Yay new chapter! I'm sorry y'all. I haven't forgotten about you. I know it's a little short, sorry. I've been itching to get this out, but I got busy on top of wanting to make it "perfect". lol. {SOME THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON FUTURE CHAPTERS} Sorry in advance for typos. But here it is. I hope you enjoy. Let me know your thoughts. :)

Chapter 9

"Alright it says we still need one tear, and I never cry." Mal reads the instructions from her spell book as she mixes all of her ingredients into a bowl. The group of them are gathered after-hours in the school's expensive kitchen. Most of the ingredients needed for the spell could be found in the various cabinets littered across the walls and pantry. Many of them so fresh they had trouble identifying them without the odd color, mold, or bugs their used to. Should they be found out, it would simply look like they were cooking. Which she guesses, they kind of are.

"Just chop up some onions." Carlos suggests as he offers her one from his spot perch on a different countertop to the right of where she works.

"No." The young Faye huffs. "It says here that we need one tear of human sadness. This love potion gives you the best results, so we will follow it exactly."

Jay hovers over Mal's right shoulder to read what the spell says for himself. "This book says it will make the reci– recipient fall in love with the first person they see open digesting the spell."

Mal watches as pride blooms through Jay after reading that. Historically, he isn't the best with words. She's honestly surprised he was able to read and understand everything on the page. Back home, the word digesting would've left him stumped. Perhaps this new school has its benefits after all.

"Upon." Carlos corrects.

"What?"

"You said open. The word is upon."

"That's what I said you may need to get your ears checked as well." Jay hops onto the counter to sit near Carlos. He wiggles Carlos' glasses and pulls his ear to further express his point. The younger boy slaps his hand away.

"Guys can we focus?" Mal snaps. "We still need a tear of human sadness."

Jay scoffs. "A tear's a tear."

"That's not true, Jay." Evie quick to correct in her soft-spoken way. "They both have antibodies and enzymes, but an emotional tear has more protein-based hormones than a reflex tear." She explains it all so casually as she tidies the workspace. Mal realizes this is simple knowledge to her. Evie is smarter than she lets on.

"Listen to you." Mal gives the Princess rare praise causing her to blush. Perhaps her team isn't filled with useless idiots, and they may actually be able to pull off a well-executed plan.

"Yeah, I knew that." Jay tries to play it off as is half of what Evie said didn't go over his head.

"Did not." Carlos teases with a punch to the shoulder.

"Yeah, I did." Jay shoves Carlos. It nearly leads to another one of their stupid fights, but they are interrupted when the kitchen door swings open.

The group freezes as Lonnie makes her way into the room with a huge smile on her face. "There you are, Mal. I was looking for you."

Mal groans in annoyance. She and Evie quickly and discreetly cover up the things on the counter that may give away their not so innocent activities. This includes a tea towel over her spell book.

"You know all the girls want you to do their hair." Lonnie continues. She's dressed down in a matching pink and white hoodie and pajama bottom set. It's the most comfortable she's seen anyone from Auradon dress. "Midnight snack, huh? What are you making?"

"Nothing special. Just some cookies." Mal waves her hand as if to physically brush her curiosity away.

Without prompt or preamble, the Auradon girl dips her finger into the dough and into her mouth.

"No no no!" "Wait wait!" Come the group's protest, but it's too late.

Lonnie shrugs. "What? It's not like I'm going to double dip."

"Feel anything?" Evie prompts hesitantly.

"Yeah, like maybe it might be missing something?" Mal hopes that without the final ingredient the spell won't take effect. How would they know? It's not as if they've ever experimented with magic like this before.

The other girl stares at them blankly.

Before she can respond, Jay swoops in to put the charm on her. "Hey there."

Lonnie continues to stare. Before the moment can get any more awkward. She speaks up. "It could use some chips."

"Oh good." It didn't work on her. But why the hell would they need chips? She couldn't be talking about the chips they're used to.

"Chips?" Jay asks dumbly.

"And that would be…" Mal leaves the question open.

"Chocolate chips." Lonnie attempts to clarify as she grabs for something in the refrigerator. "Just the most important food group."

The Vk's watch her curiously as she takes a handful of chocolate chips from a small bowl and drops them into their batter. Mal tenses. She hopes this doesn't affect the spell in any way.

Lonnie continues. "Wait didn't your mom's ever make you guys, like, chocolate chip cookies? Like when you're feeling sad and they're fresh from the oven with a big old glass of milk and then she just makes you laugh and puts everything into perspective and… and…" She falters.

