Jasmine paced back and forth across her bedroom. Aladdin sat on her bed, watching her with an amused expression on his face. Every once in a while she would start to say something, but then would sigh and go back to pacing.
Aladdin cleared his throat. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
Jasmine stopped pacing and put her hands on her hips. "I'm not happy, Aladdin."
Aladdin couldn't help but laugh. "I can see that, babe. You wanna tell me why?"
Jasmine sighed sadly and sat down next to Aladdin. "I don't want you to go to New York."
Aladdin put his arm around Jasmine. "I don't want to go, either."
Jasmine shook her head. "What if your dad is right?"
"He's not."
"Aladdin, you're moving across the country." Jasmine paused. "And you're going to be spending a lot of time with your ex girlfriend."
"Babe, you don't have anything to worry about," Aladdin said.
"Don't I?" Jasmine asked, getting a little frustrated. "Aladdin, you talk about her a lot and the only reason you broke up was because of the distance. Now you're moving closer to her. And you'll be going to school together and working together. What if those old feelings come back?"
"That's not going to happen."
"How do you know?" Jasmine was a little annoyed that she was concerned about their relationship and Aladdin was being so calm.
"Jasmine, listen to me," Aladdin said. "There was a lot more to our break up than just her moving. Honestly, Sadira is crazy. She's obsessive and controlling and just an all-around bitch. I have absolutely no desire to be with that girl again."
"But, you talk about her all the time," Jasmine said.
"I compare her to you," Aladdin said. "You two are like night and day. You're so awesome; she's got nothing on you. I talk about her to show you how much I appreciate everything you do-and don't do."
Jasmine felt a little better, however she still had her lingering concerns. But, she and Aladdin didn't have much time left together and she didn't want to waste any of that time talking about his ex girlfriend. She pulled herself onto Aladdin's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed her boyfriend.
XXX
Esmeralda's phone vibrated on the desk next to her and she quickly snatched it up, thankful for an excuse to take a break from her homework.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Esmeralda! It's Mulan."
"What's up?"
"Um, well, I'm having some... boy trouble and I need your help," Mulan said. "Can we meet up somewhere?"
"Of course," Esmeralda replied. "Meet me at the park."
Esmeralda hung up and put her homework back in her book bag. As she was walking across her bedroom, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the full-length mirror. She made a face at it and decided to freshen up a little bit. She changed into a white, short-sleeved, off-the-shoulder top and purple skinny jeans with a purple ribbon headband. She applied a little mascara, then slipped on her white strappy sandals and headed to the park. She found Mulan sitting on a bench. Mulan gave her a quick wave as she stood up.
"Hey, Mulan," Esmeralda greeted.
"Ah, Mulan, there you are."
Esmeralda looked up to see Phoebus approaching them. Esmeralda glared at him.
"What the hell!" Esmeralda demanded.
Phoebus looked just as confused, but wasn't as angry. "What's going on, Mulan?"
Mulan blushed. "I'm sorry, guys, I had to. Esmeralda, Phoebus won't stop talking about you. You two need to work this out."
"No way!" Esmeralda turned on her heel and started walking away, but Mulan grabbed her and pulled her back. Esmeralda cursed Mulan's strength.
"Please?" Mulan begged. "Esmeralda, you helped me with Shang, so now I want to help you with Phoebus."
Esmeralda groaned loudly. "Why does everyone insist on trying to 'help' me?"
"I don't want to force Esmeralda to do anything," Phoebus said.
"I do," Mulan said. "Now, you two are going to talk and you're not leaving until you do. I'm gonna be over there, so I can keep an eye on you."
Esmeralda and Phoebus watched Mulan walk away. Esmeralda thought about making a run for it, but she knew Mulan would be able to catch her. She sighed in defeat and faced Phoebus. He was staring at her with sadness in his eyes. A twinge of guilt invaded Esmeralda's heart. She really did love him. Why did he have to be a traitor?
