Chapter 9: Grocery Shopping
Purpledolpin05: What's up readers, so this chapter is sort of an original one with some Jay/Tracy romance and a bit of friendship-bonding between Mal and Tracy (because most of the time Mal is with Evie or Ben, while Tracy hangs out with the guys more, or interchanges between her friends group so they don't really talk a lot). So, moving on to shout outs for the previous chapter: -
To The Dreamer With A Passion: Thanks for the review, yeah Chad has been pretty awful to the Li sisters. Well, we all know what will happen, no matter how you all wanna prevent it. Yeah, the Bal scene with the 'I didn't think it through' was pretty funny to read of since Ben is the guy who usually thinks everything through. Hope you will like this chapter.
To TheGreatGodzilla: Thanks for the review, well I hadn't really thought of which dynasty Mulan took place in or the current Auradon timeline, but so far, I am thinking Mulan probably happened during the Song dynasty at best (I don't really study China history since my country only cover Malaysian history) well in Descendants-verse, it was implied that Imperial City (I'm assuming Central China) is possibly governed by the Imperial Council (consisting of 8 men and women who oversee all the official matters in the Imperial City, stated in Descendants School of Secrets: Lonnie's Warrior Sword (the 4th book) by Jessica Brody it also takes place after Descendants 2) which I am unsure about the Emperor himself if he would be still governing or not. I'm still trying to discover more about the Descendants AU version China. But in my version, I assume the Emperor still governs the kingdom but I think he's probably retired at this point since he'd probably hand the throne over to a destructive toddler grandson Jackie so I assume the Council do help around with the Kingdom but the More Important matters could be the Emperor's decisions, I guess. Hope that's roughly enough information for you.
To PrettyRecklessLaura: Thanks for the review, hope you will like this chapter.
To The Malaysian Dream: Thanks for the review, yeah Tracy roasting Chad is gonna be a classic. Hope you will like this chapter.
To Guest (V.A.): Thanks for the review, yeah Tracy and Lonnie like to prove gender equality, Lonnie in terms of strength and Tracy in usually terms of violence or speech. Well I don't really think I'd watch American Satan as well since I feel uncomfortable around blood, death or violence or 'hooking up' (I ain't using the other word for the term but I use 'mating' as the substitute word) I might actually consider writing about Aries Nigel on probably Wattpad someday. And turns out #Roxy has been pushed to next year (I hope it's for real this time, I really wanna see how Cyrus gets the girl (but I will vision Roxy as Brittany from Dating Game Premier) or how Christian is like) (I've also posted a picture of what Aries Nigel looked like in Pitching Tents, you can check it out on my Deviant Art page under the name [Aries Nigel (Rough OC Sketch)] Also, there's this guy named Scott from Pitching Tents and if the timeline is correct I'd say Scott would be old enough to Bob's dad…hhmm…my crossover mind is crazy.) Hope you will like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Disney Descendants or their Disney parentage (if that's a word); or The Malaysian Dream's Original Characters. I only own my Original Characters. Enjoy.
[Tracy's P.O.V.]
Ugh, I still cannot believe I roasted Chad Charming in front of the entire student body. I just hope no one will make fun of me about it, I mean I am not really the kind of girl who likes to try and grab the spotlight.
I noticed everyone else was looking over at me and whispering. I am not really liking this Friday. But oh well, tonight I can watch the debut of Raven's Home so that gives a little hope. Considering I grew up watching Disney shows, I was a fan of That's So Raven (and had a teensy crush on Cory Baxter when I was like 6, do NOT question my love life choices), Suite Life series (Cody is my favorite character).
I went into the kitchen since I am on Cafeteria Duty on most occasions, if not I just help out with the cooking. I've been hanging around the kitchen so much dad is beginning to wonder if I wanted to study culinary for my degree instead.
"Hey Mrs. Potts." I smiled over.
"Hello dearie," Mrs. Potts smiled back.
"So, is there anything up for me on Cafeteria Duty today?" I asked, I really like to help out in the kitchen, and sometimes cooking makes me feel closer to home.
"Well, I am almost out of a couple of groceries, could you two be a dear and help me buy them? I would normally do it myself but I have my hands all tied up with babysitting the children." Mrs. Potts asked. Oh yeah, Daycare Duty is not as easy as it sounds.
