Hey everyone can I have some feedback please on something?
I just brought myself to watch and listen to 'If I never knew you' from Pocahontas for the first time. If you're not sure, it's a cut song from the theatrical film and OH MY GOD I AM IN ACTUAL TEARS. I usually, seriously cry whenever I even talk in depth about the film so can you imagine how much this song has broken me? Go listen and share my pain and also enjoy this chapter I wonder if you can actually sense my tears in the Pocahontas chapter.
Ariel's basement got pretty warm in the Summer so the girls had brought down two huge fans and set them up so that their hair blew wildly around and caused them to giggle.
Ariel, Mulan and Jasmine were sat around on beanbags, they had some music playing but none of them were really listening to it. It was a Saturday, a week before prom, a week before High School Musical and just two weeks left until Summer Vacation started again.
"So are you ready for the play Saturday?" Jasmine asked, nibbling at some pineapple
Ariel sighed, "Actually I've been thinking and-"
"You're going to out Vanessa?" Mulan asked hopefully
"Hey we're not all as brave as you" Ariel sighed, "Besides there's no point now, the productions in a week"
"So what were you thinking?" Mulan asked
"I'm going to tell Eric that I like him"
Both girls squealed and their eyes widened,
"You're kidding!" Mulan grinned
"This is brilliant!" Jasmine grinned
"And you said you weren't brave!"
"I mean he's a senior, he only has a few weeks of school now I don't have much to lose"
"And if he says he likes you back?" Jasmine raised an eyebrow
"It's a fat chance" Ariel blew her fringe out of her eyeline, "but then I guess we could date"
"But Ariel, if you're going to tell him, Vanessa has nothing against you any more!" Mulan pointed out
"Mulan's right, you don't have to sing for her anymore"
Ariel shrugged, "I really don't want the drama... it's one night of my life. Who's it going to hurt?"
"Er- you?" Jasmine cried
"It doesn't hurt" Ariel shrugged, "Let her just do it, the headsets are all set up and everything"
Mulan and Jasmine exchanged looks,
"Please guys, if she's this desperate then I'll help her"
"She's a bitch" Jasmine stated,
Ariel just shrugged again, "Whatever- I'm gonna grab some juice. You guys want some?"
"Sure" they nodded, and Ariel headed upstairs,
"Are we really going to let her just do this?" Mulan frowned, "and since when were you so... tolerant"
"Rude" Jasmine commented, "But I'm not tolerant"
"You barely argued with her"
"Relax Soccer queen" Jasmine said with a cheeky smile, "I have a plan"
"You do!" Mulan grinned
"Yes, but we're gonna need the help from some guys who don't mind a bit of trouble..."
The two girls paused
"Flynn" they said simultaneously.
Rapunzel was at home. Her mother woke her up promptly at 8:00am for breakfast where they listened to the News on the radio and her mother tutted about protesters,
"Why on Earth do people think they can change things?" she commented,
then when the feminist movement was mentioned,
"Young girls should care about two things: Their face and their weight... oh Rapunzel I do believe you're getting kinda chubby I'm just saying because I love you"
Rapunzel ate in silence.
They spent the morning sewing a few buttons onto an old cardigan, then they played chess. Then Rapunzel brushed her mothers hair, 300 strokes exactly and applied her anti ageing mask as per every Saturday morning. At lunch her mother prepared pea soup, Rapunzel's least favourite, then they set off for a twenty minute walk around the huge apartment building gardens. Then they made a few candles that her mother made and sold as her business before dinner. A typical, scheduled Saturday and yet Rapunzel couldn't stop thinking about Prom with Flynn. She knew she couldn't tell her mother but where would she get a dress?
"How is school my flower?" she asked as they sat by the TV watching the age appropriate and educational animal channel,
"Very good, mother I've made so many lovely friends I'm so glad I transferred"
"Like that Ariel?"
"Yes"
"She's a good student... very good"
"It's nearly Summer too, and my friends like to go to the beach and have fun!"
Her mother's eyes narrowed, "Interesting... well perhaps you could go if an adult were there"
"Her older sister Attina would go" Rapunzel nodded, "She's very mature"
Her mother seemed impressed, "I'd have to meet her"
"Oh thank you!"
