The chimes of the school bell woke Christina with a start. Shade was sleeping on her pillow. Creeping silently from the bed she cast a glance at Melinda who was still sleeping halfway off the bed as usual. Her head was still spinning from her date the day prior even as she stepped into the shower attempting to shake off the lingering heart flutters. This proved to be a pointless exercise, her heart still going wild in her chest afterward.
Melinda was sleeping still when she exited, wrapped in her bathrobe.
"MELINDA!" she tipped the bed with her magic, "GET UP ALREADY"
Melinda face-planted into the rug once again.
"How was your date?" she asked once she peeled her face away.
Ignoring the question, Christina grabbed her chosen outfit-a purple top with fishnet sleeves, distressed jeans, and her usual boots-before returning to the bathroom to change despite Melinda's prying questions.
"Oh, did you kiss? Did he kiss first? Did you? Did you dance like in those storybooks? Did you have a fancy dinner? Where did he take you?"
When Christina refused to answer ANY questions Melinda turned to teasing.
"Christina and Shaggy sitting in a tree," she sing-songed while gathering her things for class, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G"
But, the hybrid would not crack. Remaining tight-lipped over the events of the date. Thus, Melinda was forced to put aside her teasing when she opened the door to find Shaggy waiting for Christina.
"Good morning"
"What are you doing here?" Melinda questioned, grumpily pulling her biker cap on.
"Don't mind her," Christina excused her bestie, "She's really not a morning person"
"Like, that's okay, I was like hoping to walk you to breakfast?"
"Sure," Christina slid a-hopefully charming-smile on her face, allowing Shaggy to take her hand.
If her heart were to beat any harder it would break her ribcage to pieces.
It isn't real, he's under a spell, he's under a spell.
….
Melinda could not keep herself from laughing, watching Christina, who shut down the idea of a boyfriend on the Isle, walk away hand in hand with the Prince of Auradon himself. It was side-splittingly funny.
"What's the joke?"
"GAH!" Melinda jumped sky-high at Dalton's out-of-the-blue arrival, "STOP SCARING ME!"
"Sorry, Melinda my bad, I just came by to see if you wanted to do something after school?"
"Depends on what that something is," Melinda smirked.
"A date? If that's alright with you"
The concept of a date hit her like a punch in the gut. All her previous dating endeavors had ended with her beating off creepy leering isle rats. Bad biker boys who considered her a trophy. This, however, was different, this was Dalton. Sweet country raised Dalton who was as far away from an isle rat as she could get. Maybe this is what spurred her to agree to such a thing. But the way Dalton smiled made the response worth it. Even if she looked like a fish out of water once he left.
Oh, how the tables had turned!
…...
Shaggy not only walked Christina to breakfast he joined them for it. Sitting at their table so far from his usual place. He held Christina's hand under the table the whole time making the others smirk deviously at her predicament. It was impossible for her to ignore how warm Shaggy's hand was, how he held hers so gently.
Her brain was officially mush at this point while she tried desperately to listen to Hadrian's tales of sailing back on the isle. Never mind the fact that there was only one place to sail to, that being the Isle Of The Doomed, a magical artifact dump overrun with mad goblins and murderous nixes. Christina had to suppress a shudder at the thought.
"Like, you might be a good fit for the sailing club, Hadrian," Shaggy declared, "They're like, meeting after school at the docks if you're interested"
Hadrian readily agreed, anxious to be back on the water.
The chimes of the school bell signaled the start of class ending their conversation.
Just like breakfast Shaggy insisted on walking Christina to class.
This is going to be an all-day thing, isn't it?
…...
It was an all-day thing. A stomach-turning, butterfly-inducing thing that made her heart betray her. It wouldn't come down from cloud nine. When free period rolled around, Christina finally managed to give Shaggy the slip. Hiding out in the dorm room with Shade and some crows from the forest.
"I'm going crazy here guys," she muttered to the birds.
Turning to the window, she watched Duncan and Clawdeen pass by, hand in hand completely absorbed in each other.
That was until Red Herring pushed them apart.
Stifling a gasp, Christina edged closer to the window. This would not be pretty.
…...
"What's the deal?" Duncan demanded, catching Clawdeen before she could fall.
