/Sixteen Years Later\
Malina stared at her reflection in her bathroom mirror. She knew this day was coming, but it came almost too quickly. It wasn't like it was her first day at Auradon Prep, byt she always felt odd leaving her family for a full school year. Besides, Prince Ben, soon to be King Ben, made a new law that children from the Isle of the Lost would attend this year, Malina wasn't too thrilled.
Sure, villains had nothing to do with her parents, but that didn't mean she was looking forward to bumping into them. She had to give them credit though; they grew up without castles or good parents... that couldn't have been easy. Luckily, Ben had only picked four of them to join this year.
Malina tapped the counter of her sink as she took a deep breath. She turned toward the door as she heard a knock. "Malina," it was her Mom, "are you almost ready, Peanut?"
Malina turned back to her reflection. "Yeah, Momma. I'll be down in a bit for breakfast."
"No need to rush, Baby Girl, your ride doesn't get here until noon on the first day, remember?" Pocahontas asked through the door.
Malina tapped her nails on the sink again before leaving her bathroom. "Oh yeah... So, Mom, what do I do about the Villain Kids?"
Pocahontas rolled her eyes teasingly at her daughter. "First of all, stop calling them 'Villain Kids', they have names, I'm sure." Malina rolled her eyes with a laugh, "Second, make friends. Not enemies. Their parents are all very powerful people who could very easily hurt you, just ask your Auntie. Lastly, get to know them as human beings and potential friends, not enemies that could ruin your life. They might have different plans than their parents."
Malina sighed heavily, shoving a chocolate into her mouth and flipping onto her bed. "I'll try to make them my friends, but I make no guarantees."
"Do you know who they are or who their patents are?" Pocahontas questioned, sitting next to her daughter and stroking her hair.
Malina nodded, "Carlos, son of Cruella De Vil. Jay, son of Jafar. Evie daughter of the Evil Queen. Mal, daughter of Maleficent." Malina unwrapped another chocolate, "You still sure you want me be friends with them?"
"Absolutely." Pocahontas instantly replied, "Their patents may have done wrong, but they did nothing to me or your father so if you are friends with them, I won't have any problem with it."
Malina nodded. "Alright, Mom. I'll be friends with them if they let me. I have to get back to packing, don't I?"
"How many bags are ready?"
Malina sighed, getting off her bed. "Two."
Pocahontas nodded with a smile, "Yeah. You should pack at least four."
"Alright. I'll get back to it then." Malina smiled before grabbing a suitcase and going through her closet.
"I'll be downstairs if you need me."
"'Kay, Mom." Malina waved as she folded up one of her favorite dresses and shoved it into the luggage.
After packing six suitcases of pants, shirts, dresses, shoes, etc., Malina was putting some of her jewelry into her purse. She had already gotten her makeup and hair stuff out of the bathroom and into one of her old backpacks so all that was left was her accessories. As she put one of her necklaces into the (no doubt) tangled mess of jewelry, Malina felt her emotions at war in her head. She didn't know what to feel about this new year. After sitting on her bed, staring at the green walls around her for a couple minutes, Malina set down her accessory bag and turned on some music.
Music makes everything better.
Music had always been an escape for Malina. The way it took her out of reality and into a world of her own had always been relaxing. In her dream world, everything was perfect. No evil, no bad thoughts, nothing that could stand between her and her dream life. Everything was good and happy.
Malina zipped up her purse and put it with the other bags next to her door. She danced around her room a bit before deciding to bring her luggage downstairs before the limo got there to pick her up.
"Momma," Malina called as she carried two of the bags downstairs, "can you please help me with my stuff?"
"Sure thing, Malina." Pocahontas replied from the kitchen.
"I hope George is the one to pick me up again this year. He was so friendly and helpful last year." Malina smiled as she ran back up the stairs to grab her accessories and hair and makeup bags.
"He did seem very polite. As long as you get to school with a smile, I'll be happy." Pocahontas smiled as she took two suitcases and followed her daughter down to the front door. "I'll grab the last two. You, go grab some lunch before they get here."
Malina nodded before heading toward the kitchen, "'Kay, Mom."
