Escape from the Isle of the Lost (Descendants 4)

“Not yet, maybe,” admitted Little John. “But with players like you, we will be.”

Coach Razoul gave the archer a condescending smile. “In Agrabah, your dormitory will be a palace! Every meal is a feast, and if you rank first in your class, a genie will grant you three wishes!” He pressed a gold-foil-covered catalog into Jay’s hands.

Meanwhile, Little John handed Jay a tote bag filled with Arrows merchandise—a water bottle, a bow and arrow, and a sweatshirt with the school’s motto—STEAL FROM THE RICH; GIVE TO THE POOR—embroidered on the front. The bearlike coach smiled affably. “Stealing was your hobby, wasn’t it? You’ll fit right in!” he said.

“Stealing? Well, in the past maybe. Not anymore. But thank you so much,” said Jay, as he accepted the loot.

Not to be outdone, Coach Razoul presented Jay with a treasure chest of riches—robes with the Agrabah State University crest, new golden slippers, and a genie lamp. “It’s just an oil lamp, no genie in it,” said Coach Razoul with a laugh. “Yet!”

“Don’t listen to them,” said the third coach, a cheerful apple-cheeked woman in powder-blue wizard robes with a pink bow that tied the hood under her chin. She looked vaguely familiar. “Hello, Jay! My sister tells me so much about you! You must consider playing for us! Everyone knows MIT is the best college in Auradon. Our alumni include Professor Yen Sid, as well as Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather!”

Magical Institute Training was the top college in the kingdom, taking only the best and brightest from Auradon Prep. Students needed an almost-perfect SAT (Salagadoola Abracadabra Test) to be considered.

“MIT!” said Jay. “I’m not sure I have the grades?”

“Oh, we work miracles at MIT, don’t worry,” said Fairy Godmother’s sister. She waved her wand, and a small white carriage loaded with treats—athletic duffel bags, sneakers, and a new face mask, sword, and gloves—appeared next to the treasure chest and tote bag.

“Think about it.” She winked.

“Come home to Agrabah,” said Coach Razoul, shaking Jay’s hand once more.

“Join our merry band,” said Coach Little John, slapping him on the back. “Come to visiting day and hang out with the team.”

“Visiting day?” asked Jay. “What’s that?”

“Oh, you go on a little adventure with the students, see what Sherwood is like, check out the scene,” said Little John. “I think you might enjoy it.”

“I think I just might,” said Jay with a grin.

“Great! I’ll send you the information,” promised Little John.

At last, the coaches left to talk to other players. Jay gathered his stuff and jogged back to Lonnie. “Do you want any of this?”

“I’m good. I met with them last week,” said Lonnie. “They even spoke to my parents.” She picked up the tote bag. “Let me help.”

They walked out of the training courtyard together, Jay straining under the weight of the treasure chest and the carriage full of treats. “Did you decide where to apply?” he asked.

“I’m not sure yet if I will. I might play R.O.A.R. professionally instead. But if I do decide to go to college, I’ll definitely choose one that would prepare me to join my mother’s army. I’m going to be a general like her one day,” she said proudly.

“Cool,” said Jay. The only inheritance he’d receive from his father was a decrepit junk shop on the Isle of the Lost. But Jafar had been the Sultan’s grand vizier once, the power behind the throne. Perhaps one day Jay could have that same kind of stature, but without the greed and the obsession with Aladdin’s lamp.

As if she had read his thoughts, Lonnie asked, “What about you?”

“Me? I’m just glad I didn’t have to steal any of this,” he said truthfully. Until this moment, he hadn’t really given much thought to his future. It felt like he had just arrived at Auradon Prep. He was sad to think that soon there would be no more tourney games, no more living with his friends and seeing them every day. Sherwood sounded like a fun prospect—he would definitely have to visit, see what it was like.

They were all growing up

so fast. Time was speeding along too quickly. One day he was just a street rat from the Isle of the Lost, and the next he was a top recruit at MIT. Wait until he told his dad! Except Jafar would probably insist that Jay steal all the school’s magical secrets. Some things never changed.

s Evie sat at her trusty sewing machine and worked on a gorgeous graduation gown for herself, she felt a flutter of sadness in her chest. When she was a kid growing up all alone in a damp and moldy castle, Evie had wanted nothing more than to have a group of friends—to play with, to laugh with, to depend on. But Mal, Jay, and Carlos were more than friends—they were family. Even though their parents had been just as successful at raising children as they had been in executing their evil schemes (read: total failures), the four of them had always been there for each other. But now high school was ending, and graduation would be here before they knew it. It felt like they were all going their separate ways.

Mal had told Evie about her official tour the other day—she would soon be traveling all over Auradon to learn more about the various kingdoms and their people. Jay was always off training with his R.O.A.R. team, and when Carlos wasn’t studying, he spent most of his time with Jane. Evie missed her friends.

She felt a tear come into her eye and almost pricked her finger on the needle. She sighed and put the gown away. It was going to be a deep sapphire blue to complement her hair, with a red ruby heart in the middle. Usually the joy of dreaming up and creating a beautiful dress to wear for a fancy event filled her spirit, but today she just felt melancholic.

“What’s wrong? Are you crying?” asked Doug, looking up from Mal’s desk, where he was practicing his trumpet.

She smiled sweetly at him and brushed away her tears. “No, not really. I was thinking that everything is happening so fast. Didn’t I just arrive at Auradon Prep? Now we’re graduating.”