Lori Fitzgerald swiftly enters her dorm room after a day of classes and sets about emptying books onto her bed. She grabs a few from her shelf as her roommate Hannah Frost enters expertly on her crutches as well. Lori helps her remove her backpack as she heads straight for her computer.
Lori grabs a pencil from her desk. "Hey. I'm heading up to the boys' room for some studying with Michael. She's up there with them." Hannah nods as she looks something over. "I figured I'd give you some space to finish up that project with… Brandon?" Hannah just looks at her. "Brendon?" She stills stares. "Brett?"
"You do listen to me," Hannah jokes lightly. "We have a minute though and I wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"What's the deal with Fitzscott?"
"Bless you," Lori offers.
Hannah shakes her head. "No, you and Ben. That was your couple name."
Lori instantly doesn't like this conversation, but tries to remain casual. "I think you have to be a couple to have a couple name. Does that answer your question?"
Hannah just gives her a look. "I'm not blind. He was looking and you and you were looking at him. There was some definite history there. I could tell. I'd like to think this is the kind of thing you'd talk to me about," she says in a way that makes Lori sigh with guilt.
Lori takes a deep breath, determined to get through this as fast as humanly possible. "Okay, long story short- by the end of the semester we both kind of started liking each other but then Charlie was almost in the car accident and I realized how important he was and didn't want to hurt him by dating his brother since he liked me but then Ben forced himself on me and lied to me with Charlie finding out so we didn't talk all summer and then we made up but recently all we've been doing is arguing and making accusations about one another and I'm really starting to question a few things. Got it?"
Hannah takes a beat before smiling. "I actually think I do." She frowns. "And I missed all of it because I was with Kenny. I could've been a big help!"
"Don't beat yourself up," Lori dismisses. "You're here now. That's what matters." There's a knock on the door. "I should get out of your hair."
"We'll talk later," Hannah promises. Lori carries her laptop to the lounge for her as Hannah opens the door to reveal Brett Edwardson. She smiles but he remains serious. "Thanks for coming."
"I wasn't about to make you walk to my room," he says logically. "I have two perfectly functioning legs." She smiles but quickly buries it as they sit on the couch.
"Ready to bring this one home?" she asks, cracking her knuckles. He produces a sheet of notes.
"Absolutely," he agrees. Hannah starts typing away and he can't help but admire her skill. "You are quite excellent at technology. Another thing I wasn't expecting from the pretty blonde."
Hannah can't help but beam, embarrassed. "How was your-"
"I despise small talk," he cuts her off, looking over her work. "Let's just wrap this up. I have an event to attend this evening." Lori exits the bedroom and gives a wave as she exits into the hallway. She climbs up the stairs and enters the open dorm room to find her best friend Charlie Prescott painting with a short-haired brunette in a dress.
"How's it going?" Lori asks the two.
Charlie holds up a painting of a rabbit. "Look what I made! She knows how to draw like everything."
"What can I say? I had a lot of free time," the brunette shrugs. "I was locked in a tower after all." Lori walks past Charlie and Rapunzel to enter the bedroom as the two go back to work.
XXX
So follow me down
(Lori stands with the book)
Where to?
Outta this town
(Charlie examines his map)
With you
Girl, you're movin way
(Hannah is typing away at her computer)
Too slow
So follow me down
(Michael grabs the first aid kit from a cabinet)
Which way?
Down, down, down
(Ben looks at his phone and sighs, adjusting his tie)
I'll show you around
(Kaity is drawing pictures of the group absently in her dorm room)
Okay
There's a place we gotta go
(The Disney Encyclopedia begins to glow. Lori sighs)
Follow me, follow me
(Lori, Charlie, Hannah, Michael, Ben, and Kaity are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces)
Fa la la la la
Follow me, follow me
Fa la la la la
(Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground)
Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)
Episode Seven: You Were My New Dream
XXX
The next day, Lori sits at lunch with Charlie, Hannah, Michael Harms, Kaity Klingbeil, and a Rapunzel now dressed in a sweater and jeans from Hannah's closet.
"I really like these clothes. It's so much easier to move around," Rapunzel comment excitedly, waving her legs back-and-forth for emphasis. She turns to Kaity, who is merely picking at her food. "So I here you're quite the artist?"
Kaity looks tired and completely uninterested. "Sure… I honestly don't think I'm nearly as good as people say."
"Oh, you're just being modest," Rapunzel beams. "I'd love to see some of your work before I have to go home."
