Mal led the pirate to her hideout, hoping it would be empty. The last thing they needed was to be discovered. As they reached the fire exit that was the entrance, he pressed his lips to hers and pulled the purple haired girl up the stairs.

As they stepped inside, she pulled his jacket off and led him to the bedroom, the pair leaving a trail of clothes so by the time he pushed her onto the bed neither was wearing anything. She lay on her back and pulled him on top of her, the boy holding himself above her with his elbows on either side of her head.

He kissed her and worked his way down her body, sucking and biting to claim Mal as his own.

Mal woke with a gasp and remembered where she was. She looked across the room to where her best friend Evie was sleeping. The clock told her she had a few more hours before she needed to be up, but the teen knew she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep.

She quietly grabbed some clothes and changed in the bathroom before sneaking out the door to go for a walk. Technically, this wasn't allowed but Mal needed to get some air. Why on earth was she dreaming about this boy when she was in a happy relationship with another? Lost in her thoughts, the girl wandered until she found herself at the beach. He would love this place.

As the sun began to rise, Mal headed back to her dorm in the hope of Evie not noticing she'd left. Her hopes were disappointed. "Hey, where were you?"

"I just needed some fresh air."

"Is everything okay?" Mal nodded as the other girl frowned. "Only because you only wear that hoodie when you're upset or feeling homesick." Mal looked down and realised it was one of his hoodies. Fuck. "I just grabbed the first one I saw because I didn't want to wake you." Mal knew Evie didn't believe her but she couldn't handle an interrogation. "I'm going for a shower."

The two girls got ready in near silence until meeting up with Carlos and Jay for breakfast. Mal wasn't surprised to see Ben wasn't there, her boyfriend's schedule often changed depending on his kingly duties, but she was surprised when he texted the four of them to go to his office between breakfast and morning lessons.

When they had all gathered in his rather large office, he told them his news. "Since it's been so successful with you four, and you've been here long enough to have completely settled in, it has been decided that some more vk's can come from the isle in a week. Obviously, Dizzy will come" he looked at Evie "but three more are coming as well." Evie clapped her hands in excitement but the other three cautiously waited.

"Who's coming?"

The young king shuffled around the papers on his desk. "Ahh, here it is!" He exclaimed triumphantly. "Let's see, we have…Gil, son of Gaston, Freddie Facilier and… Harry Hook." Evie risked a look at Mal as her head jerked up in surprise. Thankfully Jay hated Harry so was in strong protest of his arrival, saving Mal and Evie from having to do it. "But Harry's insane! You can't bring him to Auradon!"

"What happened to there's good in everyone? Besides, if we can get Uma's first mate to be good, perhaps she will be too, and our biggest threat will be gone. What do you think, Mal?" He turned to his girlfriend.

"I think it's your decision, Ben, but bringing Harry Hook here is a big risk and I can't promise it'll work." She said as the bell rang for homeroom, knowing Harry could ruin everything purely as revenge for their past. As Evie, Jay and Carlos left the room, Mal went to follow but Ben called her back before she could. "I've missed you. Do you want to come to my room after dinner?" Mal knew what he was after, but she didn't feel ready for that with him. As far as he was aware, she was a virgin like him, and the minute they pushed the boundaries, he would know the truth. Just another thing she was lying about to stay Auradon's villain-child-turned-perfect-princess. "I can't, I just have so much homework." She hated lying to the boy in front of her and she watched his eyes narrow. "I can tell when you're lying, Mal." He walked towards her. "Why don't you want to go further Mal? We hardly even see each other anymore!"

"I'm just not ready Ben! You said you wanted to wait!"

"I HAVE WAITED!" He roared, grateful for the soundproof walls. He raised his hand and Mal gasped as his palm made contact with her cheek. She turned and ran out of the room, straight to her dorm room to cry into her pillow. He wasn't even here yet, but he was already messing things up for her and Ben. She knew it wasn't fair to blame him; the only thing he ever did wrong was love her; but she needed to blame someone.

What had happened to Ben? He had never acted like that with her before. Her phone buzzed with a text. I'm sorry, you know I didn't mean anything. I'm just stressed and I miss being able to spend time with you. Can we have dinner in my office so we can talk or something?

Mal was reluctant but she knew it was out of character for him, so she agreed to bring food from the cafeteria for both of them before heading to the bathroom to cover her red cheek with makeup. However, she had noticed that his temper seemed to be getting worse-perhaps she should speak to Belle? But…on the other hand, would Belle listen to her? The queen loved her, but this was her son for crying out loud.

She had five minutes before her second period started so she dried her eyes and got her books for the day. Thankfully she had art, so none of her friends would be able to question her.

The rest of the day passed fairly smoothly as she managed to make up an excuse for missing the first period to her friends and before she knew it she was getting ready for dinner for herself and the man who had hit her only hours ago. Mal would never admit it, but a part of her was afraid as she knocked on the door. "Come in."

Upon opening the door, she found he had laid a picnic blanket out on his office floor and was waiting for her. She closed the door and put the trays down to greet him.

"Mal, I want to apologise for how I acted earlier. It's just that…I love you and I'd hate to have to ever send you or your friends back to the Isle." As he was speaking, Ben began brushing his hand up Mal's thigh. Her eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"

"Of course not, I would never threaten you." He used his other hand to pull her close and kissed her. "But…a happy kingdom needs a happy king so any problems for the king need to be resolved, don't you agree?" Mall pulled away and spat her next words "You're a disgrace to the crown." As she left the room, Ben called after her "Think about it, my darling."

Indeed, think about it, she did. Luckily for her, the next day he was called away for a last-minute trip to one of the villages, so she was able to avoid him until the day before the new VK's were due to arrive.

By the day of his return, she knew what she was going to do, the same thing she always did on the Isle: whatever it took to survive and look after her friends. She was sitting in her last lesson of the day when one of Ben's servants knocked on the door and requested his girlfriend be excused to talk to the king. "Of course, go ahead, Mal."

Mal forced a smile as she stood and packed her things away. She had a feeling she would not be returning today.

She allowed the servant to lead her to Ben's office and braced herself as she entered. He turned in his chair and dismissed the servant before inviting the blond-haired girl in. "Hey, I assume you've made a decision?"

A deep breath. A smile. She could do this. "I have, you're right. Auradon needs a happy king." The King stood and walked towards her, placing his hands on her hips before bending down for a kiss. "So I'll see you tonight?" She nodded and turned to leave but was caught off guard as he slapped her ass. He kissed her neck, before whispering in her ear "I'll see you later." He finally removed his hands before allowing her to leave.