Some time had passed. Mal was all moved in at the Mills' mansion as Regina's adoptive daughter and Evie and Henry's adoptive sister and it was so far ambiguous of what was going to happen with the Bedford family after the school dance. Speaking of the school dance, it was about time for everybody to get ready to go to the cruise that Headmistress Fairgood booked for them for their dance instead of in the gym or the auditorium. It was going to be an interesting experience for sure. The younger kids even had plans of their own as there was going to be a laser tag pizza party at Pizza Planet and Roland decided he didn't need to go to the dance like his sister and he would supervise the kids there, such as Henry, acting like a big brother to the boy as he enjoyed hanging out with him whenever he could.
Right now, Gold was in his Cadillac and was driving Ben over to pick up his date for the evening. "All right, Benjamin, I hope you learned a valuable lesson this semester," he then said. "You're lucky that you're allowed to go to the school dance after what you've done."
"Yes, sir, I understand," Ben nodded, wearing an elegant royal blue suit, looking almost like a very young king. All that was missing was a crown. "So far, I don't know if I'll be allowed to go to the Summer School Games in Emerald Acres though."
"Well, I would hold onto that thought as I know how unpredictable your parents can be sometimes," Gold advised his nephew. "I just suggest you stay on your best behavior tonight, otherwise you might find a far worse punishment than your Aunt Lacey and myself looking after you~" he then added in a bit of a dangerous and dark tone of voice.
"Yes, sir..." Ben nodded. "I also value the time we get to spend after school together as your pawnshop apprentice."
"See that you do," Gold smirked. "Also no taking anything from there because I'll know~"
Ben gulped nervously before he nodded again. Soon, they began to pull up to where they had to go. Ben then looked out the window and took a deep breath before he stepped out of his uncle's car and shut the door behind him as he unbuckled his seatbelt.
"Don't slam the door!" Gold glared. "This isn't one of your teenage house parties with booze and girls in their underwear!"
"Gah! Jeez, Uncle Cedric... I'd never do that..." Ben flinched and blushed nervously at the very idea of doing something like that.
"See that you don't," Gold nodded firmly. "Now go pick up your lady friend."
"Yes, sir..." Ben nodded in return, then walked up the sidewalk leading up to the rundown-looking house before he knocked on the door. He then breathed into his hand and sniffed it to check his breath before flinching as the door suddenly slammed open.
Out came Uma, looking a bit firm and mysterious, though she did clean up rather nicely. She wore her braided hair up in a high bun, wearing black fingerless gloves, and had a turquoise-colored dress with a golden shell necklace that once belonged to her mother. She wore dark eyeshadow with bright red lipstick. Even though tonight was a special night, she still had a bit of a firm and sour look on her face and even wore boots under her dress, because there was no way she was going to wear high-heels like a "stupid pink princess".
"Uma..." Ben nodded his head.
"Say one word about the dress and I'll kill you," Uma said firmly before she walked on over to the car. "Let's get this thing over with."
Ben rushed over to run ahead of Uma before he soon opened the door for her, trying to be a gentleman. Uma then climbed inside and Ben went in after her before shutting the door, which prompted Gold into starting the car again and driving off to take them to the dance.
"Look at you two, such a cute couple!" Gold smirked as he glanced over his shoulder to the two kids in the backseat. "Ah... I remember my first school dance. Although I wish I didn't," he then narrowed his eyes slightly. "How about some music for you kids?" he then offered.
"Sure, Uncle Cedric." Ben spoke nervously while Uma still had fire in her eyes.
"I bet you would." Gold smirked, not turning on the radio as he continued to drive them to their dance.
Soon, they began to ride on over while students were coming into the dance. Music could be heard playing from over the cruise ship as everyone came to sign in with their designated dates.
"Ms. Mills..." Ben blinked, seeing the mayor acting as the chaperone tonight. "What a surprise to see you here."
"Oh, you didn't know I was going to be your school dance's chaperone? Well, I am," Regina replied. "Along with Mr. Bedford from Sherwood."
"That's gotta be trippy," Uma commented. "One of our biggest school rivals acting as a school dance chaperone."
"Yes, it's quite an interesting experience," Regina nodded. "Ah... Uma... You look just like your mother. How adorable."
"Hm..." Uma narrowed her eyes a bit at being called "adorable".
On the cruise ship, at first for a while anyway, the boys and girls were separated. Boys on one side with girls on the other as light music began to play.
"Where's Audrey?" Coraline complained as she, Ivy, and Scarlet stood together in their own special dances, arranged by their favorite colors: Coraline in black and red, Ivy in green and blue, and Scarlet in platinum pink. "She should've been here by now."
