A/N: So, how do you guys like the longer chapters so far? Things are about to get dark and dramatic in this story, just remember to read with caution. I hope you're enjoying the story so far, other stories will be updated and uploaded very soon, I'm just taking a creative vacation from "Adventures" for a while. Please let me know what you think, your comments really mean a lot to me because it helps motivate me a little.
"So... How was school yesterday, Benjamin?" Belle asked her son as they decided to take care of breakfast together after a long night of sleeping. "I heard you went to visit Dr. Hopper."
"Yeah, I did," Ben nodded. "I had a lot on my mind. He made it a bit more clear though."
"Well, I'm glad that he was able to help you out," Belle smiled warmly as she faced her son while splashing in some water in the frying pan she had cooked eggs in. "I'm sorry your father and I have been so busy lately, but we need to be able to put food and money on the table. You know that we love you and your sister very much though, right?"
"Yeah, Mom, I know," Ben reassured. "I'm not a child anymore."
"I'm glad you understand that," Belle said with a small smile. "Maybe you and Clarice would like a visit from Aunt Lacey soon. Your father and I will need to go out of town in a little bit."
"Are you gonna be able to make it to our big final game up against Sherwood?" Ben asked hopefully. "There's gonna be a big banquet with a lot of food."
"We shall see," Belle said softly. "Until then, around next week, you'll have to listen to everything your Aunt Lacey tells you."
"Yes, Mom." Ben nodded.
"Good," Belle smiled. "Now how about you toast some bread and we can call down your little sister and father in a little bit?"
"Okay, Mom." Ben agreed as he soon went to one of the drawers and took out the loaf of bread and took out a couple of slices before putting them in the toaster instantly.
Belle beamed fondly. She began to remember the good old days when it was just her and Ben in the kitchen. It was a very fond and lovely time... It would be a rainy day so he couldn't play outside with his friends and it sometimes made him sad and she would usually read to wait out the storm. She then decided one day to make him fresh baked cookies with a glass of milk and they would be fresh from the oven and they would sit by the window while watching the storm and just talking and laughing, having a great time together. She sometimes did the same with Clarice and they usually shared chocolates together. It was always fun for her to spend some time with her children like this, especially with how demanding Adam's job could be sometimes.
"So, if you don't mind me asking..." Belle began as she soon put the bacon on the stove and let it sit for a minute as she sat down with her son as they both sipped some hot chocolate. "What did you and Dr. Hopper talk about?"
"Oh... Uh... Just some personal stuff, Mom..." Ben replied as he blushed. "You know... Guy stuff."
"Guy stuff you can't share with your mother?" Belle asked with a small smirk.
"Mom..." Ben pouted as he flushed into a crimson color in his face.
"I'm just kidding," Belle giggled. "I understand completely. Your Aunt Lacey and I had some things we couldn't tell your grandfather when we were younger and lost our mother at a young age. That's why your Great-Aunt Marguerite moved in to help take care of us... Though she told me to stop reading so many books and go out there and meet somebody, even though your Aunt Lacey was a bit of a rebel and often snuck out on most school nights."
"Yes, Mom, I remember," Ben nodded. "Aunt Lacey is a good lesson in always listening to you and Dad, though she changed a bit after she met Uncle Cedric."
"Yes, a little bit," Belle replied before mumbling. "Even though she was a gold digger around him at first and was waiting for him to die so she could take over his pawnshop for him."
"Hm?" Ben blinked.
"Oh, nothing." Belle smiled innocently.
Ben looked at his mother funny, but then shrugged it off as he continued to sip down his hot chocolate.
"Is it perfect?" Belle smiled.
"It's a lot better when we're getting ready for Christmas, but yeah, it's very good," Ben smiled back. "I guess this is just what I needed after a tough week at school with a lot on my mind."
"I can understand that," Belle soothed as she lightly patted him on the back. "Do you have any homework?"
"Just a little bit," Ben replied. "I'll get it done though before the big game."
"That's a good boy," Belle smiled. "You're always such a good boy."
"I try my best, Mom." Ben nodded.
It was a very good feeling between Belle and Ben so far. Eventually, Clarice woke up and the family ate their breakfast together. It was a good morning indeed for the French family. Ben thought more about what Dr. Hopper said and he decided to maybe try to look for a special girl to maybe get to know better when he would come back to school on Monday. He decided to maybe talk with Mal since she was new in school and they didn't know each other very well and it might be good for him to practice his social skills on someone who barely knew him and his numerous accomplishments. He was a bit nervous to meeting her and getting to know her, but he would do his best to put on a brave face. After all, what was the worst that could happen? Eventually, Ben's phone went off...
