"Even though nothing was taken, we will still look into this break-in because we take it very seriously. We gave you children a lot of leeway, but this was illegal, and the offender needs to pay the price."

Petra scanned the space. Hundreds of students crammed into the gymnasium to hear a lecture that was clearly only intended for four of them. Fairy Godmother would never acknowledge that.

"If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact Reese Hood. In the interim, she has offered to act as a watchful eye."

A few claps rang out but faded away just as quickly. Fairy Godmother continued to smile uncomfortably. Students started to scatter as soon as the bell rang. "Oh, oh! Please remember that Tourney tryouts are today, and if you have any volunteers to help out in the school garden, please contact Rosalie Gardener. Thank you! Go learn now! Learn, learn!"

Petra rose from her chair and left for her next lesson. Jay and Tee were already talking when she passed them. "Hey, boys, what's up?"

"Oh," said Tee, gesturing to his friend, "Jay was just asking if Reese was single."

With some discomfort, Jay laughed. "Yes, I thought we should make use of our newfound freedom now."

Petra's eyebrows went up. Although she did not exactly trust the newcomers, she made an effort to hide her misgivings because she was aware of how it felt to be shunned a few months prior. She gave a small laugh. "Well, she is free, but you won't have much luck," she informed him. "She's a lesbian, you know?"

Jay held his hands up defensively and blinked, "Ah. Well, asking never hurts."

Petra gave a nod. "I suppose," she uttered. She sighed after placing her hand on the back of her neck and rubbing it while thinking. "I think you should invest your energy elsewhere. Maybe try out for Tourney. They need some real muscle on that team."

Tee responded with a nod. "Desperately." His remark made Petra laugh.

Ben approached them with ease. Petra was beginning to believe that he wore heelys so that he could quickly join them. "Tourney, huh? No, Pet is absolutely correct. We need more team members. And I believe you would be a perfect fit, Jay."

Jay slapped Ben hard on the shoulder. "Sure, bud. I would really like to learn as much as I can about this place. He began to lead Ben away and said, "Hey, that reminds me. Tell me about your coronation. What happens there?"

Petra cast a bewildered glance in their direction. She didn't know about the VKs game yet, but she sensed something was wrong. And that didn't even take into account the killing that had happened recently. But she could not really hold them responsible for that. "There is something really strange going on."

"You think?" Tee inquired. He gestured for her to lead the way to their upcoming class. "What is it? You think they're up to something?"

"You don't?" Petra followed up. She sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "Why would anyone break into this museum? Everyone knows it's off limits. All of them are too pampered for it. Would it be them or one of the Stepford Smilers if you had to choose someone to come here and start causing trouble right away? I don't want to play into stereotypes, and I know they have had a difficult time, but still."

Tee shrugged. "You raise a valid point, but how would you prove that?"

"We should keep an eye on them. Keep them in check by using the buddy program."

"You think Willa would like that?"

Petra snorted. "Do you believe Willa would prefer that Auradon Prep be set on fire? Because allowing the VKs to continue their antics will lead to precisely that outcome."

In agreement, Tee nodded. "Again, good point. Okay, so what are you asking me to do?"

"Go to the Tourney tryouts and keep an eye on Jay. Falk and Minty should watch out for Carlos. For Mal, use Tabby. Also, June and Greer for Evie. They either fail at their plan or are scared off by the constant surveillance and abandon it.

Tee joked dryly, "Or they go thermonuclear and blow up the school." Petra gave him a scowl. He made a face and let out an impatient groan. "I despise athletics," he lamented. Petra's glare intensified, as if she were peering into his soul. "Fine. Whatever. I'll be there."

June sat in the bleachers, excitedly watching Tabby run her latest track race against Anaïs Bjorgman, one of Anna and Kristoff's children. Meanwhile, her twin brother Kai danced around the starting line as Falk warmed up for their race. He was never one to take anything other than competing seriously, but he always wanted to win their races against Falk. Though it hadn't happened yet.

In contrast, Anaïs and Tabby were tied for first place. The two spurred each other on that way.

"Wooo! Go Tabby. I love you; you can do it. Beat her!" June shouted with excitement and waved a green flag, Tabby's favorite color.

"June, what the fuck?" Kai raised his arms in the air and shouted at her.

She cried out, "Oh! I also love you, but I love her more. Sorry!"

Anaïs finished a half-second ahead of Tabby, to the cheers of the crowd. As Tabby caught her breath, Anaïs triumphantly pumped her fist in the air. "Well done, Tabs." As she approached Tabby, she remarked, "It was damn close." After exchanging handshakes, the two left the field so the boys could run for their win.

"Ready to eat dirt, birdy?" As Kai prepared at the starting line, he asked.

Falk gave a dry laugh. "I was born ready, Ice Boy. Over fifty races in and you still haven't won. Choke on that."

