I really like this chapter. There is an Ali and Mal friendship moment and and Ali and Jay friendship moment. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

ALI

I sat in the limo, in between Evie and Carlos. I was so happy to be off that ship and away from Harry. Carlos was still gripping my hand, and I leaned against him. Finally feeling the exhaustion that wanted to take over my body.

Ben and Mal were talking about Uma. Uma never talked to me, so I didn't really have much to add to the conversation. Until Mal looked at me.

"Ali, did Uma tell you anything?"

I shook my head, "No, she never talked to me actually. It was all Harry. I don't think it was Uma's idea to capture me too."

Evie looked at me, "What makes you say that?"

I sat up straighter, "When Harry was handcuffing me to the railing, I asked him why I wasn't being tied up like Ben. He told me that I wasn't part of the plan, he told me I was considered 'collateral'. They wanted to exchange Ben for the wand, but if anything happened, they would use me to bargain instead. When I asked Harry why he captured me in the first place, he said I was worth more than a silly wand."

Evie placed hand on my arm, "Is that when he hurt you?"

I looked down at my arms, "No. He started rubbing his hook on my cheek after I was shackled to the railing. I couldn't fight back properly and I knew that if I showed him I was afraid or anything like that, it would only make it worse." I looked back up and noticed that Mal, Evie and Carlos were staring intently at me, while Ben was looking at my arms. I continued, "So, I teased him and asked if he couldn't find a crocodile that wanted a taste. I just wanted him to leave me alone, I didn't think he would really hurt me. Instead of answering, he did this. He only stopped when Ben yelled at him."

Everyone looked back at Ben, he was still staring at my arms, "I yelled at him not to touch her when I saw what he was doing," He looked up locked eyes with Carlos, "I was tied up too, so the only thing I could do was yell. Harry stopped and came over to me. Telling me that I shouldn't get in the way of him and his 'pet' again. I told him she wasn't his. He just laughed and said that she is now."

Mal looked back at me, sympathetically, "I'm sorry, Ali. It's all my fault."

"You have nothing to apologize for," I shook my head, "I chose to go to the Isle."

Mal just nodded and looked out the window. We were almost over the bridge, back into Auradon, back home. I looked at Carlos, I know that hearing what happened to me would upset him. I could see that his jaw was clenched, and the hand that wasn't holding mine was in a fist so tight that his knuckles were turning white. I put my other hand over his fist and felt it relax instantly.

He looked at me, "You're okay, right?" he whispered.

I nodded and gave him a small smile, "Yeah, I am. I promise. I'm a tough girl."

He smiled, "I know you are," With that he kissed my forehead and I leaned back into him. My head was on his shoulder. I closed my eyes and finally felt sleep take over.

The next thing I knew Carlos was nudging me awake. I opened my eyes and noticed that we were back at school.

Carlos smiled at me, "Come on, Sleeping Beauty."

I laughed as we climbed out of the limo, "Like mother, like daughter."

He grabbed my hand again, I don't think he was going to let me go until he absolutely had to. But, I don't want it any other way right now. Jane ran up to Ben, wanting last minute details about cotillion tonight. Tonight! Cotillion is tonight. Oh my gosh, I had almost forgotten what day it was. My scars are going to be visible in my dress and they're all too fresh to start fading anytime soon. As Jane talked to Ben and Mal, I let go of Carlos and pulled Evie over to the side.

"Evie, my dress tonight," I held out my arms, "Everyone will see my scars."

She looked at my arms and then back to me and smiled, "Don't worry, I can make a last-minute adjustment."

I gave a relived sigh, "You're a life saver."

We hugged and she turned to Mal just as Ben and Jane walked away, "We need to talk."

Mal nodded, "Yeah," the two of them huddled together and started to walk away.

"No." Carlos said, he had grabbed my hand again and was looking at Evie and Mal.

They turned, "No?" Evie questioned.

"No." Carlos repeated, "You two are always going off in your huddle whispering your girl talk or whatever. Jay and I are sick of it."

Jay raised his hand and interrupted, "I'm not."

Carlos ignored him, "We're you family too. We've been through a lot together and we aren't stopping that now. Everyone sit."

He sat on the ground and unceremoniously brought me down with him. Evie and Mal looked at each other and sat down as well, and Jay shrugged and followed suit.

