The next morning, buses began arriving at Auradon High, releasing dozens of students into a new day. Other students arrived on bike, skateboards, or walked to school; taking advantage of the beautiful day. All were greeted by a new banner hanging across the front the building, reading: CONGRATULATIONS AURADON KNIGHTS BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS!
Instead of a dreadful car ride with his father that morning, Ben road with his girlfriend and her father to school. Since his parents hadn't returned before the party ended the night before and he couldn't be left alone due to his head injury, Mal offered to have her boyfriend stay the night at her place, with her parents' permission, of course. Having had him as a guest not so long ago, Mal's parents didn't mind letting his stay over again. Hades even teased the teenage couple by stating that he wouldn't mind being a grandparent soon. That resulted in the couple sleeping with their backs facing each other, though Mal did wake up in the middle of the night with her beloved's arm wrapped around her waist.
Anyways, Ben and Mal entered their homeroom, where the other Auradon Knights were already taking their seat. As Harry Hook passed Fairy Godmother, he handed over his ROAR sword with the resigned air of someone who has spent four years under her strict rule. She took it without a word and placed it on a special perch beside her desk.
As the students gradually took their places, Fairy Godmother called the class to order. "All right, settle down. I know we're all still excited about the Auradon Knights' back-to-back championship, but—"
From the corner of her eye, Fairy Godmother noticed her daughter, Jane Paxson, scribbling furiously in her notebook. "Are we light on the sign-ups, Jane?" she inquired.
Jane didn't bother looking up, continuing to write in her notebook. "Oh, no, actually we're doing pretty well . . ."
Walking over to her daughter, Fairy Godmother grabbed the papers before her child had the chance to protest. "Well!" the teacher exclaimed. "The entire homeroom has signed up for the spring musical! How inspiring!"
Everyone in the classroom turned to look at each other in puzzlement. None remembered signing up for the spring musical auditions. There were a certain two who was surprised to be on the list considering one wasn't allowed to participate while the other feared his father's repercussions.
All eyes turned toward Jane, who slid down her seat to avoid all the glares and stares.
"I'll be seeing all of you during free period to discuss the show," Fairy Godmother continued, unaware of the tension in the room. "And for some very special announcements."
As usual, Fairy Godmother's timing was perfect for the bell rang before there could be any disputes. Everyone gathered their belonging to head for their next class. As Harry passed Fairy Godmother, she handed back his sword.
Ben sighed, muttering to his girlfriend, "Leave it to Fairy Godmother to make free period mandatory."
When the bell rang, announcing free period, Mal and Ben were the first people onstage in the theater.
Or at least, they thought they were.
Sitting at the piano, Jane played a familiar tune over and over again. As the couple approached her, Jane easily noticed them. Instead of stopping, she simply motioned for the couple to come closer. Once they were next to her, Jane started the tune over. Mal just happened to notice the music sheets and began singing the lyrics. After a few moments, Ben joined in, harmonizing with his beloved.
Soon enough, it felt like they were performing in another musical. They surprised themselves by how well they performed the song, considering they only looked at the lyrics every now and then.
During the last verse, their classmates found their way into the amphitheater. Finding the tune interesting, the group thought it would be fun to harmonize the last few lyrics. Admittedly, by the time the song ended, the seniors enjoyed their impromptu performance, though some wouldn't admit it out loud.
At the end of the song, Jane squealed in excitement. "This is why I signed everyone up!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "We sound amazing! This is our last chance to do something together, all of us. We would all have so much fun!"
The group gazed at one another skeptically, yet in quiet agreement. Jane was right: they may as well do something fun together instead of wasting the rest of their senior year doing nothing.
"What is the show even about?" Harry interrogated in annoyance. "Something dreadfully boring?"
A voice from somewhere behind them answered, "You, Mr. Hook."
They turned to see Fairy Godmother, holding her clipboard, striding down the aisle toward them. "The spring musical," she began grandly, "is all about you."
"Me?" Harry sounded surprised—and alarmed.
