Here's the next chapter! Hope y'all enjoy it!
No One's POV
The next day, they were wearing the clothes they chose for the party. Everyone wore their signature jackets that had their own symbols on the back. Quinn has a sword and Maleficent's scepter crossed into an X. The sword was on the left and overlapped the scepter. Avy has almost the exact thing, but Maleficent's scepter overlapped the sword. Are has Jafar's staff and the tail of the snake curved behind it, as the symbol. There was also a cracked sultan crown on the snake's head. Colt has a red apple bitten in on the side of it with a large king's crown on the top of it with a crack running down from the top left almost to the middle. Calli has a dagger pointing upwards surrounded by black and white small polka dots. On the top tip of each sword, dagger, fang, or crown they all had was a single, tiny drop of blood. Each of these images looked as if they were printed into the jackets, but there was a sewn thread around the image, about 5 inches off if there was a small price in the middle, that followed the shape of the symbol. The thread was their "color". Avy's is a purple-black, Quinn's is a dark forest green, Are's is a dark-ish yellow-gold, Colt's is a shade darker than midnight blue, and Calli's is a dark red.
Quinn's jacket's sleeves that are rolled up, the hood off and the jacket's zipper is not zipped up at all. He wore a light grey under-top with slashes of dark forest green, he also wore a black, dark forest green, and dark purple braided bracelet on his left wrist. He wore a black belt, dark blue blue jeans that have holes in it (that were not made on purpose), and black tennis shoes with dark forest green laces.
Avy wore a light grey under-top with slashes of dark purple-black paint on it. Her jacket's sleeves were only rolled up to her wrists, the zipper was zipped up halfway and the hood was shading her face. She wore a black braided belt, dark blue blue jeans with holes that were not made purposefully. She wore black boots that almost reached her kneecaps with no heel or wedge and had laces. She also wore a necklace with a silver chain and a silver letter "A" on it and her hair was in its' typical french braid.
Are wore a grey under-top with slashes of dark yellow paint, his jacket's collar standing up, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, with his zipper undone. He wore a black, yellow, and red braided bracelet on his left wrist. He wore a black belt, blue jeans with a few holes (and only 1 was made purposefully by the designers), black tennis shoes with dark yellow laces with some dark red lines on them, and a dark yellow beanie with some slashes of dark red paint on it.
Colt wore a grey under-top with dark blue slashes of paint with the jacket sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the zipper on the jacket was left alone. His hood was on but was not covering his face. He wore a dark red bracelet intertwined with dark blue and black pieces on his left wrist. Also wore a black belt, dark blue jeans that had only 3 small holes in them that were fairly patched up to look as if there was none. He wore black tennis shoes that had dark blue laces.
Calli wore a grey under-top with dark red slashes and her jacket was zipped halfway with the cuffs folded up to her wrists which revealed the dark red inside of it. Her collar was down and had on a dark red headband with a few small white spots. She wore a black braided belt that intertwined with a small scarf that was tie-dyed red with black mixed in it. She wore dark blue blue jeans with some speckles of white on the outside of her legs and only a few onto of it. Some small holes were not made purposefully and have on black ankle boots without a heel and it had dark red laces. Her hair was in a ponytail braid made of 3 braids inside of it.
So when they all walked outside of the building, they were shocked. There were 5 Vespas with "their colors".
Avy's is such a dark purple it looked black until the light hit it and it gleamed dark purple, Quinn's is a dark forest green, Are's is a dark dark yellow-gold, Colt's is a dark midnight blue, and Calli's is a very very dark red.
"Oh-" Avy started.
"My-" Colt said stunned after her.
"Freakin'-" Quinn said next.
"Wicked-" Are said after Quinn.
"Gosh!" Calli finished.
"How-what-when-why?" Quinn stumbled in not a very well hidden awe. Ben grinned like a happy little boy, pleased that they all like it.
"How? I bought them. What? Because you need them. When? Yesterday. Why? Well, because I wanted to. Besides, you all need something to travel on when you're going somewhere. Walking takes too much time sometimes. The limo, after a while, becomes a bit boring. Plus, I'm sure the lot of you would never ask for a ride," Ben explained. They all nodded at his unasked question, still stunned at the gift that was given to them.
