Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

7

The crowd let out a collective "Aww" and "Ooh" as all eyes turned to Kara. She managed an awkward smile, her eyes widening as she realized the spotlight was now on her. She glanced over at Evie, who met her with a knowing smile. Out of the corner of her eye, Kara spotted Audrey running off the field, back toward the school. For a brief moment, Kara felt a twinge of sympathy, buried deep down, for Audrey—this was a harsh way to be dumped, but Kara quickly pushed the thought aside.

Ben seized the moment, turning to the band with a confident grin. "Give me a beat!" he shouted, pointing at them.

Doug counted off, "Uno, dos, tres, quatro!" and the band launched into an upbeat rhythm. The crowd clapped along as Ben started to dance, his movements fluid and carefree. He flashed a big smile at Kara, who could only stare back in shock. She looked to Evie, then Mal, and back to Evie again.

"Oh my God!" Evie exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.

Kara turned to Mal, her thoughts racing. "What was in that—"

"Cookie," they both said in unison.

"Did I mention that I'm in love with you?" Ben sang, his voice full of energy as he pointed directly at Kara. He continued to dance, his steps light and playful, moving in sync with the beat.

Kara stood there, arms hanging at her sides, her mouth open in disbelief.

"And did I mention there's nothing I can do?" Ben continued, jumping off the base of the cannon with a flourish.

Mal and Evie joined in with the crowd, clapping along with the rhythm, while Kara crossed her arms, trying to process what was happening.

"And did I happen to say I dream of you every day? But let me—"

The crowd joined in, "Shout it out loud!" They punched their fists in the air in time with the beat.

"If that's okay, hey, hey," Ben sang, spreading his arms wide as if seeking Kara's approval.

"Hey!" the crowd echoed, and Kara was taken aback by Mal and Evie shouting right in her ears.

"If that's okay," Ben sang, taking a few steps back toward his team.

"Hey!" the crowd responded again, with Jay joining in, flashing Kara a mischievous smile.

"I met this girl that rocked my world like it's never been rocked," Ben sang, as he began dancing with Carlos. They moved in sync, performing a coordinated footwork routine, stepping to the side and then back to their original spots.

"And now I'm living just for her, and I won't ever stop." They executed a smooth spin before stopping, pointing directly at Kara.

"I never thought that it could happen to a guy like me," Ben continued, the team dropping to their knees in unison, emphasizing the lyrics.

"But now look at what you've done, you got me down on my knees." The whole team rolled onto their backs, kicking their feet into the air in a playful, exaggerated manner. Carlos and Connor quickly stood up, flanking Ben on either side.

"Because my love for you is ridiculous." Ben sang, and as he did, Carlos and Connor pulled him back to his feet, lifting him with ease.

"I never knew," the crowd sang along, "Who knew?"

Ben turned back to face the audience, continuing, "That it could be like this. My love for you is—"

"Ridiculous!" the crowd finished with him, and Evie grabbed Kara's arm, shaking her with excitement, shouting the word in her ear.