Author's Note:

Hey guys! I have decided to work through this book and finish it. Since summer vacation has already started for me, I will start updating either 2 or 3 times a week randomly. Since I have decided to update that many times, chapters may be shorter than usual, however, I can make them longer if you'd like.

Update: I removed chapter 5 to make it less cringe and more improved so expect two or three updates this week.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and/or some parts of the story.

Day 1

Quote/Poem of the Chapter:

"The best and most beautiful things in this work cannot be seen or even heard but must be felt with the heart."

~ Helen Keller

After that little confrontation with Audrey, Mal was called by Maleficent. She made her way through the vast backyard and met up with her mom. The backyard is like it is out of a painting.

"Sorry to disturb your time with your friends, but is it fine if we can talk about your time in Washington?" Maleficent asked.

"Mom, it's fine and of course; I also wanted to talk to you about your wellbeing and any news that I need to know." Ever since Mal moved back to Washington for college, she started to love the environment there so she decided to stay there in Washington and wanted to have a fresh new start, although she was born there. Evie decided to do the same because just like Mal, she fell in love with the place. She started her career by creating a business and making dresses in her own apartment building and is now thinking about purchasing a building to improve her business. Mal first started off by helping an art teacher students draw at an elementary school, which she loves so much.

They both walked around and discussed problems about many different things like Audrey and Ben being together while Mal's there or how a patient recently passed from heart disease. They talked and talked after a few hours passed. Mal's mom decided that it was time for her to go back because she doesn't want her to spend too much time with her than her friends.

They greeted each other a goodbye and went on with their day. Mal went back to that area where she thought her friends were, but they she didn't see them there. She decided to go where she knew they would be at so she walked up the stairs and went out into the vast balcony where everyone was sitting and laughing. But she noticed that her blue-haired best friend wasn't there.

"Hey, where's Evie?" Mal asked.

"Um I think she's in the bathroom," Jay replied.

Mal nodded and sat on one of the armchairs, getting involved with the conversation. Mal would take a few looks at Ben and Audrey, telling herself that it could've been her or that she could've been more like her. What she witnessed was breaking making her break. All her thoughts were making her break. She excused herself from the group and decided to go to the bathroom. On the way, she and Evie bumped into each other.

"Hey, I was actually making my way back because I had a feeling. Are you okay?" Evie said worryingly.

"To be honest, no. Do you think we could talk right now, in my room? Please?" Mal asked.

Evie nodded her head, both making their way to her room. Once they both entered the room and closed the door, Mal's walls were coming down.

"Evie, I don't think I can do this. It's harder than I thought it was. Like it fucking sucks. I don't know whether I can go on with this. I've been here for not even 24 hours and I'm already wanting to go back to Washington," Mal explained, whilst tears were making their way down her face

Evie hugged her. "Mal you can do this. I know it's hard because you and Ben shared so many moments together; both of you admired each other. However, with how everything is, you should move on too. I know that you haven't moved on because you just showed that you have feelings for him still after years. If it hurts too much for you, why don't you talk with Belle and your mom about a plan? It's alright if you leave, we can just visit you if you'd like us to."

"I don't know."

"Think about this. It hurts to let go, but sometimes it hurts more to hold on."

"You're probably right. I just keep doubting myself to this day, but it tells me that I need have a little faith in myself at least. Thank you, for having this talk with me. But I'm also sorry for taking away time from being with our friends."

"It's perfectly fine. It's my job and duty as a best friend to be by your side and help you."

Mal gave her a small smile.

"I'll leave you here with your thoughts. Just come back out when you're ready. Alright?"

"Alright." With that, Evie then made her way out the room as Mal looked out the window. After minutes passed by, she decided to take a shower to relax before doing anything else. She walked to the bathtub, steam filling the room as she turned the knob onto the warm side. She then strips herself from her clothing and enters the foggy tub. As the water first makes contact with her skin, all her worries and thoughts go away; her and her body calming itself from the liquid.

She wishes that it could be like this all the time but she knows that in reality, it can't happen. She takes her time, washing her body and hair. Once she was done, she grabbed the towel that was folded next to her. She wrapped herself in the towel and changed into a comfy blue purple ombre hoodie with black joggers. She combed her now wet purple hair and chose to let it down to dry.

Mal decided that she wasn't ready to go out but she needed her three particular friends with her right now. She texted them in their own group chat, telling them that she's going to stay in her room and if they wanted to hang out with her that they could come up. The two boys understood right away so they and Evie all decided to go up to her room. Before they went, they all left one by one so the rest of their friends wouldn't be suspicious and using excuses to get away.

