||THE WRATH OF THE SWAN||

|CAMI

Kim was pushing me towards Jack, who was using the peg board, correctly, trying to get me to ask him to the Cotillion. Carlos asked her to go, which she obviously said yes, but she's nervous. She said I needed to be her 'moral support' and that I need a date or it'd just look sad. "Kim, I don't want to!" I protested.

"Go!" she pointed at the brunette boy.

"I don't want to do- hey Jack," I cut myself off after a relatively hard push from Kim.

"Oh hey Cami," Jack greeted, climbing down from the peg board. "Check out the new peg board. It is a great upper body workout."

"Yeah, I would use it, but Rudy used the pegs to dry his concerningly drenched socks," I grimaced.

"Ugh I knew these pegs smelled feety!" Jack groaned, climbing back onto the board.

"Cami, ask him," Kim pressed.

"Kim, I don't want to," I whined.

"Just do it," she insisted.

"But-"

"-JUST DO IT!" she cut me off.

"Jesus, I'll do it. But I'm doing it begrudgingly," I told her. "So Jack, you uh wanna hang out Saturday night?"

"Yeah, sure. What d'you wanna do?" Jack asked from the top of the peg board.

"Go to the Riverside Country Club for the Swan's Court Cotillion Ball!" Kim answered quickly making Jack fall onto the ground.

"Jack are you ok?" I asked, helping him up.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Jack replied.

"Kim, I really-"

"-YOU'RE DOING IT!" she yelled.

"Fine," I grumbled. "Apparently I have to go to this ball thing, so can you please come with me?"

"I would except I hate tuxedos, I can't dance, oh and one more thing, I am a dude," Jack declined. "Dudes don't do Cotillions."

"Oh well, better luck next time," I smiled about to walk away.

"Oh no you don't. You are going to that Cotillion," Kim insisted.

"Hey," Milton greeted upon entering the dojo with Jerry.

"They probably don't have anything to do this Saturday," Jack pointed out.

"Actually, we got roped into going to the Swan's Court Cotillion," Milton told us.

"See, Kim. No one wants to go to that stupid ball," I spoke pointedly.

"You're going," she repeated.

"My mom's making me take her boss' dorky daughter," Milton said as Jack climbed back onto the peg board.

"And I'm taking her dorkier friend," Jerry added.

"Why are you going?" I asked Jerry. "You hate balls, Cotillions, all that shit as much as I do."

"Oh, cause Milton's giving me 60 bucks and letting me watch his turtles go at it," Jerry nodded.

"Aw Jack," Rudy spoke as he entered the space. "Glad you're up there. The ol' swamp's foot is kickin' up somethin' fierce. Hang this pair of socks up to dry for me, would ya?" Rudy threw his socks up to Jack, causing him to groan in disgust.

"Ugh they're all wet," Jack grimaced.

"I told you! Concerningly drenched!" I reminded him.

"It's just a pair of socks dude," Jerry scoffed. "Man up!"

"Says the one who couldn't eat a saltine," I snickered.

"Hey you-" Jerry cut himself off when Rudy's socks landed in his mouth. He took them out screaming, stopping abruptly, and clicking his tongue. "It's actually kinda nice." I have a disgusting cousin.

•••

As I was in line for lunch, which I was probably just gonna throw away, a stubborn tray blocked me from moving forward. "What could you possibly want Frank?" I asked, annoyed.

"We just want you to know, Cami, that we haven't forgotten how you disrespected the Black Dragons by choosing the Wasabi dojo over our own," Frank glared.

"In my defense I did warn you I might switch, your dojo is bullshit, and you just punched your meatloaf. Now, vamoose," I shooed him. He walked away, huffing as I looked over the food. It didn't look too bad today, but I decided to stay safe and grab a salad and an apple. I took a seat at a random table, ready to enjoy my lunch. It didn't take long for Jack to join me with a slice of red velvet cake.

"Hey Cami," Jack smiled, taking a seat. "I snagged the last piece of red velvet cake for ya."