"You, Isle scum. You need to quit the team"
"I am not doing that," Duncan growled, "Why don't you accept the fact that lost your MVP status fair and square?"
"No, there is nothing fair about losing to you, kaiju your father destroyed my father's life for his personal enjoyment, he wrecked the castle, scarred his face, and ate his betrothed all because he wanted to"
"Hey, get lost, Redd," Clawdeen snarled.
"You should listen to her, Redd," Duncan smirked, grabbing the smarmy prince by his collar, "Before you regret it"
"You are not threatening me!"
"I'm not?" Duncan challenged, lifting Red from the ground, "Get lost before we cause a scene"
"You'll regret this"
"I'm so sure," Duncan dropped Redd to the ground, "Get lost"
…...
Thankfully, Christina didn't encounter Shaggy on her way to Remedial Goodness class. Slipping in after Melinda who distractedly shifted her bag from one shoulder to the other, sliding into her chair. Clawdeen and Duncan entered next, whispering furiously to each other no doubt about Redd's feeble attempt at getting Duncan to quit Tourney.
"M?" Christina bumped Melinda's shoulder, "What's the matter?"
"Dalton asked me out," Melinda explained in a hurried whisper.
Christina began to smile.
"Stop that!" Melinda hissed, shoving her friend, "Stop that right now!"
"What?"
"You know what!"
The conversation was cut short by the arrival of Fairy Godmother who impossibly seemed perkier than usual.
"Hello, Fairy Godmother," the VKS chorused.
"As you know this week is Family Day and since your parents can't be here due to..distance we've arranged for a special treat"
She hit the power button on a TV they hadn't noticed because of their conversations. The screen lit up revealing their parents blinking confusedly.
"Kids," Fairy Godmother motioned for them to come forward.
Christina burst to the front of the group, eager to see her parents. It wasn't until she saw them that she realized how painful her heart-aching homesickness was.
"Mom, Dad"
"Hi, Butterfly," Alissa greeted when the parents had finally figured out their end, "How's it going?"
"Good"
"Hi, Mom," Melinda quietly greeted, even silent the witch of the west was terrifying.
"Melinda"
Christina grabbed Melinda's right hand, Clawdeen her left.
"How's Auradon, Clawdeen?"
"Great, Dad"
"Your father's outside Duncan," Radu clarified.
"Hello, Son," Belloc lowered himself to be seen through the window behind the other parents.
The beginnings of the conversation were stilted, made awkward by Fairy Godmother's presence. The headmistress seemed to get the hint stepping outside closing the door behind her. The kids at once began talking over one another but not about their mission never about their mission because others could be listening. Once she was gone out of the room, Margret popped into view greeting her son with a warm smile.
"It's so bright-"
"The food is fresh-"
"The clothes can we talk about the clothes-"
It was hard to talk over his excited friends but Hadrian managed to get an important message to his father.
"Tic-Tock Crock is outside the barrier, Dad, so you don't always have to be on edge all the time"
That was arguably the best news James Hook had heard in years, it hadn't been Peter Pan to lop off his hand it was the same man that forced him to turn pirate. the blood-thirsty, envious man had fed the severed limb to a then-baby crocodile making him always hunger for more.
"How's CJ doing, Dad?" Hadrian questioned bringing his father back to the present.
"I'm not sure, she's been real quiet, spendin' all of her ti,e down at the wharf"
"Next time you see her, tell her I miss her"
With that, the frantic talking resumed growing loud and frenzied as the teens all jostled for attention, desperate to catch their parents up on weeks of news
It got to a point where Alissa was calling for order. Order that was lost the moment Maleficent stepped into view asking to be caught up. Once more they began talking over one another only to be stopped a second time by Shade waking from his nap, flying from his place in Christina's bag to her shoulder as per usual.
"I made a friend," said Christina, smiling happily, "This is Shade"
"He looks-"
"Exactly like Diablo," finished Clawdeen's father.
"They might be related," Radu figured.
The conversation shifted to school then what happened after school. Clawdeen's freedom to design, how many peers were willing to pay for her work, Duncan and Hadrian's time with the Tourney team, Melinda's Music, and Christina's care for Shade and his friends. All was going well until the door started to open. Margret had scarcely ducked out of sight in time.
