Charlotte bounced around the party, making sure she talked to everyone she knew. Ariel followed her around, keeping to herself and only saying something if someone talked to her first. After about two hours, Charlotte pulled Ariel into the living and they sat down on the couch.
"Thanks for coming with me, Ariel," Charlotte said.
"You're welcome." Ariel moved a little closer to Charlotte. "So, is the guy you like here?"
"Yeah, he's standing over by the stairs."
Ariel discreetly looked over by the stairs. There were a lot of guys standing around talking. Unfortunately, a couple of them fit Charlotte's description. One of the guys told a joke and everyone laughed. "And, oh my God, the dimples!" Only one of them had dimples to drive a girl a crazy.
Ariel looked back at Charlotte. "Naveen?"
Charlotte nodded excitedly. "Isn't he dreamy?"
Ariel smiled at her. "Yeah he is."
"Do you think he's dating anyone?"
Ariel bit her lip and looked down. "I saw him with Esmeralda a lot this week."
Charlotte's face fell. "No way."
"I'm sorry, Lotte."
Charlotte turned around. As if on cue, Esmeralda walked up to Naveen and grabbed his arm. She whispered something in his ear. He looked down and smiled at her. Esmeralda winked at him and they went outside. Charlotte turned back around. She looked like she just caught her boyfriend cheating on her.
Ariel took her hands. "It'll be okay. You'll find someone else."
Mascara ran down Charlotte's cheeks. She sniffed and looked around. "Maybe you're right."
Ariel gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I am. Now, come on, I heard they're getting ready to do a limbo contest in the backyard."
Charlotte was suddenly excited again. Ariel wiped the smudges off her cheeks and they went out to the backyard. There were a bunch of people waiting for the contest to start. Ariel and Charlotte got in line. After only a couple rounds, most of the people were already out. Ariel and Charlotte were still in. So were Gothel, Vanessa, Flynn, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Helga and Hercules. Ariel and Charlotte were both pretty short, so they had the advantage. Hercules had a good run, but eventually his massive muscles got in the way, and he was out. Gothel was the next to leave; she just wasn't flexible enough. Flynn just walked away when the bar got too low. Jasmine got really close, but her breasts hit the bar and she had to leave. Rapunzel probably could have won, but she accidently stepped on her hair and fell. Ariel felt bad for her, but was glad for less competition. Eventually the bar got too low for Charlotte as well, and she stepped over to the sidelines. Ariel suddenly felt the pressure as it was now down to just her, Vanessa and Helga. Vanessa got cocky and went too fast, not giving herself enough time to bend back, and she knocked over the bar. When it was fixed, Helga took her turn. Ariel was stunned to see how flexible she was. Ariel was barely able to make it under and wasn't sure how she was going to make it through the next round. Oh well, she thought. At least I made it this far. But, as Helga tried to take her turn, she just couldn't get low enough and bumped the bar.
"If Ariel can make it under, she wins!" Philip announced.
Ariel took a deep breath and forced herself to get as low as it possibly could. And it worked. Ariel made it under the bar with very little trouble. Charlotte screamed and cheered. Ariel couldn't help but laugh. Philip walked over to her and put a couple strings of Mardi Gras beads around her neck.
"Congratulations," Philip said. "You're the Limbo Queen."
Ariel kind of felt proud; she had never really won anything before. She went over to Charlotte and put one of the necklaces around her neck, then they went back in the house.
XXX
After she lost the limbo contest, Rapunzel found Thomas on the sidelines.
"You did good," Thomas said.
Rapunzel laughed. "Yeah, almost." She took the scrunchy off her wrist and tied her hair back in a ponytail.
"I'm kinda all partied out," Thomas said. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
"Yeah, that sounds great."
Rapunzel followed Thomas around to the front of the house and down the driveway. When they reached the street, she then walked beside him. The night chilled Rapunzel, despite her sweater. Thomas was wearing a jacket over a hoodie and she thought about asking to borrow one of them, but didn't want to sound cheesy. She decided against asking him.
"Were you having fun at the party?" Rapunzel asked.
"I always have fun with you."
Rapunzel gave him a huge smile. "Thomas, you're so sweet. I always have fun with you, too." She squeezed his hand.
"Rapunzel, you're freezing," Thomas stated.