"I heard that she got a flat tire on the way to town from the spa," Scarlet remarked. "#Bummer."
"#Bummer indeed," Ivy nodded. "What're we supposed to do without her? We can't do anything without her!" she then cried out.
"We'll think of something," Scarlet replied before smirking. "Maybe someone else should be in charge until she gets back... Someone like me~"
"You?" Ivy and Coraline asked.
"Why not?" Scarlet grinned. "I'm The Gossip Queen of the School anyway. Unless you girls want me to tell your biggest secrets right here in front of everybody?"
Ivy and Coraline gulped before coming to her sides.
"That's better," Scarlet nodded with a smirk. "I hereby appoint myself Queen Bee of the School until Audrey comes back."
Ivy and Coraline soon giggled with Scarlet as it seemed to be official between the three of them.
"Evie, you look beautiful!" Jordan remarked as she looked at the blue-dressed girl with hints of red, taking notes for the school newspaper.
"Thank you so much." Evie smiled.
"Did you design the barrette or is it from Edna Mode herself?" Lonnie then asked.
"Uh, no, it's not my creation. Many of the hair accessories this evening are by a fabulous new designer, little Dizzy Belfrey," Evie replied with a small smile. "She's very smart when it comes to accessories and fashion. Almost like a little me."
"Bat Belfry's little sister did that?!" Jordan asked out of astonishment.
"Mm-hmm," Evie smirked and nodded. "Luckily for me, she's nothing like her big sister. She definitely deserves better."
"I think she does too," Lonnie replied. "Still, so cool."
Meanwhile, Jane and Carlos appeared to be talking while Felix seemed to be just hanging out there as he looked around for a certain girl.
"So in my experience with 'Heros Rising', I was able to pass through the barrier as Dark Tamara and win the big prize in the end," Jane smiled at Carlos, telling him a story. "It took quite a while, but I soon became Empress of the Gauntlet after eviscerating that old foe known as Elias Powers. Though nothing compares to a victory from Aaron Stone himself."
"Wow, Jane... You're neat..." Carlos smiled back, blushing as he liked the knowledge she had on video games that he also liked.
"Jane! There you are, my dear," Headmistress Fairgood beamed, rushing right over to her daughter and gently brushed some of her hair behind her ear. "Well, everything looks beautiful, my love, but we just need to ladle out the punch before the sherbet melts."
"Mom, I have a date." Jane interrupted her mother before she could be whisked away suddenly.
"A date? Really?" Headmistress Fairgood smiled warmly, looking proud of her daughter before she looked back at Carlos curiously. "...Do you have a date, too?"
"Yeah." Carlos nodded with a warm smile toward Jane.
"Really?" Headmistress Fairgood asked.
"Yeah." Carlos nodded.
Headmistress Fairgood smiled fondly before looking around, seeming clueless.
Jane sensed her mother's cluelessness before taking Carlos's hands. "Mom." she then said before she and Carlos lifted up their hands to show her what they meant as they looked very happy together.
"Oh..." Headmistress Fairgood said, looking between Jane and Carlos until it hit her and she gasped, still looking happy for her daughter regardless of whoever her date was. "Oh! ...Oh, my stars and garters~"
Felix continued to look around as Headmistress Fairgood giggled, looking so happy.
"Moms." Jane brushed off to Carlos.
"Heh... Yeah... Moms..." Carlos replied a bit weakly, especially with what he could say about his own mother which he won't get to right now.
"Yeah. Cool." Felix said in a rushed tone of voice.
"You okay, Felix?" Carlos asked the taller boy.
"...Wendy's probably just gonna meet me here..." Felix said nervously with a shrug. "What if she doesn't come though? Maybe she was just kidding and playing me."
"Oh, Felix, don't say that..." Carlos frowned.
"Yeah, Wendy will be here," Jane added. "She texted me. They're just running late because they had to drop off her little brother at Pizza Planet before coming to the dance."
"Maybe she was just making up an excuse because she actually doesn't want anything to do with me." Felix frowned.
"Felix..." Jane and Carlos frowned back, feeling concerned.
"I shouldn't have come here," Felix shook his head. "I should get going."
"Oh, come on, Felix, don't be like that," Carlos said softly. "If I can ask the most beautiful girl in the whole school to go to the dance with me and she'll come, so will you and Wendy."
Felix just pouted in response, looking doubtful about himself.
"You really think I'm the most beautiful girl in the whole school?" Jane gasped at what Carlos said about her.
"Well... Yeah... You are to me at least," Carlos smiled as he looked back at Jane while blushing. "I think you're amazing."
"Oh, Carlos~" Jane smiled back. "I think you're amazing too."