Gothel nodded,
"And... there is a school prom next week" Rapunzel said
"Rapunzel please, stop the mumbling it's very annoying sweetheart"
"There's a school prom next week" she said louder
"What?" her mother chuckled slightly
"Well... I was hoping I could go"
"And your friends are going?"
Rapunzel thought for a moment, "Yes my friend Jasmine is"
"I haven't met Jasmine"
"You could meet her, mother, she's really well behaved and kind"
"And there would be boys there"
"Well yes but-"
"Hmm I don't know"
"Please mother, Oh please!"
"Begging is very unattractive dear"
"Mother I'd love a real prom"
"I don't know"
Rapunzel batted her eyes,
"Very well"
"Oh mother!" she leaped and hugged her,
"But your dress has to be below the knee" she warned, "and I hope very much you're not going with a boy"
"Of course not" Rapunzel said with a small blush in her cheeks, she did feel quite bad lying. Not that it mattered too much. Her mother had actually agreed to prom! Everything was working out wonderfully, amazingly, perfectly! Or so she thought.
Aurora and Esmeralda planned to check out the venue properly. Mainly so that they could check it was up to Esmeralda's standard. They drove up there again in Aurora's little convertible,
"So have you got your prom dress?" Esmeralda asked,
"Oh I chose pink in the end, to contrast Cindy you know?"
"Of course, what's it like?"
"Long, regal... makes me feel like some 14th century princess!" she smiled, "What about you? How's dress shopping going, the girls tell me you've been struggling"
Esmeralda scoffed, "That's an understatement, "I thought I knew what I wanted... but I don't"
"Oh?"
"I thought I was happy just having what I usually have... er- purples and reds but maybe I want something different"
"Well what about blue?"
Esmeralda grimaced, "Not for my skin tone" she shrugged, "I mean I'm sure I'll find something"
They veered the corner to the huge Disney castle on a huge hill facing the entirety of Disney and all it's glory. The pretty pink castle glowed and they stepped out of the car. They headed for the events room, a huge ball room in beautiful shimmering gold with details of baby pinks and blues. An old throne room, it still had a beautiful small stage for the King and Queen
"We could do Prom Queen and King here" Aurora suggested, "And they have another events room for us to eat in first"
Esmeralda nodded. The windows were big here too, looking out at the beautiful sky. Photos would truly be beautiful with the gold of the room and the blue of the sky. Outside was even prettier. Flowers and fresh grass surrounded the entire place. Photos with the sea and the mansions and cottages in the background would be lovely, equally as lovely as photos at the porch where the grand castle stood proudly
"Aurora..." Esmeralda started
"Oh please, Es!" she cried, "Don't tell me you hate it!"
"I love it" she confirmed, "It's perfect"
Aurora squealed, "Oh thank God! I had to double check with you... Oh I'm so happy!"
Esmeralda grinned. Now she needed a dress... and quick.
Charlotte had invited Naveen to her house that afternoon for some light lunch. She dressed in the cutest sun hat and a cherry read sun dress. They set up for lunch in the garden, with a tea set and small sandwiches and Naveen settled into the little white garden chair neatly,
"Thank you Charlotte, for inviting me here for lunch"
"Oh not at all, Sugar, it is so important we learn more about each other before Prom don't cha think!"
"Most definitely" he said with a small chuckle, "But dear Charlotte-"
"Oh don't flatter me, Naveen!" she cried, "You know when you asked me to prom I thought 'you can't be serious' but then I thought 'actually, he is serious!'"
Naveen forced another chuckle, "Well it is interesting you should mention it you see, when I came to ask you to prom I was looking for Tiana"
"Oh?" Lottie grinned, "Were you going to ask her some advice? If anyone knows me best it's Tia"
Naveen couldn't do it, how could he break her heart and her hopes now? Sure he'd miss a chance with Tiana but after Prom, his commitment to Charlotte was over,
"I really did think that big ol' junior Kronk was going to ask me" she admitted, "he's the bees knees but oh, Mr Prince! You were such a surprise I just cannot believe it"
"Kronk?" Naveen said
"Sure, he's the big guy with dark hair and those lovely little spinach puffs! He cooks just as well as Tiana!"
"Kronk!" Naveen grinned, "You liked him?"
