure he'd be quick to call me whipped. In all honesty, Brynn knows me pretty well. If she thinks I'd cry, I probably would.

A thought occurs to me. "Were you ever going to tell me it was you?" I lace my fingers into hers.

"I wanted to... But I was afraid that you'd reject me."

She bites down on her bottom lip, holding back some of her words. I won't push, but I know there's something more.

I gently pull her chin to look at me so she's not looking down at her feet. She tucks her feet underneath her and doesn't say a word.

"Brynn I want you to know that it will always be you. No matter what barriers people try to put up between us, I'm always going to come back to you. You were my first crush Brynn, and you stuck by me all these years. You have a special place in my life."

She looks up at me with a slight smile, "First crush, huh?"

A smile appears on my face too. "Don't act so innocent, you were almost in love with me back then." I tease.

She rolls her eyes, "I do believe you were the one to kiss me on that beach trip." Brynn playfully shoves me.

As the night continues, I realize that I came across as an arrogant rich boy at school for so many years. Brynn Cassidy was by my side through all of my prejudice remarks, snide comments, and rude behavior. She never really gave up on me. While she was practically becoming a modern Cinderella, she didn't ever complain about her rough lifestyle. How unfortunate is it to have both your parents pass at such a young age? Brynn is worthy of a life so much better than what she has. And one day, I hope I can give her a life she truly deserves.

*****4 years later
Junior year, college*****

"Rider, quit panicking. Everything is set up. We're just waiting for Mauri to bring her over. She has no idea what we're planning." Easton has an odd way of reassuring me, but it works nonetheless. Currently, we're waiting on Mauri to bring Brynn over to my house, where she thinks she will be attending a formal dinner with my parents and some of their colleagues. In reality, we're recreating the party I threw junior year of high school.

Tonight, I propose. It's not as easy as it sounds. My heart is pounding out of my chest, sweat covers my forehead and soaks my hair, and I cannot control my breathing.

"Dude, go upstairs and put your tux on already. Brynn said they're almost here!"

I rush up the stairs to slip on my attire and grab the box. The box sits on a shelf beside one of my favorite pictures. Brynn sits in the passenger seat beside my sister. I took the picture from the back seat. She has her eyes closed and her feet tucked under her. The wind blows in her hair and she has her fingers delicately placed on the radio volume knob. I think I have taken the most beautiful picture in the world.

"Ca-caw!" I hear from the staircase. I roll my eyes as I shove the box into my coat pocket.

"Easton, I told you, no bird calls are necessary."

He shrugs, "It makes this more enjoyable. I'll be on stage outside. I'll get them to start playing the second you two walk out."

I nod and we turn down different corridors. Mauri opens the front door and Brynn follows behind her. It's game time.

"B, you look beautiful." I nearly gasp. It's been so long since I've seen her in a formal dress, and it completely takes my breath away.

She blushes, but before she replies, Mauri steps in.

"Yeah, she sure is stunning. Well, we better head out to the yard. Everyone's waiting for us." Brynn and Mauri hike up their dresses and scurry towards the back door. Here goes nothing.

"Oh shoot, Brynn I forgot to get the wine glasses. Will you come with me?" Mauri takes Brynn's hand and leads her away so that I can run out to my place in the yard.

I cue the exact band that showed up at that momentous party years ago. Easton said they felt like it was a band reunion.

My mom and dad give me a thumbs up from the table they're sitting at. We've invited so many people to re-create this night that you don't even realize most of them are over middle age.

Mauri walks out onto the lawn carrying a few glasses and Brynn carrying a few more behind her. Brynn almost drops the glasses at the scenery.

Easton and the rest of Forever After start to play Look On Up by Relient K. Brynn gently sets the glasses on the closest table and I meet her where she stands.

"No masks this time. No secret identities. Just me, you, and old memories." She looks up into my eyes and seems to be holding back tears.

I wrap my hands on her waist and she wraps hers around my neck.

"For the past four years that we've been dating we've had some good times and some bad. I want to create more memories, B. I want to spend the rest of my life with my Cinderella."

I take a knee and bring out the box with the dainty ring inside. Her hand flies up to her mouth and here comes the tears. Mauri starts to fan herself with her hands in an attempt to keep herself calm.

"You can't run away this time." I comment, making quite a few people laugh.

She nods, shaking her head like there's no tomorrow. I slide the ring onto her finger and cheers erupt from the whole yard.

Forever After begins to play Marry You by Bruno Mars. Everyone instantly starts dancing. I grab Brynn's hand and lead her to the stage so that everyone knows just how special this girl is to me.

In that moment, I'm the happiest man alive. I think that's how any Prince Charming should feel when he finds Cinderella.

THE END
Thanks to everyone who has been patient with my crazy updates! This book has been really fun to write, and if you want to read more books like this, please check out my other works. I would greatly appreciate it!

You're all amazing and I hope you enjoyed!

Thanks,
Always, Sunny