Ok, here's my next chapter – sorry for the slight delay but it's quite a long chapter. Does that make up: ) And a HUGE thank you to all of my lovely reviewers!

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"I'm not so sure about this, London..." Maddie worried, turning to see her figure better in the floor length mirror.

"Oh, please! Of course, you look great in this – it's mine!" London waved her concerns away. "Besides, the colour really brings out you eyes. He'll go crazy over you in this."

"Actually, I'm starting to rethink this whole thing. I mean, maybe I should just not even go..." she fretted.

"What! That would be stupid!" London looked at her as though she were an idiot.

"I just feel bad about doing this to Trevor. He's a really nice guy and he doesn't deserve to be used like this."

"Like he would think twice about using you. Besides, you're not really using him if you guys have a good time, are you?"

Maddie gawked at her. "Uh, yeah. Obviously, I'm using him if I'm only going with him to try to make another guy jealous!" she seated herself down on London's sofa, slouching in disappointment. "I'm not gonna go," she lamented with a frown.

London slipped on her best resolve face. "You're not gonna go?" Maddie nodded. "Hmm, well Rebecca will happy. I heard her saying that she didn't think you'd be there anyway, cuz she didn't believe that you could get anyone to go out with you." She waited a moment before looking at Maddie – she wasn't disappointed.

Maddie fumed and stood up, looking all a woman with a purpose. "She said that?" London affirmed it nonchalantly. "Well, I'll show her! I can so get a date," she muttered to herself as she stormed over to the door. "I have a date and he's really cute and smart, too..." She had her hand on the door knob about to fling it open.

"Maddie?"

"What?"

"Isn't Trevor picking you up here?"

"Yeah." Maddie glared at her stupidly before looking sheepish. "Oh, yeah. Guess I should calm down, huh?"

The girls put on the last touch ups to their outfits. The doorbell rang and they both looked at each other.

"It's time," Maddie breathed.

London gave her a sympathetic look. "It'll be ok. Esteban really likes you, I can tell. Don't worry about it."

Maddie was touched by London's caring, but the moment was short lived.

"Well – answer that!" London had dictated while she brushed on a bit more rouge.

Maddie bowed comically. "Yes, messah!" She opened the door with a smile.

"Whoa – Maddie. You look fantastic." Trevor smiled toothily at her, causing her to blush.

"Thanks. You look nice, too."

He shrugged sarcastically and smiled. "Shall we go?"

Maddie looked back to London to see it she wanted to go down with them.

"Oh, you two go ahead. Aaron should be here soon."

"Aaron who?"

"Carter. Duh!" She said obviously.

Maddie and Trevor shared amused glances and left.

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"What is the matter with you?" Rebecca demanded, annoyed at feeling ignored.

"Hmm?" Esteban answered distractingly, still not looking at her.

She huffed at his inattentiveness. "Who are you looking for?"

"Maddie –" he said off handedly.

"Why would you be looking for her?" She was all in a snit.

He sighed, still scanning the room for her. He finally turned back to his date, who was looking at him expectantly. He winced under her cross stare.

She tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?"

"Well what?" he feigned innocence.

Rebecca narrowed her eyes. "Do you – like – her?" she asked dangerously.

He suddenly resembled an animal in a cage, desperately searching for the one way out. He found it. "Oh! Zack! Cody!" He gulped in relief as the twins walked over.

"Whoa – Esteban. Lookin good –" Cody remarked impressed.

"Oh? This old thing?" Esteban joked, brushing each sleeve of his tuxedo with gusto.

"Yeah – you guys make a really good couple. You know – you and Rebecca," Zack added forcefully.

Cody looked at him strangely but Zack pretended not to notice.

Rebecca scowled when she didn't receive any compliments on her $1,000 dress that she was adorned in from France. The boys didn't pay any attention.

"This is nice, huh?" Zack commented in a attempt to break the awkward silence.

The Tipton lounge had been transformed into a fairy land of sorts. There were crystal sconces suspended from the ceiling, each containing a beautiful flickering candle. They cast a silky soft glow around the room, giving the atmosphere an old world charm. There were intricately designed ivory linens draped around everything, adding a vintage touch of Panama. A string quartet occupied Carey's usual space on the stage. The entire affair exuded wealth and charm.

