A/N: One more chapter before Halloween! Special thanks to HarleyQuinnSuperWhoLockHP, biankies, black-cherry-blossoms98, lovinurbuks, and Guest for reviewing!

So, this is the first chapter where Andrea will really start to change things. I'm a bit nervous about that, and I'm not sure if I did a good job or not. Also, this is the first time Andrea is actually acting serious, so I hope it doesn't seem to out-of-character for her.

As always, I hope you like it!

Chapter 6

"Okay Ben, I was going to do this gently, but as your self-appointed best friend, there's no reason to. What the hell happened? And your explanation better include why both you and Mal are dripping wet."

Ben had grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall, into the library, and to the infamous "reading corner". At any other time, I would've been excited (one, because he was holding my hand, and two, because I was finally seeing the most secluded spot in the library). As it was, the story of Ben and Mal's date interested me far more than the corner.

But I had to admit, it was cute. We had come to what I assumed to be just the back left corner of the library; however, the place where the back wall was supposed to meet the left wall wasn't there. In its place was a hole, big enough for the average adult to squeeze through, but inconspicuous enough that I had never noticed it before.

Ben had pushed his body through the small opening, and before I could voice my discomfort in small areas, pulled me through behind him. The area on the other side was thankfully bigger than I had imagined. All four walls were lined with bookshelves teaching the ceiling. Opposite the door stood a small writing desk with an old-fashioned lamp and a fancy wooden chair. On the right side of the room, both corners held a plush blue chair (like the kind my dad sat in at home) and an end table with fake candles - obviously they wouldn't be real, this was a library. The floor was covered by a large intricate rug, and the chandelier overhead cast a warm glow over the whole room.

When we arrived, Ben had taken the plush chair closer to the door. Not letting him have any space, I grabbed the arms of the second chair and dragged it closer to his. I was 100% engaged in this story.

I stared him down until he sighed and answered, "You know, I'm pretty sure I get to pick who my best friend is, not you."

I had to roll my eyes. "That's why I said 'self-appointed'. Answer the question."

Ben's shoulders slumped in a very un-princely manner, and he looked at me to begin the retelling of what I had already named in my mind "the date that's gonna get someone punched in the face for upsetting Ben".

Long title, I know. I wasn't good at quick thinking.

"So, I guess I'll just start from the beginning - "

"A very good place to start," I interrupted.

He gave me a glare before continuing. "I decided to take Mal to the enchanted lake for our date. I thought it would be really romantic. Considering you've read most of the books in here, I assume you know that the enchanted lake has the ability to wash away all magic. We got there and everything was going well, and I decided to jump in the lake and swim for a while. You can imagine how surprised I was when the lake washed away the love potion shed given me."

Oh. Man, that really took a turn.

Plot twist.

"That actually makes a lot of sense."

Ben's incredulous explanation of "What?!" had me a bit worried that I had upset him.

"I just mean that you were acting pretty weird lately, so that explains why." At the worried look on his face, I assured him, "Don't worry, you didn't do anything bad. You just were kind of obsessed with Mal and -" I cut myself off.

No need to tell him that bit.

"And what? What did I do?"

Just blew me off, told me you liked Mal, and crushed my soul. No big deal.

I shifted uncomfortably, readjusting myself on my seat. I cleared my throat and said, "Nothing, I already forgot what I was going to say."

I couldn't look into his eyes knowing that was a lie.

"So," I said quickly in an attempt to make him drop the subject, "That doesn't explain why Mal was soaking wet, too."

He sighed at my topic change and continued his story. "After I realized what was going on, I was stunned. I guess I was in the water too long and Mal got worried, so she jumped in to try to rescue me. I told her I knew what she had done, and that's when she came clean. She told me all about this plot to steal the Fairy Godmother's wand at my coronation. I was understandably upset, and we came back here as quickly as I could drive."

"Wait," I said, narrowing me eyes, "She jumped in to save you? Into thewater?"

He paused, unsure where I was going with this. "Uh, yeah, why?"

My eyes widened.

Man, someone was feeling selfless.

"None of us know how to swim, Ben. She could've drowned, but she still tried to save you."

"You guys live on an island, how do you not know how to swim?"

I leveled him with a flat stare.

"Right. Barrier. Got it."

Silence followed. I knew he was upset, but I really needed to explain to him what their situation had been like.

"Listen Ben. You're upset and you have every right to be; but please, find a way to forgive them."

"Why?" He didn't seem angry at me for what is said, but genuinely confused as to why they deserved another chance.

I sighed and leaned forward. Time for a long story. "Their parents...it's hard to explain. All their lives, the only way for them to earn their parents' affection was through doing their bidding. They felt they had to be terrible people to deserve love. Your parents are the people who should love you no matter what, but theirs didn't. It was different for me," I said, thinking of my dad, and everything he's done for me over the years. "My father, he loved me no matter what. He supported me in anything I did, and that's made me who I am today. Mal and the others, had to earn love when it should've been given for free. Growing up like that is hard on someone. That's probably why they did this. They think it's the only way to make their parents love them."

I paused then, giving Ben a few moments to think over my words. His eyes were focused on his hands, clasped tightly in his lap. I put in one last thought to drive my speech home.