"Yeah... Good for you guys..." Felix sighed.
"We'll stay here with you until Wendy comes," Jane offered. "We promise."
"That's okay. I won't let you guys waste your time by hanging around me." Felix frowned.
"Felix, it's going to be okay," Carlos replied calmly. "You just have to remember to be patient."
"It just looks so easy with you two," Felix said softly. "You'd think it'd be easier for two people to tell each other how they really-" he then stopped before looking over and seemed to blush with wide eyes. "Feel... Wow..."
Jane and Carlos looked at him before looking to see what he saw. Wendy seemed to finally make it to the dance, dressed in a baby blue dress with a darker blue ribbon tied around her waist with a matching hair ribbon in her honey brown hair with black short-heels. Felix just looked at Wendy like he thought SHE was the most beautiful girl in the whole school.
"W-Wow! Wendy looks really... Uh..." Felix stammered as he blushed with wide eyes at the sight of the girl of his dreams.
"Uh-huh..." Jane giggled, playfully nudging Felix. "I told you that she would be here."
"Uh... What do I do?" Felix asked nervously.
"Come on, Felix, you can do this," Carlos said, pushing Felix away suddenly. "Just go over and talk to her!"
"Whoa!" Felix yelped as he suddenly slid right over towards Wendy and crashed into her, sending them both on the floor by accident.
"Carlos!" Jane firmly pouted with her hands on her hips.
"Whoops! ...I guess I don't know my own strength." Carlos grinned nervously since Felix and Wendy both ended up on the floor together.
"Felix?" Wendy asked softly as she ended up on the floor with the big and tall boy.
"Wendy... Whoops... I... Uh... You..." Felix stammered bashfully. "You look very... Um... Pretty?"
"Uh... So do you," Wendy replied. "I mean, handsome. I mean... I'm stupid..." she then muttered.
"No, no. You're not stupid," Felix shook his head. "Wendy, you're never stupid. I may not have known you long, but I think you seem smart and amazing."
"You really think so?" Wendy asked softly as they stood up together on the floor.
"I know so!" Felix insisted. "You just... Came later than I expected."
"Oh, Felix, I'm so sorry about that," Wendy replied. "But Danny wanted to go to Pizza Planet on the way over cuz there's a laser tag pizza party going on tonight too, so my father said we had to get him ready and drop him off there before he could take me to the dance."
"Oh... Uh... Okay..." Felix replied, feeling better about seeing her at the dance with him, though he started to forget about why he was feeling so upset moments before. "Uh... Who's Danny?" he then asked.
"My little brother," Wendy explained. "He's around the same age as Evie's little brother, Henry."
"Ohh... Okay..." Felix smiled sheepishly. "So, seeing as... We're together... I mean, obviously, we're together at this dance... Do you think maybe we could... Treat this as a... You know a..."
"A date?" Wendy guessed with a small smile back.
"Uh... Maybe?" Felix replied. "Ya know... If you want to."
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Wendy squealed before suddenly hugging him before backing up and smiled sheepishly. "I-I mean... Yeah. That sounds great."
"Way to go, Wendy." Jane smiled quietly to herself.
"You too, Felix." Carlos added quietly to himself.
"I just hope that I don't miss too much of Happily Ever After, though I suppose I have some episodes recording back home." Wendy giggled bashfully.
"You like Happily Ever After? I love that show!" Felix replied before looking embarrassed. "Peter says it's a chick show."
"Who cares what old Peter thinks?" Wendy firmly pouted. "Look at it this way. We have something in common."
"Yeah... I guess we're really hitting it off..." Felix smiled bashfully. "Even if it is a little gushy and silly sometimes."
"Yeah, it's a little dumb," Wendy admitted with a nod. "But I think that's part of the fun. Though sometimes it can be a little violent. Maybe sometime we could call each other when new episodes are on TV and watch it together that way?"
"Oh... Uh... That sounds like it'd be an interesting experience." Felix remarked with a small smile.
Wendy smiled back before she took his hand and walked with him to go and join the dance.
MEANWHILE...
"Gosh, it'd be great to dance right now." Lonnie said as she stood on one side of Jay.
"I'll dance with you, Lonnie." Jay smiled bashfully before taking her hand and walking out with her to join the others on the dance floor.
"Hey! I wanted Jay to be my date!" Jordan complained.
"Well... There you have it, Mr. Wiggins," Regina said as she came to join the kids to act as chaperone, seeing the school drama teacher. "The biggest dance of the year for the high school students."
"Only... Not any actual dancing..." Wiggins remarked as he took a look over to the students who just seemed to stand around and talk to each other.
