We are getting close to the end of the first in the trilogy. I wonder what Antoinette will have in store for our group of trouble makers. Or what they have in store for her. Please remember to favorite, follow, and comment. See you all soon!

CHAPTER 12

Baking is a science. It always has been. To get the correct texture and flavor one must be precise and calculated to get exactly what is needed. The process of some breads and cakes are equally important as the ingredient measurements. Sometimes the baker must create a well. More than likely it's best for the wet ingredients to be added to the dry ingredients in a slow process. Bit by bit. Sometimes the dough for bread must rise for one hour, and sometimes it must rise overnight. Baking is a science.

Alternatively though, baking is also an act of love. It can be messy, and if done incorrectly brutal. So, why bake? Antoinette knew why she baked. Baking was second nature to her. After all, some of her earliest memories consisted of cracking open eggs with two hands (she can do that with one hand now), and mixing the wet ingredients before giving them to her papa. When Mama had been dealing with one of her bouts or when her father was frustrated, the kitchen had always welcomed her. Even when her cousin refused to speak to her after finding out about the family skeleton, the kitchen welcomed her. It had been her greatest refuge, and her greatest ally.

This is exactly why it surprised no one when Antoinette practically locked herself in the school kitchen with an apron and her father's recipes. If asked though by her peers, she would simply say she was helping for the upcoming family day by providing sweets and bread. This is where Aaron found her.

"I thought I'd find you here," his voice called out. Antoinette glanced up at him as she placed the dough in the electrical mixer.

"Smells like brownies and vanilla cupcakes," he paused for a moment as he looked around the room. It had actually smelled like an entire bakery, but it was best to recognize what she had produced already.

"Ant," he said gently. She looked up at him. "What's going on in that head of your's?"

Antoinette's shoulders slumped. Aaron approached her and leaned up against the opposing side of the table.

"I don't know," she said. Aaron hummed.

"Ahhh, so it's one of those situations. You have a problem, and you're worried about the solution," he explained casually. Antoinette glared at him.

"I hated it when you read me so easily when we were dating, and I hate it now." Antoinette placed a tray into the oven. When she turned around, Aaron was smiling at her, before looking away bashfully. A moment of silence wrapped around them.

"I just, I found Dizzy, my little cousin." Antoinette paused, and rested her arms against the counter. "She's so kind, and thoughtful. She asked a hundred questions about Auradon, and my life. She asked how the other Isle kids were doing. She reminded me a lot of myself when I was her age. Asking questions, being curious."

Aaron picked up a cookie as he listened to her and nibbled on it. Antoinette smiled softly. He had always enjoyed her baking. She had always enjoyed how he would listen to her problems. Antoinette looked down at the table, fresh tears starting in her eyes as she started loading the dishwasher.

"Ant," Aaron's voice called out. She looked up from her task, and saw the face. The face he made when he didn't really know what to say but he still supported her. Antoinette let out a sob, before walking over to Aaron. He opened his arms, and for a moment they pretended they weren't a couple broken from politics. Aaron was just there for Antoinette.

Antoinette sniffled before pulling away.

"Look at me, blubbering. Everything will be okay," she said, wiping her eyes, pulling away from him. Aaron looked after her, a sad look on his face.

"Antoinette, I-"

"Please, don't," she said. Aaron stared at her carefully, before slowly nodding his head. He had his chance, and he threw it out.

Parents' Day was always the most looked-forward-to day at Auradon Prep. Antoinette stared at the different dresses debating. One was a slimmer, shiny style. One was a fit and flare with pretty lace decorating the bodice. One was an ombre tea length with a sweetheart neckline. She bit her lip trying to figure out the best to wear.

Antoinette had already decided on her shoes, a pair of purple pumps so her toes could have some sun. Her hair was pulled back in a half up ponytail, the remaining strands were tightly curled. She gnawed on her lip a little more before she got a text message.

Moron Cous: Hey, I'm waiting outside for you. Hurry up! :)

Glancing over her options she decided on the lace bodice. She opened the door as she fluffed her hair. Chad smiled with his gelled hair and blue jacket.

"That looks nice," he commented. Antoinette smiled her thanks before the two walked together towards the courtyard. Antoinette glanced over the balcony. Several families had already been reunited for the day. She could see the Li family hugging one another, and Doug showing one of his Uncle's something on his phone. She smiled to herself, even though so much has changed, some things don't.

The two cousins soon left each other. Chad on his way to the opening song. Antoinette to find her mother and father. She had intended full-heartedly to find her parents, but when there was fruit and a chocolate fountain, well Antoinette got slightly distracted. She was just twirling a piece of cantaloupe through the chocolate when a hand reached over her shoulder for a strawberry.

