Sunday came and everybody relax, Mal told the group about her conversation with Ben and also about what the guys did in the game. She made clear that she appreciated the motive behind it but still she didn't want a repeat of the same situation. All of them nodded, but not one look at her in the eyes or promised not to do it again. The guys were bored and convince the girls that they should do something special just for fun, Ryder told them about this place he found a couple of days ago. He loved being outdoor so of course he found this secluded little lake, not the enchanted one he assure them, that had a waterfall and at the side was this rocky wall that one could climb. All of them agree and they were on their way to have some outdoorsy fun, the majority of the time spent swimming since Ryder had managed to teach Mal how to in the school pool.

At the end of the day the guys were goofing around, they decided that they should do a race, but running was boring, so they decided that they would climb. Everything was going great until Azis slipped and fall everyone run to his side he assures them that he was fine but the second he tried to stand on his left foot he fell again. The guys carry him all the way back to the school and by the time they arrived it was night and they were laughing so hard that they had to stop every few steps to calm down. Ryder kept referring to Azis as a delicate flower, Jay and Carlos would take turns to act like they were fanning him with their t-shirts so that he would comfortable and Zohu offer to avenge him. Azis was a good sport about the jokes and even made a few requests about the way he wanted to be carry and mockingly complain about the scenery. The girls seemed a little apprehensive about the entire situation but the constant good mood in the guys made them feel better. When Azis was being checked up by the nurse, the rest of the gang stood outside waiting by the door and he appeared with crutches and a black boot. The guys mood somber, but he smiled at them "Is ok guys, I just sprained my ankle. So I'm out of the field for a couple of weeks no worries."

They helped him to his dorm, Mal kept wondering if maybe she could find something to help him in her magic book. Part of her couldn't wait to go to her room to check it out but at the same time she didn't want to leave him in case he needed something. The hours pass and everyone started to leave, but she stayed, Jay and Carlos went to their room to change they would take turns to sleep in Azis room now that his roommate was out of town. "Hey, don't look so worry Mal. I promised I'm ok." She smiled at him wondering when she became so soft. "I'm going to look in my book and see if there is something that I can do to help you". Azis smile and push himself so that he was sitting Mal went to help him, but he shook his head. "Thanks, Mal but I'm fine I just need to stay away from the field for a two months and everything will be alright. The only problem now is that I'm going to need to join an after school class for my extracurriculars." No matter what he said she was going to try and find a spell to help him, she knew how much he loved playing. Also, him and Ryder used to go running every morning as ritual and now he was going to be out of his mind bored.

"I'm not going to be that bored Mal," she was confused "You were talking out loud, and you should listen to me about the spell book, I really don't need it. This is not my first injury remember that I like climbing " Just then Carlos came in and announced that he was the one staying in the room and turned on the tv. Mal said her goodbyes and went to her room where she spent the better part of the night studying spells. Monday came and she was exhausted, she drag herself to her class but by midday she gave up and went to take a nap she but overslept and woke up the next day at 5 am. She took a quick shower it was early still so she decided to go for a walk before classes started and then she remember Ryder. For the first time ever Mal put on shorts and sneakers and decided to go for a run, yeah this really didn't sound like a good idea. She went to the point the boys said they usually started their running and she saw Ryder stretching, "Hello there Sir." Ryder turned around looking confuse until he saw Mal's outfit and started laughing so hard he actually was on the floor laughing and almost rolling over. Mal raise and eyebrow and begin to stretch while he calmed down "Sorry sorry I just, why are you dress like that?", she explained to him that she felt like running and stop him before he started laughing again. "Ok, but you never run, maybe we could walk for now and if you are still up for running we can run the entire way back, how about it?" It was a great compromise specially since she wasn't sure she could be able to make it if they actually run the entire time.

By the time they finish their way back they only had time to grab a quick shower before the first period started, Ryder told Mal that she did great, but she knew he was lying. She had to stop several times and at the end they had to walk because she couldn't run anymore. After her quick shower, she made her way to the lab and made it just before the teacher close the door, "Did you oversleep?" Ben asked while looking at her wet hair and giving her some tissues so she could dry her hair a little more, Mal shook her head. "No, I went running with Ryder and we lost track of time" that took him by surprise "You run?!" suddenly the entire class went quiet and all the eyes were focused on them. The teacher clear his throat "No disrespect King Ben but please be quiet in class" Ben look down and apologize to the teacher and the class went on. Mal just shook her head and for the rest of the class Ben tried without success talking to her and writing notes only for her to ignore him or burned his notes. After the teacher dismiss the class she finally look at him "Look Ben I appreciate the fact that you want us to be friends but if you are going to get me in trouble in class I rather go back to being partners with Evie". She tries to walk away, but he stop her "I'm really sorry Mal, it just took me by surprise is just..you don't run Mal".She huff at the comment "I know that Ben but people change. Now excuse me, I have a free period and I'm going to see Azis". She moves past him, but he caught up with her outside the class. "I'm going there too, can I please walked with you?" he gave her the cutest pout and she just laugh playfully pushing him. "You and that pout, why do I always fall for it."