"Oh, it's typical," Regina replied. "If it stays this way for too long, I might have to break the ice with some moves I've learned as a young girl from my mother."
"I do a pretty wicked worm myself... Oh, yes, get down~" Wiggins smiled before he soon put his hands over his head and started to sway around, bumping her with his hips.
"...Please stop." Regina grumbled, feeling embarrassed for Wiggins.
"Dance to the music! Oh, bravo! Bravo to dancers everywhere!" Wiggins cheered and applauded himself. "Oh, Ricky, dear! Come join us! We're about to 'krump' as some of you young kids call it."
Rick grumbled and face-palmed, shaking his head.
"Where is Mal?" Harry complained as he stood with Harriet who was joining him at the dance. "She promised me she'd be here."
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Harry," Harriet told him, wearing a black dress with red short sleeves and stylish black boots. "I'm still here for you."
Harry smiled a little bit until a certain redheaded boy walked over.
"Anthony, you made it." Harriet smiled at him.
"I sure did," Anthony nodded before bowing at her and offering her his arm. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
"Why, Anthony... I'd be honored," Harriet beamed before looking over at her younger brother in concern. "Um..."
"Argh... Just go ahead..." Harry groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Thank you!" Harriet beamed, then went to go and dance with her boyfriend, who also happened to be cousins with Ivy and Dizzy. "You're the best brother ever!"
Harry flashed a small smile before groaning as he walked over to go and see a certain girl. "Evie? Evie!" he then called.
"Huh? Oh, hey, Harry." Evie greeted as she looked over.
"Where is Mal?" Harry complained through his teeth. "She said that she would be here!"
"Oh, I know it's taking too long, but just be patient," Evie told the boy who was her best friend/adoptive sister's boyfriend. "She said she wanted to make a dramatic entrance."
"Oh... Okay..." Harry sighed as he puffed out his cheeks before pouting.
Eventually, the time finally came.
"Ooh! Here comes Malissa now!" Wiggins smiled.
Harry turned his head, looking hopeful. Evie smiled at Doug before taking his hand and gently squeezed it. Doug gulped nervously before he looked over with her, trying to keep calm and cool. Jay then stepped over with Lonnie who had a very excited grin on her face. Carlos even stepped over with Jane, quivering with very much anticipation. Mal soon stepped in, wearing her hair like a princess with hints of curls and straightened out a bit more from when Dizzy had done it and wore a flowing dress with chiffon with her two favorite colors: black and purple. Evie gushed, putting her hands to her face in excitement for Mal as she looked very pretty and was practically the belle of the ball.
"You work it, girl~" Wiggins leaned in with a whisper to Mal.
"I asked nicely..." Regina firmly told Wiggins through her teeth before smiling softly. "You look really nice, Malissa."
"Thank you..." Mal nodded at them with a bashful smile.
Evie soon heavily applauded and cheered for Mal. Everyone else then decided to join in while Ivy, Scarlet, and Coraline looked annoyed at Mal's sudden popularity.
"Wow... She looks really good..." Keela commented to herself, wearing a bright sunny yellow dress with her hair straightened out a bit more.
Evie soon rushed right over to Mal and took her by the hands. "Hi~" she then beamed.
"Hi." Mal smiled and nodded as she walked across the dance floor with the more fashionable girl.
"How are you?" Evie asked softly.
"Uh... I sorta feel like I'm gonna throw up." Mal replied.
"Okay, it's okay," Evie smiled as she took Mal over to their friends. "Look. We're right here with you, okay?"
"Okay." Mal smiled back softly.
"Mal... My princess..." Harry grinned as he approached his girlfriend.
"Hi, Harry," Mal smiled. "I guess I should say 'Ahoy' though."
"Yes, I think you should," Harry smirked playfully. "My father sails the seas, you know."
"Yes, I'm well aware," Mal chuckled. "You've told me several times."
Harry smiled softly, enjoying it being just the two of them for a moment.
"Look! Here comes Ben!" A student piped up.
The rest of the students then applauded as Ben stepped out to meet his classmates. Everyone cheered for him while Mal just stood in silence. Mal gave a polite smile and decided to also clap for Ben just to be nice. Ben then came down and came over to see Mal with a nod of his head and she soon did the same thing to him as that was how kids these days usually greeted each other.
"Mal... I'll admit... You clean up nicely..." Ben said.
"Yes... You do too," Mal nodded. "I'm sorry we couldn't let it work out. I hope you learn to let it go."
"Oh, believe me, I will." Ben replied ominously before turning his head over.
