The day was bright and beautiful, and the students of Auradon Prep were out and about. The purple haired faerie was heading off to a quiet place where she would meet Ben so that they could spend some time together.

"Dragon." Someone whispered, as she passed them. Mal ignored it. Comments like that didn't bother her. "Hey, Dragon." They spoke louder, "Look at me when I'm talking to you."

Mal turned around, one eyebrow raised. "Can I help you?"

The girl looked at her friends and smirked. "Tell me, why do you bother meet up with the King, when he's obviously going to dump you soon."

Mal scoffed. "I highly doubt that. I tried to dump him but he wouldn't let me. He came after me. Somehow, I think if he really was going to dump me, he would have let me stay on the Isle."

Before any of the girls could reply, Ben came up to them and wrapped an arm around Mal's waist. Mal gave the girls a subtle smirk and turned her head to her boyfriend.

"You okay?" he asks gently, nudging her nose with his own. Mal giggled and pecked him on the lips briefly.

"Perfectly fine. Come on, you have a meeting in like, half an hour. I want to enjoy my time with you before you're taken away from me again." And with that Mal dragged Ben away, waving at the girls they'd left behind.

That wasn't the last time those girls tried to get to Mal unfortunately. They struck again a week later.

Mal gave Ben a peck on the cheek just before he headed off to his last class of the day. Mal didn't have another one that day so she went to finish her homework.

"You know he only went after you because you know too much about Auradon and he knew you would tell all the secrets to the villains meaning they have an advantage over us?"

Mal's pencil paused over the equation she was trying to solve. 'Could that be true?' she wondered before mentally shaking her head. Ben loved her. That's why he went after her.

"I'm sorry if that's what you think but how could you possibly know why he went after me. I didn't realise that he confided all his deepest secrets in you." Mal said, turning to the brown haired princess who was making fun of her. "I didn't even realise he knew your name. I know I don't."

The princess harrumphed. "I'm Joy Rolfe? Pocahontas and John Rolfe's daughter."

Mal shook her head slightly, "Can't say I've heard of you. Although, your mother is lovely. I met her on my tour."

Joy crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "Never mind whether or not you've heard of me. And Ben doesn't have to confide in me. Everyone knows it."

"King Ben." Mal replied, "You are not his friend, so you should refer to him by his proper title."

Joy scoffed. "Whatever. He only went after you to keep Auradon safe. Everyone knows that it's true. So come down from your silly ideas of him being in love with you and open your eyes to the real world." The girls who stood behind her laughed. "Come on girls." And with that Joy stalked off, her posse trailing behind her.

Mal kept thinking about what she said. Was Ben just trying to keep Auradon safe? It would make sense. No, that's ridiculous. 'True love's kiss remember?' Mal reminded herself. Feeling satisfied with her conclusion, the faerie went back to her homework and didn't even give Joy and her posse a second thought.

However, it still wasn't the end of the snide comments. As Mal walked through the hall she heard "Dragon" and "Maleficent" whispered between people. She chose to ignore it and continued on her way.

"Hey Maleficent." someone called. Mal, knowing who it was continued to place her books in her locker, smiling at the pictures of her and Ben.

"Hey, look at me when I'm talking to you." Joy spoke up again. Mal rolled her eyes and turned to look at her raising her eyebrow.

Joy looked her up and down and laughed. Mal crossed her arms, unfazed.

"You call that an outfit?" Joy laughed, "It looks like someone tore it up. How does Ben not get embarrassed to be seen with you. I mean, I know he feels sorry for you, but this is just ridiculous."

Mal took a quick glance at her outfit. It was her purple claw mark shirt, with her green slashed jeans and a pair of dragon winged boots. She looked back up at Joy, "Of course it looks like someone tore it up. It's supposed to." Mal said, deciding to not rise to the 'Ben feels sorry for you' comment.

Joy laughed even harder. "Oh, how stupid. Why would you intentionally rip your clothes? Oh wow, Ben must really, really, really feel sorry for you if he's willing to be seen with this." Joy gestured to Mal's clothes. "Poor Ben." And with that she left again.

Mal suddenly felt quite self-conscious. Feel sorry for her? Is that why he's with her? No. He loves her. She knew that. But did she? Was she just deluding herself? After all, why would he make a villain a queen? Mal slammed her locker shut, with a growl.

"Woah. Easy girl." A voice said behind her.

"Carlos! Hey." Mal composed herself to try and look like nothing was wrong.

"You okay? You seem a bit on edge." Carlos said.

Mal smiled and shrugged. "Yeah, just a bit stressed. That's all."

Carlos didn't looked like he believed her but chose to leave it be.

Mal tried not to let Joy's words bother her but she kept thinking about what she had said and it only got worse the next time.

"If you're thinking that he loves you because of true love's kiss, then you really are deluding yourself. He was probably so shocked at being kissed by someone so ugly that it broke the spell."

Mal rubbed her arm but didn't say anything.

"Awww, Lucifer got your tongue?" Joy asked, snickering. Mal didn't say anything but just walked away.

"Going to go hide behind Ben now? Or maybe one of your pathetic friends? Can't stand up for yourself can you?"

