Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

32

"Kara, don't leave me!" Julie yelled. Halting her in her tracks, Kara turned around and walked over to her, gently lifting her off the crate and setting her down on the ground. "Let's go," she said, taking Julie's hand and starting to walk again. She noticed the absence of footsteps behind her, indicating that someone was still lingering.

"Where does your brother work, Julie?" Kara asked, keeping her eyes forward.

"The Chip Shoppe," Julie replied.

Kara groaned internally. Why couldn't luck be on her side? She continued walking with Julie's hand in hers toward the shop. Once they arrived, Kara opened the door and stepped inside.

"What does he do here, Julie?" she inquired.

"He just helps around with little things," Julie said, her eyes scanning the room.

"Hello, Kara," Gil said, approaching them with a friendly smile. "Hey, Julie, what's up?" He squatted down, offering a high five, which Julie eagerly returned.

"We're looking for her brother, Noah," Kara explained.

"He's unloading a delivery in the back," Gil said. "I can take you to him."

"Thanks, Gil," Kara replied, and they followed him toward the back.

"Noah," Gil called out, prompting a boy who looked about fourteen to stop. He had brown hair, similar to Julie's.

"This is—" Gil began, but Noah cut him off.

"Kara?" he said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" He wiped his hands on his trousers.

"It's VK day, remember?" Julie piped up, and it seemed to finally catch Noah's attention.

"Julie, I told you not to come here; it's dangerous!" Noah admonished.

"It's okay, Noah. I asked her to lead me here. I've got something to talk to you about," Kara reassured him.

Noah nodded, still concerned. "Gil, can you take Julie back into the shop for me?" Kara asked.

"Sure," Gil replied, and as they headed back inside, Kara followed Noah outside.

"I know why you're here," he said, grabbing a crate from a wagon.

"You do?" Kara leaned against the doorframe, curious.

"You want me to apply for the school in Auradon," Noah stated matter-of-factly, walking past her to place the crate on the ground.

"I do," Kara confirmed as he returned outside for another crate.

"I can't do it," he replied, a hint of defeat in his voice.

"I know," Kara said softly.

"If you know, why are you here?" he asked, looking back at her as he stepped inside.

Kara pushed herself off the doorframe and grabbed another crate. "Suppose I can promise you can take Julie with you to Auradon," she said, walking past him.

"I can?" Noah's eyes widened, a mixture of hope and disbelief.

"You think I would separate a brother and sister?" Kara asked, setting the crate down.

Noah's hand caught her wrist, stopping her. "Do you mean that?"

"Look, Noah, I want you guys to live a better life. That's the whole point of bringing more kids over. I know it took me seven months to actually start that process, and I'm sorry for that, but I want every child here to have the same chance I did. Separating you from your sister isn't part of that plan," she explained earnestly.