I hate that it took so long to type this chapter. I stayed up really late a night or two to get it done, but it seemed like I could never get it finished.
So I have some news: my state is finally issuing a stay at home order Monday at midnight so I should be able to get more chapters done since I definitely can't go anywhere. I will try to get coronation chapter done as soon as possible, but this chapter took me nearly six days to finish. I'm hoping it won't take me that long for coronation.
WARNING/SPOILER: A section of this chapter will have an argument regarding abortion. I know there are a lot of conflicting views and I want to make sure everyone is aware that it will be mentioned so no one is spontaneously angered.
At the end of the day, the Core Four found their separate ways into Jay and Carlos's dorm room to discuss their plot for the wand, or if they even wanted to go through with the plan anymore.
The four were gathered around a table to examine Mal's sketches, which were a detailed diagram of the cathedral and an intricate drawing of the magic wand. Although they had been planning this scheme for the last couple weeks, none of them were particularly motivated anymore. In fact, the atmosphere in the dorm room was glum and reluctant in some ways.
"Okay, I'll bite." Mal leaned forward in her seat to seem more attentive. "Do any of you want to do this anymore? Do you want to give up the idea of taking the wand?"
"I do," Carlos spoke up bravely. "I mean, give up stealing the wand. I really like it here. They have good food, nice beds, warm showers, and furry friends like Dude."
"I like it here too," Evie admitted almost bashfully. "There is so much different fabric here and people don't see me as a pretty face. I think I found someone that likes me for my brains instead of my looks."
"And I found my Auradon thief," Jay joked with a sad tone in his voice. "Aziz is really looking forward to me meeting his parents tomorrow. I know we've only been dating for a few weeks, but . . . I think he's the one. I love him."
Mal allowed a small smile to grace her lips at hearing her friends' comments and her best friend's confession. "Alright . . ." She paused for a moment to stand, her smile growing wider as the trio gazed at expectantly. "Then it looks like the plan is off. No going after the wand. No more evil schemes for our parents. Let's live our lives in Auradon the way we want, but we still need to keep my father a secret. After the Auradonians fully accept us, we will tell that I am the child of two villains instead of one."
"But what about our parents?" Carlos questioned logically. "What are they going to do to us once they find out we went behind their backs?"
"Our parents can't reach us here," Mal insisted stubbornly, her eyes shining bright green to display her disobedience. "They are stuck on an island with a barrier around it, remember? After a couple years or so when Ben finally brings down the barrier, then we'll worry about their reaction."
Jay raised a concern eyebrow. "Do you think you can wait that long?"
"I'll have to," Mal claimed with a sadden sigh. "But maybe Ben will let me visit every now and then. I am his . . . girlfriend now. I think he's . . . he's what I need to move on."
"Can I go then?" Jay requested urgently while he made his way toward the door. "I really want to celebrate with my boyfriend, if you get what I mean."
Snickering at his friend's promiscuous attitude, Mal instructed, "Go on! Enjoy your night with your lover boy. We'll see you at Family Day tomorrow; our first day of freedom!"
The next day at mid-afternoon, the sun shone over the rose garden as the Core Four observed the scene. Family Day was just beginning as Ben led some fellow classmates into singing a rendition of 'Be Our Guest', which the four were grateful that they didn't have to participate in. The song was just a little too cheery for their taste, but they will have to get used to it now.
The four friends slowly and almost reluctantly joined the others for the celebration. While most of the students danced with their families, Mal and her friends took a moment to enjoy all of the delectable food that was offered. Mal was particularly fond of strawberries especially since her first date with Ben. She had even sent a small bundle to her father a few days prior so Mallory could try the tasty fruit.
Once the little dance number was finished, those students went to search for their parents while Aziz headed straight for the Core Four. The Auradon thief greeted his Lost Boy with a simple, yet loving kiss, causing the trio to smile unconsciously at the couple's affection for one another.
"Are you ready?" Aziz questioned with a small soft smile.
"No," Jay admitted immediately. "But I can't keep them waiting. I just hope that they like me."
