Author:

Marize Ghobryal

Once upon a time in a land so mysterious yet so small, lived a handsome young boy who wished life could offer him more and take away his anguish. His mother had a difficult time raising him as a single parent in a peninsula as hectic as Bayonne. Brad, the young boy, knew that she needed a male role model and was very eager to discover that he was soon going to be a step son to a called wonderful man. Brad and his mother lived in a small, worn-out house on the corner of 46^th street between Avenue C and Broadway. They soon decided to move in with his new step father and his 2 sons to the new, beautifully decorated castle estates at Boat Works which was located downtown on Avenue A. The move was exciting for Brad and his new life was soon to begin.

As soon as Brad met his new step father, he couldn’t help but feel a strange vibe going back and forth between them. His step father introduced him to his 2 sons named Jack and Jerry who seemed quite welcoming and coincidently ended up being seniors in high school like Brad. It was nearing dinner time so they all decided to have a welcoming party for the newly united family. Pizza was sounding good right about time so San Vito’s it was. The night went by wonderfully but Brad could still feel the tension between him and his new step father. They all headed home for what would be their first night together.

“Well boys, its getting pretty late we should all make our way up to our rooms. Jerry please show Brad where he’ll be staying and when your done, please see me in my room, as a matter of fact you too, Jack.” said the stepfather.

Jerry along with Brad ran up to the empty room and he showed Brad where he would be living for what was going to be a pretty long time.

“Goodnight Brad, it was really nice meeting you. Maybe… umm…we’ll catch up on some things tomorrow!” commented Jerry.

“Yeah sure… I can’t wait! Goodnight!” Jerry replied.

Jerry and Jack rushed to their father’s empty room. As soon as they got up there they could tell something was terribly wrong from the look of their father’s face.

“Listen boys, you are not to be nice to this “Brad character” you hear me! He is no longer considered to be our family member or friend and before we know I suspect that he may be taking one of your spots as prom kings in 2 weeks” yelled the step father.

“That is not going to happen… you hear me…only we deserve those spots!” replied Jack.

Jack and Jerry hurried out of the room with a whole new perspective about Brad.

“We can’t have him steal our moment of glory. He can’t go to prom.” said Jerry.

The next few days were spent ordering Brad around from cooking to cleaning to doing the laundry. The two brothers were getting themselves ready for what would be prom night at Bayonne High school in a couple of days. Brad had been eyeing a beautiful girl at school and wished to go to prom with her.

The day of prom came and all the boys were getting ready.

“I’m sorry Brad but I’m having guests over tonight so I need you to stay the night and clean for me.” said the step father.

“But…” replied Brad before he was rudely interrupted.

“No buts! You heard me now go.” mumbled the step father.

Brad had to watch his step brothers posing with their dates as he was ordered to go to Hudson Park and take their pictures. He snapped a few here and there until he got so upset and started walking home. As soon as he got home he got back to work as each minute seemed to go by so slowly.

It was nearing 6 pm when all of a sudden Brad heard a noise.

“So kiddo… you want to go to the prom huh?” said a voice coming from behind the door.

Brad went and opened it realizing it was his fairy god brother!

“If you want to go, come with me and don’t worry about all your chores.” said the fairy god brother.

“But I look a mess!” cried Brad.

“Just come, I’ll take care of it”

Brad and his fairy god brother disappeared in thin air and in a blink of an eye appeared in front of the light rail station. The fairy god brother waved around his magical wand 3 times and the light rail became a beautiful carriage of gold. He waved his magical wand again 3 times and Brad was transformed into a handsome young man.

“Now go off Brad, gorgeous women are waiting for you, but one warning, if you stay any second past midnight everything will disappear and you will be raggedy old Brad again. Tootles!” he said.

And before Brad could say a word his god brother was gone. Brad arrived at prom, fashionably late of course, and made his way to his beautiful date who was waiting for him. They had an amazing time as Brad kept eyeing his evil step brothers the whole time. It was almost time to announce the prom king and queen but time was running out for Brad. It was 11:58 pm. Brad knew he would embarrass himself if he stayed, so he dropped everything and ran out. As he was running out of the place he tripped and lost his shoe but none of that was on his mind. He got back home just in time looking like regular “Brad”.

Later that night his two brothers came home looking quite disappointed, Brad over heard them arguing about how they didn’t get prom king and how a “new kid” had won but left early. They were arguing about who this new kid could be and how he could have taken their spot. The night ended and everyone went to bed. Early the next morning they all heard a knock on the door. The step father answered it.

“Hello sir, we have come to find who this mysterious “prom king” is who rushed out of prom so early. He left behind a shoe and we would like to see if it fits any of your sons.” said the guy in the front.

Hoping that it would fit one of his sons, he welcomed the guy in. Jerry tried the shoe on first but it was way too small and he couldn’t even fit all his toes in it. Jack was next and the shoe slid in with much space in the back. The guy with the shoe looked at Brad and asked if he could try it.

“How foolish, he was home cleaning!” replied the stepfather.

The man insisted that he try it on, and Brad did as ordered. The shoe fit perfectly. Brad grabbed the other shoe to show that it was indeed him. Brad’s life was later to become perfect after everyone realized who their prom king was. He made many friends and even started dating the girl he met at the prom. Everything was perfect, so little old Brad became the prom king and lived happily every after. THE END!