Only part of her attention was dedicated to the tour of their classes. Who cared if she was a little late? They all acted like class was the most important thing in the world. Mal could create an Isle long list of more important things. Which would include bathing, jumping off a cliff, and getting lost in the forest. The only class she had to pay attention in was Ancient History anyway. It was the best chance they had to get leads on how to break the barrier and it wouldn't make sense for any of the others to take the class. Which meant she had to. Which meant she was the only one with five fucking classes to take, the University insisting she take Magic Basics because she was a fucking fairy. As if her mother hadn't already beaten all the basics into her before giving up on teaching her anything else.

The rest of her attention was on the people suddenly invading the campus. Sure, the campus wasn't her territory, but it was the closest thing she had. Even worse though, there were so many of them. So many entitled mother-fuckers she'd have to try not to maim because it would get her sent straight back to the Isle. That was a fate she wasn't interested in.

Jay bumped her shoulder with his own and she returned the gesture. So they were surrounded by assholes. At least that wasn't new. She could handle it. Besides, there were other ways to fuck with a person. Words weren't her favorite weapon, but that didn't mean she couldn't hold her own. After taking Evie and Carlos in, she'd had to up her game. It was rare for Carlos to throw verbal punches or get angry, but when he did…it was one of the only times she knew he was Cruella's son.

"Are we done yet?" Jay groaned, arms crossed as he leaned against a column.

"We're done," Doug nodded. Uneasy, he glanced at Mal and she curled her lip at him. Maybe it wasn't his fault that they were stuck going to philosophy, but she sure as hell wasn't about to forgive him for it either.

"Thank the fucking gods," Jay said. He pushed off the column and stretched. "Now what?"

"I'm going to go back to Maurice Hall," Evie announced. "I'm almost done with all our outfits for our first day."

"E. If I wanted to be bored, I'd have asked for this tour to continue," Jay pointed out.

"I didn't say you had to come," Evie smiled. "But if you don't want to try on your vest that's fine too. It's going to look incredible on you." Mal could hear the unspoken "sexy" and Jay perked up.

"Fine, whatever. Los?"

Carlos shrugged. "I don't have anywhere else to go."

"Mal?"

She frowned. There wasn't much else to do, but she also wanted to monitor the newcomers. Figure out who was in which gang. Who would be the most likely to cause her pack trouble. Of course, the pointless milling about organizing all their useless things probably wasn't going to give her much information. Besides, she wanted to keep her pack in sight with so many unknowns around.

"I could sketch," she finally shrugged. "If it's going to be people moving in all day then it isn't like much is happening."

"Perfect," Evie beamed with a soft clap of her hands. "Carlos can be your muse."

Immediately, their pup's face went red and Mal couldn't resist a smile. As they moved to follow Evie towards Maurice Hall, Mal fell in step beside him. "I could use a muse," she hummed, just loud enough for him to hear. He stumbled and she steadied him. Brown eyes found hers, and she smirked, watching him clamp his mouth shut. "Of course, they probably wouldn't appreciate the kind of sketch I want to do," she added. His eyes narrowed, a faint flicker of a glare in them. But it was drowned out by shy embarrassment. And a flash of interest. On the Isle she'd tease him more. Here, she'd have to wait until they were back in the dorm. Shame they probably wouldn't be back there in hours. By then he wouldn't be so flustered and it was more fun when he was a blushing mess.

Voices filled the air again, choking out any chance of quiet, and Mal moved to take the position behind Carlos so she could keep watch over her pack. Unlike the Isle, this crowd was easy to weave through, inbred manners creating a path for them. She doubted the stuck up bastards even noticed they were doing it. She also doubted they noticed slim fingers picking through their pockets and snatching away anything small enough not to be missed. They'd sort through Carlos's scores later and then ditch whatever they didn't want near where it'd been taken.

Evie moved them from the main paths to a less crowded one and as they turned a corner two people came into view, one guy and one girl. The boy's back was to them, but the girl was facing them. Together, Lonnie and Doug stopped and exchanged looks.