As Malina ate her tuna sandwich, someone snuck behind her and put their hands over her eyes. "Hey!" Malina exclaimed, putting her hands over the person's and clawing at them with her nails.
The man removed his hands before sitting next to the sixteen year old, "Can't a Dad surprise his daughter without her trying to make him bleed?"
"Dad, you're back from work early!" Malina exclaimed, hugging the taller man.
"I am, I am. You all ready to go back to Auradon Prep, Kiddo?" John asked, ruffling his daughter's hair.
Malina sighed with a nod, "I guess so, Dad. I dunno. I'm just kinda worried about befriending the Villain Kids. If they don't like-"
"They'll like you, Kid." John assured, "There's nobody I've ever met that didn't like you. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, you have great friends that will always be there for you even if those Villain Kids won't."
"I guess you're right. Thanks, Dad." Malina smiled before getting up and taking care of her plate. "I'm gonna go say goodbye to Serafina before my ride gets here."
"That's right, Sera is visiting her Aunt in Arendale this month. Tell her I said hi."
"Will do, Dad." Malina nodded as she ran out the back door.
"-So I told Auntie that it was Jesi who accidentally tore the hole in her glove. I know it wasn't cool, but she totes took it! And I swore the room got, like, forty degrees colder when she- Mali! Have you heard anything I've said?!"
"Huh?" Malina questioned as she looked up from her sketch. "Oh. Sorry, Sera. I was just-"
"Yeah, yeah," the red haired Sera grinned, waving off any excuses from the slightly younger brunette, "You and that sketchpad have been inseparable since I gave it to you on your birthday."
"Sorry, S. So, what happened with Queen Elsa and Jesi?" Malina questioned, putting her sketchbook aside.
"Oh, right. As I was saying..." Malina nodded every once in a while, acting like she knew what her friend was saying. Serafina was leaving for Arendale in an hour and all Malina could think of was 'How the fudge am I going to go through a full month at Auradon Prep without this nutjob?' Malina and Serafina had been together since they met in kindergarten. The girls were like sisters; Sera was only older by a few months, but they were close enough to be twins. They had never been separated for more than a couple days. How were they going to last a full month?
The girls turned as the door to Sera's bedroom opened and Sera's Mom, Anna, entered. "Sorry to interrupt, girls, but 'Lina, your ride is here. He already stopped by your house and grabbed your things."
The teens moaned in mock frustration, hugging each other for the last time until the next month. "See you next month, Mali. Text me if you find any hotties this year!"
Malina scoffed jokingly, "You know I will. See you in a month, Sera." Malina gave Sera one last hug before running downstairs and out the front door. With a final wave to her best friend, Malina climbed into the backseat of the limousine and settled her purse on her lap. As the driver got back in and started off toward Auradon Prep, the separation window dropped, allowing Malina to see who the driver was. Much to her joy, it was George, the driver she had been wanting.
"Hi, George!" Malina smiled, moving to sit in the seat behind the older man.
"Hello, Malina. Ready for the new school year?" George asked, looking at the Princess in his rear view mirror.
Malina nodded excitedly, "I sure am, George. So, anything new happen to you this past year?"
George shook his head. "No, not really. However, my daughter gave my wife and I a very handsome grandson and my son just got engaged."
"That's awesome! What's your grandson's name?" Malina questioned, opening one of the multitude of candies available for the taking.
"William Edward. We all call him Liam instead."
Malina 'awww'ed, "I bet he is the most adorable baby in the world."
"That he is." Geore agreed, "Well, enough about me. How have you been, Princess?"
"Alright. I'm on the welcoming committee for the kids from the Isle. Ben asked me to help out."
George nodded, impressed. "Prince Ben must be a good friend of yours?"
"Yeah." Malina agreed with a laugh, "He accidentally spilled yogurt on me on the first day and he's been my best guy friend ever since."
"Funny how things work out like that, isnt it?" George asked, pulling onto the next street.
"Definitely. Anyway, besides that, not much has changed since last year. I'm still waiting for the right prince; Audrey still wants me on the cheer squad; Mom and Dad still don't let me out of the house in anything that they think is too short... Basically, I'm the exact same as last year."
