The Royal Girlfriend

"Audrey! Come sit with us!" Ada called to me in the cafeteria. I shrugged at the girls I was walking with and headed over to her and the other cheerleaders.

"What's up?" I asked, fanning my skirt out.

"What's up? Like you don't know," Ada giggled.

"You and Ben," the cheerleader to my left said. "It's all anyone's talking about."

"Is it?" I had known that already but it was still nice to be told.

"Tell us everything," Ada insisted.

I described the lights, the picnic, the question. The girls melted.

"So now we're official," I laughed.

"You and Ben were meant to be," Ada told me. "Always so cute together."

"You'll make a great queen," another girl sighed.

Queen. I smiled. "Thank you. So much."

Queen Audrey of Auradon. That sounded very nice.

"Just a few more!" Belle called.

"Mom," Ben groaned. But I just smiled once more.

Thronecoming. Ben and I looked wonderful, his baby blue tie matching the sash on my pink gown. Belle had taken enough pictures to cover a whole wall but of course she had.

"Honey, the kids need to get going if they want to have even one dance," Adam laughed, taking the camera from his wife. "Remember, home by eleven."

"Thanks Dad," Ben said as he led me to the door.

But I turned back around and hugged Belle. "Thank you so much for everything."

If his parents like you, Ben will think of you as more then a girlfriend. He'll think of you as a future wife.

Belle seemed a bit stunned and nodded as we parted. "Of course."

"Let's go, Benny-Boo!"

"Please welcome the future Lady Emberly!" an attendant announced from the gazebo. The girl that emerged wore a gown of deep green and her hair was styled in a braid crown. She was flawless.

"Please welcome Prince Aziz!" The boy was tall, wearing a pale coat with golden embroidery. But he only had eyes for his future lady.

There was at least one Cotillion every spring. Sometimes more. They were my favorite parties but this one was extra special because I attended as the official girlfriend of Prince Benjamin.

We danced in front of the huge crowds, shared sweets at the buffet table, and answered questioned as a pair.

Eventually we wound our way to the happy couple that was thanking all the guests for coming. I hugged Emberly tight. She may not be a princess by birth, but she was still going to be a great Queen of Agrabah.

"Congratulations! You look beautiful."

"Thank you." Emberly blushed. "I honestly wasn't sure this day would come. I've already started sketching my wedding dress."

"I'm so excited for you."

"And I'm excited for you." She leaned close to me so the boys discussing Tourney wouldn't hear. "After all, I'm sure your cotillion isn't too far away."

I giggled and glanced at Ben. He was laughing with Aziz, looking radiant in his princely suit. Soon, all my dreams would come true.

"Happy birthday to you!" everyone sang, and Ben blew out his candles.

Ben's Sweet Sixteen was a week before mine and Belle and Adam had spared no expense. Their ballroom was full of nearly everyone in Ben's class and every royal couple had come. After all, Ben was now old enough to be king.

The gift giving was next.

"Golden tigers from the kingdom of Agrabah!" Lumiere announced as Aladdin and Jasmine came forward, servants pulling the cart with the statues on them.

"And some new Tourney sticks," Aladdin added, handing him a smaller box.

I sat next to Ben atop the platform in a small throne, holding his hand. His parents stood behind him, showing that it was now Ben's time to lead. And I was next to him.

As the last royals finished their gift giving, I leaned toward Ben and handed him a small box perfectly wrapped. "This is my gift."

"You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to." Show your affection in everything you do. But don't overdo it!

Ben opened the lid and pulled out a golden watch with a crown in the center. He flipped it over to read the engraving. "'To my future king and best friend. Happy sixteenth birthday.' Thanks Audrey."

"Do you want me to put it on?"

"No," Ben said quickly, dropping it back in the box. He noticed the frown I let slip accidently. "I just don't want to ruin it. After all, we still have the buffet and I'd probably drop it in the grey stuff."

I forced a laugh. "Of course."

He kissed me quick on the cheek and headed down to crowds. I stayed a moment longer.

You're in the throne Audrey. This is your place and nothing will change that.