"Thanks, I got an apple," I pushed the cake back.

"I know you're mad about the Cotillion, but trust me, you do not want me there. My manners are horrible. At any moment this finger could be in any hole in my face," Jack told me.

"Jack, believe me, I am over the Cotillion. I'm hoping if I don't find a date Kim won't force me to go," I nodded.

"I thought you wanted to go," Jack looked at me confusedly.

"No, Kim and Carlos want me to go. The two are going together and I'm their moral support," I scoffed. "I'd rather be a moral supporting caterer. Then, I'm not obligated to wear a dress or dance. It'd be a win, win."

"Oh Cami!" Kim sang.

"Oh no. Please don't be a date, please don't be a date," I muttered.

"I found you a date!" Kim beamed. "His name is...what's your name hon?"

"Brody," a boy with dirty blonde hair and pretty brown eyes answered.

"Ooh, I like that," I giggled. Whoa. I giggled? "I mean, cute name." I pulled Kim between me and Jack. "What is happening to me?"

"You, my friend, are experiencing crush at first sight," Kim dreamily sighed.

"Ok, who comes up with these things?" I asked rhetorically before turning back to Brody.

•••

|JACK

She giggled. She giggled. She never giggles. If she does, I want to be the reason she does, not some random dude who waltzes in out of no where. "I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked.

"Oh this is the guy that stepped up and asked Cami to be his date for the Cotillion when you, ya know, didn't," Kim answered.

"He never technically asked-"

"-Will you go to the Cotillion with me?" Brody asked, cutting off Cami. She does not like being cut off. This'll be interesting.

"Sure," Cami dreamily sighed. What is happening to her?

"So, I guess now you're taking Cami to the Cotillion?" I asked.

"Yeah. I kinda like puttin' on a tuxedo and dancing the night away with my favorite lady," Brody replied.

"You've been here for 3 seconds, how can she be your favorite lady?" I asked skeptically.

"He said I'm his favorite lady, Jack!" Cami snapped with an angry look before it contorted to one of horror. "What is happening to me?" she squeaked.

•••

|CAMI

Me and Brody were practicing our dancing in the dojo, moving in sync perfectly. I have no idea why Brody has such an effect on me, but I think it's cause I just met him and he's insanely cute. Unlike when I'm around Brody, I'm comfortable around Jack, so I don't feel the need to giggle or squeal for his attention. That's probably why I like him more than Brody, despite my girlier approach. "Whoa whoa, what's goin' on in here?" I heard Jack ask after he turned off the music.

"Uh we're practicing our dancing for the Cotillion," I answered nonchalantly.

"Out of choice? Cami, you hate slow dancing," Jack pointed out. "Besides, this is a dojo. For karate not princess playhouse!" Me and Brody walked off the mats as Jack came running up beside us. "You ever been in a karate dojo before Brody?" 

"Actually this is my first time in a dojo," Brody answered. My phone went off, indicating a notification. It was Kim. 

"Oh it's Kim. She found me a dress she wants me to try on for the Cotillion. See ya, guys," I waved, walking out of the dojo to try on the dress. I had to say, it looked gorgeous.

•••

Me and Brody were dancing in the middle of the room, me sneaking glances at my brother and best friend every once in a while. "Brody, I'm having the best time," I admitted. And it was true. I've never had a good experience with Cotillions or balls, but this one has definitely been great.

"I am too. And it's going to get even better," Brody promised. "Somebody nominated us for king and queen of the Swan Court."

"That's crazy! But, there's a lot of Black Dragons here and I don't think they're gonna vote for me," I shook my head. 

"I don't know. I think we got a shot," Brody shrugged as the song ended, causing us all to applaud. Kim's song started playing, making me smile.

"Oh yeah! This is my jam!" Kim yelled before dancing her 'dance'. Now this is where my brother's loyalty is put to the test. Is he willing to stay with her while she dances? And the answer is yes! He actually started dancing similar to her making me beam.

"Aww. They're so cute together," I let slip.

