CHAPTER 17

"Hi, Jay. Hey. Jay. Hey, what's up?" Girls say as the VK's walk pass them.

"Hi," Jay says to them causing Mal to frown slightly.

"Why do you torture them? Just pick someone to take to Cotillion already," Carlos says.

"I already got my Cotillion date," Jay says as he wraps an arm around Mal.

"Ah! You're the expert," Carlos says.

"Except someone hasn't exactly asked yet," Mal says before she walks over to Evie and Zoe.

"Um, Jay... if you were gonna ask Mal, what's the best way to go?" Carlos asks Jay.

"Listen, all you got to do is look like me," Jay tells him causing Mal to roll her eyes.

"Oh, ha-ha," Carlos says.

"Zoe," Jane says as she walks over.

"Hey, Jane," Carlos says nervously.

"Hey," Jane says with a smile.

"I was wondering...uh... if you liked the.... carrot cake last night," Carlos stutters.

"I had the pumpkin pie," Jane says.

"Oh, cool. Um, uh..." Carlos starts.

"Smooth," Jay says as he pulls Carlos away causing Zoe, Mal, and Evie to smile.

"I have an opening for a fitting at 3:00," Evie says as Lonnie walks up. "Who wants it?"

"Me!" Lonnie says quickly before turning to Jane. "Sorry."

"Perfect. I'll take you later," Evie says before she and Lonnie walk off.

"Zoe?" Jane says as Mal follows after Evie and Lonnie.

"Yes?" Zoe responds.

"I hate to keep bugging you, but the decorating committee needs more answers. So, as much as I hate to, um... you know, um..." Jane starts as Zoe nods.

"Bug me?" Zoe asks.

"Right," Jane says.

"Yeah, Jane, I would love to. I just have to get to class," Zoe says and tries to walk off but Jane stops her.

"You know, just nod if you like it," Jane tells her.

"Okay," Zoe says with a sigh.

"Chair swags. Entry banner. Twinkle lights. Napkin design. Table bunting. And you still haven't picked the party favors yet," Jane names off and Zoe just nods.

"Honestly, Jane, whatever you think..." Zoe tries to say.

"I mean, we can do chains, key charms, pen toppers. I kind of love the pen toppers, but, I mean, we can do all three," Jane says really fast, stressing Zoe out. This causes Zoe's eyes to flash purple, which has happened occasionally since she has gotten Mal's powers.

"I say pen toppers," Zoe says after taking a deep breath.

"Yeah?" Jane asks.

"Yeah," Zoe answers with a smile.

"You won't regret it," Jane says excitedly.

"Okay," Zoe says with a giggle as Lonnie, Mal, and Evie walk back over.

"I can hardly wait to see what your wedding will look like!" Lonnie says as Zoe isn't really paying attention.

"Me, too," Zoe says before she realizes what was said. "Wait! What?!"

"The Royal Cotillion is like getting engaged to be engaged to be engaged," Jane explains.

"I knew it!" Evie and Mal say excitedly.

"Well, everyone knows it," Lonnie says as if it was obvious.

"I didn't know it!" Zoe says panicked. "How come nobody told me that? Is my entire life just planned out in front of me..."

"Hi, Zoe," Ben says as he wraps an arm around her waist.

"Hi, Ben," Evie, Mal, Lonnie, and Jane all say sweetly as if nothing had happened. Zoe sends them a glare before Evie, Mal, and Lonnie walk off.

"Oh, oh. Quick moment," Jane says as Ben is about to kiss Zoe but Jane pulls him away. "All right, they're almost finished with the surprise for Zoe's big night. Snow White, Belle. But the one you designed for Zoe is my favorite." Jane scrolls the pictures until it comes to a picture of Zoe in a dark green dress with Ben kneeled in front of her.

"Make sure her eyes are brown," Ben says causing Zoe to stop and look at him confused. "Uh... see you later."

"Okay," Zoe says before following after Mal and Evie.

"Which brown should they use?" Jane asks Ben as she holds up three different shades of brown.

"Uh... This one," Ben answers as he holds up a deep brown.

It's between classes and Zoe rushes over to her locker.

"Hi, Zoe," Ben says as he leans against her locker door.

"Hi," Zoe says with a smile as Ben looks at the pictures of them in her locker. One is from Auradon Family Day and the other is from his coronation.

"I have a little surprise for you," Ben tells her.

"Again? Wow," Zoe says as she leans against the lockers. "That's like every day now."

"Or every other day. The even dates. Because you're even more perfect than I thought," Ben says causing Zoe to smile and laugh.

"That is me. I am perfect," Zoe says sarcastically.

"Come on, let me spoil you. You didn't have a lot growing up," Ben states.

"We managed," Zoe says with a smile before reaching into her locker.

"Hey, didn't Mal donate that to the museum?" Ben asks as he notices the spell book in her locker.

"Is that still in there?" Zoe says as she closes her locker. She then fixes Ben's hair with a smile. "Um, I got to get to class. I really don't want to be late."

"No. You come this way," Ben says as he drags Zoe along. "First off...Ta-da!" Ben shows her a paint splattered bike causing Zoe to gasp in excitement.

"What?!" Zoe asks excitedly.

"You like it?" Ben asks her.

"Ben, does an ogre like cheese puffs? This is amazing! It's multi-colored," Zoe answers him excitedly as she looks at the bike. "I didn't get you anything."

"You're taking me on a picnic with all my favorite foods, remember?" Ben tells her as he leans against the lockers.

"No, that's Thursday," Zoe tells him with a smile.

"It is Thursday," Ben says.

"No, it's not," Zoe argues.

"Yes, it is," Ben says with a smile.

"No, it's not," Zoe argues with a little laugh before Ben gets out his phone.

"It is," Ben says showing her the date.

"I knew that," Zoe tells him.

"I mean, if you don't have it, that's fine," Ben says as he puts his phone away.

"No, no, no. I was fully messing with you. I knew it was Thursday. I just have one more thing to go bake, and then I am all yours," Zoe says before poking Ben's nose with a smile.

"Well, what about class?" Ben asks her.

"She multi tasks," Zoe answers him as she flips her hair over her shoulder.

"She dabbles," Ben says with a smile.

"She dabbles," Zoe agrees before she starts to walk off.

"You're the best!" Ben calls after her as he leans against the lockers again with a smile.

"That's me!" Zoe calls back.