Once they were all in room, they all talked and life as they used to before. But now it was starting to get serious.

"So, I decided that if it gets hard for me here, I'm going to stay at my house because I know that I can't survive when telling myself that I could, but I really can't. I don't want to keep suffering; all I want to do is relax and enjoy. I told Evie this earlier and since she knows I decided to tell you guys also since I know you'd be worried." No one knew that Mal was aching from everything when she first came. Her friends always wanted her to be happy; they never want to see her in pain. That's the kind of bond they have. A family type.

"Thanks for telling us and we understand Mal. If that's the best choice for you, then we'll encourage it. You know that we always care about your welfare. We all care about each others' welfare and that's what I love about our group. We'll always support each other and we'll always stick together," Jay spoke as he also spoke for Evie and Carlos. What Mal loves about Jay is that he'll always be a big brother figure to her. At times they don't see eye to eye but that's what siblings do.

"Thanks for understanding. I hope Belle will understand why if I decide to."

"And she will. I know that she doesn't want you to be uncomfortable so she has no choice to not let you," Carlos said.

"Well, all we could is hope that things will get better," Evie uttered.

Mal gave a smile to her friends before her phone chimed. "Belle just texted me right now that it's lunchtime. Let's go?"

Everyone nodded their heads and they all made their way downstairs. Everyone was sat in their seat and the core four took their seats. Lunch went smoothly than Mal expected until after.

"So Evie how are the dresses going for the Ball this weekend?" Belle asked. It's actually going really well. I'm already finished with your's, Lonnie's, and Jane's. Oh and also I'm done with Jay's and Carlos's suits. Right now, I'm working on Mal's and I'd say I would wear her's instead of mine." Evie loves going all out on Mal's clothes; they always exceed Mal's expectations but always chooses to be a little more extra for her best friend.

"Well, I can't wait to see the dresses. I just hope that it's not stressing you out."

"No, it's okay. I'm used to working this way and I'm also planning on opening a store soon since sales are going great."

"That's great to hear. I know you'll be successful; in a second, you'll be making gowns for everyone."

Evie smiled in return and thanked her for the compliments. Evie was so proud of herself for coming this far, but then it started to go downhill.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but who would want to buy a cheap ugly dress from you? Cheap fabric is not durable enough and plus it won't make you notorious. It's just going to make you look ugly. Luckily you aren't designing my dress; I'm going to New York for my dress to be designed by a luxurious fashion designer tonight." Everyone was silenced by what Audrey said. Ben didn't stop his own girlfriend.

One particular purple haired girl chose to step up to the plate. "Audrey, are you even hearing yourself? Are you even ashamed of what you said?"

"Mal, honey," her Mom said.

"No, mom. If no one is going to put her into her place, then I will. Audrey, it's not always going to be quantity over quality. It's always going to be quality over quantity. Excuse my language but I don't give a fuck that your dress is being designed by a famous fashion designer. I don't care that you have the money since you're a model. I don't care what goes on in your life. You're so egocentric. You just called everyone here ugly besides yourself. I just want to put that in your little brain that everything has beauty, but you and others who are like you don't see it.

"Mal-," Evie tried.

Mal began to raise her voice. "Beauty is not only on the outside, it's also on the inside. It's your qualities that make it up. Consider a tree for a moment. As beautiful or ugly as trees are to look at, we don't see what goes on underground - as they grow roots. Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty. But we don't see the roots. We just see and enjoy the beauty or we just see and don't enjoy the beauty. In much the same way, what goes on inside of us is like the roots of a tree. The stuff on your face covers up your beauty; it's a weapon that helps you express who you are from the inside. If the world could remain within a frame like a painting on the wall, I think we'd see the beauty then and stand to stare in awe."

Mal didn't realize until now that she was standing up, facing towards Audrey. She moves her head and eyes around to view everyone's reaction. All eyes were on her. She looks down, guilt taking over her.

"I'm sorry, excuse me," Mal uttered. She quickly walked up to her room, locking the door behind her. She knew she did something awful, but it was for the good; not for the bad. The guilt sat not on her chest but inside her brain. What she had done she could not undo.

She went into her bed and curled up into the soft duvet and closed her eyes as it rubbed against her cheek. Her head rested against the cozy, fluffy pillows. The comforter was delicate and naturally comfy, like a cloud. Coziness coated her. She closed her eyes as she was deep in her thoughts. She soon surrendered to the call of sleep.