Fantine answered, putting it on speaker. "Hello?"

         Hello?! Someone stole my phone and all you can say is hello?!

        "Yeah... Hi. Tell Cinderella she left her phone at The Ruse when she ran off at midnight." A familiar voice came through the speaker.

        "Cinderella? You mean-" I cut her off by grabbing the phone.

        "Yeah. I want my phone back now." I demanded harshly.

        There was a moment of silence. "Well meet me at the Tower Plaza Café in roughly thirty minutes. I'll ride in on a noble white steed to save the day." Click. The line went dead.

        Fantine's eyes grew wide in excitement. "Oh. My. God! He's your Prince Charming!"

        I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Really Fantine? My life isn't a Disney movie."

        Fantine's ecstatic smile continued. "Come on Desiree. You spent all night talking and dancing with him. Even I could see the steam rolling off you guys!"

        "I didn't really have much say! The alcohol kind of stole my ability to say 'get the hell away' from me." I protested.

        Sotiria pitched in. "Oh come on. He was a total catch. If you deny that, then you need your eyes checked."

        I glared at them. "Tamir. Help me out!"

        Tamir threw up his hands. "Do not involve me in this! I am an innocent bystander!"

        I scoffed at his remark. "You are never innocent! You were born devious!"

        That brought a grin to Tamir's face. "Why thank you. I try. However, should you be going to meet you knight in shining armor?"

        I stormed out of the room, my rage fuming like a volcano. Even though I had no desire in this person... Whoever he is, I was not going out in public looking like this. I had stopped in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection.

        The lounge clothes I put on were an old pair of sweat pants. I'm sad to admit it... but I'm kind of a slob. I mean, half of the food I try and put into my mouth ends up on my lap. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but not by much. There were stains on the sweat pants from whatever it was I had managed to spill on them. My old t-shirt was in no better shape. There were several small holes in the grey fabric, making it obvious it was one of my favorites. Yup. Definitely changing.

        I grabbed a pair of skinny jeans from the top shelf and a neon Aztec print tank. I threw both of them on in a hurry. Not feeling like doing anything to my hair, I pulled it up into a pony. I then looked at myself in the mirror to see if I was presentable.

        After I deemed myself decent enough to be seen by others, I went to the front door and slipped on my flip-flops. "I'll see you guys soon. If I'm not back in two hours, assume I have been kidnapped by some weirdo."

        Tamir grinned at me as I was walking out the door. "Have fun on your date, princess!"

        I slammed the door. I refused to go on a date with a complete stranger. My only motive for going to the Tower Plaza Café was that my life is in my phone. Meaning it had my day-to-day schedule and possible employer contacts in it. I shuddered at the thought that this man had all night to mess around with the phone. Oh no! What if he took indecent pictures?! Or worse! He could have spent the night changing my schedule! I was now regretting not putting a lock on my phone.

        The Tower Plaza was only a ten minute walk from my apartment. It was located on the edge of Blackford University. Cleverly named, for it was in the shadow of the clock tower itself.

        I arrived at the café earlier than planned. Looking around, I couldn't seem to find the man from last night. So I decided to go in and order an iced tea.

        Taking a seat at one of the outdoor tables, I sat quietly sipping my tea as I waited impatiently. I chose to wait outside because the air inside was much too heavy for me to handle in my state. For some reason, I felt oddly nervous. My stomach was in knots. I just wanted to get my phone back and get the hell out of here.

        I was drawn out of my deep thoughts by the sound of a motorcycle pulling up. Sure enough, a white sports bike pulled up on the other side of the street.

        Oh you have GOT to be kidding me... As the rider dismounted, he removed his black helmet. Of course it was the man from last night. He spotted me and walked over, tucking the helmet under his arm.

        "Hello Cinderella. Do you like my steed?" His stunning smile took my breath away as he sat down across from me. He was even more attractive in the light of day. I could tell his tousled hair was a deep shade of brown that was almost black. Those blue-grey eyes that had captivated me the night before put me under some odd enchantment, one that made it impossible to tear my eyes away from his tan face. He ran his fingers through his messy hair. When I say messy, I mean it was styled as such. Oh at least the helmet styled it for him

        I pulled myself out of from under the spell his presence had cast upon me. "Seriously?" I stared at him in complete awe. Not the good kind let me assure you. I just couldn't believe someone like him could actually exist. He was completely thickheaded.