George chuckled before handing the brunette a pile of orange and white topped with a pair of matching, white lace sneakers and an orange hair bow. "Speaking of things your parents would deem 'too short'; I discovered these when I was putting your luggage in the back. I don't know if they match to you, but I assume you would like to change before we arrive."
Malina opened the folded fabric and smiled. "George, you are amazing. And a very good stylist. Thank you so much!"
"Anytime, Princess." George replied simply, raising the separation window again to allow the teen privacy.
It took them a half hour to get to Auradon Prep and another twenty minutes to get all of Malina's luggage into her room. Malina thanked George a couple more times before he left and let her start her search for Prince Ben. Along the way, she ran into Lonnie and Jane, two of her best friends who were also her roommates that got there before her. Jane was her regular shy self, murmuring a few small words before scurrying off. Lonnie, on the other hand, was excited. For what, Malina didn't ask, but it seemed like she was one of the very few people that were looking happy.
After chatting with Lonnie for a while, Malina continued her adventure to find where Ben was. She knew that if she found Audrey, Ben would be close by. Running out to the tourney field, Malina found Audrey trying out people for the cheer team. Malina quickly turned around, but it was too late.
"Malina!" Audrey called from the field with a bullhorn, "You came to take up my offer!" Malina froze as Audrey put down the bullhorn and ran up to her. "I didn't think you would! Come on!" Audrey took Malina by the hand and ran her over to the rest of the group.
"Actually, Audrey, I came to see if Ben was here yet. I haven't seen him anywhere and I just wanted to ask you." Malina insisted as she was sat next to Audrey.
Audrey smiled at Malina, "Nice try, 'Lina! Ben was in the lounge, and I know, for a fact, that you would've checked there. You just wanted to take a look at your competition." Audrey leaned in close to Malina's ear and whispered, "There's not much of a competition this year, but with you, the team will be the best! Please tell me you want to join."
Malina glanced between Audrey and the other people trying out and finally sighed, "Fine, Audrey. I'll be on the team."
"Yay!" Audrey exclaimed before standing up. "This year will be one of our greatest yet. Malina, daughter of Pocahontas, will be joining us and I think we've all seen how flexible she is."
People nodded and agreed as Malina mumbled to herself, "You fill in for someone one time and the entire cheerleading world knows your name..."
"Malina," Audrey started, holding her hand out for her friend, "stand up and take my hand."
'Lina shrugged before taking the hand in front of her and standing next to the cheer captain. "What's going on?"
Audrey just smiled and lifted their joined hands into the air. "Malina is our new Co-Captain! Give hit up for Malina!"
The group cheered for Malina as she waved at them. "Audrey, are you sure about this?" Malina whispered out of the corner of her mouth.
"Absolutely," Audrey whispered back excitedly, "Meet me in my room after you get settled in. I need your measurements for your uniform."
"Sure thing, Audrey." Malina stated simply, "Now, I gotta go to the lounge and see if Ben's still there. Thanks, Audrey!"
"No problem!" Audrey exclaimed as Malina ran off to the lounge.
Malina ran by her friends as she approached the lounge. Swinging open the door, Malina breathed a sigh of relief as she saw her best friend sitting by a window, writing something down in a notebook. "Ben..." Malina sighed as she reached her best friend and flopped into the chair next to him.
"Malina, you made it! I've been waiting here for you; where were you?" Ben asked, moving the brunette's curls out of her face.
Malina glared up at her friend, "Cheer tryouts."
Those two, simple words sent Ben into a fit of laughter. "You didnt!" Ben managed between laughs.
"I was looking for you!" Malina exclaimed, taking the notebook from the prince's hands and beating his arm with it jokingly.
"I take it you didn't get my text, then." Ben stated, handing his cell phone to the girl.
Malina snatched the phone and scrolled through Ben's texts to her.
Mali: Can't wait to meet the new kids! ^-^
Ben: Who you wanna meet most?
Mali: Idk... Evie sounds cool tho.
Ben: Yeah, but what about Mal?
Mali: She sounds like my friend Sera. Anyway, where you wanna meet today?
