Zac woke up the next morning and took a deep breath at the fresh air coming in the open window. It felt so good to sleep in for once. His parents had canceled the press conference because of what had happened yesterday. Of course at first no one had believed him, but after the police had arrested Matt and his two side kicks, they had been treating him extra nice. Even Ike and Tay were being nice, getting him food and stuff. Holly had gone home with her parents and they had promised to keep in touch. For today, Zac was free to do whatever he wanted. He leaned against his pillow and decided if he should go back asleep or not. He heard his family moving around in the suite next to him, so he dragged himself out of bed. While he was stretching, he looked out the window and to his surprise he saw Holly sitting on the hotel lobby steps. What's she doing here? thought Zac. He quickly got dressed ran out his room, grabbed a bagel from a surprised looking Taylor, and ran downstairs and out of the hotel.
Holly saw him coming and she stood up to greet him. "I come with invation from the royal family," she said in a very formal, serious voice. Then she couldn't help herself and started laughing. "Yeah, okay. Anyway, there's this fancy banquet tonight at Buckingham and since you're a hero, my parents wanted to invite you to come."
Zac was confused. "Wait, a hero? Buckingham, do you mean Buckingham Palace? Tonight?"
Holly laughed. "Slow down. Yes, tonight at Buckingham Palace, a limo or something will pick you up. Oh, I almost forgot. The rest of your family is invited too."
"This is unreal!" Zac exclaimed. "Yeah, I'd be happy to come! Wait, what am I going to wear? Is long hair illegal? Ahhh!" Zac ran back to his room to spend the rest of the day getting ready. Holly just smiled as she got back in the limo that was waiting for her.
FIVE HOURS LATER.....
Zac was finishing putting on his suit as Tay and Ike got ready too. "I feel like such a moron in this," said Zac.
"Aww, you look cute," said Ike, teasing him.
Zac glared at him as he brushed his hair. Taylor sat down in a chair, looking depressed. "What is it, Tay?" asked Zac.
"Oh, nothing. I don't want to ruin your night."
Zac walked over to him. "Look, I now you're still upset about Sierra. Why don't you call her?" Taylor's eyes brightened.
"Good idea!" He left Zac's room and went to his own, leaving Ike and Zac still getting ready.
"What do you think it's going to be like tonight?" Zac asked Ike.
"I really have no idea," he replied. "Just remember, when you greet someone who is royalty, you say Your Honor, or something like that."
"Or something like that? I'm gonna make a total fool out of myself!"
"Yep!" said Ike happily.
"Hey! Don't you care about your little brother?" asked Zac.
"Do I have any food in my braces?" asked Ike. Zac sighed.
A sleek, black limo pulled up outside the hotel and the Hanson went over to it and got in. Zac was feeling very jumpy and couldn't sit still. Diana was holding Zoe and Jessica and Avery were brushing their hair.
"Zac are you okay?" asked little Mackie.
"Yes, I'm just a little nervous." "Don't be nervous," he said sweetly. "If you get nervous you don't act like the natural you."
Zac stared at him. "What has Taylor done to you?" About 20 minutes later, the limo pulled into the long driveway/entrence of Buckingham Palace. The Hanson's were lead inside and into a large ballroom that was set up with tables and chairs, plus a little area for dancing. Zac looked around the room and Holly saw him and came over to where he was. Zac gulped. "Uh, good evening, your honor." Ike elbowed him.
"Not her, you idiot."
"Oh. Well, hi Holly." "Hi Zac," she smiled. "Come meet my parents." She dragged him over to a long table where the highest family was going to be eating. There sat the Crown Princess Elisa and Prince Edward Windsor. "Mom and Dad, this is Zac."
"How do you do?" smiled the Princess.
"Do what?" asked Zac. "Oh! Um, fine, thank you, your honor."
"Oh, you can just call me Mrs. Windsor," she said. Zac silently yelled at Ike in his mind and them said,
"Thank you very much for inviting me and my family. We are very honored to be here," he said stiffly.
"Well, we're very honored that we could meet you," said Mr. Windsor. "You helped save our daughters life." Holly looked a little embarrassed.
"Okay! Well, let's go get something to eat, Zac." They went over to a table and got some food.
"Hmm, am I going to be knighted?" asked Zac.
"What? Why?" asked Holly, surprised.
"Well, I did save your life," he said. "Your parents were pretty happy."
Holly laughed. "My parents are retarded. Don't worry Zac, if you're not knighted here, you're still a hero in my eyes."
"Thanks! You know what song just came on?" They both listened and ironically the song Hero, by Mariah Carey had come on.
"Hey, you wanna dance?" asked Holly. There were people heading out to the dance floor. Zac could see his mom and dad dancing together and Ike was dancing with Jessica and Avery was dancing with Mackenzie. Taylor was sitting in a corner all alone. Well, not actually alone, Zoe was sitting in a high chair next to him, but he looked like he had no friend in the universe.
"Sure, okay," said Zac. "I'm not a very good dancer, though."
"Well, neither am I!" They went out onto the floor and danced to the song.
"And when a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on and you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive. So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you..."