"Sure." Mal nodded.
"No prob." I nodded, before turning over. "YO UNCLE CHIP, WE NEED A RIDE!"
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCREAM AND SHOUT!" Uncle Chip walked out, rubbing his ears.
"Why can't you ask Chandler or Fiona instead?" Uncle Chip asked me.
"Because Chandler, Fiona and their girlfriends are having a double date? It's the Big Bang Theory Marathon Night." I replied.
"What about CJ? (CJ is short of Cogsworth Junior, not CJ Hook) He is the other free guy." Uncle Chip frowned.
"He's got finals for Political Science next Monday." Mrs. Potts replied.
"Fine, guess we're going to the mall." Uncle Chip sighed before plastering a smile. Since he's in charge of driving the minivan for shuttle services, so most of the time Jones and I would pester him to take us out of town.
While Uncle Chip was heading over to start the shuttle minivan, I decided to have a chat with Mal, since we don't really talk a lot
"So Mal, what brings you to the kitchen?" I asked.
"Well, Ben and I have a date tomorrow, and I was hoping to make something for him to eat." Mal replied, shrugging a bit.
"That's nice, Ben loves peanut butter sandwiches." I suggested. "Thought you might like to know, I mean I once challenged him to a peanut butter sandwich eating contest when I was in 4th grade, he won. And I got a severe case of rash because loser has to dive into the poison ivy bushes."
"Any other food you'd recommend me to try cooking?" Mal asked, getting on the minivan. "for my date with Ben?"
"Well, I am not that quite sure yet but let's just look around the mall to get ingredients for Mrs. Potts." I chuckled.
"By the way, I heard you stood up to Chad earlier." Mal told me.
"What?! Who told you that?" I yelped.
"Someone posted it online." Mal showed me a video of me roasting Chad. And that video has 3k views! GOD DANG IT!
"Jordan Genie." I read the person who posted it. That girl will never pass down a moment for her webcast, now won't she?
"It took guts." Mal nodded, before smiling, "and I like it."
"I don't normally fight people but watching someone disrespecting my sister like that just angers me." I shook my head.
"Ok ladies, here we are, Auradon Mall." Chip parked the car in the shuttle van parking space (judging by the fact Chip drives people here a lot he's got approval to park at a reserved place).
"Food!" I cheered before dragging Mal by the arm into the groceries department.
"Wow, there's a lot of fresh food here." Mal blinked.
"Yeah…" I nodded, picking out some onions. (I follow Gramma to the market so I learnt a trick or two about picking better quality ingredients) But I suddenly felt a pang of guilt, Mal and her friends were from the Isle, that must have meant whatever's not fresh and rotten goes straight to the Isle instead…Jay told me about his life on the Isle occasionally but I think he sometimes confines in me about his secrets.
"Wanna try making fruit salad for your picnic date? Nothing says better health like sliced fruits dipped in Greek yogurt!" I offered. "It's better to keep things simple and easy rather than some fancy-smink getup."
"I'll consider the fruit salad idea." Mal nodded, before I threw in some Greek yogurts into the trolley. I smiled over at her.
"Good idea, I mean you still have that mountain stack of strawberries and we have some fruits in the pantry." I nodded, while placing 5 cartons of eggs into the trolley carefully, because knowing who I am, I am NOT the most careful person I know.
"I have a question though," Mal asked me.
"Ask away," I replied.
"If you were stuck between a situation in which you had to be pressured to be someone you're not; or you can be wild and do whatever you are pleased. Which one would you rather be?" Mal asked. Huh, why is she asking this?
"Well…" I thought for a bit, before replying, "Let me quote to you what Hayley told me a few years ago: Don't ever let anyone tell you or force you to be someone you are not."
"I guess what I am trying to say is: Don't give in to peer pressure or lose sight of who you want to be, just follow your heart. At least this was the advice I wished I had given to Lonnie back when she started to change herself to be with those royal brats." I advised. I am a listener; or at least The Therapist among my friends.
"That was deep and wise." Mal nodded, smiling over. "We don't really talk to each other a lot."
"Well, I guess maybe we usually walk in different crowds?" I scratched the back of my head with a laugh, before I told her, "I'm gonna go weigh the fruits and vegetables. Why don't you head over to pick out the butter?"
