Sweat laces Jay's palms, his grip on his pencil starts to slip, and he struggles to tighten it. Jay's hands tremor slightly, the pencil tumbles out of his fingers grasp. Bouncing off his lap, heading straight for the floor.
Bending down from his desk, Jay reaches for his pencil but it slips yet again, from his sweaty hold. He wipes his hands on the fabric of his pants, wishing he could stop the sweating completely.
This time succeeding he picked up his pencil again. Jay places his pencil down on his desk not bothering to even try to continue writing.
He takes long slow breaths counting them out in his head. One, two, three, then repeats. With a clear mind, he tries to focus on what's currently happening in class.
Distraction hits Jay once more. Not by the physical ails happening within his body or even the mental distress occurring in his head but by a princess. Audrey hadn't even started to write down her notes, instead, she was indecisively trying to choose a pen. One was pink the other blue.
Jay smirks fondly, happy with the simpleness of Auradon. It was so unlike the place he was once forced to call home, The Isle of the Lost. Jay was always taught to keep his guard up. To trust no one. Treat the world as if it were a triangular demon trying to get into his mind.
Growing up, he had mostly listened, keeping the kids he befriended, Harry and Gil at a far emotional distance. He had always wavered a little when it came to Harry. They had been comrades in crime, sharing many thrills as they committed petty theft after petty theft.
It was difficult for Jay to stomach that at one time he had even considered Harry his friend. Though, if you asked him now he would say Harry was merely a friend of circumstance.
I don't want to think about the Isle especially, about him of all people. Thoughts he didn't want to be bothered with violently sailed as if a dam had been torn apart in his mind. His fingers numbed when he moves to protectively cover his head as if he could physically block every thought. Sometimes, Jay wished he could physically take every terrible thought from his mind and bury them. Deep into the sands where no one could ever reach them.
As if anyone would want to, he reminds himself. This was Auradon. Things were usually determined by face value. On the Isle, however, they sought the smallest piece potentially corrupted by good. Then they would do everything they could to destroy it and you.
This reminded Jay of a memory he had long forgotten. Maybe forgotten wasn't the best word more like purposefully deleted.
Jay didn't make the best choices as a child. Always taught the worst choice was the best, he was merely reflecting his upbringing.
This was exactly why he was on a dock long abandoned by the other citizens of the Isle. The wooden dock, aggressively claimed by decay years ago, was left brittle and highly hazardous to walk on. It didn't stop Jay or Harry from declaring it their secret meeting place.
They were much too young to realize they were gambling with their lives with every step. Or maybe part of them knew?
Injuries had been inquired quite more than a few times at the hands of this dock. And every injury always left them with what felt like thousands of splinters to pull out.
Jay hadn't known it then but Harry was as a citizen of Auradon would say self-destructive. Even with Uma, always by Harry's side, shining a light on Harry's lost eyes, Harry still seemed forever lost.
Unstable, that was the perfect way to describe Harry Hook. He was rash and always getting Jay into trouble. Trouble that even the Isle had looked down upon.
The first rule of villainy that every VK is taught is to never commit an act that can hurt yourself. Hurting others, however, is highly commendable. To a point, of course, a majority of the villains of the Isle hadn't actually killed anyone. Gaston had tried and failed, leading to his own death. Evil Queen had tried to kill Snow White and failed many, many times. Captain Hook well he succeeded many, many times.
It was well-known on the Isle that the pirate thirsted for blood like a vampire. His hook did always have a tinge of red on the tip, that some took as a reminder of his skill. Jay, however, knew the truth; Hook always forgot to clean his hook. That was Harry's job.
Gods, Harry truly valued that duty as if it were an essence of his life. Harry could be beaten and belittled by his father, but that wouldn't stop him from dutifully cleaning his father's hook.
Jay had asked him why, honestly, wondering why his friend put so much care into something for someone so damaging. A trace of another emotion lies behind Harry's eyes, one that Jay now recognized as love.
"This hook will be mine one day." Harry boasted, holding the hook high above him to show off to Jay.
"You're still on that, Harry? Haven't you realized your father isn't exactly the sentimental type?" Jay cautioned, hoping to weigh down Harry's high hopes.
"What do you know of my father?"
