Great News! Mines, my brother, and my cousins' childhood to now trilogy battle game, Super Smash Bros., decided to let Sora to join in the fight from the IGN or Nintendo News. I'm surprised and happy as you are. This took me forever to finish this before the 2 major holidays come.

Enjoy this fun party because it's gonna get crazy! I can't wait to watch the movie Encanto, Disney's first Colombian film.

Laila's performance/dance moves are almost the same as the song or scene video in YouTube.

I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I only own my OC.

Chapter 4: 8th Grade Celebration and Disney Nerd

Laila's POV

Once I arrived at Crockett Middle School, I'm actually going to miss this school. I've learned almost everything new in 3 years; 1st time joining the orchestra, gained more confidence, and made some friends, well, make that my teachers.

As I was walking in the hallway, I hear students gossip around while looking at me. Mostly they're talking about me as usual, I'm one of the popular kids which I am, sort of.

I don't have many friends from this school, just ones from Elementary. Some people liked me, some people don't, because they looked at me like I'm the strangest girl they ever seen. Well, in fact, it's half true because sometimes I can be a highly sensitive person (HSP) in minor situations.

However, they only like me for my beauty; not like me for me, which made some of the girls jealous of me. As for the boys, they've been trying to woo me to go on a date or to get to know my likes, but I can tell that some of them are bad or just fooling me around.

Before I head to 1st Period, I spotted a short bob-brunette; Brown eyes and hair, and fair skin. In the middle of the hallway who happens to be my best friend, Sophie. When she looked at me, I waved at her which she returned the gesture with a gentle smile. As I got close to her, we greet and hugged each other.

"Hey Sophie!" I exclaimed.

"Hey Laila! I can't believe that today is the day! Our last day of school!" she ecstatically said.

"Yup! Once today is over, it's goodbye middle school and hello summer vacation then high school." I replied.

We walked together to head to class and talked about plans for this summer. I thought about going to mines and my family's old beach island, Galveston, in Gulf of Mexico for 4th of July. I heard from some people I know say the fireworks have great sound effects if you're sitting on the beach or on top of the seawall.

"Yeah, that'll be cool for this year's Independence Day. I mean I want to do something different with you, you know." Sophie said as I nodded in agreement.

She continues, "So, how did you sleep?"

"Well…um…good." I said in uncomfortably.

Sophie sighed and gave me the look that tells me she isn't buying it which made me flinch a little.

"Same dream again?" She said with a sad smile.

I sighed deeply and stopped walking. It took me a while to work up the courage to tell her about my dream visions I had years ago. My family never knew about my incident except Leo and Sophie.

"Yeah…" I admittedly said. "Sorry, I tried to forget it, but it keeps coming back to me and I don't know why. Ever since that cloaked man came out of nowhere, my heart triggered something unusual that I won't understand."

"It's okay, Laila. I know you've been struggling with it for a long time, however, that doesn't stop you from doing the things you love; like music." She said.

I had a small smile on my face. Music is my life ever since I was born and I will never let it go for my future with it, and I know my dad felt the same way when he was my age. But I wonder why he hasn't shown it to me yet. I mean, he loves music ever since he has a collection CDs of Salsa, and he listens to songs from the 70s through 90s in his young days.

Actually, I've got most things that I have besides music from my dad. His personality traits: His love for Astronomy and Nature/Ocean, honesty, helpful, optimistic, Loud-voiced, temper, and artistic. They're other traits I have found on my own as well or from my mom.

"Yup. Music is everything to me. Not only it's an enjoyable for entertainment, but also helps my problems in life." I said in a smile.

"Speaking of music, did you get the song and outfit for the celebration? And did your dad get the chance to get you a piano?" She asked in curious.

"Yes and no." I answered.

"That's good and WHAT?! But it's been 9 years! I can't believe he forgot about it, again!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

"I know… but I'll worry about that later. Let's skip the sad part and focus on the fun part of the day." I said, sad before and return to smile.

"Yeah. As soon as the announcements come on in 7th period, It's party time!" She said in ecstatic, once more.

We laughed as we're heading to our lockers that is close to our class. I put my bag that has my performing outfit in there, then my wallet, and followed by one of my textbooks.

"Hey Laila." A familiar seductive voice spoke.

I gasped and then groaned. "Oh no, here we go again." I mumbled and quickly put on a fake smile then turned to the last person I want to see today: Ricardo, Medium black spiked up hair, tanned skin, and brown eyes. Wearing black inside t-shirt with navy blue shirt jacket, slim jeans, and black converse shoes.

"Hello Ricardo, try to talk fast cuz class is about to start." I said, still have a fake smile.

"I was just checking to see how're you doing and you looking beautiful it made my heart burst." He seductively said.

"Yeah right." I muttered while looking away. Luckily, he didn't hear it, and I'm not buying this since he's only interested of my beauty.

He continues. "It's true, I bet you will look more beautiful in your performing outfit. I can't wait to see it for our performance."

