The Day of the Trials
It was the day of the tryouts for the clubs at Auradon Prep, and the excitement was palpable among the students. Even the usually reserved Red felt a certain excitement at the thought of participating. The girls prepared themselves carefully, discussing their expectations and hopes for the day.
Bridget and Ella headed to the baking club together. The room was filled with the delicious aromas of sugar and spice, and the students were busy at their workstations. The club representative, a cheerful and energetic student named Lydia, explained the different steps of the tryout.
“Today, you will be making a creative cupcake recipe. You have one hour. Be inventive and have fun!” she said enthusiastically.
Bridget, in her element, immediately got to work, mixing the ingredients with precision and creativity. She chose a recipe for chocolate and raspberry cupcakes, decorated with marzipan roses. Ella, though less of an expert, diligently followed Bridget's advice, adding her own personal touch with colorful toppings.
By the end of the hour, the cupcakes were beautiful and delicious. Lydia walked among the students, tasting and evaluating each creation. "Very impressive, Bridget! Your roses are beautiful," she said, delighted. "And Ella, I love your bright colors. Well done to both of you!"
*****
Meanwhile, Red was preparing for her chemistry club test. The chemistry room was equipped with all the necessary equipment, from test tubes to beakers to Bunsen burners. Harry Hook himself led the club with passion and humor. "Welcome everyone. Today, we will test your chemistry skills by creating a spectacular chemical reaction. Be creative and precise!"
Red, a little nervous but determined, got to work. She chose to perform a precipitation reaction using copper and silver salts. She mixed the solutions carefully, observing the color changes and the formation of precipitates. Harry walked behind her, watching her work with interest. "Impressive, Red. You have a real talent for chemistry. Keep it up."
Red felt a surge of pride at these words. She successfully completed her experiment, creating bright and colorful crystals. For the first time, she truly felt like she belonged in this field.
*****
Finally, at the same time, Chloe was having her tryout at the fencing club. Coach Jay, with his boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, explained the rules of the tryout. “Today, we’re going to see your basic skills and your competitive spirit. Show me what you’ve got!”
Chloe, armed with her practice sword, got into position. She had spent years training with her father, and it showed. Her movements were graceful and precise, each blow delivered with confidence. Jay, impressed, looked at her with an approving smile. “Excellent work, Chloe. You have a natural talent for fencing.”
After a series of duels and exercises, Chloe finished her tryout, exhausted but satisfied. She joined the other girls, her heart pounding with excitement.
The girls met up at the end of the day, excitedly sharing their results. Bridget and Ella were thrilled to announce that they had passed their tryout and been accepted into the baking club. “I’m so excited!” Bridget exclaimed.
Red, though still reserved, also shared her results. "I passed my chemistry club test," she said with a hint of pride. Chloe and the others congratulated her warmly.
Finally, it was Chloe's turn to give her results. "I was accepted into the fencing club!" she announced, beaming.
Red, feeling a strange warmth in her heart, was the first to congratulate her. "Congratulations, Chloe. You really deserved it." Her words were sincere, and she couldn't help but smile at Chloe's big, warm smile in response.
This feeling, this quickening of her heart, was new to Red. It was as if she was discovering a new facet of her emotions, an opening to something deeper. She felt... happy, safe, and for the first time in a long time, she was perhaps starting to think that she could call someone "friend."