Chapter 14: Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

The first half of summer flew by and before we knew it, we were all heading back to Auradon Prep. Hadley wasn't ready for school to start up again, but she was excited to see everyone. Lonnie's village was beautiful and was surrounded by the mountains. Lonnie and Hadley made a packed to hike the mountains every morning at sunrise. It was a hard challenge and everyday Hadley did not want to do it but once she got to the top it was worth it see the view with the sun rising. Hanging out with Lonnie and her parents was more fun than Hadley expected. Mulan and Shang trained the girls in the way that they were trained when Mulan saved China from the Huns. It was exhausting and Hadley's muscle ached every night, but it was worth it. Hadley could let out whatever anger or sadness or whatever out that she was feeling. Hadley felt stronger and more invincible with every passing day. Lonnie was turning out to be a better friend than Hadley initially thought she would be. Once you get past the perkiness and her need to be involved with EVERYTHING, she was a really great advice giver and helped you to really put things into perspective.

Today was our last day at Lonnie's house and Mulan put the best spread she could come up with. There was everything from porridge to tea to eggs to bacon and it all looked amazing. "Big year for you girls! Are you excited?" "I'm going out for the fencing team" Lonnie was so proud and determined to make the team this year "are you allowed to do that? I didn't think the team was coed" "Well I think it would be shitty-" "language" "sorry mom, crappy if they didn't let me on the team just because I'm a girl. They have to see that my talent is more than my gender" "right on, Lon! I will defiantly be at that tryout you're gonna have to let me know when it is" "I will just don't tell Ben or Jay I want them to give me a fair tryout before knowing it's me if you get what I mean" "I don't but I will support you wither way" the two friends finished eating their breakfast chatting about the upcoming year and how excited they are to see their friends. I was so ready to see PJ. The nice thing about being at Lonnie's was the peacefulness you feel because you are pretty cut off from the rest of the world. On the flipside it makes missing someone even greater when you're not able to talk to them. It wasn't easy for PJ either, Neverland doesn't exactly have the best communication service.

The ride back to campus was long but Hadley was able to finish her book on the journey. When Hadley got back to her dorm it was empty. She did see Mal's bags in the corner, so she had to have been home. Out of boredom Hadley ended up taking a nap. She woke up an hour later to her sister coming through the door. Hadley was not expecting Mal to be looking the way that she does. Her vibrant purple hair was replaced with blonde hair, almost her color hair, with faded purple at the ends. Instead of her usually purple and green leather outfits she was now wearing a pastel blue tea dress. "hi 911? Yes I would like to report a missing person's case, my sister has been replaced with a peppy blonde princess" "hilarious Hadley good to see you too" "are you okay" "never better" "I beg to differ, blondie" "I just needed a change that's all no big deal" "it's kind of a big deal you look like one of those pretty princesses you hate" "I have to look the part the whole world's eyes are on me" "do you have to sacrifice yourself for that?" the twin's conversation was cut short with an excited Evie at the door "you're back!" Evie pulled the twins into a bone crushing hug "it's good to have the dream team back. Oh! We're having a bonfire tonight! Both of you can fill me in on your summers later".

All of our friends gathered round a fire pit in the middle of quad. Tonight, was the perfect night to have one of these it was still warm but there was a little bit of breeze, enough to where we all had warm blankets on our laps. PJ immediately got up and jogged to Hadley "you're back!" Hadley smiled and ran up and PJ immediately picked her up her and swung her around. Oh, had Hadley missed him. The two took their seats still hand and sharing a blanket. Everyone started talking about the fun things they did over the break. Apparently, Audrey was too stressed over life to the point where she is taking a gap year to stay at a spa with Flora, Fauna and Merriweather. How is that even fair or allowed?

PJ turned to Hadley "smores" "smores?" "smores" "smores" Hadley was confused, what the hell was a smore "roasted marshmallow, chocolate and gram cracker. You'll love it" as messy as they were Hadley was in love the smores. Leave it to PJ to cure Hadley's sweet tooth. "hang on you got something there" PJ was referring to the little bit of marshmallow on Hadleys lip. Hadley tried and tried to lick it off but was failing quite miserably. PJ couldn't help but chuckle "hold on" PJ leaned over to give Hadley a kiss.

Tonight, was perfect. It was nights like these that Hadley loved. She was with all of her friends, her PJ and her sister. She wished all nights could be like this. It reminded her so much of home and how her, Uma, Gil and Harry would hang out behind Uma's mother's restaurant. A guilty feeling sat in the pit of her stomach. Her friends back home probably hated her for abandoning them. Hadley was determined to figure out some way to communicate with them but until then Hadley has to deal with the upcoming school year.