The last words hit me and I knew what he meant. I crossed my arms and I turn my face from happy to serious/angry look. I knew he was going to say it, looks like I'm gonna have to make him understand that I don't want him, he's done enough damage ever since I came into this school.

"OUR performance?! It's MY performance!" I exclaimed while pointing at myself. "Every time when I perform for special occasions, you jumped out of nowhere and start being a showoff around me!"

"Oh come on, when have I ever been a showoff?" He scoffed while smiling innocent.

"Let me refresh your memory. You 'went' up on stage with me and do your ridiculous moves on me at the Mardi Gras Ball hosted by my club, The S.T.A.R.S." I said as I counted on my fingers with my other index finger.

XXXXX – FLASHBACK, Last month: May 14th

In the Mardi Gras Ball at the cafeteria/auditorium; filled with balloons symbolizes the colors of the celebration (Purple, Yellow, and Green), decorations of centerpieces and beads on each table, concessions, and of course, the Mardi Gras King Cake.

Laila, wearing three beads around her neck with her dress, was singing one of the popular songs to the guests who are wearing beads as well. She was enjoying singing until, out of nowhere, Ricardo stepped on the stage and bop his hip against hers, but it was a big bop that cause her to fall on the side behind the curtain as he sings and dance. She threw an angry pout at him when he winked at her.

XXXXX – End of FLASHBACK

I continued with my next finger. "Then the time at the Teacher's Appreciation Week for the day one of my teachers got honored."

XXXXX – FLASHBACK, May 6th

Laila applauded from the cafeteria/auditorium stage along with the other teachers on each table as her favorite math teacher, Mrs. Moreno, got a flower bouquet and a diamond shaped crystal trophy as a reward for best math teacher of the year.

She was performing one of her teacher's favorite songs when she first met her on the 1st year in 6th grade. Then, Ricardo popped out behind her with a microphone of his own and spins Laila to him then away to the side of the stage. Dizzy as she is, she falls back on the ground.

XXXXX – End of FLASHBACK

"And lastly, the time at the Student Awards' Night were Sophie and I got our awards for making A's and B's in 1st semester of this year." I counted the last and third finger.

XXXXX – FLASHBACK, April 30th

As their certificates are on their table with pizza in cafeteria/auditorium, Laila and Sophie are singing/dancing duet together to the students who are also won their awards. In the middle verse of the song 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyoncé', once again, Ricardo jumped out from behind the curtain and be in between them. He bopped his hip against Laila's then to Sophie's, both fall on either side of the stage. As best friends stood up, they both share an angry look at the stubborn popular boy until they laughed at him when the kids booed and throw some water balloons at him that the teachers held it for later fun activity.

XXXXX – End of FLASHBACK

"I was just trying to join the fun with you." Ricardo innocently said while shrugging his shoulders.

"More like being a showoff to go on a date with me or just to impress other girls!" I exclaimed in reason while crossing my arms and leaned back on the lockers.

"Ok, I may have been gone overboard during performances, but I was only impressing you, you're the most interesting girl I've ever seen." Ricardo said in compelling.

"Yeah right, that's what you said to all girls. Look Rick, you're nice guy but you are seriously not my type, and you're only interested my beauty like every other boys here." I said.

"At least try to notice me a bit more." He said.

As I opened my mouth to talk more, the warning bell ranged. I should get to class and start rehearsing. Sophie, still next to me and listen to this conversation, puts on an angry pout at Ricardo as she remembers when she gets pushed by him after me.

"Look Ricardo, you've done enough damage already since me and my girl first came to this school." Sophie spat angerly.

I nodded as an agreement from her. I'm about to get serious to him that I don't want him in my life.

"Listen very carefully, this is my performance, and I don't want you to be in it!" I growled threateningly. "If you ever step foot on the stage, I'm going to give you a song of pain that you'll never forget!"

Ricardo flinched back at my deadly glare as I come up to him then I step back next to my open locker. I can see a little fear in his eyes, looks like I'm starting to get the best of him.

"And I can assure you, that is no joke!" I screamed at his face. BAM! I slammed my locker to closed and walked away with my backpack to 1st period.

As I was far away from him, I can almost hear Sophie giving Ricardo a warning.

"Stay away from my girl. Come near her again and we'll see what kind of pain to give you." She glared threateningly before leaving to catch up with me.


Normal POV

After last 6 classes…

In 7th Period, U.S. History Class, Laila is demonstrating her final project in front of her classmates on her PowerPoint, 'The History of Harriet Tubman'. She has been a history fan of her when she was little, all those years of escaping and return to rescue more slaves to freedom, and gifted by God to view visions of the future after her head accident.

Mrs. Miller, her teacher, was sitting at her desk while she is assisting Laila to click slides from her computer; connected to the roof projector, while her classmates including Sophie were intrigued by her work.

"And here we have Harriet, On September 17, 1849, Harriet, Ben and Henry escaped their Maryland plantation. The brothers, however, changed their minds and went back. With the help of the Underground Railroad, Harriet persevered and traveled 90 miles by foot north to Pennsylvania and freedom." Laila spoke.