"And you never won the top cutie award on The Real Housewives of Auradon, either."

As soon as the clappers rang, the two took off, with Falk quickly catching up to Kai. The people in the bleachers cheered, even though there were not many during practices; they were always loud enough when Falk ran, his heartthrob reality TV days not far behind him.

"Go, baby, go! I love you; you're my star!" Tabby yelled, despite having just caught her breath.

In an encouraging gesture, Anaïs clapped her hands together. "Pull yourself together, Kai. Faster!"

Always the competitor, Falk finished the race with plenty of time to spare. With wild shouting, he pumped his fists in the air. Eagerly, Tabby rushed up to him and jumped into his arms, kissing him.

With another kiss, Tabby pondered, "Mmm, I love you, boy. You're my superstar."

He grinned at her, saying, "And you are mine." Gently putting her down, he approached Kai and shook hands, as they always do after a race. "Good game, Bjorgi. Maybe next time."

"Maybe next time you're going down?" Kai asked.

Falk chuckled. "You wish."

At Tourney tryouts, Tee watched the boys' antics from the stands, not amused. While taking in the entire scene, he made brief notes. Hewastrying to fit in more; it just wasn't easy to find people worth fitting in with.

Minty settled beside him, her scent a combination of smoke and strawberries. "Hey, your highness."

He cautioned, "Yeah, let's not do all that." He chuckled. "Smoking again?"

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Minty flushed a little. "I had to calm my nerves because of all the surveillance. Spying on Carlos makes me uneasy. He is very adorable."

"Well, it's not really spying, is it?" Tee inquired. He pointed toward the field. "We're in public, watching a public sports tryout. There's cheerleaders and other spectators. Our main goal is to prevent these newcomers from killing us all.

Minty shrugged and said, "I guess." A sigh passed her lips. "It still bothers me. This is what Falk ought to be doing instead. He does the whole observing thing better."

"He's busy tearing it up on the running floor. You'll be fine, Min. Just make sure he doesn't sneak off with the others."

With a nod, Minty turned to face the tryouts while Jay pushed his way through people with brutality and Carlos cowered in the corner of the field. Tee gave a headshake. "Sports are just not my thing."

His gaze shifted to his friend, who was fixed on Ben. He smirked as he observed the scene. He could almost hear her heart pounding each time he even looked in their direction. Suddenly he was deep in thought as he tapped his pen on his notebook. Tee started to jot down something as Jay destroyed the opposition, including Carlos and Ben.

Then Minty leaped from her chair. "Go, Ben! You are doing fantastically! I believe in you; you can do it. You look fit!"

Ben waved to Minty while Audrey scowled at the girl in the stands. "What is wrong with you?" Audrey became furious and yelled at them both.

"How have you found these initial days, Mal?" Willa asked, her enthusiasm for the buddy program's apparent success barely contained.

Mal gave her her kindest grin. Despite her happiness with the working program, Willa could understand why she was the most resistant of the four new children to the change in environment.

"I suppose everything is going well. As you might expect, people are a little mean because they do not exactly trust us. Or, depending on who you ask, a lot.

Willa gave a nod. "I understand. "We are doing everything we can to control them, but telling people that their opinions are no longer valid is difficult," she sighed. "Sadly, they simply do not know when to stop talking."

Mal made a face. "Unfortunately, I am well aware. You guys are nice, though. Evie and Carlos are happier than I have seen them in years, and Jay is practically drooling every time June passes. I'm very embarrassed for him."

It made Willa laugh. "Well, June is not to be taken lightly. When she feels like it, she can be pretty sly herself.

"I can imagine."

With a dreamy sigh, Evie walked to the two and dropped into the locker next to Mal's. "Oh. Today, I got to know the most gorgeous, kind, and creative girl.

With an irritated expression on the verge of appearing, Mal said, "Hello to you too, Evie." She was about to frown when she stopped herself. Maintaining appearances was necessary. "What are you droning on about?"

Evie buried her face in her hands as she giggled. "I volunteered for gardening work. Rosalie and I were the only ones present. She is fascinating. Mal, did you know she is a fairy?

"No, I was not aware."

Along with having the cutest little cat, she enjoys fashion and was once a cheerleader. Tulip is her name. She is so fluffy and intelligent. "Oh," Evie said, "Iadoreher." Absently, she bit her lip and started to play with her heart necklace.

Mal's throat cleared. "That is fantastic, E. Please remember the commitment we made on the Island. Don't stray too far."

Evie snapped out of her reverie and straightened out. "Yes, of course. Apologies," she muttered. With a nervous cough, she grabbed a book from her locker. "I should go. Collette wanted to explain to me what I have been missing in my science class. Bye, girls."

