Charlie's POV:
"Daddy!! Mommy!! I'm going to school with Mia." I screamed.
I head down the stairs to see Mommy tying Daddy's tie. He had his arms around her waist and was looking at her with this look in his eyes. Mommy was smiling, blushing as dad whispered something in her ear. Dad leaned in.
"Mommy!! Daddy!!" I shouted again.
Mommy jumped back with the tie still in her hands, choking daddy as it tighten around his neck.
"What were you doing?" I ask with narrowed eyes.
"N-Nothing, honey." They both stammer at same time
"Oh, really" I question sauntering around the counter to sneak a cupcake into my bag.
"Ye-Yes" They stuttered again.
"Ok then..I'll get going. I'll have breakfast at Mia's. Byee" I turned around, feeling victorious for not getting caught.
"Sweetie!" Mom called sweetly behind me.
"Yes, Mommy dearest."
"You may leave the cupcake." Darn it. How does she always know.
I give her my best puppy dog eyes which she returns with 'that look'. That look parents give you when they want things their way.
Mom and dad make their way towards me and both kiss me on the cheeks. They flash their megawatt smiles and chant together," Bye honey."
I huff and sulk my way out to the door. I turn around to shoot them one last dirty look, only to be met with the sight of daddy kissing mommy.
Eww.
I shudder and look away, trying to get the picture out of my mind.
I move across the street and make my way over to Mia's, singing on my way.
"Give me food, give me food,
Not the sprouts, broccoli or beans,
Mister twister, I'm not in the mood
Let me tell you what it means,
Give me chocolate or ice-cream,
Or I'll turn the streets to bloodstream..."
I finished with my evil laugh as I dodged the puddles on the ground, mind wondering if Mia is right. Maybe I should change the lyrics of the song.
"I am here... " I sang as I banged the front door.
"Stop banging our door!!" Benji shouted at me.
I pushed him back and threw my shoes off as I made my way to the kitchen. I move towards the counter. This place was like my second home.
"Would you like to explain to me...WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS AT OUR HOUSE??" Benji shouted behind me.
I ignored him and took out the cereal box from the cabinet and shut it close.
"What's yo fatass doing here?" Mia demanded as I found myself a bowl.
"Well hello to you too."
She raised an eyebrow at me and crossed her arms.
"Mom and Dad were getting mushy-mushy," I explained.
She nodded in understanding.
We ate while chatting and getting scolded by Mrs. James.
After finishing the meal, we headed out of the house and I looked towards my house, only to see a mailman.
"Aren't you gonna see if it's a letter for you? "
"What's the use? " I mumbled.
Everyday ever since I threw the bottle...I rushed to fetch the mail everyday to see if I got a letter back.
I didn't.
I am tired of being disappointed.
Maybe today I'll get the letter.
But it's already been three months.
I dragged my feet towards the mailbox, preparing myself for disappointment. I took out the mail to see bills... Lots and lots of them. As I get to the last one, I pray that it's a letter for me only to be disappointed after seeing yet another bill.
I turn around to see the mailman putting another mail in the mailbox.
I turn away.
Mia stood there looking at me with keen eyes, hands crossed expectantly.
I turn around and open the mailbox, only to see a....LETTER!!!
"IT'S A LETTER, MIA!!!! IT'S THE LETTER!!!"
She smiled at me.
I opened the letter and read it with Mia hanging on my shoulder. I didn't mind.
Dear Ms. Jane Doe,
Firstly I always thought Cinderella was a stupid story. I mean how can a girl stay with people who treat her so bad. Even if it were her own family members. I always hated Cinderella and her cheerfulness, how she would always be kind, no matter what, how she would never even try to retaliate against her stupid family, how she let her stepmother treat her so...so unpleasantly.
Secondly "Prince Charming" is not a name. Why did Cinderella never call him by his name? Just so you know the name "Prince Charming", doesn't make him charming. It seems more like he's trying to cover up the fact that he is a ugly, fat, bald man.