Classmates 'oooo' in amazement. When things are starting to get interesting, one girl raised her hand.

"Yes." Laila said while pointing to her to speak.

"But why didn't her brothers go with her? Don't they want freedom as well?" She questioned in curiosity.

Laila recalled her thoughts after the past week of research and spoke "Well they do, Amber, but they're too afraid of getting caught along the way."

"Oh. I guess that explains why her first husband left her with another woman when he thought she was dead. What a jerk." A girl whose named Amber.

"Yeah. Although, I gotta say, heh Harriet got guts when she escapes through the Underground Railroad alone." Laila compliment at Harriet's picture and the classmates agreed with a nod. "Any more questions before moving on?"

The boy in the back of the room named Mark raised his hand and spoke "How did she survived while traveling through UR?"

"That. Since you all think that she might not make it without food, well during the travel, Harriet had been helped by Quakers, 'a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations known formally as the Religious Society of Friends. Members of these movements are generally united by a belief in each human's ability to experience the light within or see "that of God in everyone".' So pretty much they gave Harriet some hospitality with food and an actual bed to sleep for the night."

"Ohhhhh." The classmates were fascinated.

"Very interesting, Laila, in my teaching years, I never heard any of my former students explained this topic. Shall we continue with the next slide?" Mrs. Miller said.

"Oh right, yes." Laila said.

5 minutes later…

"Surrounded by friends and family members, she died of pneumonia on March 10, 1913. Just before she died, she told those in the room: 'I go to prepare a place for you.'" Laila finished.

Everyone awed and applauded.

"Excellent work, Laila. That's an A+ for you, as always, and for interesting pointers during the presentation, you will get extra points on your school credits." Mrs. Miller said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Miller." Laila thanked her as she grabbed her USB back.

Once she returned to her seat and earned a high-five from Sophie next to her, an announcement bell ranged.

Attention Students! As you all know, this is the last day of school and we'll be having an early dismissal. 6th and 7th graders, just because you all are not having your own celebration doesn't mean you're going home early empty handed. So, as usual on every Friday for the past semesters, we'll be holding a candy sale outside at the buses lot! But wait, there's more! We'll also bring back pizza sale in the cafeteria!

Everyone in the class cheered 'Awesome!' 'Yay!'.

And now, 8th graders… the moment you've been waiting for has arrive! It's time for the celebration!

The 8th graders including Laila and Sophie ecstatically screaming to the roof.

Alright! 8th graders, you are dismissed from your classes. Please report to the girl's gym front entrance in a single file line.

Once the school's intercom speaker hanged up, 8th graders immediately packed their belongings and head down to the hallway to the girl's gym. Laila went to her locker and grabbed her outfit from there, two janitors with trash bins came down to the hallway to let the students clean out their lockers and return textbooks in them; one is for trash and the other is for used textbooks.

Meanwhile, 8th graders are in a single line in front of the gym which it's decorated by a sign '8th Grade Celebration' and balloons, Laila and Sophie passed them since they are special performers of the party. As they greeted a few teachers and principals who are hosts and know the girls, unbeknownst, Ricardo and his buddies watched Laila as she and her best friend went inside the girl's locker room.

"Dude, you got problems." One of his friends with short brown hair and eyes and pale skin dramatically said as he pats on Ricardo's shoulder.

"Eh. She's probably nuts about me." Ricardo smirked, shrugging his shoulders.

"But she's been ignoring you forever, man. Face the facts, Laila's not into you." Another of his friend, with black hair with blond bang highlights and hazel eyes said.

"Yet. But she'll see me once I give her my final moves." Ricardo said as he chuckled evilly.

Girl's gym; 8th Grade Celebration…

Everyone was having a blast. There are concessions; Pizza, Chips, Punch Juice with a ladle, and a big cake for later. Outside of the gym in the teacher's parking lot, is full of games including Video Games of each game system on the side of a big van and a dunk tank with everyone's favorite football coach, Mr. Milton. Lastly, an actual photo booth inside the gym with props.

Laila, standing in the corner with Sophie and their other 3 friends, wearing her sweetheart neckline, white spaghetti strap short dress and the flowy bottom skirt above her knee with sky blue glitter all over it, silver kitty heels almond toe pumps with bow, accessories are only Silver 1" Cubic Zirconia Teardrop Drop Earrings and Cuff Bracelet.

"Any sign of him?" Laila nervously said, while looking back and forth around the gym.

"Nope." Sophie said with popped 'p'.

Sighing in relief, Laila turned and crossed her arms to face her friends with a grin. "Well, looks like he finally took my word and decide to move on."

Sophie and their friends; Rolla, Kia, and Lilly, looked at each other with a frown before they look back at her.

"I don't know, girl. He doesn't look like he can give up that easily." Sophie concerned.

"Yeah, I mean he's nothing but an annoying dog." Kia said, had medium dark skin, dark brown hair, and hazel eyes.