"Melinda!", Dalton called cheerfully, followed by a strong country lady whose dark hair was beginning to gray. "I told my Grammy all about you and she wants to meet..."
"YOU!", Theodora shreicked over the video. "You wretched little...!"
"MOM!", Melinda tried to interject.
"Don't you even start, Young Lady! HOW can you be friends with the grandson of that peasant girl who melted me and crushed your Auntie?!"
"Whoa! Y'all need ta relax!", Dalton replied.
"Still a wicked old witch after all these years", the aging Dorothy sighed with pity. "Our children are not US. Let go of the past."
Meanwhile, the other parents on the island were trying to hold Theodora back.
"Melinda Elphaba Theodora West, you are FORBIDDEN to have ANYTHING to do with this boy! So stay away from him! And you! Stay away from my daughter, boy! Or I'll get you, my cutie, and you little grandma too!"
"No", he replied firmly. "I won't. Because I'm in love with her."
"WHAT?!", Theodora screamed with rage, then the video screen went to static.
Tears welling in her eyes Melinda, no longer able to hide her feelings ran from the room, Shadow scampering after her.
…...
it was painful to cry. Crying brought her physical harm but Melinda couldn't help it, tears soaking her pillow her body convulsed with sobs she'd held in for sixteen grueling years under her mother's loveless care.
How could someone cry this much? How could she cry this much? Allowing the salty bitter, burning tears to sear her skin leaving burn marks behind. By the time she lifted her face, tears still blurring her sight her skin, blue with sadness was a tangle of angry red lines, twisting turning, sizzling over her face.
"Melinda? Are you in there?"
Melinda stifled a sob, Dalton was at the door, patiently awaiting a response.
"Y-yes"
"May I come in?"
"Sure"
Hiding her face in her blanket, Melinda listened to the door open and shut.
"Melinda?" Dalton was reaching for her blanket.
"Don't, I look awful"
"Melinda, please, I don't care what you look like"
"Trust me, I don't look pretty"
"Please, Melinda?"
Letting the blanket fall to her shoulders, she allowed Dalton to see all of the fresh scars on her face.
"See?" she took in his surprised expression, "I told you I don't look pretty"
"What happened?" he didn't seem scared he seemed concerned.
"Water," Melinda said no more.
"I should apologize, I didn't intend to cause a scene back there"
"You didn't cause the scene, Mom did"
"But if I hadn't brought Grammy in there wouldn't have been a scene and then I just made it worse"
Because I'm in love with her.
Those words rattled Melinda. How could anyone let alone DALTON GALE be in love with her? It was baffling, as impossible as a trained kaildaih.
"I understand if you don't want to go on a date or have anything to do with me, Melinda"
He moved to leave.
"Stay, Dalton," she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper, "Please"
"I'd be glad to"
…...
Meanwhile back on the island:
Amora approached Pirates' Wharf from the air, her large bat-wings pumping majestically. As she flew, she remembered when she first met Duncan when they were in nursery rhyme school. Not only was he cute, but he practically oozed power even then. She was immediately smitten. Most of the other kids then were afraid of him, so it was easy to befriend him. They were inseparable for years, best friends; even as more friends slowly joined them, including Christina and her cousins and Clawdeen and her siblings. In junior high, she confessed her love for him, and he rejected her! HER! While his rejection angered her, his resistance only made her desire him even more; so she continued to pursue him for years. She was sure he would come around, even if she had to seduce him. She just had to keep any other girls away from him. Easy...except one apparently didn't get the memo: Clawdeen! That mangy wolf was all over her beloved betrothed! Amora cursed not having her full powers on this blasted island! If she DID it would've been sssoooo easy to...
"Amora", Drew smiled as she landed next to him. Here in the sunlight, her black hair had highlights tinted slightly purple. "Glad you could make it. I'm sure you know everyone?"
Amora did indeed know everyone; Moanica D'Kay(the new young Zombie Queen), Gil(Son of Gaston), Carlos De Vil, Faybelle, Freddie Facilier(daughter of Dr. Facilier), Jay(son of Jafar), Zevon(son of Yzma), and CJ Hook(daughter of Capt. Hook, sister of Hadrian) were all waiting with Drew Easton Bathory, who then said, "Shall we?", as he led them inside.