•••

It's been an hour or so since Brody left for the bathroom. I was starting to worry that he ditched me or something, but he came rushing back with a goofy smile on his face. I decided not to question it and turned my attention to the stage where the lady was announcing the different levels of 'royalty' couples. "This year's king and queen of the Swan's Court are....Brody and Camille," the lady announced, making my eyes widen. We won? With all the Black Dragons around? Something's not right here.

"I can't believe it," I spoke in a shocked tone. I thought for sure Carlos and Kim had it in the bag. They're adorable! The lady handed me a baton once I climbed onstage with Brody.

"And now the presentation of the crowns by our grand swan," the lady spoke, gesturing to a large moving swan with plastic crowns on it.

"It's the swan!" I heard Jack say before I saw him fling himself in front of me. Unfortunately, because of gravity, Jack fell with a thump and I was covered in gravy.

"What just happened?" I asked, wiping a little bit of the gravy away.

"Cami! Brody's a Black Dragon! He set you up!" Jack exclaimed.

"What?!" I asked looking at Brody in disbelief.

"No," he immediately denied. "Cami, I had no idea, I-" He was cut off by my yelp as I was covered in even more gravy.

"You look horrible!" the lady gasped.

"You do too and you're not even covered in gravy!" I snapped before the gravy was sprayed onto her as well. Nice shot swan. Frank jumped out of the swan, beckoning all of the Black Dragons forward. He advanced on me with his gang behind him.

"Looks like we've got you outnumbered. 7 to 2," Frank sneered.

"3," Jerry corrected.

"4," Milton corrected.

"5," Kim corrected. Damn that's a lot of correcting.

"6," Brody corrected. Aww, how sweet. But he is so gonna get it.

"You just made a big mistake," Frank told him. He swung at Brody, who easily stopped the attack. We fought the Black Dragons, per usual. We hit 'em til we take out Frank, they get scared off, all that jazz. Me, Jack, and Brody regrouped back to the center of the room, looking at the now damaged area. The applause was quieter than usual, but all I was worried about was that it was over.

"Looks like the Black Dragons messed with the wrong Swan Queen," Jack smirked.

"Guys, I'm sorry," Brody apologized. "I guess I was kind of a jerk, huh?"

"Yeah, you kinda were," Jack agreed. I gave him a 'cut him some slack' look causing him to sigh. "But you did come through in the end." Brody nodded, walking away, probably leaving the ball thing.

"Look at me," I sighed. "I'm a mess! I knew I should've fought against Kim harder."

"I don't know. I think brown's a good color on you," Jack countered, making me laugh. I pulled the chair out, fiddling with the plastic crown in my hand. "Give me that," Jack grabbed the crown, putting it on my head. "Cami, I'm sorry. None of this would've happened if I just said yes when you asked me to go with you."

"Well, you're here now," I smiled. "I just got one question. Where did you get that tux? I mean we match and all, but that thing's hideous."

"Rudy lent it to me. I don't know, I kinda like it," Jack spoke getting up. He bumped his arms up revealing feather flowers.

"Where did those flowers come from?" I asked.

"I have no idea," he responded, handing them to me.

"Well, Brody won't be needing this anymore," I laughed, picking up the plastic king crown, placing it on Jack's head.

"Here's something I never thought I'd say. Wanna dance?" he asked, putting out his hand.

"Sure," I answered sheepishly. We got up, taking our positions on the dance floor.

"Soooo," he dragged out. "Why'd you giggle so much when Brody asked you to the Cotillion?"

"Did it bother you?" I teased.

"Pfft. No," he declined, unconvincingly. "But why did you?"

"Well, he's the first guy I've liked that I'm not exactly comfortable with. I guess I just turn myself into a person I think he'd want me to be," I shrugged.

"So, this guy you like is someone you're comfortable with, huh?" Jack asked knowingly.

"I can't believe you still remember that," I laughed.

"Well, I remember things that are important to me," he shrugged. "So who is it?" he immediately demanded.

"Jealous," I sang once again.