Honey blond hair fell in wavy curls around her face, two thin braids pulled back from her face towards the back of her head like a crown. Because of course. If a princess couldn't wear an actual crown they'd still make sure people knew they should be. Her dress was a too bright pink that hurt to look at, tight on her waist and modest at her bust. Boring in everything but that hideous color.

But her expression caught Mal's attention more than her dress: full lips a tight, unyielding line, delicate brow creased, hazel eyes stormy. When their eyes met, her entire face seemed to morph: full lips curving into a warm smile, brow smoothing, hazel eyes lightening to a sunny sky.

At the change, the guy turned around. Prince fucking Benjamin. Because who else would it be.

"Guys, hey," he said, a smile sliding into place as he recognized them. "Have you figured out your schedules?"

"Yes. We just finished seeing the classrooms," Evie beamed, curtseying. "We're on our way to Maurice Hall to continue some projects."

"That's great," Ben nodded. "I hope you have fun." There was something rushed in his voice, friendly but wanting the conversation to end. Was it because of the girl? Or had they almost seen his true colors?

"I'm sure we will," Mal shrugged, still watching the girl with him. Who was watching her right back.

Before Mal could start moving the rest of them along, the girl spoke up, "Benny-boo, aren't you going to introduce us?" Her voice oozed sweetness, her smile wide and bright. Gods Mal wanted to puke. Benny-boo?

Ben nodded, giving them a slightly lopsided smile. "Of course." Taking the girl's hand, he guided her forward to stand beside him. "These are the transfer students from the Isle. Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Mal." Hazel eyes skipped over the others to focus on Mal. Bitch was definitely trying to pick a fight. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Audrey," Ben continued.

"Princess Audrey," Audrey corrected with a laugh. "Of Ulsted. My mother is Aurora; you know, Sleeping-"

"Beauty," Mal interrupted. "Yeah, we've heard the name."

"It's nice to meet you," Evie smiled, gliding to Mal's side with another curtsey. "My mother is a queen as well. I look forward to getting to know another princess and learn more about your home."

"Oh," Audrey said, her smile tightening a little. Not out of discomfort or anger. No. That was exactly how Evie smiled whenever she was about to put someone back in their place. At her side, Ben shifted, eyes locked on her. "The Evil Queen has no royal status here. And neither do you."

Evie's smile faltered, fading to a polite curve of her lips that created her most basic mask. Beside her, Mal felt Carlos go rigid, a near silent snarl building in his throat. Wordless, Mal took a step that placed her just in front of him while Jay subtly pulled Carlos back a pace even though all of them wanted the same thing; to tear the bitch apart. No one disrespected Evie like that. No one.

Either completely ignorant of their reactions or not caring—both of them promising a poor sense of self-preservation…Or the bitch was a much better actor than all of them which made her dangerous—Audrey's attention turned to Mal. "You must be Maleficent's daughter then. Just so you know, I totally do not blame you for your mother trying to kill my parents. I'm so thrilled to have this chance to meet you."

"Audrey," Ben murmured as he touched her wrist, voice so low Mal almost missed it. Audrey ignored him.

"That's perfect," Mal smirked. Locking eyes with the princess, Mal added, "Because I totally don't blame your grandparents for blatantly disrespecting my mother by inviting the whole world but her to their stupid christening."

An emotion that Grimhilde would call unladylike escaped Audrey's control for a split second before her smile became too wide, showed too many teeth. "Water under the bridge."

"Obviously," Mal laughed, flashing her own teeth.

"Unfortunately, Audrey and I have some things we need to discuss before the end of the day, so we will need to take our leave," Ben said, moving his hand from Audrey's wrist to grip her elbow. "Please excuse us. Evie, I look forward to seeing the end results of your projects."

Before any of them could say anything else, Ben "escorted" Audrey away.

Uncomfortable, Lonnie took the lead with Doug on her heels. Mal took a moment to make sure her pack wasn't about to get them all thrown back on the Isle. Evie was rearranging her expression into a new mask, Carlos pressed against her side, eyes still bordering on feral, and Jay was glaring after the retreating royalty.

First day of meeting their fellow classmates and they were already at war. Fine. That little bitch would regret pissing them off.

They were villains after all.