"I know they will," Aziz reassured while rolling his eyes dramatically. "I told them almost everything about you, so they practically know you already. Just try not to contradict what I said."
Chuckling softly at his beloved's words, Jay adverted his attention to his trio of friends. "You guys coming with?"
"Carlos and I are going to stay behind," Evie denied quickly because anyone could speak up. "He doesn't want Dude to over-react around Rajah. I'm going to stay with Carlos, so he isn't alone. We'll hang out with Doug or Lonnie while you're gone."
Somewhat satisfied that her other friends would be entertained while they were gone, Mal trailed after the couple to play the role of a supportive friend. Aziz lead them to an open area of the gardens where benches were placed here and there for visitors who needed a moment's rest. On one of the benches was none other than Queen Jasmine and her husband Aladdin. They didn't wear anything too fancy that would show off their royalty, only simple clothing that they would any other day. It was like they were reserved about their status and didn't want to brag. That couldn't be said about others. . .
Anyways, the reason why they opted to sit at the benches was because of an elderly tiger that couldn't stand long without growing tired. Poor Rajah laid at his owner's feet while he rested his head on her lap, looking up at her in sad, tired way. As the trio of teenagers came closer, they could visibly see Queen Jasmine sigh softly as she rubbed her loyal companion's.
"—shouldn't have brought him today," they managed to hear Queen Jasmine say. "We should have left him with Genie and Abu."
"Aziz wanted to see him," Aladdin reminded softly. "This may be his last chance. It won't be long before—"
"Mom!" Aziz purposely interrupted before he could hear the rest. "Dad. Here's my boyfriend, Jay, and his best friend Mal."
The parents' perked up at hearing their son's voice, smiling bravely at their 'surprise' visitors. "Nice to finally meet you," Jasmine greeted kindly, though it didn't reach her saddened eyes. "Aziz has told us nearly everything about you. We feel like I know you already."
"Aziz warned me about that," Jay joked in a way to break the tension. "I hope he didn't tell you too much."
"I'm sorry we're not too sociable today," Aladdin apologized with a soft sigh. "I'm afraid we won't be for quite some time."
"That's alright," Mal quickly reassured before anyone could get emotional. To change the subject, Mal went down on her knees to look at the tiger, commenting, "But I'd really like to know who this handsome kitty is."
Smiling softly at the fairy's vain attempt to keep the atmosphere upbeat, Jasmine informed, "This is Rajah, my best friend and loyalist companion."
"I'll be sure to tell Aunt Dalia," Aziz teased, though his playfulness didn't reach his eyes either.
Rajah, having heard the new voices so close to him, turned his head slightly to see the brave fairy before him. Curiosity plaguing his mind, the old tiger shifted his body so that his head now rested on the fairy's lap. A moment later he let gravity pull him down, so he was now laying on the ground.
Rajah purred happily when the fairy pet him in his favorite spot, the place behind his ear that he could never reach. Then he noticed the Isle thief standing next to the fairy, his hand really close but not close enough that the tiger could be petted. Raising his head off the comfortable lap, Rajah maneuvered his head forward so he would rub against the newbie.
Aziz allowed a small smile to emerge on his lips despite feeling so depressed. "Looks like Rajah likes both of you," he commented with his best happy tone at the moment. "And it looks like I made the right choice too. . ."
Trying her hardest to suppress her smile at the lovey-dovey comment about her best friend, Mal used the opportunity to stand back on her feet. "Well this has been fun," she insisted kindly, "but now it's Jay's turn to come with me to meet Ben's parents. We will definitely talk later today though."
Perking up at the name, Rajah shakily stood his feet and slowly followed the Isle duo. The two barely managed to take a step forward before they felt the young tiger push between the two of them so he could lead the way to the prince.
"Rajah has a soft spot for Ben," Jasmine informed with a sad sigh. "If you don't mind, can you take him with you? There's someone I need to speak with and I don't want him around. Besides, Rajah may become a little more energetic at seeing Ben."
"Of course!" Mal agreed immediately while petting the tiger's forehead in a way that made him purr again. "One of us will bring Rajah back to you or your husband soon."
