Chapter 20: Pirate's Bay

Pirate's Bay: our home away from home. Uma, Harry, Gill and I decided when we were 6 that this would be our area. Our turf. A place where we could all escape our families and be with our real family. Cheesy I know but when you deal with my mother obsessing and praising Mal (as much of a praise as The Mistress of Evil could choke out) you would need an escape too. The salty sea air filled my lungs as I approached Uma's boat. It was familiar and comforting but also left a weight on my chest. My friends are so mad with me to begin with and trying to negotiate Ben and PJ's release may send them over the edge. You could tell everyone on the dock was amped up with anticipation for Uma and Mal's showdown.

Hadley crossed the ramp leading up to the boat and watched as Harry "gracefully" jumped in front of a tied-up Ben and PJ. The boys were tied back to back on one of the poles that held up the sails. Harry was attempting to intimidate Ben, but it was more annoying than anything "Couchy couchy coo" Harry started laughing manically as he stroked Ben's face a few times with his hook "how does it feel to be the king now, eh?" Uma rolled her eyes and walked towards the two "Give it a rest, Harry. Give it a rest. We don't want damaged goods" "You said I could hook him" "I said at noon" "how about the red head then?" "just wait Harry" Harry swung a pocket watch in front of Ben "20 more minutes" Ben turned his head toward the watch "that says 11:30" PJ started to snicker as Harry's face dropped and Uma rolled her eyes. "You better hope your girlfriend comes through" Ben's face feel "well she's not my girlfriend anymore" now it was Harry's turn to snicker "leave us alone Harry" Ben looked towards Uma "I get that you don't deserve this" Uma started to laugh "this island is a prison thanks to your father. And don't pretend to look out for me. Because no one's looking out for me. It's just me" I took a step onto the deck "That's not true Uma, your friends have your back" "my friend stabbed me in the back" "your friend is immensely sorry and knows that it's going to take a long time to earn her friend's trust back but she's willing to take however long it takes to earn her friend's trust back" Uma gave a small, barely noticeable smile but Hadley saw it and knew that this could be a step in the right direction. Maybe.

Ben interrupted the conversation "so this isn't your mother's plan? Isn't that her necklace?" Uma grabbed the seashell necklace and took a glance at it. Yes, her mom was a lunatic but just like the rest of us VKs we strive for even the smallest of approvals "my mom doesn't care about me either. Well not unless she needs someone for the night shift" "ouch" "I don't need your pity" "no you certainly don't. You're very resourceful. I don't see you tied up" another chuckle escaped from Uma "alright so let's trash talk Mal. A favorite game of mine and Hadley's". Hadley looked down towards the ground feeling a little guilty. Yes, we used to do that but that was before Mal and Hadley made amends. "I rather talk about you" "mhmm funny and a gentleman. I really hope I don't have to feed you and your friend to the fishes" Hadley locked eyes with PJ and inched toward him. "Well you don't. Set us free and we'll go back together" "oh so now I get an invite. Gee I wonder why. When you brought Hadley, Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay to Auradon that was as mad as I have ever been in my life and trust me, I have been plenty mad just ask Hadley" "I never thought of it like that before. That I could have hurt the people I didn't pick. My plan was to start with five and bring more people over. I guess I was busy being king. That sounds lame. I'm so sorry. I've heard great things about you from Hadley. You're a leader Uma. So, am I. Come to Auradon and be a part of a solution" "Me? Part of your solution? Nah. I don't need you. I'm gonna get there on my own. Harry! Let's see what this puppy can do." This isn't gonna end well.