There was really only one thing everyone knew about Captain Hook and it was usually told in the bruises covering Harry's body. Jay would never say that out loud of course. Every time he had even tried to ask Harry about his bruises it would always end up with the son of Captain Hook blistering mad at him. And Jay hated arguing with Harry because it always felt like there was no way out.
"Nothing, I just don't want you to get your hopes up."
"It almost sounds like you care about my feelings." Harry bluntly accused, saying the word care with extreme disgust.
Did Jay care? No way! "I don't. Of course, I don't. I'm just-"
"Giving an unneeded opinion," Harry suggested, roughly rubbing the cloth in his hand against the hook.
Ugh, He better not be late because he's shining his father's hook, Jay thought agitated. Harry Hook was always late though. Sometimes Jay swore that boy couldn't read a clock.
I'm just going to do this without him. It was extremely risky as he'd been hitting the same places for about three days straight. He was hoping Harry would tell him of some new ventures to explore. Harry did always know the right places to navigate to find the best hauls.
I guess I can wait a little longer. Jay lifts his foot over the edge of the dock playfully hovering over the calm waters. He moved his leg a little higher focusing on his breathing. I am the master! Sure, it took him a couple of weeks to master the art of perfect balance, but he still mastered it. His foot that remained on the dock starts turning in on itself, and he slowly starts to lose his balance.
He loudly screamed, fearful of falling but gains courage when he thinks about all the splinters he'd have to pull out. And the fact that he could potentially die. Behind him, Harry had appeared but watched interested, not ready to make his presence known.
Jay miraculously finds his balance again and then places his feet firmly on the dock. Not doing that ever again.
"With a scream like that someone might think you're from Auradon." Harry needlessly prattled.
"Tough talk from someone who can't even do more push-ups than me." Jay tactfully reminded, turning his head towards Harry in acknowledgment.
"I was distracted that day!"
"Uma wasn't in the room, so I doubt that." Jay teased.
Harry instantly blushed thinking of Uma but tried hard to maintain a cool composure,"I don't know what you mean. And I still don't get how your flimsy seaweed like arms even managed to get that much."
Jay bends his arms to show off his not yet existent muscles. "Please, no one would last one encounter with these right here. Where have you been, anyway? You're like twenty minutes late." Jay squinted, noticing Harry's eyes were covered in eyeliner, "Dude, how many times do I have to tell you to steal your sisters make up on your own time."
"Very funny, though it would be quite a joy to see Harriet upset. Besides, how would you even know what time it is right now? Last I checked there aren't any clocks around here?" In fact, that was the top reason Harry liked this spot. He hadn't developed his father's fear of ticking clocks but the sound didn't exactly bring him any sense of comfort.
"Swiped a watch from a stand yesterday." Jay proudly showed off his wrist, watching as Harry regards it unimpressed.
"Only a watch?" Harry reached into his pocket then places his hands behind his back. He shows off a coin and proceeds to flip it like his name was Harvey Dent and smirked. "I have gold."
"Gold? That can't be real!" Jay runs over to grab the coin from Harry but Harry promptly hides it in his pocket.
"I know where there's more." Harry enticingly crooned hoping Jay would take the bait.
"Where?" Jay's eyes glimmering, his hands itching to finally touch real gold. He had heard plenty of stories from his father of the beauty and reflective shine of the exclusive item. This could be it. The big haul my father and I have always dreamed of!
"Yzma's shop." Harry eagerly answered," And guess who I just heard is going to be gone from her shop all day? Our only hiccup would be encountering her son."
Zevon would easily rip their plans to shreds but Jay was sure the both of them could take it. There was really only one dilemma that they were sure to face.
"Harry, how are we going to get in?" Jay asked, voicing the dilemma weighing on his mind.
"What not up for a little breaking and entering?" Harry speculated ready to challenge Jay's villainhood.
"I'm into the entering the breaking not so much."
"Relax, her shop door will be unlocked," Harry assured, trying to ease Jay's worries.
Jay gives him a skeptical look,"And how exactly did you manage that?"
"Easy, her daughter. She thinks we're dating. She's actually waiting for me on the other side of the Isle."
"Wouldn't that put Zevon on our tails even more? Standing up his sister?"
