"Ben!" Mal burst through the door and Ben fell off his bed, dropping the book he was reading. "Sorry." Mal looked guilty, but couldn't help the chuckle that she emitted.

"So what's so big that now I have bruised my tailbone?" Ben said sarcastically.

Mal laughed again, but remembered her reason for coming. "We have major issues with prom decorations!"

"Like?"

"Like they haven't arrived!"

Ben's face fell. "But prom is TODAY! We ordered the stuff weeks in advance!"

"How? You only announced it last week."

"Yeah, but as a king, everything is preplanned. We've been planning it for months. But this week the students would get involved to help set up. Which apparently isn't going to happen now!" Ben sat on his bed, trying to come up with a solution. He had nothing.

"Why don't we just make the decorations ourselves ?" Mal asked.

Ben's eyes widened. "That's a great idea!"

"Really? Because I was just sort of winging it there," Mal said. Ben chuckled. "But do you think we have enough time?"

Ben looked at the clock. "It's not even 12:30. I think that's plenty of time."

Mal smiled. "Great."

"Hey, did you hear the news?"

"What news?"

"Florian Jr asked Audrey to the prom."

"What!"

"Yeah, it happened last night. How's Jay taking it?"

"I don't know. I literally just heard about it now! Oh my gosh! This is not good. Jay is going to be really upset!" Mal started pacing around the room.

Ben held her shoulders. "Why are you freaking out so much?"

"Because..." Mal looked down at the floor. She sat on Ben's bed and he followed suit. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"Before we came here, Carlos, Evie, Jay and I made a pact. That no matter what, we'd be there for each other. I see them as siblings, a family I've never had. So we're always looking out for each other. And knowing how much Jay likes Audrey, knowing she's taken, is going to kill him. And when Jay gets really upset, he lets out his frustration with violence. Lots and lots of violence. Last time he was that upset, we were 7 and he almost got himself killed. Now that we're older, who knows what he'll do."

Ben looked worried for a second. "Are you sure he'll do that?"

Mal shrugged. "I'm not sure. He was adamant about not liking Audrey, so I'm not even sure if he likes her anymore. I need to talk to him, I guess. But he's not exactly the easiest person to talk to."

"Want me to go with you?"

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. He's one of your best friends, and he's my friends, too. Come on!" He put on his shoes and they left his dorm.

That walked down the hall until they reached Carlos and Jay's dorm. They got there, just as Carlos was leaving for lunch.

"Oh Mal. I was just about to go talk to you."

Mal frowned. "Hey, is Jay in there?"

Carlos looked towards his room. "Uh...yeah. I was just about to go talk to you about him."

"What! Why?"

"Because he's been moping all day long and I just need to get away from him. I'm starving so I'll catch up with you guys later." Carlos turned on his heel and left towards the cafeteria.

Ben turned to Mal. "Sounds like Jay is pretty upset. Do we dare enter?"

Mal sighed. "How bad can it be?"

Both teens braced themselves for the storm inside and opened the door. Whatever they were expecting was not what they saw inside. The dorm was clean(well as clean as a boys room can be) and Jay was curled up on his bed, covered in his blanket.

"Jay..." Mal said cautiously.

"Go away Mal," came the muffled reply.

Ben spoke up. "Jay, you feeling okay?"

"No. Evie ruined my life!"

"What?" Mal was confused. That was not the answer she was expecting. "What did Evie do this time?"

With a frustrated groan, Jay stood up from his bed. Mal and Ben's jaws dropped. Jay's long brown locks were nowhere to be seen. "Evie cut off all of my hair!" Jay said, upset.

Neither Ben or Mal made a sound. Ben bit his lip, trying to not laugh and anger Jay even more. Mal pursed her lips, thinking of how to express to Jay her concern without coming off like a total jerk. But eventually it was too much to handle and the couple burst out laughing at their friend's misfortune. Jay just rolled his eyes and flopped back onto his bed. He covered his face with the pillow and groaned. Mal noticed this and controlled her laughter.

"Aw, come on, Jay," Mal cooed. "Don't be like that. Sorry for laughing."

"Yeah, sorry Jay," Ben apologized. "It's just not your week, man."

"Tell me about it. "

"Why did Evie cut your hair anyway?" Mal asked.

"Well, you've probably already heard about Audrey and her Prince Charming." Jay said dejectedly.

Ben sighed. "Yeah, we've might of heard about it."

"Well, Mal you were right. I do like Audrey. A lot. And seeing her with Florian just...it just hurt. So I told Evie and she made me realize my true feelings. To make me feel better, she suggested we go to prom together as friends. She made me have a makeover, but after she buzzed all my hair off I ran away to my room. Who knows what else that girl's capable of?" Jay explained.

Mal chuckled. "I'm sorry Jay, for everything. But if it makes you feel better, you're hair still looks awesome."

Jay laughed. "Hey,none of it is your fault. You don't have to be sorry. And thanks. My hair is pretty awesome."

"Still we're still sorry, man," Ben said. "But maybe this haircut could be a fresh new start for you."

Jay got up. "Maybe you're right! Why should I be moping about some girl when I can have the time of my life at prom with my friends. If Audrey doesn't like me, then I'll move on. There's plenty of other girls."

Mal laughed, nervously. As much as she wanted him to move on, she felt that him and Audrey belonged together. "If you say so."

"I'm gonna go find Evie to finish my makeover. I think it's time Auradon saw the new and improved Jay!" Jay ran out of his room, looking for Evie.

Mal and Ben left the room hand in hand, smiling for their friend. They headed towards the cafeteria to get lunch. But Ben noticed his girlfriend's smile wasn't genuine.

"Hey," he said, kissing her hand. "What's wrong?"

Mal looked at him. "Why would you think something's wrong?"

Ben rooked his eyes. "Come on Mal, I know you. So tell me, what's bugging you."

"It's just I want to be happy for Audrey and Jay, you know finding their happiness, Jay moving on and all but..."

"But what?"

"It just doesn't feel right, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"I just thought they'd find their happily ever after with each other. Like they're meant to be. I mean, I know we're meant to be, like soulmates. I got the same feeling with Audrey and Jay. Like they belong together." Mal looked down. How could things get so messed up? Mal didn't know what to do.

"Hey," Ben comforted. "There's nothing we can do. And you should stop meddling in your friend's love lives. I know that you love them and want them to have what we have, but just like you, they've got to find it for themselves, okay?"

Mal sighed. "I guess. It just pains me to see Carlos, Jay, and Evie so depressed over heroes kids." She giggled. "Who would've thought?"

Ben's eyebrows furrowed. "I thought you said Carlos didn't like Jane like that and they're only friends?"

Mal smirked. "Yeah, that's what he said. But I have a feeling there's more to the story than meets the eye."

Ben saw her look. It's the same look she always has when she's plotting something. Something bad. "Mal," Ben warned. "Promise me you won't get involved with your friend's love lives again."

Mal pouted. "Fine," she said smirking. "I promise."

Ben didn't see her fingers crossed behind her back.