No. Mal doesn't think anyone on the Isle ever experienced that. She knows she never did. But now a part of her deep inside wishes she had. The concept of someone doing any of this is foreign to them. The way Lonnie completely lit up while praising her mom, well it was more of a gush, it makes Mal realize she wants that. She wants to be close to Maleficent, to be able to confide in her, and stand side by side as they rule the world together. Fat chance of that happening if they continue to fail her.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"It's just a different where we're from." Mal mumbles a reply as she mixes in the chocolate chips.

Lonnie stutters as she struggles for response. "Yeah, I know. I just, you know, I thought even villains l-love their kids."

No one responds. For the past 16 years or so of their lives, they could occasionally fool themselves into believing their parents cared or maybe even loved them. If they couldn't do it for anyone else, they made an exception for their kids. It's a common misconception that villains can't love. They can its often just jewels, beauty, power, money, Diablo, and whatnot. Their kids, as they discovered not too long ago, do not make the list. It was confirmed on that horrible night they went to the forbidden fortress. Clear as ice for them to see.

"Oh… how awful." Lonnie says quietly. She grabs Mal's nearest hand in both of her.

Mal looks at the offending hand, ready to snap at the girl only to look at Lonnie's face and realize she's crying over them now. Maleficent on high, she's crying! The Fae quickly wipes a tear from the girl's cheek and shakes it over the bowl. It was a pretty fat tear. She hopes it's enough for the spell.

"Yeah, well big bummer. But we have to get these into the oven." Mal shakes off Lonnie's hand and guides her towards the door. "So, thank you so much for coming by. Have a good night."

"Okay. Okay." A stunned Lonnie murmurs.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Evil dreams."

"Good night." She says before having the kitchen door closed in her face.

Mal claps her hands together once, ready to refocus on plan B. "Okay, boys, cookie sheet. Evie, oven." Mal directs. She guesses Princess Blueberry is good for something else. She's the only one of them who knows how to cook and use any of the appliances properly. Mal and Jay are more acquainted with the rare use of the microwave.

"Yes, ma'am" Evie salutes and they set off to get the cookies baked.

Mal smiles proudly at their work. "Love spell, check. Next step, victory." Things are finally looking up. They'll have the wand in no time.

"Wait. Who are you planning on using the spell on again?" The princess asks as she closes the oven door.

"Ben."

"Why are we cursing Ben?" Evie asks.

God, for a Princess so academically intelligent, she's so stupid, Mal thinks. "Ben needs a new girlfriend to bring as a date to his coronation. Because, we need someone close enough to grab the Fairy Godmother's wand and let down the barrier. Got it?" She doesn't make an effort to mask the irritation in her voice.

"Who's supposed to do this?"

"Yeah Mal. Who's gonna be Ben's date?" Jay teases. The other two look at her curiously, awaiting an answer.

"I'll do it." Is Mal's casual response.

Jay snorts. "You know that requires you to pretend you actually like, no care about the guy."

Mal huffs. She has no intention of being Ben's girlfriend, fake or otherwise. She simply wants to be the one to grab the wand in the end. It makes sense. With the power if the FG's wand, Maleficent's daughter brings upon the end as they know it. This way she can keep control of the situation.

"Why do we need to spell him at all? Evie could just as easily seduce him." Carlos points out. "Is that not what your mother trained you to do, get a prince?"

Evie nods.

"Seduction will take time. This will be instant." Mal insists. They don't have room for mistakes.

"Why not play the long game? We have till the coronation." Carlos insists.

Mal considers this.

"Wouldn't it be eviler this way?" Jay adds. "Manipulate his heart without the help of magic? It will all be genuine and something like that cannot be broken by a stupid kiss."

It is a good plan in theory. If Evie can pull this off, this could be the 'how' her mother was talking about. Make Ben, no all of Auradon fall in love with them, then betray them. She likes the thought the more and more she thinks about it. This could work. "Okay. Let's do it."

"But what about Audrey?" Evie speaks up for the first time.

Mal balls her hands into fist. This better not be a problem. This plan is riding Evie stealing the prince's heart. What's the point of having all of Auradon eating out of the palm of their hands if their next king isn't among them? No, they need Ben. "Who cares about your pretty pink play toy? We're villains." Mal snaps at the girl. It doesn't matter how they get ride of Audrey, as long as they get her out of the way.