        "What? You don't like it?" His eyes were sad. "I thought I'd take you on a ride sometime..."

        That made me laugh, "I would never go anywhere on that death machine with you."

        "Well... Hm. I guess we could always walk." He said quietly.

        Walk? "I think you misunderstand me, Drew-"

        "Drey." He corrected me.

        I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I'm not going anywhere with you. I came for my phone and that's all. Now please hand it over."

        Drey's eyes scanned me. "You're a little dressed up for just getting your phone. I could always withhold it from you until you agree to go on a date with me." He took out my phone from his pocket, holding it just out of reach. There was a mischievous grin spread across his face.

        I crossed my arms, trying to make myself look clearly uninterested. "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of ever going on a date with you. No matter what you hold over me. Now may I please get my phone back?"

        Drey's hand covered his heart. "Ouch, you wound me so. Isn't Cinderella supposed to want the hero in the story?"

        "Well my name's Desiree not Cinderella and this is my life, not a story. Besides, she lost a shoe, not a phone and I'm pretty sure she wasn't drunk either." I stared at him, undeterred by his charm and wounded voice.

        Drey sighed, his eyes far-off. "Desiree, hm? Well that name is much more beautiful than Cinderella. Be glad you lost your phone and not a shoe. I don't think I would have ever found you in this city. Why won't you go on a date with me Desiree?"

        I could think of a few reasons why I won't... "I'm too busy for dates."

        "Too busy, huh? Well that's a shame. Didn't the year just start? Why are you so busy?" Drey cocked his head, as if he was trying to get a better read on me.

        I folded my arms tightly across my chest, trying to contain my irritation. "I hardly think that's something a complete stranger needs to know."

        Drey gasped in mock surprise. "Stranger? Me? We go so far back to last night though!" He wore a wryly grin on his face, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

        I threw my hands up in frustration. Pushing my seat back, I stood up with my hand outstretched towards him. Drey's eyes widened in surprise at my sudden outburst. "My phone, please. I have a very important call to make."

        Drey sighed as he placed my phone in my hand. As soon as it touched my palm, I closed my fingers around it tightly and began to make my escape. "Until next time then Desiree!" I heard him call after me.

        "Not if I can help it." I muttered under my breath as I made a speedy getaway.

        The door closed behind me, protecting me from all that had transpired beyond it. I sighed and slumped against it, relief seeping through me.

        Sotiria poked her head around the corner. "Well that was quick? Did you run away?"

        "I got what I went there for. I saw no more reason in staying." Avoiding the question, I pushed myself away from the door and padded barefoot into the living room. "Where are Fantine and the devil spawn?"

        Sotiria rolled her eyes, sitting back down on the couch. "Fantine went out on a date with that guy she met last night. She claimed it is just a movie and dinner date, but I think it's safe to say she'll be out until the wee hours of the morning. As for my brother, Tamir said a bunch of his friends were getting together to watch the match. He claims he has a lot riding on Blackford annihilating whoever they're up against... I don't remember the name.

        "But enough about them. Tell me about the gorgeous mystery fellow from last night! What's he like?" Sotiria was hugging one of the zebra print throw pillows to her chest in anticipation, her voice full of excitement.

        I sighed and plopped down into the chair, willing myself to melt into the plush cushions. "He's nice I suppose. Beyond charming and a huge flirt. He has these eyes, they suck you in. It was very hard to say no to him."

        "But you did, of course. I don't understand why you turned him down, if it was so hard. Any sane girl would have swooned at the mere sight of him let alone if he asked them out." Sotiria looked cross. "I know I would have jumped at the opportunity, so why didn't you?"

        I shrugged. "I'm here for one more year. I graduate at the end of next semester and I have a few months after that to get my affairs together before I return home."

        "I still don't get it. You've been here for three years now. You don't let yourself have fun. That's no way to live your life Desiree."

        I got up from the chair and started walking towards my room. "I'm late for my Skype date."

This is kind of a short chapter. Desiree has quite the strong will to keep putting down Drey. What do you guys think? I'd like to apologize for the super delay in updates... It's been a crazy week! Hopefully I can get back on track :) Thanks for your continued support and comments. Feel free to give me positive feedback and if you noticed an error, please feel free to tell me about it so I can improve on the quality of my writing! :) Have a wonderful day all you awesome people!