Plus Cinderella is indeed a real story.... Cinderella was real. She did go to a ball. She did lose her slipper and she did get her Prince Charming. And Prince Charming did get her Cinderella. So,yes, you should still believe that one day, maybe, you'll get your own Prince Charming, your own fairytale. And no, you shouldn't give up on it. Yes, you should wait for something that is unlikely to happen and not give up on it. Yes, you should wait for my fairytale and you shouldn't give up on it, only to regret for the rest of my life over something that could've been magical.
I had a lot of sympathy for her, in a way, I guess. I admired her too. How she said, "Be kind, have courage and always believe in a little magic." Even after going through so much, she still had hope, she still believed in kindness.
And I assure you... You're going to find your Prince Charming. He's going to ask you to walk up to you, ask you for a dance and stay beside you for the rest of your life. And nothing would make me happier if it was me. I would love to be your Prince Charming.
Lastly I'm 10 years old. I live in New York with my mummy and daddy. I don't have a best friend. And I'm not allowed to eat chocolates cause mommy says it's bad. Thank you for the chocolate....I don't get to eat them often.
Oh and I love you. I love you for caring. I love you for being kind enough to write a letter for someone you don't even know. Even though I don't know you...I would love to.
Mr. John Doe
I grinned a full fledged smile. Someone replied. Someone actually replied.
I was happy....really really happy.
An year later
Ace Martinez: 12 years old
Charlie:10 years old
I kicked my shoes to the side as I ran upstairs and reached my bedroom. Pink walls with a white bed and a desk greeted me. I stumbled my way to the bed and dropped my bag and then I rushed towards the desk. It was his birthday and I was so excited to write a letter for him.
It's been two years since we started writing letters to each other. The last letter I wrote to him was two days ago. I received his letter yesterday indirectly reminding me that his birthday was tomorrow. That idiot. As if I wouldn't remember his birthday. I am offended and very much so.
We talked about everything from the colour of our underwear to our favourite character in a book. I could tell him anything and everything, even the stuff I couldn't tell Mia.
I sat on the desk and started writing.....
Dear John Doe,
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear John
Happy Birthday to You.
From good friends and true,
From old friends and new,
May good luck go with you,
And happiness too.
(Just listen to the recording, ok !)
Happy birthday, you dumb head. How are you doing? Is that ugly wicked witch of the west of a mother giving you a hard time? Or is that Wizard of the Oz of a father being obnoxious again?
(See what I did there)
But seriously though, I'm telling you, one day I'm going to grow up and beat your parents' butt and then marry you. Kind of like Prince Charming did with Cinderella. I hate your parents too much in general but on your birthday....my hatred for them grows to another level.
I can't imagine my parents not loving me with all that they have. I don't want to imagine it. Just thinking about it gives me the chills. But good thing that you have me.
Also if those morons you call classmates treat you bad, I'll personally whoop their behinds. You just have to tell me and I'll write a letter that'll haunt them for the rest of their lives. Or maybe I'll beg my parents and pretend to have a heart attack in my liver until they let me fly to New York.
At least I'll get to meet you.
I can't stop thinking how it would be when we finally get to meet each other. You have to lift me in your arms...ooh or maybe kiss me. I saw it in a movie. The girl gets to the airport and then the guy lifts her up and kisses her.
Anyway why are you so worried. You'll go to another place for high school....far far away from your parents. It's just two more years.
P.S. :I love you....
Your Princess Charming ❤❤
I folded the letter and kept it in the parcel alongside the recording of the happy birthday I sang especially for him ....I cringed everytime I listened to it. I packed a bunch of chocolates I bought a few days ago with the money I got from the lemonade stand.
I had to stand in the sun and flash cute smiles at everyone who passed by. If the smile didn't work, I had to opt to the last weapon 'the puppy dog eyes'....and nobody has ever survived the puppy dog eyes.
But it was worth it cause at least it would bring a smile on his face....
And that was all I wished for John.
For him to be happy.