"Once a jerk, always a jerk." Lilly said, crossed her arms; Auburn hair, fairly light skin, and blue eyes.

The girls nodded in agreement. Rolla twiddled her thumbs as she was nervous about her friend.

"Maybe you should be cautious, I got a bad feeling that Ricardo will strike again." She said. Rolla has brown hair, grey eyes, and medium skin.

"I thought about it too. And if he did, I… actually I don't know what to do with him." Laila said, raised her pointed finger in the air before limping to despair.

"Don't worry, girl. If that happens, I had a payback plan." Sophie said, winked at her.

Laila smiled gently to Sophie, she's so lucky to have her and she never forget the day when they first met. It was when they were in 4th grade in elementary school, Laila was sitting on the sidewalk close to the playground either thinking or waiting for a friend in need until one courageous, but shy girl came up to her and talk to her a little. She introduced herself as 'Sophie' which means wisdom. Laila's thought spark when she found out that they have so much in common and later, they became great friends.

"Thanks girl." Laila said as she hugged her which Sophie returned it.

They release from each other, looked at each other's dresses, and smile wider when they had the same compliment.

"You look great by the way. In fact, all of you guys are." Laila compliment.

Sophie, Rolla, Kia, and Lilly are all dressed in silver short dresses, but different necklines; Sophie's is high-neck sheer illusion, Rolla's is simple V-neck, Kia's is off-the-shoulder (A/N: it's almost summer so she has no sleeves for the off shoulder but thick straps), and Lilly's is one shoulder.

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself." Kia said.

"Yeah, you look gorgeous in that dress you made. You have a gift." Lilly said in admiration.

"Well, make that two gifts, Fashion and Music, but yeah I'm obsessed with dresses from Disney princesses which gives me inspiration ideas to come with for my future performances." Laila said as she did a little twirl like a princess.

"You got that right, girl." Kia replied as the others nodded in agreement.

"Thanks again for volunteering to be my back up dancers/singers, girls." Laila said.

"No problem, Laila. You've always helped us with our problems, it's time we return the favor." Sophie said.

Once they thought about their futures, Rolla checked the clock above her head and it reads 3:00 P.M., it's time for their performance.

"We better get ready. You don't want to be late for your song." She said, with a gentle smile.

Laila smiled and nodded. Before they could move, she put her hand out in the circle which made the others take the hint. They put their hands in on top of one another.

"Let's make our last day the best!" Laila exclaimed.

Her friends nod with bright smiles on their faces as they thought the same thing.

"1, 2, 3!" Laila yelled, while pouncing her hand along with the other ones.

"GRADUATE!" Laila and her girls screamed to the roof with their hands raised up high then leave to the stage to take their positions.

When everyone is having a good time, the principal, Mrs. Green, held her microphone and stands in front of the stage with a spotlight show above her.

"Students of Crockett, are you having the most wonderful time?" Mrs. Green exclaimed with her mic.

The students cheered and clapping but it was a regular volume.

"I said are you having the most amazing time of your life or what!" Mrs. Green screamed with her right-hand fist pumped in the air.

Students cheered and clapped louder than before. Along the way, behind the crowd is Ricardo and his friends, he's smirking with his arms crossed. His friend with black hair with blond highlights had a nervous stomach about this plan that Ricardo had.

"I got a bad feeling about this plan of yours, man. I'm concern things are going to end up worst if you do this." He said.

"Don't worry, my plan is foolproof." Ricardo said.

"I doubt it." Black hair with blond highlights boy murmured.

"What?!" Ricardo exclaimed in anger, glared at him.

"Nothing!" He replied.

"And now, we have a special performance this afternoon with some of our 8th graders. To give you the wow of excitement and take on the beat! Please, put your hands together for the lovely star student, MISS LAILA!" Mrs. Green exclaimed with an outstretched hand at one direction.

(Insert: Chhoo Le Nah - Roadside Romeo [English Subs])

The crowd students quickly followed her direction. They found Laila in the spotlight, sitting legs crossed on a basketball hoop above, and waving her hand in greeting. Everyone cheered at her appearance.

Then, Laila grabbed the climbing rope that is next to her and hold on to it as she slips off the hoop and swings around the gym above the audience. Ricardo stares lustily at her like a snake and have a sinister smile. After enjoyment, Laila headed to the stage and slid herself down on it as her friends comes in one by one. She shook her hip on one side while ran her hands through her hair.

Laila: Touch...

Touch these lips... and you go.

Choo le na!

(choo le, choo le na) 2x

Choo le na!

(choo le, choo le na) 2x

Choo le na.

(choo le, choo le na) 2x

Laila moves to the front of the microphone stand while swaying a little from side to side then stretched out her arms.

Touch my heart just this one time, come on!

Say the words just this one time.

Come o-o-o-o-on...!

Once she sang the last words to the ceiling, Ricardo sings along with boys and girls as chorus. Laila threw a glare when she heard his voice a little but kept dancing sway side to side like a gentle salsa move.

