Hey guys, thank you again for taking the time to read this story. I don't know why I put this notes at the start - I guess I just have got into the routine of putting them here. Even when I don't have anything to say! Sorry for waffle! Much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxo.


A week had passed since I had seen Ben but I knew to expect this; yes I saw him for an odd hour here and there when we were sent to the library to revise. It was now Saturday and I was in Carlos and Jays's dorm with Carlos and we were messing around with music producing software for our music and our dance routine which really starting to form. We were now toying with the idea of recording it and lip syncing to it or just singing to it; however this decision was probably something that was better decided in a group. Me and Carlos were now dancing to the music but we quickly stopped when I saw my phone go off on the table.

"Hang on Ben's ringing me" I told Carlos, Carlos jumped onto his bed and quickly turned off the music.

"Hey" I answered.

"Hey" I heard Ben say happily.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"Doing some work for our dance routine" I advised.

"I see" he answered sadly.

"Why?" I asked.

"Is something wrong?" I quickly added as I started to panic.

"No I just wanted to ask you something" he replied.

"Ok" I said as I started to calm down.

"Obviously too eager to wait until you ring me tonight then?" I teased.

"A little" he laughed.

"Ok shoot" I said as I sat down on Carlos's bed.

"Are you doing anything on Tuesday night?" Ben asked nervously. I pulled my brow together as I started to think about what I was doing on Tuesday night - nothing apart from revising.

"I was going to revise, but I can change it. What do you need me for? A meeting?" I asked as I started to fidget with Carlos's bed cover.

"No" he advised.

"Not a meeting" he said sourly which told me that he was getting sick of the recent increase of meetings.

"I wanted to use them tickets that you got me for my birthday" he advised.

"I see" I replied.

"And you want me to go with you?" I questioned as I pulled one brow up.

"Yeah, but if you don't want to that's ok. I can ask someone else" he suggested.

"I just thought as your such an expert at Tourney now you would like to come with me" he teased.

"Ok" I said as I started to smile.

"Go on then" I added.

"As you put it like that" I laughed.

"I'll look forward to it" Ben laughed.

"Any reason to see me?" I laughed.

"Of course" he replied happily.

"Right I need to go into a meeting, I just wanted to speak to you before I went into it" he advised.

"Who is it with again?" I asked.

"The Beauty's" he advised.

"Owch!" I said.

"I would have come-" I quickly said but he cut me off.

"Mal I know you would have but I never expect you to. Yes you are my consort but I give you a lot more freedom than consorts normally get. And anyway I know you having a meeting with Queen Leah would be hard for you. I don't want to cause you anymore upset because of her" he explained.

"I know you do and I appreciate it" I replied sadly. I liked to attend meetings with Ben but due to the increasing need to revise prevented me; however this was one meeting that I was willing to miss. Of course if Ben wanted me to attend I would go - I would do anything for Ben.

"Good luck" I added.

"Thanks" he answered.

"I better go" he said sadly.

"I love you" I said.

"I love you too" he answered.

"I'll face time you later" he promised.

"See you then" I said.

"Bye" he said.

"Bye" I answered and I then heard the line go dead as Ben hung up.

"Is everything ok?" Carlos asked as I placed my phone back onto the table.

"Yeah, Ben wants me to go with him to see a game next Tuesday" I explained.

"Tourney is not that bad Mal. I thought you liked it" he laughed.

"I do" I stated.

"But?" Carlos prompted.

"Ben now has a meeting with the Beautys" I advised.

"Rather him than me" Carlos said as he turned the music back on.

"Yeah" I said as I stood back up and we continued where we left off. I really hoped that this meeting went ok without any problems - however he was with Audrey and Queen Leah - so I won't hold my breath!


