Magic Maker

Chapter One

"Oh deary no, let's not pull on Cinderella's dress now!" I say through smiling, gritted teeth. The toddler stares up at me in awe, looking like shes about to cry.

"No don't! I mean- You musn't cry! A princess always knows how to keep their composure, and you are a princess, right?" I grin at her, wiping the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She nods solemly, looking ashamed.

"It's okay sweetheart, Cinderella knows you didn't mean it." I can see her mother a couple feet away, looking apologetic and waving her daughter over. The wind breezes over my face and I begin to trot boringly over to the next photo spot. Twelve down six to go, I count to myself as I wave at the many families passing by.

"C'mon Cinderell-y off to Fairy Tale Land," My co-worker, Max, remarked with annoying ignorance. Even with his back to me, I could practically see the annoying smirk on his face.

"Lay off will ya? It's hard being all sugar and butterflies all the time," I sighed. I unwillingly continued to head towards the endless line of tourists wanting priceless family photos with Lil Ol' Cinderell-y.

"Hey did you hear about the new guy playing Pan? I heard he's a real weirdo." Max chuckled, but continued on, "Ya, I heard from a couple girls working Peter Pans Flight, he's got a nice face but he takes this magic shit for real."

I sighed loudly, "Look Max, I really, really don't care-" He spun around quickly, making me stop in my tracks, a large obnoxious grin plastered on his face. "You know what, he'd be perfect for you, Ella! Maybe he can be the Prince Charming to your Cinderella."

I frowned and walked around him. I just wanted to get to all my photo spots, finish the parade, and go home. "Aw why so glum, Ella? Shy? I could ask one of the girls to hook you up if you want!" He laughed jokingly. I shook my head my head 'no' and kept walking, quickening my pace.

"Jeez, Ella lighten up, what's your deal?" He shot, following behind me.

"I dont believe in Fairy Tales." I stated angrily. It's harder than people think, playing everyones favorite princesses. It's not just the endless photos and hugging, as well as the parades ending at midnight, it's the expectations you need to fill for each and every guest. When people come here it's like an escape from reality, almost like a dream. Except in reality theres never ending carts of churros and popcorn calling for your wallets at every corner, screaming children pulling past your legs trying to get in line for the latest showing of Frozen at the Theater. The characters are what make this place even more magical. It's as if a child gets to step into their favorite Disney movie and ask Rapunzel what her favorite color is. Everyone gets a bit of hope when they're here.

"Woah there Cinderell-y!" A voice cries in front of me. I snap back into reality and gaze up at the person I bumped into. I look around and notice all the girls surrounding him, holding cameras and squealing. I pull on my number one Disney Princess face and smile at him.

"Well hello Peter!" I cry, "What a surprise, how nice to see you," I exclaim, hooking my arm through his.

"It's nice to see you too Cinderell-y" He grins, cheekily. His obviously painted red hair bounces as he unhooks his arm and bends down slightly to look at me face to face. "How have you been?" He questions, smiling widely.

So this is the rumored, Peter Pan, huh?

"Oh Peter, I've been lovely, but i've been quite lonely with you not visiting my castle." I fake a frown and tap him on the nose. "Anyways, I have a tea party to attend to, so do promise to come visit me, alright?"

He hops up and straightens out, "Of course, your majesty!" He laughs childishly as he dramaticly bows down to me. "Peter Pan at your service!"

And with that I curtsey and continue on, leaving Peter and his pack of fawning girls.

~

"Oh lord this job has got me beat," Hailey cries, wiping off her fake freckles and heavy brown cowboy boots. I watch her pull off her heavy red wig and turn, continuing to brush the tangles out of my blonde hair.

"Tell me about it" I wince, getting a knot stuck in the brush.

"Hey El, did ya hear about that new guy that plays Peter Pan?" Hailey asks, I can see her turn around to look at me in the corner of my eye.

"Mmm, What about him?" I take a mouthful of my water waiting for her to reply.

"Well i've heard hes taken quite a liking to you." Hailey giggles, leaning forward in her chair. I cough on my water, stuggling to get words out, "What? Why? What did I do?"

"Hmm, I don't know. But apparently he's been asking around about you. Hes cute, you should ask him out." She remarks with an annoying look on her face.

"No way, I'm not into things like that,"

"Things like what? Boys?" Hailey jokes, laughing a little as she talks.

"Dating. Love. Relationships. All that stuff," I sigh, finally pulling my hair into a loose braid and getting up. Opening up to people isnt my thing, especially to guys. I don't believe in that True Love and Magic shit that everyone else seems to trick themselves into believing.

"I'll see you tomorrow Hails," I called behind me. I continue down the endless hallway of character dressing rooms, trudging along the wall of pictures of smiling disney characters. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, it seemed to go on forever.

"Ella, Hey, Ella!" I stopped, and slowly turned around. A boy with light brown hair jogged closer to me, his hair dishevaled and in a mess around his face. He brushed it away and smiled. Even though he seemed to be my age, he had a childish look in his eyes.

"Hi, I don't think we've properly met yet. I'm Luke, we met earlier, I play Peter Pan," He laughed, clumsily putting his hand out in front of me. I grab it and shake it gently, nodding at him.

"Ella." I say solemly, searching for a clock to tell me the time. I let go of his hand and look up at him, "Well It was nice meeting you, but I better get going now,"

There was a pang of disapointment in his eyes, but the childish glimmer quickly returned. "Wait, before you go, I wanted to ask you something," I could see his cheeks go pink as he smiled, "Will you go out with me sometime?"

My eyebrows furrow together, and my mouth twitches slightly, "Wait, what?" I ask, dumbfounded

♡ yay first chapter! thank you if you've read to this point haha, I actually have quite a lot planned for this book so im super excited!! lmao ♡