I spotted two young kids beside me, waiting to weigh the bundle of kiwi fruits in their plastic. It looks heavy and they aren't tall enough to reach the counter.
"Hey kids, can I help you carry this bag up to the counter?" I kneeled over and offered.
The little boy and the little girl looked at each other before they nodded. I took their bag before handing it to the lady operating the counter. As soon as the lady was done weighing the fruits and placing the price tag on the plastic, I gave the bag back to the kids.
"Here you go." I smiled over.
"Thanks!" the two kids grinned before they ran over to their pregnant mother.
"That was very nice." I heard someone talking behind me, wait. I know that voice. It's Jay. What do I do? What do I do?!
"Holy Chili Crabs, you scared me!" I turned over before I wacked Jay's shoulder with the bag of cabbages. (A good day to be armed. Cues the cabbage merchant from Avatar: The Last Airbender's infamous line 'NOOO! MY CABBAGES!')
"I uh…like how you're so sweet around kids" Jay rubbed his injured arm.
"I love kids, I would do anything that I can to see them happy and safe." I smiled over at the two kids.
"Wait a sec, what are YOU doing here?" I paused before I demanded.
"It's Pizza Fridays, it's a long line so I figured I sneak out for a walk for a bit." Jay pointed over at the pizza parlor (his favorite hangout place during the weekends).
"Oh." I nodded, "I'm here with Mal on shopping duty,"
"Look, I get maybe you're still upset about your sister and you not making into the ROAR, but I actually think the way you stood up to Chad was really cool." Jay explained.
"I kinda lost it earlier." I shook my head. "I never meant to cause a scene. But I get upset if I see someone berating any girl or my family."
"That also explains why you gave the different answer to that Literature class assignment question." Jay joked as I giggled.
Just yesterday, we had Literature class and the substitute teacher Mr. Fu (son of Chi Fu, yeah, the cranky sexist guy who's the Emperor's Advisor) gave us a touching short story about some girl's dad and his first love. And when he asked what would you do if someone who's your parent's first love showed up. Mr. Fu is really nice and he's actually not that bad looking (I admit I once had a teensy crush on him, even if it is wrong) [Jay: WHAT?! *Jealous*]
And short to say, I replied, "I would pummel that woman to death." (because my dad and mom are my OTP, and anyone who interferes with my OTP will DIE. I do not kid, when Audrey claimed she ships Bree and Kaz in Elite Force and has the nerve to make a poster of that lousy ship, I literally BROKE HER NOSE like how Brittany Matthews broke Jenna Darabond's nose in The Most Popular Girls in School) and Mr. Fu told me I needed therapy. But I refuted my statement by stating anyone who tried to break my family apart will literally be beaten to death (by me and Jones). I ended up with 3 hours of therapy with Fairy Godmother.
Hey, it's not my fault it was Self-Defense Awareness Week in Karate class when Audrey told us she ships Braz. In hindsight, THAT BRAZZER ASKED FOR IT!
"Jay!" I noticed a few popular cheerleaders, the IT (I don't know what IT slang meant but I assume it meant Incompetent Trouble) wannabe girls after Audrey left, waving to Jay. "Over here!"
I felt my heart growing bitter, of course I am not like any girl around.
"Look, Tracy, could you come over to the roof deck of our dorms at 8pm tonight? I have something really important you need to see." Jay told me with a serious look on his face.
"Uh…sure." I thought before I nodded. Somehow seeing him all serious like is really cool.
"See you then." Jay smiled before he winked at me.
What is up with him anyway? Why is he always making me feel all nervous and girly?
I turned over and saw Mal standing by the corner giving me a look.
"Uh heeeeey Mal, how long have you been standing there?" I blinked.
"Kinda long enough for you to wish I hadn't." Mal smirked. Oh crap-tastic.
"It was nothing, Jay and I are probably gonna have an endless 2-hour banter about multiple topics." I replied, feeling my face flush red.
"I can tell you and Jay have something really special going on." Mal replied.
"Psh, as if. Jay is the popular jock and he has girls flocking after him like bees towards flowers." I replied, being realistic. I mean, yeah 2 years ago Jay confessed he has a crush on me. But we never really established or acknowledged our relationship status. I guess we're in the limbo between being 'just friends' and 'more than just friends'. "and I am just one of the girls who admires him."