*Ben's POV*


I had just hung up on Mal and I sighed. I wished that she could have come to this meeting with me. However this was a selfish thought on my part; I know if I asked Mal to she would have come but I didn't think it was fair on Mal to attend this meeting. Especially with Queen Leah's recent comments; I know Mal was trying not to let it get to her but I knew that going to South Riding was going to be hard for her. This was one of the reasons why I decided to go to South Riding first - that and it seemed more of an appropriate route.

After me and my parent's welcomed Queen Leah, Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip and Audrey into the meeting room. Audrey seemed very happy with herself as she sat on my right hand side and I smiled politely at her. If Mal had attended that would have been where she would have sat. You can't keep thinking like this I told myself as the meeting started.

"Have you looked much into route you wish to take?" Prince Phillip asked me.

"I have planned the route; I just need to discuss it with each constituency" I advised.

"I see" Prince Phillip replied.

"And what have you already come up with?" Queen Leah asked cutting Prince Phillip off before he could say anything else.

"Well on the second of July I thought we would travel to Redemption and stay somewhere nearby" I advised as I started to look at my paperwork.

"Please your majesty you need to stay with us. Castle Beauty isn't that far away" Princess Aurora offered.

"Ok" I said with a smile.

"Thank you" I said which made her smile at me.

"On the third of July I thought we could look at Leopoldville and Bridge of Beneficence" I advised.

"That sounds perfect, we should join you" Queen Leah said sweetly.

"That would be very nice of you" I replied politely. I noticed my mother and father quickly looking at each other before I continued.

"Moving on" I stated.

"I had thought about traveling to History Island and exploring there before retiring at Castle Auroria for this night" I stated.

"That should be doable" Queen Leah said as she started to write this down.

"We will make the necessary arrangements" she added.

"What do you intend to do on the fifth and sixth?" Princes Aurora asked.

"On the fifth I thought we could have some free time before looking at the Museum of History of Auradon. I have been there before but I thought it would be nice to go again" I started to advise.

"On the sixth is going to be a travel day as on the seventh me and my father have looked at looking at Goodly Point, Tangleton and stay Auroa Piory. If you would think that is ok?" I asked. Princess Aurora went to speak but Queen Leah cut her off.

"I see no problem with that your majesty. I hope you don't mind us travelling with you" she stated.

"No" I said trying not to appear rude. I only hoped that she meant as we travelled around South Riding rather than the whole tour.

"I don't think that should be a problem; well up until we get to Skull Island anyway" I added.

"Of course" she said and she started to write something down. I noticed by the look in her eye that she was trying to fish for an invite to the whole tour.

"Then I would like to ask whether it would be ok for us to stay in East riding Castle before we embarked to Skull Island?" I asked Prince Phillip.

"That should be ok" he said nodding.

"Thank you" I replied.

"Do you have any questions?" I asked and I knew that Queen Leah would want to ask something. I only hoped that it was going to be nothing to do with Mal; however I wouldn't hold my breath.

"Yes" Queen Leah said.

"I still would like to enquire about the size of the party travelling with you?" she asked.

"I currently estimate twenty" I advised.

"Twenty?" she questioned.

"Yes" I confirmed.

"Can I ask why that amount?" she asked.

"Of course" I replied.

"Because the current tour party consists of me, my parents and Mal" I advised; I saw a glint appear in her eye when I mentioned Mal's name. I also noticed Audrey throw a glance to her mother as well.

"Then ten staff" I said.

"Ok that is only fourteen" Prince Phillip stated.

"Yes because I have invited some friends to come with us" I said with a smile.

"Friends?" Queen Leah said.

"Yes" I confirmed.

"I have invited Evie and Doug, who have both confirmed that they are going to attend" I started to advise.

"Carlos, Jay have also said they would come" I continued.

"Lonnie unfortunately can't come to the full tour due to family commitments over the summer but she will be coming for the start so she will be attending South Riding" I added.

"Jane will also be attending South Riding however will leave us at some point" I finished.

"I see" Queen Leah stated sourly.

"It seems as if it is quite a private party" she stated.

