Esmeralda angrily stabbed at her rectangular slice of pizza with her spork. It was Friday, four days after Holli posted that video on Instagram. Holli had posted it to make Jasmine look bad, but it had the complete opposite effect. Everyone online had turned on Esmeralda and Holli because of what they did at Phillip's party. Everyone at school had taken Jasmine's side in this feud.

Esmeralda was currently sitting with some of the girls from the dance team at lunch. Well, she was sitting at the same table as them, but she was on one end by herself, while they were gathered at the other end, acting like she didn't even exist. Funny how those girls were her friends just a couple months ago, but now she could flip them off right now and they wouldn't even notice. Which she did, and they didn't.

Whatever.

A loud cheer from the other side of the cafeteria caught Esmeralda's attention and she looked over. Phoebus and Aladdin were standing next to their usual table, play fighting like they were at an MMA meet. Their moves were over exaggerated or sometimes in slow motion, which was causing laughter and some cheers from those watching them. It amused Esmeralda for a moment and she caught herself smiling as she watched them. She missed spending time with Phoebus and going to his meets.

But, then she saw Jasmine sitting at the table and laughing as she watched them. Esmeralda's smile instantly faded. She wondered if Phoebus and Aladdin would end up getting into a real fight with each other over Jasmine. Esmeralda practically snorted out loud at the thought. They probably would. Everyone just loved that dumb princess.

Well, good riddance. She didn't need Phoebus or Jasmine any more than she needed the girls from the dance team.

Holli was right: Esmeralda should stop hanging out with public school kids and start spending more time with Holli and her friends. Esmeralda got up and walked out of the cafeteria, leaving her tray and uneaten food on the table. She got her purse out of her locker and then walked right out the door to the parking lot. Someone called after her- probably a teacher- but she ignored them. She got in her car and sped out of the parking lot. Once she was away from the school, she pulled out her phone and called Holli.

"Hey, girl!" Holli greeted. "Aren't you supposed to be in class or something right now?"

"Nah, I'm ditching," Esmeralda replied. "Where are you?"

"At home. I just woke up."

"Perfect. I'm on my way."

"Yes! Please tell me you're going out with us tonight."

"Definitely. I'm all yours for the weekend."

"What about your high school friends and that little boy toy of yours?"

"I'm done with them." And Esmeralda really meant it. Jasmine and Phoebus could have each other. Esmeralda could be best friends with actresses and date rock stars, if she wanted to. She didn't need to waste time on people who very clearly didn't care about her.

"It's about time."

XXX

Belle went to the bookstore right after work. When she got there, Thumbelina was sitting behind the counter, bent over a notebook with a textbook open beside her. Camelot's school days started a little earlier than Andalasia's, so Camelot High got out about a half an hour before Andalasia did. Thumbelina usually got to work before Belle did.

Belle walked around behind the counter and dropped her backpack on the floor before sitting down on the stool next to Thumbelina. "Having fun?" Belle teased.

Thumbelina scoffed without looking up. "Oh yeah. Can't you tell?"

Belle laughed. "Poor girl."

Thumbelina groaned and slumped forward to rest her forehead on her notebook. "This sucks. I have so much homework every night, that I had to quit cheerleading so I don't fall behind."

"I'm sorry." Belle patted her back. "Do you at least have some good news for me?"

Thumbelina twisted her head to look at Belle. "Do I look like I'm carrying around good news?"

Belle winced. "Don't tell me Cornelius said no when you asked him to the dance..."

Thumbelina closed her eyes and groaned again. "I didn't ask him. I totally chickened out."

"Oh. Well, there's still time."

"What's the point? He's just going to say no."

The bell above the door jingled and Belle looked over to see Adam had come in. He smiled at her and walked over. Belle leaned over the counter and greeted him with a kiss.

"This is a nice surprise," Belle told him. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see you," Adam replied.

Another groan from Thumbelina.

"That's enough moping out of you." Belle poked Thumbelina's side and tickled her.

Thumbelina shrieked and tried to squirm away from Belle. "Stop it! Don't try to make me laugh at my own pity party!"

Thumbelina stuck her tongue out at Belle, which only made Belle laugh. Thumbelina laughed, too.

"Now, circling back to Cornelius," Belle said.

"Who's Cornelius?" Adam asked, waggling his eyebrows at Thumbelina.

Thumbelina blushed and buried her face in her hands.

"Cornelius is the boy she has a crush on," Belle filled him in.

"Ah. Did you ask him out?" Adam asked.

"No." Thumbelina's voice was slightly muffled since her face was still hiding behind her hands.

"She's convinced he's going to say no," Belle said.

"He's not going to say no," Adam said.

Thumbelina looked at him. "You don't know that."

"Does he have a girlfriend?"

"I don't think so."

"Then you should definitely ask him out," Adam told her. "You're a cute girl and guys like getting asked out by cute girls."

Thumbelina smiled and blushed again. "Really?"

Adam smiled back at her. "Really."

Thumbelina sat up. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll ask him to the dance on Monday." She slumped forward again. "But, what if he says no?"

"He's not going to!" Belle and Adam said in unison.