"So you're really going to do it?" Chad asked Ben while sitting on the floor in Ben's dorm.
"Yeah, I'm going to be breaking up with Audrey." He said confidently.
"Are you sure about this dude? Audrey's easily the hottest chick in school."
"That doesn't matter. Ever since I brought over Mal and the others she's become a whole different person than who I thought she was. I just don't feel the same way about her that I used to."
"But you feel that way with Mal?"
"I guess I do."
"I still think you're making a mistake letting her go."
"Maybe, but we'll have to see."
"Doug, it's too hard." Evie whined as they sat outside, working on her chemistry homework.
"Evie it's the same problem, but with different numbers. Here let me see." He asked, looking at the sheet in front of her. "Ok so here they want you to find the atomic weight of silver."
"Well it can't be much. It's an atom isn't it?" Doug looked at her unamused.
"I'll give you a hint, it's 106.905 times….."
".5200?"
"That's it, keep going."
"Plus 108.905 times .4800 which gives us...107.9!" She said in excitement coming to her conclusion.
"That's it!" He as they hugged before pulling away to hide their blush.
"Thanks for helping me with this class. There's no way I would've made it this far without your help."
"It's no big deal. I saw that you were struggling and wanted to help." He said back with a smile. "You know, you never did answer my question."
"Which one?"
"Back when we first spoke, I asked you out. You smiled and walked off. Homecoming's getting real close and I don't think either of us have a date yet."
"If I pass tomorrow's test, you got yourself a date." She told him.
"Really?" He asked, in amazement.
"Swearsies. We should get going now. The game's going to start soon."
"Oh, would you look at that?" He said, taking a look at his watch.
Lani was in the gym practicing her swordsman skills. With football season ending soon, the school was going to be looking for students to be part of the R.O.A.R. team, and she was determined to make the team this year. She jumped up and slashed downward diagonally cutting the training dummy clear in half.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side." She heard a voice from behind her. Turning around she saw Jay. He had his bag slung over his shoulder. He must have been on his way to the game.
"Aren't you going to tell me how that was sloppy?" Lani asked, sounding frustrated.
"And why would I do something like that?"
"Sorry, I'm just not used to sword practice without being told what I need to improve." She said more calmly.
"Tough family?" He asked.
"Well, when your mom saves an entire country, your father was her captain in that same battle and your older brother does everything so perfectly, you have more than enough to live up to."
"Tell you what," He said, picking up one of the other swords. "Show me what you got, and maybe I can give you some pointers nicer than your family would."
"I guess I don't have anything to lose." She said getting into a readied stance.
Lani was doing a fantastic job, easily flipping through the air at times and scoring more points if they had been in an official R.O.A.R. match. The one thing that Jay noticed is that when their swords clashed, Lani always tried to push through even though he overpowered her each time. She clearly had more skill than him, but his physical strength was more than hers.
"So, are you going to tell me what I did wrong, or just sit there in silence?" She asked as he was playing their sparring session in his head.
"You said your brother does everything perfectly?"
"I already knew when I came to this school that I'd be compared to my mom, but I guess I didn't really understand just how good my brother was when he was here. So hearing both or either of them come up when talking about my shortcomings really doesn't help."
"Is your brother a big guy?"
"He's about as big as you."
"Then I think I know the problem. You keep trying to overpower your opponent, when that's not what you're good at. You're fast Lani, you're really fast. If you put more effort into being faster and out maneuvering your opponent, then I think everyone might start to see what you're more capable of."
"I always did manage to win a race against Li." She said to herself, falling silent for a moment. "I think you're right. Thanks Jay." She said with a smile.
"Since I did this for you when I didn't have to…."
"What do you want in exchange?"
"If we win this next game, you let me take you to Homecoming. Deal?"
"No one's asked me yet, so why not? Deal."
"Well I need to get going. I'll see you out there?"
"I'll go as soon as I clean up here."
"Catch you later."
"So, what do you say Ally?" Carlos heard from around the corner in the library. He peaked out just enough to see Chad talking to Ally who couldn't look more disinterested if she tried. "You want to go with the hottest guy in school to Homecoming? All eyes would definitely be on us."
"Hm, oddly enough that doesn't seem to make me more willing than the last time you said that. You really should get going if you want to make it to your little sports game on time."
"Fine, your loss though." He said as he headed towards Carlos. Or the exit because it was in the same direction. "Oh hey dude. You didn't see me totally strike out back there did you?"
