Written in the Stars - Descendants - Sequel to Not Set in Stone

Before the Others - Melody

Melody's P.O.V.

It was the day after the coronation, the barrier from the Isle of the Lost and Auradon had been broken but nobody really had a way to cross over. I heard from others, that most of them didn't know how to swim so I wasn't too worried when I was making my way to the ocean shore. It was where I spent most of my time, the sound of calming ocean waves hitting against the rocks was peaceful to me. The water just called to me and I liked to think it's because of my mother formerly being a mermaid.

Anyways, I walked down to the shore and just sat on ledge that I claimed to be mine. It wasn't too high from the water but the high tide wouldn't reach me. I usually just came out here to sit after school, doing my homework and taking in the sounds nature had to offer. Later, I'd probably go for a swim since I always came prepared with a bathing suit underneath.

I was currently working on my chemistry homework which was causing me to have quite a headache. I decided to take a break for a little bit and just let my brain rest. I was looking over to the Isle of the Lost when I noticed there was a bunch of people standing over by the edge. As long as Ursula and her daughter don't make it over here, I'm going to be happy. I noticed they were all looking down near the water and I vaguely heard frantic shouting. They had to be screaming quite loudly for me to hear them from all the way over on Auradon.

I looked down near the ocean to see someone drowning, their arms failing in the air as they tried to make it to shore. I immediately panicked but knew I had to do something. I couldn't just let someone drown. Luckily, the great Melody is always prepared. I quickly took off my shorts and shirt revealing my bathing suit as I jumped from the ledge into the water below me. I was a fast swimmer but I'd be cutting it close getting to the drowning victim in time, since they were so far away.

I approached them as they were already under water. I dove down to reach them pulling them above water. Once I pulled them out of the water, I saw that they were actually a he. He was unconscious as I started swimming back to the shore. What was he thinking? Did he really think he could swim the whole way over here? He's completely idiotic that's for sure. That's not even brave, especially if he knew he couldn't swim well.

Once I reached the shore I dragged him out of the tide and I felt an extreme moment of deja vu. I guess our family was destined save men from drowning to death. I really didn't want to give him mouth to mouth but after a few second of him not waking up, I decided I had no other choice. I just swam out there to save him, I wasn't just going to let him die on me. I may not be a perfect princess but I still have my morals.

So I got into position to give him mouth to mouth, when I was just inches away from his lips, he jolted awake coughing up all the water on me. Yeah, that's gross but at least I didn't have to give him mouth to mouth, that would have been worse.

"What happened?" The boy asked after he was finished with his coughing fit as he sat up slowly. "I never expected to greated by a fair maiden like this. Joseph Hook's the name," he introduced himself sticking out a hand to shake as I sat down on the beach with him shaking his hand.

"You do realize you just drowned and that I had to pull you onto shore right?" I asked him. This guy couldn't be serious, acting so calm and collect when he nearly died. If it wasn't for me, he'd be dead right now.

"Of course lass, but that's beside the point. I've made it to Auradon haven't I?" He shrugged thinking nothing of his near death experience.

"Yes you have, you're Captain Hook's son, then? Why the hell did you risk your life like that?" I questioned as he was coughing up what water was left lurking in his lungs. It was not attractive to see him hacking up a lung at all.

"What gave it away? Of course I'm Hook's son, I do after all have his last name. I took a swim over here to get away from the pirate. You see, I may be devilishly handsome and I can tell I'm already winning you over but I am no pirate," he stated as I rolled my eyes at him.

"Sure you are, I'm can't help but swoon," I responded sarcastically as we both looked over to the Isle of the Lost. Most everyone was going back about their days seeing that the idiot didn't drown himself.

"Believe me lass, you'll fall for me sooner or later," he remarked and I didn't know what to think of this boy sitting next to me.

He was clearly confident and a bit narcissistic but aren't we all in our own little ways? I mean I'm extremely talented at singing and I know it. Joseph here knows he's quite the looker. What? There was no denying that fact. Was I attractive to him? No way. I rather have drowned out there myself than to gush over the likes of him.

"I highly doubt that. I still don't understand one thing. Yes, I get that you wanted to get away from your father, but why wouldn't you sign up for the new descendants of villains transfer that's taking place? You do realize they're leaving in a week to come over here to Auradon," I stated and he looked completely shocked as he realized what I was telling him.

"Are you bloody kidding me? You're telling me I nearly died out there when I could have just left with the whole lot of kids to come here," he shouted as he jumped up. I saw anger build up inside him as he realized what an actual idiot he was.

Once he calmed down he sat back down on the sand with me as I couldn't help but smile at him acting like a fool. He laid down on the sand looking up at the sky as he sighed. "Thank you, if I wasn't saved by a beauty like you, I'd surely be dead," he said and once he dropped the whole high horse act, he didn't seem like such a twit to actually speak to.

"You're welcome. Although, you'd think that a son of a pirate would be able to swim, especially if his ship goes down," I teased as he sat up again.

"I told you, I'm not a pirate. Did you not see how far I swam? From the end of the bridge to where I drowned I did. I guess the sea got the best of me," he responded and I didn't understand how he even managed to make it as far as he did. He seemed completely helpless out there in the middle of the water.

"Bit of a landlubber then?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Aye, that I am. However, I do have extensive knowledge of all things pirate and sea. With Hook for a father it's kind of hard to escape the pirate facts being thrown at you. You pick up on a few things when you're unable to zone out," he explained to me and this conversation was actually pleasant.

Joseph Hook wasn't a prince like most everyone on the island and it quite interesting to just hear him talk. His whole manner was like a whole new experience for me to partake in. The way he spoke was just so intriguing to hear even though he insisted he wasn't a pirate. He sure talked like one, that's for certain.

"I'm such an idiot. Father's going to have my head once he realizes I'm gone," he mumbled to himself as he actually thought of what his actions had done for him.

"You're completely safe on Auradon. Don't worry," I told him placing a hand on his back as he had his head between his knees.

"You've never met my father. He's a determined man, I mean why else would he spend years on Neverland to get revenge on the evil Pan for taking his hand?" He responded and I could tell that he held some of his father's grudge against Peter. Hopefully, he doesn't talk with Jane Darling all that much, that would not make a good conversation being that she adores Peter. I mean who doesn't? He's a cute kid.

"Trust me, come back to Auradon Prep with me. I'll explain to King Ben everything that happened and you'll get enrolled. Once you're there, you're protected. They're fixing the barrier fairly quickly," I explained to him as he sighed. "Come on, let's go now. Just let me grab my stuff real quick."

"I'll do whatever the lovely lady tells me. By the way, I never got a name."

"Melody. Ariel's daughter," I told him and he just smiled at me.

"Ah, a daughter of a mermaid and a son of a pirate, the beginning to a happily ever after," he said and I had no clue what fantasy he was living in. "We could be great mates."

"In your dreams, bucko."