Uma had returned to the Isle and was trying to salvage her reputation and Harry and Gil were there for her as "Shr*mpy" started up again.
Naturally, Gil was a little nervous when he told her he'd received an invitation to Auradon Prep. He would have stayed if he asked her to, but she didn't. She congratulated him and told him not to worry, she'd gotten her own invitation and the three of them would go together.
He had no reason to think she was lying.
So, it was a bit surprising to hear that he and Dizzy were the only two VKs expected for this trip. And now it was too late for him to stay. Uma and Harry said a rushed goodbye and told him to make them proud in Auradon (the crew, not the royals). Gil said he would, trying not to look as heartbroken as he was.
They soon arrived at the school. Dizzy dashed out of the limo and into Evie's arms, babbling excitedly about her new designs. Gil was a little slower, plastering a fake smile on his face and asking where the cafeteria was. He didn't want them to think he was ungrateful.
A few months had passed since then and nothing had changed. Gil can't seem to catch Ben on a break and when he does, the King just assures him that he's working on it, that these things take time. "Arranging new shipment schedules requires approval from…New VK invitations need to go through the Council of…I'm really trying to revamp the educational system over there but no one will agree to oversee it…" Funny, Beast didn't have to jump through any hoops when he made this mess to begin with. But he doesn't say that. He just gives Ben a stupid grin and walks away, pretending he isn't slowly losing his faith in "Goodness".
He writes letters to Harry and Uma often, getting them deliver via bribed goblins. (No guards or even a lock on the doors to food storage, easy to pick up sweets and the occasional bottle of rum.) He doesn't tell them everything, he knows they sent him here for a better life. He sends them sketches of the nature and tells them how hard he's trying to change things. They always write back, telling him how the crew is doing and not to worry about them too much.
But Gil will always worry about them, especially if he can't see them. He was their guard dog and there was only so much guarding he could do on this side of the bridge. He could correct people on what exactly had happened between Mal and Uma and take down any anti-VK posters. He could be as good as possible to convince the royals to let more people over. But that was about it.
Gil never liked being restrained. And all the rules (unspoken and publicly acknowledged) were almost as bad as the barrier. At least there he could punch somebody or something when he was frustrated. But here….
He could practically feel the calm, happy exterior deteriorating. But there was no Uma to talk to or Harry to practice fighting with.
So he went to the gym. He ran on the track, lifted weights, accidentally broke a punching bag one time. He also made a coach cry when he refused to join any athletic teams. He knew he'd get the "punching bag" position and he didn't need anything else to piss him off.
After the coach incident, Gil only went to the gym at night, after curfew. Usually he was alone, but he heard someone else working at the weights as he walks in tonight. A few seconds later, he saw her. "Didn't think princesses did squats. Or anyone around here really."