Carlos held Dude in his lap and looked around, "I don't know how to start girl talk."

Evie and I shared a smile. He's such a goof.

"What up?" Jay asked, and I looked at him and scoffed.

Mal was first, "I'm a mess. I'm such a mess. I mean, 6 months ago I was stealing candy from babies and now everyone wants me to be this lady of the court and I have no idea how."

Carlos shrugged, "Then don't."

I'm sure Mal wishes it was that easy.

Jay moves to get up, "See? This was dumb."

Evie's voice stopped him, "Maybe it wasn't. We're always going to be the kids from the Isle. I tried to forget it, I really did. But those are our roots, they make us who we are and we will never be like the kids here. And that's okay."

I decide to speak up, "It's what makes you guys unique."

Evie smiled at me and nodded.

Carlos squeezed my hand and spoke up, "We can't fake it."

Mal sighed and looked at the ground, "Yeah, especially without my spell book."

"If Ben doesn't love the real you, then he's not the one," Carlos told her. I was mildly surprised to hear that come from him but at the same time I knew he was sweet enough to say something like that.

Evie nodded, "I like that." She leaned in to hug Mal and mouthed a thank you to Carlos.

Evie broke the hug and spoke to Mal, "I'm going to make some changes to your dress and if you're up for it, it will be waiting for you."

Mal nodded and we all got up to leave.

Jay stopped walking and sat in front of Mal again, "Come to cotillion tonight, and if Ben isn't smart enough to love you and you can't spend another day here; I'll drive you back myself."

Jay stood again and we all started to walk away, but I heard Mal call my name. I looked at Carlos, "I'll see you tonight. Pick me up at my dorm?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I'll see you tonight," he kissed my forehead and I walked to Mal.

I sat down in the grass next to her. She looked at me, "Thank you. You didn't have to come to the Isle with everyone else. And I'm sorry for what happened."

I smiled, "Stop apologizing, and you're welcome. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

She looked down and plucked at the blades of grass, "How do you do it? "

I cocked my head to the side, "Do what?"

"Be a princess," She looked up at me, "From getting to know you, I know you aren't a prissy pink princess."

I laughed, "Yeah, I'm definitely not. It wasn't easy, by any stretch of the imagination. Honestly, it took a couple years for my parents, mainly my mother, to accept that I was never going to act the way she wanted me to. You should just be yourself Mal. Everyone else will grow to accept that the way that all of us already do." Mal smiled at me, "You're part Isle and part Auradon. It's time to let everyone else see that."

"Thank you, Ali," Mal said, I could see the sincerity in her eyes, "I know it didn't seem like we got off to a good start, but I really do like you. It's kind of weird, because you seem like you could fit in on the Isle so well."

I laughed, "Yeah, Jay told me I fit in pretty well while we were there," She laughed and I continued, "Like Jay said, come to cotillion tonight. Show everyone the real you, and if Ben is really that stupid, I will beat him up for you."

She laughed again, "I really hope that isn't necessary."

I laughed with her, "Just remember that you have a wonderful group of friends who love you just the way you are. You got Evie, Carlos, Jay, Lonnie, Doug, Jane, and I all here for you. And let me tell you, Ben has dated a pretty pink princess, he's definitely better off with you."

She smiled, "Thank you, Ali."

After my talk with Mal I went back to my room and took a well needed nap. I set my alarm to go off at 4, giving me enough time to shower and get ready for cotillion. I stepped out of the shower, I examined my arms again. I scrubbed them clean and could now clearly see the marks Harry had left me. They were bright red lines, I had at least ten on each arm. Thankfully, none of them were deep enough to need stitches. I slipped into my bathrobe and hoped that Evie would be here soon so I can see the changes she made to my dress.

As soon as I sat down to do my hair and makeup, I heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was Evie, I got up and opened the door. However, I was surprised to find Jay waiting on the other side of the door. He was still dressed for R.O.A.R. He must've just finished practice.

"Hey, Jay, what's up?"

He seemed nervous the way he looked at me, "Can I come in for a minute?"

"Yeah," I stepped aside and let him come in, closing the door behind him. "Everything okay?"

He sighed as he turned to face me, "You tell me."

