THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SMILE

I stood on the road for a while still unable to move while passersby looked at me with pity in their eyes.

I suddenly noticed another car driving at full speed and I was forced to run out of the road to avoid being splashed dirty water on for the second time.

"There goes my chance of seeing my one true love," I thought to myself as I walked back home sadly. I didn't want Mabel to see me crying so I wiped my tears and adjusted my voice before entering the house.

When Mabel saw me, she was surprised, "who did this to you? Is that why your eyes are so red?"

I opened my mouth to explain but despite how hard I tried not to, I found myself crying again. I hated the fact that I was a crybaby and many times, people assumed that Mabel was the older one since she always acted more maturely.

I was even tempted sometimes to treat her like my big sister. Like right now, I threw my body on hers and wept while she tried her best to console me.

When I finally calmed down, she asked, "are you crying because your clothes have been stained with dirt?"

I nodded my head sadly while she smiled, "stop being silly. The gown my boyfriend got for my birthday is very beautiful and I haven't even used it yet. You can wear it and go see your prince charming okay."

I gazed at Mabel for a long time, wondering how I got so lucky. She was really a blessing to me but how could I bear to wear the dress her boyfriend got for her birthday when she hadn't even used it?

I told her that it wasn't proper but she ignored me and ran into the room to bring out the dress with her makeup kit.

"Go take a bath quickly," she said as she pushed me into the bathroom. I hesitated for a while but she reminded me,

"time is not on your side and you know you still have to get back today so hurry and wash up so I can get you ready."

I thought once more about the possibility of seeing my prince charming and my spirit was lifted once again. I took off my dirty gown and rushed into the bathroom. When I came out, Mabel dried my hair and sprayed her expensive body sprays and perfumes on me.

I suddenly felt grateful for Mabel's boyfriend. Despite being from a very rich family, he loved Mabel so much and treated her with respect. He got her different expensive gifts all the time and took her out to fancy restaurants.

These are things I have never experienced in my life but I've never really been bothered because prince Bastian is the only guy in the world who makes my heart skip.

Although he is ignorant of my existence, it doesn't change a thing as I am willing to bask in the euphoria of my imagination and bear this unrequited love for the rest of my life.

Mabel restyled my hair and applied makeup on my face. When I wore the royal blue gown and stared at myself in the mirror, I was in awe.

I had never looked this beautiful in my entire life and whoever saw me would think I was a rich heiress. It was a designer gown and Mabel gave me the shoes and purse that went with it.

I felt a little bit uncomfortable because the gown was short and stopped at my thighs. I was used to wearing long gowns. Even the gown I wore earlier had completely covered my legs and was a flay gown.

Mabel said the gown was decent enough but I disagreed since it didn't cover my knee. The gown also hugged my body, bringing out my curves and although I liked how beautiful I looked when I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I dreaded going outside especially since I hated attracting attention to myself.

Fortunately the heels Mabel gave me were not too high, otherwise, I would have worried about falling while walking on the road.

Mabel took a picture of me with her phone and complimented my beauty, after which she asked me to go. However, I was afraid to leave the house and remained standing where I was.

"How would your prince charming get to see you if you do not leave?" Mabel asked, obviously frustrated by my behavior.

"I am not going to the palace for prince Bastian to see me" I reminded her. "I am going there so I can secretly steal glances at him."

"My bad" Mabel replied. "You still need to leave to be able to see him. Come, I'll escort you because if I leave it to you, you will never get to the palace and I don't want you to spend the next few weeks sulking and crying."

Mabel took hold of my hand and we both left the house. Just as I had thought, many people kept staring at me. I was so nervous that if Mabel wasn't holding my hand, I would have fallen to the ground.

We both walked to a much safer place and waited for a bus. It was getting late so Mabel decided to order a taxi since a bus was not forthcoming.

I immediately declined because I didn't want us to waste money but Mabel reminded me once again that I didn't have enough time and it was okay because she had a lot of money in her account.

We waited for a few more minutes and eventually the taxi Mabel had ordered arrived. As she opened the door for me to get in, she said to me, "I know you don't want to be seen by the prince but, if accidentally he sees you, remember to smile because you have the most beautiful smile in the world."

I smiled and thanked her. We both bade each other goodbye as the taxi driver drove off. My heart kept beating fast despite how hard I tried to control it. I secretly prayed that I wouldn't come face to face with the prince because I knew that I could melt into liquid if that were to happen.