Ella missed her father, he stopped her stepmother from hurting her but since he died in that hovercraft, it was getting harder to hide the bruises. Her stepmother, Veronica rapped on her 'bedroom' door.

"Ella, it's time for work," Ella closed her notebook and pulled her boots on. "If you get fired from this job, I'll kick you out from under my roof," My roof you mean Ella thought bitterly before opening the door with a smile. "Good morning Ella." Ella swung her satchel over her shoulder before replying.

"Good morning Stepmother," Ella handed Veronica her wages from yesterday. "I pulled a double shift to bring in more money and get father's birthday off so I could visit him." Veronica touched Ella's cheek which made Ella want to flinch and she smiled.

"Will you still be working on your birthday?" Ella nodded and Veronica moved her hand away but Ella still stayed stiff. "Good. Now go and try to get more tips using what you've been given," Ella nodded and tried to walk past her but Veronica grabbed her hair. "If I find out you're holding back on your wages, you'll see your father again soon." She let go and Ella hurried away, hiding her fear. She hurried outside and got on her bike, it was orange and noisy, she called it Pumpkin. She hurried to the diner and parked the bike in her spot. She pulled off her helmet and ran inside. Jeff gave her a jerk of a head as she ran into the break room and got changed into the pink, puffy, frilly skirt and pink princess shirt, she hated Wednesdays. The regulars started to come in and Ella went over to the tables, her hoverboots hurrying her along. Gina looked up when she came over.

"Hey Ella, how's your stepmother?" Ella shrugged her shoulders, her blonde scalp tingling and Gina smiled, handing over her menu while tossing her golden hair. "Pancakes covered in syrup please. I have an excuse to eat it now," Ella cocked an eyebrow, starting to smile. "Definitely pregnant this time. The triplets are uncaring about calories." Ella wrote down her order and flew over to the chef, But, handing it over with a smile. But smiled back.

"How's your pretty stepsisters? Still making you their slave?" Ella gave him a look and But looked at the order. "Gina finally pregnant? Good for her." Ella flew to the next tables, getting the orders when two people who hadn't ever stepped inside the diner before. The Prince, Alrick hid his face with a very oversized hoodie but everyone recognised him and hid it due to the really buff girl who was probably his guard. Ella flew off and took out her notepad.

"What can I get you?" The Prince jumped, his hood coming down and the guard pulled it back up quickly. "I'd go for the bacon and eggs myself, But makes a mean eggs and bacon." The girl scanned the menu while the Prince checked Ella out. The girl handed Ella the menu.

"Two bacon and eggs with coffee and tea, please," The girl leaned forward a little. "Thank you for not reacting to who he is. Everyone here seems to be in different ways. That blonde woman just ran to the bathroom because of it." Ella smiled at the girl.

"Actually she's pregnant with triplets. Morning sickness," Ella looked at the Prince who was staring at her legs. "I know that you could get me killed but stop staring at my legs or I might accidently spill coffee and tea over you." Ella flew away but heard the Prince say something that made her smile.

"She's pretty and scary. She could put you out of a job," She handed But the order before making the tea and coffee, bringing the milk and sugar over while picking up Gina's order. She set the food down as Gina walked back over and handed her the bill. Ella set a mint on the table before hurrying over to the Prince and setting down the tea and coffee. The prince smiled at her. "Thank you and I am sorry for staring but you are very pretty." Ella shrugged and looked at the girl.

"Your order will be ready in a couple of minutes," She flew over to Jeff behind the counter. "Can you believe that guy? Royalty or not, I want to kick his ass out of here." Jeff tapped her nose.

"Then you'd be fired and you'd be homeless because of that stepmother of yours," But hands me the order. "You'd also be dead since you kicked a royal's ass out of a diner with his guard there," Ella stuck out her tongue and flew to the table before serving the food to the Prince and his guard. She set the bill down. "Unfortunately, royalty or not, you have to pay." Ella turned but the Prince grabbed her wrist.

"What is your name?" Ella pointed at her name badge but he didn't let go. "How would you like to work at the palace, Ella?" She smiled and shook her head. "Why not? Most girls would jump at the chance to work at the palace." Ella sighed.

"Because my stepmother likes me at home with her and my stepsisters," Ella tapped his hand with her pencil. "May I have my arm back? I need to work or I'll be in big trouble," He let go and Ella flew away to the next table. The next ten hours went by and at eight o'clock, Ella put on her boots and normal clothes. Jeff handed her the wages and tips for the day. Ella frowned at the ten units from the Prince and the girl. "I thought I'd be in negatives since I tapped him with a pencil and threatened to spill coffee and tea on him." Jeff shrugged with a knowing smirk.

"He liked that skirt a lot. He'd be drooling on your dress if he could see you until you got on Pumpkin," Ella rolled her eyes and walked to the door. "See you tomorrow for inspection day by your godfather...Why can't he take you in again?" Ella opened the door and looked at him.

"My father gave full custody to my stepmother in his will...Josh can't take custody without a huge court hearing which means I would have to tell," She walked out into the summer air and took a deep breath, this was as close to freedom she would ever get. Someone stepped in front of her and she jumped at the sight of Lorelai, her stepsister. "Jesus, Lorelai. You scared me." Lorelai grabbed her shoulders.

"I need your help...I need to go to the hospital, mother hit me and it really hurts," A passing hovercraft showed Lorelai's injury, a deep cut across her face. "Ple-please. I'll tell the police about what she does to you and what she did to me. M-maybe your godfather could take you, me and Marlene in." Ella led her over to Pumpkin.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do with Josh," She got on and helped Lorelai on. "Just hold on tight to me, okay? I'm going to try to go as fast as I can and you need to hold on." Pumpkin started and they whizzed down the street towards the hospital.