Kaity shrugs. "I guess if you want…" She notices looks and shakes her head clear. "I'm sorry. I'm just-"Ben Prescott comes running up to the table and pulls Lori to her feet.
"What are you doing?!" Lori asks, caught completely off guard.
Ben cups his hands around his mouth. "Ladies and gentleman of the cafeteria! I have an announcement!" Everyone turns to look at him.
Hannah shits, very uncomfortable. "Oh, this is bringing back some bad memories." Michael puts an arm around her shoulder to comfort her.
Ben continues to address the crowd. "I would like to officially and publically declare my feeling for Lori Fitzgerald!"
"Please stop…" Lori whispers to him, practically begging.
Rapunzel claps her hands together, enamored. "This is so adorable!"
Ben ignores both of them. "And I would like to hear and now settle all rumors and debate by asking her to go on a date with me this weekend!" He kneels grandly and produces a bouquet of roses from behind his back. "What do you say?"
Lori hesitates for a long moment, very uncomfortable and at odds with the situation. "I… well…" Everyone starts laughing around them as she stalls.
"Ice queen!" Victoria shouts from her table, earning a glare from Charlie and Michael as Lori flinches.
Kaity continues playing with her food. "Great… this is what we're going to tell the kids one day."
"I just… what are you doing?" Lori questions harshly.
"I'm making the push and finally asking you out." He starts to become angry. "I thought you'd want this!"
"This is the last thing I would ever want," she hisses at him. "In public… like this. I'd think you'd know that about me." He rises frustrated and thrusts the flowers into her hands. "And I'm allergic to roses!" she shouts, thrusting them back only to see her hand is already turning red and swelling.
Michael jumps up, putting on the backpack sitting next to him. "I got just the thing," he offers, taking a hold of her shoulders. "We'll just be a moment." He guides her out as the cafeteria is just dead silent, all eyes on Ben.
"She didn't answer," Charlie offers his step-brother kindly. "There's still…" Ben glares at him, sitting down. "I'll go with them," he says quickly, rising and taking off.
Rapunzel claps her hands. "This place is so exciting! What's next?!"
XXX
Kaity, hair covering one eye, shades a paper with charcoal in the art room the following evening, by herself as usual. She is obviously not very pleased and in frustration attempts to crumple it up and toss it into the trash can. However, she misses by a long shot just as Ben enters with Rapunzel.
"Whoa!" Ben shouts, mocking being impressed.
"Can I help you?!" Kaity snaps harshly, flopping back into her seat with her head down.
Ben pays her no mind. "Rapunzel wanted to visit you. She's been cooped up in our room all day. I thought a field trip would do her good." They turn to see her standing amazed at the shelves and shelves of paint along one wall.
"Can I?" Kaity nods and she screams in joy, grabbing armfuls of paints and dumping them on a table. She then runs to grab paper while Ben unfolds Kaity's art and examines it.
"Why were you throwing this out?" he questions.
"Because it sucks!" Kaity shouts. "I just can't…" She groans, but again he doesn't react- lost in the drawing.
"I don't think it's bad at all. Quite the opposite, in fact."
She looks at him incredulous. "My professor said it needs to show who I am without being pretentious. He apparently has no idea what it means," she practically growls.
"Well, I think I've got it," Ben concludes. He points to scribbled, blackened area. "This is your mind- this whole big space of chaos." She finally looks up as he points to a much neater area. "And this small organized space is the rest of you- the part you can control. It's very disproportionate but that's the idea."
"Yeah… wow. I didn't think you'd have that in you," she admits, impressed.
Ben smoothes it out on the table. "So don't throw it out. I'll leave you with her." He heads towards the door but stops. "I'm sorry… about telling Lori. I thought-"
"It's fine," Kaity shrugs, looking over her drawing with almost new eyes. "It's all working out I suppose. I'm sorry about lunch," she offers back politely. "I know how it feels when things don't go your way." The two stare at one another for a long moment before he exits. "He didn't even say anything," she whispers, voice hopeful. She notices Rapunzel painting up a storm. "So what are you working on?"
Rapunzel shields it protectively. "It's a secret. You can only see it when it's done." Kaity rolls her eyes and returns to work, shading some more of the chaotic space.
XXX
At around the same time Lori is seated in the library, looking around for someone. A minute later Shawn Zimmerman takes a seat next to her after giving her a pat on the back.
"Practice ran late," he explains. She nods and the two sit awkwardly for a moment. "So… lunch…"
She buries her head in her hands. "Please don't," she begs.