"I never did understand your mother's taste for chocolate coated cantaloupe," said a deep voice behind her. Antoinette glanced behind her to find her uncle.

"Hi, Uncle Henry," Antoinette said, smiling at him. King Charming reached around her and gave her a one armed hug.

"Hello, little one," he said, grinning down at her. "Come along, your cousin is about to perform with his friends."

With those words, he led her over to where the rest of her family was sitting.

"Mama! Papa!" She hugged both of her parents. Anastasia rested a hand on Antoinette's cheek, excited to see her daughter once more. Her father gave her a kiss on her cheek with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Antoinette turned to her blonde aunt.

"Hello, Aunt Cinderella." Cinderella kissed both of Antoinette's cheeks, as Antoinette did the same greeting to her aunt. All settled down and waited for Chad's performance to begin.

Cinderella raised her tea cup to her lips while regarding her niece. Her observations found the twinkle in her niece's eye, and the lighter laugh drifting off of her lips.

"Anttie," Cinderella called out to her. Antoinette turned to her as she called the young red head by her childhood name.

"I heard you have a gentleman suitor," the blonde said, taking a short sip of her tea. Antoinette blushed slightly as all eyes fell on her.

"Oh, you mean Jay. Yes, we've been seeing one another," the teenager explained. Her father eyed her carefully.

"And what do you two do when you see one another?" He asked, trying to sound casual. Antoinette choked shortly on her tea.

"We mainly talk. He's never been to the beach, so I took him there. Oh, and he and I play the same video game, so we do that as well."

"I wish Chad and Ben would have never introduced you to that game. So, unladylike," her mother sniffed. Anastasia took a sip of tea.

"Ana," the baker chided with a delicate smile, "if I remember correctly, riding a horse bareback is something your mother would consider to be unladylike as well."

Anastasia choked shortly on her tea.

"That was only one time," she explained as she dabbed with her napkin at the corners of her mouth. The table burst into giggles, Anastasia grinned at her daughter and winked. Antoinette took several more sips. The conversation around her rolling smoothly.

"Aw, it looks like the show is beginning," Aunt Cinderella said. The table turned their attention to the group of teens with towels over their arms.

Ma cherie Mademoiselle,

It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure

That we welcome you tonight.

And now, we invite you to relax,

Let us pull up a chair

As the dining room proudly presents -

Your dinner!

Be...our…guest!

Antoinette quickly lost focus on the song, despite everyone else being engrossed by the song. Multiple couples dancing and swaying to the tune.

Soup du jour

Hot hors d'oeuvres

Why, we only live to serve

Try the grey stuff

It's delicious!

Don't believe me?

Ask the dishes

After looking through the crowd her eyes landed on the group peering over one of the overlooks. Antoinette smiled to herself. Jay saw her through the crowd and winked at her. Antoinette blushed lightly. Turning her attention away from the group a notification popped up on her phone.

Someone was filming the song as a live video.

Come on and lift your glass

You've won your own free pass

To be our guest

If you're stressed

It's fine dining we suggest!

Looking up she saw the group had made their way through the crowd to the fruit and chocolate fountain. She stood from her table, none of the adults really paying attention to her making a disappearing act. Antoinette walked shortly over to the small group as they started messing with the chocolate fountain.

Be our guest!

Just as Jay shared a mischievous glint with Carlos, Antoinette was right behind. Jay started leaning forward, opening his mouth.

"Jay! Don't you dare!" Antoinette exclaimed, making her...gentleman caller turn around placing an innocent look on his face.

"I wasn't going to do anything!" He explained, defending his actions. Antoinette raised an eyebrow at him as she tried to stifle an amused grin.

Jay reached out to her and nuzzled her neck, making her giggle.

"My parents are here. Would you like to meet them?" She asked. He gave her large, brown puppy eyes, begging to not be pressured.

She reached for his hand and started fiddling with it. Antoinette grinned at him, looking at him under her eyes.

"Pretty, please," Antoinette said, giving him large puppy eyes back at him. Jay sighed, and nodded in agreement.

Carlos whispered something to Evie, sounding a lot like the word, "whipped". They grinned at each other in amusement.

"Mama, Papa, Aunt Cinderella, Uncle Henry," she paused, allowing the adults to turn to the newcomer, "this is Jay. We've been seeing one another."

Her father was the first to react, standing up and shaking Jay's hand. The older man grinned at him and offered him a seat by Antoinette.

"So, Jay, tell us a little bit about yourself," Cinderella asked.