"Oh now!" she giggled, "Don't be jealous!"
"Oh no no, please, I am curious"
"Well sure, for a while I really did but then you asked me! And.. when in Rome!" she laughed,
"Right" Naveen laughed with her, "Kronk..."
Pocahontas arrived home from her date with John Rolfe... she used the term 'date' loosely because admittedly neither of them had fully addressed 'what' they were. He was a really lovely guy, even if she had to explain to him who Karl Marx was and what fracking was. He wasn't stupid, far from it. He went to some preppy school that Naveen used to go too, where etiquette lessons were all the range as opposed to revolutionary thinking. He was intelligent and sweet, pretty funny and he was always complimenting her and helping to improve her,
"Your hair definitely looks better up, I can see your pretty face" he would say, or, "I think a dress is more fitting, more ladylike don't hide your lovely figure" she'd always appreciate it but a part of her yearned for John Smith still which is why she was keeping John Rolfe at a distant. She was, however, looking forward to Prom. He was a good time and she knew they'd have a fun evening especially with the venue picked, her dress nearly ready. Cindy had added the last few fabrics and was now tailoring the bust for her.
"I'm home" she called to the empty kitchen, "Anyone in?"
She pushed through the wooden doors into the little lounging area where her father and Grandmother Willow were. Her father was filing paperwork and her gran was sat cross legged on the floor, her long hair behind her in several small plaits and a game of solitaire on the floor in front of her and despite the ordinary behaviour, Pocahontas sensed some sort of wrong doing.
"What's wrong?" she asked slowly and her family turned to look at her
"Oh Pocahontas" her father sighed, "take a seat"
Pocahontas sat down on the armchair, usually the one her Grandmother occupied.
"I have to say, my daughter, I am disappointed" Powhatan said
"In me?" she asked, with a dry mouth
"In myself" he frowned, "the men came again today, to kill the nature... the land"
"You said no didn't you father?" she asked hopefully,
Powhatan remained silent,
"Didn't you?"
"I am sorry" he sighed with tearful eyes, "They were incredibly harsh, blackmailing even"
Pocahontas scowled. Blackmailing? Typical business men,
"How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong and wrong like right'" Grandmother Willow recited,
"Mother please, there is no need to bring race into it" he warned, but Pocahontas giggled a bit
"Stinking business men" Grandmother Willow said, finishing her game and scooping the deck back into her frail hands
"Oh Father, they can't seriously build on it" Pocahontas continued, "You didn't sign for anything-"
Her father shook his head remorsefully, "I did"
"But-"
"Oh I am so sorry" he said, and his voice cracked and he burst into tears
"Now now" Grandmother Willow tutted, "You've been weak, what of it? Weakness is human"
"But I have disregarded all that I hold dear. My charity, my morals"
"Father it is just a few trees and shrubs" Pocahontas attempted to comfort him,
"As a boy.." her father started, looking up with his old tear stained face,
"What, father?" she asked,
"As a boy Father Patan would sit me on his knee and tell me stories of the great ancestors, recite the proverbs"
"Ah he was full of all those" Grandmother Willow beamed,
"His favourite one, the one that inspired me... that still inspires me..." he took a deep breathe,
"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees'
The three of them smiled calmly,
"You do protect our forests father" she assured him, "every day you do, it is your lives work"
"She is right" Grandmother Willow agreed, "That old land has done its job anyway, it has taught Pocahontas about nature and about being one with nature, she has painted with the wind and now we can move on"
"But am I a hypocrite, mother?" he asked
"No, my dear" she smiled "You are a good man who has given someone a home, whoever's house is built there they will be surely grateful"
Pocahontas nodded and patted her fathers shoulder,
"I better go for a shower" she smiled and headed upstairs but as soon as she reached the top, she pulled her phone out of her back pocket and opened her conversation with John Smith.
