Disclaimer: I don't own Descendants or it's characters, only my OC Grace.
Friday comes quickly, bringing the hype for the first Tourney game of the season along with it.
I think everyone is very excited to see just how good Jay is because of the rumors that have been spreading, me included. The only thing I'm not excited about is seeing the redheaded cheerleader that has captured my best friend's attention. It's not even like I have a reason to dislike the girl, yet, I can't ignore that feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I see her.
My dislike could stem from how Aziz obsessively talks about how he can't wait for their date on Sunday, or just how incredibly nice she is without fault. She joined us for lunch yesterday, which Aziz insisted I come to since I've been sitting with the Isle kids everyday.
If the circumstances were any different, I'd probably want to be good friends with the girl, but they aren't so I'll settle for being polite.
Chemistry is my last class of the day and I have to endure Doug's longing stares at Evie, her longing stares at Chad, and his longing stares at himself in the reflection of his phone screen, for an entire hour.
I'm going to have to talk to the blue haired girl about Chad, because after much sleuthing—i.e. threatening a couple guys on the Tourney team with painful deaths—I found out that he's been suckering her into doing his homework, like he's done with multiple girls before.
Chad's also in for a talk that might include more punching than actual conversation. I haven't decided whether or not it's worth the rest of the semester in Remedial Goodness.
"Hey," I wave my hand in front of the princess's face, finally drawing her eyes away from Charming, "you're going to the game after class, right?"
"Yeah," Evie breathes, eyes roving back to Chad, "I wouldn't miss it."
"Great, I'm sure Jay and Carlos are super excited you're coming." I don't miss the glazed look in her eyes as she nods her head slowly.
"Right….Jay and Carlos."
Heigh-ho, I want to slap the stupid out of this girl. She's obviously smart enough to do both hers and Chad's homework, but not enough to realize he's playing her.
The last bell rings, dismissing everyone to the game.
Time to get in my good deed for the day.
"Hey, Blue," As soon as Evie stands up, I loop my arm though her elbow and pull her after me towards the door, "walk with me."
"Okay…," The innocent and confused look on her face almost causes me to forget about it, but the idea of that expression changing to a sad one urges me on.
"I don't think Chad is the right person for you." Wow, Grace. Could you have eased her into it at all?
Evie's eyebrows draw together as she registers my sentence, "What do you mean? He's a prince."
Digging the nails on my free hand into my palms, I try and stay calm, "That's not everything that matters though, Evie. I know you're doing his homework for him," I hold my hand up to stop her from interrupted, "and believe it or not, you're not the first one to do that. Chad is notorious for charming girls into doing things for him." She opens her mouth, most likely to object, "I swear to god if you say it's because he's a prince!"
"But, he is…" She whispers, tears forming in the corners of her eyes, "My mother told me to find a prince in Auradon, because I'm a princess."
Anger at her mother rages through me, "Listen, Blue. Your mother may be right about you being a princess, but there are so many guys who are so much better than any prince. You deserve someone who isn't using you for your brain. You don't have to listen to everything your mother tells you." Not wanting to be completely serious, I nudge her lightly, "Anyway, if you haven't noticed, there are plenty of princes in Auradon."
What Evie does next surprises me. She throws her arms around me in an awkward hug, probably not used to giving them, and squeezes me tightly, "That's so sweet of you, Grace, and I respect your opinion, but I still like Chad."
Face warm due to embarrassment from being shoved into the taller girls shoulder, I mumble out a defeated response, "Just remember I told you so."
"I will, thank you!" The words come out awkwardly, but she means them.
"Blue, you're suffocating me."
"Oh," She lets go, allowing me to gulp precious air back into my lungs, "Sorry."
"Its cool," I wave off her apology, too proud to admit I enjoyed the act of affection, not wanting it to get back to Aziz because he'd tease me relentlessly. I can't be super badass and enjoy hugs, it just doesn't fit my cool factor. "Let's get to the field before they sell out of hot dogs!"
"Didn't you eat an entire pizza for lunch?"
"Yep," I pull the girl along behind me as I rush to the snack stand, "but there's always room for more!"
