Chapter Three: A Moment of Understanding.

After practice, I chose to read in the library until it closed to give Mal and Evie some space to unpack and get comfortable, and also to unwind after dealing with Audrey and her constant complaining about Mal and the other kids while we should have been practicing.

As I put the last of my books away, something caught my eye in the empty courtyard. Erm, almost empty. I saw four very familiar looking figures scurrying across it in a hurry. Like they were on a mission. An internal battle started in my brain. Follow them, like my mother would have? Or, just go straight to Ben and discuss how we may have jumped the gun with trusting the children of villains.

"Okay, you're being a bit judge-y Bea… Maybe they're just out for a stroll." I shook my head, curiosity winning me over. Time to follow. I darted out of the library and after the villain kids. It didn't take long for me to figure out where they were headed. The Cultural Museum, home of FG's wand. I'm going to need to do a lot of thinking. By the time I caught up to them, they had already gotten past the security guard by putting him to sleep? My Godmother, I hope he didn't just get knocked out by a bunch of kids. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Ben calling me.

"Hello?" I whispered, trying to crouch even farther behind the bushes I had decided to camp behind. Good thing this place used to be a castle… So many large hedges everywhere…I fiddled with the leave, deep in thought.

"Bea? Why are you whispering?" He asked, pulling me back to reality with ease. Think, B, think. He's your twin, he'll know you're lying.

"Mal and Evie are asleep." I lied.

"Oh, sorry, I'll just talk to you about it tomorrow." He said,

"Cool, cool, talk…" I was cut off by an alarm blaring. I spun back to see the lights going off and the sound of faint arguing.

"What's that?" He asked.

"Nothing! Adios bro!" I quickly hung up and started sprinting for my dorm. Having spent countless years at this school, and loving to wander, I knew a few short cuts so I managed to get there with enough time to pull my drapes and fall into bed. They opened the door just as I did so.

"Shh! She's sleeping!" Mal's voice urged Evie. The good thing about drapes was the very fact I could lay here and just stare up at the ceiling while they plotted their lies. I tried to keep my breathing even. I really needed to work out more.

"What are we going to do Mal?" Evie asked, worry and fear laced into her voice.

"We fit in, figure out another plan. We can't let our parents down. Now, let's get rested up. We have a show to put on tomorrow." Mal replied. Oh, this school year was definitely going to be interesting. I shut my eyes, falling into a fitful sleep.

THE NEXT DAY.

Before I knew it, my alarm was blaring. Which means the day was going to completely and utterly drag on because I felt like I got no sleep at all. Crap!

I needed coffee.

I sat up and gently pulled my drapes apart, noting how to the girls were still asleep. Woo! I snuck out of the room with my shower bag as they started stir. After my shower, which had managed to relax me a little bit, I braced myself to walk back to the dorm to face the two. When I walked back in, my façade nearly fell. Crap. How am I supposed to act? Natural? Yeah, that should work. They both spun to face me as I shut the door.

"Hey!" I gasped. Mal eyed me up and down.

"Hey." She nodded. I quickly sorted myself out and grabbed my bag from the floor, depositing my shower bag onto the floor.

"Um, your timetables and maps are with your books, but if you need anything, just find Doug or me. See you guys in Remedial Goodness." I curtsied and bolted out the door. Right into something. Or someone. I fell straight back onto my butt. My eyes travelled up to find Jay and Carlos.

"Oh, shoot, sorry um…" He looked confused, struggling to remember my name.

"Bea… It's fine." I hopped up, straightening out my shirt.

"See you two later." I waved, spinning on my heel and bolting down the hall to first period. How on Earth am I supposed to keep an eye on them without giving myself away? Why did I think I could pull off the whole act natural thing? I pressed my forehead against the cool metal of my locker, trying really hard not to freak out.

"Bea?" I let out a squeal as a hand landed on my shoulder. It was instantly snatched away. I spun to see Ben standing there, looking extremely concerned.

"Wow… You look awful.." He whistled.

"Yeah, I'm not exactly feeling the greatest." I admitted, leaning my head back against the locker.

"Why?" He asked.

"Back to school jitters? I'm not sure to be honest… I need some coffee… Want to join?" I asked. He nodded and we headed off towards the café, my second favorite place here at school.

"So, what makes you so nervous?" Ben asked as we walked. I shrugged, fiddling with the zipper on my bag.

"I don't even really know to be honest. I had a really weird dream last night where this villain thing didn't really work out in our favor." I wasn't lying completely. Just testing the waters, a bit. Ben let out a chuckle.

"Bea, everything is going to be completely fine. Hopefully soon, we will have all the villain kids and we will mend the broken relationship." He said. I nodded as we punched in our orders. He started telling me about various things about the coronation and how Audrey wanted to be as involved as possible.

"She's insane, I don't get how you stand it." I rolled my eyes.

"She's not that bad…" He seemed incredibly unsure.

"Keep telling yourself that bub. Anyway, it's time for class, see you at the fields." I waved and we went our separate ways. After lunch, I found myself in Remedial Goodness, flicking through the class's course book. I only looked up when I sensed someone staring at me. It was Jay, he sent me a smile, which I returned as I zoned into what FG was saying.

"If someone hands you a crying baby," said Fairy Godmother,

"Do you, A: Curse it? B: Lock it in a tower? C: Give it a bottle? or D: Carve out its heart?" She was asking.

My brow furrowed. Was that last one really necessary?

