V…What if

Magic lessons were going well. They were well into the school year now, in fact it was almost the half year break. That was just a three days away. Mal was doing better with creating her own spells. Evie still had no luck finding Agathe but she tried every once in a while, she was worried, that even after King Adam's plea that she would never come to help. Jane was not quite getting the hang of magic, everything she tried, didn't come out quite right. Mal had forgotten to ask about dreams, until she had, had another dream about Ben. It was him on the isle. That really bothered her, there was no way he could go there. The dream was her finding him in a ditch and helping him out. So during her last magic lesson before the winter break, Mal asked Flora about it. She now knew which Fairy was which.

"Mistress Flora, may I ask you a question about dreams?"
"Of course child."

"Well it's more of a story first." She said looking around. Flora could tell Mal wanted to talk alone. She took Mal into Fairy Godmother's outer office. "So about two months before we were called over here, I had a dream, back then I called it a nightmare. But well that was then. Anyway, it was about a sandy blond haired boy, and a lake with ancient ruins."
"Sounds like the ancient ruins at the enchanted lake."
" Yes, I just didn't know that then. Anyway, Ben took me there on our first date. And well…that's when I realized it was more than just a dream. Once, Queen Belle mentioned something about Ben having a dream before he made the choice to have us come over here. Can our dreams be connected?"
"MM, you need to find out what his dream was too. Sometimes dreams are visions of the future."
"That's what I was afraid of. Recently I dreamed of Ben being in a ditch on the Isle."
"That might not be a good thing. But Mal, dreams can also be just your worries manifesting into nightmares. Winter break is coming up isn't it? This is the first holiday you kids will have here in Auradon."
"Well yes, but…"
"I think you understand. Homework over the break is get Ben to explain his dreams to you. The ones that involve you."
"Ok. I guess I can do that."
"Mal explain why you need the information. He will be more willing to give you his story."
"Oh I plan to tell him that, believe me."
"Good. Let's get back to the lessons."
They finished for the night and went back to their room. Evie went right to her studying, and Mal to her art, often she used it to help her work out problems or just forget for a while. She had drawn Ben in the ditch, hoping it would rid her mind of the image, but no such luck. She'd had the same nightmare for three days in a row. Mal looked at the picture. She was trying to locate where on the isle he was. But it just looked like about every alley in town. Evie stood over her shoulder, and looked at the picture. "M, why would you draw Ben on the Isle, fallen on the street no less?"
"It's from a nightmare I keep having. I was hoping drawing it out, might get it out of my head, but no such luck."
"Did you ask the fairies?"
"Yes, Flora said it could be a vision, or my fears manifesting into a nightmare."
"Fears?"
"Yes. You can't tell me you aren't scared to stay in Beaste Castle over Winter break?"
"A little yes. But you'll be there, and so will Jay and Carlos."
"Well, this Christmas thing they are celebrating, has me worried."
"I have been reading about it. We…have to exchange gifts."
"WHAT? And you are just telling me this now?"
"I thought Ben…right he's been seriously busy. Ok, we had better call the boys and fill them in."
Evie called the boys and began to explain the holiday. When she got to the part about gifts the boys reacted the same as Mal. They all decided to walk to town the following day after classes to shop.

In town, Mal and Evie had an easier time shopping than the boys did. On the walk to town, they decided to pool their money to buy the King and Queen a fancy frame that Mal could put a painting of the family into. They also agreed to draw a name for each other, keeping them from having to buy so much. Evie, pulled Carlos's name. Mal pulled Jay's, Jay pulled Evie and Carlos pulled Mal. Then Jay, Evie and Carlos decided to let Mal choose her own gift for Ben, while they bought one for him. Once their shopping was done, they returned to campus to study. They still had two days of finals left.

When the last final for the semester was over, they packed their clothes for a three week stay at Beast Castle. A footman came to their rooms and gathered their things. They would be going to the castle after the Winter formal at the school. Mal and Evie were getting ready, when Jane knocked on the door. "Come in." Mal shouted, as Evie was busy doing Mal's hair. "Hi Jane, what's up?"
"I…I was hoping you girls might help me with my hair?"
"Sure. I am almost done with Mal, and Doug…well he likes my hair down, so I am a quick fix." Evie blushed. She and Doug had finally had a few study dates, and one actual date. Evie had overcome her fear of Doug rejecting her again as a part of peer pressure, and they were almost back to where they were before Family Day.

"What does your dress look like?" Jane took out her phone and showed them. "Lovely. I am glad the bow is much more subtle now. Ok. I have an idea. Mal, Ben will love this." Evie said spinning Mal's chair so she could see the mirror.

"Love it, thanks E." Mal walked into the bathroom to get dressed, while Evie did Jane's hair. Mal came back out in a long deep green gown, with a deep purple leather snake skin patterned belt. It had long sleeves made of green leather. The bodice was Lace over leather, and the skirt was green suede.

