A modern fairytale
Once upon a time in a city not so far away, in a cramped flat above a 24-hour launderette there lived a girl called Ella.
She lived with her evil stepmother and two stepsisters, Tiffany and Brittany, whose hobbies included TikTok dancing and making Ella’s life a misery.
Ella dreamed of becoming a fashion designer but instead spent her days dressed in rags, scrubbing floors and pretending to like kale smoothies.
Her only escape? Designing wildly fabulous outfits in secret and posting them online under the name ‘@micenpumpkin.’
One day, Prince – not royalty, just an ultra-famous influencer – announced a fashion contest. The winner would collaborate with him. Ella’s hands shook so hard she nearly hot-glued her elbow to a sequined jacket.
Her stepsisters, of course, entered. Their designs looked like a flamingo exploded. Still, they strutted around the house like they owned Paris Fashion Week.
Ella had no money for the event, but her eccentric neighbour, Gary (a conspiracy-theorist coder who insisted he was part unicorn), hacked her into the virtual fashion show. He even added sparkles and theme music.
Her designs blew up. Everyone, including Prince, wanted to know who ‘@micenpumpkin’ was. But Ella panicked and logged off mid-livestream.
Prince, obsessed, launched a digital manhunt. Eventually, he tracked her down.
Instead of a glass slipper, he offered her a contract. She said yes – after demanding full creative control and unlimited snacks.
No spells. No carriages. Just grit, talent, and a little tech knowhow, and they lived sassily ever after.
Words: Richard Rooney
Illustration: A.I.
Flash Fiction 250
Flash Fiction 250 