Ricardo: Oh, Laila Oh Laila!

(Oh Laila, oh Laila)

Oh Laila Oh Laila!

(Oh Laila oh Laila)

I'm the boy of your dreams...

Oh Laila Oh Laila!

Laila blew a kiss to the crowd except Ricardo and have her girls in a line up between her; holding each other hips. She later grazes her leg from ankle to thigh with her finger. Then continues to dance with her friends.

Laila: Touch.

Touch these lips... and you go.

Choo le na!

(Ricardo: choo le, choo le na) 2x

Choo le na!

(Ricardo: choo le, choo le na) 2x

Choo le na!

(Chorus: Choo le, choo le na) 2x

Choo le na!

(Chorus: Choo le, choo le na) 2x

(music)

Her friends danced to the beat along with clapping before having their Tambourines, Laila has her own and they move side to side of the stage while shaking the instruments before hopping forward.

These lips they smile... Before her back, she turned around to the audience and had her tambourine in her right hand over her head with her other hand on her hip before she slid it across the stage to be hands free.

Ricardo: La la la la la oooh.

Why don't you go on and smile too...

The girls then moved into a line behind Laila to do jazz hands like sparking stars.

They Sparkle,

Touch them and turn them to stars...

They moved apart, swoop down on their stomachs, and do a cute girl pose with their legs kicked in the air.

Bring them to Earth just this one time, come on...

They're getting closer just this one time, come on...

Laila was enjoying herself just as she wanted, but boy was she's wrong! Just when things are going right, Ricardo raced over and jump so high on the stage in front of her on his knees with outstretched arms. That stunt made her surprisingly furious.

Ricardo: Oh Laila oh Laila!

(Oh Laila, oh Laila)

Oh Laila Oh Laila

(oh Laila oh Laila)

Laila's friends try to save her but Ricardo used his dance moves to get away from them. They got tired and get off the stage.

I'm the boy of your dreams...

Oh Laila Oh Laila!

Laila continues to sing to not ruin the performance while she still had an angry glare at Ricardo and tried to stay away from getting close to him.

Laila: Touch...

Touch these lips... Oh you go.

As she was apart, it was too late, Ricardo grabbed her on her petite waist by his arm and pulled her against his chest. Laila tried to get out of his grasp, but he tightens his grip before she could.

Choo le na!

(Choo le, choo le na) 2x

Choo le na!

(Choo le, choo le na) 2x

Ricardo surprised Laila by picking her up bridal style and spins her around, she continues to struggle to remove herself from him.

Choo le na!

(Choo le choo le na) 2x

Choo le na

choo le na...

(Choo le choo le na) 2x

At the end of the song, he brought Laila down then spins her out and spins her back to him to dip her as the finale pose.

The audience applauded to them while Laila's friends stood on the side of the stage with their arms crossed, shaking their heads disappointed at the lead singers, but the disappointment stares was mainly at Ricardo.

As the singers stood up from their 'pose', Laila did something that she never thought of doing. She slaps him across his face with her right hand which made the crowd gasped including Sophie and the gals.

"I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU!" Laila exclaimed angerly, her fists hands were shaking on either side of her hip.

"I know, I'm unbelievable." Ricardo said seductively, rubbing his cheek but he's ignoring the pain.

"UGH!" Laila screamed.

She stomped his foot hard, He yelled as he held it for a bit, and she leaves off the stage.

As the 8th graders mumbling at each other and yearningly stare at an angry performers, they step aside to make a pathway for Laila. Even though the show is almost ruined, Ricardo is not done yet.

"Come on now sweetheart? Why not just give me a chance?" Ricardo said fakery innocent as he follows Laila.

"Because you're a JERK and don't call me Sweetheart!" Laila yelled, looking over shoulder at him as she continues to walk away.

"Look, I know what I did was crazy, but I had no choice, I just want you to notice me more." Ricardo said, still following her.

"Well, that's not helping!" Laila spat at him.

"Can you just give me a second chance? People deserve second chances… for love." He softly said.

Laila gaped at the last word; in her life, she always wonders what love is like from being with someone you really cared for. So far, she only experiences small crushes and had bad luck to confess to them, at times. But that doesn't stop her to EVER fall for a boy like him.

She stopped at the middle of the gym and roughly fast turned to him fully. Looking at him with fire in her eyes.

"No. Nunca, nunca en toda mi vida! (Never, never in my entire life!) I have giving you one last warning and now look what happened 'cuz of you. After what you did, you're nothing but a bad to the bone and I want you out of my sight!" She shouted furiously at his face.

She was only able to take a few steps before Ricardo grabbed her left wrist. She looked back and saw he had an angry frown that had 'trouble' written all over the face. "Why can't you like me?" He said.

"Like I said before, you are seriously not my type. Now let me go." She spat back as she was pulling to get her wrist back, but his grip was tight.

"No! I can't live without you, I want to make you my girl, and you will be whether you like it or not!" Ricardo growled in obsession.

"I said. LET. ME. GO!" Laila shouted, struggling to remove his hand.

