Mal's POV
After walking Bella to her dorm I decide to go out for some 'me time'. I stop back at my dorm and write a quick note to Jay and Carlos telling them not to worry about me and that I'll be back tonight. I walk outside and carefully sneak out to the woods behind the school. Once I know I'm far enough in the woods so I won't be seen I begin to feel my bones shift and after a few seconds I'm in bird form. I can turn into a raven just like my dad. I take a quick look around before flying high in the sky. As I fly above the school grounds I hear several students say things like 'Is that a raven?' and 'I've never seen one of those birds up close'. My senses are higher than a normal person's because I'm half faery, it also helps that both of my parents can turn into animals. I fly high above the cloud bank and continue to fly towards the isle. I want to check up on the isle and I want to see if my best friend is ok. I land on a rock a few feet away from the barrier by the docks. I sit there for a few minutes before he is finally my sight. He has his head down and his hands in the pockets of his red pirate jacket, my heart sinks when I see how depressed he looks. I know it's not Harry because he never looks anything other than confident. I let out a loud squawk and he lifts his head up and turns to look in my direction confusedly. Since there's no one else around I risk waving one of my wings at him and he smiles after realizing it's me.
"Hey Mally" he says with a grin as he walks onto the dock and sits on the edge in front of me. I let out a small squawk in greeting and hop on to a rock a little bit closer.
"I miss you" he says as he looks down at the water. I look down sadly and wish I could tell him I feel the same way. Thomas and I have been best friends since we were six, ever since I met him and Harriet we've been inseperable and I miss hanging out with them every day when I'm not with Evie, Jay, and Carlos.
"Don't forget about us ok?" he says, lifting his head up and giving me a small sad smile.
'Okay that's it!' I think to myself determindly. I fly behind a pile of boulders sticking above the water a few feet in front of where I'm perched and shift back into human form.
"Me forget? Never" I promise as I peak my head above the biggest bolder slightly and give him a small smile. Suddenly I hear foot steps approaching and duck back down.
"I'll come back and visit you soon, someone is coming" I say loud enough for him to hear before shifting back into bird form.
"Oi runt what're you doing?" Another familiar Scottish boy demands.
"N-nothing Harry just looking at boradon" Thomas stutters.
"Well knock it off and come with me, pops wants to have a word with you" Harry sneers and it takes all of my self control to keep from charging at the barrier to get to him. I stay there and listen to the two of them walk away before stretching my wings and flying off again, I've seen enough of this place for one day. I continue to just fly around until the sun starts to set. I go back to the spot where I origionally shifted and land on the ground. I shift back into human form and run my fingers through my wind blown hair as I begin walking back to the school. I sneak into the kitchen and grab a few apples and some strawberries before putting them on a plate and sitting down at the counter. Suddenly the metal door opens behind me and I turn to see Lonnie standing there with a relieved look on her face.
"Oh there you are Mal, we've been looking everywhere for you" Lonnie says relieved and I raise an eyebrow.
"We?" I ask confusedly, I left a note for the guys and I'm sure they told Evie about it. They know when to give me my space.
"Yeah, Bella was really worried. She went to your dorm earlier and Carlos explained that he hadn't seen you since this morning and you left a note. Bella and I have been looking for you ever since" she says quickly before taking a deep breath.
"Oh sorry, did you girls need something?" I say apologetically, feeling a bit bad that I caused so much concern.
"Oh I don't need anything, Bella just wanted to return your jacket" she says with a smile.
"Oh ok" I say understandingly before eating a stawberry.
"So where have you been anyway? No one's seen you around campus" Lonnie asks as she takes the seat next to me.
"No where special, I just needed to clear my head and went on a bit of a nature walk. I must have dozed off because I woke up sitting against a tree and it was sunset" I lie easily. Another perk of being from the isle of the lost, you can come up with very believable lies on the spot.
"Oh, well after you're done eating you should go see Bella. She'll be so relieved to know you're ok" Lonnie says with a smile before getting up. She starts walking away and I hear her pause in the doorway.
"Hey Mal?" Lonnie calls out.
"Yeah?" I say as I turn around and look at her.
"Could you..could you maybe figure out a spell that would make me pretty? I-it's just that I really like Jay and-" she begins to mumble shyly.
"I'll see what I can do" I say with a small smile and she grins at me.
"But for what it's worth I think he already likes you" I say and I see her blush slightly.
"Thanks Mal" she says happily.
"Anytime" I reply as she exits the room. I turn back towards the counter and pick up another strawberry.
"Maybe this whole being good thing isn't as hard as I thought" I say to myself as I study the red fruit before eating it. I quickly finish eating and make my way to the girls dorms wing. I stop in front of Bella's dorm and am about to open it when I hear quiet sobbing on the other side.
"Bella are you ok?" I ask gently as I knock on the door. Suddenly I hear quick steps moving towards me and the door is thrown open.
