So we're different, whatever
Everyone can shine
This is the moment of our lives, 'cause we're better together
____________________

"COME ON!" Lonnie was yelling and pulling me by the arm, "The boys are waiting."

I was stumbling after her in my red dress, feeling a bit self conscious since all I've been wearing the past sixteen years of my life were baggy clothes. Evie finally found her excuse to do my hair and makeup. She had my hair curled and twisted into a bun, fastening it down with flower pins that matched my dress. The makeup was light, like Mal's. I was wearing boots underneath because screw heels- no one could see it anyway and I didn't want to constantly trip over myself.

Mal was in a v-neck dress that spread out like a fan at the bottom. The dark purple was complimented with an electrifying green that ran along the hem of the dress, a pair of miniature dragon wings on the back. And there was definitely a sprinkle of sass in the way the dress curved around her hips like it was born into the world just for her.

Evie's was strapless and feathery around the edges. The cape on the back that was attached with a red ruby at the corners. She obviously kicked in a little Evie pride with the hearts and crowns that was sewn into the fabric.

Needless to say, we were lookin' good. And it was all because of Evie's magical talents.

I couldn't help but wonder what outfit Evie had forced Carlos in.

When we arrived to the ballroom, my breath was taken away. Auradon had always been gorgeous, but this was beyond that. The tables were decorated with light purple laced tablecloth and white carnations evenly distributed. Purple banners hung from lamp to lamp. The lighting was soft. The scene was sprinkled with elegance. We had arrived early to help with the preparations, but it seemed like everything was already in place.

"Jane!" I shouted, trying to get her attention amidst all the guards who were rushing around to set food on the tables.

The short haired girl turned around with a clipboard in her hands and lit up when she saw us. I gave her a side hug.

"Beautiful dress!" Evie told her, examining the blue fabric.

Jane blushed. "Thanks."

"Everything looks amazing, Jane." Lonnie gushed.

"And beautiful decorations." Mal added, doing a full three-sixty to take it all in, "How'd you know my favorite color was purple?" She teased.

Jane grasped her hand. "I didn't." Her eyes sparkled. "But Ben did."

Mal looked at her, shocked. "B-Ben did this for me?"

Jane's massive grin was enough to answer that question. "The boys are on the other side if you want to thank him."

Indeed they were. Doug, Jay, Ben and Carlos were all in suits, back turned towards us as they pointed out ornaments.

"Ben!" Mal cried, running and throwing herself at him.

"Mal! Hey!"

The others turned around. I caught Carlos' eye and became too stunned to move.

Carlos had always been a pretty boy, downright adorable even. But this was quite the sight. The black and white jacket that hugged the upper part of his body made his shoulders seem boarder than usual. There was gold laced into the shirt underneath it and the red fingerless gloves that added a dangerous edge to the outfit. Zippers ran at odd angles on his red loose-fitted pants. It was such an Evie look, but he completely rocked it.

Carlos looked like he was having an internal crisis of his own, staring straight at me without blinking.

I approached him shyly- Unlike Lonnie, who attacked Jay in two seconds flat.

Wow he mouthed, as I moved my hands behind my back and felt my face heat up.

"You look- wow." He fumbled.

I giggled. "You look wow too."

He got closer, brushing his hand on my arm. The cool feeling of his ring on my skin made goosebumps form and his lips hovered near my ear. The same lips that I got to kiss yesterday.

"You're beautiful." He whispered.

"You look great too- better than great." I peeped.

Behold my horrible flirting skills.

I gathered my courage and planted a kiss on his cheek. He smiled widely, reaching out for my hand and interlocking our fingers without a word.

"You didn't have to do this for me." Mal was telling Ben, cupping his face.

"But I wanted to." Ben grinned, "I requested for the cake to be purple too."

Mal laughed out loud. It was the sweetest most ridiculous thing.

"I can't believe we're the first ones here." Evie said.

Doug had his arm around her waist. "Well, now we get more time together." He smiled at her.

"O-kay!" Lonnie shouted, clapping her hands loudly, "Since the party hasn't started, why don't we go have an adventure together?"

Jay raised an eyebrow at her. Their arms were interlocked. "Where? We're supposed to be helping Jane with the preparations."

"Oh you guys can go if you want." Jane called from the tables, "I've got everything covered."

"Are you sure?" Ben asked.