As the two were fighting, 8th graders watched the scene; they did nothing but lingering at them, hesitate and unsure of what to do about this except for one certain brunette holding her smart phone.

Then suddenly, underneath the concession table, there's a little glowing light below the Punch Bowl and it started to shake itself like an earthquake. Laila saw it at the corner of her eye except Ricardo and the kids, her eyes then turned bewildered and silently gasp when she sees a small part of a swirl moving pattern before seeing the shaking bowl. When it started to shake violently, almost spilling the punch at the ledge, it shot off the table into the air.

She saw it was heading to their direction, so with full of strength; she quickly snatched her hand back with a violent jerk and push him away from her to where the punch bowl is heading. Just as he was about to get to her, the punch bowl juice landed on his head and drenched him with later the empty bowl hit the ground, clatter.

Everyone in the gym gasped. With everything grew silent in the room, they never thought this incident would happen. Until few minutes, one student start to snicker then laugh hysterically along with more students laughing at Ricardo, and Laila giggled before her hand went to her mouth to cover to hide her smile.

The Laughingstock continues until shocked Ricardo turns red of rage. "SHUT UP! WHO DID THAT?!" he shouted at the students, but they're some still laughing but some are mumbling in question of what caused it at him then later become quiet when they saw someone coming their way.

"What's going on over here?!" A deep baritone voiced called.

A tall black man with bald head and square glasses in grey suit and tie, Mr. Hayden, the assistant principal and one of Laila's adult friends.

"Mr. Hayden." Laila said surprisingly, holding her clenched hands to her chest.

"Afternoon, Laila. You look lovely. Are you enjoying yourself?" Mr. Hayden questioned to her, gently smile.

"I was. Until he showed up." She said in a genuine smile before angry pout and point finger at wet Ricardo.

"Oh, My Lord!" Looking at her direction, he saw drenched Ricardo in a puddle of punch, and ask the two of this incident. "What happened here?"

"Ask her! I know she is the one who did this to me!" Ricardo exclaimed, pointing at Laila as accusing.

"Now why would I do something so crazy like this since I'm only polite, caring, and gentle! And you are the one who is crazy!" She spat back to defend herself.

"Stop it! Both of you." Mr. Hayden said, raising his hand up to make them stop. "Ladies first."

Gesturing Laila to speak first, she wants to tell about what happened at the table but somewhere in her heart tells her don't and doesn't want the others think she's crazy too. So, she decides to talk about one thing she wanted to do for a long time.

"Uh uh… he ruined my performance again!" Laila hesitates, before she spoke rapidly at the last words and pointed finger at Ricardo.

Mr. Hayden was shocked then angry glare at this troublemaker, Ricardo started to panic and think of an excuse.

"I was just enjoying the party with my pals and somehow I-I accidently fell and out of nowhere, the punch bowl fell on me, yeah." He said in frantic.

His friends shook their heads in disappointment of that stupid excuse. Mr. Hayden was about to put his foot down at Laila which made Ricardo secretly smirked at her, but until, Sophie came out of the crowd and stood next to the assistant principal.

"Oh really, Mr. Showoff? Then how do you explain this?" She said, holding her phone out to the witnesses.

Everyone including Laila and Mr. Hayden looked at the video she recorded, that for the last day of school memory. But it shows the performance before Ricardo interrupted, then when Laila's slap, the two-start arguing, his violence by grabbing her, and finally, the punch bowl incident.

"Yes, Mr. Fuentes. How do you explain this?" Mr. Hayden said, when he turns back at him and once again, give him an angry glare.

"I-uh-I was trying to find a way to the gym after going to the restroom and I was blindly ended up on stage." Ricardo said in a nervous smile.

"Mr. Fuentes, this was your last and final warning! You broke the deal after Laila explains to me about your previous performance incidents with her and our discussion! And now, you once again harassed miss Lozano and try to hurt her, and for that; after this celebration is over, you'll be spending the next hour cleaning the whole gym as punishment." Mr. Hayden said displeasure. "But not only that, I'm going to have another chat with you along with your parents, concerning your school records."

"WHAT?!" Ricardo exclaimed.

The Students tease 'oooooo'. Laila couldn't be happier that this popular boy got in trouble and gets punished after months of barge in her entertainments. Her friends silently cheered of this scene.

"But-but I-." Ricardo stuttered to excuse himself.

"No buts, young man. Let's get you cleaned up and be prepared for your big chore and meeting." Mr. Hayden said as he used his handkerchief in the palm of his hand to grab Ricardo's back collar.

As he drags him out of the gym, Ricardo continues to echo ramble. "I'm telling you I didn't do anything!" but he ignores him.

"Carry on with your celebration, students!" Mr. Hayden yelled over his shoulder.

Laila's POV

I watched Ricardo getting dragged by the assistant principal to the office. My friends join me from behind and Ricardo's friends were stood in front of me, also watching their friend.

"Told him it was a bad idea. But he didn't listen to my warning." A friend with black hair with blond highlights said, shook his head.