"Y'ello?" Ben greeted on the phone as he got out of his chair and walked off to his room to take the call in private while his mother and sister stayed behind in the kitchen.
"Hey, whatcha doin'?" Chad asked with a smirk.
"Just finished breakfast," Ben replied. "I think Mom's about to go to the library."
"Oh... You gonna go with her?" Chad asked.
"I don't have to," Ben shrugged. "Why? What's going on?"
"Why don't you come with me and the guys?" Chad suggested. "We'll cheer ya up since you've been so down in the dumps lately."
"Chad, I dunno..." Ben paused briefly.
"What's going on?" Belle asked as she noticed her son was on the phone with one of his friends.
"It's Chad, he wants to take me out for a day with him and the guys." Ben told his mother.
"Oh, how fun!" Belle smiled. "Why don't you go out with them? That might cheer you up a little."
"Uh... I would, Mom, but... You're going to the library... And who's gonna watch Clarice?" Ben asked nervously.
"I can take her with me, your sister is usually very well-behaved whenever I go to the library with her," Belle reassured. "Go have some fun with your friends. We can always talk again at dinnertime."
"Uh... Um... Erm..." Ben stammered.
"It'll be okay, Ben," Belle reassured. "But if you feel that bad during the time with your friends, you can always call me and I'll come pick you up."
"...Thanks, Mom," Ben said softly before he picked up the phone. "Chad? When are you and the guys coming?"
Belle smiled warmly as she soon walked away to let Ben talk on the phone with his friend as she then went to see Clarice to get her ready to visit the library.
At the Mills' mansion, breakfast was served by Regina as Mal, Evie, and Henry ate up. Evie told her mother that she and Mal were going to go to the Mall today to hang out so that the latter could meet some other new girl friends to hang out with even if Mal wasn't sure if she wanted to meet any other girls. Regina thought that that would be fine as long as Henry came with them since she had a lot of work and duties to do today as the mayor. Any other older sister would roll her eyes at being forced to take her little brother along for a trip to go out with friends, but Evie didn't seem to mind. After breakfast, Mal and Evie went upstairs to get ready for the day.
"Don't you think you should ask if I wanna come along with you on adventures before you just whisk me away to them?" Mal smirked at her new friend. "Maybe I have plans."
"I'm sorry, Mal; do you have plans?" Evie asked.
"...Well, no, but you still could've asked," Mal shrugged. "Mom's not answering her phone anyway."
"So do you wanna stay home alone all day or come out to the Mall with me?" Evie smirked.
Mal gave Evie a look before sighing sharply. "All right," she soon said before smirking. "I'll come to the Mall with you."
"Yay!" Evie beamed as she hugged Mal suddenly. "See? Was that so hard?"
"Don't push your luck, Princess Mayor." Mal teased.
"Whatever you say, Your Royal Crankiness." Evie teased back.
And so, Regina drove the kids over to the Mall which was of course very big and grand. Once she rode over to the entrance, Henry came out and held Evie's hand as she got out beside Mal.
"All right, Henry, remember to stay close to Evie and Mal," Regina reminded her younger son. "I don't want you getting lost and this is a very big place."
"I know, Mom," Henry replied. "And Evie wouldn't let me get lost."
"I sure wouldn't." Evie added with a small smile.
"All right, but I'm your mother, so it's my job to worry about you," Regina smiled back. "Keep your phone close by, I'll come pick you up a little later. Have fun!"
"We will." Mal and Evie replied.
Regina nodded as she soon rolled her window back up and drove out away from the Mall. Mal and Evie waved as they soon walked off and Evie held Henry's hand as they came inside the mall. It looked like a typical shopping mall with tiled floors, a water fountain in the center, and of course, various shoppers going to visit certain parts and places whether using the elevator or escalator to visit the smaller stores inside.
"I don't think I've ever actually been in a Mall before," Mal said to Evie. "We could never afford it."
"Well, if you put in some of your money with mine, we can buy you something nice so to remember this day forever," Evie smiled. "All right, Henry, do you wanna shop with me and Mal for a little bit?"
"...I guess," Henry shrugged and rolled his eyes. "As long as I don't have to try on any of the clothes you find."
"Darn, looks like I have to go with Plan B." Evie smirked playfully.
They soon walked off together and looked all around the various places. There were a lot of choices: The Three Bears' Day Spa, Lady Tremaine's Curl Up and Dye Salon, Emperor Weaver's Clothing Outlet, Ursula & Captain Hook's Fish and Chips, Slop Shop, The Candlestick Café, Mad for Tea Café, Dr. Facilier's VooDoo Arcade, and a whole lot more.
