Later that evening, a celebration took place at the Adams's residence for the victorious win against their rival team. As more Auradon Knights—from jocks, to artists, to the brainiacs of the school—made their way from the game to the Adams's house, the party started to pick up.
Ben maneuvered his way through the crowd, clutching an ice pack to the bump on his forehead while holding his beloved's hand along the way. Stepping between a grand buffet of various food and groups of kids on the dance floor, Ben perked up suddenly.
"Want me to fix you a plate?" he offered sweetly. "I asked Mom to buy a couple fruit and vegetable trays for you and your mother, since I remembered you two were vegetarians."
Gazing at the table of the delectable food, Mal requested timidly, "Maybe a bowl of strawberries?"
"I'll meet you in a few minutes." Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, as that was part of her family's tradition, Ben reluctantly allowed her to leave his grasp. As soon as he tore his gaze away from his beautiful girl, he came face to face with Gil and Gil's father with a familiar coach approaching them.
"Boys, this is Coach Jenkins from University of Auradon," Gaston politely introduced. "Mr. Jenkins, this is my son, Gil Playfair, and the team captain, Ben Adams."
Coach Jenkins gazed around the party. "Where is your father, Ben?" the university coach wondered. "I was hoping to speak with him about how well you boys played."
"I'm not sure," Ben admitted with a careless shrug, though he winced a moment when his head began throbbing lightly. "My girlfriend's father drove us here since I couldn't drive. A few of the team's parents worked together to throw this party for us, so my folks may not be here."
"I believe they are still in a meeting with Mr. Yen Sid and the Arabia family at the school," Gaston answered, hoping the matter would be dropped quickly. "They may not arrive by the time you have to leave."
"That's a shame. I was hoping to speak with Jay Arabia as well," Coach Jenkins commented. "Either way, you boys did a wonderful job on the field. Ben, I was impressed with you playing your hardest even though you were injured so soon. And Gil, I was also impressed with you taking over multiple positions through-out the game. Your teamwork tonight with Jay and Carlos for that final play was incredible! I wish I could have seen more than thirty seconds of it."
"You're not the only one," Ben joked, before further explaining, "Coach Gaston, Gil, Jay, and I have been trying the entire season to convince my father to let Carlos play. The championship game was the first time Carlos ever got to play."
"Maybe I can organize a scrimmage between your team and U of A's players in the next couple weeks," Coach Jenkins suggested hopefully. "Just a friendly game to get all of you acquainted with the team. Maybe help convince you boys to wear our uniform next season?"
"I'll get with our team to see what time is best for them," Gaston offered, placing a proud hand on both teens' shoulders. "I know I can't be any prouder of their progress this season."
Admittedly, Ben flinched at the praise. Sadly, it had been quite a while since he had received any positive approval for his athletic abilities. Usually, he is criticized for doing the exact same thing as the person next to him. To be quite honest, it felt . . . relieving; almost as though the weight to prove himself was gone.
Clearing his throat to help get his wandering mind on track, Ben politely insisted, "I need to get back to my girlfriend before she worries. It was nice to meet you again, Coach Jenkins. If you will excuse me . . ."
Smiling weakly as the trio walked off to continue the conversation elsewhere, the good boyfriend went back to his original task of filling a bowl of strawberries for his beloved. Once satisfied with the portion, he aimlessly wandered around the backyard, craning his neck to search for his significant other.
Then, he spotted the most beautiful princess on the other side of the yard, heading in her direction like he was under a spell.
Gazing up at the stars, Mal leaned against a tree as she admired the scenery. She loved hanging with her friends. She loved celebrating an Auradon Knights win with them, but she didn't care for parties, as most of her friends knew. Sometimes, she just needed some time to herself without worrying about others.
Mal sighed happily in admiration. It was such a beautiful night. Only one thing could make it so much better—
A hand softly grabbed her arm, pulling her behind the tree and away from everyone's vision. Mal's moment of worry faded away when she found herself staring up into Ben's blue-green eyes. Smiling down at her, he motioned toward the food in his hand. "One bowl of strawberries," he announced. "Now, follow me for a better view."
Taking just a couple more steps around the tree, Ben began climbing up the mysterious ladder, nearly losing his balance with the bowl in one hand and the ice pack still in the other hand. Giggling softly, Mal followed as her boyfriend recovered with the grace of a champion Tourney player.
A few moments later, she was perched high above the party in an old tree house. Ben sat next to her with the bowl in front pf them.
"Another top-secret hiding place?" Mal asked in a teasing voice.
"Grandpa Maurice and I built it together when I was a kid," Ben recalled with a goofy grin on his lips. "Before I started playing Tourney, I would spend every spare second of my time reading up here. Only Grandpa could get me down, after promising me to buy me a new book."
Mal tilted her head curiously. "I didn't know you liked to read."
"I loved it," Ben insisted, sighing at the memory. "In the past four years, I haven't had the chance to read for fun since it's been Tourney practice day and night. This is the first time I've been up here in so long. Dad would flip out if he saw me. He had threatened to tear it down my freshman year if I didn't take Tourney seriously."
"Well I am honored you snuck me in your castle," Mal teased, smiling softly. "And thank you for these . . ." She motioned to the bowl of strawberries.
They each took turns eating one, enjoying the silence between them. After a few moments, the bowl was completely empty.
"Was that the coach from U of A down there?" Mal asked, turning serious. "I bet he already has your name on a locker."
Ben's smile faltered a bit. The couple gazed down at the party, which was growing livelier with each passing second. Jay and his father had just arrived, walking tensely through the party as they politely greeted those who approached them. After a few moments, they seem to loosen up and enjoy the celebration more. Eventually, Gaston found the father-son pair and led them to the college coach, who was actually talking to the Rose family and their son.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams were still nowhere to be seen. The conversation with the principal must be more serious than he thought . . .
Ben sighed. "It's always been my dad's dream that I end up at the same college as him," he revealed, though it was already common knowledge.
"Mom and I have been talking about Moors University since I was born," Mal informed with a careless shrug. "Dad doesn't care where I go as long as I am happy, and I visit them whenever I can."
"And you're already accepted," Ben reminded, trying to sound as encouraging as he could be. "That's so cool."
"Except Dad won't stop talking about it," she admitted a bit bashfully. "I thought Mom would be the one bragging to everyone, but I was wrong. It's embarrassing."
"He's proud of you," Ben insisted, turning to meet his beloved's gaze, he added, "I'm proud of you."
Mal raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "The thing about Moors is that it is one thousand—
"Fifty-three miles," Ben interrupted knowingly. "I know. The rest of the school year is coming so fast."
"I wish it could slow down," Mal confessed with a soft sigh, though her cheeks began to flush pink, "so I can spend more time with you."
Ben felt the same way.
Here they were, just months away leaving home for the first time and being on their home. It was exciting, but kind of scary. Even though they have only been together for just over a year, Ben didn't want to spend any time apart from his beloved. He could see by the look in Mal's eyes that she felt the same way.
As he leaned down for a kiss, they were interrupted by a loud, yet somewhat unsteady voice. "King Ben! Lady Mal!" called Maurice, who was smiling up at the couple from the ground. "I don't mean to interrupt, Your Majesties, but I would really like to visit with you before I have to leave again."
Chuckling softly, they both climbed down the tree house ladder to join the elder—
Who wouldn't be here much longer.
