Cotillion Part 2/4
ONCE EVERYONE WAS ONBOARD, THE YACHT departed from the harbor and drifted into the sea. For all unsuspecting guests, it was a beautiful night. It was if nothing could possibly go wrong. Everyone was wondering if Mal had made it, and was planning to surprise us when we least expected it.
There was no way Ben would set sail unless he knew Mal was back. However, it was possible that the soon to be king was playing tonight by ear, and had no idea what was going on.
Ally and I dangled our arms off the yacht's railing, feeling the fresh ocean air between our fingers.
"This is really nice of Ben. He didn't have to take us all on a voyage, but he wanted to make tonight extra special. Too bad Mal's probably not here to stargaze with us." Ally craned her neck at the sparkling sky, allowing her mind to drift off before coming back to me. "There will be no one like Ben on the Isle. No festive parties like this. In Auradon, everyone is full of laughter and kindness, while in the Isle everyone is stealing and fighting amongst each other."
"People party on the Isle." I muttered impatiently. "Even though you're right about the stealing part, I need you to stop talking like that." I sneered, watching as my face neared hers. "No matter what you say I'm staying. Stop changing your mind about supporting me. I could this without you, but I don't want to."
I looked towards the back of the ship to distract myself from her judgmental stare. A high staircase decorated with banners and an array of flowers was the true center of attention tonight.
That's where King Ben and Mal will appear.
Ally shifted her stance and turned her back to me, having been pulled into conversation by Lonnie.
"I'm trying really hard to support you, but you're making me wish you'd just leave already." Ally turned and whispered to me before Lonnie whisked her towards Chad on the dance floor.
Hearing heavy footsteps approaching me, I knew it had to be someone new. "How are you enjoying the party?" Jay wondered with a smile, leaning against the same rail as me.
"It's really something else." I forced a smile, trying to prove to him that I was enjoying myself.
"Is something wrong? Why aren't you dancing with Ally?" He leaned in towards me, crossing his arms against his chest. His concern was flattering, however his timing was horrible. I looked down at my hands, which firmly held onto the rail.
"I miss him." I whispered.
"Harry Hook?"
I nodded in response. Just the mention of his name made my heart beat faster. "Yes." I admitted. By now, the guests had discovered hidden rooms beneath the deck, and by doing so had spread out. Luckily the dance floor wasn't as crowded anymore.
"I'm going to get some water." I excused myself from Jay before he could ask further questions. I'd assumed that Evie told him about my plans, but I guess at least one of my friends knows how to keep her mouth shut. He didn't seem to know much, or else he was a brilliant actor. I had to play it off as if I had no plans of returning to the Isle. Jay needed to believe that I'd given up on being with Harry, even if I missed him. Jay knew that I had fallen for Harry — it was quite obvious. But he never once gave me a hard time about it.
"Come dance with me." Jay offered his arm as a gentleman should. He looked neat and tidy in a red and blue leather jacket. His hair was in a tight man bun which was the perfect addition to his look. There was a time where I would squeal at his offer to dance, but he was just taking pity on my loss. Besides, Lonnie had a larger crush on him than I ever did. I knew Jay and I would never be a thing — meeting Harry allowed me to realize that. Jay is a great guy and I'll always have him to fall back on when things turn bad. He's always been there for Ally and I, and I would do anything for him. He's like a brother to since my feelings for him are gone.
Taking Jay's hand, he led me to the dance floor where an upbeat song was playing. I couldn't help but overhear Ally's voice above everyone else's. Ally took her shot with Chad, and somehow convinced him to dance with her. Audrey hadn't taken him back, and I think he realized that she moved on. Ally, however, adored him. He twirled her around and made sure to give her the greatest night of her life. I couldn't help but smile, and hope that he felt something real.
"I'm really sorry that I left you on the Isle. I couldn't find you and I knew that if you had been taken somewhere, that I'd need backup." Jay confessed, glancing over to Chad and Ally suspiciously.
I nodded, fully understanding why he did so. "Yeah, I totally get it. Thank you. It was sweet to see everyone so ready to fight the pirates for me." I winked, letting him twirl me around and show off his smooth dancing moves.
"We all thought you'd be able to swim better.." he brought up the topic again. "Or breathe underwater, since-"
"—My mom's a mermaid? I wish, but.. no. If it weren't for Harry I'd be dead." I shrugged, draping my arms over his shoulders. "I'm forever grateful."
Jay nodded profoundly. "I know. He proved himself to be a decent guy. In hopes of making things right between us, I..." he let go of me, and guided my eyes towards the main staircase. A tall figure slowly defended from the stairs like an angel from heaven. I couldn't tell who it was, even though it should've been obvious.
He held a bouquet of red roses between both hands, walking straight towards me. Jay had taken a seat on the side, leaving me to face this person alone.
Nervously, I looked over my shoulder at Jay, who nodded his head for me to turn around. So I did, and as I was approached it took me a moment to realize who it was.
"Harry!" I gasped, my jaw literally falling to my chest. Smiling from ear to ear, I threw my arms around his neck willfully. Harry held the flowers in one hand while the other pressed against my back.