"Who said I'm gonna stand her up?" Harry noted."So, how about we finish this quickly." Harry begins walking away from the dock with a concealed satisfied smirk displayed on his face because he knew he had won Jay over.
This is such a terrible plan, Jay thought as he followed Harry.
Harry had talked Jay into bringing Gil along. Gil was Jay's friend too, but he was also the least conspicuous person ever. As they walked Gil happily chattered on about his day.
They both let him drone on and on until they reached Yzma's store of useless potions and other exciting items. How the sorceress managed to make a living selling potions no one could even use always managed to impress Jay. "Would we really find any gold here?"
"Of course. Plus Yzma has some really nice stuff," Harry assured, moving his hand like he was physically shooing the words away.
Filled mostly with belief, Jay followed him in, yet, he was still a little skeptic. Staying behind, Gil pledged he'd immediately alert them if anyone came near. He also promised that he would be the best watch out ever. Jay just hoped Gil didn't wander off again. His ego was still recovering from being caught by Dr. Facilier. If it wasn't for the witch doctor's daughter, Freddie, he would have been a goner.
The floorboards in Yzma's shop creaked with each step. Attempting to turn on the lights, Harry's interrupted by Jay who advises against it. With only the sunlight as their guide, they were now basically blind. Jay went over to a wall covered in rows and rows of what he assumed were potions. Proven right, he squinted, reading off a label of the one closest to him, learning it was an everlasting riches potion.
Jay reached for the potion ready to pick it up but hears Harry shout at him."What are you doing?!"
"Taking a potion?" Jay answered, lifting up the potion in his hand feeling like he was stating the obvious.
"Haven't you heard the stories about Yzma's potions?"
"No, not really."
Yzma wasn't exactly listed in the imaginary top ten villain list of the Isle. In fact, the only thing Jay could really recall about her was the lingering scent of death she seemed to always leave behind.
"They never work and leave a terrible aftertaste in your mouth." Harry condescendingly informs a look of superiority on his face.
"Of course, they don't work. We're on the Isle. No magic, remember?"
"While true, Yzma has been known to accidentally turn people into animals with her potions. As in if we ever get off this Isle you'll probably live your life as a snake." Harry hissed like a snake, laughing at the uncomfortable expression on Jay's face.
Jay didn't like the sound of that. Life as a snake? He gulped. He'd definitely preferred his human life over a fate like that. If he was considering options that is. Hopefully, being human was the only option. He places the potion back where he found it. Jay finds his mind muddled and confused as to why they were even in Yzma's store.
"So, where is this gold, Harry?" He inquired, feeling a little bewildered.
"How about we play our favorite game?" Harry tried not to make his words sound calculated, praying, Jay doesn't catch on.
"You always cheat."
"So do you." Harry chimed back with a playful smile.
Jay smiled back, "What are the stakes this time?
"I'm thinking the winner gets to pick first."
Jay arches an eyebrow interested,"You mean you won't grab the nicest item and run?"
"Not today at least."
Jay imagines the look of joy his dad will have, seeing all the gold he brought back. If I bring enough...maybe it'd really be the big haul he's been dreaming of. "Deal." Jay eagerly answered.
"Great, I'm going to check their house."
"Wait, house..." Jay trailed off not really liking the idea of going through someone's personal belongings.
"Jay, come on, you didn't think Yzma would hide gold out here. Anyone could just come in and steal it."
"Right...I guess I feel a little weird stealing from someone's house."
"It's just like stealing from a store or a stall."
Jay gave out an awkward laugh, "Yeah, I'm just overreacting. Lead the way, Harry."
Harry tries to unlock the door but fails to open it. He starts searching his pockets for something to pick the lock with but nothing in his pockets fit the bill. "I guess someone has lost their magic touch. You really didn't think this through. Did you?"
"In my defense, I never think things through. I just do." Harry then hits the doorknob hard as if it would break instantly under the force of his hand. It doesn't.
That was true. Very true. Jay starts to comment in agreement when they both freeze as they hear footsteps outside the door. They both looked at each other shocked, quickly running for cover. Harry hid in a dark space at the back of the store. While Jay chose to hide behind the register for a quick escape.
"Mom, I'm sure, Harry Hook's planning something!"
Uh oh. The voice obviously belonged to Zevon which meant he was with Yzma. I'm screwed.
