Mal walked into the disgustingly girly dorm room soaking wet. Ben had offered to give her a change of clothes but she had refused. She was still so conflicted. She couldn't fall for Ben. He was the definition of good and she was the daughter of the mistress of all evil. But deep down the darkness she thought she had in her heart seemed to be fading. And that scared her. But was even scarier was that another part of her was starting to not care about this fear. The violet haired teenager was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice she wasn't alone.

"For a villain's daughter you're pretty oblivious sweetheart..." Mal turned around and tried to look like she was her mother's daughter. The voice that had spoken belonged to a very tall brunette woman dressed in forest green skinny jeans with a low v neck t shirt, a silver leather jacket and black combat boots. Her eyes were brown and seemed to be filled with fiery mischief.

"Who-Who are you?" Mal's voice sounded less intimidating than she was trying to look. The woman smiled. She was a young woman but no longer a teenager.

"I'm Elana Polarson. I'm here to help you." Mal narrowed her eyes. "

I don't need help. I'm doing fine. Did my mother send you to check on me? How the hell did you get off the island?" Elana laughed.

"Oh my gosh you're so cute! Your mother doesn't pay well enough to hire me honey. And I'm not from your island of misfit toys...You've never heard of my hometown." Mal's green eyes flashed with anger and annoyance. "

Why are you here then? What makes you think I need your help?!" Elana became serious and put her hand on Mal's shoulder. Mal was so shocked that this stranger had dared to touch her that she remained rigid.

"Because you don't know where to turn. You are at the crossroads of good and evil. I'm here to tell you there are other options." Mal smacked Elana's hand off her shoulder and glared at her.

"First of all, don't touch me! Second, there is only one option! Evil! Which I am!" Elana sighed and her brown eyes met the angry and confused green.

"Mal," Elana's voice was gentle now and that just made Mal angrier.

"Don't talk to me! Get out of my room!" Elana didn't move. Mal tried to grab her mother's spell book but Elana took it out of her hands in the blink of an eye.

"Okay. Listen to me. You aren't evil. And that's okay. You aren't good either. And that's okay too. You don't have to be either. The world isn't black and white honey. It's full of grey..I'm not evil. I'm good." Mal raised an eyebrow.

"But. But you aren't dressed like a prissy princess. Or like an annoying prince. You look like a villain. And you talk like a villain. How can you be good?"

Elana chuckled. "Baby girl just because I don't look the part doesn't mean a damn thing. I believe in true love and I'm helping you out of the goodness of my heart...I am no villain and I have no desire to be." Mal wrinkled her nose at the mention of true love.

"What exactly are you here to help me with?" She tried to sound commanding.

Elana smiled at her kindly. "I'm here to make sure you don't lose yourself. This prince of yours, He's bad news. You shouldn't have to change who you are to be in love. Love my dear Mal is about accepting someone for who they really are. Darkness and all," Mal was angry now.

"I know who I am! I don't love some crummy prince! I am evil and I am my mother's daughter! I'm rotten to the core!" She was yelling now. "Leave my room before I turn you into a flea and crush you!" Elana walked towards the door.

"I have said quite a bit for you to process. So I will leave you in your thoughts. Goodnight Mal." And with that Elana left.

"And don't come back!" Mal felt her mind race again. How dare this woman, this Elana barge into her room and make her feel even more confused than she already did?! The violet haired girl was shaking. Then she realized she was crying. Mal felt a rush of shame and anger at herself. "Villains don't cry. Villains don't cry...You are evil. You are the worst of the worst. Stop crying.." Mal couldn't stop. She was so angry, so upset because of everything and because she was crying. She wasn't supposed to cry or be sad! She should only feel anger and hatred!

"Mal?" Mal wiped her eyes and looked up. It was Evie. "Mal have you been crying?" Evie's voice was gentle. Concerned even.

"No..I'm...I'm...No." Mal felt the tears come again. Evie took a box of tissues out of her bag. She put her arms around Mal.

"It's okay to cry. It's just me." Evie spoke softly and led the other girl to one of the beds. "Lay down." It was a command but a gentle one. Mal sniffled and did as her friend asked. Evie curled up beside her. Mal turned around and put her head on Evie's chest. "Tell me what happened." Mal began to speak and Evie held her all night. They fell asleep with Mal in Evie's arms.

Mal woke up to the alarm going off. Evie groaned. "Mal turn it off…It's on your side of the room." Mal opened her eyes to find herself in Evie's arms.

"Evie...Why am I in your bed?" Evie blushed.

"Oh..um..I guess we fell asleep talking last night..." Mal untangled herself from her friend and got off the bed. "

Don't. Tell. Anyone." Mal was blushing too and was angry with herself again. Why was she letting her guard down? She had to be ruthless and cold. Cold and unfeeling. Evie raised an eyebrow.

"You don't need to do that you know..." Mal glared at her.

"Do what?" Mal's voice was a low growl. Evie gave her a look of haughty annoyance.

"You don't need to act like you don't have a heart…Especially around me."

"I'm going to shower...I'll see you later." Evie sighed as Mal slammed the bathroom door after grabbing some clothes while muttering curses under her breath. The blue haired girl turned off the still shrieking alarm and tried to find an outfit for the day.

Goodness 101 was a joke. Mal hated it with a burning passion but did well. She hated how condescending the Fairy Godmother was to them. Today they were talking about proper behavior at a ball. "And that is why girls wear dresses and men wear suits…Any questions?"