CJ recognized most of the pirate kids inside as members of hers and Hadrian's crew. Grotesque, twisted fishermen bused tables and served drinks and 'food'. Uma, daughter of Ursula and Davey Jones, was sitting on her throne on the cafe stage. She rose with a grin as the VK's entered.
"Amora", Uma grinned at her old friend. "Still drop-dead gorgeous, I see."
"You're looking good as well, Uma", the succubus smirked. "I'm loving the long, blue braids. That look is really you."
"Enough with the pleasantries, chicas", Moanica huffed impatiently at the head of her group of zomboys. "Why did ju call us all here, calamar-chica?"
"Watch your tone with me, dead-girl!", Uma hissed, pointing her cutlass at the zombie queen, then continued in a softer tone. "We all know what happened recently. Five of our so-called friends got chosen to go live it up in Auradon; and not just any five, but five that we'd all respected as leaders. But did they fight to bring us with them? Did they even say a word on our behalf? NO! They just LEFT us! Abandoned us here to rot on this stinking island! THEY BETRAYED US! Well, I say that not only should they pay, but so should the Royals who chose them!"
"No kidding", Jay said. "But Aren't you forgetting something?"
"No kidding", Jay said. "But Aren't you forgetting something?"
"We can't get through the barrier", Carlos added, pointing out the obvious.
"I have it on good authority", Uma smirked, glancing subtly at Freddie and the scar-faced parrot perched in a dark corner, "that a chance to get through the barrier will happen soon. A chance we can exploit...IF you're all with me."
"How?", Zevon asked, now intrigued.
"I have a plan", Uma replied. "At the core of it is your dad's ship, CJ."
"My...?! But doesn't your dad have a ship?"
"Yes, but he can't spend more than a couple of hours on land at a time due to his curse", Uma explained. "Don't worry. He and my mom have told me how to prepare the Jolly Roger for the task. If all of you follow my lead, we can free the whole island!"
"Why should YOU be the leader?", Faybelle snarked.
"Because it's MY plan."
"What makes you so sure we'll succeed", Gil asked doubtfully.
"Because once we're clear of the barrier, we'll all have our FULL POWERS, as we were always meant to!", Uma grinned with vicious glee. The others all began to share that grin. Amora's mind was racing at the possibilities of claiming Duncan with ease!
What's my name?", Uma said to Drew.
"UMA!", Drew growled with a smirk.
"What's my name?", Uma turned to Gil.
"UMA!"
"This is all hands on deck
Calling out to lost boys and girls
I'm gettin' tired of the disrespect
We won't stop 'til we rule the world
It's our time, we up next! (Next, next)
Our sail's about to be set (Set, set)
They ain't seen nothing yet!
Tell 'em who's in charge so they don't forget"
Uma climbed onto the table, stomping across it while she vented.
"What's my name?
What's my name? (Uma)
Say it louder!
What's my name?
What's my name? (Uma)
Feel the power!
No one's gonna stop us
Soon the world will be ours
What's my name?
What's my name?
What's it? What's it?
Say it loud!
(Uma, Uma)
All eyes on me, lemme see 'em
(Uma, Uma)
What's it? What's it?
Say it! Say it!
(Uma-ah-ah-ah!)
The makeshift crew was hanging onto her words, following her every move if only to avoid her sword. She was in charge and they knew it.
Uma, Uma, la-la-Um)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Uma)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Um)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Uma)
(Uma!)I'm the queen of this town
I call the shots, you know who I am
I don't need to wear no fake crown
Stand up to me, you don't stand a chance
It's our time, we up next! (Next, next)
My crew's as real as it gets (Gets, gets)
The worst are now the best
And leaving us here will be their last regret!
What's my name?
What's my name? (Uma)
Say it louder!
What's my name?
What's my name? (Uma)
Feel the power!
No one's gonna stop us
Soon the world will be ours
What's my name?
What's my name?
What's it? What's it?
Say it! Say it!
What's my name?
What's my name? (Uma)
Say it louder!
What's my name?
What's my name? (Uma)
Feel the power!
No one's gonna stop us
Soon the world will be ours
What's my name?
What's my name?