"Oh, Mal you look stunning." Jane gushed. "Ben will love it."
"Of course he will." Evie stated, proudly. "Ben has told Mal many times, not to change her style for him. And she helped design this one." Mal blushed at Jane's shocked look.

"I helped pick the fabrics and the basic idea. You made it happen." Mal countered. "Jane, you look great." Mal said when Evie finished with her. "Are you going with Carlos?"
"We…Mom won't let me date, anyone, so we agreed to meet up there."

"I can understand, you guys are younger than the rest of us so I guess I can see her concern." Evie added, knowing it was that and not that Carlos was a VK as they were known by some. Jane left and Evie quickly whipped up her hair and got dressed.

She finished putting on the blue long leather and lace dress just as Doug and Ben knocked on the door. Mal looked over, saw Evie was ready and opened the door.

"Evening ladies." Ben greeted, kissing Mal's cheek. Doug walked over to Evie.

"Heigh-ho." He breathed. "Evie…"
"Thank you." Evie smiled, she knew that was a complement from Doug.

"You look lovely Evie." Ben stated.

"Thank you Ben."
"Mal, lovely as always." Doug said snapping out of his stupor. The guys took their dates arms, and walked into the hall.

"We have to meet up with Jay, Lonnie and Carlos, at the boy's room." Mal pointed out

"Where is Jane?" Ben asked.

"Fairy Godmother told Jane she couldn't date yet. But she said Jane could spend time with him at the dance." Evie added.

"Poor Carlos." Doug agreed
"He is ok with it."

They grab the others and enter the make shift ball room, what is normally the gym. There are glittery snowflakes and sparkling white lights all over the ceiling. One end of the gym has tables and chairs set up. The other end has the dance area. They head to their tables, as they have assigned seats. Mal Ben and their friends are all seated at the same table. The next table over is Audrey, Chad and a few other of the cheerleaders and their dates. Audrey as usual is wearing Pink and Blue. A simple dress really. She looks over Mal and Evie as they sit down. She isn't subtle when she says to the others, "Leather really, so inappropriate. " Mal and Evie just shrug. They didn't dress to impress Audrey. They dressed to impress their dates, and they liked the dresses.

"Can't wait to see how she knocks our dresses for your parents New Years Ball." Mal whispers to Ben.

"I like you in anything you wear. Clothes say a lot about a person, but they aren't everything."
"True." Doug agrees. "I have seen both you ladies dress in your clothes from home, clothes from stores around here, and ball gowns. They were all very you."

"Thank you Doug. We do have a few store bought things now, but mostly…"
"I prefer your designs." Mal puts in.

Just then Fairy Godmother stood on the stage. "Good Evening students. Welcome to our Winter Ball. Food is ready to serve, we will of course start with King Ben and his table, then we will randomly draw table numbers." Ben stood and pulled out Mal's chair. They went for their food. As the tables were called Mal and her table mates enjoyed their meals. It wasn't until the second to the last table before Audrey was called, she was not happy.

After dinner was over Fairy Godmother stood again. "Dessert will be placed onto your tables while we begin the dancing. As voted on by the student body our winter couple for the night is Chad and Audrey. They will be joined by King Ben and Mal." The two couples walked out onto the floor and began to dance. Soon everyone joined them.

The night went well, and soon it was over and the friends were saying goodbye for the holidays to their friends. "Evie, I will see you later on Christmas Day to visit my family right?" Doug asked Evie.

"Of course, and then I will see you again at the New Years Ball."
"Yes. Ben, I look forward to the ball this year."

"Me too." The two friends hugged and then Doug kissed Evies cheek. He walked away.

Jay and Lonnie hugged and parted ways until New Years Ball. Jane and Carlos the same. That left the foursome and Ben to head for the limo that was taking them to the castle. Audrey came up behind them stopping Mal and Ben. "I'll meet you guys at the car." Ben said, sending Evie and the boys to the limo.

"Can we help you Audrey?" Mal asked.
"No hard feelings that you and Ben didn't win tonight." She wasn't sorry.

"Oh, that's not entirely true. Mal and I stepped out of the running when Fairy Godmother asked us to. Seems we were winning by a land slide, and well….she felt it wasn't fair to anyone else, so we decided not to run." Ben admitted. Audrey was fuming. That's when she realized Ben sent the others to his limo.

"Where are you VK's staying for the holidays?" She glared at Mal.
"With my parents and I." Ben proudly admitted. "Mom can't wait to have a whole house of kids to spoil on Christmas morning. She has been shopping for weeks." Ben said putting his arm around Mal. Mal was a little worried the gift from her friends and herself wasn't going to be enough.

"At the castle! They are staying there?"
"Yes. After all the school is closed, where else would they stay?" Ben said, turning himself and Mal away from her. "Merry Christmas Audrey, see you in the New Year."

After they were far enough away from her to hear Mal asked, "She isn't coming to the ball?"
"No, her family travels for the holidays and is never around for Ball. It's really a rather small affair. That's why it's my favorite. It's really just a large dinner party with dancing." Ben says as they reach the limo and he opens the door for her.