chapter two: best dressed

WITHIN THE BOYS' DORMITORIES, Elliot and Quinn Hearts furiously dig through their closets, their third roommate, Harry Hook, asleep on his bed. Lee holds an abhorrently fancy suit up to his body, looking in a mirror to check how it looks. "You need to burn that immediately." Quinn comments, taking the suit from Lee's hands and tossing it aside.
"Seriously? I thought it was cute and it fit the theme." Lee argues, picking it up off the ground and hanging it back up in the closet.
"The theme isn't gaudy, out-of-date fashion." Quinn rolls his eyes, pulling out a nice red suit. "Now this is perfect," he holds it against himself, fiddling with the sleeve cuffs.
"I want to wear red, you got to wear it last ball." Lee whines, grabbing the suit from him.
"Cause I look better in red, it matches the undertones of my skin." Quinn pulls out a matching black suit, shoving it into Lee's hands, taking the red suit back.
"More like it washes you out," Lee murmurs, laying the suit of the back of a chair.

Claudia spins into the room, dressed in a long, turquoise gown, pastel gems decorating the bodice of the dress. "What do we think boys?" She asks, sauntering around the room and showing off the dress. Chester slips through the door behind her, his dark purple suit easily blending into the background.
"You look fantastic!" Quinn praises her, looking at the dress and feeling the fabric of the skirt. Lee nods approvingly, sitting on his bed.
"Thank you, thank you," she does small curtsies, whisking over to her sleeping boyfriend. "Harry," she sings, flicking him in the forehead. "Wake up shithead."
Harry grumbles, rolling onto his side away from Claudia. "What do you want, sweet-tooth?"
"Well, if that's how you're gonna be, then I'll just go show my dress to one of those hot new Arendelle people." Harry frantically sits up, grabbing her hand.
He looks at her up and down, "You look absolutely wonderful, doll!"
"I'm glad you think so, cause Quinn has your matching suit!" Claudia blushes and smiles, turning back to the twins and clapping her hands excitedly. She links arms with Chester, blowing one last kiss at Harry before leaving.

"Nope, you already wore that dress to a ball Lynn." Eryk and Travis sit in two plush chairs facing a door that leads to Lynn's temporary closet, Lynn is going in and out as she tries on dresses.
     "I'm not trying to be too flashy, though. We have so many parties to attend I need to start off small." She reasons, messing with the skirt of her plain black and green ball gown. "It's still regal, while not being too much."
     "If it means anything, I like it. I mean, the dress looks good and she'll still be showing up everyone there." Travis compliments, earning a bright pink blush from Lynn.
      "Thank you, that does mean a lot," she smiles at him, side-eying Eryk before turning back into the closet.
Lynn returns from the closet in a huge pink princess dress, huffing and swatting at the large ruffled top. Eryk suppresses a laugh using his hand and Travis just burst out in laughter. "It's — it is perfect, I choose this dress." Eryk attempts to say, a snort breaking his sentence.
     "You wanted a more flashy dress, and this will surely make a statement." She crossed her arms, closing the closet curtains to change again.
     "Lynn how about we just get a dress made for you? I'm sure there is an available tailor somewhere here." Travis suggests, leaning back into his chair and yawning.
     "Absolutely not, she is not gonna wear the work of some Auradon seamstress at the first ball. We are here to represent Arendelle so we will wear Arendelle garb." Eryk says, shutting down the idea. Lynn slides open the curtain, back in her pajamas. She gestures to the dresses she hasn't tried on yet. Eryk gets up and starts rifling through the options, looking for a few seconds before pulling out one and handing it to her. "This one."
      Lynn sighs and shuts the curtains agains, the sounds of fabric ruffling and frustrated huffs being the only noise in the room. "I don't know how you do it." She walks out in a dress with a dark teal skirt, black velvet bodice, and teal details going down the long sleeves. "Gold or silver?" She asks, admiring herself in the mirror.
"Silver. I'll get your tiara from your mother and meet up with you later for lunch." Eryk pats Lynn's shoulder and leaves the room.
"You looks great Lynnie, you're gonna knock the socks off of these Auradon royals." Travis says, touching her arm. "I'll see you later!" He hurried out after Eryk, leaving a blushing Lynn holding her arm.

"Arms up!" Charlene obediently raises her arms, grimacing as the pin pricks her. "Sorry!" Elana sucks a breath in, grabbing another pin from Ciana. "I'm almost done, you look amazing though! Red is your color."
     "Thank you- and thanks for helping with the dress." Charlene smiles, admiring her long red dress. The neckline and sleeves are a golden lace and Elana is helping to attach a matching red cape to the back of the dress, adding a sort of train behind her.
     "You are so pretty Char. I can't wait to see you with your hair all done up!" Ciana adds, handing another pin to Elana. "I might just have to steal a dance from you."
Elana chuckles, hip bumping Ciana. "Not if I get
to her first. All done!" She dusts off her hands, admiring her pin work.
"Who are you kidding Elana, you and Carlos are gonna be attached at the hip, being all lovey-dovey." Charlene jokingly makes a gagging motion, slowly lowering her arms. She slips into the bathroom to take off the dress.
"Well, this is our first ball together." She gushes, flopping backwards onto her bed with a dreamy sigh. "It's been in every one of my dreams."
"You are so in love" Ciana shakes her head, sitting down on the bed next to her.

Manus, Whitney, and Millie were sitting around a small cafe table outside. "Thank you for joining me for lunch. It has been awhile since we've been able to see each other." Manny smiles at the two girls.
"Of course Manny! It's nice to get a little distraction today, it's very stressful." Whitney sighs, taking a sip of her tea.
"Preparing a grand ball must be difficult, my mother and I are more of attendees that planners." He pats Whitney's hand, giving her a sweet smile.
"It's not that, Whitney is an amazing planner." Millie says, shaking her head. "Ben's been a real butthead lately, he's been running around with some villain kid."
     "He's not running around with her," Whitney gently slaps Millie's arm in protest. "I just haven't seen him all day, he is going to be hosting a king after all." She sighs again, taking a bite of macaroon before continuing, "I just feel like he's been really distant, especially now that he's being watched by the whole world. It's a silly worry, I'm just being selfish."
     "It is not selfish to want your needs checked on, Whit."
     Manny leans across the table, placing a comforting hand on her bicep. "I think this Ben guy doesn't understand who he's dating, you are literally perfect and he is an idiot for being neglectful. You are allowed to celebrate tonight with or without him."
     "Thanks Manny. I know he's just going to be networking all night, trying to get a head start on establishing good relations."
     "Then save a dance for me, will you? Both of you." Manny stands up with a stretch. "The tea was great, thank you for catching up before the ball."
     "Will do, thank you for the kind words." Whitney smiles at him, standing up to give him a hug before he leaves.
     "Your name will be first on my dance list." Millie says, following Whitney and hugging Manny.

a/n ANOTHER CHAPTER. So sorry for how long it takes me to write, me and motivation don't exactly get along. I hope you all liked this and are still interested in the book. There's gonna be a ball next chapter!