Jay's hands start to feel a little clammy and his mouth seems to suddenly, dry up. There was a chance he wouldn't escape. There was a chance that he was going to be a goner this time around.
"So your sister has caught his eye? She has my good looks it's to be expected." Jay could just imagine Yzma touching her face in admiration.
This would be the perfect time for Gil to make a distraction. Gil didn't seem to have the same train of thought as Yzma and Zevon continued to converse.
"Just open up the shop and check!"
"Fine, but you owe me a day at the spa, Zevon. Plus, you're on potion sorting duty all week."
Time was running out. Jay considered trying to distract them himself by throwing something but there was nothing within his reach. He wanted to scream when he thought about how he had just emptied all of his pockets this morning before going to the dock.
"Sure, just open it, already!"
Yzma glared then put her key in the lock. She turns it, realization flashes on her face. "It's unlocked. That damn girl left it unlocked!"
It was too late. This was the end.
"Ha, I knew it. I bet that Harry Hook asked her to keep it unlocked. Or swiped her keys or something! Or-" Zevon's mind races with newly formed theories as he sinisterly rubbed his hands. He was going to be the one to take down the thieving pest Harry Hook. Everyone would be so wickedly pleased with Zevon. Enough for them to actually remember his name.
"Zevon calm yourself. Mommy's gonna show you how we deal with trespassers." Yzma's voice comes out sounding like a kitten's growl.
Jay gulped really regretting his hiding spot now. Why did my mind choose to blank out of all logic and plans just before I'm about to die?
The shop door opens, and he hears two sets of footsteps walk in. They walk over to the register and Jay quickly moves to the short side of it. He scans the room for another hiding spot praying he would avoid their detection. No, I gotta make a run for it. Why didn't Gil warn us?
As Yzma and Zevon checked the cash register Jay moved to the right side of the counter. He prayed they were looking down as he scooted closer to the exit. Everything was going fine until that dreaded floor creak.
Jay jumped up bolting quickly out the door much too fast for Yzma or Zevon to catch. Still, they followed him, broom in Yzma's hand as anger flared in her eyes. "You dare try to steal from my shop!"
Jay ran faster than before trying to spot Gil who was currently in the running for worst lookout ever. Unsurprisingly, Gil was nowhere in sight which meant he probably wandered off. He had one job!
Jay's chest compressed like an accordion with heavy breaths as he realized he had run into a dead end. He heard Yzma's voice demanding for his head on a silver platter as he realized they were closing in.
There were no places to hide. He was trapped.
Yzma and Zevon caught up just seconds later and were standing in front of him with anger in their eyes. Yzma points a bony finger at Jay. "I should poison you for this!"
"Please do, mom," Zevon said with a wicked smile.
"Shut up, imbecile." She rasped at Zevon, looking at Jay as if he were a toad she was about to dissect.
Jay shuddered, wishing he had drunk one of Yzma's potions, so he could become a snake and slither away. There's no magic on the Isle, his brain needlessly reminded. I'd probably be easier to catch as a snake anyway.
No, this will not be my end. Jay puts his fists up, ready to fight, Yzma just laughs at the sight. She plucked a dark green vial from her the belt of her dress with a dangerous smile.
"Grab him." She commanded Zevon, but a loud clanging noise rings around them. They both turn around, and Jay turns his head in the direction they were looking at.
Mal stood there, eyes narrowed, her aura of malice off the charts. Two trashcan lids were in her hands, the clear source of the clanging noise they had heard earlier.
"Yeah, hello? What do you think you're doing?"
Jay looked at Mal in surprise, unable to speak. Yzma unhappy to have to inform this child of any of her actions begrudgingly spoke, "He stole from me. Now he's paying the consequences."
"I didn't actually steal anything," Jay explained."You kind of caught me before I could grab anything. So, why not just let this go?
"It's the thought of it that counts," Yzma said grinding her teeth at the thought of letting Jay's crime against her slide.
"Jay, I'm so disappointed you didn't follow through."Mal chided. She watches Yzma in delight as the sorceress chokes back an angry comment afraid of the repercussions.
Mal then puts on a mask of seriousness and scrunches up her nose looking at Yzma displeased. "Yzma it's so funny to see you here. Mother was just talking about how the view of your house upsets her. Purple and blue curtains. How tacky."