"They have already been through so much, so please don't make this any harder than it needs to be for them."

Ben looked at me then, his eyes piercing mine. "What do I do then, Andrea?"

Oh no, sad puppy is back. No no no.

I leaned forward more. "Talk to them. Give them the chance to explain everything, give them a chance to apologize. Show them that they deserve a better life where they don't have to earn love, a life they can have here. It's ultimately their choice, but make them want to choose good."

He nodded. "You're right, I'm the one who said they deserved a second chance and I meant it. Will you come with me, when I talk to them?"

"Of course."

"They'll most likely all be in Mal and Evie's room."

We were headed to see the others, and I was mentally preparing myself. I knew that if it came to a point where we couldn't agree, I would have to side with Ben, and by default, all the people at this school who had tried to make my life miserable. But it was the right thing to do.

Ugh, when did I become such a... a hero? Soon I'm gonna be putting myself in unnecessary danger for "the greater good" or some shit.

I shuttered at the thought. Doing the right thing is important, but heroes tend to go out of their way to get killed doing so.

Ben was walking beside me, and I could tell he was thinking over what he would say. He was such a genuinely good person, it still surprised me sometimes. Here he was, on his way to give them a third chance. I knew that, despite my earlier speech, if it were me I wouldn't have reacted this nicely, and I definitely wouldn't have given them another chance.

This just proved that Ben had what it took to be a kind and fair King.

We rounded the last corner and arrived at the door. From inside, I could hear talking, and knew that they were discussing the days events.

Ben took a deep breath, bracing himself, and knocked on the door. There was a pause. "Who is it?"

They were obviously being cautious, so when Ben looked to me in question, I held up a hand. "It's Andrea."

As soon as the door opened, I quickly added, "And Ben." It was too late for them to close the door on us, so we walked into the room. Jay, who had opened the door, backed up to join the other three on the right side of the room, near the beds. They were all either sitting on the floor or on a bed, and Jay reclaimed his place on the carpet, at the foot of Evie's bed.

They all looked at us (mainly Ben) apprehensively. I nudged him with my elbow, prompting him to speak. "About earlier... Mal, I'm sorry I got so angry. I want to give you guys a chance to explain what happened, the full story."

They all looked at Ben in surprise, and then looked at each other, no one wanting to start. I met Carlos's eyes, giving him an expectant look until he sighed.

"When we left the island, our parents told us that our number-one priority was to steal the wand and help them escape so they could take over the world."

Silence followed his words as Ben and I digested what he said. I had never been more glad that my father wasn't friends with their parents.

"But," Carlos continued, "I don't want to break them out. I like it here."

I smiled at him in thanks and he returned it. The others nodded their heads in agreement, and then Mal spoke up.

"I'm really sorry we gave you that love potion Ben. We shouldn't have screwed up your life like that."

Ben looked at her and granted her a small smile. "I'll forgive you, all of you, but only if you promise to make an effort at being good. You guys have a choice here to be whoever you want to be. Your parents aren't here, they can't force you to be someone you don't like. I know that ultimately the choice is yours," he said, glancing at me because that was totally my line, "but I really hope you choose to be good, to let yourselves be happy."

A heavy silence filled the room as they thought over Ben's words. After a few moments, Jay stood and walked over to stand in front of Ben.

"On the island, it was every man for himself. Here, I'm part of a team, and I've earned something, not just stolen it. I want to stay. I want to be good."

Ben and Jay smiled at each other as Carlos stood and walked over to us.

"There's no way I'm going to help my mom get off that island and have her hurt Dude. I choose good."

Evie was next.

"I'm sick of my mother telling me that I'm nothing without a prince. I'm done listening to her, and I don't need any boy to be happy. I choose good, too."

Finally it was Mal's turn. She stood slowly from her bed, and walked towards the rest of us hesitantly. She was probably still embarrassed about the love potion.

"All I've heard my entire life is that evil is the only thing I can be. That's all any of us have ever heard. But I don't want my mother determining my future. It's my future, and this is my decision, not hers. I choose good," she finished with a smile.

Ben smiled at all of us. We stood around for a moment more, everyone taking in the huge decision that had been made. Then, Carlos yelled, "Group hug!"

They all piled together, but I stood to the side.

"No, that's okay, I'll just be over here."

Jay's hand reached out from the mass of bodies and grabbed my arm, yanking me into the hug. I became squished between Ben and Evie.

On second thought, this isn't so bad.

"I think it would be best if no one knew that this happened. I doubt they will be as understanding as you, Ben," I said after we had finished. "I assume you guys didn't tell anyone?"

They all shook their heads. "No," Mal assured me, "We are the only ones who know."

"And I only told Andrea, so we should be fine."

We all should've known that it wouldn't be that easy.

A/N: Tada, there it is. It seems a bit short to me, but a lot happens in this chapter.

I hope you liked it! As I said last time, I would love to hear what you guys predict will happen, or what you maybe want to see happen. And if you have a question, feel free to ask!

I just want to say thank you to you to every single person who has kept with this story and is still reading. If it wasn't for you guys, there is no way I would have had the confidence to continue writing.

Anyway, have a Happy Halloween, and please review!