Before you read this chapter, I suggest listening to 'True Love' by Dove Cameron and Jordan Fisher. There is a video on YouTube where somebody edited the three versions (the thirty second duet, Dove's, and Jordan's) together to make one complete song. That is what inspired me to change the song. However, I don't think Ben would be able to reach as high of a note as Jordan did, so imagine it however you like.
Maybe now you'll understand why last chapter ended the way it did.
If you want to see 'sneak peeks' of future chapters for this story or any other stories I'm working on, add my fanfic Snapchat. Username: rein-reads.
For the next four days, Ben and Mal were hard at work with their separate school clubs and learning their new song. Ben had to work the hardest considering he had to learn the beginning piano melody for the song. Since he had such a limited time at school to practice, Mal offered her home as another place to practice. Her father converted the basement into their music room complete with acoustic and electric guitars, drums, piano, etc. Hades also made sure to sound-proof the basement so his wife wouldn't yell at them for playing an instrument or singing too loud.
Practicing at the Fae house was slightly more stressful than playing in front of Fairy Godmother. Ben was just afraid of looking like a fool in front of Hades, who took it upon himself to help the teenager when he needed to be corrected. Somehow, Ben managed to correctly play the beginning melody within two days. Now, it was just a matter of him remembering it when it came to the callbacks, which was one the many reasons why he continued going back to the Fae house.
Soon enough, it was the end of the school week. As soon as the clock struck three and the bell rang, all mayhem and chaos broke loose as students rushed the hallways, screaming and cheering as it was time for the Tourney championship and the Art Relay competition.
In the indoor Tourney fields, a majority of the stands were filled with excited spectators that eagerly awaited to watch the big game, their homemade banners waving in the air. The school band—minus their leader, who was supporting his girlfriend at the Art Relay competition—played as the cheerleaders danced up a storm.
In the theater, Jane played a random tunes on the piano to entertain the spectators that wandered into the large auditorium. Backstage, Chad was in the middle of a weird vocal exercise to warm up his voice while Audrey focused on rehearsing the dance part of the number. Meanwhile, Carlos was seated in the audience with Dude next to him as the teenager typed away on his computer.
Meanwhile, in the choir room, the first round of the Art Relay was about to begin. A few dozen chairs were set out for the judges and spectators. Easels with moderate size canvases and paper were placed on both sides of the room with two tables filled with the same art supplies on each.
Since she would be the first to compete, Mal stood by the canvases as she faced the star of the competing team. The moderator of the event announced to the audience, "With each event, the competitors have ten minutes to complete their artwork with the designated medium. For the first round, the students will be painting—"
"Wait, what!" Mal interrupted as panic started swelling inside. "I was told that was going to be the second round, not the first!"
"The honored guest judge asked that we change the set up last minute," the moderator informed before narrowing his eyes at the girl. "If you don't feel confidant in your artistic skills, then you can forfeit the round to the opposing team, but your team will be disqualified from competing any further."
"N-no," Mal stuttered nervously. "I-I can still compete."
"You got this girl!" Uma encouraged from the audience. "Don't get psyched out! You can do this in your sleep!"
With only a slight nod in acknowledgement, Mal turned her attention back to the canvas—
Mentally preparing herself for the reaction she would create.
In the theater, Fairy Godmother had started yet another speech about the theater. "Casting the leads of a show is both a challenge and a responsibility, a joy and a burden," she informed. "I commend you, and all young artists who hold out for the moon, the sun, and the stars—"
The five kids sitting in the auditorium just stared at her. They didn't have a clue about what she meant.
They didn't realize she was trying to stall just a few extra moments.
Sighing at seeing the audience was losing interest, Fairy Godmother attempted to end on a grand note. "So, shall we soar together?" She checked her clipboard, just for form's sake, and called out, "Audrey Rose and Chad Charming!"
The completely incompatible team made their grand entrance from separate sides of the stage as their recorded music started. From the first note and step, it was quite clear that it wasn't a unified team. Sure, they had light cues and choreography that was very technical, but they were on different levels of experience. Audrey's vocal range and dance moves were exactly what was needed for the song, while Chad's range was flat and his dance moves were sloppy.
While they started the chorus, Carlos spared a glance before turning his attention back to his computer.
Just a few more keystrokes and the plan would be put into action.
Meanwhile, in the indoor Tourney field, the two teams who would be battling for the championship finally faced each other in center of the field. This was it—all the training, all the practice drills, all the pep talks led up to this very moment. The ref threw the ball for the opening tip-off, and the game began! From the very first seconds, the crowd was going crazy.
