Hey Guys! Here's chapter 2. It's not one of my favorites but the next few chapters I'm really excited about. These updates are a little slower than the previous story, so my apologies if I don't get a chapter up at least once a week. Please bare with me...

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MAL

After four days alone with Evie, I am officially ready for Ben to come back. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore her, but I can't take any more wedding talk. She even started sketching different ideas for a dress. Ben's coming back today, which gives us only two days until we have to go back to school on Sunday. I'm excited to start a new school year. It's our last year of high school, so this is my last chance to actually get the school experience without any scheming or drama. At least I hope there won't be any drama.

Evie is going through her morning beauty routine as I stand in the foyer waiting for Ben to arrive. I didn't sleep well without him, but I guess it's time I get used to sleeping alone again. I hear the limo engine roaring out side and I smile. When he comes inside my smiles changes to a grin and I cross my arms.

"Did you really think leaving me with Evie was better than leaving me alone?" I ask raising and eyebrow and he chuckles. He wraps his arms around my lower back, and I wrap my arms around his neck. "If I have to hear her talking about the wedding one more time I'm going to lose it". He smiles and pulls me in closer.

"I've missed you" he whispers and I reach up to kiss him.

"I missed you too" I stroke his hair.

"Speaking of…" he steps back, "Where's the blue-headed wedding planner?"

"She's finishing her makeup" I say as we start to walk through the castle. "Did you tell your parents?" I ask and his silence is the clearest answer he could have given me. "Ben" I whine and stop walking, "you promised me you would tell them before school started".

"I'm sorry" he looks at the floor before taking my hands into his, "I was about to, but it didn't feel right. I want to do it with you".

"With me?" I question, "I don't think your parents are going to be all that happy, and having me there won't make it any better".

"Don't be ridiculous Mal" he snickers, "They absolutely adore you".

"Really?" I pout

"Yes" he places a hands on my cheek, "Now lets go see if we can find Evie and I'll take you out on the boat".

I smile a weak smile and continue walking.

Sunday arrives much sooner than I expected. Our last two days of summer consisted mostly of hanging out by the pool and eating more than we should. I spent more time with Evie than with Ben since he still had a few royal things to take care of, but I still spent the nights with him in his room. Right now we're on the limo making our way back to the school. Ben and I are sitting on the back, his arms wrapped tightly around me, and Evie is on the side eating a rock candy lollipop.

"Did you guys get you schedules?" Ben asks rubbing my hand gently.

"Yeah" Evie and I say in unison.

"I have mostly APs" she shrugs, "but I have to take History of Auradon, which I hate".

I get her. I had to take it last year, and even though we chose good, it's still awkward having to read and study everything our parents did and all the consequences their actions brought. I'm glad I don't have to take that class ever again.

"What about you?" he looks down at me. I look up for second, but then look down at the floor.

"I don't really like my schedule that much" I frown, "The only two things I actually like are Art the fact that Magic Training is actually in my schedule and not after school hours". I look up at him again before burying myself in his chest.

"I just hope our curfew is back to normal" he plants a kiss on my head, "and that coach will let me back on the team".

"Have you heard from the boys?" I ask Evie who check her phone.

"Last I heard was ay got back yesterday" she puts her phone away after seeing she doesn't have any messages from him. "And Doug told me he saw them this morning".

That's good. I can't believe we're going back. Last year I was completely opposed to the idea of attending this school. I didn't have any intentions of being in Auradon more that a few hours, but now I'm actually looking forwards to this year.

I fidget as I run my fingers over the ring. I take it off and stare at it for a few seconds.
"I can't have it on in school" I sigh, "And I don't want to lose it or go out without it". He smiles like if he knew I was going to say that. "What?"

"I prepared for this" he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thin gold chain with no pendant. Then he takes the ring out of my hands and slides it into the chain so it's hanging like a little charm. "This way you wont lose it and you can have it with you all the time". I turn my back to him as he puts the necklace on.

"Thank you" I turn back around and place my hand on his thigh.

"It's just a necklace" he chuckles but I'm serious.

"Not for this" I grasp the ring tightly, "For everything. For believing in us when no one else did. For not giving up when it seemed hopeless. For giving us the amazing life we have now". I smile honestly, "Thank you".

"Well its not like I'm not getting anything out of it" he kisses my temple before I sink back into his chest and he wraps an arm around me again. It doesn't take long before I drift off to a deep sleep.

"Mal" I hear Ben whisper as I start regaining my consciousness. "We're here".

I push myself up so I'm sitting and notice Evie texting now in the front part of the limo.

"How long was I asleep?" I ask groggily.

"Like and hour" he pushes his hair back with one hand and grabs his blue jacket with the other. "Are you ready?" he grins.

"That depends" I reach for my jacket as well, "am I covered in drool?"

"No" he laughs, "You're beautiful as always".

"Then I'm ready" I nod.

He opens the door. I expect a crowd of people and paparazzi swarming us like when we went into town during summer, but then I remember this are school. Here Ben is just Ben. He's not King Ben or his majesty, he's just Ben, a student.