"Mal!" Bella exclaims before launching herself into my chest. I wrap my arms around her and sway us side to side slightly as she buries her face into my shirt.
"Where have you been? I was so worried" she mumbles as she picks her head up and looks at me.
"I'm sorry I scared you, I just went on a bit of a nature walk" I say soothingly before kissing her hair. She snuggles closer to me and I smile down at the angel in my arms. She lets out a small yawn and I laugh quietly.
"Alright come on beautiful, you need to sleep" I say softly before picking her up. She wraps her arms and legs around me while I hold her with one arm and enter the room. I close the door with my free hand before putting it on her back and carrying her to her bed. I pull back her covers before leaning down and lettimg her untangle herself from me. Once she's settled down on the bed I put her covers over her.
"Goodnight Bella" I whisper before kissing her forehead. I begin to stand up straight and she grabs my wrist before I can move too far.
"Please stay with me" she pleads.
"Alright, but just until you fall asleep" I say with a small smile. I walk around to the empty side of her bed. I lay on top of the royal blue comforter and wrap my left arm around her waist. She sighs in content and I bury my face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. She moves her left arm out from under the blanket and places it over mine. I close my eyes and feel her squeeze my hand slightly.
"I love you" she whispers softly, and I know she's about to fall fast asleep by the tiredness in her voice. I nuzzle her hair gently and enjoy the soft sound of her breathing.
"I love you too" I whisper, waiting to hear her response. The only reply I get is her soft snores and I smile. I carefully umtangle myself from her before kissing her forehead and quietly get off her bed. I smile down at her one last time before exiting her room. I make my way back to my dorm and I see Carlos looking a me as I enter the room.
"Went flying?" he asks with a small smile while I close the door.
"Yeah, I was starting to feel a bit cooped up" I say before striping down to my boxers and laying in my bed. I curl up under my blanket and Carlos does the same thing on his bed.
"Goodnight" he mumbles tiredly before letting out a yawn.
"Goodnight" I manage to say before falling asleep.
2 Weeks Later
Mal's POV
"I don't know about this Evie" I say nervously as I fix the light mint green button up shirt I'm wearing. Today is family day and all the students and their families are having a gathering in the grounds.
"Everything is going to be fine Mal, just try to have some fun" Evie says comfortingly as she puts a shiny emerald green tie around my neck and adjusts it. My hair is now pure black and is lightly jelled up. I lightly rub my fingers through it to give it a natural wave.
"I'll try" I say quietly. I'm really nervous because I'll be meeting Bella's parents for the first time. And I know that the three good faries and Audrey's parents will definitely be there. I take a deep breath and follow Evie out of her dorm. We go get Jay and Carlos before going outside to the party. I gulp as I pass by the faires, thankfully unsceen by them.
"Mal!" I hear Bella call out. I turn and see her standing by a brick wall with her parents and a photographer. I smile and go to hug her when suddenly Queen Belle faints and King Adam catches her. I frown and look down slightly while I feel Bella wrap her arm around my waist. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and she smiles up at me. I smile down at her slightly and hear someone clear their throat. We both look up and see her parents staring at us.
"Oh um..it's a pleasure to meet you Sir" I say nervously, removing my arm from Bella's shoulders and holding it out to King to shake. He shakes it firmly and lets it go after a minute. I let my hand fall limp at my side and feel Bella squeeze my side reasurringly. I open my mouth to say something but get cut off when we hear several loud footsteps approaching. I turn around to look in the direction of the sound.
"Stop in the name of the king!" I hear a man shout and suddenly see about a dozen guards chasing a very familiar face.
"Tommy!" I shout, breaking away from Bella and moving towards him. He looks at me with wide eyes and a scared expression before racing into my waiting arms. He clings to me and I glare over his shoulder at the guards that are now standing about thirty feet away.
"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't torment my friend" I grunt before breaking our hug.
"What the heck are you doing here?" I ask Thomas.
"I-I" he starts to stutter before looking back at the guards terrified.
"You know this young man Mr. Diaval?" Mary Weather asks, approaching with Flora and Fauna.
"Yes ma'am this is my best friend Thomas" I say respectfully before turning back to my friend. He looks like he's about to cry any second.
"M-my dad-" he starts to stay before Chad scoffs.
"Oh great another street rat in our territory" Chad hisses. I growl and send him a hateful glare. He flinches and looks down in fear.
"Tommy what's wrong?" I ask softly, putting my hand on his shoulder and squeezing it gently. He sniffles and I see a tear slide down his cheek.
"What did your dad do Tommy? I can't help you unless I know what's going on" I press gently, pleading with my eyes for him to let me in.
"H-He disowned me two w-weeks ago..he found out I'm gay" he sobs, and more tears slide down his cheeks. Several students and adults gasp, including Bella and her parents. I don't pay any attention and just pull him towards me, hugging him to my chest and allow him to cry into my shoulder.
"What the hell is Captain Hook doing here! And how is he so young!" an unfamiliar voice suddenly shouts from the crowd.