Jane did a little playful curtsy. "Don't worry, King-to-be. I know what I'm doing."

"Okay."

"Gosh I completely forgot you're getting crowned tonight." Lonnie admitted, "Nervous much?"

"So nervous." He answered, smiling uncontrollably. He turned to Mal and kissed her hand. "But I think I'll be fine as long as you stay with me."

Evie clapped her hands excitedly. "Mal! You're gonna be stealing Ben's spotlight."

We laughed.

Suddenly I remembered something.

"Come with me?" I asked Carlos, who looked at me curiously.

"Where?"

"Just come with me." I said light-heartedly, tugging on his arm.

"Having an adventure without us?" Lonnie faked a sulk as I dragged Carlos away.

I grinned back at her. "We'll be back, I promise." I uncharacteristically blew her a kiss to satisfy her. "Hey, Jane?"

She turned around to face me. "Yeah?"

"Do you know where your mom is?" I asked.

She tapped her chin. "Probably behind the stage. She told me someone needs help setting up the spotlights."

"Great. Thanks." And I dragged my boyfriend along.

"What on Earth are you up to, Brae?" Carlos questioned, though he did not look like he minded.

I stopped right before we reached the platform that Jane was talking about, facing him. We were alone, just as I had hoped.

"I want this to be a fresh start." I stated, grasping his hands, "No more wondering if I could ever be capable of love. I don't ever want to question it again."

He broke into a smile, a smile that encouraged me to keep going.

"I love being a VK. I love that I'm here in Auradon. I love that I got to meet all of you and I love that I have the privilege to call you all my family."

I stared at him directly in the eye so he'll never have to second guess my next words.

"And I love you."

He blinked, expression softening. His eyes were so beautiful under the lights.

"And-" I felt him squeezing my hand. "I promise you, you'll never have to be afraid of anyone and anything ever again."

He suddenly jerked my body close and pressed a kiss against my lips, making my insides tingle with delight. I was once again engulfed in his scent.

"I love you too." He said afterwards, "But I think you already know that."

I giggled. "I do."

"You fascinate me, Brae. Really. You are just- the strongest most determined, insane person I've ever met."

I laughed. His fingers traced down my face- from behind my ear then down my jawline, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip.

"Well, this still doesn't explain why you dragged me here." He grinned.

I grinned back.

"A fresh start." I reminded him.

Right on cue, the Fairy Godmother appeared from behind the stage.

"Fairy Godmother!" I called.

"Carlos! Brae!" She waved as she approached us, "That darn light stand wouldn't do its job..." I have rarely ever seen her complain. I guess she was as excited and nervous as the rest of us. She turned her attention back towards us. "Matching outfits I see. You both look marvelous."

Carlos and I chuckled.

"Fairy Godmother." I addressed her again, "I wanna give you something, if that's okay."

I reached under my dress, into my boot and pulled out my knife. Carlos gawked at me and I almost laughed at his expression.

"What? Were you expecting flowers?"

He simply nodded along, mouth agape.

"Brae?" Fairy Godmother questioned.

I paused, allowing myself to feel the weight of the knife in my hand one last time before holding it towards her.

"This was my dad's... Shan Yu's." I explained, not taking my eyes off it, "I think it belongs in the museum now. I don't need it anymore."

I felt Carlos' grip on my hand tighten as he stared me down. He knew how much this moment meant to me, and that was exactly why I had to take him with me. He was my witness.

He was my fresh start.

Fairy Godmother looked quite surprised herself and I wondered if she even knew I had it in the first place. "Oh." She gently took it from me. "Thank you, Brae. I'll make sure there's a special spot in the museum for it."

I smiled at the thought of it.

"I'll go find a safe hiding place for it before Cotillion starts." The Fairy Godmother promised before politely stepping away.

"You never fail to surprise me, huh?" Carlos said, shaking his head as we walked back to the group.

I just smiled blissfully in response.

This was a start of a new chapter.

I was thankful for that knife, with its finely crafted blade and my dad's initials craved on it. Thankful for every soup can it has opened, and every street fight it has ended. Even thankful for the scar it drew on my face, cause now it will always be a part of me. But I didn't need it anymore, not when I have my friends, my family.

Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos.

I guess I'll always be from the Isle, but I'm not an Orphan anymore.

These people are my proof.

_____________________
The end.
November 16, 2019
(there's a sequel my peeps)