"I fail to see what you mean?" I asked as I tried to keep a tone out of my voice.

"Well you didn't ask Audrey or Chad for that matter" she stated as she nodded towards Audrey.

"I did ask Chad and I am not going to go into our private conversation about that" I advised. I wasn't going to go into the conversation with Chad; what Queen Leah didn't know is that Cinderella and Prince Charming wanted Chad to take on more responsibility so over the summer they were training him. Yes he had time to join us on some of the tour and he might still attend but he said it would be up to what he had going on at the time. Chad's parents had put Chad in charge of organising some of the arrangements for my stay in both Charmington and Cinderellasberg so he was very stressed about it.

"I didn't ask Audrey to come as she has already mentioned that she is going away for most of the summer. I didn't want to appear rude but I didn't want to disrupt any of her further plans. Me and Audrey have already talked about her plans over the summer" I advised.

"Have you?" Queen Leah said and she looked at Audrey, who nervously looked to the floor.

"Yes" I confirmed.

"The tour wasn't planned to disrupt your lives but for me to gain an understanding. I wouldn't want Audrey or anyone to change their plans just for me" I said with a smile.

"I see" Queen Leah stated as she turned slowly and looked at me.

"Any other questions?" my father asked.

"I would like to enquire about something" Queen Leah stated sourly.

"Yes" I replied.

"Speaking of Mal, where is she? Surely she should be here" she asked as she pulled one brow up in speculation.

"Mal had other commitments this evening" my mother interjected.

"Like?" Queen Leah spat.

"Nothing is more important that supporting the King in his duties" she added.

"Mal is currently revising for her finals. I don't expect Mal to attend meetings at the moment as it is such an important time for her final exams" I stated sternly. I hated that Queen Leah has always had to pull Mal to bits. I knew that if she had her way Audrey would me my consort but there was no way I was going back to that - I had no reason to anyway Mal was the love of my life and I didn't need anyone else.

"I see" she said as she looked down.

"I think it is good that she is concentrating on her studies" Princess Aurora said but she quickly looked down when her mother looked at her.

"Anything else?" I asked trying to move the conversation on.

"No I think that was everything" Queen Leah said and she started to pack her things back into her bag.

"Ok" my mother said.

"Well why don't we move into the dining room; I think dinner should nearly be ready" she added.

We all then stood up slowly and went to dinner; I threw a glance to my mother as we left the room. Yes Audrey was a good friend of mine; but I don't know whether either me or Mal could handle it. When I sat down and started to eat my dinner I pushed away all these thoughts and started to think about Mal - like always.


*Mal's POV*


"How was your meeting?" I asked as his face appeared on my phone screen. I knew that this meeting was going to be hard for him and I hoped that nothing had happened.

"Meh?" he said pulling a face.

"Has anything in particular happened?" I asked as I started to panic.

"Well Audrey nearly got herself invited to the whole tour" he said as he looked away from me.

"What?" I asked incredulously. I knew that I couldn't stop her from going but if she did I was going to just have to deal with it. However when Audrey is around I always feel like she is watching me and Ben and reporting back to Queen Leah.

"Don't worry. I managed to talk her down; I don't think either of us could tolerate her being there all the time" Ben advised as he looked back at me.

"Well I don't think we could stop her if she wanted to" I stated.

"Well we could" he stated as an evil grin spread across his face.

"Ben don't be mean" I stated.

"I'm not" he countered.

"I'm just thinking about me and you" he pressed.

"Do you want to spend three month with Audrey?" he asked incredulously.

"Not really" I said shaking my head.

"But I just don't want any more kick offs" I admitted. This was only the truth; I was getting sick of all the arguments and all of the worry of Ben having meetings with Queen Leah. Sometimes it was too much to bear and sometimes it got to me more than other times and tonight just happened to be one of those days.

"I'm getting sick of it" I said as I looked down and started to pick the nail polish off my nails.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ben asked which made me look up at him.

