A Crack in the Mask

Boom Goes the Dynamite

Notes:

Hey Descendants!

So, after much thought... ... ... Yeah, we can start posting three times a week.

I'm the best right :)

Seriously though, I never thought we wouldn't. Especially when I saw how many chapters we got.

Gooooooood Neeeeeeeeeeews! We've finished Book 2, and now we're starting Book 3.

We know, we're awesome :)

Don't forget to feed the writers.

(We take all forms of comments.)

(See the end of the chapter for questions.)

The next day...

"So. She hid letters to all of us... In our jackets? In pockets of our jackets, we didn't know could open?" Carlos whines as he falls back on his bed, staring up at a small folded square with his name neatly written on it in Deez's familiar handwriting.

Jay chuckles, "Yeah, I didn't even know they were useable." He doesn't open his letter, just shoves it back into the pocket, "Sorry E."

Evie giggles, "They were for hiding rusties. No one can pickpocket those, we'd know."

Mal shakes her head, "Of course you have a practical reason for putting zippers on everything."

"It also gives it a modern edge." Evie slightly adjusts a strand of hair, "And a flair of flavor."

"No one's questioning your ability to make us look awesome E, just that we didn't know they were actually useable." Mal rolls her eyes.

Carlos shakes his head before he timidly unfolds his letter. This felt, big. Like he was getting a tiny piece of what he missed about the isle. He sits up before curling protectively around it to read.

Carlos,

I appreciate how you've pushed me to get out of my funk these past few weeks. You're such a good friend, and as much as I might not have demonstrated it, I want you to know I am happy to be with you guys.

Thanks for putting up with me, and still caring. You've always made me feel like I fit in with you, belong with you as a friend. And that means the world to me.

I know I've made you uncomfortable in the past with my knowing things, and I'm sorry that I don't always know how to explain it right, but thank you for always taking me at my word. For listening to me. For considering my opinions without questioning me like everyone else seems too.

I know it was scary when we first asked you to start up book club with us. I know Gil can be very intimidating, but I'm so happy you gave him a chance.

I know doing something under Mal's nose was even scarier though. She has a harsh reputation she has to maintain, and it must be hard on her, but she's always going to do what she has to.

I need you to know how brave you are. I know that's never a word you'd use to describe yourself, but you are so brave. You're always the first with ideas to make life easier, and you fight for everyone you care about. Even when you don't know you're doing it. I never will forget that you were the only one to ever sit next to me in school when no one else dared to. And I will always love you for that, for not treating me like a freak. Love. Won't Gil be proud of me for admitting that to you?

Off-topic, you know me...

I just... I needed to thank you for trusting us. Me. And T. For doing something that goes against all your instincts and sticking this out with us. The four of us make a great team, and we never would've been able to do this without you. I'm so proud of the work we've done. Together. And I can't wait to find more excuses to keep book club going. Making a staff for Yensid should easily give us a couple more weeks.