CHAPTER 8

Ellie, Mal, and Evie are all in the bleachers beside Lonnie as they watch the game.

"Ohayohay!" The cheerleaders cheer.

"This is a nail-biter, folks. There's 47 seconds left on the clock. We're all tied up. The Sherwood falcons, two. The fighting knights, two. What a game between Auradon's fiercest rivals," The announcer says. "The teams get into their huddles and take up positions along the kill zone. The dragoneers have been laying down a withering hail of fire." Ellie, Mal, and Evie cheer as they see Jay and Carlos run onto the field.

"He's bringing that hothead Jay in from the Isle Of The Lost and that little guy Carlos who can barely hold a shield," The announcer explains. "When they break from their huddles, this is gonna be a big moment here. And the tipoff is ready. Here we go. Long pass goes to Jay. Jay dishes off to Prince Ben. Nice little block by Carlos. He does a little dancing jig in his opponent's face. And now Jay gets the ball back. Here comes Jay! Jay, hurdling maneuver at mid-field. Jay makes a nice pass to Prince Ben through the kill zone. Big block by Chad! Prince Ben moves over wide, gives it back to Jay. He's in the clear! Shot! Oh, what a save by Philip the falcons' goalkeeper!" Ellie and Evie grab hands through all of the suspenseful parts. "23 seconds left. You could cut the tension with a sword. The long ball is played into Jay. Jay, great jump, great leap. And a great move by Jay. Big block from Chad. Jay dishes off to Prince Ben. And then Carlos with a big block, goes down. Jay through the kill zone, picks up Carlos. Oh, he's being hammered by dragon fire. Still, going on. Jay, hurdling maneuver at mid-field. He's in the clear. The ball goes back to Jay." Ellie and Evie grab onto each other as they watch Jay hit the ball off of Carlos' shield before getting the ball back. "He passes to Prince Ben. He scores! Prince Ben has won it!" Ellie, Lonnie, and Evie let out squeals of joy causing Mal to cover her ears and roll her eyes. "What an unselfish play by Jay! What a team! Incredible! And It's the new guys, Jay and Carlos, who set up the Prince for the win here. What a victory! An absolutely wonderful end to one of the best games ever. Here they come, folks. The winners of the first tourn..." Ben quickly grabs the microphone without thinking. His only thoughts are on Ellie.

"Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I have your attention, please?" Ben says causing the crowd to go silent. Mal, Ellie, and Evie look at each other shocked. "There's something I'd like to say. Give me an 'E'!"

"'E'" The crows repeats.

"Give me an 'L'," Ben says while making an L.

"'L'" The crowd repeats.

"Give me another 'L'!" Ben says while making another L.

"'L'" The crowd repeats.

"Give me an 'I'!" Ben says while making an I.

"'I'" The crowd repeats.

"Give me an 'E'!" Ben says while making an E.

"'E'" The crowd repeats.

"What does that spell?" Ben asks while Ellie stands frozen in shock.

"Ellie!" The crowd cheers.

"Come on, I can't hear you!" Ben says as Mal and Ellie look at each other shocked.

"Ellie!" The crowd cheers with Evie and Lonnie yelling directly at Ellie.

"I love you, Ellie! Did I mention that?" Ben says causing Ellie's jaw to drop. Evie grabs her sister's shoulders while letting out an excited squeal. "Give me a beat! Whoo!"

"Uno, dos, tres, quatro!" Doug sings before the band starts playing.

"Oh, my God!" Evie says at the same time Mal says "Cookie!"

"What was in that cookie?" Ellie asks before Ben starts singing.

"Did I mention that I'm in love with you?

And did I mention there's nothing I can do?

And did I happen to say I dream of you every day

Well, let me"

"shout it out loud" The crowd sings along. "If that's okay, hey, hey

Hey!

If that's okay

Hey!" The tourney team and cheerleaders start dancing along with Ben.

"I met this girl that rocked my world like It's never been rocked

Now I'm living just for her and I won't ever stop

I never thought that it could happen to a guy like me

But now look at what you've done, you got me down on my knees

Because my love for you is ridiculous

I never knew

Who knew?

That it could be like this

My love for you is ridiculous

Ridiculous

My love is r-I-d-I-c-u-l-o-u-s

R-I-d-I-c-u-l-o-u-s

It's...

Ridiculous

Just...

Ridiculous

And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss

Well, did I mention I'm in love with you?

And did I mention there's nothing I can do?

And did I happen to say I dream of you every day

Well, let me shout it out loud If that's okay

Yeah, If that's okay

Hey!

I gotta know which way to go, come on, give me a sign

You gotta show me that you're only ever gonna be mine

Don't wanna go another minute livin' without you

'Cause If your heart just isn't in it, I don't know what I'd do" Ellie covers her mouth in shock as some of the tourney team throw Ben forward.

"Because my love for you is ridiculous

Ridiculous

I never knew

Who knew?

That it could be like this

My love for you is ridiculous

My love is r-I-d-I-c-u-l-o-u-s

R-I-d-I-c-u-l-o-u-s

It's...

Ridiculous

Just...

Ridiculous

And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss

Come on, now!

Oh, yeah!

Yow!

All right" Ben takes his jersey off before throwing it to Ellie, who catches it. Ellie hugs it to her chest as she and Evie let out an excited squeal.

"Hey!

All right

Hey!

Because my love for you is ridiculous

I never knew

Who knew?" Ben starts riding the horse mascot.

"That it could be like this

My love for you is ridiculous" He falls off as the male cheerleaders catch him.

"Ridiculous

My love is r-I-d-I-c-u-l-o-u-s

R-I-d-I-c-u-l-o-u-s" Ellie sings along as the cheerleaders then throw Ben into the bleachers where a group of guys catch him. He then starts crowd surfing his way to Ellie.

"It's...

Ridiculous

Just...

Ridiculous

And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss

Come on, now!" Ellie tries to get away but Evie quickly turns her to face Ben as he lands in front of her. Ben goes in for a kiss but Ellie quickly puts his jersey between them. So, Ben hugs her instead.

"I love you, Ellie! Did I mention that?" Ben asks her as the crowd cheers before Audrey takes the microphone away from him.

"Chad's my boyfriend now! And I'm going to the coronation with him. So I don't need your pity date," Audrey explains before kissing Chad.

"Ellie! Will you go to the coronation with me?" Ben asks as he grabs the microphone back.

"Yes!" Ellie answers excitedly.

"She said yes!" Ben says causing the crowd to cheer and for Audrey to leave.

"Let's go, Ben. The whole team's waiting for you," Jay says as he reaches them before pulling Ben away.

"Bye," Ellie calls before looking at the jersey in her hands. "Whoo!" Ellie then notices Evie's hurt expression.

"What a victory. What a day for the Auradon knights, finally winning back the trophy after so many years," The announcer explains.

"I feel really sorry for Audrey," Ellie says as Mal nods in agreement.

"You do?" Evie asks her.

"Yeah. I feel like if she were talented like you, and she knew how to sew and knew beauty tips, that she wouldn't need a prince to make her feel better about herself," Ellie explains as Mal nods in agreement.

"I guess I am kind of talented," Evie says with a smile.

"You are definitely gifted," Mal says as Ellie nods in agreement.

"Thanks, El, M," Evie says as she and Ellie hug.

"And there he is. Jay, the most valuable player. How do you like that?" The announcer says causing Ellie, Mal, and Evie to cheer.

"Yeah! That's our boy!!" Ellie, Mal, and Evie cheer as Ellie and Evie hug each other out of excitement.