They had barely spoken in weeks, months even. Not properly. Conversation was dying now, not because there was nothing to talk about because they both knew that they could talk for hours but because it awkward now. Neither of them had even addressed the move, addressed how abrupt it was, how utterly heartbreaking it was. Pocahontas couldn't even bring herself to tell him how sad she was about it, not over text and more than that... she hadn't even mentioned John Rolfe. She also knew that he hadn't addressed it either. He said that his work load was difficult, the hours were longer. He had seen his family and had missed them but he said that their company could be super loud and all they did was rewatch Gavin and Stacy. Pocahontas had never heard of the British Sitcom but went on to watch the entire of Series 1 after he had mentioned it. He hadn't mentioned any prospects of romance, she wasn't even sure if he thought about her any more. The last conversation between them had been quite bland and ended with an awkward 'Haha' on his part. She swallowed the pride and text,
"My father signed for your firm to build on our land"
No. She deleted it all and tried again
"We've signed for the building, not to sure how I feel but"
NO. She deleted it all. How did she address this after weeks of not talking?
"I was pretty surprised but my father has signed for the land to be built on, he regrets it but I guess it's done now. Had you heard? How have you been?"
It would have to do. She hit send and in almost two minutes he had read it. God, why was he so quick to reply? Why was he so perfect? Her phone lit up and she read his reply,
"Haven't heard from you in a while, I'm good a little stressed but I've gotten out of worse scrapes than this one. I'm sorry that your Dad signed I know that was a big deal for you guys are you OK? I hadn't heard. Doesn't surprise me if Radcliffe was threatening about it :/"
Feelings for him rushed back and he hadn't even been romantic. 'I've gotten out of worse scrapes than this' she remembered how often he said that, she read the entire thing in his voice. She drew a deep breathe and responded,
"He did say he felt blackmailed, I wish this wasn't happening. Sorry you're stressed, is it the job? I miss you"
She read the last three words, she contemplated for a moment. Her thumb hovered over delete before she quickly clicked to send and threw her phone face down on her bed and went for a long shower.
Jasmine spent the morning at Ariel's and now was heading over to see Aladdin. Things between them weren't awkward anymore, in fact they were good. She knew people were probably shocked at the pairing but she didn't care about that but now there was just one thing to tackle. Her father. She was meeting Aladdin at his before they headed for an early dinner at the mall that she didn't mind paying for, she had planned to tell Aladdin all about her father at dinner.
She knocked at the little apartment door and he answered, actually fully dressed this time, and smiled dashingly. Even though the apartment was a lot less the interior she was used too she liked it. It smelt clean and fresh and with a hint of incense.
"Hey, come on in" he beckoned,
Jasmine stepped in and expected the TV to be on, but Aladdin was stood with his hands in his pockets just staring at her
"You OK?" she asked sceptically,
"Sure sure... it's just... plans have kinda changed"
"Changed?" Jasmine snapped, she did not like being messed around.
"Nothing big!" he said quickly, "I just have to help my mum out with some things"
Jasmine's shoulders dropped, "Right, I guess I better get going then"
"What?" he cried, "No! No, stay, you can help too"
Her nose twitched, help? What did he expect her to do? Vacuum? No way.
"What shall I do?"
She works down at the 'Arrendale Ices' on the beachfront,
"The ice cream store?"
"Yeah! They're having a staff party and she forgot to bake"
Jasmine tilted her head, his mum sounded absolutely adorable
"Bake?" she asked,
"So I've got to make a batch of cakes, if you don't want to help then-"
"No, that sounds fun" Jasmine nodded, "Let's go!"
Aladdin headed round to the kitchen and began pulling out ingredients and equipment, a whisk, howls, flour, sugar and more. He pulled on an apron, it was tiger print and very bright. Jasmine giggled,
"You look like a chef wrestler" she teased,
"Wait till you see the apron I have for you then" he shot back, and threw an apron at her
Jasmine sighed and unfolded it, "You've got to be kidding"
Aladdin laughed, it was an apron with Amitahb Bachchan's face.
"My mum likes him"
Jasmine laughed so hard, doubled over before putting the apron awkwardly on, "I cannot believe this"
"She found it funny too"
"My aunts absolutely love him too" she admitted, "I remember they used to say, 'Jasmine one day you will find him attractive too!' she mimicked,"
"What's the fascination?"
"He's like the George Clooney of Bollywood"
"That's an exaggeration" he laughed,
"Don't be jealous, Aladdin" she taunted him
"Jealous! Hardly!"
"Whatever- so how do you bake a cake?"