"I've got one. Why is a lovely bird like yourself doing teaching these students about improper gender roles?" Elana walked up to the front of the room dressed in a black suit. She looked stunning. The Fairy Godmother was flabbergasted.

"Who are you?!" Elana kissed the older woman's hand.

"I, my dear lady of the midnight hour am Mal's mentor. I was sent here by the King's nephew."She smiled flirtatiously at the teacher who was flustered and had turned pink.

"Oh...Oh my...Would you like to help teach the lesson?" Elana nodded.

"I would be delighted." Jay was drooling on his desk staring at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Carlos looked nervous. Evie was impressed. And Mal was beyond embarrassed and angry.

"What do you know about balls Elana?" Asked Mal with a sneer. Elana laughed.

"Oh Mal...My best friend is a prince so I've been to quite a few...Today we are going to learn how to dance."

Mal folded her arms. "I don't dance." The Fairy Godmother smiled.

"Elana that sounds like a wonderful idea! Boys would you mind moving the desks?" Jay and Carlos eagerly moved the desks to the back of the room. Elana pulled a boom box out of her bag.

"Now I need a volunteer to help me demonstrate." Jay strutted over to her with his signature smirk.

"Hi..I'm…Jay…" Elana smirked.

"Hi are you volunteering or hitting on me?" Carlos and Evie snickered. Jay's jaw dropped.

"Um...both?" Elana chuckled.

"Okay handsome. I'll lead."

"Um...Isn't the guy supposed to lead?" Asked Jay. Elana grinned.

"Yeah…Which is why I'm leading." Even Mal laughed at that. Jay was beyond shocked. How could a girl who was sent here by the king's family be so...well…bad? Elana placed Jay's hands in the correct positions. "Carlos? Be a dear and start the music please." Carlos pressed play and a jazz tune drifted out of the boom box. Elana was a great dancer. One of the best. Everyone was impressed with how well she led Jay around the room.

Except Mal. She was furious with Elana for interrupting. She hated this class but the fact that this obnoxious woman had just decided to meddle in her life when she had an evil plan to carry out and a mother to make proud just made her want to scream. Elana and Jay had stopped dancing.

"Alright we're gonna do something different today. Evie dear...You're going to dance with Mal. Carlos you're with me." Mal glared at Elana with her green eyes glowing with fury.

"I don't dance…Ever."

The Fairy Godmother sighed. "Mal dear, every lady and gentlemen should learn how to dance. Dancing is a big part of our culture."

"Fine...Whatever..." Mal grabbed Evie by the hand and put one hand on the other girl's waist and the other on her shoulder. Evie was confused by Elana's choice. Shouldn't she be dancing with Jay or Carlos? Carlos was feeling shy. Elana towered over him. And she was very pretty. She smiled at him kindly and he felt himself relax a little. Elana nodded at Jay to start the music. A slow romantic ballad began to play. Evie danced very well. Mal was a little awkward but eventually they were gliding like they had been dance partners for years. Elana stopped the music.

"Okay now Mal go with Jay and Evie pair up with Carlos."

Mal looked at Evie as if she was lost in those dark brown eyes. Evie was blushing but couldn't look away from the green eyes. "Ladies…Time to switch..." Elana was smiling knowingly. Mal broke eye contact first.

"Right…Sorry Elana..." She felt her cheeks heat up as she awkwardly stepped away from Evie. Evie helped Carlos get into position.

Jay was smirking at Mal. "You okay boss? You look a little flustered." Mal's eyes flashed.

"I'm fine Jay." Jay was still smirking. Mal didn't scare him as easily as the others.

"Really? So then why did the big bad Mal look all shy and awkward just a second ago?" Mal slapped his arm.

"Shut up Jay! I have no idea what you're talking about! I don't do shy and awkward!" Jay chuckled.

"Dancing makes you nervous. We all know that." Mal stomped on his foot this time.

"Ow! I was only teasing Mal..Relax..." Elana came over to them.

"What's going on kids?" Mal glared at Jay, daring him to say something. Jay shrugged.

"Nothing...I hit my foot on something…No big."

Elana raised a critical eyebrow. "If you say so..."

Soon the lesson was over. "Thank you Elana for a wonderful lesson! I was very impressed with your teaching skills! You should consider it as a career." The Fairy Godmother was smiling at all of them. Elana bowed.

"You are most welcome Headmistress. And as far as careers go I am a soldier. But thank you so much for the suggestion."

The older woman nodded. "You must be a very brave soldier." Elana smiled.

"I like to think so." Mal tried not to gag. Couldn't the Fairy Godmother see that Elana was just kissing up? God heroes never learn. "I'll see you later Mal."

"Sure..whatever...Can't wait…" Elana smirked and ruffled the purple hair. Mal flinched at her touch.

"Until then my dear." And then Elana left the classroom. The Fairy Godmother smiled.

"Well…Mal you are very lucky to have such a fine young lady take you under her wing!" Mal rolled her eyes.

"The luckiest."

"A car wash?" The Fairy Godmother looked at Elana quizzically. Elana nodded.

"It's exactly what the kids need to teach them the value of hard work. Too many of these kids are privileged and haven't worked a day in their lives."

The Fairy Godmother smiled. "Elana you have such a way with children!" Elana smiled back.

"So is the carwash a go?"

The Headmistress nodded. "I will allow it as long as you supervise." Elana grinned.

"I would love nothing more."