Page 47 of Isabella and the Slipper

Lol.

You do speak text!

That’s the only one I know.

Chase spent the next fifteen minutes cluing her in on all the acronyms people used. He also tried to get her to download Snapchat, but she refused. No way was she ever going to be tricked into sending a video or photo of herself. And knowing her technical skills, that’s exactly what she’d do.

She fell asleep with her cheek pressed to her phone.

At seven o’clock, her phone vibrated and woke her up.

She made it through the night. She’s responding well to treatment. Doctors are hopeful.

Her eyes teared up, and relief lightened her chest.

Such good news.

Thanks for talking with me last night. It really helped.

I’m glad.

You didn’t ask me to the dance just to take my mind off my sister, did you?

No. I really want to go with you.

Ok. Because even if you did, I wouldn’t mind.

Isabella smiled and snuggled into her covers.I’m looking forward to it.

Me too.

“Isabella!” Her stepmother’s shrieking voice carried through the house. Her door handle rattled, but it was locked. “Open this door at once. You’re not getting out of your punishment. The gallery opens in a half hour!”

Gotta go.

K. Chat later.

The pounding continued. “I’m getting dressed!” Isabella shouted as she stumbled out of bed.

“If I don’t see you dressed and out the door in ten minutes, I’m taking away your phone.”

Isabella stuck her tongue out at the closed door. Yes, it was childish. No, she didn’t care. “All right!”

She took the fastest shower known to woman and tossed on some clothes. She stuffed her homework and phone in her backpack and made it downstairs with a few seconds to spare. Good thing, too, because she hadn’t deleted Chase’s contact information. She should probably do that before Elenore decided to get grabby with her phone.

“I’m ready,” she said, trying to catch her breath.

Elenore set down her iPad and crossed her arms. “Good. You’ll cover for Leilani today. I gave her the day off.”

Isabella forced herself to keep from reacting. “Okay.” She grabbed an apple and headed toward the door.

“And we’re terminating our agreement with Elsa Johnson. You’ll need to take down all of her art and package it for shipping.”

What? Isabella’s shoulders slumped. What a pain. She’d have to work on that all day. “Yes, ma’am.”

Elenore narrowed her eyes. “And I want you to do it after hours.”

“Why?”

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