Aladdin blinked, "I forgot you'd never baked"
She shrugged awkwardly, "It's not a huge deal"
"No no, it's not" he said quickly, careful not to make her feel alienated, "Ah- when my Baba died baking was quick and cheap and kept me entertained" he explained, "That's why we did it"
She smiled understandingly, "When my Mother died, Father read to me every night in her place sometimes he sang... badly but tryingly"
"Oh man my Uncle Genie sang around the place the whole time he was here"
Jasmine laughed, "When I spoke to him he-" she stopped. She hadn't quite explained that it was Genie who had convinced her to forgive Aladdin,
"When?" he asked, "I didn't know you ever spoke?"
"Right... well..."
Aladdin stopped pouring flour into the measuring cup and looked for an explanation
"He phoned me last week" she said slowly, "He spoke to me about... you... he explained everything and convinced me to give you a second chance"
Aladdin sighed, "I appreciate that of him but... well now I feel like a coward"
"Why?"
"I could have spoken to you myself"
"Aladdin don't worry, I wouldn't have heard you out! I barely listened to him, I'm glad he called"
Aladdin nodded, "Yeah, you're right I guess"
...
Jasmine and Aladdin made the cakes pretty well, even when she blew flour at him that stuck to his black hair he laughed and didn't complain though he wasn't brave enough to do it back. They painted Amitahb Bachchan's face with icing, giving him devil ears and a horn and when the cakes were finally in the oven they fell into the stools against the counter and drank some lemonade and had a sandwich each, stuffed with cheese,
"I hate cheese sandwiches" he complained bitterly, "I like a nice ham one"
"My father would kill me if I ever ate ham" Jasmine shook her head, "He's fine with chicken but I turned vegetarian a few years back"
"Is he a hardcore Muslim?"
"I mean... he's cultural, he's not homophobic or anything just strict with me. What about your mum?"
"She caught me eating pork years ago and was annoyed. She never buys meat though, ever. So when I go to Phoebus' you can imagine it's like a butchers"
Jasmine laughed but also mimed gagging, the thought of meat really did make her feel ill.
"She's good though, we pray, she's cultural, we celebrate Eid" he explained and she nodded,
"Those cakes should be done" he jumped up and opened the oven while Jasmine stayed put,
"Aladdin, I'm home" Galina entered the threshhold, she had carrier bags in her arms and looked pretty tired. She was a pretty lady, middle aged with ageing lines around her mouth and on her forehead. Her hair was all pulled back and she wore a hijab. Her eyes were huge and dark and warm, her mouth was sharp and turned upwards at the corners. She was also quite thin, Jasmine worried a bit about whether it was natural or from poverty, she wondered if she should ask Aladdin if his mother had always been so thin. She had a small paper bag too with, 'Arrendale Ices' written neatly over it.
"Oh!" she stopped and stared at Jasmine in her apron and with flour on her nose, "Hello!"
Jasmine stood up and politely smiled, "Hello Mrs Fa'ar"
Galina looked from Jasmine to Aladdin with some sort of excitement in her eyes, "Lovely to meet you too, dear!"
"My name is Jasmine Ragbah" Jasmine smiled softly, "Would you like some help with your things?"
Jasmine knew exactly how to treat this woman. She had after all been raised in perfect etiquette and in a high class household, not only that, but surrounded by women of her culture who taught her constantly how to impress her future family-in-law, how to be the perfect wife. As much as Jasmine disliked the assumption, it was sure coming in handy.
"Not at all, please" Galina insisted, and she let her shopping down on the old couch.
"Aladdin, you should have introduced Jasmine yourself" she half joked,
"Sorry Mum" he said flippantly, placing the tray of baked cakes down on the oven surface, "Cakes are done though"
"Oh brilliant" his mother nodded, "The staff party is in an hour, will they be decorated on time?"
"Of course" he said, "How was work?"
Galina shook her head, "Now now, Aladdin I want to hear all about your lovely friend Jasmine"
Jasmine blushed a bit and quickly took her apron off, Aladdin turned around too a little bit embarrassed,
"Muuum" he whined
Galina flicked her sons ear, "Don't whinge" Jasmine giggled,
"OK OK" Aladdin huffed, "This is Jasmine, she goes to my school and she's really sweet and clever"
"And pretty!" Galina beamed looking over at her, "Is... are... are you boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"MUM!" Aladdin cried, "Come on!"