Gill was perched up in the crow's nest awaiting my sister and friends to get here. It had to be about noon. "Hey guys! They're here!" the whole boat erupted in cheers. Harry untied Ben off of the pole and tied him back up only to push him over to the end of the plank. "Welcome!" "Finally! Don't do anything stupid that you will regret, Hadley". As Uma and Mal were busy with their face off, I went to untie PJ" "Hadley" "no don't" "we need to talk" "we will but now is not the time". PJ could only stare at the girl. He regretted his fight with Hadley. He shouldn't have lost his cool with her. That fight shouldn't have happened. To make matters worse when he went to find her in her spot by the window in her room, she wasn't there. When Evie broke the news that she went back to Isle with Mal, PJ knew he had to go get her. It was his fault and he didn't want to lose her completely.

Mal and Uma meet halfway on the ramp. Mal handed over the "wand" to Uma. "Hold up. Mm. Too easy. Why don't you give it a test drive? We want to see it work" "you always were quit the drama queen" "and nothing too big or else Ben is fish bait". Mal glanced at the VKs behind her not sure what to do. Carlos gave her a subtle nod towards Dude. Genius. "Okay. Although it seems absurd turn your bark into a word". Everyone stared at Dude and I could tell Mal was starting to slightly panic but she wouldn't show it. "talk, dog" "does this vest make me look fat? Does anyone have some bacon? Cookies?" Everyone laughed and looked shocked. "Give me the wand!" "Give me Ben!" "Harry bring him over" Gill came bounding up to Ben and Harry. Oh, this should be good. "Oh, before you go tell your mom that Gaston says hi! And also tell your dad that my dad wishes he'd finish off your dad when he had the chance" Oh Gill. Harry aggressively pushed Ben towards Mal and Uma. "Cut him loose, Harry" "Ugh I never get to have any fun" the girls did their exchange and Mal tried hard to push Ben off the ramp and towards the tunnel, but Ben was barley moving. That wand isn't going to fool Uma that long. "PJ go!" "what" "go! I'm right behind you!" PJ stared at the girl and grabbed her had bringing her to the dock with him.

Everyone surrounded Uma as she pointed the wand towards the barrier. "By the power of the sea tear it down and set us free" Cheers died down as nothing happened. Uma started fuming and broke the wand in half "no! you do not get to win every time. Get them!" Jay divided up the swords as Carlos started firing the smoke grenades. A mess of a chaos erupted as everyone matched up and begin to sword fight. Pirates were swinging from the boat to deck as grenades went off. Even Evie was wielding a sword and she was surprisingly able to handle herself. Jay began the charge to leave through the tunnel. Lonnie followed right behind. Thank god the boys had the sense to bring her along, we would be fish bait without her. Carlos threw the last smoke bomb and Evie, Carlos and Ben were pushed into the tunnel by Mal. "Haldey, PJ come on" "go PJ" "you first" "I'm right behind you" "go please!". PJ gave her a long look before sighing and going into the tunnel. He knew his girl was stubborn and wouldn't go first.

I don't know what came over me, but I couldn't get myself to cross the ramp to the tunnel. "Hadley!" I looked from Uma to Mal. I can't leave them again. I can't. Wide eyed and panicked I look towards Mal and just shook my head. Mal understood what I needed to do and gave me nod and kicked the ramp into the water leaving Uma unable to follow. Mal didn't like it but she knew how it felt when you needed an escape and needed to make things right. She would be a hypocrite if she forced Hadley back to Auradon.

Uma paced back and forth, and Harry looked down in disappointment. Defeated again by Mal. It happened so much when we were kids you would think that we would be used to it, but we weren't. Uma took a double take at Hadley "you stayed?" "I did" "why" "because I betrayed you guys and I need to make things better" Uma snorted "how long did you rehearse that" "Uma I'm serious I making things right" "you can make things right by getting me the wand" "you know I can't do that" "then leave" "no" "I am gonna make things right" "we'll see". Gill's smile grew "you're staying?" "I am" Gill pulled Hadley into the biggest hug "were finally all back together. Just like old times". Uma took a look at her friend "it's not going to be easy you know" "bring it on". Hadley went happy to devasted at the thought of lying to PJ. He's going to be furious. All Hadley could think of was that she may have lost PJ forever.