I find myself standing on Evie's left up in the bleachers an hour later, while Mal and Lonnie are on her other side. To be honest, the only reason I'm here is to cheer on Jay and Carlos. I think I've seen enough of Aziz's games to get over the Tourney hype by now; and, I may still be bitter about Coach refusing to let me join the team.
Probably because I completely disregarded the ball and instead focused on knocking the living daylights out of Chad.
Good times.
Anyway, Jay and surprisingly, Carlos have pretty much carried the entire team today. Their names being the only one's really coming out of the announcers mouth. They seem to be jelling very well with the rest of the guys, even working together to score the last goal of the game, earning the Auradon Prep Fighting Knights the first win of the season.
"Excuse me, excuse me, can I have your attention, please?" Ben is taking the microphone from the announcer guy, an out of place dopey smile on his face, "There's something I'd like to say!"
All of the audience and the team abides the boy's request, eager to hear what he has to say, myself included.
"Give me an M!"
Everyone but me shouts 'M'!
"Give me an A!"
"A!"
"Give me an L!"
"L!"
"What does that spell?"
"Mal!"
What the hell?
"I love you Mal, did I mention that?" I glance over Evie to look at the purple haired girl who looks utterly embarrassed.
"Give me a beat!"
"Uno, dos, tres, quatro!" Doug shouts, the band beginning to play around him.
I can barely hear Mal shout to Evie, "What was in that cookie?"
Oh my Fairy Godmother, it all clicks, causing me to miss enjoying the way Audrey storms off. It was a love potion in the cookies. This is so much better than I thought it'd be. I mean, it is kinda rude to steal another girls boy, but Audrey and Ben were never going to last anyway.
And if I thought this moment couldn't get any better, I'm dead wrong. Ben actually starts singing his love for Mal, the whole Tourney team joining in as his backup. Slack-jawed, I lift my phone up to record this historical event. It never hurts to have blackmail on a future king.
Evie and Lonnie are jumping around to the music, while Mal stands still with a small smile on her face.
Benji tosses his jersey to the girl, before continuing to declare his love.
I know I should be extremely suspicious of the entire thing, but the only thing I can think of is, there's no way they didn't rehearse this.
Ben actually crowd surfs up to Mal, after being launched up into it as the song dies down behind him. All eyes are on them, Evie is gripping my arm excitedly, and I can feel her excitement for her friend.
"I love you Mal!" He pulls the Isle girl closer, "Did I mention that?"
Not one to miss a chance at the spotlight, Audrey appears with Chad by her side, "Chad's my boyfriend now," She grabs the mic from Ben, "and I'm going to the coronation with him. So I don't need your pity date."
I can feel Evie deflate beside me as the two share a kiss, her hand slipping off of my arm and finding a new spot on her hip. Trying to be a good friend, I loop my arm through hers and give her a supportive smile, but it's obvious she's still upset.
"Mal!" Ben shouts into the mic, stealing it back from the she-witch, "Will you go to the coronation with me?"
"Yes!" The crowd erupts into cheers.
Audrey takes Chad's hand and pulls him away from us, obviously pissed.
"You two deserve each other!" I find myself shouting after them, "Dipshits."
Jay pulls Ben away for victory pizza, sending a devilish smile my way that causes my stomach to flip.
"I feel sorry for Audrey," Mal speaks after the boys leave.
"You do?" The blue haired girl tilts her head to the side.
"Yeah," She smiles at Evie, "I feel like if she were talented like you, and she knew how to sew; and she knew beauty tips, she wouldn't need a prince to make her feel better about herself."
Mal actually surprises me with her supportive words. I know the girl isn't heartless, I just didn't think she would speak so freely in public. Ben was definitely right in his decision to bring them here.
"I guess I am kind of talented. Thanks, M." Evie admits with a wide smile.
Never one to not participate in a conversation, I stick my head between both girls, scaring them a little. "I for one, think you have more talent in your pinkie than half the people here have." Lonnie shoots me a look, "Not you of course, Lonnie. I know you can kick my ass!"
"Thanks, Grace. It means a lot." Evie puts her other arm around my shoulder and pulls me into her in an embrace.