A spotlight came down as Uma soon walked over to make her own entrance. A lot of students looked shocked and alarmed to see her, especially in wearing a dress. Keela firmly pouted, not liking seeing Ben and Uma together, but she did her best to keep it to herself. Ben smiled at Uma before he bent down and kissed the back of her hand as he was raised to be a gentleman after all.
"I'm sorry. It all happened so fast. Something happened to me when I was hanging out with Uma," Ben said to Mal. "A connection."
"What are you saying?" Mal asked softly.
"I'm saying-" Ben started to say.
"It was love. It was," Uma interrupted with a sweet-looking smile. "I just... I realized how alike Ben and I are, you know?"
"We are." Ben admitted with a nod.
"I know." Uma smiled.
"You're so beautiful." Ben smiled back.
"Ben... Ben, are you seriously in love with her?" Mal asked as she began to feel broken up inside.
"Of course he is, Mal," Uma replied. "A little too late to feel jealous, ya know? Besides, you took Harry... Who was rightfully mine. Listen, Mal. I just really want to thank you, I do, for everything. Thank you. Thank you so much." she then added before hugging the other girl and returning over to Ben's side.
Mal had no words, but was a bit choked up inside.
"Don't you see, Mal? You were right," Ben soon said to the girl. "You knew that we weren't meant to be together. That's why you never told me that you loved me. Thank you." he then told Uma before he went to take her to share the first dance together.
"Come on, Mal." Evie whispered as she took Mal's hands and began to remove her from the scene as Ben and Uma shared a dance together.
"Ouch... That has to hurt..." Carlos frowned for Mal.
"What's wrong, Mal?" Harry asked his girlfriend. "You're not... Jealous, are you?"
"...No, of course not," Mal replied. "We're over each other."
"We're with you, Mal." Lonnie promised.
"Let's get you out of here." Jay suggested as Mal still felt stunned.
"Okay." Mal nodded.
Jay then signaled for Harry to do something. Harry nodded and took Mal's arm in his as they began to walk away while Ben and Uma danced together.
"Seriously, Mal, what's going on?" Evie asked. "You and Ben aren't boyfriend and girlfriend. You have a new boyfriend now and Ben finally moved on. You should be happy for each other."
"I guess... I guess I just... Didn't expect him to move on so quickly..." Mal said softly.
"It's okay, Mal," Evie said. "Don't worry so much about them."
"Yeah, the past is in the past," Harry added. "You need to learn to let it go."
Mal heaved a sharp sigh in response. "I guess you're right." she then said softly.
Everyone soon tried to move on and enjoy the dance for as long as they could.
Uma smirked at Mal's sadness before glancing over at Ben. "Hey. How's about you get me some punch?" she then demanded.
"Huh? Oh, yeah... Sure..." Ben replied. "So, uh, when's your plan going to unfold?"
"Oh, it will later," Uma told him before gritting her teeth. "Just get me some punch."
Ben looked wide-eyed, nervous of her reaction before he soon went to go over to the punch bowl. "Oh, Mal... Fancy meeting you here," he then said as he saw the girl at the punch bowl herself before she looked over at him. "I see you came with Harry. Well, I came with Uma. She's totally into me. I mean, she's not you, but who is?"
Mal just gave Ben a strange look from that.
"Although, I suppose if she had fire eyes, she'd be you." Ben then added.
"Interesting..." Mal muttered a little. "Well, I'm gonna get myself some punch."
"Oh, all right..." Ben then said. "I better get some for Uma too. She tends to get very cranky when she's impatient."
"I think Uma is cranky no matter what happens." Mal rolled her eyes with a small smirk.
Ben chuckled lightly and bashfully before he soon got a glass of punch and soon came back over to see Uma again. He then tried to groove along to the music as he made his way back over to his date.
"You got some kind of neck condition?" Uma asked based on how he was moving right now.
"Oh, no. I'm just bopping along," Ben replied. "I like this song."
"Yeah... I guess it's interesting..." Uma shrugged before she snatched the punch glass from his hand.
"...You're welcome." Ben blinked from her sudden grabbing.
Eventually, everyone else began to dance together. Felix and Wendy smiled at each other as they shared a dance. Wendy seemed to have such a good time dancing with Felix that she didn't even seem to mind that he stepped on her feet a few times.
"Oh, my... This is a tad slow, isn't it?" Carlos asked Jane, hearing a slow song come on next.
Everyone soon grouped up and began to share a romantic dance together. Ben looked bashful and nervous as he danced with Uma again. Harry bent down on one knee before kissing the back of Mal's hand before he soon stood up straight back up and went to dance with her.
"Oh, Harry..." Mal whispered in surprise.
"Well, you know, my father raised me to be a gentleman with pretty ladies," Harry smiled. "Might as well put those lessons into good use."
