Quirky Meets the Isle [Descendants 2]

Cotillion Gone Wrong

[Thea's dress below]

Thea's POV:

I stood before reporters and photographers. I hated being the center of attention, but Evie had insisted I show of my dress, and who was I to deny my new friend? One reporter asked, "Thea, where did you get your dress? Is that another design by Evie?"

I nodded. "Uh, yeah. I really like it."

We boarded the boat for Cotillion and I noticed Carlos with Jane. So he listened to me and took her.

I jumped as I felt an arm snake around my waist. I glanced up to see my boyfriend Alek and smiled.

He kissed my cheek and said, "You look stunning, Thea."

I fixed his bowtie and smiled. "You look rather dapper yourself, "Aleksander."

Our attention was drawn to the front as Lumiere said, "The future Lady Mal!"

The crowd clapped and Ben's parents took a moment to speak to Mal.

I squeezed Alek's hand and ran up to Mal. "You look great. I really like that dress on you."

Mal smiled. "I like yours too. Green is totally your color."

"Thanks. Purple is so your color."

Evie walked up to us and Mal smiled. "Hi."

"Hi," Evie replied. "How are you?"

"I sort of feel like I'm going to throw up," Mal admitted.

"That's okay. Look, we're right here with you, okay?"

Mal nodded as I smiled. "Okay."

"King Benjamin," Lumiere announced.

"Go get him," Evie and I encouraged.

Ben walked up to Mal and took her hands. "Mal, I wish I had time to explain."

He turned to where his parents were and Uma stepped out to face the crowd. I frowned, wondering what Uma could've done. If she hurt my friend, there would be some serious words and blades. My mother taught me how to use a sword, and I was reasonably strong to sometimes gathering ice, smaller pieces, with my father.

"H-Hi," King Beast said.

Ben kissed the ring on Uma's hand before turning to Mal. "I'm sorry. It all happened so fast. Something happened to me when I was on the Isle with Uma. A connection."

"What are you saying?" Mal asked with a frown.

Uma smiled. "It was love! It was. I just realized how alike Ben and I are, you know?"

Ben nodded. "We are."

"I know!"

"You're so beautiful."

Mal spoke in a broken voice. "Ben. Ben! You'd go back for her?"

I narrowed my eyes. I wanted to hurt Uma for what she'd done. Normally I wasn't a violent person, but after being captured by Uma and her misfit gang and now seeing the devastation on my friend's face, I really wanted to hurt her.

Uma shook her head. "He didn't have to. I dove through the barrier before it closed. And I'm an excellent swimmer-"

"Yes you are," Ben complimented.

"Thank you. Listen, Mal." Uma took Mal's hand. "I just, I really wanna thank you. For everything. Thank you so much."

He turned her. "Don't you see, Mal? You were right. You knew that we weren't meant to be together. That's why you never told me you love me."

Ben and Uma started dancing to an instrumental version of Kiss the Girl.

Carlos scoffed. "Not too thrilled I risked my life for him."

Lonnie nodded. "We're with you, Mal."

"Let's get out of here," Jay decided.

A sob escaped Mal's lips. "Oh. Okay."

Alek glanced at Mal. "Are you okay?"

Mal nodded slowly, then shook her head. "Um, no."

The four of us started walking away with Mal and Jane suddenly cried, "Lumiere, unveil the gift! They need to see it!"

"And now!" Lumiere called. "For the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece! Designed especially for his Lady."

The curtain fell from the canvas to reveal Mal in a light purple dress with green eyes, Ben kneeling and looking up at her in awe. Mal's mouth gaped. "Ben did that?"

Evie and I nodded. "Yeah. He did."

Mal turned to her. "Evie, Thea, Ben's known who I was all along."

Evie smiled. "He loves the real you."

"A true love."

Carlos smirked. "Told you."

I glanced at Alek and smiled. Maybe love could come to all; heroes and villains alike. I wasn't sure if I loved him, but I certainly liked him; a lot.