"So, there's that famous fish and chips place." Mal remarked.
"Yeah... I wouldn't recommend the food though," Evie warned. "Uma does NOT know how to cook or give sincere service with a smile."
"I think I can believe that." Mal smirked, though she did remember something about Uma that involved Evie, but didn't say anything about it just yet as that was for next weekend anyway.
"Where do you think you wanna go?" Evie asked Mal. "You're our guest."
"Um... Uh... I dunno," Mal shrugged. "I guess we could do a little bit of clothes shopping for a little while."
"All right, Henry, let's do a little bit of clothes shopping," Evie smiled. "This will only take a minute."
"Translation: This is going to take all day." Henry rolled his eyes.
And so, the three went off to the place called Emperor Weaver's. Henry sat in the waiting area, taking out his Gameboy to play another game called Pete's Dragon, glad that he brought it with him. Evie smiled at Mal, finding various black and purple clothes and went to make her new friend try them on. Mal appreciated the colors and admired every outfit that Evie bought for her. Evie smiled as she took pictures of every outfit on her phone and even took a hold of Mal for some, posing with her as she made a cute pout on her face while Mal did the same and they took another picture with the latest and cutest outfit that Mal liked the most.
"This is probably my favorite of all the outfits I tried on today." Mal said to Evie as she looked down. She was now wearing a black leather jacket with a dark violet dress inside with a lighter violet ribbon around her waist and had on matching black boots.
"That'll be a good dress for Prom maybe." Evie hinted.
"Heh... Yeah, right," Mal rolled her eyes. "I doubt I'll be going to Prom."
"You never know," Evie smirked before she put her arm around her new friend. "Let's go show Henry."
"I doubt he's gonna care, but okay." Mal smirked back as they walked off then.
Henry was shown to be curled up in his chair and was snoring a bit.
"Hey... Henry... Wake up..." Evie called to her little brother and lightly shook him. "Henry~..."
"Ugh..." Henry groaned before he yawned and stretched. "Is it morning already?"
Evie giggled a bit. "Come on, we weren't gone that long." she then said to him.
"It's been forever!" Henry replied. "Are we done here yet?"
"Not yet," Evie smiled. "What do you think of Mal's new outfit?"
Mal shrugged and soon stepped out and did a little spin for Henry as she crossed her arms at him.
"Hmm..." Henry paused thoughtfully. "That outfit suits you," he then said with a nod. "The colors really work for you."
"I always liked purple," Mal smirked. "Thanks, Henry."
"No problem." Henry nodded, though he looked like he was trying really hard not to say "Can we please get the heck out of here now before my head explodes?".
"Well, Evie, do you think we're done here?" Mal asked her new friend. "Maybe we could do something that Henry likes right now?"
"Yeah, that's fair," Evie nodded. "Okay, Henry, let me and Mal just pay for this dress and jacket and we'll go do whatever you want right now."
"Yes!" Henry cheered to himself.
Mal and Evie soon went to see the owner, Mrs. Weaver, who smiled fondly and waved at them. The two then went to pay for their clothes while Henry pocketed his Gameboy and soon followed them to the front counter. The process took a little while, luckily a lot shorter than clothes shopping and experimenting as they soon left the store with brand new bags at hand.
Not surprisingly, Henry brought Mal and Evie into Facilier's video game arcade where a lot of kids of all ages were. There were spooky sounds and wicked laughter, sounding a bit like a haunted house of horrors of some sorts.
There was then laughter that got louder and closer before a tall, skinny man jumped out from the crowd and yelled out at them. "BOO!"
Henry let out a yelp while Evie held onto him protectively.
"My dad does that to me all the time," Mal deadpanned. "You're gonna have to try a little bit better than that."
"Oh... You're no fun," The man rolled his eyes, dressed like a witch doctor before he smirked and leaned in. "Welcome to Dr. Facilier's VooDoo Arcade Emporium. You can play some games for a price and win prizes... Or you can have your fortune told by my daughter Celia."
A young girl around Henry's age smirked as she was shown behind a booth with a crystal ball as she fanned her face with a deck of tarot cards.
"Or you can also go roller-skating and jam with your jams at the rink," The man then suggested, pointing his cane over to a girl around Mal and Evie's age who was behind a turn-table with headphones and records. "With my other daughter, Frédérique. So, what will it be?"
"We'll be playing some games." Evie replied.
"Very well," Dr. Facilier nodded. "Excellent choice."
"Can we get our tokens now?" Henry asked eagerly.
"How long do you think you'll be playing for?" Dr. Facilier smirked.
"Mm... Probably an hour or two." Evie shrugged.