"I missed you." I whispered, blinking tears away. "I missed you more." He smiled, his blue eyes sparkling like the stars above. Harry filled the gap between our bodies, looking down upon me. His rough hand caressed the side of my face as if I was made of fragile glass. We both knew what was coming, but we forced ourselves to wait. A shy look crept on Harry's face as he pulled mine closer.
Then our lips met. When he kissed the world fell away; nothing else mattered. Not the crowd of people around us, the music, nor the fact that the party was for someone else. It was slow and soft, and comforting in ways words would never be. One hand rested below my ear, and the other held the bouquet of roses while pressing against my lower back. I was safe, and at ease. I was home.
Harry was just as surprised as I was to have kissed for the first time. His cheeks had a slight flush to them as mind did, but neither of us cared.
Everyone surrounding us began to cheer. Most of them thankfully didn't recognize who he was. I glanced over at the VKs and mouthed a thank you. I then looked up at the handsome pirate before me. He held onto the bouquet while I straightened out his suit. Wait, a suit?
I realized that he looked completely different.
His guyliner was gone. His hair was styled and cut shorter; It was even a few shades lighter. His gloves and hook were nowhere to be seen, and that caught me by surprise.
Our audience returned to dancing and celebrating while I gaped in awe. Harry smiled down at the flowers which he brought before me. "These are for yeh. Yeh look.." he thought for a moment, trying his hardest to find the right words, "beautiful."
I was completely lost in the moment. I was captivated by him in every way imaginable. "Thank you so much." I still couldn't believe that he was here, and that I had my first kiss. "You look really good, Harry. I'm jealous." I couldn't help but giggle. "Jay did this? He brought you?" Relieving Harry's band, I willingly took the bouquet into my hands and smelled it. These must be from Auradon.. but I've never seen these before. "These smell great!"
"I had some help from the VKs' yeh. Mal actually knew someone who styled hair." He spoke through a thick, smooth accent that I would never grow tired of hearing. "A little girl, actually."
A cool breeze picked up, blowing loose strands of hair over my eyes.
"I'm so glad you're here." I stepped forward, kissing him on the lips once more. This time it was brief but absolutely worth it. "I love you." I breathed.
Harry leaned down to accommodate my height. "I love yeh too, Erina." Harry took both of my hands in his. "I had to see yeh again even if it meant.." he paused and glanced down at himself. He wore a black, white and blood red suit not too far from his everyday colors.
"You didn't have to do all of this for me. Who cares if these people like you?" I led Harry over to the nearest table and placed my bouquet down. Then, Harry and I stumbled onto to the dance floor.
"I would do anything for yeh. Anything. Just say the words." He spoke declared truthfully, watching me place my arms around his neck once more. I was surprised that none of Cotillion's parental supervisors hadn't caught us this close. Perhaps the adults were all downstairs with the majority of the guests.
For all I knew, my parents could be on board. It wasn't like I was on good speaking terms with my mom so I had no idea if she was here.
"Take me home, Harry."
"I-I..." Harry stuttered with bewilderment. "I don't know where yeh live. Plus we're on a boat."
"Home." I cackled. "To the Isle. I'm doing this —performance thing in a little bit but afterwards I'm running away to the Isle. To be with you." I hadn't intended to put so much pressure on Harry but it was too late. I thought that this was what he wanted.
"Yeh don't want to live in Auradon at all?" His brows furrowed with doubt. "What if I moved here? Would yeh want to stay? I already look the part." Harry flipped his hair to the other side with a boyish grin.
"Harry I'm not a goody-goody princess. I long for a pirate's life! I seek adventure and danger. This way you can be yourself," My fingers brushed hair away from his face, "and I can be myself too. Wouldn't you love that?" Looking up into his vivid eyes, I could see dimples forming around his wicked smile. And by wicked, I mean wickedly handsome. Flawless.
"Of course." He easily complied and the two of us swayed to the music.
"You could be the captain of your own ship.. and I could be your first mate." I whispered. "But you would have to leave Uma's crew. Together we can rule the Isle side by side. No one would ever tell us no." I liked the sound of no rules, no boundaries, and having to abide by no one.
Harry smirked. "I do like the sound of that. Besides," he sighed, "I already left Uma's crew. I'm free." Harry cheered, causing me do the same.
"Yes! And I promise I'll never control you as she did. Whatever leverage she had doesn't matter anymore, it's nonexistent. You're my boyfriend, not hers. It's better this way."
"Boyfriend, eh?" He beamed, already fond of the title.
"Aren't you my boyfriend?"
"Unofficially." He teased.
"Well make it official! What are you waiting for?" I squealed, nudging his chest playfully. "Just for kicks, you've got to ask me like a prince. I mean, you look like one so you might as well."
"Alright, alright." He pursed his lips. Twenty or so guests stared in awe.
"Erina, will yeh be my girlfriend?"
I nodded quickly before over dramatically explaining, "Oh of course!" Enjoying our little act, I practically jumped into Harry's arms. He picked me up, and spun me around while laughing harmoniously. Soon after we got over ourselves, an announcement was made overhead. We were both panting and out of breath, but we enjoyed being over the top.
"Ladies an Gentlemen, please give your undivided attention to Prince Benjamin!" Auradon's band played obnoxiously loud trumpets, and everybody cheered. Ben appeared on the top of the stairs alone.
We all waited and hoped that Mal would turn up soon. What could be more important than this?
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