Once on his motorcycle, Ben and Georgie rode off campus and into the forest. Despite her previous nerves, Georgie felt calm as she watched the trees fly by. Her arms were wrapped around Ben's waist to stay on the bike and she was glad she was behind him so that he couldn't see how red her cheeks were.

Eventually, they parked and Ben helped her off the bike. Then he led her through the woods and to a long rope bridge that ran over the river below them. Ben laughed as Georgie took large steps from one side to the other, which made the bridge slightly sway with her.

"Alright," Ben said, following behind her and walking normally. "Tell me something about yourself that you've never told anyone."

"Um," Georgie spun around to face him and thought for a moment. What was a bigger secret than the fact that she didn't know how to read? "Well, my favorite color is actually light pink, I've decided since moving here. But I'd be torn apart on the Isle if I ever wore it, so red is the next best thing."

"Well, you can wear whatever you'd like here," Ben pointed out. "And I think you'd look really pretty in pink."

"Thanks," she said shyly. "But also, wearing my old clothes makes me feel a little closer to home. Evie and a little girl named Dizzy made me this dress and the jacket used to be Gil's. I may not can still see them, but I've got some of them with me. Does that make sense?"

Ben smiled adoringly at her. "Perfect sense."

Georgie smiled and turned back around to finish crossing the bridge. "Let me guess. Your favorite color is blue."

"How'd you know?"

"It's like the only color you ever wear," she said over her shoulder. "I'm surprised you haven't asked Mal to dye it like hers and Evie's so that everyone knows."

Ben laughed before grabbing her hand. He asked her to close her eyes so that whatever he had planned would be a surprise. Georgie did as asked and let him lead her off the bride and through the forest.

"Ready?"

Georgie shivered when she felt his breath on her ear. "Mhmm."

"Open. Go on."

When she opened her eyes, Georgie almost gasped. They were at a lake with an old stone structure near the edge. It was absolutely beautiful, with all kinds of flowers and wildlife surrounding the area. There was a small picnic set out, clearly meant for them. Ben must have gotten there earlier to set it up.

Georgie turned around to give Ben a bright smile. "This is amazing."

"Come on."

He took her hand and led her down to the picnic, careful not to let her slip on any of the rocks. Ben had set out an assortment of sandwiches and fruits and desserts, some of which Georgie had never seen before.

The first thing she reached for was some kind of pastry with powdered sugar on it and it had red filling coming out of the center. Whatever it was, she thought it was absolutely delicious and had already decided in her head that she would fight Ben for the rest of them if need be.

He did most of the talking — telling her about growing up as a Prince and different funny stories about him and Neville when they were kids. Georgie didn't mind. She was glad to learn more about him.

"Is this your first time?" Ben asked, smiling at her.

"Oh," Georgie said, setting down the treat. "We don't really date on the Isle. I mean, it's more like... gang activity. And I don't really participate — just watch my friends. My brother's best friend has asked a few times, but it's hard to see him that way. He's too much."

Ben chuckled to himself. "Um, I meant, is this your first time eating a jelly donut?"

Georgie sat straighter and covered her mouth, which must've been covered in jelly. "Is it bad?"

"You got a - Just a—" He reaches forward and wiped her top lip with his thumb. "Okay, now do this."

Georgie licked her lips to her the rest off the bottom of her mouth, laughing.

"Gone?" Ben nodded and went back to his lying down position. "You can't take me anywhere, I guess."

"You know, I've done all the talking. Your turn. I really don't know that much about you," he said. "Tell me something."

"Well, I'm sixteen. I have an older brother and I've only ever lived in one place."

"Look at that! Two out of three. We have so much in common already," Ben joked, smiling.

"No. Trust me, we do not," she said, sighing. "And now you're gonna be king."

"Yeah."

It was the first time Ben hadn't smiled all day once she brought it up. "What?"

"A crown doesn't make you a king."

"How so?" she asked, not understanding what he meant. Last she checked, a crown did make you king.

"Your father treats you horribly. He's evil and I've got the poster parents for goodness — they're literally enemies. But we're not automatically like them. We get to choose who we're gonna be. I knew from the minute I looked into your eyes that you're not evil. The others aren't either. I can see it."

Georgie looked at the ground and smiled, though a little sad.

"Let's go for a swim," Ben said, suddenly nodding to the lake.

"Hm? What?" Georgie asked, staying seated while Ben got to his feet. "Uh... Right now?"

"Yeah, right now."

"I think I'm just gonna stay here," she said, not wanting to admit she didn't know how to swim. Reading was bad enough. He was going to start thinking she was useless. "Don't wanna get my hair wet."

"No, no, no. Come on," he tried to persuade.

"I think I'm gonna stay behind and try a cherry. I've literally never tried a cherry before," she quickly said, grabbing one from a small bowl full of them. She popped one in her mouth and didn't have to fake a hum of satisfaction when she tasted it. "Oh, these are delicious."

"Don't eat all of them," Ben said, laughing as she ate another one quickly.

"No promises!"

Georgie ate a few more and then turned to see that Ben had climbed to the top of a small waterfall. He had removed the rest of his clothes and was only wearing a pair of blue shorts with crowns on them. She was thankful that he was too far away to see the blush on her face from his shirtless state.

