"Are you nervous?" Phoebus asked Jasmine when he picked her up.
"I don't know. I kinda feel like we're betraying her," Jasmine admitted.
"We're helping her," Phoebus said.
"I know we are. We're just sneaking around behind her back to do it." Jasmine sighed. "I'm just afraid of how she's going to react to all of this."
"She's gonna be angry, but she will get over it," Phoebus said.
Phoebus pulled into Esmeralda's driveway and Jasmine could feel butterflies take over her stomach. She took a deep breath and got out of the car before she could change her mind. Phoebus put his hand on Jasmine's back and guided her up to the door. He must have known she was having second thoughts. Phoebus rang the doorbell and Jasmine secretly hoped no one would be home. Unfortunately, Clopin answered the door.
"Oh, hey, guys," Clopin greeted. "Esmeralda's at work right now."
"We know," Phoebus said. "We came to talk to your parents...about Esmeralda."
Clopin nodded in understanding and let them in. "I'll go get them. Have a seat in the living room."
The living room wasn't very big. The only furniture in the he room was a couch that could seat about three people comfortably, an armchair, a coffee table and a TV on a small entertainment stand. Jasmine sat down on the chair and Phoebus joined her, straddling the arm of the chair. Clopin returned shortly with his parents.
"Oh! Jasmine, Phoebus, it's so nice to see you two again," Esmeralda's mom said.
"Hello," Jasmine greeted meekly.
Esmeralda's parents sat down on the couch and Clopin took a seat next to his mom.
"What brings you two here?" Esmeralda dad asked.
"We wanna talk to you about Esmeralda," Phoebus said.
"Is something wrong?" Esmeralda's mom asked.
Jasmine nodded. "We think she's hurting herself."
Esmeralda's mom's eyes grew wide with fear. "H-how so?"
"A few weeks ago Esmeralda met with her modeling agent and Maleficent told her she's too fat. So, Esmeralda has started throwing up after she eats," Phoebus said, gently.
"Esmeralda is...bu-bulimic?" Esmeralda's mom buried her face in her hands. Clopin and his dad put their arms around her.
"How long have you known?" Esmeralda's dad asked.
"Not long," Jasmine said. "All she wanted to do was lose fifteen pounds, so she started a work out program with Phoebus' friend, Mulan. We thought that had put a stop to it. But, then we heard her throwing up this past week while we were at the cabin and we knew we had to tell you."
"I don't know what to do," Esmeralda's mom sobbed. "I can't believe we didn't see this."
Seeing Esmeralda's mom cry like that, made tears form in Jasmine's eyes. Phoebus laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"None of us saw it," Phoebus said. "But, now that we all know, we have to help her."
Esmeralda's dad nodded. "Thank you for telling us."
"Our poor little girl," Esmeralda's mom said. "She must really be hurting and feeling alone."
That did it. Jasmine let the tears fall down her cheeks. She lowered her head so Esmeralda's mom wouldn't see her crying. She felt Phoebus start stroking her hair.
"I think we need to discuss this as a family," Esmeralda's dad said.
"Of course." Phoebus stood up and Jasmine followed him to the door.
Jasmine gave Esmeralda's mom a hug and then left with Phoebus.
XXX
"How could she do this to me?" Thomas demanded.
"Honestly, I had my doubts about her," Rapunzel admitted as she paid for their smoothies.
"You did?" Thomas sounded surprised.
Rapunzel shrugged. "Yeah, she isn't the nicest person I've ever met. I mean, she's nothing like Helga, but-"
"Meg was always so sweet to me," Thomas said.
"It was probably an act. I mean, think about it, Thomas. Look who she hangs out with: Gaston, Vanessa and Hades." Rapunzel took a sip of her smoothie.
"Maybe you're right. God! I'm such an idiot. I can't believe I let her fool me like that," Thomas said.
"You're not an idiot," Rapunzel said. "You just need to be more careful."