"Rajah!" Ben greeted cheerily as the trio came closer to them.
The elderly tiger surged forward as best as he could and stood on his back legs to place his paws on the prince's shoulders. Ben merely chuckled when he was slightly pushed back by the animal's force, an act that would freak anyone else out. "You were always good at giving hugs," Ben commented as he helped the tiger stand back on his four paws. "If you behave for now, I'll see what I can do about giving you a treat."
Rajah purred at the prospects while rubbing his head against the prince's leg. Mal raised a curious eyebrow at the action. "He really does have a soft spot for you."
"That's because I spoil him every chance I get since I don't see him often," Ben informed as he kept a hand on the back of the tiger's neck. "How are you feeling?"
"Nervous," Mal admitted with a bashful shrug. "But not as much as before. I think meeting Aziz's parents helped with that."
"Though we didn't talk much, they were accepting of us," Jay claimed with a relieved sigh. "Now I don't have anything to worry about with our relationship, except if someone walks in on us."
Snickering at the Isle thief's comment, Ben extended his free hand to his beloved girlfriend. "Ready?"
Taking in a deep breath to control her nerves, Mal graciously took the offered hand so she could steady herself. "Ready."
A short walk later, the three humans and gorgeous animal came face-to-face with the current King and Queen of Auradon, though their titles will be altered tomorrow. "Mom, Dad," Ben addressed with a short nod. "This is my beautiful girlfriend, Mal, and her best friend, Jay. They are both from the Isle."
"Hi," Queen Belle greeted with an uneasy laugh in her tone. "It's . . . so nice, to finally meet you."
"Hi," Mal replied uneasily as she slightly hid herself behind Ben, tightening her grip on Ben's hand to keep herself calm.
King Beast merely waved at the 'unknown' people—for lack of better word since author can't think clearly at the moment—but his simple, harmless act caught the attention of the old tiger. Rajah bared his teeth as he growled viciously at the king, believing he or at least someone close to him was being threatened.
Instinctively, King Beast stepped back with a disgruntle huff. "Why is that animal here?"
"He followed us after we met my boyfriend's parents," Jay informed as he lightly tugged on Rajah's collar to get him under control. "He was acting fine a few minutes ago."
"Rajah doesn't like Dad," Ben revealed somewhat reluctantly, "because Dad doesn't like Aziz."
Neither denying nor agreeing with the claim, King Beast raised an eyebrow at the earlier comment. " 'Boyfriend'?" he repeated slowly. "You are dating that tapet—"
"Dad," Ben chided sharply with a sharp glare. "Don't make me cause a scene. The last thing you want before the coronation is to have people rethink their opinion about you, especially when it is pertaining to your son's best friend."
King Beast narrowed his eyes at his son. "You would really ruin—"
"Yes," Ben interrupted abruptly and quite bravely. "I did it to someone I didn't give a shit about and I won't hesitate to do it to you."
King Beast clenched his jaw at his son's disobedient attitude and his use of vulgar language. The father was just about to scold his son for his inappropriate behavior when Aziz appeared out of nowhere, though clearly out of breath.
"Sorry to interrupt," Aziz apologized unsympathetically. "But I really need Ben. Mom's stubbornness is about to turn her conversation with a king and queen into a loud argument and possibly into a fight. Mom will walk away from it for Ben."
"I'll bring Rajah to help calm her," Ben reassured before either of his parents could intervene. "If you, Mal, and Jay go find Carlos and Evie, I'll meet you at the clearing and we can teach them to play croquet."
"I'll see if Lonnie wants to join us so we can play teams," Aziz added.
Satisfied with that last condition, Ben lightly kissed Mal's forehead to reassure her. "I'll be back soon," he promised quietly so the others couldn't hear him. "The clearing won't be crowded so you shouldn't have to worry about someone invading your personal space."
"Thank you," Mal mumbled.
"You don't have to thank me," Ben insisted while placing another kiss on her forehead. "I love you."
So, I won't go into deep details about Queen Jasmine's heated conversation since it's not that important.
