A Cinderella Story

[Seras]

Note: This is for my Creative Writing class.

A Cinderella Story

x2 + 19x + 84 = 0

I scribbled out the work needed quickly. It was easy to me. Combine the X’s and get them by their selves and wa-la! Answer. I marked the answer, -12 and -7 then circled it with a green highlighter. Green for Jason and yellow was Dustin. Finishing up the last few Algebra problems I put the sheets of paper into a green folder and put them at the corner of my desk to begin on Yellow’s homework. Science, not my best subject but still a heck of a lot better then Dustin.

Aluminum. Atomic number: 13. Electron Configuration: 1s22s22p63s23p1

I smiled; this was rather calming in a way. Letting my mind work through the configurations I didn’t notice the twins leaning against my door frame, one on each side. I finished the other 24 problems then put the work in the folder placing it on top of the green one. I turned and shrieked surprised seeing them there. They always scared me a bit when they were side by side doing the same thing. It was just plain creepy!

“H-Hi…” I gave a small wave in attempt to hide my nervousness… no luck they were smiling that ‘killer’ smile that made all the girls go weak in the knee’s.

“Where’s our homework kid?” One of them asked. That’s right, one of them. I’ve lived with them for a total of 5 years and I still couldn’t tell them apart unless they had their varsity jacket on, were in their own room or had a gym bag with their name stitched on it hanging off their shoulder. I quickly turned and held out the folders quickly wanting them out. I had work to do and I would get no where until they were back in their rooms recopying the homework. They were too stupid to do their own work but not stupid enough to get caught not doing it, go figure right?

“Thanks Lil sis.” They plucked their respective folders out of my hands then left already figuring out that I had colored them, not that they cared, as long as the work was done. They left shutting the door behind them. Yes! I was excited; I could now do my own thing! I moved quickly away from my desk going to my bed sitting in the middle as I got the book from the nightstand. I opened to a new chapter…

“The Pin is mightier than the sword”
-Fred Reinfeld

Pinning is a term for a chess move that many chess players already know how to execute. If you do not know this move it is vital that you practice it, learn it, and look for opportunities in games to execute it. This is a fundamental tactic to use in games. It is known by different terms including pinning, double threat, and the pin.

Pinning is being able to threaten two pieces at the same time with your one piece. This forces your opponent to decide which piece to sacrifice. An example of this is placing a bishop in diagonal file that threatens to take two pieces. Whichever piece your opponent moves, you will be able to take the other. Another example would be placing a rook in an open file so that it threatens both a knight and a bishop. If your opponent moves the knight, you can take the bishop, if your opponent moves the bishop then you can take the knight. A knight is a wonderful piece to use in creating a pin because of its versatility and due to the fact that some inexperienced players simply overlook the available moves that your knight has in front of it.

Defending against the pin consists of two strategies. First is the option of retreating so that both of your pieces are defended by one another. This is not always an available option though. The second defense is to threaten a highly valued piece that your opponent has, generally a queen. If you are being threatened with a pin and can threaten your opponent's queen, your opponent is likely to defend that queen before taking advantage of the pin they have laid out.

I looked at the chessboard that I had set up on the wall. Pinning, I had done it so many times before but never knew what it was. I had called it cornering because usually I had a piece in a corner and it either moved into another fire path or stay in the one it was in. Either way the piece usually became mine. Pinning! I was excited to have learned the word. I marked the place, having learned enough even though it was just a word and I went to an online chess room prepared to try out pinning knowing what it was and ways to do it.

It was 1:00am and the score was 9-9 a tie. Next point is the winner. I had never had this much fun playing chess! I examined the board on the screen squinting slightly trying to focus when all my eyes wanted to do was close and sleep. It was almost over. I took in the whole board my eyes scanning over the pieces that were left seeing their available moves then the moves they could make in return. I eventually moved my rook trying to flush out their king, I was confident. I would pin their king! I just needed to move my pieces in for the pin and eventually the kill. Ten minutes later I was looking at the score. 10-9, them. I had lost. I shook my head trying to shake the doubts out of me. I looked over the game log and remembered how the ending was supposed to go but only saw what my mistake was. I had moved my pieces in wrongly. A soft chime could be heard and I glanced down at the small chat window at the bottom of the window.

Good Game

I smiled with a scoff. As if they had a choice at what they said. You couldn’t type anything it was one of those drop down menus and you selected the phrase that was close to what you wanted to say. Like good game, yes, no, are you there, good luck, nice move, uh-oh, oops, hello, I’m thinking…, be right back, thank you, your welcome, it was luck and etc. I clicked the down button and selected the Good Bye before exiting out of the screen.

“Parker! What are you still doing up!? It is one in the morning!” A shrill voice shrieked from the doorway. I grimaced. It was my step aunt Tracy.

“Get up! Get up right now,” The shrill voice started again. “Up and get into your night clothes right this instant! Close your blinds and curtains first! Lord knows who you’re trying to flash!” She shut the door muttering about teenage girls, their hormones and how much I was corrupted by sin. I hit a button on the keyboard and the computer went to sleep along with the monitor. I moved over to the window and pulled the blinds close with a firm yank of the cord then tugged my curtains over the blinds.

Now that I was getting ready for bed I started yawning. I moved over to the dresser and opened the bottom drawer pulling out a large t-shirt with some pajama pants. I tossed my day clothes and put on my shapeless nightwear. Pulling back my covers I got into the bed and laid down pulling the covers up to my chin. I squirmed slightly, snuggling in the warmth of my bed and blanket before rolling over onto my side and curling up a bit my hands coming up under my chin.

1:07am… 1:09am…. 1:14am……. 1: 23am….. 1: … 1:…. Pinning…

Note: This is the end for now.

[SASSZAIN]

can hardly wait to see more ^^