"I'm just getting sick of all the agro. If she needs to come to keep the peace I'll just have to put up with it" I said as I sighed and pursed my lips together.

"Mal" Ben said as concern started to drop into the tone of his voice.

"What?" I asked.

"Is something wrong?" he questioned.

"No" I confirmed.

"It sounds like there is something wrong" he noted.

"I'm just getting sick of the fighting with the Beautys that's all. Even after all this time it still feels like a constant battle" I admitted.

"Don't worry" he said trying to reassure me.

"I'll try not to" I said.

"Good" he advised.

"I do love you Ben; nothing or no one is ever going to change that" I said as I looked over to Evie's bed hoping that she was asleep.

"Good, because nothing is ever going to stopping me loving you" he said as he started to smile at me.

"Good to hear" I said smiling. I watched as Ben looked to the door of his bedroom for a couple of seconds before he spoke.

"Mal I'll ring you back in a few minutes" he advised.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"I can hear my mother calling" he stated. I pulled one brow up as I didn't hear Belle calling for him. I knew that he was hiding something but I decided to leave it.

"Ok" I replied.

"Speak soon" he said.

"Speak soon" I answered and he ended the call. I let my phone drop onto the bed next to my head; I was now mentally kicking myself. I had made Ben unnecessarily worry about me. I would explain things when he rang me back - whenever that was going to be.


I was waiting around twenty minutes and there was still no text or phone call from Ben; so I started to worry. However when my phone lit up I smiled and noticed that he had text me instead.


"Mal open the door? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"


My eyes widened, I had worried Ben enough for Ben to think that he had to come and see me. I didn't mean to worry him; he knows that Queen Leah is a sore point for me. I wished I kept my mouth shut. I sighed and then text Ben back; and asked him a question even though I already knew the answer.


"You are not outside?


"Yes"


I slowly and quietly tip toed across the dorm in case Evie was asleep; I thought she was. When I was speaking to Ben I could hear her light snoring. I slowly and carefully turned the key in the lock and slowly edged the door open.

"Why did you think you needed to come?" I whispered as Ben walked into my dorm.

"You do know Evie is here" I said as I slowly locked the door again.

"Yeah" he whispered as he started to tip toe towards my bed.

"But I am just going to cuddle you" he stated as he placed his bag down slowly and he started to pull his hoodie off and his trousers down.

"She is going to go rife tomorrow" I warned him as I climbed back into my bed.

"Well keep quiet then" he said as he climbed onto my bed.

"God knows what she is going to say" I muttered angrily.

"Mal you are my girlfriend" he stated in hushed tones.

"I know that and you lied to me!" I said prodding him in the chest as I lay down. I knew that it was pointless to fight against Ben. I knew he would only get stubborn and start an argument which would only wake Evie up.

"Just budge over" he stated and I slid across my bed.

"Anyway you said that if I needed you to come to you" he teased as he lay down next to me.

"True" I agreed.

"What do you need me for?" I asked as I pulled one brow up as he pulled me to him.

"You need me this time" he said as he tightened his arms around my waist and started to snuggle into my hair.

"I didn't really. I didn't meant to worry you" I muttered

"Mal" he muttered as he started to pull a stern face.

"Ok" I admitted as I sighed in defeat.

"Well if you're staying we best go to sleep" I said as I reached over to turn the light off.

"Ok" he agreed and I felt him adjust himself in bed so we were now both a lot more comfortable. I felt Ben kiss the top of my head and he played with my hair and stroked my back until we both fell into a peaceful slumber.


In the morning things were a little bit awkward; when I first looked at Evie she didn't look very happy - betrayed almost. Evie quickly excused herself and she left to get ready and me and Ben nervously looked at each other. Yes we didn't do anything but if the roles were reversed I would be a little bit annoyed - well until I heard the explanation behind it anyway. When Evie came out I advised Ben to go and get ready so I could speak to Evie; Ben quickly left the room and as he closed the door he gave Evie an apologetic look.

