TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
The room was filled with colorful pillows, fairy lights, and the scent of popcorn and nail polish as the girls of Auradon settled in for their sleepover. Evie was applying face masks while Audrey braided Lonnie's hair. Jane was organizing nail polish colors and Uma was scrolling through her phone, occasionally smirking at something she found funny.
"Okay, truth or dare?" Evie asked, setting down the jar of cucumber face cream.
Before anyone could answer, the door creaked open and Haden peeked in. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said with a grin. Haden was Mal's half-brother, and the son of Hades and Chernabog. His dark coat flowing behind him as he enters the girlsβ dorm room.
Mal rolled her eyes but smiled. "Haden! What are you doing here?"
"Couldn't resist the allure of a sleepover." He said, plopping down on a pile of pillows. "Mind if I join?"
The girls exchanged looks before shrugging in unison. "Sure." Uma said. "But only if you don't try to steal our snacks."
"Deal." Haden laughed.
Suddenly, Evie sat up straighter. "I have an idea! Let's do a song!"
The others groaned playfully but were clearly interested. Evie grabbed her phone to pull up the lyrics, and soon they were all sitting in a circle, pillows arranged like an informal stage.
Dododododidodo Dododododidododoβ¦
Evie began, her voice clear and melodic: "I'm not Snow White, but I'm lost inside this forest." In honor of her mother's hatred for the Princess that was βThe Fairest of them all.β
Mal joined in, her voice adding a slightly edgier tone: "I'm not Red Riding Hood, but I think the wolves have got me."
Audrey sang next, her voice surprisingly strong: "Don't want your stilettos, I'm not, not Cinderella."
Ally, who had been quiet until now, sang with passion: "I don't need a knight, so, baby, take off all your armor."
Haden smiled as this line reminded him of Ben, and he sang: "You be the Beast, and I'll be the Beauty, Beauty. Who needs true love as long as you love me truly?"
Evie continued, her eyes meeting Mal's: "I want it all, but I want you more. Will you wake me up, boy, if I bite your poison apple?"
Then they all joined together for the chorus, their voices blending in perfect harmony:
"I don't believe in fairytales (no, no, no)
I don't believe in fairytales (no, no, no)
I don't believe in fairytales
But I believe in you and me
Take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland, Wonderland, Wonderland."
Audrey sang the next verse in honor of her mom, Sleeping Beauty. Her voice is soft but clear: "When I lay my head down to go to sleep at night."
Lonnie continued: "My dreams consist of things that'll make you wanna hide."
Jane sang next, her voice gaining confidence:
"Don't lock me in your tower, show me your magic powers."
Uma added her part with a smirk:
"I'm not afraid to face a little bit of danger, danger"
Haden sang his lines, his eyes distant as if thinking of someone special: "I want the love, the money, and the perfect ending.
You want the same as I, I, so stop pretending."
Mal and Ally sang together, their voices complementing each other: "I wanna show you how good we could be together. I wanna love you through the night, we'll be a sweet disaster."
Again, they all joined for the chorus, even more enthusiastically this time:
"I don't believe in fairytales (no, no, no)
I don't believe in fairytales (no, no, no)
I don't believe in fairytales
But I believe in you and me
Take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland, Wonderland, Wonderland."
They continued with the bridge, their voices softening:
"Wonderland, ooh-whoa-oh-oh
Ho-oh-oh
Ooh-whoa-oh-oh
I believe in you and me."
The final chorus was their most powerful performance yet, with everyone adding their own harmonies and flourishes:
"I don't believe in fairytales (no, no, no)
I don't believe in fairytales (no, no, no)
I don't believe in fairytales
But I believe in you and me
Take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to
I believe in you and me
Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to Wonderland
Take me to Wonderland."
As they finished the last note, they heard applause from the doorway. They turned to see Ben, Carlos, Jay, Harry, Doug, Gil, and Chad standing there, all smiling.
"How long have you been there?" Mal asked, blushing slightly.
"Long enough to enjoy the show." Ben said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Haden. "I especially enjoyed watching my boyfriend singing."
Haden's face turned pink, but he couldn't help grinning. The other boys laughed good-naturedly as they entered the room, Carlos grabbing a handful of popcorn and Harry and Gil plopping down next to Uma.
"Well, since the party's here now." Carlos said, "What's next on the sleepover agenda?"
The girls exchanged looks before breaking into laughter. "I guess it's not just a girls' sleepover anymore." Evie said, passing around the nail polish.
As the night continued with more singing, games, and snacks, Haden caught Ben's eye across the room and smiled. Sometimes the best fairytales are the ones you write yourself.
