I laid awake as sunlight stretched across my room. I didn't get a wink of sleep the night before. The kids from the Isle were coming to Auradon today, and I was scared. Not of them. I was scared that the other students at Auradon Prep won't accept them. Of course Ben and I will meet the VKs halfway, but it won't amount to much if the everyone else doesn't do their part in making them feel welcome.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't notice that my dog, Dude, started to wake up. He brought me out of my thoughts by liking my face.

I smiled at him, "Good morning, Dude," I ran my fingers through his soft, brown fur, "did you sleep well," he gave me a small whimper and laid his head on my chest, "yeah, I couldn't sleep well either," I sat up making Dude stand up and stretch, "Are you to meet the VKs?"

Dude wagged his tail and barked

I smiled at him before getting out of bed. I took a quick shower and got dressed in a simple blue dress that went to my knees. I brushed the tangles out of my hair and put my locks in a low ponytail, like mom use to wear her hair. I don't wear make-up unless mom made me, and luckily, she wasn't making me today. I slipped on my blue flats and grabbed Dude's collar and leash.

"Ready to go for a walk?"

Dude leaped from my bed and ran to the door. I laughed as I put his collar on him and opened the door of my dormroom. Ben and I lived in the dorms during the school year. The only difference between our rooms and the other students' is no roomate.

Dude and I almost got to the front door of the school when Ben's 'girlfriend,' Audrey, appeared in front of us. I silently groaned, but still gave her a smile.

"Good morning, Audrey."

"Good morning, Anna," she gave me one of her fake smiles, "what are you doing?"

I motioned to Dude, who was sitting patiently, "just taking Dude out for a walk."

She looked at Dude wrinkling her nose in disgust but kept her fake smile, "can't you just get a servant to do that," she looked me up and down, "that way you can get ready for today."

"I am ready."

"Oh, you are?"

I nodded, "yes, I am. And I like taking Dude for walks."

"You do?"

"Yes, Audrey. I do," I walked Dude around her, "Now if you will please excuse us, Dude has a date with a tree."

As Dude and I walked out the door, I heard Audrey squeal, "EW!"

I took Dude to the edge of the woods before letting him loose.

"Stay close, okay Dude?"

He barked before running into the tree line. I sat down on a patch of grass and closed my eyes. I listened as the birds began their morning melodies. It was so peaceful. It felt like all my worries and problems washed away with every note. I could sit the for hours, but I had to be at the front of the school before the VKS arrived. I sat there for a few more minutes before standing.

"Dude! Come on boy," I yelled smoothing down my dress.

Dude raced out of the woods with a stick in his mouth.

I giggled, "I'm sorry, Dude. We can't play today, but I promise we'll play until you drop tomorrow."

Dude dropped the stick, allowing me to put his collar and leash on him. As soon as we got back, I put Dude in my dorm, then met Ben outside in front of our dad's statue.

Everyone was there with welcome banners. I smiled. So far we were off to a good start. Audrey and Fairy Godmother, or FG as we students called her, joined Ben and I as the school band set up in front of us.

One of the guards that 'secretly' guards Ben and I at school walked up to us, "The jackals have landed."

Ben smiled, "Thank you, Randall."

Randall bowed to us and walked away.

"Are you excited to meet them," Ben asked me.

I was about to answer him when Audrey latched onto Ben's arm.

"How much longer do we have to wait, Bennyboo," she gave him a fake pout, "you know my fair skin burns easily in the sun."

I mentally rolled my eyes. What Ben sees in her, I will never know.

Ben smiled at her, softly pulling his arm away, "they'll be here any second," he looked towards the school gates, "look they're pulling up now."

I watched as the limo drove towards us.

'Here we go.'