Marlos

Love Pt.2

The insistent chirping of her phone alarm dragged Mal from the depths of sleep. Groaning, she swatted at the nightstand until her hand finally connected with the snooze button. Five more minutes, she thought, before drifting back into slumber.

A delicious aroma, a tantalizing blend of sizzling bacon and sweet maple syrup, wafted into the bedroom. Mal smiled, already knowing the source. Carlos, ever the thoughtful boyfriend, was in the kitchen, his culinary magic already filling the air.

She threw off the covers and padded into the kitchen, a yawn escaping her lips. Carlos was humming along to an tune, expertly flipping pancakes on the griddle.

"Morning, beautiful," Carlos grinned, turning to her, a spatula poised in the air. "Pancakes?"

Mal nodded, her stomach already rumbling. "They smell amazing, Carlos."

"Just trying to show my appreciation for my wonderful girlfriend," he winked, sliding a perfectly golden pancake onto a plate. "Especially after last night."

Mal sat down at the small breakfast nook, a comfortable silence settling between them as she devoured her breakfast. Carlos, ever the entertainer, launched into a playful anecdote about a particularly disastrous attempt at baking cookies during his childhood. Mal laughed, the sound light and carefree, happy to be surrounded by the warmth of his company and the delicious smells of breakfast.

As they finished their meal, Carlos leaned across the table, his eyes twinkling. "So, any exciting things planned for today?"

Mal grinned. "Actually, I was thinking about going to the enchanted lake and having a picnic again, if you want."

Carlos' eyes widened. "How about we have a movie night?"

Mal leaned in and kissed him, a sweet, lingering kiss that spoke volumes. "Sure, baby. You know exactly what I'm thinking."

And as they sat there, sharing a quiet moment over their coffee, Mal knew that this was exactly where she wanted to be – with Carlos, surrounded by the warmth of his love and the promise of a new day filled with exciting things.

The sun was warm on Mal's shoulders as she and Carlos strolled through the meticulously manicured grounds of Auradon Prep. Towering trees cast dappled shadows across the pristine lawns, while the scent of freshly cut grass tickled their noses. Students in crisp uniforms hurried between classes, their laughter echoing through the air.

Mal, ever the observer, couldn't help but compare this idyllic setting to the grim, desolate Isle of the Lost. Here, everything seemed to shimmer with an almost unnatural perfection. The vibrant flowers, the gleaming spires of the school buildings, even the students themselves seemed to exude an aura of privilege and contentment.

Carlos, sensing her gaze, squeezed her hand. "Baby, you ok?"

Mal nodded, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, just suspicious"

Carlos looks at her worried.  "Why?"

Mal looks at him. "That new girl. Something's off about her."

"Well," Carlos said, leaning closer, "I overheard a few whispers. Apparently, the 'new girl' has quite the reputation already."

Mal's curiosity was piqued. "Reputation? What kind of reputation?"

Carlos grinned. "The kind that makes people both intrigued and a little intimidated."

Just as Mal was about to ask Carlos what he meant, a girl with piercing blue eyes and a mischievous grin walked up to them. She had a shock of bright pink hair and was wearing a leather jacket over her uniform. Mal couldn't help but notice the way the other students parted like the Red Sea as she approached.

"Well, well, well," the girl drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If it isn't the Vk's. I'm Kayla, by the way. And you must be the infamous Mal."

Mal raised an eyebrow, sizing up the girl. "And you must be the one everyone's whispering about," she replied smoothly.

Kayla laughed, a sound that was both melodic and chilling. "Touché. But I wouldn't go around calling people 'infamous' just yet. You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of me."

Mal felt a shiver run down her spine. This girl was definitely trouble, but something about her intrigued Mal. She was unlike anyone she had ever met before.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the campus. Mal, feeling a sense of contentment settle over her, suggested, "How about we head back to your dorm? I hear they have a surprisingly decent movie."

Carlos grinned. "Sounds like a plan. I could use a break from all this."

They made their way back to Carlos's dorm room, a cozy space adorned with posters of classic monster movies and a surprisingly impressive collection of board games. Carlos popped some popcorn, and soon they were settled on the floor, a mountain of pillows and blankets between them.

Mal leaned back against Carlos's shoulder, a comfortable silence settling between them as the movie began. It was a new monster flick, full of campy dialogue and cheesy special effects. They both chuckled at the over-the-top acting and the ridiculous plot twists.

As the movie progressed, Mal found herself feeling more and more relaxed. This was exactly what she needed – a quiet evening with Carlos, away from the prying eyes and the strange undercurrents of Auradon Prep. She felt a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Later, as the credits rolled, Carlos turned to her, a gentle smile on his face. "You know," he said, "this has been the best day I've had since yesterday."

Mal smiled back, her heart feeling lighter. "Me too, Carlos. Me too."

 As they drifted off to sleep, nestled amongst the pillows and popcorn, Mal would always keep Carlos to herself.