Even in the choir room, the Art Relay teams could hear the crowd noise.
Everyone, except Mal.
She was only focused on the canvas in front of her. To be completely honest, Mal had no idea what she was event painting. As soon as she makes the first brush stroke, she zones out until she feels she completed the artwork.
With this particular painting, Mal applied the last brush stroke and took a step back as soon as the timer went off.
The audience gasped at the outcome, completely ignoring the other competitor's artwork, for Mal's was on a completely different level. It could be ranked among the world's best artists' painting, but even that couldn't come close to how amazing it truly was.
On the right, a blue-fiery-haired man came from the darkness, as his clothing looked to made from swirling shadows. His blue eyes were practically glowing as he was knelt on one knee to offer a shimmering blue ember to the woman in the portrait.
The woman sitting on her knees had long, luscious brown hair that cascaded down her shoulders to her waist. A tear was dripping down her cheek from her bright green eyes, about as bright as Mal's. The woman wore this long black skirt that kind of looked shredded. Her chest was wrapped in bandages, but these two numbs on her back protruded from it. The woman was hugging herself, as though she went through a tragedy.
However, she did reach her hand out for the ember, her fingertips grazing it. The blue light from ember wrapped itself around that arm before surrounding the woman entirely. When the stream of light reached the woman's back, the blue light morphed with the two nubs to create an outline of the most magnificent set of wings anyone has ever seen.
Honestly, Mal thought it was the best painting she has ever done, but from the whispering reactions of the audience, she believed she wouldn't win.
Until an older gentlemen, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies with shaggy blond hair, stepped forward to look closer at the painting. His gaze was that of fascination, but also of recognition.
"I see . . ." The older man adverted his attention to Mal. "So, you are their daughter. . ."
Mal tilted her head in curiosity. "And you are?"
"Maurice," he introduced politely. "The 'guest judge' of this event. My grandson has spoken highly of you, but his description of your beauty doesn't compare to how beautiful you truly are."
Blushing at the compliment, Mal deduced, "You must be Ben's grandfather. It's nice to finally meet you."
"And it's an honor to finally meet you in person," Maurice insisted, though he paused a moment to bow respectfully to the teenager, "Your Majesty."
Grinning like a chesire cat, Mal curtsied in return, grateful that someone finally saw her for her royal status.
While the introduction was taking place, chaos began in the Tourney arena.
Midway through the first quarter, the opposing team was heading toward the goal when the electronic scoreboard started flickering. Random numbers replaced the score and the time increased and decreased at random intervals. The message board flashed uncontrollably while the gym lights pulsed on and off. A message was written on the scoreboard:
'ROTTEN TO THE CORE!'
The players stopped mid-game. Most were baffled at was going on, only a handful noticing a certain star player running off the field toward the locker room after he saw the message.
Principal Yen Sid didn't know what has happening, but he had a suspicion on who was the cause of it, considering a similar situation was noted on his junior high transcript. Nonetheless, he would have to deal with the perpetrator later. For now, he had to deal with the situation at hand, which meant calming down the crowd.
Taking the microphone, Yen Sid reassuringly fibbed, "We are having technical issues. It will be figured out shortly. Meanwhile, per safety regulations, we need everyone to make an orderly exit from the to the auditorium."
As the gym slowly emptied, Jay couldn't help the impressed and mischievous grin on his face.
Carlos still had it in him.
Back in the choir room, the second round of the Art Relay had just begun when the lights started to flicker. Most of the people ignored it, but Evie couldn't help her subtle smirk, knowing who was behind it.
After she and a few other braced themselves from seeing the warning, the speakers started malfunctioning, releasing an ear-piercing screech that sounded like the beginning of a song. Mal was the first to bolt out of the room, while the rest were stupid enough to wait a few moments longer before leaving.
The moderator and the judges were next to rush out of the room. While the spectators vacated the room next, Evie met up with her boyfriend Doug and Uma to give them victorious high-fives—
While trying to think of ways to thank Carlos for taking such a big risk.
With his work completed, Carlos hid his laptop in his bag and Audrey and Chad finished their number, blissfully unaware of the chaos taking place around the school. Audrey ended the song with just as much energy as she had started, while Chad tried to hide the fact that he was so exhausted. Believing they performed well, they took their bows at the audience's light applause.
"Well done," Fairy Godmother complimented after she climbed onto the stage. Peeking a quick glance around the theater, she called to the stage-hands, "Let's prepare the stage for the next performers."
