One Kiss: A Descendants AU Tale

10. Love Aint It (1/3)

A week rolled by as the new VKs adjusted prep school life. Celia was sent to Fairy Godmother's office at least once a day for a smart alek comment made at either a teacher or a fellow student. It was like she was trying to meet a daily quota. Evie wouldn't be surprised if that really was the case.

Dizzy, on the other hand, strived to be the model of good behavior. She did all the extra credit and tried hard to become friends with the younger princes and princesses. But it was difficult. Every generation was different. The core four had Ben to make even the ones who weren't really enthused about kids of their enemies joining the school bite their tongues. She had no idea just how mean royal kids could be until she found Dizzy crying in the bathroom one afternoon.

"Dizzy? Hey, open up." She tapped on the door and heard the water faucet turn on.

"One minute!" Dizzy said from behind the door.

Evie waited and when she did open the door, she took note of the red puffy eyes that couldn't be washed away. She motioned to the bed. "Come here. I think we need to have a little chat."

After sitting down with a gentle plop, Dizzy tried to give a smile, but it came out all wrong like her face couldn't even pretend. This little girl was pushed around the Isle all her life, so she was made of the same strong stuff all VKs were made from... but she was still just a little girl. "What's up?"

"I don't know. You tell me. I ask you everyday how classes are going and how everyone is treating you. I know you weren't crying because you're homesick."

Dizzy's eyes dimmed. "I didn't want you to worry. I'll be fine. It's stupid."

"It's not stupid if it is making you cry. Talk to me."

"Evie... am I ugly?"

"Absolutely not. Who called you ugly?"

She shrugged. "Princess Chloe and the other girls. And a couple of the boys, too. They said I'm the daughter of an Ugly Stepsister so it makes sense that I'm weird and ugly too."

Evie hugged her tight, praying her words would be enough but also knowing that they wouldn't be. The opinions of your peers at this age have an unreasonable chokehold over you. Dizzy wanted to be accepted, and these so-called "good guys" made her feel anything but. "You are beautiful, inside and out, Dizzy. Please don't listen to them."

"I thought Chloe and I could be friends. I thought she'd be nice since she is Cinderella's daughter..."

Yeah, I thought the same about Chad. She didn't tell her little friend about her experience with Chad because... it was embarassing. But now she wish she had. She told her now. Maybe knowing Evie had a difficult time as well would help.

"He really did that? But he is a prince!"

"Yeah. Guess he thought that made him better than me. But I learned I didn't need him to make me love and value myself. Doug helped me see that. He was more noble and princely than Chad could ever dream of being. Now seeing his dumb face makes me feel... well, nothing."

"You're not angry about how he used you? How mean he was to you?"

"No. Because in the end, I feel sorry for someone who is so insecure that they must laugh and mock someone else to make them feel bigger. I want to be better than that. And so I am."

"You're so wise, Evie."

"Do you feel better?"

"A little. But no worries. I'll be okay. I am not going to let Chloe stop me from making friends." She wiped her nose on her sleeve and stood up. She was about to leave when she stopped. "Oh, by the way, Celia is in detention again..."