"Um...how are we supposed to pay you back?" Calli asked, slightly nervous. Avy stiffened when she realized what Calli did before her. On the Isle, when you're givin' somethin' you have to give back something and it's usually not so pleasant, change that to say that it's pretty much never pleasant. But Ben looked puzzled.
"They're a gift. You don't need to pay me back or anything."
"We don't?" Are asked suspiciously. Ben shook his head in confirmation.
"But, they must've been awfully expensive," Colt worried. Ben chuckled.
"Don't worry about it. You're my guests here and I want to make sure you're comfortable and that you're also having a good time."
"You're sure?" Calli double-checked. Ben nodded, smiling, meaning it. They don't need to pay it back. He mentioned that it wasn't as expensive as they thought for he gets a pretty tidy allowance. They know that he wasn't trying to shove that in their faces, just reassuring them that it's alright to accept it.
"So, do you all like it?" Ben prodded. In response, he got 4 huge grins and enthusiastic nods, and one small but happy smile and nod. Avy looked happy but was still slightly wary like if her emotions show much, everything will come crashing down and will crush her. But Ben was glad he got a smile at all. He could see that the group has been through some tough ties and he wanted to make sure they were all as happy as they could be in Auradon and that they can trust him. Ben called out and said, "Alright! We probably should head out now if we don't want to be late!" The group of 5 rushed to their Vespas and put on their helmets which matched the color of their bikes and headed out. Ben chuckled, shaking his head. While these kids can act like mature, experienced adults at times, they're still kids, he thought. He was glad that they liked his present. He got on his ride and followed after them.
Avy's POV
So...that happened. What Ben did was crazy nice, but I'm still not sure that the gift was free, but I'm just gonna enjoy myself right now, I thought during the ride. And for the first time, I did exactly that.
A few minutes later, we arrived. It looked good. There looked to be good food, a good party, good people. After we parked our Vespas, we looked around. We saw our older siblings chatting up a storm and drinking some punch. Carlos looked like he was having a blast with Jane and Jay with Lonnie. Evie looked happy with Doug and Mal with Ben who arrived barely half a minute after us. Shaking my head I thought, So they're a with Auradonians then. Okay... Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the boys from my group check out the food table while Calli grabbed a drink. I went after the boys.
"Don't overstuff yourselves, y'all. I don't want to clean up your vomit," I whispered to them. Are winked at me.
"Not promising anything. The food here is great!"
"Yeah, because it came fresh and new while ours came from trash, literally," I replied a bit angrily and slightly bitter. Are rolled his eyes.
"So? More reasons to stuff ourselves then!" he exclaimed. I rolled my eyes but smiled at his enthusiasm. He loves food. That's pretty much the main reason why he and Calli can get along. Are held a cookie to me.
"Here. Try this, they're crazy good!" I took it from him, a bit reluctantly, and after glancing at him suspiciously, I took a bit. My eyes widened at the unexpected, yet unsurprising goodness that just appeared in my mouth. I looked at Are with my face showing the deliciousness of these things. He laughed.
"Told you so," he teased. I rolled my eyes but grinned and took another bite. I almost moaned at the crazy amazingness of it. I grabbed another cookie, then another, then one more, and ran off with my brother calling after me.
"HEY! Leave some for us!" I turned my head towards them, shook my head, and walked towards an empty bench next to the water.
"Hello." I heard. I looked up to see a guy about Ben's age standing in from of me. I raised my eyebrows as if saying, "What do you want?" He chuckled and said, "You're cute." I stiffened as a flashback threw itself forward.
2-3 months ago
"You're cute when you deny what you want," said the dead worm infected with slimy toads infested boy. I glared at him, daring him to say that again. He chuckled then tweaked my nose. "You're cute. And don't hide your feelings for me, for I know that you want me."
I was brought back from my flashback with a yell of craziness and a loud sound of water splashing. I blinked it away and saw that the dude with the golden hair was standing in front of me as if waiting for something. I quirked an eyebrow, wondering what he wanted. He sighed in exasperation.