"I'll charge you for two hours then," Dr. Facilier chuckled. "Luckily we're having a special. Two hours for $2."
"Wow... That's not bad." Evie commented.
"What's the catch?" Mal asked suspiciously.
"I beg your pardon?" Dr. Facilier soon asked.
"Mal..." Evie frowned softly, but a bit firm.
"Come on," Mal smirked. "That little money just to play for a while? Are you trying to haggle us?"
"I-I'm so sorry, she's new." Evie said to Dr. Facilier.
"Oh, that's quite all right," Dr. Facilier replied before he came towards Mal. "Listen, this isn't a hustle or a swindle. I just have a soft spot for customers under the age of 12 and if I remember correctly, a very young Henry Mills came here for his birthday and earned a free pizza pie with his very own choice of toppings and style of crust."
"That's right!" Henry smiled.
"Tell you what," Dr. Facilier said to Mal with a smirk. "Since you're new in town, you can have a free pass to whatever your heart desires. Especially since you're such good friends with Princess Evie and Prince Henry and you can tell Queen Regina all about it."
"Queen Regina?" Mal deadpanned.
"Well, yes," Dr. Facilier chuckled. "Madame Mayor is Auradon's ruler after all and most of us are her loyal subjects and since you're here with 'The Royal Family', you can have the same discount."
"Hmm... All right," Mal crossed her arms and shrugged. "I'm still watching you, Facilier... If that even is your real name."
"Between you and me, it's Mr. Baron Samdi, but I highly ask of you to not refer to me as such especially around the kiddies or else I'll turn you into a frog." Dr. Facilier whispered jokingly about that last part.
"...Noted." Mal shrugged.
"Evie, can we go now?" Henry asked. "I'm trying so hard to be patient, but it's really hard."
"All right, Henry, let's go then," Evie giggled with a small smile. "Thank you, Dr. Facilier. We'll take our free passes and tokens and hit the games." she then said as she winked at the man.
"Very well, Princess Evie... Anything for you, Prince Henry and Lady... Mal, was it?" Dr. Facilier chuckled as he then stood right back up and adjusted his top hat.
"Mal is just fine, thank you." Mal replied.
"Charming little creature..." Facilier said before he held out his bare hands to Henry and soon clapped his hands together and as he flicked out his left hand, three free passes to the arcade were shown in his fingertips.
"WOW!" Henry beamed as he took one for him. "Epic... Do you think you could teach me how to do that?"
"Sorry, Prince Henry, but magicians never reveal their secrets." Dr. Facilier remarked.
"Penn and Teller do." Henry argued with a small pout.
"Oh, those clowns aren't real magicians," Facilier rolled his amethyst eyes as he gave the other two passes to Mal and Evie. "Here you are, ladies. Have fun and let it be a magical afternoon for both of you."
"Thanks." Mal and Evie replied, accepting their passes.
Facilier grinned as he waved at them and soon took off to greet the next people coming into the arcade the same way he greeted the two teenage girls and young boy.
"So, we just play games and hang out?" Mal asked.
"Pretty much," Evie smiled. "Just scan your card against the game you wanna play and then you'll get tokens. If you get enough tokens, you can trade them for tickets and after you get some tickets, you can get a prize before we leave."
"Hm... I guess that does sound pretty cool." Mal shrugged as they walked further along inside.
"All right, Henry, let's have some fun." Evie told her little brother as they came to explore the arcade up close.
"Yeah!" Henry beamed in excitement.
And so, the three began to have as much fun as they could in the arcade. Mal wasn't really sure what to do though, sure there were games, fortune-telling, and rollerskating, but she watched Evie and Henry going off and bonding together. That made her stomach feel a little sick and hurt on the inside. She slowly closed her eyes as she let her mind wander a bit as she watched Evie and Henry bond together before she opened her eyes and began to think about something.
Mal found herself at around Henry's age and was in a rundown food store. She had a big purple bow in her hair and had a black dress with light purple leggings and black Mary Jane shoes. She was shown to be wandering around the aisles and soon found a Wonka Bar and took it off of the shelf and went to hide it in her pocket only for her hand to be grabbed.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," A store clerk glared as he grabbed her by her wrist. "What do you think you've got there, little lady?"
"Oh... Um... Uh..." Mal stammered nervously.
"Hey!" A voice called out.
Mal and the store clerk looked over to see a girl around the age of a teenager with long brown hair tied into a low ponytail, wearing a black leather jacket that had hints of purple, pink, and green with fingerless gloves. She had rolled over a shopping cart as Mal stepped back slightly.
"I've been looking all over you," The teenage girl spoke to Mal. "Thanks for hanging onto that 'til I got us a cart."
