Double Detention

[Auradon Prep. 9:00 am]

Mal's POV

We were back in the detention room for the second and final day. Chad is scared of me now, and I love it. He won't bother Evie anymore, that's for sure. I have to say though, I'm surprised at Evie. It's her first time in detention, or today really is her second time, but she doesn't seem upset about it. I was expecting her to plead not to be placed here since it might ruin her perfect record. But she really isn't like that anymore. She's changed, or evolved really. Like I have. We all have. We worked on our class work and flirted with each other occasionally.

However, Evie has a chemistry exam coming up and I know she'll need to focus on that. I soon finished a worksheet and got bored. I felt a vibration in my jacket. I reached in a pocket and pulled out my phone. There was a text from Carlos. He wanted to know how things were going. I replied saying that everything was fine. He then asked if I would like to hang out after school. I told him I would like to.

"Hey, Mal!" exclaimed the teacher.

"Yo." I said while looking at my phone.

"Are you texting in my class?"

"Yep." I replied, still looking at my phone.

"Well put your phone away and work on this."

The teacher put a textbook in front of me.

"Work until you reach page fifty two."

"Fifty two?!" I exclaimed.

"Did I stutter?"

This guy is really getting on my nerves. I put my phone away and looked over at Evie and saw her smiling to herself.

"I'm going to step out for a little bit. I expect both of you to be on your best behavior. Especially you, Mal." said the teacher.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to do anything that'll get me into more trouble." I said, sarcastically, of course.

The teacher left, and I looked at Evie a second time. She was still smiling.

"Why are you smiling? I asked.

Evie shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess it's just because I enjoy being around you." she replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Well, you're yourself again. And it makes me happy to see that."

I got out of my desk and ran over to Evie and hugged her. Evie hugged me back.

"I love you, Evie." I said.

"I love you too, Mal."

We kissed a few times. I wanted to continue, but Evie stopped me.

"No, Mal. We must control ourselves in public. We made that promise, remember?" she said.

"Well, you did. I didn't say anything."

"Mal.."

"Okay, fine. But you're so beautiful."

"I know. And so are you. Now return to your desk." said Evie.

"Fine." I said.

I did as I was told.

"And work until you reach page fifty two." said Evie.

I frowned at Evie after she said that. She looked at me with a blank stare, but then smiled and winked at me. I couldn't help but smile back.

"You know, I love the way you play with me." I said.

Evie raised a brow at my comment.

"Wait. That came out wrong...Or did it? But do you really care if I finish my work or not?" I asked.

"Well, I don't want to see you fail. Just do what you can. Whatever you don't or can't finish, I'll help you with it later." Evie replied.

Caring and beautiful. She is so perfect. And to think I used to hate her for being so perfect. A few minutes later, the teacher returned.

"Well, looks like I can leave you two alone. Good job, Evie, for keeping Mal in order."

"Keep me in order? Forget that!" I said.

"And she's back." said the teacher.

"Mal, work on your text book." said Evie.

"You haven't even started?" asked the teacher.

"I took a break." I said.

"A break? You haven't even worked enough to have one!"

As the teacher and I argued a little, Evie had her hand over her mouth to hide her smile and laugh. It's been awhile since I made Evie laugh, so that made me feel good in the end. Lunch time later came, and we were allowed to eat outside. Only because the school trusts Evie more to look after me than me to look after myself. We got our lunch from the cafeteria and ate outside in the courtyard. We talked for several minutes, then Audrey walked over to us.

"I can't believe you're still here, Mal." she said.

I groaned. Next to Chad, she's the last person I want to see. I then smiled and saw an opportunity for something.

"Yeah? Well guess what, sister? I'm still here." I said.

Audrey scoffed.

"How? How are you not punished for what you did?" she asked.

"Oh, I've been punished. Just not in the way you'd expect. Just some detention, a little counseling, and a carnival to run." I said.

"Carnival? Ben's having you help run the carnival? Oh no."

"Oh yes."

Audrey groaned and walked away. I smiled and laughed.

"You okay?" Evie asked.

"I'm great. I just found a way to have fun without really hurting someone." I said.

Evie looked at me, but she didn't seem upset or disappointed that I said that. I was expecting a "Mal, that's not nice." But never heard it. The bell rang moments later.

"I better get you back to the classroom." Evie said.

She grabbed my hand and led me back to the room. A few more hours remained until the school day was over. I didn't do much work. I stopped working when I got to page nineteen, and starting thinking about the dream I had last night about Evie. I know, so much talk lately about the dream, and not any action. Well, summer break will begin soon, and that's when phase one of my plan will begin. I will take Evie to the mountain. I'm pretty sure she'll like it. I'll carefully ask her if she wouldn't mind living in a place like that someday.

Phase two, well, I haven't got that far yet. I have a lot I need to figure out. First off, would Evie even be interested in that country? Sure it has nice scenery, but what does it have to offer her? I have yet to learn more about the country. Also, how are we going to afford living in Canada? Evie has her own business. Wait. Evie's business. Would she even be able to operate it in a place so far from Auradon? That might be a huge problem, and most likely be the first concern for her. She's worked so hard to get it going and have it become successful like it is today. I looked over at Evie. She was still working on her classwork.

"How am I going to do this?" I thought.

Evie loves me no matter what. And I'm sure she would follow me anywhere. But I don't want her to have to give up what she has and enjoys doing. Her business means a lot to her. And if it came to a point where she would have to give it up, then it wouldn't make much sense to live elsewhere together. The rest of the day went well, I guess. After school, we returned back to our dorm. I sat on my bed looking at the assignment I haven't yet finished. I'm not even halfway done with it. As I opened the textbook to see where I left off, Evie walked over to me and moved my hand to close the book. I looked at her as she sat at the side of the bed next to me.

"I want you to know that I'm not upset at you in any way." she said.

"I know." I said.

"Okay. I figured you did, since I already told you, but I felt like I should tell you one more time. You're happy again, and it makes me feel good." she said.

I smiled. Yeah, I have been happy lately, and it does feel good.

"So, do you need any help with your work?" she asked.

"No, I'm good." I replied.

"Are you sure? You haven't got real far on it."

"I didn't feel like doing anymore." I said.

"Mal, you shouldn't be like that. You have to do the work."

"I know. I'll finish it. I promise." I said.

And I meant it too.

"Okay. But I'm holding you to it." she said.

"Evie?"

"Yeah?"

I was about to ask her how she felt about forests, but I quickly stopped myself. This is definitely not the right time. Without anything else to say, I found myself stuttering a bit.

"What? You love me?" Evie asked.

"Uh..yeah. I-I love you." I managed to say.

Evie smiled.

"I love you too, baby." she said.

She kissed me and then tapped my nose. First time she's ever done that to me. She got up and walked over to her desk and got on her laptop. I reopened my book and pulled out a notebook from my bag and continued where I left off. I didn't get real far before Evie called my name.

"Mal?"

"Yeah?"

"Come here for a sec."

I got up and walked over to her.

"Yeah?" I said.

"Was this you?" she asked.

Evie pointed to her laptop screen. I looked and saw what I had searched when I used Evie's laptop a while back. Remember when I used her laptop to search for "best forests to live in the world"? Well, the laptop's history page shows all the pictures and webpages I clicked on, including my search about Canada.

A/N: Rest in peace, Cameron Boyce. You are no doubt one of the greatest actors and will always be missed.