"Are those little crowns on your shorts?" she loudly asked so that he could hear her over the rushing water.

"Maybe," he said, sounding a little embarrassed. Then he loudly roared and jumped into the water.

Georgie laughed to herself and looked back at the picnic. But then her smile faded as she thought to herself about what Ben had said. He probably wouldn't say such nice things about her friends if he knew what they were planning.

Hell, Georgie didn't even know what they were planning. At first, she hadn't minded being out of the loop — she wanted no part in releasing their parents and taking over Auradon. But she had become attached to her life off of the Isle. Perhaps if she had known what they were planning, she could get in the way and stop them. Of course, then she'd have to deal with Mal's wrath, but Georgie could handle that.

Georgie had been so caught up in thinking about her friends that she hadn't noticed Ben — or rather, the lack of Ben. She spun around and looked at the water, realizing that it had been several minutes since he had jumped off of the rock and she hadn't seen or heard him since.

"Ben?" she called, holding onto one of the stone pillars. Still, there was no sign of him. Georgie took a hesitant step towards the water, calling his name again. "Ben!"

She wasn't thinking much about the fact that she couldn't swim as she stepped into the lake, hoping that nothing bad had happened to Ben. Georgie kept going until the water was up to her waist.

"Ben — ah!"

Georgie's foot slipped on a loose rock and she went under the water. Her arms flailed, trying to bring her to the surface, but it didn't help. Georgie didn't have too much time to be scared of drowning though because Ben was by her side in a second. His arms were under her and lifted her out of the water and sat her on dry land as she coughed a little bit of water out.

"Y - you scared me!" she said, pushing wet hair out of her eyes. Then she shoved Ben's arm.

"You can't swim?" he asked, eyes wide and glancing back at the lake.

"Well, no." Georgie bit her lip and looked down.

"You live on an island!"

"Yeah, with a barrier around it, remember?" she said in a 'duh' tone. Georgie peeled off her wet jacket, which was uncomfortable now that the leather was soaked.

"And you still tried to save me," Ben stared in disbelief.

"I mean, yeah," she mumbled. "But clearly, you were fine, and all I got was soaking wet."

"And, uh, this fancy rock." Ben held up a white rock that was glowing brightly and handed it to Georgie, who looked at it with a small smile. "It's yours. Make a wish and throw it back in the lake."

I hope my friends don't get the magic wand.

Georgie closed her eyes for a moment and then chucked the rock back into the water, hoping that it really did grant wishes. Then she got to her feet, shivering slightly, and walked back over to the picnic.

Ben followed, surprising her as he placed his letterman's jacket on her shoulders. Then he reached over and pushed a strand of wet hair behind her ear before brushing his thumb across her cheek.

"Um, Georgie," Ben said, hesitantly. "I told you that I loved you. What about you? Do you love me?"

Georgie cleared her throat and looked down at her hands in her lap, not wanting to look at his eyes as she spoke. "I know what it feels like to love my friends and my brother. But I don't know what the kind of love you're talking about feels like."

Ben placed a finger under her chin and turned her face towards him. "Maybe I can teach you."

Georgie softly smiled and nodded. Then she took his hand that was caressing her face and held it. She swallowed nervously, not sure if now was a good time to bring it up.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be mad that I didn't say it back at the game," she said, biting her lip. "And I'm definitely not complaining because this has been a really amazing first date — aside from the almost drowning."

That made Ben laugh, but she continued.

"I know that we've been spending a lot of time together reading and stuff, but it still kind of felt like it came out of nowhere when you told me you liked me."

Because she was too embarrassed to look up from her lap, she missed the confused look that Ben was giving her — almost like he was trying to figure something out.

"I mean, I know she's not the nicest, but I just felt bad for Audrey. Your breakup was so sudden that I didn't even know it happened until you got up there and started singing about me. I guess I just don't understand why you left someone like her — a pretty, smart, princess — over me."

A quiet noise left Ben's lips. "You don't know!"

Georgie looked up at him, confused by his outburst. Ben's eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly ajar, looking as if he'd suddenly realized something.

"Don't know what?" Georgie asked, tilting her head.

Ben's look turned soft and he squeezed her hand gently.

"You don't know that you're the absolute kindest, most caring, beautiful girl I've ever met in my entire life," he told her, smiling lovingly. "Audrey was controlling and jealous and downright mean a lot of the time. Meeting you made me realize that I don't want someone like her. I want you."

Georgie's eyes began to water because no one had ever said something so sweet to her. She leaned over kissed him softly on the cheek. Ben's cheeks turned light pink and he held her waist to keep her from moving farther away.

"How is everything you say so perfect?"

"I'm only being honest," Ben said, smiling sweetly down at her. "You're the most amazing girl I've ever met, Georgiana."

"Thank you," she said softly. They gazed into each other's eyes for a few more moments before Georgie grew shy. She cleared her throat and looked down at the picnic blanket. "Uh, this has been such a nice date. And I think cherries are definitely my favorite food now."

"I'm glad you like them. And I'm glad you're having a good time. Hopefully... we can do this again?" Ben asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Definitely."