Spending the Day with Az and Zou…

The next morning Mal was off for the day with Az and Zou. Ben was stuck in meetings all day with Jasmine and her council. Mal felt bad for Ben, knowing he was getting bored of these meeting, knowing Mal was off having fun. But it was his royal duty and he had to do it.

Mal met Az in the front hall of the palace, and they headed out to pick up Zou. He was here for the summer working on a project for his Uncle Li Shang. Mal was glad he was here too, she felt a little weird going out with just Az, but at least with Zou along it wouldn't cause gossip. She had tried calling Gwen to join them but her call went straight to voice mail.

In the center of town the met up with Zou. "Mallypop. How's my favorite fairy?"
"I am the only fairy you know Zou." Mal reminded him, glaring at the nickname he used on her, that he knew she hated. Az and Zou fist pumped each other. "Az how's it hanging?"
"Cool. Can't wait for tomorrow. This party is gonna be out of this world."
"I am sure. So how's the summer so far Mal?"
"Ok. I am kind of tired of the train already."
"You and Ben have any alone time?" Zou said, looking back at the body guard that was following them.

"Not your business Zou." Az interjected. "And he is mine not her's."

"Mine is there too, he is just in stealth mode. I know he's here, but I never see him. But my over sensitive fairy senses can hear him and smell him."
"Interesting." Zou pointed out. "So what's the plans for today?"
"Just hit up a few old haunts, and Mal needs a few art supplies."
"Please tell me we are hitting up Chester's for chili cheese fries?" Zou asked.

"Of course." Mal and Az answered at the same time. Then laughed.

The trio walked all over Agrabah shopping, eating and laughing. Around three in the afternoon they were finally stopped by a reporter. "Prince Aziz, Lady Mal, Zou Shang what brings you three to the city bazar?"
"Just showing the Lady Mal a good time while King Ben meets with my mother and her council. Can't have my mother's house guest sitting around bored. And since Lady Mal has been in Agrabah before, we are visiting places we went while she was in school here." Az answered. His body guard stepped forward, but Az held up a finger letting him know they were ok for the moment.

"Lady Mal, how are your royal visitations going?"
"We have only been to China so far. I met the Emperor and he was a very gracious host. As is Sultana Jasmine, Princes Aladdin and Aziz. I have been welcomed with open arms everywhere I have been so far."
"Where to next?"
"Charmington. It's Prince Chad's 18th birthday next week."
"And you are comfortable going there knowing that you and your friends chose Anthony Tremaine to come over in the next group of Isle kids."
"First of all thank you for not calling us VK's or villain kids. And second, I know Princess Cinderella is uncomfortable with Anthony as a choice, she and I have talked about it. But I have assured her that Anthony is nothing more than a flirt. His mother Anastacia was the meaner of the sisters but she mellowed when she met the baker, Anthony's father. His father was left here, and I am hoping since Anthony is one of the few who knows who their father really is, he might do ok after he meets him. I have plans to meet him while I am in Charmington, to talk to him about his feeling about the matter."
"So Anthony doesn't know if his father wants to see him or not?"
"I do not know, what Anthony knows. I have been contacted by the baker, and I plan to meet with him. I do not know what he wants, he may not want to meet Anthony, I really don't know. I will respect his wishes no matter what I feel might be right, it's not my place to choose their path."

"That's enough now. Have a great day." Az said taking Mal's arm and turning away from the reporter.

"Where is Gwen Prince Aziz?" The reporter called after them. Mal turned around and answered for Az.

"Gwen has taken a job this summer in preparation for her career choice of nursing. She gets little time off with this summer job. We all respect her choice to follow her heart in her career." Mal turned back to the boys and they walked away.

"Very nicely done Mal, you will make a great Queen someday." Aziz whispered. "Gwen's going into nursing?"

"She didn't tell you?" Mal was shocked, there was definatly something falling apart in their relationship, and Mal could see an end to it very soon, she hoped for Az's sake he was ready for it too. "She told me last night when she finally answered her phone."
"Well at least one of us has spoken to her since graduation." Zou admits.

"Yeah." Az agrees.

After their Chili cheese fries they leave Zou at his apartment and head back to the palace. As they walk Az confesses to Mal. "I think it's pretty clear that Gwen and I are heading apart. And honestly I am ok with that. I wish she would just say it."
"You could you know." Mal pointed out.

"I guess it would help if I let her know it was ok." Az took out his phone and called Gwen. "Gwen, Az. Look we really need to talk. I think we are on the same page with this but we really need to at least talk face to face. Tonight, I'll meet you by the gazebo after the parade and we can talk. Hope to see you."

"That's nice Az. I think she will come. I hope so anyway."
"Me too. I don't want to end it rough, I just want to tell her I understand it's tough dating a prince, and I have no hard feeling and hope we can be friends."
"Yeah, that's nice. And you are right it's not easy dating a king either. Especially when you are a VK."
"Stop using that term. You are Mal Bertha."
"Oh please stop using my middle name. I swear I hate myself for ever telling you that. There are only a few here who know that, lets keep it that way please."
"Sure thing MB."
"Turban you are a major pain in the ass."
"You are welcome."

That night there was a parade in the town to celebrate Ben's arrival and Az's graduation. Az waited for an hour after the parade. Finally, as he was just about to leave he received a text from Gwen. 'I am sorry Az. I tried to get there, but I just couldn't bring myself to see another reporter. I think it's time for us to go separate ways. I am not cut out for this public life. Please forgive me for doing it this way, but everywhere I turned tonight I was questioned. I hope someday we can be friends, and that we both find someone special. Gwen'

Az walked back over to the café where Mal and Ben were having a tea waiting for Az. Mal could see the look on his face. He just handed her the phone. "Oh, Az I am so sorry she did it this way."
"Me too. I wanted to at least say good bye to her face to face. At least we were on the same page."
"What are you going to say?" Ben asked.

"I wasn't going to respond. I tried, but it all sounded angry and I am not, not really."
"You have to Az." Mal said.

"I…can you for me Lilac. I can't find the words. I don't want her to think I am mad at her."
"Sure. How's this. 'Gwen I understand what you are going through and I would never want to make you uncomfortable. I was going to suggest we go our own way as well. Please know that you will always have a special place in my heart and I would love to be friends with you. I hope that the press leaves you alone, I will release a statement to the press saying that we have chosen together that we'd like to go our own ways and I will tell them to leave you alone. Good luck, and if you ever need anything all you have to do is ask and I will do what I can.' How is that?"
"Perfect, thank you Mal." He took the phone and hit send. He texted his press rep to release a statement that he and Gwen had agreed to part ways as they had grown apart and to leave her alone.