"With all due respect, Fairy Godmother," Chad intervened before the teacher could leave the stage or before Audrey could change, "they aren't here yet. If they took this seriously—"
"They do!" Jane forcefully interrupted from her piano off stage, where all the other musicians were preparing their instruments for the next number. "There are still three minutes left until they start. They will be here!"
"But as Fairy Godmother has said before, the theater doesn't wait for anyone," Chad reminded pointedly. "And we can't keep the audience waiting."
"You are a hypocrite!" Jane declared, surprising some by her boldness and impressing others. "In case you forgot, you have been late for every musical you have performed in for your entire high school career! Ticket sales went down because people were tired of waiting on you! Nobody likes to participate or try out for the Drama Club because you are egotistical jerk that does everything to get the lead, but doesn't try his best when he gets it. You are the one that doesn't take the theater seriously!"
Suddenly, Jane blushed as red as an over-ripe tomato at her outburst. Carlos, who had been walking toward the stage to get a better seat for the next performance, overhead the girl's rant and whistled appreciatively.
"Way to go Jane," Carlos complimented sincerely. "You have some guts to stand up to someone as arrogant and thick-headed as Chad."
Chad fumed at hearing one insult after another. Just as he was about to give them an earful, the sound of hurried footsteps stopped him. Gazes turned toward the theater entrance as Mal and Ben suddenly appeared, hand-in-hand as they ran full force to the stage. Ben was in sport-sweats while Mal was in her purple dress, which now had dark-colored paint on the skirt.
"We're here!" Ben announced as he helped Mal up the staircase. "We can sing!"
"Good, you are just in time," Fairy Godmother reassured. "The stage is almost ready for you—."
Indistinct chatter interrupted the drama teacher. Within a few moments, the theater started being filled with students and spectators from the Tourney game and Art Relay competition. Fairy Godmother watched with amazement as the theater filled to nearly full capacity. "Carlos," she called out.
"Yes ma'am?" Carlos answered, trying act as innocent as possible.
A certain gleam appeared in the teacher's eyes as Fairy Godmother informed, "Remind me to have a word with Principal Yen Sid so you can avoid a big punishment."
Just as she finished speaking, a couple teenage boys pushed a black, baby grand piano within viewing sight of the audience, but not enough that it would be in the way when the couple performed.
"A piano?' Chad questioned before he scoffed obnoxiously. "What do they need that for? They can't play. They didn't have enough time to learn!"
"I learned in two days," Ben retorted as he narrowed his eyes at the rude teenager. "Now, back up. This is my stage now."
Fairy Godmother's eyes widened with delight. "Now that's showbiz!"
A few moments later, Ben and Mal were the only ones left on the stage. Ben moved to sit at the piano and began playing a melody that he pounded into his head for the last four days, which surprised everyone in the audience. They had no idea he could play the piano.
Careful to keep the rhythm, Ben began to sing into the positioned microphone, but directly to Mal:
"If I could do it all over,
Maybe I'd do it different,
Maybe I wouldn't be here,
In this position . . ."
Mal looked into Ben's eyes, his gaze the same as when they did the karaoke contest. The spark of magic flared up again, but brighter and stronger. Mal could feel herself smile as she took a seat next to him on the piano bench and sang:
"I found you then I lost you,
Looking back is torture,
And it hurts to know I let you go,
You live right around the corner . . ."
Smiling at each other, their voices melding beautifully as they sang together:
"And I could've had it all, could've had it all
True love, I knew I had it
True love was so hard to find
True love, if I could get it back
I'd never let it go this time . . ."
For the next few moments, the two began singing back and forth to each other. With the last piano note, the two were practically lost in each other's eyes. When a new instrument started, Mal grabbed the microphone and headed toward the center of the stage. The spotlight shined on her while Ben hurried off stage to change into something more fitting for the performance.
Smiling at the crowd, Mal began her verse of the song:
"Feeling it all around me,
Wondering how I blew it,
And I wanna know the secret,
Of how they do it,
There's no such thing as perfection,
I'm still learning that lesson,
And to forgive is key to forgetting me,
And I'm staring at my reflection,
And I could've had it all, could've had it all,"
Spinning toward one side of the stage, both Mal and Ben sang the chorus as Ben came back on the stage. With only having a few moments to do so, Ben had changed from his sweats into dark-colored dress pants and a nice dress shirt.
They sang as though they were the only ones in the room. Everyone in the auditorium was completely transfixed by the powerful emotions Mal and Ben were expressing through the song.