"Yeah, don't say I didn't warn him." I said, crossed my arms and shook my head in amused.

He continues to say "Sorry for everything that he's done. I guess he's really obsessed with you, he's never done this before until you showed up."

"Yup. Loco (Crazy)." I agreed.

"Well, let's try to forget this ever happened and move on. Enjoy the party. Let's go guys." He said as he and the others leave.

I watched them go before I turned around to face my girlfriends. In the moment we were quiet, but then laughed nonstop, I never seen Ricardo rambled like a scared baby. You know, this should be the next America's funniest Home or School Video episode. When we're done laughing, a proud smile appeared on my face including theirs.

"Thanks for backing me up, Soph." I thanked her for recording the proof of the scene.

"No problem, girl, I've always got your back." She said, raising her fist hand and I returned it for a fist bump. "But still, I wonder how that punch bowl got up into the air like that?"

I questioned myself on that part because I thought she did it to help me, but I know her too well that she wouldn't do that, it will only get her involved of the incident and she'd be in trouble.

I know I wasn't hallucinating when I saw the glowing light underneath the table and a small part of a mystical pattern. Where did that come from?

"Oh well, whatever that happen, it sure saved your butt from that crazy lover boy." Lilly said enthusiastic.

"Y-yeah, o-of course." I uncomfortably replied.

"Well then, now that that's over, let's hit the photo booth before we dunk Mr. Mouton." Kia said in enthusiastic, pointing her thumb over her shoulder to the direction of the booth.

"Yeah!" The girls cheered, then heading over there.

Before I go with them, I took one last look at the concession table where the punch bowl is at. Some strange things have been happening around me some time ago. I just want things to be normal for once, I don't want my family to think that I'm crazy; it will make my parents worry so much that they'll become more overprotective.

Whoever or whatever did that 'punch bowl' stunt, I owe it for saving my life. It didn't take me long to think about it before I went over to my friends to take some photos.

After the celebration, in the buses lot…

Truth be told, Ricardo did start to clean up the gym while his parents are on their way for the meeting when it's time for all of us to go home.

Other than that, this has been the best last day of school ever! As soon as me and my gals are done in the photo booth, we played few video games including one of the super smash bros., and we dunk Mr. Mouton in the water tank, which he cheered me 'there's my favorite student!" when it was my turn to throw the ball at the target. I saved some sweet treats of dark chocolate and M&M cookies for Leo, he's a cookie monster ever since we were kids.

As I placed my photos of me and my friends in my backpack, I changed my dress to my regular clothes and head outside in the buses lot with Sophie, waiting for our bus to arrive.

"Best day ever, with a bonus, right girl?" I said.

"You said it, girl. Bye bye Ricardo and school and hello Summer. Any plans for this weekend?" She asked.

"Nothing, yet. I'll let you know when I can at home." I answered.

She nodded. While we were talking, I decided to tell my family if we can go to Galveston on the 4th of July, that place was part of my childhood and we'll be able to do something new that holiday. Our school bus arrived just as I told her about the holiday plan.

"Well, there's our ride to freedom. Let's go." Sophie said.

I nodded and was about to get on with her along with the other kids.

'Laila…'

"Huh."

I stopped and turned around to where it come from, but there's nothing out there. Could it be that voice from my dream? Or just something that's making it sound calling my name?

I didn't notice the students walked past me to the bus and the engine starts until Sophie yelled from the window.

"Yo Laila! C'mon girl or else you're gonna miss your ride home!" She yelled.

I snapped out from my trance, looking at Sophie, and looked back where I once were. I shrugged my shoulders and get on the bus; I sat next to her and look at the window while the bus moves. I looked at my middle school from a far distance until it was nowhere to be seen.

Lozano's Home

I used my house keys to enter my one-story home, it was rough that we have been living in a small house, at times. Because each time when me and my brothers are growing up, we felt like our rooms are starting to get small. My mom wanted to find a new house, but as usual, she doesn't know which one is better for all of us to live and paid for.

When I walked into the kitchen, I saw my mom cooking and dad was watching Noticias en español (Spanish News) on the couch in the family room.

"Hola Mamá. (Hi Mom)" I greeted her.

"Hola, cariño. ¿Cómo fue tu último día y la fiesta? (Hi sweetie. How was your last day and the party?)" She greeted and asked as she kissed me on the cheek.

"Todo fue bien. La actuación fue bien, pero Ricardo volvió a interrumpirla. (Everything was fine. The performance went well, but Ricardo interrupted it again)" I replied.

"Otra vez?! (Again)" She disbelieved."

"Sí. (Yes)" I said in a nod.

"Ay, ese muchacho malo. (Oh, that bad boy)" Mom muttered in anger.

"I told you he would do something stupid again." Dad said from the couch.

"Like I said, papi (daddy), I don't even like him." I said, pointed out the fact.

"I know, but he didn't do something to hurt you, did he?" He questioned me in serious.