They talked about different things while walking to Azis, Mal told him about the accident and how scared she felt. It was such weird feeling to care so much for others, she mention how her nap went longer than expected. How when she woke up and decided to go for a run so that Ryder wouldn't have to do it alone. "In the end I think I like running, sure I'm no good at it but Ryder said that I will get better at it with time." The entire time she talked Ben listen noticing how much he missed hearing her talking about her life. Also, he realized how much she had changed. Sure Mal wasn't evil but no she had grown to be a selfless person and he was happy to see her bloom, he was really proud of her. "Wait, so you haven't eaten for almost two days?" his concerned was evident in the way he said it and just then Mal notice that her stomach was hurting a little. "I guess you are right, I hadn't noticed. Well, I'm sure Azis must have something I can eat in his room".Ben stopped her and turned her towards the cafeteria "No Mal, you have to eat first" She went to cut him off, but he stop her ."Listen whatever Azis has there he should keep it in case he is hungry we are going to the cafeteria. I promise that if we don't make it in time I'll get you pass to visit Azis anyway." Mal wasn't sure about it, she try to turn towards the building where Azis was staying, but Ben clear his throat. "Don't make used the pout Mal" she turned to see that he was smiling at her. "Fine! But don't worry about the pass I have an exam on the third period, I'll just go and see him at lunch".

From that moment on things between them got gradually easier, Mal felt comfortable talking to Ben even when Alexandra was there holding his hand. She was actually a very cool girl and Mal was happy that Ben had found someone worthy of him. Any free time Mal had though spent with Azis and the others. They would all go to his room until he was able to move and then they would just hang out talking mostly on the grass in the back of the doorms. She got to know more about Azis in this time, he was a great guy very loyal to his friends and a great athlete or so he said. He decided to enroll in Mal's art class for his extracurricular and was quite good making sculptures, but he would excel in photography. The closer they got the more she wonder why a guy with such depth would be so casual about his relationships. Mal tried to ask Ryder, but he wouldn't say a thing "That's something that he has to tell you by himself sorry." Also, she really enjoys running with Ryder, they had developed a playful was determined to win one race before Azis would join them so that she would establish she was a good runner, Ryder kept laughing at her but at the same time encouraging her to do it.

Two days before the week-long celebration of Belle's birthday started Mal found herself laying on the rocks near the enchanted lake with Azis while he took pictures of everything around him. She couldn't help how her mind wander back to the first time she came her with Ben "So are you going to tell me why are you so sad?" Mal looked at him for a second and sigh "He took me here for our first date. Well, it actually doesn't count I guess because he was under the cookie spell", yes all the gang knew about the cookie but no one ever mentions it."By the end of the date he was no longer under the spell but still he stay with me" a couple of tears escape her eyes but she didn't make a move to clean them up. "He asked me if I loved him because he had already said it to me and after I had told him I didn't know how to love he promised to teach me."They stayed quiet for long time Mal took a shaky breath in. "I was in love with Cora."Mal gasped and turned to looked at Azis he had his eyes fix on the lake ."For years I dreamed of the day that we would be together, how I would take her on fantastic trips and we would have a family. I met Ryder and her when I was 3 and from that moment on she own me. Ryder and I became good friends and the three of us would hang out, sometimes with other people sometimes just us. I think she knew but never made any comment about it, suddenly one summer when we were thirteen she went away and when she came back she was with Zohu. Don't get me wrong I don't blame her, I never told her anything and I actually tried to make her jealous dating other girls from time to time just to see if she cared. To tell you the truth I didn't even tell Ryder about it but he knew, so when she announced that she was coming back with his boyfriend he tried to warn me, but I was so mad. I went to their house that day and made a complete ass out of myself in front of everybody. Zohu was great though he never said a thing about all the stupid things I said or how I acted."

He turned to focus on Mal "I didn't speak to neither of them for over a year, Ryder would try to talk to me and I would act like he didn't exist. He kept trying to talk to me for a year and then he stop. He was dating this beautiful girl named Alyssa and they seemed happy.I cared for him as a friend, but I felt betrayed by all of them so I would just listen to a conversation about him but made no move to talk to him. Then the last party of the year came and I went with some girl and saw Cora dancing with Zohu, I was about to leave when I saw it. Alyssa was making out with this douche that hated Ryder for no reason since we were little.I was shocked part of me wanted to walk away, but then Ryder walked in and saw them and he seemed destroyed." Mal grew upset just to imagine how upset Ryder must have felt if she ever found that girl things would get ugly ."One moment I was staring at Ryder and the next I was beating the lights out of that guy, I could feel Alyssa trying to stop me, but I didn't. Then Ryder put his hand on my shoulder and I just stop, the guy was a mess and I was asked not to returned next year." Mal was shocked that made sense all of them came out of nowhere to the school. Ben's policy about new kids had made him popular in some circles this guy weren't the kind of people that needed to learn how to act in front of outsiders. "So that's why all of you came here?" Even though she tried to make it a question, it was more of a statement in the case of Azis though she wasn't sure why the others came.