"What? No, not at all….ok maybe a little bit." He said as they shared a small laugh. "Look there's only about a week left before homecoming. You know it's probably best to ask someone else maybe."
"Like, who though? Ally's the kind of challenge I've been looking for."
"Well, uh, I just mean that...like…" Ok Carlos, out with it already. Now's your chance to tell him how you feel. He thought to himself.
"Oh I think I get it." Chad said, interrupting his thought process.
"Y-you do?" Carlos asked, feeling like his heart had just completely stopped.
"Yeah, that mystery person you want to ask out, I think I finally realized."
"That's so great. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just wasn't sure how you'd feel about-"
"You want to ask Ally don't you?" Chad asked.
"Uh, yeah. You got me." Carlos replied, with clear disappointment in his voice.
"Well good luck man, she's a brick wall. I gotta get going to my game. You gonna make it?"
"You know I will. Just need to take care of a few things first."
"Alright man, catch you out there." Chad patted him on the back for making his way out of the library quickly.
Carlos waved as his crush grew further and further away. He took a deep breath before turning away and laying his eyes on Ally. "So what happened to saying yes?" He asked her, sitting down next to her.
"I was about to, but I know someone who'd really like to go with him, and actually have a good time."
"Yeah, like more than half the girls in school." He said before Ally looked at him sarcastically. "Oh, you meant me."
"Game's starting soon. You should get going so you grab him right afterwards."
"You're right. You're definitely right." He said as he ran for the door. "I don't know if you did it for me, but thanks Ally!" He called back.
"And then she blew chunks everywhere. All over my dad too." Ben finished telling Mal the story of how his parents got the Kingdom of Atlantica to join with the rest of Auradon. "Ever since then, my mom can't even look at a fish uncooked or not without feeling nauseous."
"Holy shit," She said with a laugh. "I'm surprised a war didn't immediately break out."
"It would've if Ariel hadn't taken the throne a few years prior." He said as the two grew silent, and began looking into each other's eyes.
"Anyways, time for your game." Mal said, realizing what was happening first.
"Oh yeah, I'll see you there." He said, smiling as he left.
Mal let out a sigh before she heard someone behind her trying not to laugh. She turned to see Evie (in her cheerleader uniform) and Carlos standing there looking amused. "How much of that did you hear?"
"And I thought I didn't like the sea." Carlos
"Not another word from either of you."
"What's the matter Mal? Don't want us to think you're having a good time here?" Evie asked.
"I am not having a good time." Mal said defensively.
"Or maybe you're scared that you like him?" Carlos joined in.
"Whoa, whoa, I do not like Ben."
"You did say that dating Ben would help us get closer to the throne." Evie pointed out.
"Ok, maybe I'm trying to date him, but that doesn't mean I'm falling for him."
"I mean, you can only fake date someone for so long." Carlos told their leader.
"Back off already!" Mal shouted, verbally pushing them both away. "Evie, don't you have somewhere to be?" Evie smiled before waving to her friends before walking off. "And you," Carlos inhaled deeply. "You and me are going to the game." She said, grabbing Carlos' wrist and dragging him along with her.
"Ohay ohay!" The marching band cheered as they played the school's song. The stands were completely filled. Students and families from both schools came from all over to watch the final game of the season, all of which seemed to be having a good time. Even Jane in her mascot costume was enjoying herself. A far cry from how sporting events unfolded on the Isle. At least half the audience would have erupted into a riot at this point.
"This is a nail-biter, folks." The announcer had been keeping track of the game up to this point as was getting into it just as much as the crowd was. "There's 47 seconds left on the clock. We're all tied up. What a game between Auradon and their fiercest rivals, The Sherwood Falcons."
"You're up." Coach Jenkins told Jay, who responded with a smile.
"He's bringing that hothead Jay in from the Isle of the Lost,"
"Break!"
"This is gonna be a big moment here. And the kickoff is ready. Here we go. Long pass goes to Jay. Jay dishes off to prince Ben. Nice little block by Aziz. He does a little dancing jig in his opponent's face. And now Jay gets the ball back."
"I'm open!" Ben called over to Jay.
"Jay makes a nice pass to Prince Ben. Big block by Chad! Prince Ben moves over wide, gives it back to Jay. He's in the clear!" Jay began to run, but got tackled by one of the opposing team members.
"Oh what a save by Phillip of the Falcons!"