I will say that it was with King Charming and Queen Cinderella. Jasmine wanted to speak about the fight between their sons a few days prior that resulted in the destruction of school property, but the Charmings blew her off. They claimed their son said that Aziz caused the fight that got Chad suspended for the week, but Jasmine kindly reminded them that the surveillance footage proved otherwise.
Long story short: Queen Jasmine declared that Agrabah would no longer do any business with Cinderellasburg. The people of Cinderellasburg would still be more than welcomed to visit Agrabah, but all members of the royal family are banned from Agrabah. That condition will only change when the Charmings' son apologizes to Queen Jasmine's son and all three finally shows some respect to the Arabian family.
Of course, King Charming started acting a little irate, insisting that Queen Jasmine can't make such a decision about the kingdom without her husband's approval. Queen Jasmine forcefully reminded that she was the Sultan of Agrabah, not her husband. All decisions regarding her kingdom was completely up to her and she does not need the input of her husband for anything.
Before the situation could escalate anymore than it already had, Ben stepped in to break up the conversation. The prince was all smiles as he greeted Jasmine, completely ignoring the other queen and king. Ben and the always stoic Rajah managed to work together to get Queen Jasmine away from the married couple with no protest. Queen Jasmine reunited with her husband shortly after while Ben joined his friends in the croquet game.
So now we will put this story back on track before you lose interest; the author doesn't want her hard work to be for nothing!
The three Auradonians—Aziz, Ben, and Lonnie—taught the Core Four how the game was played and what exactly they needed to do to win the game. Carlos wasn't really interested in playing, so he opted to run around with Dude so there would be an even number of boys playing against the girls.
Mal couldn't believe that she was actually having fun with the 'boring' game. She was laughing and having a genuinely fun time, especially because she got to spend more time with her . . . boyfriend. Mal couldn't believe that she was really calling Ben that. Maybe he is—
"Hello there."
Mal instinctively flinched at hearing the voice that interrupted her thoughts. Still, the fairy kindly at the older woman in a pale pink suit. "Hi," Mal greeted sweetly.
"Now . . ." The woman trailed off as she circled around Mal to get a better view of her. "Have we met before?"
"No, I don't believe so," Mal politely denied with a light shake of her head. "I'm new. I transferred to Auradon Prep about a month ago."
"Well then, I am Queen Leah," the woman introduced as she extended her hand. "But you, young lady, may call me 'Leah'."
Though her smile faltered slightly at the name, Mal still shook hands with the royalty. "Mal," the fairy greeted respectively. "Nice to meet you."
Queen Leah hesitated for a moment before she ran a hand through the tips of the fairy's natural purple hair. "What a beautiful color," Leah genuinely complimented. The royal paused in her action when she noticed the way the student tensed up. "Is something wrong?"
"I-I don't like people in my personal space," Mal stuttered as she took a step back, out of reach of the old woman. "I was involved in an incident at my home kingdom that made me that way. I'm sorry if that offends you."
"I'm sorry that I wasn't considerate," Queen Leah apologized with a kind smile. "I assumed my action was acceptable since you shook my hand. If I am ever too close, just let me know. You won't offend me when you are only trying to make yourself comfortable, but I do have a question, if you don't mind me asking."
"Of course!" Mal insisted politely. "As long as it is nothing too personal. I don't like when people try to pry into my personal life."
"Of course," Queen Leah agreed understandably. "But I was curious . . . where did you say you were from again?"
"The . . . Isle of the Lost," Mal admitted reluctantly in fear that the woman would freak on her. "My three friends and I were given a chance to live in Auradon because of my . . . boyfriend's proclamation."
"Oh!" Queen Leah exclaimed in recognition. "You're Prince Ben's new girlfriend! My grand-daughter said you were hideous, but you are absolutely beautiful! She must have been jealous by your good looks. I can't believe Maleficent could have a daughter as gorgeous as you "
Mal sighed at the particular name. "You knew who I was?"
"Before I even approached you," Queen Leah concurred with her smile still intact. "I wanted to see how you would react to me as a stranger then as someone you vaguely knew. I must say, I am impressed by how respectful you were. Your mother taught you well."