"Besides, it's not like Jay would ask me to the dance, so I guess I'm just gonna ask him to the dance myself." I replied, looking away awkwardly.
"You're really gonna ask Jay out?" Mal looked at me in disbelief.
"I don't know…I mean I get jealous when I see him with another girl…" I hesitated a bit, before smiling, "I am not throwing away my shot."
"Ok Trace, I like you, buddy. I truly do, but you have to stop quoting from Hamilton or Heathers." Mal joked.
"That's gonna be a hard one. Once you get into the fandom, it's hard to get out." I laughed back, before we went to pay up for the groceries.
"Besides, Mal, if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always come over to me." I offered, "I'm good at keeping secrets. Just don't try to change yourself completely to be someone you are not, it's not always necessary to conform just to fit in."
"Thanks, you're a real friend." Mal looked surprised before she smiled and nodded.
"You're welcome, Mal." I laughed before I pushed the trolley to Chip's van to load in the groceries.
[Jay's P.O.V.] [Somewhat scene-fitting Jacy moment song 'Not Another Song About Love' by The Hollywood Ending]
I spotted Feisty in the mall shopping for groceries, and watching her helping out the kids was cute.
Ugh, I was planning to ask Tracy to the Cotillion when we were interrupted by a couple of cheerleaders.
I managed to ask her to meet up with me tonight, I'm gonna ask her to the Cotillion.
I spotted Aziz and Lonnie walking, probably on another date.
"Aziz, Lonnie!" I walked over to them, "can I ask you both a favor? I know you might be still mad at not being able to join the team, Lonnie and I am really sorry about that."
"Well, most of my anger went down the drain when I saw Tracy knocking out Chad." Lonnie thought for a moment before she nodded.
"Sure, ask away." Aziz smiled over.
"Can I kinda ask Lonnie to the Cotillion?" I asked, scratching my neck.
"Ok first of all, she's MY girlfriend." Aziz immediately frowned.
"And how dare you do this to my sister?!" Lonnie seemed very angry, before she punched my arm. Girl can punch hard.
"I meant as a practice!" I explained myself clearly, "I really wanna ask her to the dance, but I want it to be special for her."
"Oh…" Aziz blinked, before he smiled, "then I would be happy to help with the decorations."
"Fine…but only because I love my sister and I ship Jacy so much." Lonnie sighed as she agreed. Huh, Jacy's a good name, maybe when Tracy and I have kids, I'd name my daughter that name. [Authoress: Irony is that Tracy did named her younger daughter Jacy. So, point one for Jay]
"But seriously, if you even lay a finger on Lonnie, I will give her permission to lash Jones out on you." Aziz quickly warned. That guy can be pretty protective about his girlfriend. And he has that Thanksgiving coupons from Jones for Free Tormenting Service on Speed-Dial.
Great! Now all I gotta do is make sure I get ready the most romantic and special prom-posal for Feisty. Hey, I might not be the romantic guy but I want to let Tracy see how serious I am about her. She consistently doubts if I was just fooling around with her, I know I may be a flirt around women but I am truly serious about my feelings for her.
Besides, what could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, EVERYTHING can go wrong Jay. So yeah, I added some Tracy and Mal friendship moment since they don't hang out much (Mal has Ben for most occasions and Evie; while Tracy usually hangs out with the guys or her sister) so Tracy can somewhat give advice to Mal to prevent further damage to what will be damaged. I did some minor reference of Suite Life on Deck episode 'Breakup in Paris' (and I think you ALL who have seen the episode would know what happens to Cailey, same damage goes to Jay/Tracy since I based the couple's subplot on the episode) because letting Jay and Tracy get together easily isn't that fun and I like to expand the ships than rushing into relationships (Looks at Adam/Sakura, they are too deep in the friend-zone) And Tracy's road to love life is extra-long and messy (Just look at the Descendants AU of Tracy Li/Roman, it's kinda like Romeo and Juliet except Romeo is the enemy and wants to kill her)
So yeah, that's all for now. Feel free to fave, follow, review and tell me what you think. Thanks for reading and have a nice day.