Chapter 8

*Ben's POV*

Soon as the council meeting finished I grabbed my Tourney gear and headed straight for the field. Today is the first practice of the season and I was looking forward to it. With all my royal duties lately I was under a tremendous amount of stress. Tourney helped me get rid of that stress.

As soon as I stepped out onto the Tourney field I noticed that my teammates were already warming up. I look into the bleachers to see Mal sitting there with Evie, Lonnie, and Jane. Mal waved at me and smiled, I smiled and waved back. I loved whenever Mal came to watch me practice. Even though sometimes with Mal being there I get a little bit distracted because I couldn't stop thinking about her, I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.

I jogged over to where Jay, Carlos, and Aziz were warming up.

"Sorry I'm late you guys" I apologized while giving each of them a fist bump.

"Actually, you're just in time. By the way, I took your advice about Lonnie and it worked. I'm taking her out on our first date this Friday" Jay said smiling.

"Congratulations man" I said giving him a pat on the back.

"Thanks, I just hope it goes well. I've never felt this way about any other girl before" Jay confessed.

"You'll do fine, just remember to be yourself" Carlos said.

"Thanks you guys" Jay said sincerely.

"You guys ready to start practice?" Aziz asked.

"Ready whenever you guys are, but where's Chad?" I asked.

"You mean you didn't hear the bad news yet?" Carlos asked nervously.

"No, what happened?" I asked.

"Until Chad gets his grades up, coach benched him" Jay said.

"What?" I asked incredulously.

"Yeah, and coach has already found us a temporary replacement" Jay said with a sour expression on his face.

"Who?" I asked warily.

Jay nods his head at someone over my shoulder. I turn around to see Harry Hook walking towards us.

"Harry?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes, unfortunately" Carlos replied.

Harry appears in front of us with a smug expression on his face.

"Well, well, well. I hear we're all going to be teammates" Harry sneered.

"Don't get too comfortable, this is only temporary" I shot back.

"I don't know mate; I could get used to this. The fresh air, sunshine, the action, the pretty girls in the bleachers screaming my name. Who knows? Maybe one of these nights Mal will be underneath me screaming my name" Harry sneered.

"Shut your mouth!" I growled.

"Why? Afraid she's going to leave you for me?" Harry asked while smirking

"Mal loves me" I replied angrily.

"Yeah, for now" Harry insinuated.

"What's that supposed to me?" I asked.

"Your part beast, right? So one of these you're going to turn into a hideous beast just like your father did, and when Mal see's she'll run in the other direction" Harry sneered.

I lunged at Harry, but I didn't get far. It took Jay, Carlos, and Aziz to restrain me.

"Hey Harry, just shut up and play Tourney" Jay said.

"Is there a problem here gentlemen?" Coach Jenkins asked while he appeared at our sides.

"No problem here Coach, just catching up with some old friends" Harry said innocently.

"Well catch up some other time, practice is starting now. Everyone get into your positions" Coach Jenkins said before blowing the whistle and walking away.

"Whatever issues you guys are having with each other leave it off the field, we clear" Jay asked.

"Clear mate" Harry said smirking before walking away.

"Bro, don't let Harry get to you. Besides, you're the team captain. He's not worth getting kicked off the team over" Jay said calmly.

I took a deep breath.

"Maybe you're right, I just don't like the fact that it's my girlfriend he keeps chasing after. I'm starting to wonder, is having Harry here in Auradon really worth all this? We can always figure out another way to find out what Uma's plotting. I know I always say that all the Vk's from the Isle of the Lost should be given a second chance, but Harry really knows how to get under my skin" I confessed.

"Hey, we understand. I'd probably feel the same way if it were Jane he was after" Carlos said.

"Just keep telling yourself that Mal loves you" Jay replied.

"I don't doubt her feelings for me. I just want Harry to leave Mal alone" I stressed.

"Don't worry, there's a ton of other girls here at Auradon Prep. Eventually Harry will get bored and move onto someone else" Carlos said confidently.

"I hope so, because if Harry steps out of line even once I'll have him sent back to the Isle of the Lost so fast his head will spin!" I said angrily.

The rest of Tourney practice went on with me trying to keep my beastly temper under control, which wasn't an easy thing to do with Harry around. I even once caught him winking at Mal and blowing her a kiss. Mal would just roll her eyes at him and I'd laugh while Harry just scowled at me. No matter where Mal was, whether it's a mile away or halfway across campus she always has a calming effect on me. She's always on my mind, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Harry can take all the shots at me he wants, but he better leave Mal alone or I'm going to make him regret it.