I gave a frustrated sigh, "Everyone has got to stop asking me if I'm okay. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself."

He smirked, "Believe me, we all know that. But, we also know how Harry can be. He hurt you, Ali. It's okay to not be okay."

I looked down at the floor, "It was terrible, being stuck on that ship, tied up. I was unable to fight back. He kept talking like he owned me. He kept kissing my cheek. All I wanted to do was go home."

"Ali, you're like a little sister to me," Jay started and stepped closer to me, "I couldn't stand seeing you like that. Carlos couldn't either."

I smiled, "I know he couldn't. I could see it in his eyes. Thank you for pulling me away from Harry by the way, and shielding me from him."

Jay nodded "You're welcome. Carlos was worried about you, we all were of course, but he could barely even sit still. He really loves you."

"I know he does," I walked over and sat down in front of my mirror, "I love him, too." I smiled as I fingered with the charm bracelet on my wrist.

I could see Jay smiling in the mirror behind me. He sat down on my bed as I started to put on my makeup, "You two are good together. We all didn't have much growing up on the Isle, but I think out of all of us, Carlos had it the worst."

I put down my mascara and turned around, Jay was looking down at my floor playing his hands, "Yeah," he looked up at me, "He told me about it. I still can't believe it, I mean yeah, Cruella is a villain but I honestly never thought she could be that cruel. Especially to her own son."

Jay nodded, "Yeah, it's pretty amazing how well Carlos turned out after that. I don't know how he did it."

I smiled, "He's so sweet, especially to me. I can't believe that he was ever on the isle to begin with."

"He really cares about you," Jay smiled at me, "That's why he couldn't get you back from Harry. He didn't trust himself to not seriously hurt him in that moment."

"Yeah, I know. I care about him too," I turn back around and resume putting my makeup on.

"I should let you get ready, I have to get ready as well."

I turned to look at him, "Thanks for stopping by Jay. I'll see you tonight."

He smiled once more and turned to leave, he opened the door just as Evie was about to knock, "Oh, hey Evie, Doug."

I stood and smiled, "Evie!" I walked over and grabbed the bag of money, containing the payment for my dress.

Doug walked in and hugged me, "Evie told me what happened," He whispered as I hugged him back, "I'm glad you're okay."

We separated, "Thank you, Doug, so am I."

Evie picked a black dress bag from the dress rack her and Doug were using to deliver the dresses, "Here, and I fixed it like we discussed earlier."

I hugged her, "Thank you so much," I handed her the money.

She gave me one last smile before she and Doug left, but she turned around in the doorway, "I have to deliver the rest of these and then get ready myself. I'll see you tonight. And I promise Carlos will love the dress." She turned and left with Doug as he waved goodbye.

I looked at Jay as he spoke, "Alright, now I'm leaving. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye Jay," I smiled, "Thanks again."

He closed the door behind him. I looked at my dress bag and reached for the zipper. Let's see what Evie made for me.

CARLOS

I walked down the hallway to Ali's dorm. I promised to pick her up for cotillion. I know she told me that she's okay after the Isle, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried. I quickly reached her door and knocked. She opened the door and I forgot how to breathe.

"Carlos?" She waved her hand in front of my face. "Are you okay? You've been staring to me for like 2 minutes."

I shook my head and smiled, "Sorry, it's just…you look absolutely beautiful." She really did. She was in a dark red skirt with a black crop top and black lace sleeves that covered her scars. I need to remember to thank Evie for making that dress for her.

She blushed and looked down, "You always say I'm beautiful."

"And every time I say it, it's completely true. Especially now." I really wished I could come up with a better word, but my brain was not running on full power right now.

She smiled and I took her hand and I pulled her into a hug, which she quickly returned. I pulled back slightly and pulled her in for a kiss. It was the first kiss since our fight, and it felt like forever since I kissed her. She kissed back and her arms tightened around my neck and I pulled her as close as I possibly could. My hands grazed the bare skin between her skirt and top. I felt her shiver at my touch, and I silently cursed the fact that we had to leave for cotillion.

She was first to pull away and we were both panting, "I missed that."

I laughed, "Yeah, I missed that too."

She smiled and gave me another quick kiss. She locked her door and we started to make our way to cotillion.