Mal soon had a small smile and nodded at the teenage girl, looking up at her.
"You two girls are on your own?" The store clerk asked suspiciously since the older girl still looked a bit on the young side.
"Our parents are waiting for us in the car," The teenage girl explained. "They sent us to grab a few things."
"Okay." The store clerk then nodded and walked away.
"Mal, Mal, Mal, what have I always told ya?" The teenage girl tutted and shook her head.
"Stuffing things under your shirt never works." Mal recited from memory.
"That's right," The teenage girl smirked. "You're off the hook for right now, but when will you learn that your big sister who's had a lot more experience in these sorts of things is always right?"
"Sorry, Lily," Mal replied bashfully. "I'll try better someday."
"Yes, you will," The teenage girl nodded and reassured. "You just need a little bit more practice."
The two soon went to do a little shopping together. Lily brought out a card and soon held it out to the cashier up front as she stood with Mal. They both laughed, having a good time before they left the store with the cart.
"Lily, do you think you could make me a fake ID too?" Mal asked her big sister as they left the store as she nibbled on her Wonka bar.
"Sure... As long as you remember to listen to me and don't tell Mom and Dad," Lily smirked as she rolled the cart away. "Speaking of those two, we've got the whole week to ourselves. Whatya say we skip school and just hang out together?"
"Is that allowed?" Mal asked. "Won't Mom and Daddy find out?"
"We don't have to tell them," Lily smirked as she winked at her younger sister. "If you do, I'll haveta go away forever and you wouldn't want that... Would ya?"
"No! Lily, I never want you to go away!" Mal gasped before she hugged the older girl by her waist. "I want you to stay with us forever and ever~"
"Then I will, just remember to keep this between us." Lily smiled warmly.
"Okay, Lily," Mal smiled back in the hug. "I love you~"
"I love you too, kiddo." Lily nodded as she lightly stroked her younger sister's hair.
"Mal... Mal? MAL!" An unfamiliar voice soon called out and it sounded like an underwater echo.
Mal's eyes flashed open as she looked over from where she sat and waited only to see Evie and Henry. "Oh... Hey, guys..." she then said. "Are we leaving right now?"
"We just thought maybe you'd like to get your fortune told," Evie smiled. "You don't seem too interested in the video games."
"I guess video games aren't my thing." Mal shrugged.
"C'mon... Everybody loves video games," Henry defended. "But yeah... Why don't we get your fortune told?"
"Hmm... Like that'll even work..." Mal rolled her eyes skeptically. "...Whatever. Let's try it out and see what happens."
"All right, let's do it." Evie smiled as they soon walked off together.
"I see... I see... I see something..." The young girl named Celia spoke as ominously as possible as she waved her hands over her crystal ball as Jay sat in front of her. "I see... The letter A in your future."
"Yeah?" Jay beamed as he leaned forward. "You think I'll pass Ms. Greening's next test?"
"Oh, you'll pass a test for her alright," Celia smirked. "If you study your butt off instead of relying on fortune telling for good grades. And unfortunately, our time is up. You may go now and send in the next patron."
"Dang it... My dad's gonna kill me..." Jay groaned and rolled his eyes as he got up out of the stool and walked off before seeing Mal, Evie, and Henry in line next. "Don't waste your time. She just talks in riddles and makes you feel guilty for even asking her a question."
"Boys." Mal and Evie rolled their eyes.
Jay rolled his eyes back at them and he soon walked off, ruffling up Henry's hair. "'Sup, Shortstuff?" he then asked on the way out.
"Hey!" Henry firmly pouted.
"So, Mal, what do you think you'll wanna ask Celia?" Evie asked before smirking. "Maybe seeing if you're compatible with someone?~"
Mal's eyes widened as she blushed.
"What does... Comp... Att... Bull... Mean?" Henry asked, struggling to say that word.
"Nothing!" Mal yelped.
"It's when two things work together without drama or conflict," Evie explained before smirking. "Mal and I had a little talk last night."
"Evie, please, nothing like that," Mal rolled her emerald eyes. "Besides, magic isn't real. It's not like this Cee Cee girl can see the future or something."
"Excuse me, I said next, please!" The young voice called out.
"Especially someone who's like 10-years-old." Mal then added.
"Suit yourself," Evie shrugged. "I'd give it a chance anyway. Henry, do you wanna go first?" she then asked her little brother.
"Mm... I guess," Henry replied as he also shrugged his shoulders and soon went to go inside. "Hey, Celia."
"Oh, hey, Henry!" Celia smiled. "Lemme guess; you're here with your sister?"
"That's cheating," Henry smirked. "Evie takes me everywhere whenever Mom's busy."
