A/N: I wanted to update sooner but the site had problems and I couldn't access my stories.

Okay, before we begin I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has favourited, followed and reviewed my story. I honestly didn't expect so much support and interest, so THANK YOU! I appreciate it very, very much and it makes me so happy whenever I see a new pop-up in my e-mail :))

I also wanted to reply to some of the reviews you guys left me on the last chapter, but seeing as they were posted by Guests, it was not possible, so I'll answer them here if you don't mind.

To VengefulGuest: Oh My God, your review made such a big smile appear on my face, you don't even know! J I HUGELY appreciate the fact that you took the time to leave me such a long review, because it really shows interest in what I do and that's the aspiration of any trying writer. Thank you so much for the compliments and everything you wrote, it made me really happy to know that someone liked my story this much! I send you my best, best wishes!

To XxxBrEndAxxX: I am so glad you like my story, thank you so much for the sweet review you left me! Just so you know, I could NEVER get bored by a long review, on the contrary, I feel very appreciated and loved when someone takes the time to write me one. So never think you're rambling or whatever, know that I'd be more than happy to hear anything you have to say :)) (that goes to all my reviewers, by the way) I wish you all the best! :)

Chapter 5.

There had been a ball organised at Auradon for Ben's 17th birthday. There had been grand preparations, but everything had been arranged in time and the night of the event had finally arrived.

Evie stepped into the huge ballroom wearing a deep red knee-length dress with a fan-out skirt, her hair falling freely in waves over her slim shoulders and cascading down her back. The music was on and there were a lot of couples dancing on the floor already. She saw Mal and Ben swaying in the middle of the room with him gazing lovingly into her big jade eyes, and felt an enormous rush of happiness and affection for her friend. Mal definitely deserved to be loved and Ben was more than perfect for her.

As the blue-haired girl headed for the table her friends were sitting on (well, only Carlos and Jane were sitting down at the moment, the others were all on the dance floor, but they were discussing something and seemed so engrossed in the conversation that Evie smiled, glad that those who were having a good time), she saw Doug who was weaving his way through the dancing couples, making his way towards her, as it seemed. When he reached her, he asked for the next dance and Evie noticed the previous melody's final notes were just dying down. Graceful as ever, she gladly accepted and led him to the dance floor. Her and Doug had become good friends, after all, and she liked spending time with him, he was good company. The two danced through the next song and when it ended Evie thanked her partner for the dance with the intention of heading back to the table. But as she turned around, she found herself face to face with Jay who had approached her with his usual grin before she had had the chance to sit down.

„You know how long I've been waiting to dance with you?" He questioned playfully, offering her his hand, which she immediately accepted, and the two began swaying to the new melody filling the ballroom.

The floor had mostly emptied up by now except for a few other couples but Evie didn't even notice. Her eyes were trained on Jay's, as he draped her arms around his neck, leaving them to rest there, while he wound his own around her small waist, and she clung to his broad shoulders unable to keep the smile from forming on her face. They danced so closely together, it was like a dream. He pulled her closer, tightening his grip around her frame, and she buried her nose into his shoulder, inhaling his unique scent. She felt all fuzzy being so close to him, his smell intoxicated her and she thought vaguely that this must be what drug addicts felt like.

To Evie's utmost horror, the song was slowing to an end. If only there was a way for this moment to last forever… As the final accords played out, she took a small step back, not fully backing out of Jay's grasp but just enough to be able to look up at him with an unvoiced question reflected in her eyes. The song is over. Should we end this dance now? Unsurprisingly, Jay immediately caught what she meant (as always, he was able to read her like a book) and his eyes flashed with mischief, before his look turned incredulous, scandalised even.

„Over my cold dead body." He deadpanned before grinning wildly and pulling her back for a second dance, as her heart began doing flips.

As they danced Jay spun her around so that her back was pressed up against his chest and when Evie lifted her eyes and tilted her head back to look at him over her shoulder, he leant in and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth. His lips were warm and soft and Evie could've easily pulled away but she didn't. Instead, she turned her head a bit more, so she could kiss him fully on the lips and with her heart she decided that she wouldn't be the one to break this kiss, not in a million, not even if her lungs were screaming for air. After a while, but still way too soon in her opinion, Jay moved away but he stayed close to her, their lips lingering only a breath apart. They smiled at each other affectionately and it was the most intimate thing ever, as he twirled her around and they continued dancing.

Evie awoke with a start. It was only a dream, she thought sadly. The notion almost made tears well up in her eyes, she wished so much for it to be real. The dream had been so vivid, she could almost feel Jay's lips on her own, feel his arms encircling her waist, keeping her steady. Then, with a jolt she realised that something was, in fact, gripping her waist. Looking down, Evie saw a pair of strong tan arms wrapped around her middle and that's when she remembered where she was. She almost face-palmed. Movie night, that's right. And though she didn't exactly remember falling asleep in this position, she couldn't wish for a better awakening.

Careful not to move too much, Evie laid her head back on Jay's chest, which was slowly rising and falling with every steady breath he took, and slightly craned her neck, so she could look at his face. He looked so peaceful and damn right angelic in his sleep, she sighed silently, thinking she could watch over him for hours without ever getting bored. Reaching out cautiously, she gently removed a lock of hair from his forehead, before withdrawing her hand and laying it back on his ribcage, feeling his heart drum against the tips of her fingers.

Thank God they still had a few more hours to sleep, Evie thought, noticing the soft light of dawn just beginning to creep through the window, as she closed her eyes wanting to focus only on Jay while she still had the chance – she listened to his calm breathing, inhaled his scent and was fully aware of his firm arms, which were still lingering around her waist, not loosening their grip even a little bit, not even in his sleep.

And it's a good thing too, she thought with a faint smile right before she drifted off to sleep again, because I've already fallen in more ways than one.