The Princeton and the Pauper

Beginning of the Finals

"Alright, soldiers! Rise and shine! Up and at 'em!"

Groans rang out, following Hassleberry's loud wake up call. The loudest groan came from Jaden who was sluggishly getting out of bed, looking like an absolute zombie. Jesse had to stifle a chuckle at that.

"Chill, Hassleberry. This isn't military school." Jaden had to laugh.

"Least that got us up." Added Jesse.

"If you put it that way." Muttered Syrus.

"Keep it down, Dino Breath!!! I'm already up!!" The angry voice of Chazz yelled from the bathroom. Poking his head out and dressed in a black bathrobe, he added. "You'll wake the entire hotel if you're not careful!" He slammed the bathroom door and got back to getting ready.

"Princeton's got no chill at all." Hassleberry remarked under his breath.

"I'll say." Syrus nodded in agreement. "Still, we better gather with the others for breakfast in the hotel restaurant."

"You're right! Otherwise Crowler and Bonaparte will give us an earful for being late." Replied Jesse.

"That is if Chazz doesn't hog the bathroom all morning." Hassleberry remarked under his breath.

"I HEARD THAT!!!"

~~~

"So Maria, I take you had a nice night." Jolene remarked, sitting with the other girls at a table in the hotel buffet restaurant, during breakfast. "Tell us, how did it go?"

Maria had been expecting as much from her female friends to be eager to gossip about her night at Salerno's as she had a sip of her drink. She composed herself as she answered, sincerely. "Well I had a bit of a confidence boost while I was getting prepped for the evening."

"Was dinner exquisite? I bet Chazz asked you to dance." Lucille chimed in.

"Oh, it was all the more amazing. And yes, he did." Answered the caramel haired girl. "My first time dancing with anyone, let alone my own tag partner."

"Then what happened afterwards?"

The rest of the girls listened intently, patiently waiting for Maria's answer. The Slifer girl swallowed her breakfast, trying to keep her growing blush at bay. Settling herself, she opened her mouth to answer.

"Well..."

~~~

"WHAT?!"

The boys' eyes flew wide and their mouths hung open in shock and surprise upon Chazz's details of his night. Thankfully, their reactions weren't loud enough for the hotel restaurant to hear.

"Sam Hill! You mean to tell us that.." Hassleberry trailed off.

"You...kissed your tag partner?" Aster finished for him.

Atticus grinned from across them. "I knew my plan worked." He chuckled, beaming.

Chazz folded his arms, having finished eating. "Yes, we did have a nice night. But for now, Maria and I are keeping our little date a secret for now."

"A secret?" Jesse asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "For how long?"

The black haired male shrugged, straightening his trench coat. His charcoal orbs turned to see Maria sitting at a table with the girls. The sound of her laughter and chatting with them graced his ears as he watched her from the small distance. No one else noticed but he felt his heartbeat intensify as his mind was consumed with memories of their evening. From her table, Maria felt the same but hid it well as she continued chatting with the girls. During this moment, a question came to mind. Was their evening for celebrating their progress of advancing to the finals or...a date?