Is Mal helping me? Jay thinks shocked.
"It's not tacky! It's a great color scheme!"
"Hmm, gotta disagree. You know, just between all of us-" Mal lowered her voice in volume, playing as if she's telling a secret," I think my mother might be upset enough to kick you out and leave you to rot on the streets." Mal shoots Yzma a fake concerned smirk.
"What-Why-She can't!"
"It would be a shame if someone planted the idea of turning your home into a-" Mal tapped her chin in deep thought," goblin destination hotel. If I were you-and thank gods I'm not, I'd run on home before someone suggests these fabulous ideas to my mother."
Yzma silently fumed at Mal's threat. Yzma turns back to Jay glaring, actively restraining herself from uttering any threatening words. Zevon on the other hand, "Revenge will be mine!"
Yzma rolled her eyes and turned to leave. She stomped away with Zevon trailing behind.
When Mal was sure they had left, she glared at Jay and shot him an annoyed look. " Yzma's shop are you crazy?"
"No, look it wasn't my idea!"
"Oh, who was it then. Who would be stupid enough to want to rob Yzma?!"
"That would be me," Harry replied, his hand raised up, strolling up to Jay as if nothing had ever happened. Was he hiding somewhere nearby this whole time? "Come on, Jay. I know another place that would be perfect to hit."
Jay backed away from him ignoring the part of his mind sputtering questions. The biggest one practically yelped in his mind but the question was aimed at him. Why? Why did you blindly follow him?
"I am never going anywhere with you again!" Jay fumed, his eyes sparkling with fury.
"So, I made one little mistake! No big deal. It's not like I didn't warn you."
He did warn you, his mind reminded. And then left me to fight on my own."No big deal? I could've died Harry!" Jay screamed, balling up his fists in anger.
"But you didn't. You're looking very alive to me."
Jay felt his body tremor with rage. He narrowed his eyes at Harry wanting nothing more than to greet Harry with his fists.
Mal sensed this was about to get really messy, well bloody, decided it was best to make an exit. "I'm going to let you two work out your issues. Bye, Jay."
Mal quickly ran off, leaving Harry and Jay alone. Jay pushed past Harry wanting nothing more to do with the boy. He was just going to go home and face his father's disapproving yells.
"Where are you going?" Harry questioned, feeling like Jay was really overreacting. He did warn him in the beginning that Zevon could be a snag in their plans.
"Home!"
"Empty handed? Didn't take you for a quitter, Jay." Harry taunted.
Jay slowed his steps and Harry puts on a triumph smirk. He knew Jay's anger wouldn't last. It never lasted.
"What happened back there, Harry? Where's Gil?"
"He must have gotten distracted again. I'll talk to him-"
"No! No talking to him about it. He jeopardized everything!" Jay angrily interrupted, his heart pounding loud. His chest constricting in his anger. So much anger.
"Jay calm down."
"No, I'm so sick of this! You and Gil. I'm done! I'm out Harry!"
"Jay, come on," Harry responded, brushing off Jay's words.
"Bye, Harry," Jay said curtly, running away.
Jay faced his father's roaring disapproval later on. A part of him wishing he had followed after Harry. His brain created a case for Harry, pointing out that he was the one that blanked out. A counter argument was also created, wondering if Yzma really did have gold. Was it all a setup? Jay then suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder and drifted out of the memory. He looked around realizing he was just outside of the Swords & Shields match room. How did I get here?
"Are you going to go inside or are you enjoying staring at the ground blankly?" A cheery voice questions causing Jay to jump in shock. Lonnie?
Jay turns facing Lonnie seeing her face was not at all cheerful. She was looking at Jay with concerned eyes.
"L-Lonnie, hey?" Jay answers, still feeling a little startled.
"Hey? I've been trying to talk to you all afternoon it seems. It's like you've been on autopilot or something. You wouldn't even respond to your own name. Is everything okay, Jay?"
"Yeah, everything's- actually no. I don't know."
"What's going on Jay? Are you physically hurt?" She reaches out to touch him but Jay pulls away. She looks down disappointed.
"I'm fine, Lonnie. Maybe, I'm just swamped with classes."As he said the words his mind berates him. Tell her, it yelled. But Jay really wasn't in the mood to be emotionally vulnerable.
