Truly, Madly, Disney: A Disneyitus Challenge #Wattys2016

seventeen

Write a scene where your main character sings "Be Our Guest" to a dinner guest

When Piper wakes the next morning, she starts to regret her decision to call Jonah and invite him and Molly over for dinner. She realises it's because of the feeling she gets deep in her gut, the butterflies are not just floating inside her- they are flapping their wings like crazy. Things were easier when they she hated him, she realises (she also realises, annoyingly, that she's bitten down her nails- which isn't very attractive at all).

But now that she doesn't hate him exactly, she feels as if her emotions have been amplified. When she cries, it's like a river. When she laughs, she feels the earth shake.

Piper feels a horrid sense of panic bubble up inside her when she realises: Jonah and Molly will be over in an hour. Despite the fact that her wardrobe is practically bursting at the seams, Piper realises, she has absolutely nothing to wear.

Now would be that moment in the movies, where the mother comes (quite conveniently) into the daughter's room with a dress they have saved for this particular moment, you know the one, the one of a kind dress that they've had their heart set on for ages now. But, this isn't one of those movies.

When Sandra eventually does come in, however, she laughs warmly at her daughter's wide eyes and hasty movements. "I think I saw Jonah coming down the road," She announces, a smile on her face. Sandra has never seen her daughter move as quick as she did at that moment, it was as if she had transformed into Dash from "The Incredibles" (don't even get Piper started on Pixar movies....). It isn't until Piper re-emerges, finally ready, that she adds- menacingly- "Just kidding."

"Oh Mum!" Piper grumbles. She loved her Mother's humour sometimes but, now, this isn't one of those times. With this in mind, Piper throws a pillow at her Mother (it misses, sadly) in frustration.

"You have absolutely nothing to worry about" Sandra finally says, turning on "Mum mode", putting her arm around her daughter. Comforted, and ever so slightly less nervous, Piper smiles.

I have absolutely nothing to worry about, she thinks.

***

It isn't until a few moments later that Piper actually does have something to worry about. Despite how composed she seems, thanks to yet another bathroom mirror pep talk, when she sees Jonah her composure turns to mush (and her legs, quite frankly, as it's her Mother who answers the door).

But her sudden social awkwardness isn't the aforementioned "thing to worry about". No, in fact, it's the ear shattering hum of the smoke alarm that signals a problem: burning. With flushed cheeks, she leaves the table (which is buzzing with chatter and atmosphere, thanks to Molly and an incredibly adorable drawing), ready to inspect the damage.

As she opens the oven door she sees that the chicken she has prepared isn't crispy but rather burnt to a crisp. The potatoes are rock solid lumps and her vegetables are hard. The girl fights the tears that threaten to fall, deciding it's probably best (for all of them) if she throws everything away.

Jonah, annoyingly, just so happens to come in at this moment.

With a sideways look at the kitchen, Jonah asks "Do you need some help?"

Piper thinks about accepting, but then she remembers the first time she saw him burning his own breakfast. He was cute then, too.

The girl shakes that thought (or any other about how cute Jonah might be) out of her head and focuses back on reality.

She shakes her head at Jonah's earlier suggestion, however grateful she may be (some things just cannot be saved).

So, instead she says "Jonah, go order pizza"

He does so without hesitation.

***

As Piper collects the pizza from the man, handing him his change, she puts on a smile. After all, things were so much better now that she's over the ordeal. The three of them are talking as she comes inside, two large pizzas in her hands.

She looks at the three of them, places the pizzas down on the table, and Sandra somehow senses it.

Bracing herself, a smug smile on her face, she settles down in her seat. This should be good, she thinks, this should be really good. And then, right on cue, Piper begins to sing.

"Be our guest! Be our guest!

Put our service to the test

Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie

And we'll provide the rest

Soup du jour

Hot hors d'oeuvres

Why, we only live to serve

Try the grey stuff

It's delicious-"

"That's enough," Sandra and Jonah say at the same time, causing everyone around the table to burst out into laughter.

Piper's heart is already beating like crazy when she feels Jonah's hand on hers. No big deal, she tells herself (even though it is a big deal, a HUGE deal in fact), no big deal.

"He's a nice boy, isn't he?" Her Mum asks, in a hushed voice (although, Sandra was never any good at whispering).

The girl can feel her cheeks flaring like a light show and it doesn't get any better when she adds, "Handsome, too."

A warning sign in Piper's mind flashes: COUGAR ALERT, COUGAR ALERT.

But, of course, her Mother doesn't

Having heard this, Jonah's now beaming with pride. Knowing this, Piper jabs him in the leg. He groans in pain and suddenly his smile fades (His pout is cute, which is really annoying).

"Jesus, Mum!" Piper grumbles, burying her head in the tablecloth.

During all the embarrassment, Molly shovels yet another slice of pizza into her mouth.

"He loves the attention," She mumbles, her mouthful. "You're feeding his ego.."

Jonah snorts in disbelief, "And you-" He sticks tongue out at his sister, who giggles in response. "are eating all the pizza!"

"It is delicious, that's why."

Jonah looks at Piper and her Mother, that charming smile on his face.

"Thank you both."

Piper isn't aware of how quick the time is passed until, when the sky is the colour of black treacle, Jonah and Molly bid farewell.

After a hug that renders Piper weak at the knees, they're gone.

"I think you've found your Prince Charming, Pipes," Her Mother's voice disappears into the night.

Piper nods. 

She can't agree more.

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A/N: Ooh! Dinner party. Piper's pretty bad in the kitchen, a bit like me. Except, I made Christmas shortbread a few hours ago and they turned out okay.

Anyway, this chapter was a little bit more exciting.

How did you like it?

Seven days 'til Christmas guys! Who's excited?

^There we are: Be Our Guest (which I absolutely love)