"What on earth!" Evie snapped after Ben closed the door.

"Evie I can explain" I quickly said as I put my hands up to defend myself.

"Can you?" she asked as she quickly threw herself down on her bed.

"Mal if you wanted to see Ben you could have just said" she stated.

"I didn't know he was coming" I said as I started to defend me and Ben.

"Likely story" she said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

"Evie I know you are annoyed" I started.

"But-" I started but she cut me off.

"Don't but me" she snapped.

"Mal I can't believe that you would sleep with Ben when I was here" she said incredulously.

"Evie all we did was sleep; nothing happened" I said nervously.

"I wouldn't do that" I added.

"I couldn't" I said as my voice went up a couple of pitches.

"Well what happened?" she asked as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"Ben had a meeting with Queen Leah and Audrey" I started to advise.

"Right" she said slowly as she already knew this.

"Ben face timed me and he told me that Audrey was trying to get herself invited to the whole tour" I explained.

"What?" she asked incredulously as her face dropped into panic.

"She's not?" she asked as she shook her head making her curls bounce.

"No Evie she's not" I quickly advised.

"But I made a stupid comment saying that if she needs to come just to keep the peace that's fine because I am getting sick of all the arguments" I explained.

"Right" she said slowly.

"Which is understandable" she added.

"Oh" she said as she clicked on to what had happened.

"So Ben thought you were upset so he came to see you?" she asked as she started to calm down.

"Yes" I confirmed.

"I told him that you wouldn't like it" I advised.

"Well I didn't but that's because I thought you might have done something" she said as she stood up and then quickly sat on my bed next to me.

"Evie I can barely talk to you about me and Ben being like that I'm not about to give you a show" I advised.

"Sorry" she said as she pulled me into a hug.

"It's ok" I said into her hair.

"I guess I would be the same if I woke up and Doug was here" I said as I pulled away.

"Forgive me?" I said as I pouted at her.

"Always" she said smiling.

"Is it safe to come in?" we both heard Ben say from the bathroom.

"Yes" I called out which made both me and Evie giggle as Ben nervously entered the room.


A few days had passed and it as now Tuesday night and this meant one thing; date night with Ben. Yes we were going to a Tourney game but I knew that I would enjoy watching it as I did like Tourney; especially when Ben played. Ben still does play every now and again but I knew that due to his ever growing commitments that he missed playing. So with this in mind I was glad that I got him the tickets; he didn't have to take me with him but I appreciated the fact that he asked. However as we started to walk hand in hand into the stadium of the Auradon Panthers I decided to bring this up with him.

"Ben" I said as we sat down on the bleachers as other people started to take their seats to watch the game.

"Yes" he said as he wrapped his arm around me as he looked down at me.

"I know I got you the tickets but you didn't need to ask me to come with you. You could have brought a friend, I wouldn't have minded" I said with a smile.

"I know" he said.

"But I have brought a friend" he said as he tightened his arm around my waist.

"My BEST friend" he said emphasising the word 'best'. I couldn't help but smile at how cute he was being.

"You are adorable when you are being cute like that that you know" I stated.

"I try" he said. I smiled at him for a couple of seconds before kissing his cheek. As I pulled away I stared at Ben for a couple of seconds; I hate the fact that I couldn't even kiss Ben without it being in the papers. I pursed my lips together and sighed before I made a decision.

"Screw it!" I said.

"What?" he questioned.

"I don't care if anyone is watching" I said and I quickly kissed him properly for a few seconds. After I pulled away I rested my head against his shoulder and started to snuggle in.

"That will probably be in the papers" he muttered as he snuggled into my hair.

"I don't care" I stated.

"I can't not kiss you when you're being adorable" I added which made him chuckle. We watched as the Auradon Panthers cheerleaders started to come out onto the field and we pulled away from each other to get ready to watch the pre-game show.