Mal and Evie stood together and waited for Henry to take his turn as the curtain closed behind Henry.
"Hey, Evie." The older Samdi girl greeted as she walked by.
"Hey." Evie nodded.
"You must be Frédérique." Mal said to the girl.
"It's Freddie," The girl corrected with a small smirk as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "And yes, I am. Just taking a quick deejay break."
"I think I've seen you around school a bit." Mal then nodded.
"Yeah, I go to WEA too," Freddie explained. "I'm just mostly in Drama Club with Mr. Wiggins."
"An actress, huh?" Mal asked.
"Freddie's super spooky in a villain role in a play," Evie smirked. "You should see her someday."
"Why not just ask your little sister to predict the future if I come to a play or not?" Mal playfully retorted.
"Oh, ha, ha, ha," Freddie mock laughed. "You seem interesting, Mallory."
"It's Mal." Mal narrowed her eyes suddenly.
"Whoa... Easy, girl," Freddie chuckled. "I was just having some fun. Speaking of fun, if my daddy or Celia ask where I am, I'm gonna get some Fish & Chips."
"All right, Freddie," Evie nodded. "We're just gonna get our fortunes told and pick up some lunch after. Maybe we'll see you there."
"Already on my way~" Freddie smirked as she soon slithered right out of the arcade.
"I like her style." Mal commented.
"Freddie can be pretty cool most of the time," Evie nodded. "As long as we go shopping and she doesn't try to pickpocket people like a delinquent. I told her a thousand times to never do that, but she hardly ever listens."
"Sounds like a lot of people I grew up with back in 'The Projects'." Mal remarked.
Henry soon came back out bashfully.
"Hey, Henry," Evie smiled. "How's the future?"
"Celia told me that I was gonna get a very big kiss from a girl who really likes me really soon." Henry explained.
"Oooohhhh~" Mal and Evie smirked playfully as they shared a glance with each other.
"It's not funny!" Henry blushed a bit.
"Well... Until that girl finds you... Take this~" Evie cooed as she hunched over to his height and soon wrapped her arms around his shoulders before pulling him into a deep kiss on the cheek.
"Augh! Evie!" Henry cried out, blushing slightly.
"I don't know about a girl in your grade, but I'm definitely a girl who likes you very much." Evie smiled and nodded shamelessly.
Henry just blushed in slight embarrassment before smiling wearily.
"Next, please." Celia requested.
"Last chance." Evie smiled hopefully at Mal.
"Eh... What have I go to lose?" Mal shrugged as she decided to go in and take her turn.
"That's the spirit!" Evie beamed.
Mal rolled her eyes with a shrug and soon went to sit down across from Celia.
"Ah, welcome, my child." Celia greeted.
"Child?" Mal scoffed. "I'm older than you!"
"Hey, do you wanna hear your fortune or are you going to make snappy comebacks at me all day?" Celia retorted. "I have an older sister for that."
Mal looked soft and soon settled down a little bit. She then sat down in the assigned seat as Celia waved her hands over the crystal ball. "All right, so what do you got for me?" she then asked.
"First, we must look into the present," Celia replied as her crystal ball had swirling purple smoke with glitter inside of it. "You've come from a great distance... You're new in town, yes?"
"Yeah, that's me," Mal nodded. "Kinda obvious since you clearly haven't seen me before?"
"That might be so," Celia nodded. "But you're in good hands with being friends with Evie. She's a very good friend, huh?"
"Yeah... Evie's pretty sweet," Mal smiled a little bit. "She kinda feels like a sister to me."
"I'm sure she feels the same way with you," Celia smiled back. "Especially since there's a hole in your heart."
Mal raised an eyebrow. "...What's that supposed to mean?" she then asked.
"There's something missing... Something deep down missing inside of you, Mal..." Celia said as she waved her fingertips over her crystal ball.
Mal crossed her arms as she leaned back.
"After all, I'd feel lost and hopeless if I lost Freddie for whatever reason," Celia continued. "She's my whole life and she's been looking out for me during that time, especially whenever Daddy's busy."
"Next timeline..." Mal rolled her eyes. "What does my future look like?"
"Patience, my dear Mal, patience," Celia advised as she continued to take a look. "I definitely see a gaping hole in your heart and soul... Something that hurt you deeply in the past, but something bright and hopeful awaits you in the future. Perhaps someone who can help make your life easier... Perhaps... Your own Prince Charming."
"Prince... Charming?" Mal repeated with a cynical smirk as she shut her eyes. "I'm sure, Cecily-"
"Celia." The young girl corrected.
"Whatever," Mal rolled her emerald eyes. "I think you're full of it."