"Esmeralda, Jasmine and I didn't mean to hurt you. We honestly thought we were doing the right thing," Phoebus said.
"So you've said," Esmeralda muttered. No way was she going to let Phoebus break her.
Phoebus took a step towards her and she took a step back. "I'm not sorry I did it, though." He took another step forward and she took another step backward. "You're more important to me than you know." Another step. "As your man, it's my job to protect you, Esmeralda, and that's what I was doing." He took another step and lowered his voice. "I love you and you can be mad at me all you want, but I'm not going anywhere."
Phoebus took one more step forward. Esmeralda took another step backwards and ran into something. She glanced behind her and saw that it was a tree. She looked back at Phoebus. His body was now only a foot from hers. Esmeralda's heart started racing. Stay strong, she told herself. Phoebus rested his arm on the tree above Esmeralda and he leaned forward on it. He was now only inches from her. Esmeralda took a deep breath and caught the scent of his cologne. Her heart was now pounding so hard she thought it would escape from her chest. Phoebus ran his hand down her neck and over her bare shoulder. Esmeralda shivered in anticipation and desire.
Damn.
"You're cold," Phoebus said.
Esmeralda shook her head. "It wasn't that kind of shiver."
Phoebus slid his hand down her back and pulled her close to him. Esmeralda could no longer breathe. She parted her lips to get some air. Phoebus lowered his head so that his lips were barely brushing over hers. His mouth hovered above hers, driving her crazy.
"Kiss me," Phoebus whispered.
Esmeralda hesitated, but then met his lips with hers and kissed him with every ounce of passion inside her.
XXX
Ariel stood in the hallway outside of the choir room, waiting for her solo audition. She leaned against the wall and shook her hands vigorously as her nerves took over. Stupid Eric, she thought to herself. As if on cue, Eric walked down the hallway and came to a stop in front of her.
"I'm next," Ariel told him.
"Can I watch?" Eric asked.
"Absolutely not."
Mrs. Rabbit came out into the hallway. "Ariel?"
Ariel took a shaky breath and walked into the choir room. She took her place next to the piano as Mrs. Rabbit got the sheet music ready.
"Start here and end here," Mrs. Rabbit said, pointing at the sheet music.
Ariel nodded. Mrs. Rabbit was having her sing a few measures of the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey, which was the solo song. Mrs. Rabbit started playing the piano. Ariel was so nervous, that she missed her cue.
"Sorry," Ariel muttered.
Mrs. Rabbit smiled at her. "It's okay. Try again."
Ariel took a deep breath. "There's a hero, if you look inside your heart. You don't have to be afraid of what you are..."
As Ariel sang, she started to understand what Eric had been saying. She got caught up in the song, feeling the words pour out of her as if they had been built up inside her this whole time. It wasn't until after she finished singing that she realized she had sung the whole song. Mrs. Rabbit never tried stopping her, just kept playing. When the song was over, Mrs. Rabbit smiled at Ariel.
Mrs. Rabbit reached over and put her hand on Ariel's. "Teachers aren't supposed to show favoritism," she said. "But, Ariel, you're definitely my favorite student."
Ariel blushed. "Thank you."
"To be fair, I have to finish the solo auditions," Mrs. Rabbit said. "But I'm telling you now, that you got the solo, Ariel."
Ariel couldn't help getting excited. "Thank you so much!"
Ariel hurried out into the hallway where Eric was waiting for her. She pulled him away from the other students who were waiting to audition.
"I got the solo!" Ariel said as soon as they were out earshot.
Eric smiled excitedly at her. "I knew you would!"
Ariel started twirling her hair around her finger. "Now, you don't have to break up with me."
Eric pulled Ariel into his arms. "I wasn't actually going to break up with you. I just needed to get you motivated, to push you, to audition."
Ariel sighed in relief and rested her head on his chest. Eric wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"I have no intention of ever breaking up with you," Eric said.