Another Disney High School Story: The Digital Diary

Chapter 7

"Please, please, guys, I know this isn't our jam, but I'll make it fun!"

Picture this: it's Saturday, and you're sitting with your friends in their dorm room, with your best friend from the boys' school—who can only spend so much time on your campus—and you're begging them to go to a school dance that you know they don't want to go to.

"Meg," Kuzco started, arms folded, "Quit the bullshit. Why do you so desperately want to go to the god damn Homecoming Dance?"

"Yeah," Alice agreed, "We all made a pact when we became friends that the only dance we'd go to would be Prom."

Violet just looked me dead in the eye, and said, "A girl you like is going to be there. That's what it is, right?"

Well, I couldn't keep up the façade anymore. "Yeah..."

And the three of them erupted in a chorus of various 'Dammit, Meg', 'Are you kidding me', 'You useless lesbian', etc. I put on a sheepish grin and started to shrug, but yeah, I gotta admit, I was a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry, but she's not totally out yet, and would feel more comfortable going in a group," I was kind of lying, but I'm an actress, so...

"Who is it," Kuzco demanded an answer. He didn't ask.

I didn't need to cover this one up, "Merida."

"Really?" Maybe I should've lied; Violet was mad, "The girl you abandoned us at that party for?"

"Okay, first of all," I started, "We never had an agreement to stick together: three out of four of us wanted to fuck someone that night. Second: she's really cool? I think you guys would get along with her at least. And third: I apologized for ignoring your calls and texts; what more do you want?"

I watched as Violet tried to form words. She looked around the room for any backup, but Kuzco was avoiding her gaze (he 'abandoned' us, too, technically), and Alice just looked confused. Violet did her damndest to retort, but ultimately, she said "Whatever," as she sulked on her bed.

"So like," Kuzco began the interrogation, "Do you actually have feelings or is this a rouse for more sex? Like what's going on with you two?"

I explained to the gang that I initially saw Merida as someone to hook up with, but I feel like SHE has feelings, so I'm going on a proper date with her to see if I could also have those feelings? I don't know; when I put it the way I did, it sounded kinda shitty. But, I needed to get them back on track for convincing. "Alice: this is your chance to finally ask Jim or Peter out."

Alice raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes, Kuzco actually smiled and started encouraging her, but Violet piped up with, "Well, Jim and Peter don't care about Homecoming either—"

Kuzco cut her off, "How would you know? You've never been," Violet was going to continue, but Kuzco didn't let her, "Alice, hon, Meg actually makes a good point. You've been dreaming about those two for years: you should do this!"

"I—I don't know, guys," Alice stammered, "I really don't want to be turned down—"

Kuzco had now gotten off his chair, and approached Alice, grasping his hands to her shoulders. "Hon, the worst they could do is say 'no'. They're nice people; they're not going to laugh at you or make fun of you for having feelings. You're getting too in your head about this."

"In fact," I chimed in, "I think you should ask one of them out at the Drama Club meeting this week."

I saw the color drain from her face. "That's so soon..."

"We'll all be there," Kuzco continued, "We'll be there to support you and catch you if you fall."

Alice smiled softly, seeming a bit more relieved, and more into the idea of going through with this.

"Okay, but like," Violet began, still slouched back on her bed, "Why do you need us specifically to be in this group?"

"Vi, I don't know what your damage is," Alice said, with a sudden burst of confidence, "But I'm actually going to ask a crush out, and even if I get rejected, I do think we could have a fun time getting dressed up and all that."

"Li Shang goes every year cuz of the football team so you know my gay ass will be there," Kuzco added

"Ugh, fine. We can all go to Homecoming," Violet finally caved

I bounded over to Violet and wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you thank you thank you!!! I promise we'll have fun!"

Alice and Kuzco came up and joined us, creating a group hug. I felt Vi's hand come up and hold my wrist. "Aww big happy family," Kuzco cooed

"You guys have no idea how grateful I am for this," I continued, still in the embrace, "You saved a lot of people's asses."

I felt Violet's hand drop. "What do you mean?"

I couldn't just tell them this. Merida and I agreed that if we couldn't get my group to join us at Homecoming, we'd ask Mulan to dress masculine, and pose them in pictures with Merida to send to her mom. Mulan would basically act like Merida's beard. Merida was totally okay with this option, but with knowledge of Mulan's secret crush, I would feel horrible the entire time. So I lied. "Well, since Merida's not completely out yet, she'd be more comfortable going with a group. She originally suggested going with the soccer team, but I asked if I could try asking you guys first. So, long story short: I really didn't want to spend a dance with Jasmine, Aurora, and the rest of the soccer team, so thank you for agreeing to go," They all looked at each other, and gave little head nods to indicate that was fair, and then I had a thought, "Maybe at Drama Club we can ask Aladdin and Eric to come with us too? They'd be chill, right?"

My friends all looked at each other and agreed that including them would be fun. I was incredibly relieved. My plan went off without a hitch. I texted Merida to let her know the good news.

I'll admit: I'm not one for emoji, but Merida seems to be a fan, so I decided to give them a shot. Now it looks like I need to pick out a dress. And heels. ... What have I gotten myself into?