Pocahontas sighed and leaned back against her locker. She was hoping John would meet her like he usually did during this passing period, but he didn't. Part of her wasn't surprised, though. Their relationship had been strained since she talked to him at his house three days earlier. They were still eating lunch together, but they always ended up arguing. Pocahontas felt bad for Thomas. They were mostly arguing about him and Meg. As much as Pocahontas hated fighting with John, this was one time she wasn't going to back down. She knew she was right and they need to stay out of Thomas' private business.

Pocahontas waited another minute for John, but then started heading to class. As she was walking down the hall, a hand reached out and grabbed her arm. Before she knew what was happening, Pocahontas was pulled into the janitor's closet. The door was closed behind her and she was in complete darkness with whoever grabbed her.

"Let me out!" Pocahontas demanded. She tried to get out, but they pinned her against the door.

"Babe, relax, it's me."

Pocahontas sighed in relief when she heard it was John. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Pocahontas felt her backpack being pulled off her shoulder, then heard it hit the ground. John then roughly forced his mouth against hers. Pocahontas wasn't sure how to react. It wasn't like John to be rough with her, but at the same time she found herself enjoying it. John pulled her closer to him. She leaned back so that John's arm was the only thing holding her up. John put his hand against the door to support them. Pocahontas gripped John's arm with one hand and ran her other hand through his hair. She sighed when he slipped his tongue in her mouth. John then bit her bottom lip as he broke the kiss.

"I've never made out with someone in anger before," John said. "It was hot."

Pocahontas nodded in agreement, although she wished John wasn't angry at her. Either way, he was right; that had been hot and Pocahontas wanted it to continue. She pulled his head back down to hers and welcomed his rough kiss. John let out a small growl as he claimed Pocahontas' mouth. She moaned and squeezed his bicep as her whole body tensed up. A strange feeling flowed through Pocahontas' body and she felt herself losing control. Suddenly, John pulled away and stepped back. Pocahontas leaned back against the door trying to return her breathing back to normal. However, she could do nothing to slow her racing heart.

"What's the matter?" Pocahontas asked.

"I really want you," John told her.

Pocahontas bit her lip. She wanted John as well, but she couldn't let herself get caught up in her hormones.

"I have to go," John said.

John slipped out of the closet and Pocahontas was left standing there alone.

XXX

Ariel sat down on the rock in the courtyard while she waited for Eric. He told her to meet him there after school because there was something he wanted to talk to her about. Ariel was feeling a little uncomfortable since she didn't know if it was going to be a good talk or a bad one. She started nervously picking at the small hole in her jeans.

"Hey, hon!"

Ariel looked up and smiled at Eric. "Hey, baby. What's up?"

Eric sat down behind Ariel so she was sitting between his legs. He wrapped his arms around and handed her a sheet of paper. It was a flyer from the choir room about the upcoming auditions for the solo in the spring concert. Ariel sighed and leaned back against Eric.

"What are you doing with this, Eric?" Ariel asked.

"Are you auditioning?" Eric asked.

"No."

"I knew it. Why not?"

"Because I can't sing in front of all those people," Ariel replied. "I'm not as confident as Snow White."

"Why do you always compare yourself to her?" Eric asked.

"Because she's better than me," Ariel said, as if it were obvious.

"Mrs. Rabbit doesn't think so, and neither do I," Eric said. "If I remember correctly you're the one who got the standing ovation at the last concert. Not Snow White."

"I know, but I just can't do it, Eric." Ariel went to stand up and walk away, but Eric wrapped his arms tighter around her.

"You're not going anywhere," Eric said. "You can't keep running away from the things you're afraid of."

Ariel tilted her head back and rested it on Eric's shoulder. Eric rested his head against hers.

"You're auditioning for the solo on Friday," Eric stated.

"No, I'm not."

"Do it or I'm breaking up with you," Eric said.

"What!"

"You have to face your fears, Ariel," Eric said.

"This isn't fair," Ariel said.

"I'm trying to help you. Go out there and take what belongs to you: the solo and me," Eric said. "Either you get both, or you get neither. It's up to you, Ariel. It's time to stand up and fight."

XXX

"You can get whatever you want," Aurora told Alice as they walked into Mickey's Diner.

They picked a booth in Tiana's section and Alice immediately started coloring her kids' menu. It took Tiana a few minutes to make it over to their table.

"Are you ready to order?" Tiana asked, looking frazzled. It was a particularly busy afternoon.

"Can I get a Caesar salad and a strawberry milkshake?" Aurora asked.

"Of course." Tiana jotted down Aurora's order, then looked over at Alice. "What about you, baby girl?"

Alice frowned. "I don't know."

Tiana sat down next to Alice. She ran her finger down the kids' menu. "I think the chicken fingers are yummy."

"I do, too," Alice said.

"Is that what you want?" Tiana asked.

Alice nodded. "Yeah!"

"What do you want to drink?" Tiana asked, as she wrote up Alice's order.

"Aurora, can I get a milkshake, too?" Alice asked with big puppy eyes.

Aurora laughed. "Yeah, you can."

Getting caught up in her own excitement, Alice jumped up. She pointed down at the menu. "I want a vanilla milkshake."

"You got it," Tiana said, before walking away.

"Did you have a fun visit with your sister?" Aurora asked.

"Yes," Alice said as she started coloring again. "Mommy said sissy is having a baby."

Aurora was surprised to hear that. Alice's sister was only a couple years older Aurora.

"You must be excited about that," Aurora said.

"I guess. Daddy said that when the baby is born sissy won't be around anymore," Alice said, sadly.

"Don't worry, she'll still be around," Aurora assured her. "She'll be very busy at first, but she'll still make time for her favorite sister."

Alice giggled. "I'm her only sister."

Talking about sisters made Aurora miss Belle. Belle was the closet thing she's ever had to a sister. Aurora no longer thought she was doing the right thing by trying to keep her from Adam. Meddling in Belle's relationship was only pulling them apart. Aurora wanted to protect Belle, but seeing her at the hospital with Adam made her start second guessing whether or not Adam was really as bad as he seemed. And, of course, Aurora wasn't blind; she saw that something was going on with Adam's father. She had her suspicions, but didn't want to bring anything up with Belle. If Aurora's guess was correct, then Adam probably didn't want people talking about it. Aurora decided she was going to sit down and talk with both Belle and Adam to let them know she was fully supportive of their relationship.