Here's another chapter!

Just over two weeks later, Audrey sat on her bed with papers spread out in front of her on the comforter. They were final plans for her party that was happening in just two days. Yes, the party was still on since her math test had been returned to her with a low-scoring B marked on the top of it. Her parents had been happy, and now so was she. Everything for the ball was coming together.

Except one thing.

Every ball that Audrey had ever been to had had one key thing her party was lacking at the moment. That was a dance partner, or date. The girl or guy being honored at the ball always had a partner to share the night with. Of course, Chad had been Audrey's original plan for this role. But now, she had no one. She hadn't spoken to Chad much in these past two weeks due to party planning and him hanging out increasingly more with Evie. She wasn't even mad at him for cheating. But his decision to date Evie was another matter entirely.

"Maybe you could ask Jay," Jane said. She adjusted the belt of her dress and smoothed out a wrinkle in the skirt hem. She turned in the mirror to check her reflection.

Audrey rolled her eyes. She had just finished ranting to Jane about how her party was perfect except for the most important part. Without a date, she would just look foolish. It was tradition to bring a partner to one's own party.

"No thank you," Audrey said dryly and returned to leafing through the papers on her bed. The guest list was complete. It was also incredibly lengthy. She was having the ball at her parents' palace on the other side of Auradon City. The ballroom there was huge and could easily accommodate her guest list. This was especially good news since balls also had the tradition of allowing everyone to bring a date. Singles were allowed, of course, and people could bring friends as dates. That didn't matter. It was a birthday ball, so fun, food, and dancing were what really mattered.

Unfortunately, the one thing Audrey hadn't foreseen was the inclusion of the Villain Kids. She hadn't invited any of them, and she never would have guessed a month ago that they would have fit in so well as to each land an invitation to her party as a guest. Ben was bringing Mal, of course. Jane had invited Carlos. And now Chad was bringing Evie. That only left Jay out, which Jane was now offering as the last solution to Audrey's major problem of not having a date.

"Why not?" Jane asked, turning to face Audrey at last. They had spent the last half hour in distracted conversation whole Jane had gotten ready for yet another date with Carlos. "He's really nice."

"No, he's not," Audrey grumbled. She huffed and then said more clearly, "And you need to watch out for yourself. I don't like Carlos either."

Jane blinked at her. "What's wrong with Carlos? He's sweet and charming."

"Of course, he is. All boys are when they want, well...you know," Audrey said. She went back to her notes, picking up and examining the menu for the ball next.

Jane stomped over to the end of Audrey's bed, causing the latter to look up. Jane's face was flushed a bright strawberry color. "Carlos doesn't...we haven't...I...he's not like that. And, if you must know, he hasn't even kissed me yet!" She said the last part in a rush, and her face responded by getting even brighter with embarrassment.

Audrey set the menu back down on her bed. "Fine. Let's just imagine for a moment that he and the others are nice and sweet and charming like you say. It doesn't change who they are or who raised them. Sooner or later, they'll go back to being who they really are."

"You don't know that," Jane protested. She took a deep breath and then let it out, seeming to force herself to calm down. "Look, I'm going to go meet Carlos at his room in a few minutes for our date. Come with me. Invite Jay to your party as your date."

"I can't do that," Audrey said with a shake of her head.

"Why not? Give him a chance. You don't have to like him. Just take him as a friend. You've been complaining about having no options for who to take to your own party. He's basically the only person on campus that's not invited, Audrey."

Audrey frowned. No one outside of Jay, Carlos, Chad, and herself knew that she and Jay had hooked up at the coronation party. That meant any possible feelings that were lingering in her brain were virtually secret. No one outside of that group of four could guess that she might have feelings for Jay. If she took him as a friend, like Jane suggested, then maybe it was borderline acceptable. Just this once. Because she was desperate.

"Fine," Audrey said flatly. She stood and pulled on her shoes.

Jane grinned and bounded over to her own bed. She slung her purse over her shoulder and then walked with Audrey to the door.

Audrey followed Jane over to the boys' wing of the dorm. With every step, her heart began to beat a little faster. She hadn't talked to Jay since he had given her the white tulips. She had ended up keeping them in a vase in her room, but they were dead now and had gone in the trash, just like she had assumed her interactions with Jay were.

Once Jane had knocked, the door swung open quicker than Audrey had expected. Carlos stood on the other side, grinning and blushing brightly.

"Ready?" Jane asked sweetly.

Carlos nodded and stepped out into the hallway. With that, the pair left, and Audrey frowned at their retreating backs.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you back here."

Audrey spun back around to face the room. Jay stood there in only navy sweatpants.

"Uh, yeah, Jane convinced me to come talk to you about something," Audrey said.

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to come in?"

"No," Audrey said quickly. "No, this will only take a minute." She took a deep breath. "My birthday is in two days, and I-"

"Happy birthday."

"Yes, thank you. And I need a partner. Like, a dance partner. Nothing extravagant or complicated. So, Jane suggested I ask you because-"

"Because I'm the only person on campus not invited. So I'm your last option."

Audrey clenched her jaw shut, glaring at him. The guest list wasn't exactly a secret, but it felt as if he was making a jibe at her. She exhaled heavily through her nose. "Technically, yes, that's correct. But, she thought it would be good if I asked you to be my date. As a friend."

"We're friends now? That's a step up for us." Jay crossed his arms over his chest, but he was smiling.

"Look," Audrey snapped. "Do you want to come as my date or not?"

"I didn't hear you actually ask, princess." He grinned.

Audrey's face suddenly felt hot as she balled her hands into fists. "Fine. Jay, will you please be my date to my party on Saturday night?"

Jay's smile was warm as he replied. "I'd love to."

"As friends," Audrey reminded him.

He nodded. "As friends."

Audrey just nodded then, unsure of what else to say. She took a step back. "I, uh, I guess I'll see you Saturday then." She turned to go, then immediately turned back around. "Wait. It's a formal event. Do you have anything...like a tux?"

Jay raised an eyebrow. "You honestly think I own a tux?"

"Right," Audrey said, feeling stupid. The Isle was sent all of Auradon's trash to survive basically. And Jay wouldn't have any money to buy one. "I'm doing a last-minute fitting for my dress tomorrow at the boutique in town. They have tuxedos there. Meet me there at one. My parents will pay for a tux for you."

Phew, another update! I hope you guys are enjoying this story. If you'd like to see more, please consider leaving a review. Thanks!

Foarrin