Arranging her notebook and pencil on her desk, Evie twirled a strand of hair around her finger. It had been a long week and it was only Monday. Between learning that they would be eating with the Queen of Auradon at breakfast and hearing Jay curse about Chad during lunch, Evie was tired. She needed to teach her pack how to properly behave around royalty in a week. She needed to make sure the nice clothes given to them on their first day still fit properly and make the necessary adjustments. She needed to make sure that Chad didn't start bigger problems like Audrey. That shouldn't be too difficult at least; most men were easy to…redirect.

"E?" Carlos whispered. "You good?"

"I'm fine," she promised. "Just thinking."

For a moment Carlos stared at her before rolling his eyes and fidgeting with his notebook. Grateful that he wasn't pushing, Evie flipped to the next blank page, jotting down the list of behaviors that her pack needed to learn: review the proper way to bow and curtsey, the correct utensils for each course of the meal, conversation topics to avoid (their true thoughts on Auradon and some of their classes and classmates), conversation topics they could use, general manners, proper posture and poise for Mal and Jay…though that was going to be a mostly lost cause. It wasn't until their professor cleared his throat that she realized he'd entered the room and was standing in front of the class.

"Now, as I'm sure you're all aware, midterms are next week," Professor Warner announced. Groans filled the air as other students slumped forward or let their heads roll back. Confused, Evie glanced at Carlos who only shrugged when she caught his eye. "For those of you who don't know," Professor Warner continued, focusing on her and her pack. Evie refused to look away when their eyes met, "Midterms are exams that test you on all the material we have covered up to this point. These are an important part of your grades, so I strongly recommend you study if you wish to pass. The rest of your midterms are no excuse to slack off in my class."

Jay's lips moved in a flurry of silent curses as Mal's eyes flickered green. Beside her, Evie could almost feel Carlos trying to shrink into his seat. There were tests in every class next week? Her Sewing and Embroidery professor hadn't mentioned them, and she knew the professors for the rest of her packs' morning classes hadn't either or they would've complained during lunch. Breathing deeply–cursing wasn't proper for a princess– Evie closed her eyes. Her list was just getting longer. She needed to wrangle Jay and Mal to make sure they studied. She needed to study for her own tests so she could barely pass; princesses shouldn't be too smart. She needed to make sure Carlos didn't panic during the tests.

"Let's get started. Everyone take out your notes," Professor Warner continued and Evie watched Mal brush a few sparks away from her paper.

She needed to make sure Mal didn't set their classrooms on fire.

Soon her two lists took up three pages of her notebook and her head pounded with the threat of a headache. Gods, how was she going to find the time for all of this? There wasn't nearly enough time in the week to ensure she completed even one of her lists, trying to complete both…

Taking a breath, she closed her eyes. She could do this. She was the daughter of a queen. Managing a kingdom behind the scenes was something she was trained to do. Those lessons could apply here. All she had to do was sort out the priorities and make sure they were accomplished. If she failed anything, she had to make sure whatever it was wouldn't cause a catastrophe.

The entire class was a blur, but she couldn't bring herself to care. It wasn't like she needed to get better than a C overall anyway. Once class was over, her pack dragged themselves out of the room and to the cafeteria. Rapunzel and Flynn were already at their usual table, plates full. With an effort, Evie ignored the hungry twist in her stomach. It wasn't as if she hadn't survived on less. This was an easy problem for her to control. She'd maintain her figure. And soon enough her appetite would go back to what it was supposed to be.

Bright-eyed as always, Rapunzel waved as soon as she saw them, smile wide. Flynn, on the other hand, looked like her pack, frustrated and unenthusiastic.

"Hi guys," Rapunzel greeted.

"Hey," Flynn said.

"Hey," Jay echoed.

Frowning, Rapunzel looked at them. "Is something wrong?"

"Same thing that's wrong with me, Blondie," Flynn told her, lifting an arm to rest the back of his hand to his forehead. "The impending devastation of midterms."

"Eugene," Rapunzel laughed, "it can't be that bad."

For a moment he seemed to consider that, rubbing his chin with a faint hum. "You know what, Blondie," he said, "You might be right." Before she could say anything, he continued, "It'll be so much worse."

"Eugene!"

Cackling, Mal clapped Flynn on the shoulder. "Yes! Gods, yes. He gets it. This is gonna suck."

"Homework is bad enough," Jay groaned, slumping into a seat. "Now we have to remember everything?"

Beside her, Carlos sighed as he placed his bag on the table. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. Evie knew he enjoyed school for the most part, but facing tests was…unsettling. "Hey," she said softly as she sat next to him. "It's only going to be on the stuff they taught us. It'll be fine."

This wouldn't be like the "tests" their parents liked to give. The worst that could happen here was a bad grade. It was one of her favorite things about Auradon; survival itself was easy. There was time to actually try living.

Brown eyes on Jay and Mal, Carlos shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. What are we going to do about them?"

With a soft sigh, Evie shook her head. "What we always do." When Carlos glanced at her, Evie grinned. "Subject them to 'torture'."

He burst out laughing.

"Oh I know!" Rapunzel beamed. "I know we're all studying different things, but why don't we study together? We can all meet in the library and help each other."

The moment the word library left her mouth, Jay and Mal both groaned, and even Carlos sighed. Evie couldn't blame them.

Clearly confused, Rapunzel frowned. "What's wrong with the library?"