26. The Grand Birthday Ball

Holy gingerbread! I haven't been here in ages. This ballroom is decked out to the max! Banners and garlands hanging on walls, and even the kingdom's favorite band-Gnome More-is playing (it's crazy that they're here for an event this small!)!

I see Ollie and the Royal Court (didn't know they'd be coming) having a conversation at the fancy dinner table in the front of the room. We make our way over to them.

"Hello FTRS crew!" Raz-who's wearing her signature lilac colored ballgown-says excitedly. "You all look beautiful!"

We respond with a chorus of "Thank you!"s.

"Where the heck is Jax?" Jocelyn asks.

"He was grabbing something upstairs. He should be down any minute." Raz says. "Come on Ella, let's go get some more of that divine lushberry juice."

My friends and the royal court all split up in their own small groups to talk or get drinks. I spot Jax coming down the grand staircase. I run (or at least try, I can't really run in high heels.) over there to say hi.

"Well would ya look who it is!" Jax says, stepping off the last stair. I roll my eyes. "You look gorgeous!"

"Geez, thanks; and who were you expecting to see?" I ask.

"I don't know, Alva, maybe?" He runs a hand through his hair.

"What the heck Jaxon. She's been banished for years."

"Don't call me that, Gillian." Jax pushes me.

"Don't call me Gillian, Jaxon." I push him.

"Freedom of speech, Gilly."

"You're so annoying!"

"You're stuck with me."

Geez, this is getting crazy.

"I can choose who I want to hang out with!" I say.

"No you can't!"

"Yes, yes I can. Freedom of-umm, freedom of who you want to hang out with."

"That isn't a thing." Jax laughs.

"Ugh. I'm leaving!"

We wait, staring at eachother, trying not to laugh.

"I thought you said you were leaving." Jax challenges.

"I am. It was nice talking with you."

Jax bursts out laughing. "You like me, don't you!"

I think for a moment. "Not a bit. And actually, I'm staying right here. You leave!"

"That's a very rude thing to say, Gilly."

"Go away!"

"No, you go away!"

"Oh ho ho, well well well... look who's being rude now!"

"You're the worst."

"Can I have your attention please!" Princess Ella says. "Dinner is being served now. There is a buffet set up next to the drink table. Serve yourself and take a seat at the dinner table!"

"In that case, I'm actually leaving." I say.

"Can I come with?" Jax asks.

"Fiiiiiine." I joke. "Ok, in all seriousness, let's go get dinner."

We walk over to the buffet of roast beef, roasted vegetables, jasmine rice, and a lot more.

"You first, thief."

"No, you."

"No, you!"

"Fine, whatever." I step ahead and fill up a goblet with lushberry juice, then get my food.

"You guys! They didn't tell me there would be figgy pudding here." Jax says.

"No pattycakes!?" Ollie says in a disappointed whiny voice.

"That's tomorrow for breakfast Ollie. A whole buffet full of pattycakes and caramel cakes."

I swear I saw stars in Ollie's eyes.

"Can we fast forward to tomorrow?" Ollie asks as we walk to the table.

I sit down next to AG and Hayley.

Once we're all seated, the loud music turns into background music.

"Thank you all for coming tonight! Enjoy tonight's dinner catered by Pattycake Baker's Man!" Princess Ella says.

"Afterwards, Gnome More will be playing and the dance floor will be open along with some desserts set out on the buffet table. The night will be just for hanging out and having fun!" Raz says.

"And last but not least, we'll cut the cake! Cake is catered by Gnome Olia." Princess Snow says. "Royal birthday balls always last until after midnight, so let's prepare for a night of fun with a toast!"

"To Jax!" Raz says, and jokingly jabs Jax in the arm. Everyone clinks their glasses.

"Guys this is so embarrassing. Let's just eat." Jax says, and I laugh.

"My life's purpose is to embarrass my lil bro." Raz teases. Jax rolls his eyes.

☆𖣔︎᯽-𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝓲𝓹-᯽𖣔︎☆

After a delicious dinner full of good conversations and some funny ones (Ollie said he'd tell Tessa Underlin he likes her [he doesn't actually] for 10 pattycakes.), people are on the dance floor and Gnome More is playing lively music.

Music to the Fire Step comes on. Oh brother, please don't make me do this.

"Gilly. I know you're not the dancer type, but we've mastered this dance. Let's give it a go!" Jax says. "C'mon."