"Well… almost." I said, fidgeting my fingers.

"Almost?!" Dad exclaimed.

"¿Qué? ¿Qué ha pasado? (What?! What happened?)" Mom said, worried and holding my cheeks, making me look like a fish. My Dad stood up from the couch and went next to my mom to listen.

"Cálmate, mami. Pasé por la actuación hasta el final, tuvimos una discusión, y al final; se metió en problemas con el director después de los incidentes de mis actuaciones pasadas. Tambien le doy una bofetada en la cara. (Calm down, mommy. I went through the performance to the end, we had an argument, and in the end; he got in trouble with the director after the incidents of my past performances. I also slap him in the face.)" I explained, I grabbed Mom's wrists to put them down from my cheeks.

Mom and Dad blinked their eyes as a surprise before they enveloped me into a hug. I was surprised by that move, but I snuggled them in return. After that, they released and had a proud smile on their faces.

"That's my girl. You taught that boy a lesson." Mom appreciated.

"I thought you might be in trouble for that, but I'm impressed, princess." Dad said.

Mom continues "I would love to hear more about what happened. But first, why don't you put your stuff away in your room and I'll call you and your brothers for dinner. I'm making your favorite, Carne de res cocida a presión, con arroz y ensalada de zanahoria y col. (Pressure-cooked beef, with rice and carrot/cabbage salad)" I nodded eagerly, grabbed my things, and head over to my room.

Once I put my dress in my closet, I head over to Leo's room to give him his treats I saved. I knocked on the door and heard him say 'enter' and I entered.

"Hey Leo." I said.

"Hey Laila, what's up?" He said as he was on his bed watching T.V.

"Special delivery." I held up the treats in the goody bag in front of him.

"Awww, you remembered. Thanks, sis." He said, pretend that he adores it and grabbed the bag.

"Yeah, I figured that I want to make your last day something sweet. You cookie monster." I smirked, for having him to be a chocolate lover.

"How was your day?" He asked.

I was about to leave when he spoke to me, I smiled gently and give him a proper answer. "It was… an interesting day." He returned a smile to me, and I leave his room.

I returned to my bedroom and thought about today. First, it was a ruining performance and the next, the punch bowl incident, I've still don't know how that happened, but I'm very grateful it happened. Just like how I'm grateful to meet the one thing I love most in life: Disney.

I walked over to the shelf T.V stand and took out some colorful DVDs and place them in order on the carpet floor.

I have some movies from Disney that I love over the past, I have 101 Dalmatians, The Lion King 2: Simba's pride, A Goofy Movie, and the emperor's new groove. I also have one of the Walt Disney Cartoon Classics VHS, but one of my family members managed to have 2 title feature cartoons in one VHS, along with some episodes of DuckTales. I've seen some other Disney movies from elementary school or house visits from family and friends or scheduled on Disney Channel. When I was a baby, my life had begun magical, from Winnie the pooh to classics, even shows like House of Mouse. There's another thing that I'm mostly cared about Disney, I took out another set of DVDs to which I loved and placed on the other side of the floor.

Disney Princesses.

Most of my life, I've been growing up with them. Their Dreams, adventures, and personalities. I have Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time. I've learned all the princesses from Snow White to now. Cinderella is my 1st Disney Princess I've watched when I was little, I'm sort of related to her besides being enslaved I do lots of chores along with my mom than the men of this family.

Well, actually, I'm like a mixture of both Cinderella and Ariel, because of their lifestyle and personalities, which I made them my favorite Disney princesses. But I still love the rest of them including the unofficial princesses like Megara from Hercules.

Whenever there is trouble for them, they would follow their hearts and instincts to guide them to their dreams. So, I decide to do the same with mine and hopefully my dreams will come true.

"Niños, la cena está lista! Ven y cuéntanos tu historia sobre lo que pasó en la fiesta, Laila! (Kids, dinner is ready! Come and tell us your story about what happened at the party, Laila!)" Mom called outside.

"Voy, mamá! (Coming, mom)" I called back to her.

I looked at the princesses' DVDs once more with a gentle smile before I leave my room to eat dinner and tell my family the story.

Normal POV

After Laila left her room, The Princesses' DVDs started to glow pink in each of them. A pink glitter particle swirls a circle effect and formed a crystalized heart, floating above the princess movies; almost visible, and it's beating like a real heart. The echoes of feminine voices are calling for help of one chosen heroine. The princesses' guardian.


Author's Note:

Man, oh Man! That's a lot of pages I made for this chapter, but I survived. So, it's true I've still had the recorded Walt Disney Cartoon Classics VHS that me and my brother have, sometimes I can't move on without it, it's part of mines and my brother's precious childhood memories.

A blast party, huh? That celebration was real when I had an 8th grade celebration, except the Ricardo incident.

The S.T.A.R.S. Club, I've entered it back then, the organization was about how girls reveal their true selves, shared little secrets, and gain more confidence around other people. Also hosting and managing little or big parties for occasions.

(The dress of Laila is original, which only belongs to me.)