"I mean, that's bad, right?" Belle asked.
Belle had just finished telling Tiana and Jane about what had happened with Adam at the party. They had been walking to Tiana's house but the two of them stopped and were now gaping at Belle. Belle shifted her weight uncomfortably.
"Belle, the party was almost a week ago; why didn't you tell us sooner?" Tiana asked.
"I don't know. I guess I just wasn't sure how to bring it up."
The girls started walking again.
"I know you don't want to hear this," Tiana said after a couple minutes, "but, I think you need to break up with Adam. First he pushes you and then he tried to rape you-"
"He didn't try to rape me," Belle corrected. "He was just trying to feel me up. Outside of my clothes."
Tiana shrugged as if she wasn't buying it. "This time. But, what happens if next time he tries to go further and doesn't stop?"
"Adam wouldn't do that."
"Tiana, Maybe you're wrong about Adam," Jane said.
Tiana raised an eyebrow at Jane. "And maybe Adam's really a prince who lives in a castle and will marry Belle and they'll live happily ever after?"
Jane blushed at Tiana's mocking. "All I'm saying is that Belle knows him better than we do. Maybe we should take her word for it."
Tiana shook her head. "Belle is blinded by love. She wouldn't see the truth if it shoved her to the ground."
"I'm walking right next to you, Tiana; I can hear you. Stop talking about me as if I'm not here."
"Belle, I'm not trying to be rude," Tiana said, softly. "I'm just trying to look out for you. I would feel bad if I ignored all of the warning signs and then Adam did something to hurt you."
"He won't intentionally hurt me."
"I hope you're right. I really do."
XXX
Rapunzel paced nervously outside of Meg's garage. She could hear someone inside the garage auditioning on the drums. She tried focusing on the rhythm from the drums instead of her nerves, but it wasn't working. She nibbled on her bottom lip and ran her hand through her short hair. (She still wasn't used to the length.) There were a couple of other people waiting outside for their turn to audition, including one other girl for keyboard. She had long curly hair that was dyed pink at the top and purple at the bottom and a silver stud on the left side of her nose. She looked like she was older than Rapunzel; possibly in college. She certainly looked like she belonged in a band.
Rapunzel took a deep breath and turned away from the girl. As she turned around she came face-to-face with Flynn. She was caught by surprise at first and for a moment she thought her nerves were making her see things. Flynn was supposed to be at work.
"Hey, blondie."
Rapunzel sighed in relief. "What are you doing here?"
"Auditioning." Flynn held up what looked like a guitar case.
"I didn't know you played guitar. I don't think they're looking for a guitar player..."
Flynn set the case down on the driveway. "I play bass."
"I didn't know that," Rapunzel replied, distracted by the sudden quiet coming from inside the garage.
Flynn shrugged. "It's more or less a hobby. But I figured I'd come audition anyway."
Rapunzel nodded. "I thought you had to work."
"I did. Aladdin's covering my shift."
"Well, I'm glad you're here."
The large garage door opened part way and Jim Hawkins slipped out from underneath it. He twirled his drumsticks in his hands as he walked down the driveway. Vanessa came out shortly after him. She scanned the people who were left to audition.
"You, bass player, you're up," Vanessa said, pointing at Flynn.
Flynn picked up his case and kissed Rapunzel's cheek. "See ya on the other side, blondie."
XXX
Meg cringed as she and Vanessa listened to the girl with the two-toned hair play the keyboard. Vanessa was already scribbling the girl's name out.
"Thank you for stopping by," Vanessa told her, interrupting her playing. The girl frowned. "We'll be in touch."
She was the last one to audition and once she was gone, Meg sighed and leaned back in her folding chair.
"That was disappointing," Vanessa said. "I thought for sure she'd be good."
"Because she had dyed hair and her nose pierced?"
Vanessa shrugged. "Wishful thinking."
Meg glanced down at the list of people who auditioned. "I think we should go with Jim for drums."
Vanessa looked over the names of the other people who auditioned for drums. "What about Gaston?"
Meg shook her head. "Come on, Vanessa; he was terrible."
"But he's hot."
"Irrelevant."
Vanessa sighed. "Fine. We'll go with the Hawkins kid." She drew a circle around Jim's name, then pulled out the list of bass players. "I think the obvious choice for bass is Flynn."
Meg nodded in agreement. "That just leaves keyboard."
Vanessa glanced up at Meg. "Only two people auditioned."
Meg groaned. "I know."
"I hate to say it, but I think we have to go with Rapunzel. She was actually pretty good."
"Yeah she was." Meg didn't bother to hide the disappointment in her voice. She was not thrilled with spending the summer with the cheerleader.
"Look on the bright side; with her boyfriend also being in the band, maybe you won't have to worry about her getting in her hair," Vanessa said. "She'll probably spend her free time with him."
"You're probably right."
"Of course I am," Vanessa said, jotting down the names of the three new members of their band. She then pulled out her cell phone and sent out a mass text to them informing them of their decision.
Meg could just picture Rapunzel in her all pink room getting the text message and then cheering in excitement with her pom-poms.
Meg groaned. It was going to be a long summer.