Mal kept walking until she finally reached a bathroom. She quickly checked that it was empty before going into one of the stalls and sobbing. Joy was right. She was pathetic, and ugly, and useless and she was nothing but a villain. She heard someone enter the bathroom and quickly wiped her eyes. She stayed in the stall for a little while longer so that she could calm down slightly. She left the stall and saw that there was no one by the sinks so she quickly washed her face and headed out of the bathroom.

"Mal!" She heard. Mal flinched slightly but turned around to see her boyfriend coming towards her.

"Hey." She mumbled when he reached her.

He grinned at her. "Hey."

Mal tried to smile back but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Ben noticed and gave her concerned look.

"You okay?" He asked, gently taking her hand.

Mal looked down at their joint hands before looking up at him. His face was covered with worry.

Joy's words rang in her head. "He just feel sorry for you." "He's going to break up with you soon." "He only went after you for the safety of Auradon." Mal tried to ignore them and just shrugged at Ben.

"Yeah, just a little tired, I guess."

Ben stroked her hand with her thumb. "Do you want to cancel our date so you can sleep?" he asked, kindly.

"He's just trying to find an excuse not to spend any time with you!" A voice that sounded like Joy's sounded in Mal's head.

Mal shook her head. "I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides, you've been excited to take me on this date."

Ben smiled at her, searching her face. "Are you sure you'll be okay? If you get to tired, just let me know and I'll take you straight home so you can sleep."

Mal smiled back. "I'll be fine."

"Oh, King Ben!" A voice cried out behind Ben. Mal looked over his shoulder and saw Joy rushing towards them. Ben turned around and looked at the newcomer. "Can I borrow Mal for a second? I really need to talk to her about something."

Ben looked over at Mal who was trying not to show her fear. "Well-" he began before he was interrupted.

"Thanks." Joy grabbed Mal's arm and dragged her away from Ben.

Joy took Mal to a bathroom where almost no one went. Her three friends were there as well. Joy pushed Mal down and she fell, landing on her back quite hard.

"You're so pathetic if you really think that Ben wants you here. That anyone wants you here. You and your friends should go back to the Isle." Joy kicked Mal in the stomach. The posse laughed and began to join in. They were all kicking her in various places on her body. Mal cried out in pain with every time their pointed shoes contacted her skin. She felt blood running down her face and sobbed. Finally the girl left her alone, laughing evilly.

Mal lay there for what felt like hours, tears streaming down her face. She was curled up in the fetal position, unable to do anything but cry. Eventually someone ran in.
"Mal!" It was Evie. "Jay, Carlos get in here!"

More footsteps. "What happened?" Jay. He sounded more worried than Mal had ever heard him be.

"I found her like this." Evie was crying.

Mal felt two arms go around her, trying to pick her up. She yelled out in pain. The arms let her go.

"She's too hurt. I don't think I can pick her up without causing her more pain." Mal heard Evie let out a sob.

"Who would do this to her?" Mal felt a hand on her bruised cheek. "Mal, what happened."

Mal carefully opened her eyes. Jay and Carlos were standing up, nearby, faces covered with worry. Evie was kneeling next to her, her face riddled with concern, and her make-up running down her face.

"I'm okay." Mal croaked up.

All three of them gave her a look.

"We're not blind, Mal." Carlos spoke up for the first time, him and Jay now also kneeling next to her. "Can you stand?"

Mal tried to move. It was painful but she managed to sit up properly. Jay gently took her arm and supported her. With the help of Carlos and Jay, Mal managed to stand for a few seconds before collapsing on to Jay, who caught her and held her upright.

"Get her to the nurse. I'll go see if I can find Ben." Jay nodded and half carried, half walked Mal out of the bathroom. Mal tried to protest, saying that they didn't need to bother get Ben but they all ignored her. Carlos went with Jay and Mal to help support her.

They got her to the nurse eventually and sat her on the chair.

"What happened to her?" The nurse said, examining Mal's face. Jay shrugged and Carlos explained that Evie had found her.

"We won't have to take her to hospital." The nurse concluded. "Just looks like she'll be badly bruised for a while."

Jay and Carlos nodded, both taking Mal's arms. Mal pulled her arms away from then. "I can walk now. I'll be okay." She stood up, wincing slightly but walked out, thanking the nurse. Carlos and Jay followed her as a precaution.

"Mal!" Ben and Evie came running up to her. Ben winced at the sight of his true love's busted up face and took her hands gently. He looked at her confused and worried when she pulled her hands out his grip.

"What happened Mal? Hey, hey, look at me." he said gently, placing a hand on her cheek when she refused to look him in the eye. "Who did this to you?"

Mal shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Why would you care anyway?"

Ben looked hurt by this comment. "Mal, of course I care. Why wouldn't I?" He tried to stroke her face with his thumb but she jerked her head away from him. "Mal?"

Mal walked away, not looking back. She was glad that the halls were empty, due to the fact that lessons were over so people were outside or in their dorms or else where. If they were empty, no one would see her break.

Ben looked at the others helplessly but they all just shrugged, just as confused. Evie rushed over to her best friend.