He smiles at her, noticing her bandaged hands. "How are your hands?" She holds them up to show them off to him.
"At least the Doctor… Michael knows what he's doing." He gently takes one of her hands and examines it, turning it over. She is pulled in for a second, but clears her throat and pulls her hands back. "Shouldn't we get to work? Though apparently we did pretty well."
He gives her a heartthrob smile. "I was in disbelief. Though I did get one wrong and it was all your fault. You gave me the wrong answer."
Lori starts panicking. "Oh no. I'm so sorry! I told you I was a bit rusty-"
"Lori, it's fine," he laughs, nudging her shoulder. "There's no reason to get worked up. It was one question. I was just messing with you."
Some girls walk by and giggle at the sight of her. She buries her head, but Shawn turns to face them. "Come on. Leave her alone. She had no control over the situation." They quickly clear out.
"Thanks," she sighs.
"It's what friends do, right? Now, let's get me a one-hundred percent on this next test." She pulls out her old notes. "You get guilty pretty easily, hey?" he observes.
She nods. "It is a problem. I can definitely acknowledge that."
"We've all got our quirks. I wear my socks inside out because I hate the toe bars." This makes her smile. "It's true."
She rolls her eyes at him, back to her usual self. "So we left off on the different types of reinforcement."
XXX
Lori and all of her Companions spend their Saturday morning sitting in her and Hannah's dorm room, eyes on Rapunzel as she holds up a piece of paper.
"And then we are going to fold it over like this," she instructs, demonstrating. The others mimic her, some doing better than others.
Hannah stretches her leg, wincing as she kicks the backpack next to Michael. "What's the backpack for? You've been carrying it everywhere as of late."
"It's for me," Kaity says dryly.
"No," Michael defends. "I just figured it might be handy for me to start carrying a first aid kit around with how often this one gets hurt."
"And then we're going to this," Rapunzel continues.
"Which he only put together after I joined," Kaity adds bitterly. "Just saying."
Michael gives her a sharp look. "Inspiration just happened to hit me then. It had nothing to do with you."
"Then why the hell is there a sedative needle in there? Anyone else on this team prone to emotional fits?" Everyone but Ben stares in stunned and awkward silence. "I didn't think so!"
"Kaity," Lori warns. "I need you to take a deep breath for me and calm down. If you keep this up I'm going to have to ask you to excuses yourself."
Kaity immediately nods in agreement. "I'm sorry. Michael, I'm sorry. I was out of line."
Michael shakes his head. "No. You acted completely as expected," he says simply.
"It's still no excuse," she says through gritted teeth, trying desperately to hold it together.
"At least it wasn't in public," Ben huffs under his breath. Lori slams her hand down on the table and rises as Rapunzel continues folding- only Charlie and Kaity still following along.
"I didn't want that!" Lori begins. "You were the one who did it without even thinking about what kind of person I am! And isn't that the point of asking someone out!" He goes to rise, but she immediately becomes tired and calms down. "No. We're not doing this here in front of everyone."
"We're used to it," Charlie offers, making another fold. "It's okay."
"We're not doing this at all," Lori corrects. "I'm begging you to for once just drop this so we don't fight. I'm so sick of the fighting. So please… can we just go back to work." They stare at one another for a long moment before he finally sits and she follows.
"I finished mine!" Charlie shouts, holding up an origami swan.
Rapunzel beams. "Perfect. You could be an artist." Kaity examines her lop-sided effort before she throws it down frustrated. "Oh, I didn't mean-"
Kaity looks at Lori and grabs another piece of paper, forcing a smile. "It's fine. It really is. I'm just having trouble… motivating myself." She begins again and everyone else follows suit.
XXX
Sunday morning Hannah and Michael are taking a walk through campus just the two of them. Brett passes by them in a hurry. "Hey," Hannah says as he passes.
He walks a few steps past her before responding. "Hi," he says quickly, never breaking his stride.
Hannah thinks a moment before turning to Michael. "What do you think- was that a generic greeting or was that more of an I kind of see you as more than a project partner greeting?"
Michael shrugs. "I don't know… why do you ask?"
"I'm just… I was trying to get inside a guy mindset. See if he was maybe interested," she admits.
Michael is a little taken aback by this, but takes a long moment before responding. "Okay, I'm about to talk to you as a best friend. And I'm going to try to not stick my foot in my mouth this time, but this is kind of heavy. So bear with me." She nods. "Isn't it a little soon to rebound off what you went through?"