"Full of what?" Celia firmly frowned.
"I think you know what I mean," Mal smirked as she crossed her arms. "Nice try, but I'm not listening."
"You don't have to be a jerk about it," Celia told Mal, trying not to get too upset. "I can tell that you're just lashing out like this because of the pain and suffering you feel in your heart and soul. You should let more people in so they can help you... There was once someone you used to trust and look up to."
Mal flinched slightly as her eyes brightened up just a little bit.
"Am I right that time, Mal?" Celia then asked.
"...I think I need to go now." Mal said softly and quietly.
"I think that I'm right," Celia replied before she showed her deck of tarot cards. "The cards never lie... You should talk more with Evie about your feelings and maybe you'll win this Prince Charming. They can help make your life a whole lot easier."
"Y-Yeah, I guess..." Mal shrugged as she rubbed her arm before she soon stood up. "I'm gonna go now."
"All right, but remember what I said," Celia reminded. "You can't hide what's inside."
Mal glanced back at Celia and soon left.
"So... How did it go?" Evie smiled. "Did you have fun?"
"It was... Educational..." Mal replied before giving out a wry smile and shrugged her shoulders, trying to act like it was no big deal. "B-But hey... No biggie... It's all just a fairy tale, right?"
"Hmm..." Evie paused thoughtfully as she had a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Oh, come on, Evie, you can't tell me you believe in all of this hocus pocus," Mal said to her friend. "Can we get some lunch now? I'm starving."
"Me too." Henry nodded in agreement.
"In a minute~" Evie smirked. "I still haven't had my turn."
"Oh... Yeah... Great..." Mal rolled her eyes. "I'll watch Henry for you."
"Thanks, Mal." Evie smiled and nodded before going to take her turn.
"No problem," Mal shrugged before looking down at the younger boy. "You play plenty of games today, kiddo?"
"Yeah, Crown of Duty and Hero Rising," Henry nodded. "I beat the old high score on Hero Rising with Aaron Stone."
"I have no idea what that means, but good job." Mal said with a small smile, trying to be social.
"Yeah, I'm pretty proud of myself," Henry smirked. "I'm saving up my tickets though for a special gift for Evie. I think she deserves it."
"Oh? What would that be?" Mal asked as they waited.
"I can't tell ya," Henry replied before he darted his eyes around. "You might blow my cover."
"Ooh... Are we a spy now?" Mal teased.
"Heck yeah!" Henry smirked as he nodded at her. "I tend to go on field operations from time-to-time and look around the neighborhood whenever it's just me and Evie. Like Mr. Jafar and his junk shop... I guarantee you that at least 55% of his inventory is stolen from other people. He's a bit of a crooked guy."
"Is that right?" Mal raised an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm," Henry nodded. "I also heard a rumor that Mrs. de Vil has slumber parties with every man on her block."
"Slumber parties?" Mal asked, a bit amused as she had a pretty good idea of what Henry was actually saying. "I think good little boys should mind their own business."
"Hey, whatever makes my life more interesting," Henry shrugged. "I like to think that I'm destined for greatness. The opportunity just hasn't come around yet. Especially for Evie, I really want her to be happy."
"You and your sister sound close," Mal said with a small smile. "You must like that very much."
"I really do," Henry said with a small sigh. "She does so much for me... Making sure I get to class on time, helps me with my homework, protects me whenever I feel sad or scared. She's the best big sister ever and I'd do anything to make sure she sticks around in my life for a very long time."
Mal's eyes widened before she looked glum and soft suddenly as she put her hand over her heart.
"You okay, Mal?" Henry asked as he noticed that.
"Huh? Oh... Y-Yeah... I'm fine," Mal nodded. "I guess I was just thinking a little bit."
"About what?" Henry asked. "High school drama or teenage girl stuff you can't talk about around me?"
"...Yes." Mal simply nodded.
Henry looked at her funny for that before shrugging as he decided to just go along with that. Eventually Evie grinned as she stepped out and looked very excited. She even let out a squeal as she looked like she could burst at any minute.
"Uh... Hey, Evie..." Mal blinked. "You look excited. Did the Chicago Bears finally win a World Series?"
"Very funny, Mal," Evie rolled her eyes playfully before beaming. "But something even more exciting just happened~"
"What did Celia see in her crystal ball?" Henry asked his big sister.
"She saw that I was going to have a study date with Chad Princely sometime soon!~" Evie squealed and jumped up and down before clapping her hands. "I told you that he was my soulmate, Mal!"
"Eugh... Great..." Mal grinned nervously, putting on a brave face for Evie's sake. "I hope that you guys have fun."