"But-"

"Ugh fine I'll do it. Fucking useless." Mal mumbles the last sentence under her breath. She sneaks a peek through the oven glass to check on the cookies' progress.

"Wait no, I'll do it. Just don't spell Ben. I can get him to fall for me without it." Evie promises. Mal isn't convinced. "Like Carlos mentioned, I've been prepping for this my entire life. It's time I put these skills to good use."

Mal sighs. Delegate, she reminds herself. It's still her plan. She's the leader of the group. She controls the blueberry, so she controls the heart of the prince. Besides, they have a backup should things go sideways. "Fine. Get the cookies out the oven. Can't burn the place down before we get the wand."

Evie nods and rushes to do as she's told. She who controls the prince's heart, controls the kingdom. Mal will have all the power and she doesn't even have to interact with Ben directly. She's beginning to like this plan. She just has to keep the princess in check.

"So, do we all understand the new plan? Get Evie a new boyfriend?" Jay asks the group.

They reply in the affirmative.

"Long live evil." Mal declares. Auradon isn't ready for what they have in store.

Carlos spent the better part of the day dreading this moment. He slowly navigates his way through the hallways to Pocahontas' office, per Mal's insistence. She believes that he will be able to get intel on the old lady. That maybe the friendlier they are towards her, the more likely she'll reveal her true nature. Carlos doesn't see what Mal's sees. Pocahontas just seems like a smart old lady. That doesn't mean he trusts her, but he doesn't think there's anything notorious going on.

The 14-year-old feels his hands begin to sweat as he nears what is supposed to be her office. The plastic smiles and piercing eyes of faculty portraits along the wall doesn't help his growing anxiety. He notes Pocahontas doesn't have one. He wonders if it's because she's only a volunteer. A volunteer wouldn't have their own office, would they? Maybe it's because she's from somewhere else. She doesn't give the same energy that other people from Auradon give. Perhaps she's the odd one out. How the hell is Carlos supposed to figure any of this out? Just ask her? Despite what Mal believes, he's not great at conversing with people. She should have gotten Evie or even Jay to do this. They are way better at talking to people. But Mal says he has the better excuse for visiting her office and Carlos can't argue with her logic. With a deep breath, Carlos enters the office.

The office is small, but not claustrophobic. The overhead lights are off, but the windows let in so much light he almost doesn't even notice. It feels welcoming enough for Carlos to let the door close behind him as he moves further into the room.

Pocahontas looks up from what she's working on at her desk and smiles as soon as she sees him. She does a poor job of masking her surprise. Carlos can't blame her for the reaction. None of them gave any indication that they would ever willingly seek her out. "Hello darling. Is everything alright?" She gestures for him to take the chair in front of her desk. He does.

Carlos hesitates to respond. He hadn't really thought about what actually say to her. She looks to him with anticipation and a kind smile. It causes his palms to sweat. "My grandmother." He squeaks out in the end.

Pocahontas straightens at that. "I should have expected that would be on your mind. I heard you met after the press conference. How did that go?"

It was Overwhelming to say the least. What is he suspected to do? What is he expected to say? That he's over the moon to have more family? Of course, he isn't. The only family he's ever known is clinically insane or is likely dead by the hands of another clinically insane person from that island. He can't say he's disappointed at the revelation of more family. To be honest, he doesn't know what he is. He doesn't know this woman. At least she doesn't seem crazed like Cruella. On the surface at least. A couple days ago he didn't even know he had a grandmother. Now she wants him and his friends to spend the weekend with her? This doesn't happen on the isle.

"It was unexpected." Carlos settles on a response.

"I'm sure it was. Had your mother not told you about your grandmother, Madam DeVille, before?" Pocahontas asks with a mild interest.

The teen shakes his head. "Family isn't exactly new to me. My uncle and cousin are on the isle."

She does a better job of masking her surprise this time, but Carlos notices it before her expression changes to a mostly neutral one.

"Did you know that there were supposed to be five of us in this stupid program?" He pushes. He knows he shouldn't. But these Auradon snobs don't even realize how easy their lives are and definitely don't care about what may be happening to his cousin right now. Why would they? None of them cared to check in on him. No. They can sleep comfortably in their pillowed beds at night and not have to think about anything at all.

Pocahontas sighs. "Yes, dear. He was kidnapped, correct? I'm so sorry you all had to experience that."