She flicked his ear again, "Well?"
"Yes" Aladdin skulked,
"Oh!" Galina grinned and gently patted Jasmine's cheeks "So pretty!"
"Thank you" Jasmine smiled,
"And are you from Agrabah?"
Aladdin sighed,
"Yes, my father and I moved here when I was a little younger" Jasmine explained, "His name is Sultan Ragbah, we live now over in Pegasus Park"
His mother looked most impressed, "Well that's absolutely wonderful isn't it! What a wonderful girl"
"Aladdin, you stupid boy why have you not told me about this girl!" She flicked his ear for the third time but then pulled him in for a smothering hug,
"Mum!" He moaned,
She let go and he kissed her forehead lovingly.
"Now I have to change" she said, "Please sort out those cakes"
Jasmine laughed as soon as Galina had left, "You're mums funny, and she's really kind"
"She smothers me" he joked, "But she's a good mum, she really liked you!"
Jasmine flicked her hair jokingly, "What can I say?"
Aladdin began piping the little cakes. He decorated some with little sunshine's, some with the pattern of waves, some with sunglasses and some with ice creams. Beach themed,
"Well now you can meet my father" Jasmine said,
"Sure!"
"But-"
"But?"
"He has pretty high standards"
"AKA he won't like me?"
"No! Just don't be scared it'll be fine"
Aladdin gulped. 'Don't be scared'. Sure.
Mulan's victory had been great. Her friends hadn't stopped going on about it, her parents were thrilled believe it or not! Her father gave her the biggest hug and her mother called all of their relatives and her Grandmother commented that she 'should have brought home a man or at least a trophy' but she hugged her too. They ordered pizza for dinner and let Mulan tell them all about it and for once she felt special!
That Saturday, Mulan got home from Ariel's in the afternoon to a text from the team's group chat that she had finally been added too. It was from Shang,
"Thinking of having a victory dinner down at La Ratatouille, let me know I'll make reservations for 7:00pm"
Most of the team had replied by now and Mulan quickly let them know she would go too and at 7:00pm she was waiting outside La Ratatouille in a chiffon navy dress, it was spotted and she wore it with some little boots and a cardigan. La Ratatouille was a lovely little restaurant, not too fancy and not too casual. She was glad that he hadn't chosen anywhere too posh as she didn't fancy spending much of her allowance.
"Hey Mulan!" Hercules came over, Meg was on his arm in a pair of ripped jeans and a blouse
"Hey guys, shall we go in?"
"Sure"
"Hey Mulan you did fantastically" Meg said, "I knew you could do it!"
"Thanks Meg" she beamed,
They found Shang, Ling, Yao and Chen Po all ready sat around a table and Mulan took her seat. Opposite Shang and on the right of Meg. Soon more and more people came, not the entire team thankfully, and Mulan ended up sat beside Kronk too. The meal was delicious, she got the famous Ratatouille, the speciality, and it was great and her dessert was even better. Lyle hadn't come and neither had Hans but Gaston's company wasn't too bad and Kokoum didn't talk much. Conversation was pleasant, they all laughed about Shrek and how he looked so angry. They discussed tactics, talked their favourite part of the game before conversation swiftly moved onto films. Meg became animated talking about Suicide Squad and Spider Man. She and Ling debated who was the best Batman and who was the best Joker ("Heath Ledger was the best and if you disagree I'll come and stand on your throat!" She said) and then conversation moved over to Prom as dessert finished up,
"I cannot wait" Hercules admitted, "I've got my tux!"
"You have?!" Meg asked, "What colour!"
"Ah ah ah" he said, "It's a secret"
Meg scowled,
"I can't wait for my prom" Kronk smiled, "What a magical night that will be"
"Oh quit it" Gaston said, "We all know it's going to be boring, we're only aloud champagne... I'd rather hit the bar"
"No one wants you there anyway" Meg muttered, but Gaston didn't hear
Then finally as the cheque came out and everyone paid, Shang piped up.
