After the dress fitting, it was time for school. I pulled on a red dress that reached my knees, with long sleeves with large cuffs. I had a black belt with a gold belt wrapped around my waist and black pumps. I had my books cradled in my arms as Evie and I followed Jay and Carlos through Auradon Prep. Mal was in front of them, greeting all of the Prep students who congratulated her on the defeat of Maleficent. Evie and I shared a tried look. "Hadley!" A voice called. I turned and smiled at the bouncy Fairy as she hurried up to me. Jane had grown her hair out, and had joined the Cheerleading team and a bunch of other communities. She was getting out there more and I was really proud of her.

"Jane, good morning." I greeted.

"Good morning. I hate to keep bugging you but the Decorating Committee and the Caterers need more answers. So as much as I hate to...um...you know...um…"

"Bug me?"

"Yeah."

"Jane, you're not bugging me, trust me. Now, what do you need?"

"Ok, refreshments?"

"Wild Berry punch for a cold drink, universally liked across both Realms, and hot chocolate with cinnamon for the warm drink." I caught Jane's curious look. "It's… it's a sister thing." Jane nodded slowly.

"Ok…finger foods?"

"Quiche Lorraine and tiny cucumber sandwiches."

"Entryway?"

"Snowbells, definitely. Dad says that they're good luck."

"And the drapes?" Jane showed me a picture of the ballroom. Between each of the pillars were large drapes in blue and gold, which were to be held up by large floral arrangements.

"Perfect." I smiled at Jane, who smiled back.

"Ok, I'll let them know."

"So, when's your coronation?" Lonnie asked, popping up beside Jane.

"Wait, your coronation?" Mal repeated, slinking up beside Evie. I held back a bad comment. Mal had changed drastically since she had returned to Auradon. She started to wear more Auradon-esque clothes, changed her hair to blonde with washed-out purple tips, and was milking the fame of the defeat of Maleficent.

"Yeah." I told her. "I never got one as a baby so Mum and Dad thought that-"

"But you're not the oldest." Mal but in. "Emma should be-"

"Emma isn't here." I snapped, cutting her off. "My parents need an heir to their Kingdom, I'm the eldest daughter in the Realm, the title will pass to me, and they can't hand it to an un-crowned Princess."

"Whatever." Mal scoffed before walking over to her loyal fans. I let out a sigh.

"What was that all about?" Jane asked.

"Mal and I…" I trailed off, looking to Evie for help.

"Our relationship isn't the best right now." Evie supplied.

"What is this I hear about a bad relationship with Mal?" A voice asked. I turned my head and saw Ben walking up.

"It's nothing." I assured, waving my hand. "I promise."

"Oh, oh! Quick moment!" Jane said as she dragged Ben over to the side.

"I'll meet up with you later." I called to Ben as I followed Evie and Lonnie.

"Uh, see you later." He said.

"Bye!" I waved at him slightly before hopping down the stairs and following my friends.

TIMESKIP

I sighed happily as the bell rang for the change of period, I had just finished my last lesson so I had a free period. I opened up my locker and smiled at the pictures that I had tacked up to the inside of my locker door. One of the pictures was of my parents and I from our time in Storybrooke, from after I got cured of the Dreamshade, a picture of Ben and I from after his Coronation, there was a reluctant selfie from Regina, a candid photo of Henry and I playing Mario Kart together, and my favourite photo by far. It was of Emma and I sitting together at an ice cream shop, grinning at the camera with our arms wrapped around each other. I smiled softly, gently kissing my fingers and pressing them to Emma's face. "Hi, Hadley." A voice greeted. I looked up, and grinned.

"Ben, hi." I replied.

"I...have a surprise for you."

"Ben." I scolded. "You're surprising me every day, I swear. I don't need any more surprises, I already told you this."

"Or every other day, the even dates. Because you're even more perfect than I thought." I laughed at Ben's pun.

"That is totally me. I am perfect."

"Come on, let me spoil you. You didn't have a lot growing up."

"We survived." I told up, reaching up and cupping Ben's cheek. My thumb ran over the faint stubble he had. "But we're lucky we don't have to anymore." Ben wrapped his hand over mine, pulling it close to his mouth and kissing the back of it. I smiled up at him. "Can you give me the surprise tomorrow, on our date?"

"Of course."

"Now, I have to go and fix up a surprise for you because I can't keep having you constantly giving me things without giving you anything in return." I let my hand fall before closing my locker.

"What about class?" Ben called to me as I walked away. I turned and walked backwards, still talking to him.

"I've got a free period, I'm not breaking any rules here!"

TIMESKIP

I was walking through the halls near the dorms when I heard an unfamiliar voice. "Man, that thing was nasty!" It exclaimed. "And you, you just gotta man up. And while your at it, scratch my butt." I paused, turned on my heel and followed the voice to Jay and Carlos' room. Mal was there with Carlos, and Dude was sitting on the bed.

"Who was that I just heard?" I asked. Carlos gestured to Dude. "The...dog?"

"He ate a Truth Gummy." Carlos explained. My mouth dropped open, and I turned to glare at Mal.

"You gave a dog a Truth Gummy?" I demanded,

"No, I didn't give him the Truth Gummy!" Mal snapped at me. "I made it for Carlos and he ate it out of my hand."

"The fact that you made a Truth Gummy is something to talk about, Mal, you remember what Regina said, no Magic outside of lessons until we're able to control it properly."

"Yeah, I remember what she said." Mal rounded on me. "But I have perfect control over my Magic."

"No, you don't. Just because a couple of spells last year didn't turn anyone into a toad doesn't mean that we can go off doing spells willy-nilly."

"How would you know, Hadley, you gave your half of your Spell Book back to Regina, I'm not that stupid to hand mine over to someone where I can't see it." I pressed my lips together.

"You didn't give your Spell Book to Fairy Godmother?" Carlos questioned softly. Mal blinked, her mouth opening and closing a couple times as she tried to form words.

"So what if I kept it? It's well hidden."

"It's in the draw in our room, Mal!" I snapped at her, pointing out the door. "Evie and I found it. We saw the spells that you bookmarked...and the notes you made. What does 'Just in case' mean anyway?"

"None of your business!" Mal growled, her eyes turning green. I felt my eyes burn gold in response.

"It is when it concerns Ben." I snarled at her, stepping forward. Mal and I glared at each other, gold on green in an intense staring contest. Mal broke first, huffing angrily as she averted her eyes. The moment her eyes left mine, she turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. I sighed.

"What was that all about?" Carlos asked meekly.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Carlos." I sighed, turning to him. "Keep an eye on Dude, let me know if he does anything other than...talk."

"Will do."