"His name was Diego and he was my cousin." Carlos frowns and avoids eye contact. "He was more excited about the idea of coming here than any of us. He should be here to meet his grandmother. He should be the one to spend the weekend with her."

"Spend the weekend?"

"Yeah." Carlos shrugs. "Madam DeVille invited us to stay with her for the weekend. Is that even allowed?"

"It is. Is that something you want to do?" Pocahontas confirms. She waits for his reaction instead of implementing her own and pins the topic of his cousin for later.

"I don't know." The teen huffs out. At this point, he'd much rather she tell him what to do. That's why she's here right? "What am I supposed to do with Madam DeVille all weekend? I'm not really sure what she's expecting to happen. I am not Cruella."

The old woman chuckles at his admission. "Carlos, I don't believe your grandmother is expecting anything from you. I'm quite positive she simply wants to get to know you. Like you, she didn't know you existed until a couple days ago."

He takes a breath. "What if-" The fourteen-year-old twiddle with his fingers unsure if he wants to even broach the subject with her. "I mean– they look so much alike. What if, what if she is like my mother?" He whispers the last word.

Pocahontas takes a beat and gathers her thoughts before speaking. "I hear you. I'm sure Malevola and Cruella share some similarities, but I highly doubt you will need to worry over what she may do to you. She simply wants to get to know you.

"And if for any reason you don't feel safe or are uncomfortable during your stay, all you have to do is call and I will have a vehicle sent to bring you back to the school. Is that alright with you?"

Carlos takes a moment to think. He's not sure what the right thing to do is. He doesn't think there is a right way. The decision is his to make. There wasn't a ton of decisions of this magnitude being made by him back home. Before Evie arrived at Hell Hall, picking between starting with dinner or the laundry right after school was as far as got in deciding between things. What could it hurt to visit Madam DeVille for the weekend? Everyone would be there with him if something were to go wrong. What could his grandmother do that Cruella hasn't already done? And Carlos survived her.

He nods to himself once before stating: "I'll go, but I don't want to be stuck there. I want to be able to leave if I don't like it." He's sure she understands his underlining message.

"We will bring you all back here as soon as possible. But Carlos, I want you to give this a real chance." The old

"You want me to give her a change to prove she isn't bad?"

"I want you to give yourself the chance to experience true familial love." She counters easily.

Carlos quiets. He hadn't thought of that. What would it be like to experience family the way Lonnie and so many kids here described? Panic threatens to arise as a familiar, yet rare feeling in his chest bubbles up. It's the same one that surfaced when his mother said she'd miss him before coming here. It didn't last long. He doesn't dare think this will be any different. "Do you really think she's different?"

"I do." She says this as if she knows for certain. Who knows, she just might.

"And you swear that if I'm ready to leave, I can leave."

"I promise."

"OK. Then, I'll try." And he means it, he realizes. He had come here to try and figure out what her angle is. Instead, Carlos gained a better understanding of his own internal conflicts. Never in his life had he experienced problem solving emotions by talking them through in this way. This terrifies him. Pocahontas terrifies him, but not in the same way Mal does. She has no anterior motive. Back home everyone wants something, everyone has an angle. What scares him even more than her lack of intentions was the realization that he's beginning to trust her.

Carlos becomes aware that he has been quiet for a moment too long. He missed the opportunity to say thanks and leave. Instead, he remains seated. Pocahontas smiles encouragingly at him, waiting for him to address what's keeping him in the chair. Carlos can't think of any to say, so he remains quite for a moment longer.

Eventually, Pocahontas breaks the silence. "Was there anything else on your mind? How are you adjusting to the new school?" The older woman prompts.

Carlos takes the lifeline. "Well enough. A lot of it is a refresher on what I already know." He summaries. He doesn't mention the odd stares or the passive aggressive comments directed at him like he assumes she was asking. It honestly doesn't compare to the bullying he experienced on the isle. And that doesn't compare to Cruella. This is mild.

Pocahontas sits up at that and open her computer. "I can adjust your classes if you'd like something a bit more advanced. I see some of the others have already done so."

"No. It's fine. I enjoy learning the differences between our elements and whatnot." Carlos waves her off. "I've got to get to my next class." He stands and moves toward the door.

The older lady follows. She moves slowly, as if her bones and muscles are trying to figure out how to move in tandem with one another.

When she is close enough she slips a card into his hand and gives his arm a squeeze. "If any of you need anything at all, I'm available to you from 7 to 7. I added my personal number so that you can reach me after hours."