"Everybody, before we go" everyone stared at him, "The school gave me the soccer trophy yesterday after the game and I've been told that I have to choose a 'Player of the Year' to give it too"
Gaston bulked out his chest and Kronk leaned forward, Yao chuckled and his hands even got close to it,
"So Mulan" Shang smiled, "You really deserve this"
Gaston sighed and threw himself back in his chair, but Kronk, Hercules, Meg and even Kokoum all whooped. Yao, Ling and Chen Po cheered, the entire table clapped and Mulan felt herself welling up. She had never ever been proud of herself or had people this proud of her and she had to admit, she liked this feeling!
"Really?" she asked, Shang handed her the trophy, it was long and golden with a football on the top of it in gold.
"You deserve it!" Hercules assured her,
"You worked hardest" Shang said,
"And you came up with the plan" Ling mentioned,
"I don't know what to say" she grinned and she held it proudly.
As the cheque was paid, the team cleared off. They left the restaurant and headed in their separate directions and Mulan shivered a little,
"Well see ya" she said,
"Mulan!" Shang called and he jogged toward her, it was weird seeing him in clothes as opposed to a soccer kit or gym wear, "It's getting cold, do you want a lift?"
"Er..." Mulan started. Of course she wanted a lift, she couldn't be bothered to walk but she didn't want to say yes either.
"It's fine, I'm going up this way anyway" he said, "it's the least I could do"
"Sure" she shrugged, "Thank you so much"
He waved it off but blushed. They got into his car, not the best car ever but not a totally terrible one and she took her cardigan off as the heater warmed her up.
"So any plans tonight?" he asked politely,
"Nope" she shrugged, "Find a place for the trophy- thanks by the way"
"Don't mention it" he shook his head, "Sorry I was a jerk at the start"
She laughed a bit, "It's fine, toughened me up" she joked,
"Oh er- it's just along here" she said quickly as he pulled up near her house
He glanced over at the house, "Looks nice" he nodded,
"Yeah, I always liked it" she agreed, "Thanks Shang"
"Have a good evening"
Mulan stepped out of the car, she shivered a bit more now and rubbed her bare arms, but she headed up the pathway, trophy in hand and completely and utterly proud of herself
Pocahontas had the longest shower of her life as to avoid her texts. By the time she was out, her father had calmed down and her gran was making a vegetable lasagna. She headed downstairs in a towel, still avoiding her phone and sat in the kitchen talking to her Grandmother.
"He was weak" Grandmother Willow whispered, her father was in the study now with paperwork and then was going straight to bed. He was heading to Brazil tomorrow for work and was leaving very early in the morning.
"Grandmother Willow" Pocahontas said, "That's not fair, business men are like vultures"
"Is that what your young man was like?"
"Grandmother!"
"I suppose that's why you've got another man now"
"Grandmother!"
"Oh don't play coy,"
"He went back to England, and John Rolfe is just a friend"
"Too many John's" the old lady shook her head and grated some cheese to top of the dish, "Which one is right?"
Pocahontas didn't answer, she only frowned
"You've no idea" her Grandmother answered for her, "Well you know what I always say"
"Listen with your heart and you will understand" Pocahontas quoted, "I know I know"
"And it works every time!" she said, pointing a wooden spoon in her face "Now go put some clothes on, dinner will be ready soon"
Pocahontas shifted from the stool and headed back upstairs thinking about what her Grandmother had said, her age old advice 'Listen with your heart' sure she had been saying that since she could remember, but what if even her heart didn't know?
Pocahontas hesitated a moment before picking her phone up. Her heart skipped a beat,
John Rolfe had text her: Hey! Had a nice time earlier, got my tux now! Red tie hope that's OK :) Let me know when you're next free and I'd love to take you out for a dinner. Xx
She sighed. He truly was sweet. She scrolled down past notifications from the Prom group chat, 'Esmeralda mentioned you in a comment' probably memes on Facebook, and a text from Cinderella letting her know she could pick up her dress and finally she saw it. John Smith's almost immediate reply.
Radcliffe's a nasty man, I wish I could help you. You do? Good, me too. You haven't text in so long I was starting to think you'd gone off of me! When's your prom and stuff then? Are you excited? Be sure to send me a picture of your dress!
She smiled warmly. She loved reading his texts, it was like hearing his voice and better yet, He missed her! She knew she couldn't wholly give herself to John Rolfe now, she was still deeply in love with John Smith. She couldn't wait for him to get back to America... whenever that would be.