Author Note:

reposting from my LJ account, an old fic from 2012. Some of you may have read it, I know. But I still think this one is one of the sweetest stories I've ever written. And it's coincidentally relevant with the theme of The First Stanza. So, enjoy, gogumas!

A pair of shoes can change your life. Ask Cinderella.

When Seohyun first read it on the shoebox of a pair of blue neon pumps she just bought to attend her boss’ birthday party (one of only few who were invited, since she was the new promoted manager), she just smiled. The only thing that came to her mind was would she meet her prince charming that night at the party? She laughed at the thought right away.

And true to her guts, she didn’t meet anyone she could call 'prince charming' at the party. Her boss kept on dragging her around the room, using the opportunity to introduce her to clients, business partners, and other figures of importance in the business, that she couldn’t easily meet. Unknown to him, that her feet were blistered, caused by the walking and standing for too long with a pair of new high heels.

After the party, she planned to go home by taxi because her feet can’t hold it any longer. It was at times like that when she resented herself for not being able to get a driving license in the past. Unfortunately the party was held at her boss’ residence, a such exclusive area, so it was hard to find a taxi. She walked further to more crowded road until she finally reached the bus stop, but she still couldn’t get any. Heaving a loud sigh, she decided to take the bus instead.

She put off her high heels right after she took a seat. She gritted her teeth in pain while taking off the pumps. She examines her wounds, her both heels were bleeding. She bit her lower lip while worriedly looking at her scratched feet.

Then a hand from her side offered her a couple of band-aids. She looked up to see a guy on the other seat beside her, separated by the aisle. He was smiling at her, and the words ‘prince charming’ suddenly popped into her mind.

“Please, take it,” he said. She hesitantly took it.

“Thank you,” she said while nodding. Still smiling, he nodded back.

Seohyun tried to put the band-aid on her heels, but the space in front of her didn’t allow her to bend down, so it was difficult to stick it.

“Here, let me help,” the guy said, crouching beside her seat and taking the band-aid from her hand. He personally put the band aid on her right heel, carefully and gently, much to Seohyun’s embarrassment. He then stubbornly put another one on her left heel. “I’m a guitar teacher,” he said, “my students sometimes hurt their fingers while learning, so I always come prepared. There you are, it would be fine for now,” he added while giving her an assuring smile.

“Thank you,” Seohyun said nervously.

“My name is Jung Yonghwa,” he said, taking a seat next to her, “yours?”

When she arrived home, she immediately looked for the shoebox. She took a marker from her desk, and scribbled some words on it.

Since that night, the words on the shoebox were read “A pair of shoes can change your life. Ask Cinderella. And Seohyun.”