Azis nod "That's why I came. After I was basically "expelled" though you can't expel the son of Sultan Aladdin so it was more a, please leave. My parents and I walked outside the headmaster office to see Ryder standing there, I swear you would have thought we were in love because both of us run to each other and hug for the longest time. We told each other how much we missed each other and ask for forgiveness". My parents were glad to see us being back to be friends, best friends, they knew about everything that happened, later they told me that Ryder sometimes called them to asked about me or to tell them when I was in need of extra support." .That sounded like Ryder he always seemed to be trying to take care of everyone around him. "He went back to the palace with us and we research schools there was no need to say anything it was obvious he was leaving too, Cora and Zhou were a surprise and I thanked them for the support." Mal knew that the group was close and loyal, but she never would have guessed all that happened between them before. She was glad Azis share that information with her she felt special to be worthy of that kind of trust from him. "Ryder told me you asked him about it, I want you to know that he gave me permission to tell you the part that involve him. He thinks, well we all think very highly of you guys."

They started their walked back to the school "Mal, I wanted to ask you to go to the Ball with me. Ryder's dad is not coming so he is going to escort his mom which is hilarious. So that just leave the both of us dateless, so how about we go together" She hesitated, was he asking her out? Like a date?. " I know that is short notice, but I'm sure Evie already has a gown ready for you, so what do you say?" Mal turned and look and ask if it was a date but just then Ryder appear in front of them telling them to hurry, they were late for the rehearsal. "Damn I keep forgetting to set an alarmed for those. Let's go". They met the rest of he group in the basement and the guys started to get their instruments ready. Mal had discovered a couple of weeks ago that they had formed a band, for what Ryder told her it used to be Azis, Ryder, and another dude for a long time then they took a break. Since getting to Auradon, they decided to do it again but now Zouh was on drums and Doug joined them in keyboards. The guys played original songs and Mal enjoy fangirling next to the others girls, Jay and Carlos were trying to learn to play something so that they could join them. They play for two hours straight and then Azis and Ryder walked Mal to returned the book Belle had given her weeks ago, the guys kept singing and making air guitar which kept Mal laughing non-stop. Ryder knocks on the other of the castle in the rhythm of the song they were singing and a confuse Chip appear, Mal and Azis laughed while Ryder blush. "Hey Chip, could you please give Queen Belle her book back? I finished it already." The door open widely and a Ben and Alexandra appear in front of them holding hands. "Hey guys, do you want to come in?".

"No, thanks, though. We need to go back the rest of the gang is at the cafeteria waiting for us" explained Ryker that still rather not spend time with the couple if he could help it. The other two join in nodding their heads. Alexandra looked at Mal and smile "Hey Mal are you ready for the big Ball? Evie told me about all the worked she was doing on your dress and it sounded beautiful" well that was the first Mal heard of it, but no doubt it would be perfect knowing Evie's ability. "Well, the dress doesn't matter Mal is going to look amazing as always" Azis comment made her blush and suddenly she remember his question oh god he asked her on a date!. Alexandra nodded "You are right, so are you guys going together?" Azis put a hand around Mal's shoulder and nodded, Ryder who was at her other side squeeze her hand and she smile. "Well great then see you at the ball," Ben said ending the conversation while shutting the door. Mal frown and turned to leave missing the look the guys share behind her. After eating with the gang they walked Mal to her room later, the other two went to Fairy Godmother offices to sign some papers that finally made them roommates. When Chad wouldn't agree to move out so that Ryder and Doug could be roommates, they decided to ask if maybe they could move in together. Fairy godmother wasn't sure about it at first but finally agree, Doug was sad to see his chance of getting away of Chad gone but was ultimately glad for his friends.

"So what do you think of the way our King reacted ?" Azis said with obvious sarcasm in his voice. Ryder tosses back the ball they were playing with and sigh "First, he is not our King" Azis make a mocking gesture and toss the ball harder."You really don't like him, do you?" Ryder sends the ball straight to Azis face, but the other boy caught and smirk "Is not that. It's just that I can't figure him out and that annoys me. Is like one moment we are sure he still loves Mal and then he is all lovey dovey with his girlfriend. Still he wants to keep Mal near, sure he tells her that just as friends but there is something else going on there. Then is cool we are all "friends" and now he basically slam the door in our faces because you are dating Mal?" Azis raise and eyebrow "I'm not dating Mal, we are just going to the dance together as friends". Ryder mimic the mock gesture Azis did before"Yeah yeah whatever but you have to admit is weird. I don't know if he is really this clueless or he is just excellent at manipulating people". They continue talking with Azis basically saying that Ben was just clueless and maybe they could help him realize what his true feelings were. He either likes Mal or he was happy with Alexandra they would respect his decision, but they didn't doubt he would be back with Mal at the end.