"Come on, guys! Come on, hustle, hustle!" The coach called from the bench.
"23 seconds left. You could cut the tension with a knife. The ball is played into Jay. Jay, great jump, great leap. And a great move by Jay. Big block from Chad. Jay passes to Prince Ben. And then Aziz, with a big block, goes down. Still, going on. Jay, hurdling maneuver at mid-field. He's in the clear. The ball goes back to Jay. He passes to prince Ben. He scores! Prince Ben has won it! What an unselfish play by Jay! What a team! Incredible! And it's the new guy who set up the prince for the win here. What a victory! An absolutely wonderful end to one of the best games ever. Here they come, folks. The winners of the-" The announcer was cut off by Ben grabbing the microphone.
"Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I have your attention, please? There's something I'd like to say." The crowd was silent for a moment. "Give me an 'M!'" He shouted.
"M!" The crowd called back.
"Give me an 'a!'"
"A!"
"Give me an 'I!'"
"L!" Audrey had a confused look in her face.
"What does that spell?" He asked.
"Mal!" Everyone shouted back. Mal stood in stunned silence while Carlos snickered next to her.
"Come on, I can't hear you!"
"Mal!"
"I love you, Mal! Did I mention that?" Audrey had a hurt expression on hurt face before running off.
"Give me a beat!" He called to the band.
"Uno, dois, três, quatro!"
"Did I mention
That I'm in love with you?
Did I mention
There's nothing I can do
And did I happen to say?
I dream of you everyday
But let me shout it out loud
If that's okay-ay-ay
(Hey!)
If that's okay (Hey!)
I met this girl that rocked my world like it's never been rocked
And now I'm living just for her and I won't ever stop
I never thought it could happen to a guy like me
But now look at what you've done, you got down on my knees
Because my love for you is ridiculous!
I never knew
(Who knew?)
That it could be like this
My love for you is ridiculous
My love is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
(R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!)
It's
(RIDICULOUS!)
Just
(RIDICULOUS!)
And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss
Well, did I mention
That I'm in love with you
And did I mention
There's nothing I can do
And did I happen to say?
I dream of you everyday
But let me shout it out
If that's okay-ay-ay (Yeah!)
If that's okay
I gotta know which way to go c'mon gimme a sign
You gotta show me that you're only ever gonna be mine
Don't want to go another minute livin' without you
Cause if your heart just isn't in it, I don't know what I'd do.
Because my love for you is ridiculous
I never knew
(Who knew?)
That it could be like this
My love for you is ridiculous
My love is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
(R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!)
It's
(RIDICULOUS!)
Just
(RIDICULOUS!)
And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss, c'mon now!
Alright!
(Hey!)
Alright!
(Hey!)
Because my love for you is ridiculous
I never knew
(Who knew?)
That it could be like this
My love for you is ridiculous
My love is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
(R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!)
It's
(RIDICULOUS!)
Just
(RIDICULOUS!)
And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss, c'mon now!"
"I love you, Mal." He said to her now in the stands. "Did I mention that?"
"Chad's my boyfriend now!" Audrey said, popping up next to Ben with Chad next to her. "And I'm going to homecoming with him. So I don't need your pity date." She leaned up and planted a kiss on Chad. Carlos looked on, feeling his heart begin to crack.
"Mal! Will you go to homecoming with me?" Ben asked, not caring about Audrey and Chad.
"Yes!"
"She said yes!" Audrey looked annoyed and marched off with Chad.
"Let's go, Ben. The whole team's waiting for you." Jay said pulling Ben back down to the field.
"What a victory. What a day for the Auradon knights, finally winning back the trophy after so many years!" The announcer said after Ben returned his microphone.
"I feel really sorry for Audrey." Mal said, seeing Carlos looking down at his feet.
"You do?" He asked, not looking up.
"Yeah, I feel like if she were smart enough to skip a grade, and hack into security systems then she wouldn't need a prince to feel better about herself."
"I guess I am pretty smart huh?" He said with a smirk.
"Oh you are so smart."
"And there he is. Jay, the most valuable player. How do you like that?" The announcer said as the whole team lifted Jay into the air.
Holy shit I'm alive. I really hope I don't take that long a break again, but you know, life happens. what are you gonna do? I'll try to get back to this story soon, but I do have others and i definitely need to finish one story instead of trying to juggle four. I'll see you all in the next one hopefully soon