"You sure you're fine? Cause, you weren't mentally here five minutes ago, Jay."
"You wouldn't understand, Lonnie." Jay suggests, and Lonnie gives him a look implying she would."You're a general's daughter and your mom saved a whole country. My dad just destroys everything." Jay let's out a long sigh.
"Were you thinking about your dad?" Lonnie prods, looking around. "Maybe, we should go somewhere more private?"
"You're Captain." Jay points out, "Let's just forget this and get practice over with."
"No, Jay I wouldn't be a good Captain if I let you practice in the state your in right now. Why don't you head back to your dorm and rest?"
"Lonnie, I don't want to miss practice. I have to make sure I'm striving for the best."
"Jay, please. Your health comes first," Lonnie begs concerned.
"Maybe you're right," Jay responds unsure of why he wasn't putting up a fight. He starts backing away. Watching as Chad Charming and a couple of other princes walk into the Swords & Shields room. Has Carlos arrived already? Hmm, kind of weird. Or maybe Carlos didn't notice me and just walked in? I guess I'll find out later.
"Talk to you tomorrow?" Lonnie offered knowing Jay never used his cell phone.
"Yeah. Bye Lonnie. Thanks."
"No, problem Jay," Lonnie says giving Jay a faint smile then walking into the building.
Jay takes a deep breath full of fresh air. The wind then blows a soothing gust that makes Jay's hair flow like it was in an Auradon shampoo commercial. I just need to relax.
He wanders around campus looking for a perfect place to watch the sky. He finds it, next to the lunch tables he sat at earlier today. Closing his eyes, he breathes out slowly, feeling relaxed. Jay had taken to getting lost in his imagination whenever his head became overwhelmed with a past he wished he could forget. I can't believe I thought about Harry all afternoon. He hadn't spared a thought on his ex-friend since their final fallout. If you could even call it that.
Jay had already felt emotionally done with Harry at that point. Yet, still, there was a part of him that missed Harry. Well, Harry's haul tips. That was a lie. He cared for Harry, deeply once. And that part of him would remind him of how Harry warned him about Zevon. But as always, the rational part of Jay's mind spoke up. Chiming in, Harry was there. He could have stopped Yzma but he did nothing.
The rational part won out in the end. Jay avoided Harry all week after the Yzma incident. He had taken Mal up as his new partner in crime. At least she had his back most of the time. It was more consistent then Harry who didn't have his back at all. Jay's mind wanders off to the day Harry had declared him his mortal enemy.
Jay found a flier earlier in the day, calling for all suitable residents of the Isle to try out for Captain Hook's crew. Jay wasn't interested, but he had to admit the offer was pretty tempting. Even with Captain Hook pretty much being the laughingstock of the Isle, his crew was known for being the best of the best.
Though there was little respect for Captain Hook, Jay knew many kids on the Isle dreamed of joining Hook's crew. There they could get one of the hardest things to get on the Isle, money. Money meant a warm meal, which meant another day of life. Jay, however, didn't want the money for himself.
No, he wanted it for his father. Jay's steals while good hadn't really been enough lately. Their merchandise was running low, so money was very tight at this point. He knew his father wouldn't approve of him joining Hook's crew but what could he do? They had to eat.
Jay looked at the fine print of the document. If you earned enough favor you could still win a cash prize. It doesn't hurt to try. What's the worst that could happen?
If only he knew then...he thinks drifting out of the memory. He didn't want to think about that day. Anything but that day. Jay is broken from his thoughts when he hears the sound of footsteps. It sounded like boots? His Isle instinct told him to get up and check his surroundings. But this was Auradon there was no need to watch his back. The footsteps get closer stopping next to Jay's head. Okay, that's odd. Jay slowly opens his eyes and is surprised to be greeted by the past he couldn't forget.
There above him stood Harry Hook, and he was out for blood.
A.N. Looks like Harry and his crew are finally in Auradon! I'm sure this will bode well for Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Ben. Yup, everything's going to be completely fine. Next chapter is definitely going to be intense. Thank you guys for all the faves, alerts, and reviews! I hope you guys enjoy this update! I also wrote a huma fluff one-shot and posted a collabo I did with Trash Reads! So, check it out if you're interested! Thanks again, for reading! Till, next time!