They were all so busy taking in the calming ambiance that no one noticed Maddie walk in on Trevor's arm.

"Oh! MADDIE!" London's voice bolted through the air as she sauntered over.

Esteban immediately snapped his head toward the door.

Maddie looked ethereal in her (well London's) flattering gown of shiny satin. Trevor strutted over, beaming.

"Aren't I a lucky man?" He bragged as they approached the group. Esteban shot him a dirty look.

Maddie blushed and glanced over at Esteban. "So, are you two enjoying your evening?" Her smile was painted on tautly.

"Perfect!" He answered quickly. He put his arm around Rebecca, pulling her to his side. "Aren't we, dear?"

Rebecca looked at him shrewdly. "Oh, yes, we're having gaggles of fun..." she added in her smarmiest tone.

"So, you guys are all entered into the contest!" London remarked, oblivious to the mini hostility fest before her.

"What contest!" Zack instantly jumped in, eager to hear about any chance at fast money.

"The King and Queen of the Tipton! Really, don't you know anything?" She wrinkled her nose at him.

Maddie looked at her with burgeoning eyes. "The King and Queen? You are kidding, right?"

"Maddie – would I ever kid about something so salami?"

Maddie merely shook her head, not even wanting to guess at her meaning.

"Oooh, is there salami here? Point the way my friend..." Zack prompted, his belly rumbling uncomfortably.

"Anyway, they'll announce the winners soon!" London dashed off to mingle with more of her guests – well, the ones that were deemed 'important' anyway.

Maddie sighed.

Rebecca pounced on her outward irritation. "What's the matter? Disappointed that you have no chance at winning?"

Trevor furrowed his brows at her. "Why wouldn't she have a chance at winning?"

Rebecca scoffed. "You aren't being serious, are you?" she asked disdainfully.

"Rebecca," Esteban got her attention. "Shut up," he said simply, quieting her out of surprise.

Maddie didn't want to let it go. "You don't think you're going to win, do you?"

The oil heiress laughed. "I have the best chance out of everyone here. I mean really – look at all of the losers standing around!"

Maddie seethed at her insulting comments. These were her friends and coworkers that she was messing with. Well, she needed to be knocked down a few pegs.

"Oh, honey. Didn't anyone tell you that it's against the rules to buy your votes. Just because your dad bribes his way into – and out of – anything he wants doesn't mean you can do that here."

Rebecca's jaw dropped, Esteban tried to cover his mouth with his hand to hide his chuckling.

"Yeah, I know about your family's little –" Maddie lowered her voice to a comical whisper, "troubles, with that nasty tiny detail of extortion a few years ago...but don't worry, I won't ever say a word!" she finished in mock seriousness.

"Why, you little – jerk!" she jutted out incensed.

"Maybe that will teach you to think before judging everyone else!" Maddie said firmly.

"Oh, yeah, like I'm really going to take advice from a candy girl!" she laughed.

Trevor frowned at her. "Wow, you're really an idiot." He took Maddie by the hand and led her away.

Esteban looked at Rebecca with disgust. "You are a very mean girl," he said simply and walked away.

"What? Esteban!" she yelled after him, but he didn't turn around.

"You are mean," Cody chided in.

"Yeah, and really stupid. You're not even that pretty!" Zack added for good measure. The two left her standing there by herself, gawking unattractively.

Maddie and Trevor were talking in the corner. Esteban had almost reached her when he saw her laugh at something that Trevor said. He felt a painful tug in his heart and he paused wondering if he should just turn around and leave them alone.

"Esteban?" Maddie called him when she looked over Trevor's shoulder.

"Oh. Hello Maddie, Maddie's friend."

"Trevor."

"Ah, yes." He stood awkwardly.

"Where's the oil goddess?" Maddie scathed.

"She is no longer my date."

Maddie stood a little taller. "Really?"

Esteban nodded. "I did not know she was so mean. In my country, harpies are easier to recognize. They all look like hags. They come hidden here. Hidden in pretty clothes and bad manners."