"Aren't you going to tell me that I'm cute too?" I snorted then looked him straight in the eye and smirked.
"Out of your league, golden boy." I almost laughed at the shock on his face. Guess he's never been rejected before. I saw Calli coming over with her glass of punch and another one.
"This is really good. You've got to try it!" She sat next to me, then "saw" the guy in front of me and startled as if she didn't seem him before. But she did, and the guys in my group looked murderous from their standing next to the food table, so she must've thought that this was the best way to protect me. I shook my head inwardly. How long did they think they could do this without me noticing? I sighed. Anyway, I heard Calli say,
"Oh, hey. Didn't see you there." I almost burst into laughter from the look of rage on the dude's face as well as the shock. He walked off, still fuming and the boys came over, all grumbling under their breaths. Quinn sat on my left while the other two sat in front lounging on the ground. As I traced the rim of my cup Calli got for me, I asked faking confusion,
"So...why did you freak out when you saw golden boy talk to me?" Everyone's eyes hardened and started muttering under their breaths about how untrustworthy and incompetent he was. I nearly laughed aloud.
"Y'all don't even know him. You didn't talk to him at all. So how can you judge him so harshly already?"
"Because he was talking to you," Quinn growled.
"And why is that problem?" I asked innocently.
"Because we need to protect you-oh," Are broke off his sentence and groaned while the others slapped their foreheads and shook their heads.
"I see. And did all y'all think that I couldn't handle him or myself?" I questioned. They all looked to the ground, a bit embarrassed but wholly determined. I sighed.
"Seriously, y'all. We've established this. I can take care of myself! I was the champion at Father's gladiator fights for 7 years! How can a person who can't watch herself be able to do that?" I asked, exasperated. They all need to quit doin' this! I thought.
"We just want to make sure nothing bad happens to you," Quinn explained, the again hanging off of it silently. I sighed and shook my head tiredly.
"How about this, if I look like I've got it handled then I've got it handled. But if I don't," I held up a finger. "One person can come. One. If I look to be in a lot of trouble, all of y'all can come. Is that a deal?" I compromised. They looked at each other in a bit of shock, then turned back to me and nodded accepting the deal. "Good." Then we all did our crew handshake that was made up when we were 5 or 6. After that, I said, "Now go! Enjoy yourselves. I've got myself." After a questioning glance and a confirming nod, they nodded and left, except for Are who took Quinn's spot. I sighed.
"And what is it that you need?" He shrugged.
"Nothing. I'm just chilling here with you." I sighed again.
"I've got my own back right now, Are. You can go enjoy yourself." He looked at me and said, "I'm enjoying myself right here." I rolled my eyes but smiled.
"Fine then."
"Alrighty." After a moment of quiet, he asked, "So what do you think of Auardon so far?" I shrugged.
"I don't know. I mean it's better than the Isle for sure, but it's weird. Everything changed to the opposite so quickly. My head is trying to stop spinning dizzily. " He chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. There are things here that are way better than the Isle. For example, food." I laughed, not at all surprised that was his first reason. He grinned and continued.
"There are more movies here as well. So more Movie Nights, that's for sure." I nodded, agreeing. "Plus, my bed's insanely comfortable! I mean, it's a fluffy pillow!" I laughed again at the excitement and passion in his words and voice.
"Yep, totally got that," I agreed. He smiled, then it fell a bit.
"And no parents," he remarked. I stiffened, but then relaxed and nodded. I laid my head on his shoulder.
"Yeah," I whispered. After a moment, I asked hesitantly, "Do-do you think that they'll fi-find us?" Are immediately shook his head.
"No, Colt closed the barrier again and there's no way for them to use his plans since he destroyed them and threw them in the ocean." I looked at him surprised.
"When did he do that?"
"A little while before you woke up. Probably by a couple 'a' hours," he responded.
"Oh." I laid my head back on his shoulder. He inhaled a sharp breath then asked, "Do you miss it? The Isle?" I jerked in surprise, but calmed down after a moment and contemplated the answer.