I shook my head, who's idea was this anyway? It only really reinforces the idea that we don't trust them to learn on their own. When Evie was the one to raise her hand, my interest peaked.

"Evie?" FG smiled.

"What was the second one?" she asked, I face palmed. Oh dear. Maybe we did need this class.

"Oh, okay," The disappointment was evident, this was not going how she wanted at all.

"Anyone else? Mal?" She bounced back with ease, Mal looked up from her doodling she was doing on her paper, she had been doing so all class.

"C…Give it a bottle." She replied, sounding incredibly bored.

"Correct. Again," Fairy Godmother smiled brightly, turning back to me. I smiled back, sending a thumbs up.

"You are on fire, girl!" Carlos laughed. I joined him, that's when I noticed Jane hovering in the doorway, looking incredibly frightened, which isn't unusual for her.

"Just pick the one that doesn't sound like any fun," Mal quipped, making everyone nod in understanding. I shook my head, waving her into the room. Everyone noticed and turned their attention to the poor girl, who paled even more. I didn't even think that was humanly possible. She shrieked and sped past them.

"Hello, dear one," Her mother smiled, kneeling down to look her in the eyes.

"Hi. You need to sign off an early dismissal for the coronation," Jane spoke quickly, obviously hoping to escape the room as soon as possible. Oh, this poor thing…

"Everyone here remembers my daughter, Jane," Fairy Godmother took the papers and signed them.

"Mom, no!" Jane whispered, clearly petrified.

"It's okay," she cooed before turning Jane to the others,

"Jane, this is everyone." She gestured to the room.

"Yeah, that's Evie, Mal, Carlos, and Jay," I introduced, pointing to each one in turn. Jay smiled happily at me when I said his name and I couldn't help but smile back, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.

"Hi," Jane replied quietly, "That's okay. Don't mind me. As you were." And with that, she walked out. Well, she squeaked and speed walked past everyone again. Mal and Evie observed her with interest, I swear, she is so easily intimidated for having a mother so cheery and delightful. Fairy Godmother sighed.

"Now let's continue, shall we? You find a vial of poison! Do you: A: Put it in the King's wine? B: Paint it on an apple? Or C) Turn it into the proper authorities?" I noticed Evie's sheepish look as the 2nd option was announced. Evie, Carlos and Jay's hands immediately shot up, Jay grabbing Carlos' and pulling it down so he could answer it.

"Jay." Fairy Godmother called excitedly, she enjoyed seeing all the participation.

"C) Turn it into the proper authorities." Jay replied smugly, sending me a wink.

"I was gonna say that." Carlos groaned, hitting Jay's shoulder, stealing his attention back to him.

"Aww, but I said it first." Jay mock-whined before grabbing Carlos in a head-lock and they began wrestling on top of the table.

"Ya know, I think I know where we could use some energy like that." I smiled up at Fairy Godmother. Tourney was a great way to get your frustrations out, and it seems like both boys would be assets. She nodded.

"Boys, boys!" Fairy Godmother yelled tapping her pointer on the podium at the front of the room. Jay and Carlos stopped fighting long enough to look at her.

"I'm going to suggest using that energy on the Tourney Field." She smiled. Carlos held his hands up in surrender to Jay, who released him.

"Um… no that's okay. We'll pass on whatever that is." He said, I chuckled at him.

"You don't really have a choice! Meet me here after last class, I'll show you to the fields." I said. They both nodded, looking slightly terrified at my change of tone, and the bell rang, signaling the end of this class.

"Great! See you soon!" I chirped as I shot up from my seat and started out the door, leaving the VKs to stare after me. I was slightly surprised to find Mal in my last class, because as far as I knew, we made sure they were together most of the day so they didn't feel alone. I chose to sit next to her, and we both rolled our eyes in unison when Audrey walked in. Ohhh, I wish I had a camera to capture her face when her eyes fell on Mal and I sitting together. She stormed over, a creepy smile plastered on her face.

"Beatrice, why aren't you sitting in our usual spot?" She asked, displeasure very evident in her tone. I exchanged a look with Mal, who was barely hiding her smirk.

"This year is all about changing things up Audrey, ya kind of have to step out of your comfort zone to do that." I replied. She gave me a sharp look followed by a clipped nod of her head.

"Alright, then I will see you at practice." She said.

"You will, since I am captain. Kinda my job to be there." I chuckled. She nodded and stalked away. Mal and I exchanged a look as Audrey went to sit with Jane.

"So, you two aren't really friends?" She asked. I shook my head.

"Nah, she's always been way more interested in Ben than me for obvious reasons." I shrugged. Mal nodded.

"Sounds familiar… I just figured everyone over here would be best friends!" She gave a little wave of her fingers. I shook my head.

"Nope, we all get along sure, but there is always going to be animosity." I shrugged.

"How so?" She asked.

"Everyone thinks their story is worse than someone else's. I mean, Audrey constantly brings up how her mother was put to sleep forever. It gets a bit old." I sighed. She nodded in understanding.

"Sounds a bit rough for some?" She asked. I shrugged.

"You could say that." I replied. She studied me for a long minute.

"Alright kids, eyes forward, we are going to be learning all about the proper way to set the table for a formal banquet." Mrs. Dopey cut off any further conversation, I held in my groan. Oh, this class was going to be incredibly difficult to get through.

An incredibly late, but hopefully okay update! Let me know what you guys think! I'm also thinking of starting a Harry Hook fanfic, so let me know your thoughts on that!

Rhey!