She doesn't take offense, instead thinking. "Yes. Yes it is. But maybe I just need the idea of a good guy for once. I've had two assholes for boyfriends and I don't want to become completely jaded."
"Why him though?"
"I think because he's so different from what I usually go for and quite possibly the only guy who literally doesn't care what happened to me. He might be what I need."
Michael twiddles his thumbs. "Or he might not me? Maybe you're missing something right in front of you."
Hannah takes a beat before laughing. "Oh! Charlie! That's a good idea- going younger- but I don't think it'll work." He gives a fake chuckle as well. "Thanks for being a good best friend. I promise you though I'm not going to rush or do anything I can feel in my bones I'm not ready for. I know I'm still not all put back together yet. I just like the idea of a future… of possibilities." She smiles at him.
He smiles back. "Me too," he admits.
XXX
Charlie climbs up to the girl's upstairs hallway, paper bag in hand. He walks to the end door to find it open and the floor's RA, Caroline, working. He knocks and she looks up-smiling obnoxiously.
"Charlie, right?" He nods, a little put off. "What can I do for you?"
He hands her the bag. "I have something I wanted to drop off for Kaity. I know it's been a little rough so I picked her up a pint of ice cream. I've found it to be a pretty solid cure in my time here."
"That's very sweet of you," she says, going to ruffle his hair but he manages to step back. "She's sleeping now so I'll look after it. Honestly, I couldn't get her to go to any of her classes today. It hasn't been this bad in a while."
"Well, be extra sure to make sure she gets that then. Don't let it melt on her. And tell her that I hope I see her soon."
"Will do!" He heads back down the hallway, rolling his eyes.
XXX
Hannah and Brett hand in the final draft of their project Tuesday morning. They exit the classroom and stare at one another awkwardly. He then offers his hand and she shakes it.
"You were a good partner," he admits.
"So were you." She twirls her hair around a finger. "Listen, maybe-"
"I'll see you around." He exits swiftly, leaving her watching him go.
XXX
Wednesday morning sees Kaity curled up in her bed. She has been in the same clothes for four days now and her hair is matted. She shoots up as the door swings open with Lori and Rapunzel falling into the bedroom.
"What… how…?" she questions.
"I picked the lock," Lori dismisses. "Rapunzel, pick her out some clothes. She's got class today." Rapunzel starts rooting through the dresser.
"I'm not going," Kaity responds, falling back into her pillow.
Lori opens the shades, letting light into the room. "Well, rumor is you've skipped the past two days. So I think today we should make a triumphant return."
Kaity puts her face down in the pillow. "I'm not leaving. What's the point? I'm just going to feel like this anyway."
Rapunzel holds up her choice of sweatpants and a sweater. "I think this will work!" Lori gives a thumbs up, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Kaity, I'm not letting you skip class again no matter how much you mope and moan. You've been doing so well."
Kaity sits up to glare at her. "Is that what you call this past week?!"
Lori remains completely calm and supportive. "Yeah, because I've seen you trying. Yes, you're strung out and combative but you have been using every ounce of your strength to suppress that. You're trying to get along with everyone and push through this thing with your art. I've noticed and I'm so extremely proud of you."
This seems to wake Kaity up a little. "You are?" she says quietly.
"Absolutely," Lori confirms. "So I'd hate to ruin that by having you lock yourself up since we all miss you terribly."
Kaity rolls her eyes. "Right…"
Lori becomes sterner, rising. "Listen, you can either sit in this dark room and bemoan your existence or you could fight and go out there to live your life. I said I wouldn't let your disorder be an excuse and you shouldn't either."
"I agree," Rapunzel chimes. "I spent eighteen years in a tower and I couldn't begin to tell you how different my life is since I got the courage to leave it. I had to go after what I wanted, not just sit around. "
"I'm not asking for you to cure yourself of this bad mood. I'm asking you to not give up on trying. What do you say?" Lori extends her hand, Kaity looking up at her.
"The outside world may seem scary, but it has some pretty wonderful things," Rapunzel offers.
Kaity looks at her for a long moment. "Lori Fitzgerald, I've believed my entire life has been building to an inevitable conclusion. But you actually have me wondering." She takes her hand and is pulled to her feet.
"Nothing is inevitable," Lori advises. "It's all about choice."
Kaity takes the clothes from Rapunzel. "Oh, and I have that picture for you." She hands over a painting of Kaity that takes her breath away.