Ben: How about the lounge? Sound good :)
"I never got that." 'Lina shrugged, handing Ben his phone and notebook. "I've been searching the whole school for you. That's how I ended up at cheer tryouts. By the way, I'm now the Co-Captain along with Audrey.
"Good for you. So, you all set to welcome the new kids later?" Ben questioned, sliding his phone into his pocket.
Malina nodded, "Yeah. Doug and I are showing them around, right?"
"Yes. I wish I could help you, but-"
"I know, Ben. You're super busy this year because of your coronation." Malina smiled, putting her hand on Ben's arm. "Just remember that if you need help, I'm always there for you, Ben."
"I know, 'Lina." Ben smiled back, putting his hand over Malina's. "Thank you. Just having you and Audrey there for me is amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better best friend."
"You're stuck with me."
It was just after lunch when Ben and Malina got the alert that the Villain Kids were almost there. They both rushed to the entrance of the school, grabbing Audrey along the way. It was about five minutes later that the limo arrived and the new group fell out. The boys were fighting over something that Jay had been trying to steal while the girls just walked around them and stared at the school. The band stopped playing and allowed Fairy Godmother, Ben, Audrey and Malina to get through to meet the newcomers.
Malina giggled silently as she watched the boys put everything back in the limo and stand up. Ben nudged his best friend as they stepped forward. Malina smiled as Ben introduced himself.
"I'm Ben-"
"Prince Benjamin. Soon to be King!" Audrey squealed happily.
Evie stepped forward. "You had me at 'Prince'." Evie stated, doing her own little curtsy, "My Mom's a Queen, which makes me a Princess."
"The Evil Queen has no royal status here... and neither do you." Audrey cut in, pushing Evie's attempts aside.
Ben chuckled nervously as Evie gave Audrey a dirty look. "This is Audrey..."
"Princess Audrey!" Audrey cut in again, "His girlfriend. Right Benny-Boo?"
"I'm Malina, daughter of Pocahontas. I hope we can all be friends.
"Mal, and I make no promises." Mal stated quickly.
"Maybe not today, but maybe someday soon," Malina smiled, "Anyway, it's good to meet you guys."
"Ben, Malina and Audrey are going to show you all around. And I will see you tomorrow." Fairy Godmother claimed calmly before pushing Ben and Audrey's hands apart. "The doors of wisdom are never shut! But, library hours are from eight to eleven. And as you may have heard, I have a little thing about cerfews..."
With that, the Fairy Godmother left with the band trailing behind her. Malina waited until the headmistress was inside to start laughing again. Ben elbowed the brunette before clasping his hands together and stepping toward the four new kids.
"It is so, so... so good to finally me-et you." Ben claimed, getting shoved away by Jay.
Ben then walked over to Mal and shook her hand, staring at her fo a second, "This is a momentous occasion." Ben stated as he crossed over to Carlos. "And one that I hope will go down in history... Is that chocolate?" Ben asked Carlos as he licked his finger. Ben then shook Evie's hand, "As the day our two peoples began to heal."
"Or the day you showed four peoples where the bathrooms are..." Mal entered in.
"A little bit over the top?" Ben asked as he and Audrey walked over to Mal.
"A little more than a little bit." Mal replied with a chuckle.
"You think?" Malina joked as she stood on Ben's other side.
Ben laughed lightly, shoving her shoulder. "Well, so much for my first impression."
There was an awkward silence before Audrey cut the tension. "Hey! You're Maleficent's daughter, right?" Mal nodded a little, "Yeah, you know what, I totally don't blame you for you mother trying to kill my parents and stuff." "Oh, my mom's Aurora. Sleeping-"
"Beauty." Mal finished. "Yeah... I've heard the name. You know, and I totally do not blame your grandparents for inviting everyone in the whole world, but my mother to their stupid christening."
"Water under the bridge!" Audrey exclaimed.
"Totes!" Mal exclaimed back. The two girls forced some laughter before sighing at each other. Malina and Ben glanced at each other nervously before turning back to the group.
Ben clapped his hands back together to draw the attention away from the two, obviously tense, girls. "So, how about a tour!" Malina exclaimed.
Let me know what you think in the comments. I think this came out alright, but I love to hear your opinions! Thank you so much to those of you who have followed, favorited or commented! -Snaps