Henry wasn't sure what to do or say, but he tried to put on a brave face for Evie's sake. It was almost as though he and Mal could agree on something: Chad Princely seemed like a real scumball.
"So, shall we get some lunch then?" Evie suggested.
"Yeah, let's go," Mal nodded. "I feel like I could eat my new outfit right out of the bag right now."
Evie chuckled. "Let's go then," she then suggested. "Henry, do you have enough tickets for a prize?"
"Not enough," Henry sighed and shook his head. "I need 3,700 tickets to get what I really need, but I only have 1,900."
"Aww... Bummer..." Mal frowned a bit.
Evie paused thoughtfully and soon smiled as she held out her tickets to Henry.
"Huh?" Henry blinked. "Evie, I can just wait until we come back next time."
"If you wanna get your special prize, you can have it right now," Evie decided firmly. "You've been such a good little brother helper during this whole trip, so you deserve a treat. So no, Henry, you are not waiting until next time, you are getting that prize now."
"Wow... Thanks, Evie!" Henry beamed then. "You're the best big sister ever."
Mal flinched a little bit as she thought about all the times she had said that to Lily. Henry and Evie shared a hug with each other as they went to meet Facilier at the front for the ticket exchange. Evie looked very excited about a possible future date with Chad while Mal was thinking about what Celia said as it hit her harder than she had expected or anticipated. Eventually, Henry came back with a goody bag as he met Mal and Evie outside the entrance as Facilier waved him off.
"So... What'd you get?" Evie smiled at Henry. "A new comic book? An action figure?"
"I got you girls some gifts actually since I had a little leftover from your help, Evie." Henry replied.
"Oh, you didn't have to get us anything, Henry." Mal said softly.
"Just to show that you guys are the best," Henry said as he opened the bag and took out a golden necklace that had a dragon on it. "Mal, I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I got you this dragon necklace."
"Oh... Wow... Thanks..." Mal blinked in shock and gratitude as she took it and soon put it in her own shopping bag. "Thanks so much, kiddo."
"No problem." Henry smiled.
"Aww... Henry, you're such a sweet kid," Evie smiled warmly before smirking playfully. "Well, don't leave me in suspense... What did you get me?"
"Just don't lose it or break it," Henry said as he reached into his bag and brought out a silver tiara with red hearts all over it. "I hereby dub thee: Princess Evie of Auradon Heights."
"O-Oh... Oh, Henry..." Evie whispered and squealed as she put her hands together, looking tearful and emotional. "Henry... I don't know what to say."
"Well, how about thank you?" Henry suggested with a small smile.
"Of course... Thank you very much!" Evie beamed as she soon accepted the tiara and slid it onto her head before she soon hugged and kissed Henry yet again. "Big Sister Kiss #2 for the day~"
Henry chuckled and beamed.
"Such a sweet kid..." Mal whispered to herself as she had a small smile for the siblings' bonding.
"I will treasure it always," Evie beamed. "All right, who's hungry?" she then asked.
Mal and Henry raised their hands up high.
"Let's go to lunch then." Evie chuckled to them as Ben, Chad, and Aziz Massoud were walking by, several feet ahead of them as they soon went to get some lunch.
"Cheer up, Benny," Chad grinned as he wrapped his arm around the brunette boy. "We'll find you someone interesting to fall in love with. Besides, who wouldn't wanna fall in love with you? You're the King of the School."
"Well, yeah, but I want someone to love me for who I am and not because of me being popular." Ben shrugged.
"Oh, but that's the fun part!" Chad insisted. "You get to talk about how awesome and amazing you are. Who wouldn't want that?"
"Chad, that's pretty shallow," Aziz rolled his eyes. "Before my parents met and married each other, my mother insisted that she was not a prize to be won even though she was rich and had many fortunes."
"We're all living in the lap of luxury," Chad smirked. "You better get used to it, Ben."
"I dunno, Chad, just being popular and loved by all with 'thousands of friends' just makes me feel empty on the inside," Ben shrugged with a sharp sigh. "I want someone to like me for me. You guys are my friends for the person I am on the inside, right?"
Chad seemed to hesitate in answering that question.
"Of course, Ben," Aziz smiled. "And cheer up. We'll help make it all better, I promise."
"Thanks, Aziz," Ben smiled back. "I knew that I could count on you."
"Now come on," Aziz soon said with a nod. "Let's go explore."
"Right," Chad soon quickly added. "You'll see, Ben. This is gonna be a fun and great day at the Mall for all of us."
"I sure hope so, guys," Ben sighed before smiling softly. "I sure hope so."
And so, the three boys went off together and began to explore every outlet possible.