Uma growled as she overheard that while dancing with Ben.
Robyn stood around, wearing a black suit with a matching bow tie. She pushed her glasses back as she watched everyone else have fun until soon, Tilly was coming by in a blue and white dress with a big black bow in her hair.
"Robyn?" The eccentric girl then called gently.
"Tilly?" Robyn smiled as she turned around. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
"My parents got into an argument about what I should wear with the dress Evie made for me," Tilly smiled back bashfully. "Anyway, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"Oh, sure. What's up?" Robyn nodded.
"You wanna dance with me?" Tilly asked while blushing.
"Dance like no one's watching," Robyn beamed. "The only people who matter right now are the two of us."
"Indubitably." Tilly agreed, looking excited.
"You know what, Tilly?" Robyn smiled. "You look really adorable."
Tilly blushed. "Thank you, Robyn," she then nodded. "You look sharp."
"I was hoping so," Robyn beamed warmly. "My father seems to also accept us."
"Oh. I'm glad to hear that," Tilly nodded. "Help me tell my parents though?"
"Of course I will." Robyn promised before they started to dance together along with everyone else.
The school dance seemed to be going perfectly. Almost a little too perfectly.
After a while in the dance, it was time for a big announcement.
"Mr. Wiggins, Madam Mayor, it's time to crown The Dance King and Dance Queen!" Jane whispered loudly to the school drama teacher and the mayor of the town.
"Ah, yes!" Wiggins nodded before grinning as a spotlight shined down on him. "Attention, boys and girls, attention! It's time to crown this year's Dance King and Dance Queen!"
"Pretty much like Prom King and Prom Queen?" Mal guessed.
"Pretty much," Harry nodded. "They say that those who are crowned are destined to date until graduation."
"Sounds like a silly school tradition," Mal shrugged. "Let's just hope I don't get sucked into this somehow."
"This year's Dance King is... Benjamin French!" Wiggins soon announced as he read from a form.
Everyone then clapped and cheered for him. Ben smiled and waved all around everybody, nodding his head. Uma smirked, looking hopeful and smug.
"And this year's Dance Queen is..." Regina added before checking the form before looking concerned. "Oh... Malissa Ignus."
"WHAT?!" Mal and Uma gasped.
The students then went back to clapping and cheering. Evie put her hand to her heart as this had to feel awkward. The votes this year had to be from last semester, right?
"I'm the Dance Queen of the School?" Mal asked.
"Yeah, you are," Evie nodded. "You normally get a crown and a sash."
Uma glared at Ben before storming over. "I demand a recount!" she then snapped.
"All votes are final." Wiggins retorted bravely.
Uma then glared right at Mal. "You cheated." she then snapped.
"What?! No, I didn't! I didn't even know about this stupid Dance King and Queen thing until today!" Mal retorted bravely.
"Yeah, right! You just had to win! You always get to win, don't you?" Uma snapped. "Maddy told me that this would happen!"
"Maddy...?" Mal asked. "How do you know Maddy?"
"She's a new friend of mine," Uma smirked. "She's going to help me help the world."
"Help the world how?" Mal asked.
"Help the world know her name! And mine too since you ditched me for your other friends, Mal!" Maddy snapped as she suddenly appeared from nowhere.
"Maddy?!" Mal gasped.
"Now, Gil!" Uma then signaled.
Gil laughed as he jumped out, along with some other friends of his, Harry, and Uma's. He then grabbed onto Mal suddenly by her shoulders as she grunted and struggled.
"Get off of me!" Mal cried out.
"Uma, don't hurt Mal! It's me that you want!" Harry cried out.
"We were supposed to ride the tide together, Harry!" Uma glared at him. "You left me for her!"
"Maybe I wanted to change my fate a little!" Harry retorted. "Maybe I was tired of being seen as a bad guy like you!" he then gasped and cupped his mouth.
Everyone else then suddenly gasped as Mal soon elbowed Gil to make him let go of her.
"Oh, dear... The children have grown violent." Wiggins said, trembling nervously.
"Teenagers..." Regina sighed. "You just can't take them anywhere."
"You think I'm a bad guy? Well, fine!" Uma glared at Harry. "You want me to be a bad guy? Here I go! I'm a bully anyway! People will always see me as a bully anyway!"
"Uma... Don't say that..." Harry frowned.
"You know it's true, Harry!" Uma snapped. "Everybody in school knows it! Mal was even a bully at first and yet she gets everything! She gets away with everything and gets to be popular because she dated Ben!"
"Hey! That's not true!" Mal pouted.
"Ooh! I had just about enough of you!" Uma snapped before she lunged out and tackled Mal, sending them both overboard and splashing suddenly.