Anastasia watched the boy sitting next to her daughter. She had met Jafar once when she was very small. When Anastasia met Jafar, he was extremely tall, but extremely lean. Although Jay had received his father's height, if not surpassing him, he also was much more muscular. Physically, he looked like someone who could break her daughter like a mere toothpick, but then the mother looked into the boy's eyes. Somewhere deep down, hidden by the same stone cold emotions she once held her eyes was a fear. How little has changed for villain children. Then, though, Jay turned to her daughter, and Anastasia saw how his emotion buried so deep shifted into something lighter.

"Oh honey, excellent job with the singing." Cinderella stood up and hugged her son, Chad shook his father's hand. Chad was smiling as he took a seat, until his eyes settled on the Isle child.

"Jay, aren't you supposed to be sitting with the other villain kids?" Chad said, an unsettling coldness came into his eye.

"I asked him to meet our parents, Chad," Antoinette explained, sipping on her tea. Chad was about to say more when Carlos came up behind Jay. Carlos said something to him about Mal and a game with the current Queen and King.

"Are you coming?" He said to Antoinette, holding her hand. She smiled at him.

"I don't have much athletic ability. I'll catch up with you in a moment," Antoinette explained, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He grinned at her. Antoinette waited for Jay to be so far away before turning on Chad.

"I get that you don't like him, but do you have to be rude to him?" Antoinette asked. The adults rolled their eyes. When the cousins disagreed they did not hide it. They fought as if they were siblings.

"I don't get why you're dating him." Chad picked a piece of fruit up and started eating it. Antoinette rolled her eyes.

"Well, I don't get why you're dating Audrey," She replied, snidely. Chad rolled his eyes. Antoinette sighed loudly, before standing up to go join in the game.

A calming breeze found it's way around her as she met up with Jay. After explaining the rules to him, the two joined the rest of the group. Antoinette winced as one of her balls hit the metal goals and rolled off in the opposite direction.

"Here, maybe try holding your gear like this," Jay's voice whispered in her ear. His hands overlapped her's as they directed them where to lay.

"Now, gently. You're not playing tourney," he continued, and with a gentle swing, Antoinette watched as one of the balls went through the goal. She smiled up at Jay. The day slowly melting into a perfect time.

"You!" The perfect time was then replaced with the feeling of being drenched in cold water over Antoinette. She looked towards the sound. Mal had met Queen Leah.

"A chance to what, Ben? Destroy us? Come on. You remember, don't you? The poison apples. And the spells. Spells. My daughter was raised by fairies because of your mother's curse. So her first words, her first steps, I missed it all!" Queen Leah turned to the group of Auradon kids behind her. "You mustn't trust her."

Antoinette walked up behind Ben. A notification had come up on her phone. Someone was live streaming.

"I'm so so-"

"Stay away from her!" Chad's voice brought Antoinette's attention away from her phone. She tried to scan through the crowd quickly to see the culprit.

"Don't do this Chad."

"What? They were raised by their parents, Ben. What do you think villains teach their kids? Huh? Kindness? Fair play? No way, okay? Uh-uh. You stole another girl's boyfriend."

Antoinette's attention turned back to the live streamer. It looked as if it was someone behind Chad. She glanced closer. Surely, she would be able to see them. She had a clear view of the scene on her phone.

"Oh. You enjoy hurting people. And you, you're nothing but a gold digger and a cheater."

"And what of me, Chad?" Everyone felt the air shift as Ben stepped out of the way to allow Antoinette into the inner ring.

"Let's not forget, I was raised by my parents as well." Out of the corner of her eye Antoinette could see her mother start to stand up.

"Antoinette, that's different."

"Is it? How so?" Antoinette asked. Her eyes continued to scan through the crowd on their own accord. Where was the live streamer?

"Your mother changed," Chad said, however, several students behind him didn't reach Antoinette's eyes.

"Enough! The both of you," a voice called out. Anastasia Baker always did know just when to enter. She had also approached the group and was laying a comforting hand on her daughter.

"If my mother can change, then so can they, and you know that," Antoinette said. Chad shook his head.

"No, they can't. Their villains in the making!" Evie stepped forward.

"Mirror, mirror in my hand, who's the biggest jerk in the land!" Several things happened quickly. Evie showed the image of Chad in her mirror. Chad pushed her hand out of the way. Jay rushed forward to defend Evie. Antoinette saw a camcorder on a tray with several hor devours. As Antoinette approached the waiter, Evie sprayed Chad with something. What a mess this all had become, and Antoinette had convinced herself life would be easier once she was no longer Ben's HR. She should've known better.