A Cinderella story - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

'If they knew what they said would go straight to my head.
What would they say instead?' - everything I wanted - billie eilish
THAT AFTERNOON NEITHER ANITA OR RYDER HAD GOTTEN A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM THE MANHATTAN SCHOOL but when Anita woke up the next day and checked her mail she screamed in happiness. She rushed and quickly got ready before riding her bike to school that day as alexis couldn't drive her and then ran into the building
Which is where she was right now. She had rushed to lock up her bike before running into the building happiness radiating from her. And just as she passed a hallway she saw ryder turn to the same one, him seeing her instantly
"Anita!" She ran over and once she got to him he steadied her by placing his hands on her upper arms
"I've got something to tell you" he stated and and she nodded
"So do i" both their eyes widened realising they knew what the other said
"You got an audition for the academy?!" They both chorused
"Yes!" They both replied together before breaking into laughter
"This is amazing!" Ryder said as he lifted anita up off the ground and spun her. She giggled as he placed her down on the ground
"We're both in the top twenty? That's amazing"
"Yep. They'll be calling to let us know when our audition is. I hope it's on the same day"
"It most likely will be. Come on, let's go to first period"
—
"My mom really wants to meet you" ryder said once he had sat down at the cafeteria table. It was just him and Anita at the second as they were the first ones there
"She does?" She questioned and he nodded grabbing her hand
"When I told her we was together she was so happy. She wanted to see you again instantly. So she invited you over for dinner tonight"
"Tonight?"
"Uh huh"
"What about your dad?"
"He wants to get to know you more too. He's been wondering, not as much as my mom. He's a nice guy, just a bit intense when it comes to football but he's kind of accepted that I'll be following my music career now"
"Really? That's amazing"
"I know. It's kinda easier to talk to him now, he always liked me doing music but preferred football but at least he still knows about some music things. So... will you come over for dinner?"
"Um...." Anita thought for a moment, smiling at Ryders eager face
"Sure"
"Yes! I'll message my mom right now" ryder pulled out his phone just as both ryder and Anita's friends took seats at the table
"Guess who got an B in history" alexis smiled
"That's sick alexis. You've been studying for that forever" Anita said nodding
"I know. Im so glad it's finally out the way. So what's going on with all of you? You wanna go around the table like in a support group?" The group laughed but did it, starting with Adam
"Parents are in the middle of divorce. And looking at the house my dads getting I'm exited to have a bigger room"
"Of course that's what your happy about" Reece scoff laughed
"Priorities" Adam nodded
Reece: "I think I might've hooked up with someone from the cheerleading squad" everyone on the table looked to him confused
"What do you mean 'might've?"
"No I did. I just don't know who it was"
"That's disgusting" they scrunched their faces up but Reece just laughed
Reece: "I've never actually spoken to anyone on that team though so.."
"Okay. Moving on. Caleb? How's David?" At the sound of David's name caleb scrunched his face up almost as if he was in pain
Anita: "Oh no. What happened?"
"We've been going fine, talking a lot. He's been to my house a few times. But.. he's kind of pulled back"
"Why?"
"He's just realising the downsides of being in a secret relationship. When he came out he wanted to leave behind the secrecy. But at this point I'm just holding him back"
"Well you don't have to do anything your not comfortable with" alexis said
"But I think.. i think it's kind of time I do want everyone to know" everyone's eyes widened
"Really?"
"Yeah. He wants everyone to know we're together. I think i know how to do that. To let everyone know and to keep being with him"
"Okay.. and what is that?" Ryder questioned but it went unanswered as caleb just stood up. The group went silent as he turned around looking for someone and when they were in his sights he walked in that direction. Once caleb got to David he stood in front of the guy who was looking around nervously not wanting to make caleb uncomfortable but instead caleb did the unimaginable.
He grabbed David's face and kissed him
Anita and her friends were all in shock as was the rest of cafeteria who turned to look at the pair and once they both pulled away David stood there shocked and happy whilst caleb was smiling
The silence was deafening in the entire room but neither of them cared until they heard slight clapping. Caleb turned to anita who was the person clapping and soon the entire cafeteria joined in, which turned into loud cheers for the pair
Caleb couldn't believe his ears. How everyone was so supportive after putting the idea down of coming out for years
"I'm ready" caleb whispered to David who nodded, both of them still smiling
"I think I got that now"
—
"It was fucking iconic" alexis said as the group met up in the hallway
"It really was" caleb smiled as he stood beside Anita, pulling her into a hug. Honestly, he was so grateful she started clapping. He didn't know whether everyone was disgusted or happy and she helped him decipher the reaction
Anita: "We're proud of you" Caleb walked into step with Reece whilst ryder stood beside Anita and put his arm over her shoulder as they walked out the building but once they got out they grew confused
Around a certain part of the floor was a bike, rested on the floor covered in graffiti, and broken apart, not to far from the bike rack and immediately Anita knew who's it was
"Anita is that-?" Not giving Adam a chance to finished she shrugged Ryders arm off her and walked over to her bike, seeing pieces of it torn apart, broken or ruined
"Who the hell would do something like this?" Reece questioned
"Who wouldn't?" They all turned at the new voice seeing Amanda, cleo and destiny there
"What's your problem?" Alexis sneered angrily at the trio but Amanda just rolled her eyes and motioned to Anita
"She is" Anita stood up and looked to the twins trying to suppress the tears trying to form in her eyes, which barely worked
"It was the last thing my dad got me before he died. You both knew that" as soon as the whispered words left Anita's mouth both Cleo and destiny's glare softened
"Anita- we completely forgot-"
"But who cares anyways" Amanda cut the twins off
"You're not fit to be here. Not fit to be with Ryder. You're a nobody anita. And neither was your dad" Anita's eyes glistened with tears and even the twins had stopped, feeling terrible for the girl
"Are you for real?-" Ryder scoffed
Anita: "Talk about me all you want. But do not bring my dad into this"
"What part of I don't want anything to do with you, do you not understand?" Ryder questioned
"Leave me alone. Leave anita alone. I've had enough of you, all of you" he said taking Anita's hand. The short girl was still looking at the twins, a betrayed look in her face but ryder turned her around and walked then both to his car.
She sat in the drivers seat and watched as ryder went back over to her bike and picked up the piece before putting it in the boot of his car
He waved back to his friends before he then got inside and once they pulled out of the parking lot anita finally let her tears out. She couldn't help the sob that ripped through her chest