Mal's POV.

I was beyond excited right now. I had managed to convince my mom and aunts not to come as I wanted to stay hidden so I could surprise my friends, so here I stood hidden in the crowd with Freddie. She'd just arrived and I had text here where I was hiding. I had a clear view of my friends and they all looked so happy. It actually made me wonder if I did the right thing by not telling them.

"Ready to surprise everyone?" Freddie asked me. I had already taken my things up to my dorm room but my room mate hadn't so I still had no idea who the hell I was rooming with but I nodded to her anyway.

I linked my arm with Freddie's as we started pushing our way through the crowds. I stopped just short of the small clearing around my friends but gestured for Freddie to carry on. I watched as both her and Carlos reached Evie, Jay and Anthony.

"Hey guys, I got a surprise for you all." I couldn't help but chuckle at their confused/surprised look they gave her. I couldn't cope with the looks much longer without bursting out laughing.

"Surprise!" I called out as I walked towards them. I stopped walking and covered my ears as Evie let out the loudest squeal I've ever heard. I actually cringed at the sound of it through my hands. Maybe I should have warned Evie so I would have had this over the damn phone. I mean seriously her squeals are worse then ever.

Seconds later Evie ran forward and threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Hey M, what are you doing here?" Jay asked. Since Evie refused to let me go I fist bumped both him and Carlos, offering them a smile. I was so glad I had talked my mom into this. This year is going to be amazing.

"Oh that's nice." I stated, causing everyone to laugh. Evie finally released her hold on my neck and I stepped back. "I finally persuaded mom to let me come." I told them. Evie squealed again and we all cringed at how high her squeal was.

"That's great, Mal. This year is gonna be so much better with you here." Carlos said as he quickly hugged me.

"Thanks I replied." It was then I noticed a tall woman walk out of the school. I couldn't help but look at her curiously but after a few seconds I returned to my conversation as more people joined our little group. "Hey Aud, when'd you get here?" I asked, as she seemed to just appear next to me.

"Before you did, I just thought I'd let you surprise them." She explained. Of course I had told her all about my plan much like I had Freddie. I nodded to her as I noticed Jordan appear next to Jay. I smiled at the genie as Audrey greeted her. "Hey Jordan, how's it going?" She asked.

"Great thanks, Audrey." Jordan responded, before kissed Jay's cheek affectionately.

Our attention was diverted back to the tall woman stood at the top of the school steps as she cleared her throat. Once all the students turned to face her she looked around at us all, smiling. "Morning all." She addressed and if I'm honest her voice was annoying me already. You could hear the niceness in her voice was forced. God I hate phoney people. "So all returning student, you know your dorm room assignments. Feel free to go and unpack. New students would you please follow me to the auditorium." She said, as she stood looking out at the crowd.

"She's new." Jay stated. I looked between Evie, Carlos, Freddie and Audrey suspiciously before I shrugged and linking arms with Evie again I led the way over to her.

Upon reaching her, her eyes immediately fell on me and my friends. Her gaze lingered a little too long in my opinion but her, she's a teacher. What harm could she possibly do. Once she was actually able to tear her eyes away from us, she simply stated "Follow me." before she turned and started walking away. As we walked I realized there was a rather large group of new students but considering I have never attended school this could be a normal size group for a new year. I have no idea.

Once inside the Auditorium we all quickly found seats and the talking started up again as this strange teacher made her way back stage.

"She's weird right?" Freddie asked the group and we all nodded to her.

"Totally." Evie stated from beside me. Somehow I had become sandwiched between Evie and Audrey, don't get me wrong I love them both like sisters but they could also be rather clingy. As evident by the way they had linked their arms through my own. Although I would never admit this I secretly liked it. It made me feel safe and settled my nerves about being at school for the first time.

"Did you see the way she kept looking at us?" Carlos asked but we didn't have time to respond as moments later Fairy Godmother stepped out onto the stage. I only knew who she was because she was always stopping by for Mom's, Aunt Fauna's and Aunt Merryweather's help/opinion on things. All students immediately hushed and turned their attention to her myself and my friends included.

"Good morning." She greeted us. "I'm Fairy Godmother, Headmistress." She said, introducing herself. It's more then the other teacher had done, although I hope I don't have to have any lessons with that creep. "And welcome to Auradon Prep." She welcomed us. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I mean was all this really necessary. I guess being home schooled has made me a little impatient.

"I would especially like to welcome our Crowned Prince of Auradon, Prince Ben." Fairy Godmother said as she gestured into the crowd for someone to stand. Seeing movement in the corner of my eye I turned my head in that direction. I looked at the boy who was shyly smiling and looking around and I couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the boy I had, had this weird dream about a few months ago. How the hell I dreamt about the damned Prince of Auradon. I've never even seen him before. Somehow his eyes locked onto mine and his smile grew a little and his eyes widened a little. His eyes seemed to widen out of recognition but I knew I was misreading his face. He couldn't recognise me, we've never met. But I mean how handsome can you get. Ben is like the perfect guy.

As Ben sat down though I literally shook my head to get rid of the thoughts in my head. This is just great. I finally have my first crush and it's a relationship that will never work out. I mean he's prince of the entire kingdom. All I am is an adopted girl who couldn't even hope to fit into his world. He wouldn't even give me a second glance, besides looking like that he is probably already taken by some rich, beautiful princess anyway.

I didn't even bother listening to the rest of Fairy Godmother's introduction, Audrey would remind me of anything important anyway. Well either Audrey or Evie. My mind was fixated on the light brown haired boy I had locked eyes with minutes ago. God this was bad. I hadn't even met Ben properly and I already couldn't get him out of my mind. This is going to end so badly, I don't even want to think about it.

I was snapped from my thoughts when I felt two pairs of hands pull me up from my seat. A little stunned I looked between Evie and Audrey, both wearing concerned expressions on their faces. "You okay, Mal?" Audrey asked.

"Yeah, why?" I responded to her. I expected her to answer but anded up having to face Evie since she decided to answer me.

"You were kinda spaced out." She stated. I could tell they weren't going to let this drop but I couldn't tell them the truth. I mean me saying 'fine just crushing on the crowned prince of Auradon and I haven't even met him' sounds really weird. It makes me sound like some damn creepy stalker. Thankfully Evie changed the topic "Come on, let's go find our dorms." I nodded but knew I hadn't heard the end of this. There's no way either of them will let this drop.

Author's Note: So I know this chapter is a little on the short side and I hope you don't find this chapter boring guys. I realize not a lot happens but I wanted to at least establish the beginning of Bal's relationship/feelings for each other. Please review and let me know what you think. x