"Kind of," I answered. "I miss that we were free. Well as free as we could be. Our parents never cared where we are unless we were late." I sighed then admitted, "I miss the treehouse, the lake behind it, the forest." I laughed quietly. "I even miss Mr. Demon Dude."
"No!" Are gasped mocked scandalized. "You hated Mr. Demon Dude!"
"Yeah," I chuckled. "But he did catch some good food." Are laughed a bit as well.
"Yep. He was the master of catching rat and mice, that crazy cat." I shook my head, a bit sad.
"He got us food many times."
"Yeah," Are whispered. We just sat there for a few minutes, just watching everybody and everything. About 5 or more minutes later, I got up and said, "I'm grabbing another cookie. Do you want something?" He thought for a moment, then brightened and requested, "I would like another cupcake!" I laughed. He already had 3!
"Okay, but no more after this, alright?" I instructed him, teasingly.
"Alright..." he replied weakly and moaned, "I love those cupcakes!" I laughed and teased, "Really? I didn't know!" He grinned at me, his eyes and grin suddenly full of mischievousness.
"Well of course you wouldn't know! You were too busy shoving cookies in your mouth!" I laughed and punched him lightly on his arm.
"Was not."
"Was too!" he counteracted. I put my hands on my hips.
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Was not!"
"Was tooooooooooo!" I laughed at his childishness.
"Do you want a cupcake or not?" He lowered his head and replied meekly, "Yes please." I laughed again and replied, "You're crazy!" He looked at me and responded completely poker-faced, "Why thank you!" I laughed again and teased, "You weirdo." He smiled and responded, "I shall take that as a compliment."
"You do that," I shot back, grinning. His eyebrows furrowed in mock confusion.
"But I'm already doing that." I laughed and he laughed with me. I shook my head at his antics and went to grab our treats.
After I grabbed them, I turned around to see golden boy talking angrily to Are who had fire smoldering in his eyes. Then, to my shock and outrage, the golden boy pushed him into the water, and Are hit his head on a rock on his way, sufficiently knocking him out.
"ARIEN!" I screamed. I dropped the two desserts and ran back towards him. We were sitting in a deep end area so he was sinking fast! I shoved golden boy to the side then dived in after Are. I fumbled around in the water, trying to find him. I broke the surface of the water after a moment and, to the others who started rushing over here, yelled panicking, "I can't find him!" Quinn dived in and I took a deep breath, then went back under the water. I swan deeper and deeper till I felt an arm I grabbed it then wrapped my other arm around his chest from the other side of his body. I pulled him to the surface as fast as I could.
"I got him!" I yelled. "I got him!" Quinn swan over and helped me take him to shore. After I set him down, I saw something that made my gut clench.
"He's not breathing!" Colt immediately started performing CPR on him. C'mon, c'mon Are! Breathe! I thought desperately. I was kneeling beside him soaked to the bone, not paying any attention to anyone or anything but him. After a moment, I heard coughing and saw water coming out of his mouth. Colt tilted him on his side to help him get it all out and be able to breathe. After another moment, he started breathing naturally again. His sea-green-blue eyes opened and immediately met mine. I sighed and smiled relieved he was going to be okay. But he almost wasn't. With that harsh, but so true thought, the smile fell off my face and my eyes hardened. I could feel my magic coming up from my anger and I saw Are blink worriedly and whisper, "Avy-Crazy, don't." But it was too late. I was in full out fury.
So...I hope the lot of y'all enjoyed that! I'm #sorrynotsorry for the cliffhanger but the next chapter should be sooner rather than later. I also hope that y'all enjoyed the moment between Are and Avy. I wanted it to be sweet but also something that they would be seen having.
Quick question, who sees Are and Avy as a couple? Please let me know and if you have a ship name for them send it in!
Oh! And if you're wondering, Are calls Avy "Avy-Crazy" for a reason that you will find out later and Avy calls Are "Are-Darey" because when they were kids (and when they were older as well), he would never turn down a dare. As you can tell, they've been calling each other that since they were kids
Anyway, I hope all y'all enjoyed it! The next chapter will be up soon! Hope it gets intense enough for y'all!
And I just realized, this is the largest amount of words I've written ever!