Jasmine was relieved Phillip ended up throwing a pool party for Labor Day. When Esmeralda had texted Phoebus about wanting to throw one herself, Jasmine had been dreading Esmeralda trying to convince Jasmine to have it at her house. Jasmine's father gave her $5000 a week for allowance as long as she kept her grades up, didn't throw parties, and didn't drink, smoke, or do drugs. Jasmine was saving most of that money for college- or whatever she ended up doing after she graduated- and she didn't want to get cut off because of one party.

Jasmine should have known Phillip would throw a party, though; his parents were almost always gone and he threw a lot of parties. Jasmine lost count of how many of his parties she had attended just last year alone. Phillip's parties usually had a lot more people, though; Phillip always invited everyone in the school and his house would be full of people. This party was exclusively for AHS seniors, though.

Jasmine leaned back in her pool lounge chair, taking the opportunity to work on her tan since she didn't get much of a chance to tan while in New York over the summer. She closed her eyes, taking in the warmth of the sun and the sounds of her classmates having a good time.

A shadow fell over her and she opened her eyes to see Phoebus.

"Hey," Jasmine greeted him with a smile. "I wasn't expecting to see you here. I always thought you only attended these parties because Esmeralda dragged you to them."

Phoebus sat down on the end of her chair. "I did. But, it's senior year, so I figured why not."

Jasmine sat up. "Oh, hey! How'd your meet go yesterday?"

Phoebus smiled. "I'm surprised your remembered that. I won."

"Still undefeated. Look at you go!"

Phoebus laughed. "Thanks."

"Aladdin was really bummed when he had to quit to go New York," Jasmine said. "And even more disappointed that his dad wants him to work with him so he can't come back even though he's back in Andalasia."

Phoebus nodded. "We miss him, but-"

A loud explosion interrupted Phoebus and scared Jasmine. Phoebus instinctively positioned himself protectively in front of Jasmine. A couple of girls screamed.

Another explosion sounded from the side of the house. Jasmine faced that direction. A large group of people Jasmine didn't recognize were clamoring into the backyard. One of the guys was shooting off firecrackers.

"Who are they?" Phoebus asked.

"I have no idea," Jasmine muttered.

Phillip stormed over to the group, which seemed to be never- ending as more and more people arrived, taking over the yard and pool. Most of the AHS students didn't seem to mind the extra partygoers, but some of them looked as apprehensive as Jasmine felt. Phillip yelled at the party crashers to leave, but they all just laughed and ignored him.

Jasmine was on her feet and following after Phillip the moment she saw Esmeralda among the newcomers. The only other person Jasmine recognized was Holli, whom she had met while she was in New York. Holli had her phone out and appeared to be taking a video.

"What the hell were you thinking, bringing all these people here?" Jasmine demanded of Esmeralda.

Esmeralda pushed her sunglasses on top of her head and rolled her eyes. "It's a party, Jaz."

"A private party," Phillip told her. "They all need to leave."

There was another explosion followed by the sound of glass shattering. Jasmine turned to see the guy had set off a firecracker near the house and blew out the windows of the sliding glass doors. A few people cheered and people started entering the house through the broken windows. Phillip swore and ran towards the house.

Holli laughed. "Looks like this party's going to be a wild one," she told whoever she was streaming her video to. "So, come stop by and see Esmeralda and me." She then recited Phillip's address.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jasmine snapped at Holli. "You can't just give away someone else's address like that."

Holli turned her phone towards Jasmine. "Look, everyone. The Princess of Hollywood herself is here. You're not gonna want to miss this."

Jasmine went to grab Holli's phone, but Esmeralda seized her by the arm and pulled her back. "Chill out, Jasmine. We're just having fun."

Jasmine shoved Esmeralda away from her. "No, what you're doing is causing destruction- and you don't even care!"

"I'm causing destruction?" Esmeralda snapped. "You stole my boyfriend."

Jasmine let out a frustrated cry. "No, I didn't! There is nothing going on between us, but you're so wrapped up in yourself, you don't even see what's going on around you!"

"Please. You're jealous of my spotlight and were so desperate to be the center of attention again that you slept with my boyfriend."

"God, I can't believe you! You're such a self- centered bitch!"

"Back- stabbing whore!"

Jasmine was about to tackle Esmeralda and pull out all of her hair when Aurora stepped between them.

"That's enough!" Aurora shouted. "Esmeralda, I've already called the cops on your trespassing friends, so I suggest you get them out of here now!"

Esmeralda rolled her eyes at Aurora, but Holli announced the party was over and everyone started to leave.

Aurora grabbed Esmeralda's arm and pulled her close. "Don't you ever pull this shit at my boyfriend's house again, or I will end you. Do you understand?"

XXX

By the time Meg got to the arcade later Monday night, the holiday crowds were long gone. There were only a couple of kids in the arcade, and they were just loitering, not actually playing any games. Gaston was sitting on the stool behind the ticket counter, scrolling through his phone.

"It sucks you had to work on our day off from school," Meg told him.

Gaston shrugged. "I need the money more than I need to attend another one of Phillip's parties." He set his phone on the counter. "How was the rest of your weekend?"

"I talked to Hercules yesterday," Meg replied. "He's not going to say anything to anyone or hold it over us."

Gaston nodded. "Good."

"We both knew he wouldn't."

"Maybe. He and I have been friends for a long time, but ever since he hooked up with Helga, it seems like I hardly know him at all."

"It was all an act. Helga was pulling his strings, but she's gone now." Meg couldn't believe she was actually defending Hercules.

"Whatever. As long as we don't have to worry about Vanessa finding out."

Meg bit her lip. "I think we should tell her."

"Are you insane?"

"Probably. But, it's better to just get it all out in the open than to have it hanging over us."

"No."

Meg rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm going to tell her either way. But, it would be better coming from both of us. Otherwise it'll look like you're still trying to hide it from her."

Gaston groaned. "You're impossible."

"It's the right thing to do and you know it."

Gaston exhaled loudly. "Fine."

Meg nodded. "Good. Now, there's one more thing."

"What?"

"Hercules and I are going to try to be friends. I know you haven't talked to Hercules since I told you he knows about us, but I think you try to be friends with him again. You guys were best friends, it'd be crazy to stop being friends over this."

Gaston arched his eyebrow at her. "We are still friends."

"But, you called him 'Jerk-ules'..."

Gaston laughed. "He's called me much worse."

"You sounded like you hated him."

"He cheated on you. Regardless of why he did it, I'm not okay with it. You can be friends with someone and still hate some of the things they do."

"Fair enough. I guess I'll see how being friends with him again goes. I do kinda miss him."

"And everyone knows he misses you."

Meg laughed. "Yeah, he's not exactly subtle."