Several weeks passed until Carlos's casts were finally removed, his skin stung slightly as the fresh air attacked where had been covered but he was glad to be able to move properly.
School was very pleasant now too, not a single person bullied the young De Vil any more so he could walk the halls without incident and he wasn't being forced to hide away; Carlos was coming out of his shell and speaking more.
Now that Carlos was free from his restricted casts he and Jay could do more interment things but the young De Vil normally freaked out halfway through so final base was still a stretch goal away.
It was now spring, Carlos had celebrated his birthday with a surprise grand party where he had his first cake and a huge chocolate fountain, the weather was being generally warmer and flowers blooming beautifully in Beast and Belle's garden.
"the Spring Ball is going to be so exciting!" Evie gushed at school.
Mal rolled her eyes and continued to doodle on her English work; the purple haired girl was softer than she had been months before, she dressed in kinder colours and was generally kinder to people, even if she did have little patients for idiocy.
The cheerleaders had arranged the Spring Ball, like every year, but this year it was more exciting because Audrey wasn't in charge so there were lots of flower garlands everywhere and the dress code was informal.
"you're coming, aren't you Carlos?" Ellen, daughter of singer Elsa Arandalle, lent back on her chair her long white ringlets falling over her face.
Carlos smiled, he'd never been to any of the parties at Auradon Prep and his birthday had been the first time he's been joyfully surrounded by people but the idea of a proper party was actually appealing to him now.
"of course, someone's gotta keep Jay out of trouble." He laughed.
Jay smiled at Carlos through his hair as he tried to remember what the teacher had just told them; Jafar had managed to sell nearly all of the jewels and had bought his son a brand new leather coat.
"listen up everyone!" Mrs Jane called to everyone, "I have something to announce."
Everyone went silent, all eyes on their yellow dressed teacher, she looked slightly annoyed and frustrated, "we have a student re-joining us."
The classroom door swung open to revel Audrey; her brown hair was in a delicate bun and she was dressed in a pastel pink suit, behind her was three portly women all with stern faces.
The cheerleaders gasped, horrified to see their ex-captain, the three women ushered Audrey inside; Carlos frowned, he remembered being slightly afraid of the girl last time he saw her but now he just saw a girl who was fake.
Mrs Jane sighed, "Audrey has come back to us because her behaviour has improved." She didn't look happy about having the girl back in her class.
"indeed she has." Said on of the woman, dressed in green.
"Audrey realised her mistakes." Said another, the one with a big red hat.
"and she's working on improving her faults." Said the final woman, dressed in bright blue.
Carlos was beyond unconvinced, the look on Audrey's face was nothing like what Chad's had been, where he had been genuinely sorry about what he had done, the brown haired girl's face didn't move and her eyes were cold.
Obviously Audrey had charmed the women, who were suppoingly her tutors, faking to be forgiving and actually kind just so she could go back to school where she believed to be at the top of the food chain.
"take a seat please Audrey." Mrs Jane told her.
Audrey swept to her seat, as she passed Carlos she shot him a nasty look that confirmed how little she had changed, and immediately tried to talk to Bunny, daughter of model Jessica Rabbit, but was ignored.
When free period finally arrived Carlos couldn't have been more thrilled; Audrey had been burning holes into the back of his head for the last three periods, since none of any of her friends wanted to talk to her anymore.
Just as Carlos sat on the grass beside Jay someone called his name; Audrey was trotting closer to them, a strained smile on her face.
"hello De Vil." Audrey greeted sickly sweetly.
Ben frowned at her but she took no notice, "Audrey." Carlos gave her the smallest of nods.
Audrey clasped her hands in a cute motion, "I wish to speak to you." She said.
"then speak, I'm busy." The young De Vil said sharply.
Audrey's eyes narrowed, flushing pink but she forced her smile more, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything."
A mocking snort came from Mal, who hid her face behind her book, "no you're not." Carlos said immediately, "you're not sorry for hurting me."
The sickly sweet image Audrey was trying to hold together broke and she sneered, "you're right, I'm not sorry, but you know what?" she lent forward, close to Carlos's freckled face, "I'm back on my turf now."
Carlos couldn't stop the laugh escaping, he pushed her away, "you're turf? Don't kid yourself, everyone was thrilled when you left little miss perfect."
"nonsense, my friends – "
"haven't spoken to you since you were expelled." Carlos shot back.
As much as the young De Vil didn't want to be cruel but Audrey really was deluded, "you have lost you position that you demanded your way into, nobody wants anything to do with you."
Audrey stood in shock for a long time, tears shining in her eyes; suddenly her teeth were bared, bright red in the face, "you did this you pathetic creature." She snarled.
Without a word Jay stood, slung Audrey over his shoulder and walked off with her kicking and screaming; Evie saved the video she's recoded on her phone to show Mrs GodMother.
"hope she isn't going to stay around." Ben said mockingly.
Jay came back with a triumphant smile, taking a small kiss as a reward before tackling his tricky English work again.
"anyway!" Evie cheered, clapping her hands gleefully, "I want to design all your clothes for the Spring Ball." She seemed too excited.