"Oh, my God!" Regina gasped and cried out as she rushed out with the students over to the railing as Mal and Uma suddenly fell overboard together.
Gil then looked around and snuck away as he went to go and do something else while everyone was distracted.
"Sweet mother of Liberace!" Wiggins panicked and shivered as he grabbed onto his auburn hair in immense fear. "Does anyone see them?!"
"Look!" Doug gasped and pointed out.
The water soon cleared and revealed to show Uma and Mal fighting each other in the water.
"Ben and Harry's love won't defeat me," Uma smirked as she head-locked Mal. "The world will know my name!"
"Mal?" Ben frowned in concern.
"Look at what you did," Harry scolded Ben. "All because you could never get over losing Mal. Do you see the damage you have caused?"
"I guess... I guess never thought about it like that before..." Ben said. "...You're right."
"You have to learn to let go and grow up," Harry advised. "We have to help these girls somehow. It's gonna get ugly down there. Trust me, I know," he then said. "I have sisters."
Mal did her best to keep afloat before splashing at Uma to make her let go.
Uma glared as he kept her hold on Mal before splashing her back before starting to punch her. "Come on, Mal! Let's finish this once and for all!" she then challenged.
The two girls splashed and brawled around, sending water up against the ship. The people on deck emerged from side-to-side as the ship rocked, seeming to be from Mal and Uma's chaos from down below in the water.
"Harry, I think you're right," Ben said as he removed his jacket. "I started all of this drama with Mal, I should fix it somehow."
"If you think that's a good idea," Harry replied. "Just be careful out there."
"Thanks," Ben nodded. "And I support you and Mal being boyfriend and girlfriend. I'm sure my right girl is out there waiting for me somewhere." he then handed his jacket to Keela who was behind him.
"Be careful out there, Ben," Keela said softly. "We're all counting on you."
"Thanks, Keela." Ben nodded at her.
"Wait, Ben! No!" Carlos panicked.
Ben then suddenly dove off of the railing and into the water. Everyone else began to cry out for Ben in concern.
"Mal, Uma!" Ben cried out as he floated in between Mal and Uma. "Stop! Back down!"
"What are you gonna do, Ben? Splash me?" Uma smirked as she looked like she was going to drown Mal.
"That's enough! It's got to stop! This isn't the answer!" Ben urged. "The fighting has got to stop! Nobody wins this way! We have to listen and respect each other."
Uma and Mal were just glaring at each other during Ben's moment.
"It won't be easy, but let's be brave enough to try," Ben urged. "Uma, I know you want what is best for me and getting back Harry and having your gang of friends again. Help me make a difference." he then held his hand towards Uma.
Uma seemed to be looking like she was considering this. Mal was just looking between Ben and Uma, wondering what would happen next as her friends hovered anxiously from the railing. Uma soon reached out and extended her hand to Ben and gave him a certain ring that Ben wanted Mal to wear last semester. Uma gave a distant expression and soon turned herself around, letting go of Mal before she seemed to disappear under the sea.
"Oh, my gosh..." Melody gasped as she cupped her mouth, she was wearing a pink dress that looked like a princess dress. "Did Uma just drown?"
"No, I don't think so," Keela replied. "Melody, you're on the school Swim Team. Help Ben and Mal."
"Yeah, Mal can't swim." Evie added in concern.
Melody nodded as she stepped back and soon jumped off deck and dove into the water down below. She seemed to be down under the water for a few moments before she came with Mal and Ben in her arms. Regina soon found a few lifesavers that weren't just there for decoration and soon, tossed them out. Mal coughed and grunted before she held onto the lifesaver that was for her as Ben took the other one and Melody took the one in the middle. Jay and Carlos then helped out by bringing out a ladder to let them climb up from the railing. Wiggins held out his hand and pulled Ben aboard once he made it first before Keela took out a towel to wrap Ben in. The crowd then cheered for Ben and his bravery. Carlos, Lonnie, and a few others patted him on the back as Melody helped herself and Mal back up on deck too.
"So... Ben... I'm sorry about the trouble we had last semester... And a bit of now..." Mal said to the boy.
"I'm sorry too, Mal," Ben replied softly. "I was being immature, but I have to learn to grow up and let go."
Harry smiled and nodded in the background since that was his advice.
"You can go out with Harry whenever you want." Ben said.
"Right," Mal nodded. "And you can go out with Uma whenever you want."
"Actually... I don't think Uma is my type," Ben said bashfully as he looked down at the floor, shuffling his foot a bit. "I'm sorry, Mal. I just really liked you and I let my jealousy get the better of me."
