Roses and Hooks /// Harry Hook

Chapter 23: Jealous Girls

"Lumiere!" Jane shouts, running up the back stairs where Ben's glass window sits, covered. Ben had made the window as a gift for Mal, and I have yet to see it. I wouldn't have even known about it if I hadn't had overheard him and Jane talking about it. "Unveil the gift. They need to see it!"

"And now, for the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece, specifically designed for his Lady." Lumiere gestures to Mal, and the curtain falls as the trumpets play. As much as I hate her, the window is really beautiful. And it tells her what I have been saying all along. That Ben truly does love her for the real her.

The window is of Mal on the Isle in a purple ballgown with her long purple hair. She's reaching out to Ben, who is kneeling before her with Auradon behind him. He's loved her all along for the real her, and now she can finally believe it. Sad that it took a window to tell her that instead of everyone trying to.

Mal's talking to Evie as they start walking back down the stairs. Her face is lit up with tears of happiness in her eyes and a large smile is across her face. My lips start to wobble as I look at her, and my eyes start to water.

I want that with Harry. Why does she get to have that, but not me? Why does she get to be happy with her True Love, but I'm forced to leave mine? Why does my brother get his world, but I don't get mine? A sob manages to break out of my chest, and Uma looks at me, her face turning to one of anger instantly.

"Cover that back up!" She shouts as she looks at me worriedly. This causes everyone to stare at her in shock as Ben just stands there staring at the window like he has no idea what it is. It's a window, brother. Not a unicorn. Stop staring at it like it's the most majestic thing you've ever seen.

"I will not!" Lumiere yells back at her, and I shake my head as I try to force my emotions to die along with my heart. I applaud the old man for the guts that he has got, however. Uma looks at Ben and notices he's no longer paying attention to her which causes her to panic a little more.

"Uh, Ben." Uma says innocently, getting his attention back on herself again. "Why don't you tell everyone the present you have for me?"

"I have an announcement!" Ben calls out, looking like he suddenly remembered something important. Does he even know what he's talking about by this point? "Uma will be joining the court tonight as my Lady." Well, that was obvious Ben. Thanks for that. We already figured that out, so get to the good stuff already.

"Son-" Dad starts to say, walking closer to him as I grab a fifth drink from another passing tray. Are the servants paid to ignore the drama that happens among us royals, or do they just not care?

"Not now, dad!" Ben shouts at him, and I nearly choke on my drink as my eyes widen. Ben would never, ever yell at our parents while in the public's eye. That's family matters and should be done in privacy. I want to slam him and cheer him on at the same time, but I know that Ben isn't like me. He isn't loud or a hellion to society. This proves that my brother has been spelled. "As my gift to her, I'm bringing the barrier down once and for all."

"Yes!!" I cheer, throwing my hands up in the air which cause me to stumble to the side a little before forcing my legs to get steady again. Everyone gasps, and several glare at me. Even my own parents glare at me. "Oh, get over yourselves! You're not on top of the world!" I snap at them, and Uma grins at me. Ah, so my best friend is in there. I grin brightly back at her and wink as I grab another glass. Finally, something to celebrate.

"Fairy Godmother, bring the barrier down." Ben says to FG as I wobbly skip over to Uma. I grin at her, buzzing with excitement as she grabs my arms to keep me from falling. She mumbles at me to stop drinking so much so quickly, but I don't care about that anymore. I get to go back to the Isle with my best friend, and I get to see Harry. This night just got a whole lot better.