ELLA.

It is basic knowledge and common sense not to ask a lady about her age and a man about his salary. So my simple question is; why don't we follow the same principle about the percentage of a student?

I pressed the back arrow immediately and went offline after reading Mama's message asking about my semester marks.

It's not like it will be any surprise to her, I just want to postpone the unpleasantness that comes with it.

I put down my phone, grabbed my bag and walked out. It's time for breakfast and I should be especially careful about my behaviour a few days so as to compensate for my bad performance at the last exams.

I sat down for breakfast and placed the napkin on my lap.

I took the fork in my left hand, knife in the right and started to eat.

Even though I am the only one seated at this huge dining table, I am forced to follow all the rules every day as my Mama doesn't want me to be an "uncivilised lady".

As soon as I finished breakfast, I folded the napkin and placed it to my left and got up.

"Cinderella,"

I tried not to cringe at the name as my "Etiquette teacher" Sara walked inside the room.

"The car is here to take you," She told me and I smiled sweetly at the woman who has been torturing me all this years by teaching me 'manners'.

She stays with me whenever my Mama is outside for long business trips.

"Thank you, Sara." I told her formally and walked out.

My Driver, Uncle Jose, was already holding the door open for me and I got inside, thanking him.

He closed the door after me and I sat in the seat straight while the car moved forward.

I waited until I was out of the gate and slumped down and sighed.

"Text me when your classes get over, I will come and -"

"Please, Uncle," I whined, "I am not going to school! I can find my way home!" I said.

That's right.

I am 22 years old and a second-year student in the best Engineering college in Bangalore. My major is computer science.

"Cinderella-"

"Call me Ella, Uncle Jose." I said angrily.

If there's one thing that I hate the most in this world, It's the name-Cinderella!

Apparently, my Mama and Papa were so much in love when they named me after this fairy tale princess. Even though they got divorced later, I am still stuck with this stupid name.

No one can ever imagine how it feels to be named after a fairytale Princess, people learn your name quickly and you can't ever get into any trouble.

They tease you, stare at you and talk behind your back.

It has also caused my seniors to single me out and pick on me after joining the college.

So all in all- I am not very happy with my name.

"Your Mama will be home today, don't get into trouble," Uncle Jose brought me back to the present.

"Yea," I said slowly.

She's coming back after a month, She was on a business trip this time and I don't want to disappoint her.

...apart from the mark sheet, of course.

"We are here, Miss." Uncle said and I opened the door. I stepped down.

Freedom...I can smell it here.

It doesn't matter how difficult my college life is, I can be free here.

My college is the only place I can do whatever I want without being watched.

And the best thing about my college?

It is Michael.

He's my senior and I am in love with him.

I have fallen for him from the first time I laid my eyes on him.

But the sad fact is; He is not aware of my love and I need to do something about it.

"Ella..." I heard my best friend's voice and turned around.

"Hey, Nisha,"

Nisha is an English major in the same university. We were high school friends. Even if we were in different schools during the higher secondary time, I am really glad that we ended up in the same university.

"I was searching for you! Did you hear the news?" she asked me as we started to walk to our favourite spot of the campus; the open canteen surrounded by the purple bougainvillea plants.

"What's it?"

"The CSE group is preparing a new project and they are accepting members from outside,"

"So what, I am not interested in the internals, I am planning to-"

"You dummy, Guess who's the team leader?" Nisha wagged her eyebrows.

I looked at her.

"It's...it's him?" I asked her and she smiled.

"Yup! It's your prince charming, Michael the great," she winked.

I smiled widely.

"I am going to join his group,"

"Not just anyone can join dear, He's the one who's selecting the team members, the way I see it, You have no way to join the group,"

I pursed my lips, displeased.

"Why not? It's his last semester, If I can't confess my love this time, He will be gone," I said

"I don't understand what it's about him that you love this much!" she said, "sure, he's got the looks and the body," she winked. "But so does Roopak, you turned him down twice already and you are going after someone who doesn't even know that you exist," she said.

"He does know about me!" I said. "He talked to me that da-"

"Ha! Don't start with your boring love story, I already heard that a countless time," she rolled her eyes. "Of all the people, You have to select a serious, upright person who's practically a nerd," she said. "I think he doesn't know anything other than software-OUCH! what's it for?"

"Don't talk about him so carelessly," I said. "What's more appealing than a guy with the brain?" I leaned to her and she shook her head.

"I am going to get in that group project no matter what!" I said. "Because that's the only way I can find the way to his heart,"

MICHAEL.

I went through the bundle of papers.

"How come there are so many people? I agreed to have only 10 members,"

"Everyone knows that you will do a great job, It's easy for them to get the internals without much trouble," Sam told me. "You are a nerd after all,"

Sam is pursuing business administration at the same university. He is also my only friend in this college. Our friendship started when, due to some circumstances, both of us were allotted to the same dorm room when he was a freshman.

As a scholarship student, I have access to the hostel facility even though I am a day scholar. I stay back only during exam times.

I gave him a glare.

"Do I look like a pushover? Even if they get selected, I'm going to make them work hard,"

Sam laughed.

"I know that," he said. "I really feel pity for them, man."

"I will start with the entire team first," I said. "I will select the final team after a week, I want to know how many of them are ready to work with me even after this time,"

I stopped as I reached a particular resume.

"Cinderella?" I looked at Sam. "Is it the same girl? The super-rich spoilt girl?

"Whoa! do you know her?" Sam looked surprised.

"Of course, I know her." I said. "It's hard to miss that name," I said. "Besides, She was the one with the lowest rank all the semester, I really wonder how someone can be so stupid to get the last place every time."

Sam chuckled.

"I heard that she was not interested in joining this college, Her mother got her in,"

"She is a CSE student and my junior," I looked at him. "But how do you know her?"

"She is Nisha's best friend," Sam shrugged.

"Nisha? Oh...that girl, you have a crush on," I nodded my head.

"Nisha was my junior at the higher secondary school," he said defensively. "So I am just...well...fond of her,"

"That's the same thing," I said while looking back to Cinderella's resume.

"I will take her out," I said, removing the application form to the side "It's hard enough to lead the project, but I really can't deal with stupid brainless people."

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