"Yeah, well, you should've learned to not do that," Mal replied calmly. "After all... My dad was a jealous man and it drove my mom crazy."
"Fair point," Ben said softly. "We can still be friends though, right?"
"Sure we can," Mal smiled. "You guys are all a lot better than Maddy anyway," she then said, looking fondly at him, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Lonnie, Jane, and Doug. "...Speaking of which, I wonder where Maddy is right now? She seemed to suddenly disappear before I ended up in the water with Uma."
"Try not to worry about her," Evie replied. "Or Uma. I'm sure Uma won't drown, but if she tries to come back to hurt you, we'll be waiting for you."
"Agreed." Ben, Carlos, Doug, Jane, Jay, and Lonnie nodded.
Mal smiled, feeling so touched and so loved to have met friends like this.
"Shall we?" Evie suggested, referring to going back to join the dance as there was still some time left.
"We shall." Mal nodded, taking Evie's hand in response.
The two soon walked back over to approach their friends. Ben smiled as things seemed to be changing for the better for him as well as the others.
"All right, guys! It's party time!" Melody soon cheered.
"Yeah!" Everyone else cheered and beamed in response as they went to continue their school dance.
"Friends?" Ben asked Harry.
"Friends," Harry nodded before smirking. "Just don't try to steal Mal from me."
"Oh, don't worry, Harry," Ben reassured. "I think it's time to find someone more interesting than Mal and Uma."
Harry chuckled a bit before smirking.
"Hey, Keela... This is your first school dance, isn't it?" Ben asked the new girl in school.
"Hm? Oh, yes... It is..." Keela nodded.
"Well... How would you like to dance with me for your first dance?" Ben offered and suggested.
"Oh, Ben... I'd love to..." Keela smiled hopefully.
Ben smiled back before he carefully took her hand and took her to dance with him. It appeared that everybody was going to live happily ever after, though one had to wonder what happened to Uma.
MUCH LATER THAT NIGHT...
Chad and Audrey soon made it to the school dance at long last. However, due to the distance from Sherwood and how long they were taking, it seemed that they made it just in time for everybody to end the dance and to go home. However, as soon as they were coming over, two different kids were shown to be whispering to each other and soon went running away before anyone could see them.
"Hello? We're here!" Audrey called out. She now had her brown hair colored differently with pink and blue streaks in it, due to an argument over the colors with two of her bickering aunts, though she liked how it came out as it made her think of simple good old days. "...Chad, it's quiet..."
"Oh, I'm sure everyone's just quiet so that they can make way for your special debut, my dear Audrey," Chad grinned innocently, wearing his cape and crown with pride. "Besides... Who else is gonna be this year's Dance King and Queen, huh?"
"Hmm... You're probably right..." Audrey smirked as they came aboard.
The two soon came over and saw that everything was vandalized.
"What the heck...?" Audrey asked as she picked up one of the spray paint cans, seeing graffiti that said that "AURADON HEIGHTS SUX", "REVENGE WILL BE OURS", "YOU CAN'T CATCH US". "Who could've done this?"
"Someone who hates our school apparently," Chad remarked before flinching. "Ooh... Careful, Audrey. Don't get that dripping paint to scuff my manicure."
"So... It was you two..." A chilling voice said from right behind the two teenagers, making them whimper nervously.
"M-M-Mr. Hyde..." Chad and Audrey said nervously.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do," Edward glared as he came to see the two teenagers. "I was getting ready for a summer holiday and saw a couple of kids causing trouble for the school dance. It appears I've caught the two convicts."
"What?! No!" Audrey cried out.
"Audrey, how could you?" Chad soon asked.
"What?! You just came here with me!" Audrey told Chad.
"I don't know what she's talking about, Mr. Hyde," Chad said innocently. "Please don't tell my parents about this. I have nothing to do with it."
"Neither do I!" Audrey cried out. "Chad, how could you sell me out like this?!"
"I was just thinking about cleaning up around here and it looks like I've got some help," Edward smirked. "Both of you~"
Chad gulped nervously.
"Mr. Hyde, we don't know who made this mess, but it wasn't us!" Audrey defended. "It was probably Mal and her friends or something."
"Perish the thought, Miss Thornley," Edward tutted and shook his head before he took out a bucket of soapy water with some sponges. "We might as well get cleaning."
"I can't believe this..." Audrey firmly pouted. "You're going to hear from my lawyer."
"And you're going to hear from Headmistress Fairgood soon," Edward retorted. "Don't sass me. I believe you have some matters to discuss with her anyway and your classes with a little program called Summer School~"
Audrey and Chad shared nervous looks with each other as they could tell that this was going to be a long night.
TO BE CONTINUED...