In a Different Life

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Everything belongs to their perspective owners which is mostly Disney. (After all this is a Disney fanfiction)

Author's note: I would just like to state that this is mostly about the Disney Princesses and Princes. The setting is AU so hence the title and it is modernized. I will try to conserve their characteristics and personality to the best of my abilities. Have fun reading! As always, read and review!


In the city of Corona, there is a fairly large house situated near the suburbs. It is a two story abode with a fountain on the front and large backyard. Trimmed trees and bushes stood around the area of the lovely home and brought a beautiful scenery as the sun started to ascend. Everyone slept soundly inside the house, except for one. A maiden of age nineteen was startled by the hideous noise her alarm clock made. Sighing loudly, she rubbed her eyes and yawned. She turned the alarm off before it could wake anyone else for that matter and prepared to start another day. After bathing she donned a sky blue shirt, black skinny jeans and a pair of old converse. Putting her hair up on a low ponytail she darted quietly towards the kitchen to prepare the breakfast for her step-mother and step-sisters.

"Cinderella?" A voice rang from across the hall. Cinderella lifted her head up and took the biscuits from the oven, scalding her finger in the process. Hissing to herself due to her carelessness, she placed them in a basket on the table and wiped her hands on her apron.

"Oh good, you have the food ready," Her step-mother snorted and eyed the scones that her step-daughter created. "Scones yet again?" she scoffed.

"Yes, step-mother," Cinderella nodded as she cooked the eggs.

"Do you not know how to make other pastries than scones? This is getting awfully distasteful with you making these every day."

"I'm sorry step-mother… would you like for me to make croissants next?" Cinderella asked, placing the eggs in a plate next to the freshly baked scones.

"Hn," The step-mother replied and sat on the chair at the head of the table. Cinderella poured her a cup of coffee and glanced at the clock. It read 5:45 a.m., biting her lip Cinderella looked at her step-mother worriedly.

"If you have something to say, say it now," the older woman remarked.

"Step-mother I have to leave to go work at the café now or I'll be late, if that is alright with you," Cinderella replied politely. The guardian looked at the clock and scoffed.

"Alright, but do wake your sisters up before you leave," Her step-mother replied and took a sip of her coffee. She scrunched her nose and signaled for her. "Do make sure to put sugar and cream on this bitter coffee of yours,"

Already halfway upstairs, Cinderella sighed in defeat and walked back down to do what she was told.


"What I don't understand Ella, is you not leaving that house," Tiana said whilst serving customers. She placed her free hand on her hip and raised a brow at the strawberry blonde woman.

"I'm sorry Tiana but I can't possibly leave home with a lot going on with my life," Cinderella replied and dropped off her bag behind the counter. She fastened an apron on her waist and walked towards a table that needs assistance.

"Well all I'm saying is that you're better off without those lunatics in your life," the darker woman said and laughed. She went back towards the counter to retrieve the dishes and handed them to their customers.

Cinderella stifled a laugh and placed the order. Leaning against it, she waited for the food to be cooked. Tiana joined her in a few minutes. Her friend looked at her with worriedly and she gave her a small smile.

"I know I should move out… but I know that one day my misery would end, but it's better to be positive about it T," She looked away and stared at the ceiling, remembering when things were better when her father was alive.

"If you say so, but hey if you need anything…"Tiana placed a hand on her shoulder and Cinderella turned her head towards her friend. "…I'm here."

Tiana smiled and Cinderella gave a bright smile. In that moment, the door swung open and a man whose skin is lighter than Tiana's is walking towards them while strumming on his ukulele. Cinderella rolled her eyes and nudged Tiana. She stormed off with the food that they were waiting for, including her friend's.

"Hello there my Evangeline," The man said as he grinned. Tiana rolled her eyes and turned around to get her order but found it missing. Looking frantically for it, she saw Cinderella handing the meal to the table she worked on. Cinderella mouthed a 'sorry' before walking to another table.

"Naveen, how many times do I have to tell you that I am not your Evangeline?" Tiana replied furiously and went behind the counter. Naveen started to walk after her but she put her hand up to stop him. "Employees only."

"Oh come on, Tiana! Why won't you go on a date with me? Just once?" He wailed and pouted. The woman before him rolled her eyes and poured him a cup of coffee like always.

"You know I don't have time to date, Naveen," She replied softly, her eyes were filled with sadness. Naveen frowned, took the cup and drank from it.

"Yes, yes I know, you want to save up enough money to get the restaurant you and your father wanted," he said and stared at the steaming liquid in his cup. He had always admired her determination and passion but what irked him is the fact that she doesn't want anyone's help financially. He wanted to write her a check to get it over with, but knowing her, she would just rip it and throw it in the trash. He looked over to Cinderella and noticed how both of them are similar in some ways and different as well. They are both hardworking women who are independent, but he wonders why they suffer so much. Taking another sip from his cup he couldn't help but feel sorry for them. I guess growing up as a rich kid has it's downsides, Naveen thought.

