Descendants: a wicked way

A fake rose bloom and a broken kiss

I arrived back at Auradon Prep just in time for the tournament game. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as students filled the stands, ready to cheer for their favorite teams. As I made my way to the arena, I spotted Mal, her smirk betraying an air of confidence. Evie was sitting next to her, their camaraderie palpable. When I took my seat beside them, the game kicked off, and I was immediately swept into the whirlwind of activity on the field.

However, I found myself zoning out for most of the match. My thoughts kept drifting back to Glim's warning and Siphony's plight. I had left my heart at the enchanted lake, wondering if I was making the right choice by leaving. But all of that was pushed to the back of my mind when the final whistle blew, signaling the victory for Jay, Carlos, and Ben.

But the moment was far from over. Suddenly, Ben snatched the microphone from the announcer, an impish grin on his face. He began spelling something with the crowd, and I exchanged glances with Mal, confusion flickering in her eyes. Together, we followed along, the letters forming a name that sent shockwaves through the stands: M-A-L.

"I love you, Mal!" Ben declared, his voice booming through the arena.

At that moment, it clicked for me—the plan had worked. He was under a love spell, and Mal had unwittingly cast it through the cookie. The realization sent a wave of unease through me. This wasn't just a game anymore; emotions were at stake.

On the sidelines, Audrey, who was cheering enthusiastically, suddenly froze, tears brimming in her eyes. She dropped her pom-poms and ran off the field, a broken look on her face. It was heartbreaking to witness. I could see the hurt behind her confident facade, the makeup running down her cheeks as she fled from the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Ben began to sing to Mal, his voice ringing out across the arena. The crowd joined in, a wave of melody that swept over us. I rolled my eyes at the spectacle, glancing at Mal and Evie. Evie, ever the supportive friend, was teasing Mal, trying to coax her into singing along. But Mal remained stoic, rolling her eyes, though if you looked closely, you could see a hint of a blush creeping onto her cheeks and a frown tugging at her lips.

When the song finally came to an end, the crowd erupted in cheers. Ben, buoyed by the adoration of his peers, was lifted off his feet and carried toward Mal. He looked at her with an intensity that made my heart clench.

"Will you go to the coronation with me?" he asked, his voice earnest and hopeful.

Mal's hands trembled slightly as she grasped the microphone. It was a small detail, but one that I noted amidst the chaos. But despite the tremor, she replied with a firm, "Yes!" into the microphone, and the crowd roared with approval.

Ben's face lit up like a beacon as he turned to the crowd, proclaiming, "She said yes!"

Cheers erupted, drowning out everything else. But amidst the jubilation, I caught a glimpse of Audrey in the background. She had grabbed Chad, Cinderella's second child, and into the microphone, she declared, "Chad's my boyfriend now, so I don't need your pity date!" She leaned in to kiss him, but the bravado in her voice couldn't mask the pain in her eyes.

As I watched the scene unfold, my heart ached for Audrey. Beneath her confident and smug exterior, she was hurting. I understood her anger; she had every right to be furious. The emotions were thick in the air—love, jealousy, and heartbreak tangled together in a chaotic dance.

I felt torn, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting feelings. Mal's moment of triumph was overshadowed by the fallout of Audrey's hurt. I wanted to celebrate my friends' victories, but I couldn't ignore the emotional turmoil that swirled around us. What would this mean for Mal, for Audrey, and for all of us?