The boys of the crew were starting to brawl while the girls waited to see what their self-appointed captain would do. Uma without missing a beat pulled them apart, forcing them against the wall before pinning them there with scattered weapons and while they were all more than able to break themselves free they thought better of it at Uma's scathing glare.
(Uma, Uma)
All eyes on me, lemme see 'em
(Uma, Uma)
What's it? What's it?
Say it! Say it!
(Uma, Uma)
Ooh, say it louder!
(Uma, Uma)
Ooh, say it louder!
What's it? What's it?
Say it! Say it!
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Um)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Uma)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Um)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Uma)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Um)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Uma)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Um)
(Uma, Uma, la-la-Uma)
Uma!
Pleased to have made her point, Uma reclaimed her spot at the head of the table so they could go over the plan, over every detail until it was perfect, flawless.
…...
Christina burst into the dorm with Clawdeen hot on her heels. Only to stumble back when she saw Dalton chatting with Melinda as if they were old friends.
"Oh, hello ladies," Dalton flushed, catching sight of the slack-jawed duo.
"Hi, we'll be-" Christina started.
"Leaving now," Clawdeen finished before they sprinted away.
"She isn't going to curse me is she?"
"Christina? No well, if she thinks you hurt me she might"
Dalton paled.
"You'll be fine, trust me"
"If you say so, Melinda."
…...
"Do you want to see the dresses I'm working on for the coronation?" Clawdeen asked Christina as they walked away from the dorm.
"Dresses?"
"We want to look nice, don't we?" Clawdeen grinned.
"I guess," Christina shrugged, "I haven't really thought about it"
"You're going to love these"
"I have no doubt," Christina agreed, letting herself be dragged to Clawdeen's dorm which resembled the aftermath of a tornado with projects and fabric to be found everywhere she looked.
"Excuse the mess," Clawdeen said, nimbly wading through it to retrieve her sketchpad on the desk before returning to Christina's side, "Here's mine," she indicated a dress with a metallic purple top and leopard printed skirt with a lacy under layer, "This is Melinda's," she flipped the page to reveal a figure-hugging black dress with a peblem top, "And this," Clawdeen grinned, "Is yours"
"Whoa"
One word came to mind, ballgown.
A deep purple dress with a black underskirt and green trimming met her. This was only a sketch but an elaborate one with fabric swatches pinned in and hastily scribbled notes in the margins of the page.
"They all look amazing, Clawdeen," Christina said after a moment.
"These are only early sketches, wait until you see the finished product"
"Can't wait"
…...
Back in the girls' dorm, Melinda was still chatting away with Dalton.
"There's going to be a carnival the day before Family Day, I was hoping we could go together," Dalton said with a hopeful smile.
"What's a carnival?" Melinda asked.
"You've never heard of a carnival?"
"No, what is it?"
"It's almost like a party, you know an event?"
"Uh-huh," Melinda nodded slowly, "What do you do at a carnival?"
"Well, there are rides and games, contests, raffles, all kinds of things," Dalton grinned easily, "Heck, you'll see the posters everywhere by the end of today, I bet they're putting them up now, do you want to go see?" he stood, offering his hand to the blanket wrapped witch.
"Dalton, I have scars all over my face," Melinda deadpanned.
The truth was she had scars all over her body from trying to keep clean but Dalton didn't need to know, she didn't need pity.
"I'm sure you could magic them away if you tried"
The only thing Melinda had wanted to try was a shrinking spell for her crystal ball. Why use her magic? She hadn't needed it on the isle, hadn't had access to it on the isle, but maybe that had been a good thing. Magic reacted to emotion after all. Home left her in a state of angry sadness.
Always.
Dalton, however, was watching her expectantly. Her hands, purple and trembling dropped her blanket, the magic sparking red on her fingertips flying in time with her hammering heartbeat. Unsure of what she was supposed to do, Melinda balled her fists and scrunched her eyes shut until she saw colors.
"You did it!"
"I-I did?" Melinda's eyes flew open with a jolt down her spine.
"See for yourself," Dalton grabbed her compact from her bedside table.
Flipping it open, Melinda gasped at the sight of her perfectly clear, scar-free face.
"Ready?"
"Yes, lead the way"
…...
*falls over*
That's it, I'm cutting this off here. There's SO MUCH HAPPENING. My head can't take it anymore.
Until next time! Review