An alarm went off and Cinderella and Tiana glanced at the clock hanging near the entrance. Naveen finished his coffee and left money on the counter table before striding towards the door. Cinderella and Tiana bade farewell to their boss and took off their aprons, gathered their belongings and walked towards Naveen. He smiled charmingly at them and he was replied with a frustrated sigh from the black haired woman and a small smile from the blonde. Cinderella always knew that Tiana had a thing for Naveen ever since he never endingly courted her. She always gave him props for being so stubborn when it came to his Evangeline.

"Well ladies, are you ready to take another painful day in college?" The man said jokingly and walked towards his car with the two women behind him.

"You don't have to exaggerate Naveen," Cinderella said in reply. Naveen feigned a mock hurt and placed his hand on his heart. Tiana may not have much friends but Ella was definitely one of his favourites. She's always so polite, kind, caring and sometimes –if you squint a little—very funny as well.

"Ah Ella, you hurt me," Tiana chuckled and went to open the door for the front passenger seat but was interrupted when someone's hand was already on it. Glancing to the side she saw the man grinning and opened the door for her.

"M'lady," He said courteously. Tiana was blushing inside –of course she would never show it outside— and nodded thanks to him before going inside the car. Cinderella was already seated at the back and was buckled in with her seatbelt. One of the few treasures that Cinderella thanked for is having a friend that has a car. In this day and age, it seems to be the fastest way to commute to the University.

After arriving to the State College of Corona, Naveen parked in front of the entrance flawlessly. His black and red colored convertible Mini Cooper caught the attention of many students, it always did. They knew who it belonged to and the person's friends. It was still hard to swallow that the poorest females in the school –who were accepted with scholarships—are friends with one of the richest families' son. Naveen, sometimes known as 'Prince Naveen'—according to his female fan base—emerged from his car and opened the front passenger seat and the back seat afterwards.

"Thanks for the ride Naveen," Cinderella gave him a small hug which he returned happily. He then turned to Tiana and opened his arms. Rolling her eyes and chuckled, she gave him a hug. After kissing her cheek, the man waved goodbye to his Evangeline and friend. The women also waved back and started walking inside the building. As soon as they were out of sight, Naveen drove to the University he attended. A place where almost all of the cool and rich people attended, Die Krone University.


"Well, seems like we have a few hours before heading to Cal's. Do you want to go to the mall?" Tiana asked her friend who is currently fixing her old worn bag. There were holes everywhere and the strap was about to fall off. "And by the looks of it, you need a new bag too."

"I don't need a new bag Tiana," Looking down at her bag, she wondered if she still had enough fabric to patch it up. Why waste money on a bag when you can salvage an old one with superb sewing skills? Cinderella was never the one to waste money on items she deemed to be of less importance.

"If you say so," her friend replied with a shake of her head. Sometimes Tiana wonder why a person like her had to endure all these horrible things. It's not that she was poor, truth to be told, Cinderella's family is on the verge to becoming one of the richest family in the city. However, her step-mother never bothered giving her a cent of the family's fortune even though half of it belonged to her.

Cinderella's phone buzzed inside her pocket and Tiana raised her brow. Flipping it open she received a message from Naveen. This caused more confusion for her dark skinned friend and it goes along the lines of 'why did he text you and not me?' Shrugging her shoulders the strawberry blonde girl opened her phone and read the message.

Naveen

HEY ELLA. My Evangeline barely reads my message and I know she's with you. (YOU GUYS ARE INSEPERABLE) Anyways, my bros and I are hanging out in the mall like right now. Come meet us up! I'll introduce you guys to them ;D OF COURSE TIANA IS MINE. But you know….

Glancing at each other, Cinderella typed a response.

Me

Don't you have class right now Naveen?

"I can't believe that he believes I don't read his messages! That… That oaf!" Tiana exclaimed causing a few students to turn their heads towards them. Cinderella told her to keep her voice down; it would be embarrassing for them to be causing a scene. After finding a secluded spot underneath a tree, they both sat down and enjoyed the shade.

BUZZ

Naveen

Yeah well the Prof took the day off :D THANK THE HEAVENS. Anyways, should I pick you guys up?

"Should we go?" Cinderella asked. Peering over her shoulder, Tiana pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Why not?" They grinned, stood up and hailed a passing car.

Roger Radcliffe, the music professor stopped in front of them. "Hello ladies, a good afternoon to you."

"And to you too sir," they replied in unison. "If it's not too much to ask can we ask for a ride to the mall?" Tiana asked.

"Of course ladies, hop in. I'm headed towards the mall myself," he replied. The women smiled and occupied the back seat of his car. After being settled in and secured, Professor Radcliffe drove off towards their destination.

Me

Be there in 10.


To be continued.