The trophy is shoved into Jay's hands as the team lifts him into the air, declaring him the MVP of the match. A part of me feels bad for Carlos, who contributed his fair share, but there's always next time.
"Um, not that girls supporting each other isn't amazing and all," I shrug out of Evie's grip, stepping down a bleacher as the other girls watch me with smirks, "but there's a victory pizza with my name on it, so see you guys later!"
Their giggles follow me as I nearly trip down the bleachers in my excitement to get to the aforementioned food.
My mouth is watering as an entire pizza is placed in front of me.
"Thanks, Mike." I smile at the owner of Romeo's. It's the pizza shop I've been going to ever since I could remember, and coincidentally, where the Tourney team gets their victory pizza.
"You're welcome, Grace. Tell your dad I said hi. He hasn't been in, in a while." Mike says warmly, running a hand through his hair, and I can see the pity in the way he smiles sadly.
"I will," Gripping the corner of the table, I try to remain calm and change the subject. "I'm sure he'll be in soon for the next trivia night. You know he loves the looks on everone's faces when he destroys them."
Mike lets out a loud belly laugh, "I'll hold him to that." He retreats to the counter to take orders from the line that just started to form.
Looking down at the steaming pie, I pick up a piece of pizza and take a bite, moaning in delight; but, when I go in for the second one, the slice is plucked out of my hands before I can blink.
"Mhmm," Jay moans as he eats the rest of it, a smirk gracing his lips as his eyes meet mine, "this pizza is the best!"
"Seriously, dude?" I pick up another slice and angle it away from the boy incase he tries to take it. "The team has like ten pizzas over there and you have to come over here and take mine?"
"Well," The way his dimples stick out make my stomach flutter with nerves, "you aren't over there."
Is he flirting with me?
Flattered that he would ditch the team to sit with me, my cheeks are warm as I blush. Maybe I should give this feeling for Jay a chance. I glance over to the team table, seeing Aziz and Aria laughing, and my resolve hardens.
"Good point," My lips pull up in a smile, "I am the most amazing person in Auradon, so it makes sense you would want to sit in my presence."
"You're definitely something else," He admits, picking up another slice, "I don't think there's anyone in Auradon quite as weird as you are."
Eyes narrowing at the jab, I punch him in the shoulder, "Hey! I'm not weird! I'm just an acquired taste." I cross my arms as he laughs at me. "You should be thankful I'm even letting you sit near me."
Jay throws his hand up, "Ok, ok. You're actually pretty cool, Princess."
"I'm not a Princess," I glare playfully at him, "you should know that by how unproblematic I am, and the amount of detentions I have. I currently hold the record at Auradon in case you were wondering."
"Are you sure you weren't born on the Isle?" He asks with a laugh, "You seem way more tolerable than the most of the people here."
"I can confirm that I was not born on the island." I grin stupidly, shoving the last of the pizza into my mouth.
"How about we blow this joint and walk back to the school?" Jay suggests, throwing the correct amount of cash onto the table to cover the pizza and my soda. He stands from the table and gestures to the exit, "I could use the fresh air."
"Sure." I follow the boy out the door with a wave to Mike, who's grinning cheekily. Little does Jay know I never have to pay for a thing at Romeo's. I'll just let him think he's being a gentlemen. I guess he learned something in that chivalry class after all. "Also, should I even ask where you got the cash?"
"Probably not." The dimples are back, along with the tingling feeling in my tummy.
"Fairy Godmother wouldn't be pleased," I mock him in a high pitched voice, imitating the hand movements the headmistress often uses. The night air is chilly and I rub my arms to generate some heat.
"What she doesn't know, can't hurt her," Jay shrugs out of his new team jacket and holds it out to me, "it's not like you'll rat me out, right?"
"No." I admit, staring at the offered letterman and shaking my head, "That's your new jacket, I can't take that."
"Leather is more my thing," He wraps it around my shoulder carefully, stepping away when he finishes, "and anyway, I won't be able to enjoy beating you in a race back to school if you're frozen solid!" He takes off into a jog ahead of me.
"It's not even that c—hey, that's not fair!" I chase after the laughing boy, "You got a head start!"
"Life's not fair!"
Let's just say it was a tie.
It wasn't.
As always, let me know what you thought!