"Ugh, Jaaaaax!"

"Come onnnn."

"Fiiiiine." Jax takes my hand and spins me around.

I remember the day we started to learn this dance, way back when I hardly knew Jax. It was in my first detention with Madame Cleo. I had no clue what I was doing, and Jax (who I thought was just a farmer) was a pro.

"Left, right, one, two, left, left around-oh my gosh, I can't!" I say (the first part), for my own sake. That's what Madame Cleo always says. 'Say the moves as you do them!'

Kayla and AG are attempting the dance alongside us, along with Raz and Snow.

The music finally stops and switches to the next song. "Jax I hope that's the last time I do the Fire Step." I say, exhausted.

"For real," Jax says, "It's so fast, and super complicated. You really gotta think."

"That was really funny," Raz laughs. "It's been years since I've done that!" Snow laughs too.

☆𖣔︎᯽-𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝓲𝓹-᯽𖣔︎☆

"Cake is being served!" Princess Ella says. The cake is about eight layers and is decadently decorated with chocolate work.

Everyone grabs a golden plate and gets served a huge piece of cake. "Mmm, Black Forest cake is my favorite. It's popular where I live." Maxine says after she takes a bite.

The Royal court mingles by the buffet table along with Jax, Ollie, Camille, Annalyse, and Emmerlyn. I think I'd better tell my friends about the scroll.

"Hey Maxine, I need to tell you guys something. Can you help me gather the others? I just need Kayla, AG, Hayley, and Jocelyn." I ask.

"Sure! Meet over by the grand staircase?" Maxine says over the music.

"Sure." Maxine heads off to grab Hayley and AG while I get Jocelyn and Kayla.

☆𖣔︎᯽-𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝓲𝓹-᯽𖣔︎☆

"What's all this about?" Jocelyn asks. "Is the RS squad attacking or something?"

I inhale sharply. "Kinda."

My friends' faces go blank.

"Well not really-I don't think so-maybe?" I say.

"What do you mean?" AG asks.

"I'll let you guys read it tonight, but I got a very suspicious scroll from Anna. It says 'AHG is coming two days after the main event; prepare.'"

"What's 'AHG'?" Kayla says. "Anna, Hansel, and Gretel?"

"That's what I'm getting at." I answer.

"Not a very good name for a gang like that." Jocelyn says, and Maxine elbows her. "What'd I do!?"

"So, you think they're gonna try to attack?" Hayley asks.

"That's what it seems like, but Royal Manor has such advanced security that I don't think they'd be able to even get on the grounds." I say.

"True." My friends agree.

"Jax said the gates and the doors are always locked unless there are guests expected; and there aren't any guests expected for the rest of the week." I say.

"So, we have nothing to worry about?" Maxine asks.

"I don't really know. How about we have a meeting tomorrow?"

Everyone nods.

"Sounds good. I'm gonna go get some more desserts." Kayla says, and flutters away.

☆𖣔︎᯽-𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝓲𝓹-᯽𖣔︎☆

Bong!

The clock strikes midnight.

"I guess it's officially your birthday now. Happy sixteenth, Jaxon Porter."

"Thanks bestie. Couldn't've gotten here without you."

"Should I go get more?" Ollie asks.

"NO, Ollie!!" All of us say.

"Bro, you've had like, three huge pieces of cake and a whole bunch of other desserts." Jax says.

"Gnome Olia really has it dialed in. It's hard to stop!" Ollie says.

"I can go tell my sister to monitor the area and make sure you don't sneak anymore." Jax challenges.

"Fiiiiiine. I won't eat anymore."

☆𖣔︎᯽-𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝓲𝓹-᯽𖣔︎☆

"I'm lowkey getting tired." Kayla says. "Maybe we should head back soon."

"Me too." I agree. "Oh and Jax and Ollie, we're having a meeting tomorrow about the scroll. Let's do it at breakfast."

"Scroll? What scroll?" Ollie asks.

"From Anna; we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"Screw that, I can't wait for caramel cakes."

"Since it's 2:00 AM, breakfast will be at 10:00 tomorrow instead of the usual." Jax says. "It'll be catered by Gnome Olia. I'll see you guys tomorrow!"

"You mean later today." Jocelyn counters. "It's Thursday already; has been for the past two hours."

"I guess you're right." Jax says. "Ok, see you today." He laughs.

I laugh. "C'mon, I can't wait to take of these glass slippers."