"More like my father," Mal corrected with a careless shrug. "When my parents divorced, my mother forced me to stay with her and I could only see my father on the weekends at his place. A couple years ago, I finally began to live with my father and my mother didn't care if I visited her. In fact, she and I got into an argument over video chat yesterday, so I don't think we are on speaking terms."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Queen Leah commented as her smile faltered. "Do you mind if I ask who your father is? I know your mother wouldn't trust a human again, let alone marry one."
"True," Mal agreed with a soft sigh. "But my mother wanted me to keep him a secret from the Auradon people. Though we are not seeing eye to eye at the moment, I still need to respect her wishes."
"That is very admirable of you," Queen Leah complimented. "I must say, I have only spoken with you for a few moments, but you are much better for Prince Ben than Audrey. Our family knew she was cheating on Prince Ben for quite some time. Every time I spoke with her, she promised she would end things with him, but it never happened. I'm afraid Audrey was more focused on becoming 'Queen of Auradon' than actually having a relationship."
"Why did she cheat?" Mal wondered curiously. "I don't know Chad well, but I do know that he is nowhere near the description of a prince, not to mention he is blatantly disrespectful to anyone and everyone."
"I know what you mean, but I can't give you a reason." Queen Leah sighed in disappointment. "But I do know it started at a Halloween party during their eighth-grade year. Prince Ben didn't want to go because his grandfather, Maurice, would be visiting early the next morning. I believe someone had managed to sneak alcohol into the party and then there was some underage drinking going on, which led to Audrey having sexual intercourse with Prince Chad. I thought she would have learned her lesson the first time, but I was sadly mistaken when I saw those leaked messages."
Mal tilted her head curiously at a particular phrase. " 'Learned her lesson'?" she repeated in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Well after the first time, Audrey got herself on birth control to prevent it from happening again." Queen Leah shook her head in dismay. "I was completely against what she did. It was so heartless and cruel."
"What did she do?" Mal urged. "What happened?"
"Audrey became pregnant with Prince Chad's baby," Queen Leah confessed with a soft sigh. "Instead of keeping the child like I vehemently suggested, she had an abortion."
.
.
.
.
.
.
. . .there were no words to describe the horrible feeling that went through Mal at hearing that word.
The fairy has only ever said that word once in her entire life, and that was only when she fought against the idea of having one herself. Hearing that word brought back all of her anger, all of her fear, all of her anguish, and all of her disgust that Mal experienced in the proceeding days of when she was taken advantage. Hearing that a teenager the same age as her, became pregnant the same time as her, but aborted her baby horrified Mal.
Mal had her mouth paused in an open-mouth gasp that wouldn't come out. The fairy's bottom lip was quivering so badly that the queen wanted to do something to comfort her, but she wasn't what to do due to the fairy's personal space issue. Queen Leah was just about to ask the fairy if there was anything she could do for her—
But then her spoiled grand-daughter appeared, smiling like everything was perfect in the world.
Then, Audrey's smile formed into a frown at seeing Mal, not once noticing her distraught reaction. "What are you doing here?"
"Audrey," Queen Leah scolded. "Don't be rude. She and I were having a pleasant conversation before I upset her."
Obviously, Audrey scoffed at the claim. "Grammy, do you know who she is? She's—"
"A very respectful young woman," Queen Leah interrupted forcefully. "A young lady who chose to be kind instead of causing a scene like I could have done. You know, you could really learn a thing or two from her."
Mal slowly shook her head in disbelief at the other teenager. "How could you willingly lose your baby?"
Audrey shot a dirty look at her grand-mother. "You told her?"
"I thought you were telling everyone after that fiasco last week," Queen Leah retorted. "It's about time that you told the truth about something."
"How could you!" Mal repeated near hysterically, catching some unwanted attention by bystanders. "That child was your baby! Your daughter or son that you should love unconditionally! How could you . . .?"
