The sky was dark overhead, night falling earlier and earlier as winter drew closer. Soft orange light lit the campus paths as Evie made her way towards the dorm.

"Evie."

Turning, Evie watched Prince Ben walk over to join her. "Ben," she greeted with a smile and a small flutter of her lashes. "What a pleasant surprise."

"I can say the same," he smiled, giving her a playful bow and, not for the first time, Evie admired him. If only he wasn't bound to Audrey. She would've loved to catch this one. Though he would be a dangerous match for her. This prince was a little more observant than was good for her. "Are you on your way to the dorms?"

"I am. I left my notebook in the library so I had to go back for it."

Something in his eyes brightened and he offered her his arm. "I'm on the way there myself. Care for an escort?"

Flushing, Evie pretended to hesitate, as if shy, before carefully looping her arm through his and resting her hand in the crook of his arm. "Thank you. That would be wonderful."

"Of course. It's my pleasure."

Arm in arm, he set a relaxed pace down the path.

"So, may I ask why the Crown Prince is out so late on a Friday night?" she asked. "A party perhaps?"

Ben laughed, a rich warm sound, and Evie reminded herself that his intentions were still unknown and he couldn't be trusted. "I had dinner with my parents," he replied. "I may live on campus, but I try to eat with them every other week when I can."

The thought of intentionally seeking out her mother to eat together sent a chill down her spine. Instead of shivering, she smiled. "How wonderful."

With another laugh, he added, "And there was some school business they wanted to discuss. It wasn't just for fun. At least not tonight. Oh! That reminds me." Gently pulling her to a stop, Ben's light brown eyes found hers, glittering with contained excitement. "The University holds a Yule Ball for the students at the end of every first semester."

"A ball?" she repeated, breathless. "Do we-?" Cutting herself off, she forced her pleasantly interested mask into place. "Are we allowed to attend?"

Something in his eyes shifted for the briefest moment and all she was able to catch was what looked like sadness. Then his eyes cleared and his smile softened. "Of course. You guys are students here too. And it'd be rather cruel of me to tell you about a ball you weren't allowed to visit."

"I suppose that's true," she managed to laugh, fluttering her lashes again.

Arm firm and gentle, Ben wordlessly prompted her to walk, almost as if they were dancing. "Do you think you'll be designing your groups' clothes?" he asked. "If not, there's a wonderful shop in the town I could take you to. Their work is wonderful." Smile a touch mischievous, he added, "Though I quite like yours. I don't think I had a chance to properly tell you this, but the outfits you made for your first day were incredible. I was really impressed."

Was he…flirting?

No. That wasn't important. There was going to be a ball. She would be attending her very first ball! It was taking all her self-control not to squeal–a very unladylike sound if done incorrectly and at the wrong time.

"I can make them as my final project for Sewing and Embroidery," she nodded. That way she had dedicated time to work and access to the materials she needed without going over her allotment.

"I look forward to seeing what you come up with," he smiled. "Please let me know if you'd like to go to the shop and purchase some fabric. My treat. In the spirit of Yule."

His treat? "Surely you want something in return," she giggled. There was no such thing as a free gift.

"Hmmm," he mused. "Maybe you could make me something next semester."

That…that was not a favor she would've expected from a prince. "It would be an honor to make something for you, Your Highness," Evie said. "But are you sure? I'm not nearly talented enough to design something for royalty."

"Please, Evie. It's just Ben. And I disagree. You're very talented."

"Then if I am in need of more fabric I will take you up on your offer."

"Sounds good to me," Ben smiled.

Unable to resist, Evie asked, "Tell me, what are these balls usually like?" Her mother told the same stories over and over again, longing for the glamor and revelry, a longing that she passed on to Evie. While a school ball wouldn't be quite the same, Evie was starving for more information. Would this ball be able to fulfill her dream even a little? Give her a taste of that life?

"They're a lot of fun. Everyone dresses formally, gowns, suits, and in so many different colors and styles. I think you'll enjoy it," Ben said. "Then there's the music and dancing. If I'm honest, the food is probably my favorite part. Lots of hors d'oeuvres and desserts. The best ones though are the special Yuletide foods. We only get them once a year." He laughed.

"It sounds wonderful," Evie sighed, already imagining the beautiful swirl of gowns around the dancefloor and the servants standing around with their little trays full of champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres. "Do you help plan them?"

Ben shook his head. "Not often. Usually my mom arranges it, but this year Queen Cinderella and Queen Aurora are taking over most of the organizing. But they're both known for throwing wonderfall balls so I'm looking forward to it."

Aurora–Sleeping Beauty–was arranging the ball? Was that something they needed to worry about? After all, Maleficent was her villain. It was something to keep in mind, but if Queen Cinderella was also involved, then it wasn't as if Aurora could do too much to sabotage.

"Will they be there?"

"Oh no. The only chaperones are the professors and my mother. It's a university dance, nothing formal enough or important enough for kings and queens from other countries to travel for," Ben told her, something reassuring in his voice. As if he knew why she was asking.

This prince really was observant and clever.

As they reached the top of the steps leading up to the dorm's double doors, Ben pushed them open and guided her through first. "It was a pleasure talking with you, Evie. Have a good night."

"The pleasure was mine, Ben," Evie smiled, giving him a shallow curtsey.

Once he was out of sight, Evie nearly sprinted to her room. Closing the door behind her, Evie squealed softly, earning surprised looks from her pack.

"E?" Carlos asked.

"Did you hook a prince?" Jay asked.

"Or find a magic lamp?" Mal snorted.

"No, Jay, not yet. Very funny, Mal," Evie retorted. But her smile didn't falter. "Ben just walked me back to the dorm-"

"What?"

"And as we were talking, he told me that there's a ball at the end of the semester!"

Eyes widening, Carlos sat up on the bed. "As in a ball ball? With dancing and dressing up?"

"Yes!" Evie beamed. Twirling, she giggled. "And we get to go!"

"Oh joy," Mal muttered. "Prissy pink princesses everywhere and tiny fancy food and boring ass music."

"Don't forget uncomfortable clothes," Jay added.

"I'm making our clothes," Evie told them. "And you don't have to go. But I'd like to have a chance to dance with all of you."

"It could be fun," Carlos said, blushing slightly.

"You only have to go long enough for a few dances," Evie added when Mal and Jay still hesitated. "Then Carlos and I can stay if we want to." Jay and Mal exchanged looks. Pouting prettily, Evie met Mal's gaze. "Please?"

For several long moments, they're leader just stared at her. Until Carlos nudged her. "Fine," Mal sighed, rolling her eyes. "Just for a few dances."

"Thank you!"