"Where are you from?" Trevor asked, but before he could answer a voice came over the microphone.

"Time for the King and Queen of Tipton to be crowned! The judges are conferring..." A hush fell over the crowd as they awaited the announcement.

"The Queen is..." Excited murmurs broke out in hushed tones. "...Carey Martin!"

Carey shrieked in delighted surprise. "Me?"

The crowd erupted with applause as Carey blushingly walked over to the front of the stage. Zack and Cody made 'whoop, whoop' noises and gestures.

"And time for the King..." everyone looked around, trying to guess who the honour would be bestowed to. "...Arwin Hawkhauswer – wait, Arwin? Ok! Yes! Arwin, come up here!"

"ALRIGHT ARWIN!" Maddie yelled out enthusiastically. Esteban looked at her with amusement. "Hey, it's about time these contests judged on more than just outward beauty and grace!"

Arwin made his way up to Carey's side, gob smacked and flabbergasted. She smiled at him warmly and his cheeks flamed in response. The two were crowned in glittery splendor and Carey kissed him on the cheek causing him to guffaw. The music started back up and they led the next dance.

"Oh, they look so cute up there together, don't they?" Maddie cooed.

"That they do. Like a little pair of peas in a pod." Esteban agreed. He grinned down at Maddie and she returned the gesture. The two stood there like that a moment, just gazing at each other.

"Uh? I'm just gonna go over and get a drink – would you like one?" Trevor cut in, braking the moment.

Maddie turned to him, embarrassed. She had actually forgotten that he was there. "Oh, no thanks," she said sheepishly.

He nodded briefly. "You want anything?" he asked Esteban a bit tightly.

"Oh, no. No thank you."

Trevor walked away reluctantly, looking back over his shoulder at the two before disappearing amongst the people.

Esteban looked at her intently. "Are you having a good time?"

"Oh, ah, sure. Of course. " Maddie tucked a curled strand behind her ear. "You?"

"Well, I do not have a date anymore."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't mean to cause any problems," she said, hoping she sounded sincere. Well, she didn't really try to cause a problem but she wasn't exactly saddened by the fact that she did. Rebecca was a snooty little brat and she was relieved that Esteban was starting to see it. It had nothing to do with jealousy – right? She bit her lip as was her usual nervous habit when she was deep in thought.

Esteban was having a difficult time focusing his attention on anything other than her biting her lower lip. "That's adorable," he murmured to himself, wearing a goofy expression.

"What?" she asked coming out of her haze.

He snapped his attention back, mortified when he realized that he had said that out loud. "What what?"

"Huh?"

"Huh huh?" he answered lamely, hoping if he kept this nonsense up she would forget his slipped comment.

Maddie shook her head sharply. "Ok, enough with that. So... are you sad that Rebecca left?"

"Oh, no! I am glad she is gone. I do not know why I was seeing her in the first place."

Maddie scoffed. "I do. She's pretty. And rich. Pretty and rich – that's what every guy wants, right?" she remarked bitterly.

"Not every guy." Maddie turned her dewy gaze up to him causing his knees to shake. "I like a girl and she is not rich. She is smart and kind and, well, she is pretty – but I like her anyway..." he began with an anxious laugh, locking his gaze on hers.

"What is this girl's name?" she asked him with baited breath.

He smiled lopsidedly, opened his mouth and started to say –

"Hey, so what did I miss?" Trevor jumped inbetween them, liquid sloshing precariously from his party cup.

Maddie's heart nose dived when Esteban clamped his mouth shut and he suddenly stood stiffly.

"Yes, well, I will leave you two peoples here to enjoy the dance." Esteban gave her a wan smile and drifted off toward the other side of the room. Maddie couldn't hide the sullenness that overwhelmed her as she excused herself from Trevor saying she had to use the washroom.

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Reviewing now would be so exquisite, it would give me the fuzzies!

And a big thank you to StoriesThatNeverWere (you rock Song!) for giving me the idea to add a King and Queen bit – did you know it was going to be Carey and Arwin, though? Heehee.

Don't forget to review my pretties! You guys are the bestest!