Audrey scoffed at the fairy's way of lecturing her. "I was way too young to have a kid," the princess insisted with a careless shrug. "I would have been fifteen by the time I gave birth to it—"
"They," Mal corrected automatically.
"It," Audrey retorted dramatically to push the fairy's buttons. "And I didn't want my reputation to be ruined by it. I never wanted kids, so I had no problems killing it. Besides, it's my body. I can do whatever I want—"
"That is a bullshit!" Mal insulted before she turned attention to the shocked queen. "I apologize for my language, Leah. I passionately believe that if a life is conceived, they deserve to live, no matter the circumstances that created them. Even if she's the mother, Audrey had no right to take her child's life just because she didn't want her or him. Her child had the right to live while Audrey had no right play the role of a god."
"I understand, sweetie," Queen Leah reassured softly. "I feel the same as you, but right now I'm more worried about you. You look as though you're about to have an emotional break-down. What can I do for you?"
Though she was surprised by the royalty's compassion, Mal was even more surprised when a certain someone's name appeared in her mind first. "I-I need B—"
"HEY!"
To make matters worse, Chad Fucking Charming stormed over toward the three women, catching the attention of every single guest. The prince obnoxiously stood in front of the grandmother-granddaughter duo, causing Mal to instinctively step backwards. "What do you think you're doing?" he interrogated hotly. "Stay away from them, freak!"
Luckily, at that very same moment, the fairy's knight in shining armor appeared next to her. The first thing she did was lean her head on his shoulder and laid a hand on his chest, keeping her teary-eyed gaze on the trio. Completely confused by her emotional state, Ben, her loving boyfriend, cautiously wrapped his arms around her waist, making sure to keep the connection light in case she gets uncomfortable or needs to break away quickly.
"What's going on here?" Ben questioned in a calm tone, the complete opposite reaction of the previous prince.
"It's a misunderstanding," Queen Leah insisted pleadingly. "Mal and I were having a pleasant conversation until I upset her by mentioning Audrey's—"
"Grammy," Audrey chided with a scowl on her features. "Don't—"
"Abortion," Leah finished stubbornly, "of Prince Chad's baby."
The crowd around them gasped dramatically at the news while Mal buried her head into her boyfriend's shoulder to hide her emotions from the world at hearing that dreadful word again. Though the revelation infuriated him, Ben needed to keep his attention on girlfriend.
"You're okay," Ben reassured his beloved as he kissed her forehead lovingly. "Nothing's going to hurt you. Just remember, I love you."
"How can you say that to someone like her?" Chad spat in disgust. "Did she put a love spell on you—"
"You can't put a love spell on someone that's already in love," Ben declared over the snotty prince's question. "And you need to learn some respect, especially to her and her friends."
"No way!" Chad denied arrogantly. "Ben, they were raised by their parents! What do you think they are taught? One is a thief that likes to hurt people, one is a gold-digger and a cheater, and another has such bad anxiety issues that he constantly needs the campus therapy dog. Meanwhile she"—he pointed at Mal, who was staring back at him—"has such bad emotional issues that she should be locked up in a psych ward!"
Ben glared at the disrespectful prince, gritting his teeth to keep something hidden. "Watch your tongue," he warned through a growl. "You don't know what she's been through in her life."
"And you do?" Chad bravely challenged.
Ben hesitated, unsure if he should tell the truth or lie to keep his girlfriend's secret a secret. Before he could make that decision, Jay suddenly appeared to save the day. "I'll take her away from here," the Isle thief volunteered. "I can calm her down and you can check on her in a bit."
With a small nod, Ben kissed Mal's forehead one last time before reluctantly allowing her gay best friend to take her away. Before either one could get too far, Chad stupidly grabbed Mal's wrist. "Hold on a—"
BAM!
The audience once again gasped dramatically as the spoiled prince was knocked to the ground, clutching his most likely broken jaw. Mal towered over him, trembling from rage as she tightened her clenched fist. "Don't you EVER touch me AGAIN!" Mal threatened, practically screaming the emphasized words.
Choosing to not pay attention to everyone's reaction, the fairy once again twirled on her heels to be taken away from the fiasco she created.