Fairy Godmother continued without missing a beat. "It's about all of you. And all of you will create it . . . a show about your last days at Auradon High. We'll call it"—she paused dramatically, as if trying to find the perfect name—"Senior Year!"
The Auradon Knights looked at each other. Senior Year? That was the name of their musical?
"Jane will compose. Carlos will choreograph. Evie will design the costumes. I'll do my best to guide you," Fairy Godmother announced, trying to sound modest.
She gazed as the group intently, who still didn't seem all too thrilled about the show. "There are some outside elements involved with the show," Fairy Godmother informed seriously. "First, this show will be entered in for a competition against other surrounding schools. The winning school will receive a grant for their performing arts program and the participants will receive tickets for a professional Broadway Show in New York City."
Before the seniors could groan too much about being apart of a competition, Fairy Godmother commented, "One of the schools you'll be competing against is Sherwood High, Chad Charming's new school, which means you'll have the opportunity to beat him once again."
As predicted, that changed the attitudes of most of the students. However, there was still a certain two who still had their doubts about the event.
"But what about me?" Uma interrogated with slight annoyance in her tone. "I was banned from ever participating in a club or anything extra-curricular, remember?"
"I convinced the principal into thinking that this show will be a grade for you," Fairy Godmother informed before adverting her attention to Ben. "That is also how I will convince your father in letting you participate. He'll be more lenient if he knows the show will affect your grade, which will in turn affect your chances of getting scholarships."
Fairy Godmother gazed at the group intently. "Now, important news from Disney University, the preeminent college for the performing arts. For the first time in Auradon High history, six of you are being considered for two available theater arts scholarship." She looked at the seniors proudly as she held up the official letter. "Disney is considering Miss Audrey Rose, Mr. Carlos Rose . . ."
The siblings gave each other a quick side hug to congratulate each other. Disney University is the only university they ever talked about attending. The thought of being given a chance at the scholarship for that school more than filled them with joy.
"Miss Jane Paxson . . ."
Jane's eyes opened wide with shock. "They got my letter?" she questioned softly.
"Indeed they did," Fairy Godmother promised, smiling as she continued with the names. "Miss Uma Facilier, Miss Mal Fae . . ."
The cousins shared a confused look with one another before Mal argued, "But neither one of us applied for the scholarship. I already have my mind set for Moors University."
"Your names were on the list," Fairy Godmother insisted as she gazed at the bottom. "And finally . . . Mr. Ben Adams."
Every head swiveled to stare at Ben. Ben snarled his nose in confusion as his eyes narrowed, as though he thought there was a conspiracy going on.
"Is there something wrong?" Fairy Godmother wondered, inwardly disappointed by his reaction.
"I didn't apply either," he explained stubbornly. "I've never heard of Disney before."
"Well, that may be, Mr. Adams," she said crisply. "But, evidently, Disney has heard of you. Disney will send representatives to observe our spring show. In order to officially qualify, you have to perform your own solo, which means you have to write your own song. If you struggle with the musical score, Jane has a few extra from the show that you may use. Disney has stressed that if any other person is shown on stage while you are performing, you are disqualified. Jane and Carlos, since you play such a vital role in the show, Disney has exempted you from that requirement. So . . . good luck to our four other applicants and we will begin our preparations tomorrow!"
Reluctantly, the seniors grabbed their belongings and headed to their next hour class. As soon as they all had left the theater, Fairy Godmother peaked her head through the red curtains, where a set of twin boys with long blonde-white hair wearing matching blue-striped shirts were hiding; none other than the freshmen Squeaky and Squirmy Smee. Both twins had camcorders in their hands.
"Did you get their performance?" When the brothers nodded in confirmation, Fairy Godmother smiled kindly at them. "Wonderful! Now, I want you to record the group any time they are goofing around, having fun, or doing anything while working on the show. The day before the show, I want you to make a collage of all the videos. We will watch the final cut right before the end of the show, so everyone can see the making of Senior Year."