Rapunzel shook her head. "No, I'm not-"
Thomas quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her. She stuck her arms through the sleeves and zipped it up.
"Thank you, Thomas."
This could almost be a scene from a teen chick flick, thought Rapunzel. Except my best friend isn't crushing on me. Rapunzel looked up at Thomas. He was looking forward with a blank expression on his face. She took his hand again, but his expression didn't change, he didn't even look at her. Nope, he definitely isn't crushing on me. That was fine with Rapunzel because she liked Flynn. She thought he was good-looking and funny, and smarter than he gave himself credit for.
Rapunzel shook her head. She couldn't be thinking about boys and dating right now. She just didn't have the time. She was working extra hard on her cheerleading and she was head of the dance committee.
Oh shoot! Rapunzel thought. I forgot about the dance committee meeting!
"Penny for your thoughts?" Thomas said.
"I just remembered we have our first dance committee meeting of the semester on Monday," Rapunzel replied.
"What is the meeting about?"
"The Valentine's Day Dance. We have to start planning it now. Ya know, budgeting and everything."
Thomas nodded. "So, no cheerleading on Monday?"
"I still have cheerleading; we're having the meeting during study hall."
Neither of them said anything for a few minutes. But, then Rapunzel broke the silence.
"You know, the Valentine's Day Dance is the same every year. I'd like to change it up, just a little," she said. "Do you have any ideas?"
Thomas shrugged. "I don't know. I like the way the dance has been."
"Yeah, I guess," Rapunzel said.
"But, if you really want to change it up," Thomas continued, "you can make it a Sadie Hawkins dance."
Rapunzel suddenly stopped and her eyes lit up. "Thomas, that's a wonderful idea!"
Rapunzel gave him a hug. Thomas wrapped his arms tightly around her. He was very warm, and Rapunzel didn't want to let go.
XXX
Meg sat by the bonfire, staring at the flames. There were a few other people by the fire as well, but they stayed away from her. She wondered how Hades was doing with Gothel; she hadn't seen him in a while. Just then, Hades came up to her, holding Gothel's hand. Speak of the devil…she thought.
"Meg, I'm taking Gothel back to my house. Can you get a ride home?" Hades asked.
"Are you kidding? Who would I get a ride home with?" Meg replied.
"I don't know. Not my problem. See ya!" Hades gave her a quick wave, then turned and left.
Son of a bitch.
"So, you finally don't have your bodyguard around."
Meg looked up to see Hercules standing next to her. Speak of the devil…
"Can I join you?" Hercules asked.
Meg just stared at him. He stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, then sat down next to her. She waited for him to say something, but he sat there silently.
"Can I help you with something?" Meg suddenly snapped.
Hercules looked at her. "Meg, I wanted to apologize for what I did to you."
"You're about three months too late for that."
"I know. Honestly, I wasn't sorry then."
Meg stared at him in disbelief and resisted the urge to slap him.
"I was caught up in being popular, and being wanted. I was having fun," Hercules explained. "But that's all wearing off now and I realize that I had it really good with you."
"Yeah you did. But, you let your hormones take control and you lost me," Meg stated.
"If I wasn't such an idiot, I would have realized then that you're worth waiting for," Hercules said. "I know I screwed everything up. But, I want to try to make it right. I miss you, Meg."
"I missed you for a long time, Hercules. But you really hurt me."
"I'm so sorry!" Hercules tried to take her hands, but she pulled them away. "I know there's a slim to no chance that'll you ever take me back. But, I am going to try to win you back, Meg."
"What about Helga?" Meg asked.
"What about her?"
"Is she still your girlfriend?"
Hercules looked down at the ground. "Yes. But she doesn't mean anything-"
Meg stood up. "You're wasting your time, Wonder Boy. Now, if you excuse me, I have to find a ride home."
"I can drive you," Hercules offered.
Meg wanted to tell him no, but she knew she didn't really have any other choice so she accepted. Hercules tried starting a couple conversations, but she ignored him and they drove most of the way in silence. When they finally reached her house, she immediately took off her seatbelt and started to get out of the car. Hercules grabbed her hand. Meg turned around and, before she knew what was happening, Hercules kissed her. She pulled away from him and slapped him. Meg hurried into her house, locking the door behind her.