Coach Adams, who had stayed behind in the gym a few moments to see if he could help with the electronic malfunction, wandered into the auditorium just to see what Ms. Paxson was up to. Gazing at the stage, he fumed in irritation in anger. This is where his son disappeared to during the commotion. He plotted with that girl so they could both be in the callbacks. Sure, they sounded alright together, but—
"If I knew then what I do now, I'd be with you tonight!" Ben sang as he walked to Mal. "If I knew then what I do now, we'd be alri~ght!"
The audience cheered at the teen hit the long note. It was impressive, considering none of them have ever heard him sing before. Mr. Adams had to begrudgingly admit that his son was better than he thought, but that still didn't change the fact that Ben went behind his back again. Ben will have to practice a lot harder to make up for his deceit and to get back in shape for scholarship season next year.
As the song ended, Ben and Mal gazed into each other's eyes, completely transfixed by the atmosphere they created with their performance. They were about to lean in for a kiss, until the overwhelming sound of applauding stopped them. Adverting their attention to the audience, the entire crowd were on their feet as they cheered their approval.
Fairy Godmother quickly joined the couple on stage to make an important announcement. "Amazing!" she complimented. "Truly magnificent. You performed better than I believed you would, and that's why you have won the lead roles in the musical. Congratulations!"
The crowd cheered once more at the announcement, until an arrogant teen decided to ruin the moment.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Chad demanded as he climbed on the stage. "You can't give them the leads! If you do, my parents will stop donating to the drama department. How will you do a production if you can't afford it?"
"I'll donate."
All heads turned toward the side of the theater, where Maurice had been watching the entire performance. Ben perked up at seeing him. "Grandpa?" he greeted in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I was going to watch you play the Tourney game, but then I was asked to be the guest judge for the Art Relay," Maurice informed with a careless shrug. "I witnessed a princess make a beautiful portrait of her parents before witnessing her perform with a prince. Fairy Godmother, I'll have the donation for you on Monday, and I'll make sure it is at least twice the amount of the Charming's donation. I'll give even more if I can get a reserved seat for every musical or play the Drama Club performs."
"I will be sure to make the arrangements," Fairy Godmother reassured before turning to Chad Charming with a confident look on her face. "Looks like there is no longer a reason to let you stay in the Drama Club."
With the disruptions during both events, the Tourney game and Art Relay competition were postponed for the next day. The game simply started anew while the Art Relay continued on with the second round. As punishment for his skillful hacking, Carlos was basically given a slap on the wrist by receiving a week's worth of detention with Fairy Godmother.
As for the championship game, the Auradon Knights were only one point behind with only mere seconds left on the clock.
Ben flew down the field, weaving through and around opponents to head for the goal. As he had been forced to practice for nearly three weeks, he faked right before going left, swinging the ball toward the goal. The buzzer sounded just as the ball hit the back of the net.
The Auradon Knights had won!
The crowd went wild! It had been years since the school had last won the championship. They couldn't be any excited or proud of their school team.
As the audience began swarming the field to greet the team, Mal ran straight for Ben, hugging him as she cheered, "Congrats, Ben! You're finally King!"
"What about your team?" Ben wondered as he tried to speak over the shouting around them.
"We won too!" Mal revealed giddily. "And I was approached by a few college scouts. All of them want me to apply for their schools!"
"Looks like your 'view' isn't as weird as you believed other would think," Ben teased. "Maybe you started a trend of students dying their hair to be more like you."
As Mal laughed at the ridiculous claim, Audrey had snuck past them to greet another member of the Tourney team, who was in the middle of celebrating with his friends. "Congratulations!" Audrey commended. "I knew you guys could win!"
"Thanks, but I'm sorry about the callbacks," Gil apologized. "I still think you're incredible, though I can't say the same about Chad."
"He is leaving Auradon High after this semester to transfer to a school that will take his parents' bribes," Audrey revealed with an almost shy smile. "Since he won't be around, I could really use a dance partner for senior year. If you're not too busy-"
"Absolutely," Gil agreed all too quickly while nodding in confirmation. "I would love to, if you go on a date with him."
Meanwhile, a gentle tap on Ben's shoulder caused the teen to walk away from his girl to speak in private with his grandfather.
"Your girlfriend, Mal," Maurice began with his voice quieter so others couldn't hear him, "do you think she could be your queen?"
"Absolutely," Ben agreed as he spared a look at the girl in question, who had taken the opportunity to greet Jay as well. "She is the one I want to be with."
"Then don't ever lose her," Maurice sternly advised. "If you do, you will lose the light of your kingdom. Know what I mean?"
Ben confidently nodded in complete understanding—
Not realizing, in a few short months, someone would try to break them apart for their own financial gain.