"Wow. I'll have to hang this up on my wall when I get back."
Rapunzel taps it. "Don't forget who that is."
XXX
Wednesday evening, Rapunzel is braiding Hannah's hair as Lori undoes her bandaged hands- lost in thought. "What are you thinking about?" Hannah sings. "Or should I say who are we thinking about?"
"Probably not who I should be looking at this mess," Lori admits.
"Want to talk?" Hannah offers, sensing her conflict.
Lori thinks a moment on her phrasing. "I don't think what I used to want is what I want anymore."
"You found a new dream," Rapunzel says simply. "Eugene told me all about that when he took me to see the lanterns. It was all I had wanted my entire life, so afterwards I wasn't so sure what I would do. But I found new dreams: spend time with Eugene, paint something my parents loved in the throne room, find Pascal a friend, and a whole lot more."
Lori isn't quite buying it. "Here's the thing though. My first dream didn't really come true. How can I move on to another one when I haven't even dealt with the old one?"
Rapunzel puts on the finishing touch. "Maybe you did and it just didn't end up the way you expected. What do you think?"
Hannah admires her hair. "I really like it." Rapunzel suddenly frowns. "What's the matter?"
"I just have this feeling," she explains sadly. "I want to go home to Eugene and my family, but I just wish there was more I could do for the group of you. After all, you've been so kind and really looked after me these past few days."
Lori grabs the book. "It's our job."
"I know… I've got it!" She scribbles on paper and stuffs them into envelopes- scribbling names on each one. "Open these once I'm gone! We're not supposed to say too much, but I think I kept it vague enough that it'll work!" she says, excited at her idea.
Hannah picks them up. "Thank you." Rapunzel hugs both of them.
"One of my new dreams is to see everyone again." Lori opens the book to a glowing poem.
Hannah plays with her braid. "I hope it comes true."
Rapunzel fingers her own short brunette hair. "Me too."
"And I'll keep wonderin' and wonderin' and wonderin' and wonderin' When will my life begin?" Rapunzel vanishes in a burst of light and the two reflect for a moment before Lori grabs a jacket and takes two of the envelopes from Hannah. "I think I'm going out for a bit. Don't wait up."
"Okay." Lori exits sending a text. Hannah opens her envelope. "'Though it may take awhile, peace will find you.'" She hugs it to her chest. "I sure hope so."
XXX
Lori sits in the alcove of the library, drumming her fingers on the bench as she waits in the dark. She finally opens her envelope and glances at the note. 'It's not going to be easy, but you are going to become so strong and unbelievable. Plus, someone will make you laugh and smile much more.' She touches the words.
"You wanted to talk?" She looks up to Ben before patting the seat next to her. He sits. "Did Rapunzel go home?"
"I sent her back a moment ago. She did want me to give you this though." She hands him his envelope. "Between her and Jane our dorm is covered in so many drawings and paintings that- I'm stalling. I should just get to the point."
"I'd appreciate it," Ben says, almost anticipating what's coming.
Lori takes a deep breath and adjusts his tie. "The answer is no. I sincerely think we missed our chance. And I don't know if it would have worked or we'd end up in the same place as now, but I'm tired of the fighting."
"I know. We do fight-"
"I mean fighting for us- something that I don't think would work anymore. There's too much. So I will not go on a date with you because in all this time we screwed up and stalled… I found a new dream. "
He takes a deep breath, putting on a brave face. "Alright. This hurts so much, but alright. I can accept that and I will accept that. I'll still be a Companion and we'll still be friends, but it won't be anything more. I just wish I could have found some way."
"Maybe there never was one." She rises and he follows. "Are you sure you're going to be okay with this?"
"No," he admits. "But I care too much about you to not let you go after your dream- even if it's with someone other than me."
"I wish there was a way I could do this without hurting you, because I care about you too," she responds, tears coming to her eyes.
He takes her hand. "We'll make it. It'll be fine."
"And I hope you find a new dream too. You are going to be the best dream some girl's ever going to have." She kisses his cheek. "Goodnight, Ben."
"Goodnight Lori. I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow." She nods and starts away, wiping tears from her eyes. He opens his envelope. "'She's going to love a date proposal in public, especially from someone as grandly romantic as you.'" He watches her go- heartbroken- but completely aware hers is as well.
XXX
Tune in next week as Charlie turns fifteen- sharing the day with a friend and making a close bond with a new one. Meanwhile, Lori discovers something worrying in Hannah's possession.