Rapunzel felt bad for Thomas, of course, but she couldn't stop thinking about her night with Flynn. She wanted to talk to somebody about it, but she knew she couldn't talk to Thomas. It was then that they walked passed the popular clothing store, De Vil's. Rapunzel noticed Esmeralda leaning over the counter, looking bored.
"Hey, Thomas, I have to go talk to Esmeralda. I'll catch up with you in a little bit." Rapunzel didn't wait for Thomas to respond before going into the store.
There were a few customers wandering around. Gothel was organizing the clothes and Vanessa was in the back by the fitting rooms.
"Welcome to De Vil's," Esmeralda greeted as Rapunzel walked up to the counter.
"Hey, Esmeralda!"
"Hi, Rapunzel. What's up?" Esmeralda asked.
"I came to talk to you," Rapunzel replied.
"About what?"
"Flynn. I'm so worried that things between us are going to be different now," Rapunzel said.
Esmeralda nodded. "Has he called you since we've been back?"
"No, but he's at work right now and has been since this morning," Rapunzel said.
"I'd say wait 'till Monday and see how he treats you at school," Esmeralda said.
Rapunzel absent-mindedly sipped her smoothie.
"How did it go?" Esmeralda asked.
It took Rapunzel a second to figure out what Esmeralda meant. "Oh. Um, I enjoyed it and he seemed to, as well."
Esmeralda raised an eyebrow. "That's it? That's all you have to say about the night you lost your virginity?"
"I'm too worried to think about anything else," Rapunzel said.
A customer came up to the counter and Rapunzel stepped aside. After she checked the customer out, Esmeralda turned back towards Rapunzel.
"Don't be worried, Rapunzel. Everyone can tell Flynn is crazy about you," Esmeralda said. "It may be a little awkward between you two at first, but that will pass. Don't read too much into it, okay?"
Rapunzel nodded. "Thank you, Esmeralda."
"And when you finally let yourself get excited about that night and you need someone to gush to, feel free to call me," Esmeralda said, winking at Rapunzel.
Rapunzel blushed. "I will."
XXX
"What has gotten into you, Belle?" Maurice demanded. "This behavior isn't like you."
Belle was sitting on her bed while her dad paced back and forth.
"Nothing has gotten into me," Belle said.
"Then why are you hanging out with trash and then defending him when he hits you?" Maurice asked.
"He didn't hit me," Belle said, though she knew it was falling on deaf ears.
"Are you afraid of him?" Maurice asked. "Is that why you won't stop hanging around him?"
"No!" Belle cried. "I have no reason to be afraid of Adam. He would never intentionally hurt me."
Maurice shook his head, obviously not listening to Belle. "I have to put an end to this. I'm going to call that boy's father."
"Papa, no! You can't!"
Maurice ignored Belle and walked out of the room. Fear gripped Belle's heart. What would Adam's dad do to him he found out what happened? She needed to find a way to warn him. Her dad already took her phone, so she turned on her computer. She drummed her fingers impatiently on her desk while she waited for her computer to load. Her dad had turned off their wireless connection, but Belle was able to get on using their neighbor's. She quickly sent an email to Adam's phone telling him what was going on and warning him to get out of the house. She wanted to wait until he responded before logging off, but she couldn't risk her dad catching her. She got off the computer and sat down on her bed. A few minutes later, her father came up.
"I talked to Adam's father," Maurice said. "He said he's going to take care of this. You're not gonna have to worry about him anymore."
Belle started crying. "Papa, you don't understand! You have no idea what you just did."
"I'm protecting you, Belle. I know you're upset now, but you'll understand when this blows over," Maurice said.
With that Maurice left the room, closing the door behind him. Belle hugged her knees to her chest and pressed the heel of her palm against her forehead. Belle was so scared for Adam; she didn't know what to do. But, she knew she was on her own; no one would help her. For the first time in her life Belle was more scared than she had ever been and more alone.