Tears unexpectedly form in Carlos' eyes at the gesture. He blinks as to not let any of the fall. "Thank you." He means when he says it. And with that he leaves.

On the surface the day is like any other. Students mill about on their way to classes. However, Chad has heard the gossip and conversations happening under wraps. Of course, he wasn't getting most of this information first hand being best friends with the creator of said program. On the other hand, his proximity to the program and the new kids gave him a new found notoriety. Everyone wants information. What's Jay like? Are those their natural hair colors? Does Maleficent's daughter really have fangs? Is it true you're dating the blue one?

They'd been referring to Evie. The blue one. He has no idea if that's her natural hair color. He should ask the next time he picks up his Chem homework. She's pretty smart for a girl. On his last assignment he'd gotten a full score and bonus points to be added to his overall grade. It's been a minute since he's had an official girlfriend. Perhaps he'd give it a chance. The girls who think they have his heart will likely put up a fit and he'd lose his other homework plugs. He can easily do it himself, he'd just rather not. Maybe it's not worth it.

The real question is, how will it look for their rating? For the past couple of minutes, Chas has been studying the polls to see how well Ben's program is doing in the eyes of the public on his tablet. The school is pretty easy. The majority of the student body toe the line on whether or not they like them. It seems Mal is doing wonders with the girls. Surprisingly. She doesn't seem like the people type. Jay is also doing well with the girls. Unfortunately. Evie is smart though. And he's not really in the need for a smart companion. He has enough smarts for the both of them. She has that mirror phone that tells her stuff, right? So maybe she isn't as bright as she makes herself out to be in class. And the less time she spent focusing on school she wouldn't need anyway, the more time she could be devoting to him and the press. Evie isn't a princess, but her dating a prince will give the program the notoriety and hopefully good ratings it to be taken seriously. Too bad the students don't weigh much in the overall popularity of them in Auradon. Though, their opinions and experiences with them could very well be used to sway the people.

Chad slides his tablet across the table to Ben so he can see the chart he's made up. "56% in support. 44% opposed. The kingdoms are split, but I'd consider this an improvement seeing the support was only 23% before the press conference."

Ben sighs and begrudgingly agrees. "I guess you're right."

"Of course, I am. The numbers never lie. And you can only go up from here." His father taught him how to chart numbers and statistics at a very young age. He thinks it important for a future king to know how to do these things for himself. One can never know who is truly trustworthy.

"Ben! Hi there."

Chad's heart skips a beat at the sound of her voice. Evie practically floats over to them. A delicate hand is placed on Ben's shoulder to steady herself as she joins him on the bench. "I haven't seen you since you stopped by our room yesterday."

Chad fights against the odd feeling in his chest. The blue haired girl barely spoke a word to him in their earlier chemistry class. Much like she's doing now. Does she not see him sitting here? He's right in front of her.

"Evie hey." Chad grabs her attention with a hopeful smile.

"Oh. Hi Chad." She says with a lot less enthusiasm. Almost as if the thought of him saddened her to acknowledge him. Her attention swiftly returns to Ben. Chad feels a pang in his chest. "What are you guys up to? How's your day been?"

Ben brightens at her questioning. He's been wanting to get closer to his program children for a while now. None of them have given him the time of day, until now. And the crown prince is soaking up the attention. Good for him. Chad thinks to himself. He doesn't mind, honestly. Ben has been waiting a moment like this. Waiting to get to know the teens he risked his neck for to bring the from the grungy island. That includes one blue-haired beauty that reached out and made a connection with him first. Perhaps Chad wouldn't be feeling the stirrings of jealousy bubble up if Evie would spare some of her attention on him.

"It's been great. Thank you for asking. How has yours been?" Ben replies easily. He's completely abandoned the tablet now and turns his body to face Evie more fully, giving her his undivided attention.

Evie seems mildly taken aback. "Oh me? Well, the kids around the school seem friendlier. I guess that press conference served a purpose after all." She giggles to herself and places a hand on Ben's arm.

Chad sits straighter, bring himself back into the conversation. "You and your friends are the talk of the school. Play your cards right, you'll be just as popular as Audrey."

"What about me?" The girl in question comes to stand next to Ben's other side. On her shoulder are three designer bags in various sizes. Her book sack, lunch bag, and purse. At school she always has at least one of the three on her at any given time. Audrey gives Ben a peck on the cheek and rounds the table to sit next to Chad, across from Evie.