"Mal, what's wrong." Mal turned to her and couldn't take it any more. She flung her arms around Evie and began to sob.

"I can't do this any more, Evie. I'm not good enough for anything and Ben's only with me because he pities me and-"

"What?!" Evie pulled back and held her friend at arms length, her hands on her shoulders, looking at her confused. "Who told you that?"

"Everyone knows it." Mal mumbled.

Evie raised her eyebrow. "Mal, who's been saying this stuff to you?"

Mal shook her head. "No one, it doesn't matter."

Evie gave Mal a hard stare. "Mal."

Mal refused to say anything. Jay, Carlos and Ben suddenly appeared behind Evie.
"Mal, what's going on?" Ben asked. "Was it Joy? Did she do this to you?"

Evie moved out of the way so that Ben could approach Mal.

When Mal didn't say anything, Ben's face went hard with anger. "It was." He face softened. "I'm sorry, Mal. I shouldn't have let her take you away from me."

Evie, Jay and Carlos exchanged questioning looks before Carlos whipped out his phone.

Ben grabbed Mal's hands and pulled her in for hug. "This is all my fault." Mal stiffened in his arms and pulled away.

"Ben, just make this easier on both of us and break up with me. I know you want to."

Ben's eyebrows contorted in confusion. "Break up with you? Mal, what are you talking about? I would never do that."

Mal sighed. "Ben, I know you're dating me because you feel sorry for me."

Ben laughed. "Feel sorry for you? Mal, of course I'm dating you because I feel sorry for you. I'm dating you because I love you. You know that."

"Do I? Are you sure?"

Ben grabbed her hands. "What did Joy say to you? Because whatever she said, it's not true. I promise, I love you. True love's kiss wouldn't have worked otherwise."

Mal thought about for a second before nodding. A few tears escaped her eyes and she flung her arms around him. She sobbed into his shoulder while he cradled her carefully.

"Shh, shh." he murmured. "It's okay. Shh. I love you."

Mal buried her head further into her shoulder when they were interrupted with a shout of triumphed.

Ben and Mal looked over to Carlos who was showing his phone to Evie and Jay.

"Sorry." He said. Evie and Jay nodded and ran off, Carlos following on.

"We should follow them." Mal said, grabbing Ben's hand and running.

Ben ran with her, questioning her reasons. "They're up to something." was her only reply. As it turned out, the VKs were trying to find a certain someone.

Jay cracked his knuckles and started heading towards Joy.

"Woah, boy!" Evie and Carlos held him back. "Violence is not going to help." Mal came over and took Jay's arm.

"Jay, she's not worth it." Jay struggled against his siblings.

"She hurt you. She's not going to get away with it."

"And she won't." Ben put in, also holding Jay back now, "But violence will get you in trouble as well."

Evie let go of Jay and headed over to Joy.

"Hi." She said sweetly. Joy smiled back at her.

"Can I help you?"

Evie nodded. "You can!" She sat down next to her. "If you ever go anywhere near my friend, I swear on my mother's mirror that I won't hold Jay back, okay?"

Joy looked over to where Jay was being seriously restrained.

"What, Mal can't fight her own battles?" she said, snidely.

"Oh, she can. But, unlike you, she has people who can back her up and people she can lean on when things get too much. I have a feeling when things get too much for you, you're little 'friends' will leave you." Evie said sassily.

Joy opened her mouth in anger, glaring at her. "How dare you?"

"No, how dare you?" Evie replied. "Mal has done nothing, nothing, to you and you beat her down so that she feels like she doesn't deserve anything. Let me tell you something, Rolfe. She deserves far more than you ever will." Evie got up and flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked back to her friends.

"Well, I'm done with her. Who wants to go get some hot chocolate or something?" The friends all agreed.

As they began to walk together, Ben grabbed Mal's hand and pulled her back slightly.

"If anyone ever bothers you again, just come to me, okay? I promise I won't let anyone hurt you like that again."

Mal nodded and kissed him. "I love you." she mumbled.

Ben smiled. "I love you too. No matter what."

Holding hands, they followed their friends, finally happy. Mal's face was fine the next day so there weren't too many awkward questions and Joy was expelled. Seeing Pocahontas and John Rolfe as angry as they were made Mal almost feel sorry for Joy. Almost.

Mal still got some rude remarks but she knew she had her friends to fall back on. She did, however, ask Fairy Godmother to start an anti-bullying program. Just because these kids were the children of heroes, it didn't mean they were all good. Fairy Godmother agreed and they were able to help many people who were suffering being bullied.

Ben was proud of Mal for starting the program and, as promised, he was always there when someone said something hurtful, and Mal knew that she had him, no matter what.

Another one! Whoop!

I do have a message with this one. If you are getting bullied or you know someone who is, don't be afraid to speak up. Get help. There will always be someone who is willing to help you. Also, remember this: bullies don't bully for no reason. There will be some level of brokenness with them as well. This does not justify what bullies do, but it's important to remember that bullies are often victims too. Also, once you find a way to ignore the bullies, they'll just look ridiculous, rather than hurtful. I know it's not easy. It never is. But I believe you are strong enough to get through. I believe in you.

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