Willa gave her a wave. She watched as Evie skipped off, saying, "Bye, Evie. That was so sweet. I adore watching you all integrate. I have no doubt that you will quickly become accustomed to living here.

"Those kids are trouble."

With a groan, Willa turned to look at Chad and Audrey, who were standing a few feet away with Ben. "Come on, Chad," Ben, ever the mediator, told him to give them a chance.

Audrey pushed up her pink, bedazzled sunglasses and took his hands while giving him a fake smile. Her tone was cheerful, but her words were anything but. "No offense, Bennybear, you are just too trusting," she said. Clearly not amused by the sarcastic remark, Ben laughed at her. "Look, I know your mom fell in love with a big, nasty beast who turned out to be a prince. But with my mom, the evil fairy was just the evil fairy," she nodded at Mal. "That girl's mother."

"I think you're wrong about them. You have unnecessarily passed judgment on many newcomers who are not royalty. Like Greer, who has raised the bar for our social scene to amazing heights. Or Petra, who has been providing us with protection and warmth for several months. Or Willa, who is basically in charge of this school. I also remember how you handled Minty when she first arrived. The poor girl was bedridden for a week after you gave her an anxiety attack. That is not fair to her. She's so sweet."

With a sigh, Audrey rolled her eyes and put her sunglasses back on before turning to leave with Chad. Willa gave a headshake. How a girl with such a loving mother could become such a witch was beyond her comprehension. Ben, after being publicly dressed down by his girlfriend, approached them with a poise that only a future king could possess. The painting on Mal's locker caught his attention.

"We should take this talent off the lockers and apply it somewhere useful. Could sign you up for art classes. I know Ms. Anna would love to have you. What do you think?" He inquired as Jane squeaked nervously past them.

Mal pulled a face. She snipped, turning to leave him behind. "Benny-boo, you are taking the fun out of it."

Ben laughed as she turned to leave. Willa looked at him with a chuckle. She suspected that Auradon would not be dull for long, regardless of what would happen with the VKs.

Sitting beside Evie and Doug, Colette Potts did her best to keep her attention on the task at hand while Evie babbled on about life. She made every effort to keep the cream-colored pants and, most importantly, the white top free of chemicals. If she returned home with any more ruined clothes, her mother would kill her.

"Any chance he's in line for a throne?" Evie whispered to Doug. "Anywhere in line?"

"Chad. Prince Charming Jr.," Doug answered, tracing her eyes. Colette looked up for a moment, rolling her eyes as she saw Chad's eyes vacantly fixed on the wall. "Cinderella's son. Chad inherited the charm, but not a lot of there, there, know what I mean?"

"Looks like there, there to me," Evie gushed.

"I thought you liked Rosalie," Colette commented.

Evie let out a sigh. "Perhaps I like both of them. I don't know yet. The Isle, you know, was never really a place of choice. You know, I would adore being a member of the royal family."

"But aren't you, technically? It's not like your mother ever divorced your stepdad. You could always ask Falk and Seraphina if you could go to royal events with them, but you would have to defeat them for the throne, which is unlikely."

Evie played around with her jacket strings. "Do you suppose they would allow me? Will they join Snow White and Florian at the coronation?

Colette swirled her mixture in the beaker and hummed, "Mmmh. Only in the crowd, though. Just like every other royal. Due to the murders, break-ins, and other incidents, Reese is his guardian, and the only other people in his immediate vicinity are his parents and Fairy Godmother. Man, it's been going downhill around here lately."

Evie replied, "Oh, all right, I will make sure to ask Falk if he would let me come."

"Evie," yelled Mr. Deley. "Perhaps this is just review to you. So tell me, what is the average atomic weight of silver?"

Evie hesitated for a moment, obviously attempting to collect her thoughts. Stuttering, she said, "Atomic weight. Well, not very much. I mean, it's an atom, right?" Mr. Deley was obviously growing increasingly irritated as Chad and Evie laughed. He gestured her toward the board. "Oh."

Taking a mirror out of her purse, she stood up and strode over to the blackboard. "How do I find the average atomic weight of silver?" she asked loudly. Colette furrowed her brow as she watched the scene. Evie's gaze shifted to her hand. "That would be. 106.905 times 0.5200, plus 108.905 times 0.488, which, Mr. Deley, would give us 107.9 AMU."

"Amu?" Doug mumbled. Colette smiled at him and nickered.

"I forget," Mr. Deley said, stunned at the scene. "Always a mistake to underestimate."

"A villain?" Evie turned to face him and asked sweetly, holding the mirror in her hand. Throwing the piece of chalk at him, she added, "Do not make it again." She let Chad give her a note and walked back to her seat. Colette observed her unfolding the note as she sat back down.

Meet me under the bleachers at 3.

As Evie and Chad mooned one another, Colette leaned over to Doug. "Isn't that where Minty sells her mint grass?"