"I was just telling Evie she maybe as popular as you one day."

Audrey scoffs. "Its not all its cracked up to be. However, I'd love to give you some pointers to navigating the social hierarchy that our school has adopted."

Evie smiles. "I'd like that. Thanks."

"Actually I've been meaning to talk to you today." Audrey opens one of her many bags and sets out her lunch for the day. A bowl of pre-cut cherries with the seeds removed, baby carrots, and grapes. Her lunch usually consists of some variant of this with the occasional addition of crackers, if she chooses to eat lunch at all.

Everyone's curiosity peeks. "Really? About what?" Evie asks.

Audrey eats a cherry half before continuing. "I wanted to know if you have any desire in potentially becoming an official princess or at least an honorary one in the kingdom of Germonia?" Their collective gasp draws a lot attention from the other students seated in the outdoor lunch area. Evie looks as if she's going to faint. Audrey continues on. "I didn't want to reach out to see if I could make it happen without knowing if you actually wanted that or not. Being a royal is a lot of responsibility."

"Yes! Oh please, yes. Absolutely!" Evie reaches across the table to grab onto Audrey's arm. "Thank you so much for this."

Audrey pulls her arm away kindly. She's never been one for much physical contact with people who aren't close to her. "There are no guarantees. I'm not sure they'll even want you in their court. We'll have to wait and see."

"Do you think I'd make a good princess Ben?" Evie asks flirtatiously, though it is clear to everyone at the table she voiced a true concern.

"Oh absolutely!" Ben lights up at the thought. "All of Germonia will love you. How could they not?"

"Ben is right. You've already got the princess charm about you. It's like you've lived here your entire life." Chad adds. Evie becoming a princess or a part of official royal Court? That would definitely boost approval ratings. And a union between the two of them will be look on with favor. Audrey really needs to make this happen.

"Aww stop. You boys are too sweet." Evie covers her cheeks in an attempt to hide her reddening face. "You're ruining my complexion."

"Impossible." Chad retorts at the same time Ben speaks.

"I think you're beautiful."

The blue haired girl practically melts then. She looks to Audrey for relief.

The princess smiles kindly and puts Evie out of her misery by moving the conversation forward. "I will get in contact with Queen Snow and see if she is willing to meet with you. I'll have to do more research into Germonia laws."

Evie reaches across the table hold one of Audrey's hands in her own. This time Audrey lets her. "Thank you. I don't think you understand how much this truly means to me." She struggles to form any further words. In a rare show of sincerity, the aspiring princess lets two tears fall from her eyes before wiping them away and regaining her composure. She releases Audrey's hand, offers Chad a delicate smile, and leaves the table with a squeeze to Ben's arm.

Chad takes in a deep breath to regulate his own rise of emotions. They really do have to power to change lives with the program. He and his friends will be the new leaders of the word. It's something he's always known, but being reminded of the weight of what it all really means is surprisingly humbling experience.

Ben clears his throat, breaking the tension and bringing Chad and Audrey's focus to him. "While I have you both here, I wanted to invite you over for the weekend. My father is traveling out of kingdom and I want to look into a more permanent legal solution for the program children. I could use your help."

"And you can't do this while your father is around." Audrey confirms before shrugging and continuing her lunch. "I get it. I have come to notice that our parents are hiding things from us, especially pertaining to The Isle of the Lost. I need more information on Germonian laws, so I'm in."

"Wait." Chad interrupts the couple before that can get too invested in their conversation. "Ben, you really want us to come over for our weekend off school to do more research and learning on top of our homework."

Audrey scoffs. She offers the last half of the fruits in her bowl to the two of them knowing they're still hungry from lunch. "Chad lets be real, you don't do your homework anyway."

"Yeah. Well, I've turned over a new leaf." More like he wants to turn over a new girl and it'll cost him. However, he isn't willing to give up is plugs until he could guarantee he wasn't doing this all for nothing. Besides he doesn't yet know if him and Evie as a couple is even acceptable. He'll need to help in their search for know after all. He's only doing it to get the girl, but Ben and Audrey don't need to know that. "I'll tag along. You'll need someone who actually understands the inner workings of a kingdom."

"Ha ha." Audrey laughs sarcastically.

"Great." Ben claps his hands together in the way that only royals and public officials make a habit of doing to conclude topics. "I'll see you both tomorrow after school." And with that the group of young royals leave to their next classes, but not without Chad and Ben first finishing off the fruit in Audrey's bowl.