Descendants 3

~Did We Make a Mistake?~

Chapter Nine: Did We Make a Mistake?

     Carlos, Jay, and Evie were eating lunch at their usual spot. "Hey, have you two seen Mal or Ben lately?" asked Jay. "No, I was about to ask you that." Evie responded. "Yeah, I haven't seen them since yesterday. And I haven't seen Hugh, Marissa, Quinn, or Francis either."

     Evie nodded in agreement, "Yeah, neither have I. Sort of getting a strange feeling about them. They've been really quiet and I can help but feel like they're plotting something. And... Aria purchased some VK styles clothing and has been hanging out with them lately." Jays eyes bulged, "Aria? Shy, little Aria?" Evie nodded "They must be plotting something. Manipulating the poor girl to do something..."

     "Evie?" asks Carlos "Do you think... did we make a mistake? I mean, we're they really the right VKs to choose? Do you think they deserved a second chance?" Evie looked down, "I think everyone deserves a second chance." Without another word, she got up and left.

     Jay punches Carlos's shoulder. "Ouch!" he exclaimed. "Nice goin' dude!" Jay says. "What? I was just asking!" Jay shook his head, "Well, I was wondering too, but- Hey Jane!" Carlos whirled around and ran his fingers through his hair nervously, "Oh... h-h-hey Jane!"

     Jay stood up, "I'm just gonna leave you two alone." Jane sat down, "So I've just been meaning to ask you... are we... together now?" Carlos immediately pursed his lips, "Is that... is that what you want?" Jane nodded, "if that's what you want." Carlos smiled, "Then... will you go out with me?" Jane beamed, "Okay. Well I just wanted to make sure, but I have to run to the library right now, but I'll... text you later, okay?" Carlos nodded, "O-O-Okay."

     As soon as she was gone, Jay popped his head out from behind the tree, "Aw! How adorable!" Carlos jumped, "Jay! How long have you been there?" Jay plopped down beside him, "The whole time. Finally! We've all been waiting." Carlos only blushed, "Whatever man. Let's just go check on the VKs."

•••

     Ben sat in his office, sulking. He'd been silent all day attending his royal duties. But he hadn't heard from Mal since she ran away from him. There was a knock on the door, "Mal?!" he called. Evie, Jay, and Carlos entered. "Oh," he slumped back in his chair. "Nice to see you too." says Jay. "Sorry guys." murmured Ben.

     Evie sat down on a chair, "Wait, you haven't seen Mal either?" Ben shook his head, "Not since yesterday." he shut the ring box and threw it in his desk drawer "When I proposed." the three gasped, "You proposed?! How romantic!" Evie beamed.

     "I thought so! Until she ran off." Jay put his hand on Ben's shoulder, "Sorry man." Ben just shrugged, "Maybe it's better this way." Evie shook her head, "No. Ben, Mal's just like this. She needs some time to cool off. You know she loves you, she probably just felt overwhelmed." Ben bopped his head, "You know what, you're right Evie." Evie smiled, "Now. We came in here because we needed to ask you something."

     Ben sat up in his chair, "What is it?" Jay sat down next to Evie, "Have you noticed anything strange about the VKs lately?" Ben thought about it for a moment, "No, not really... And... that's... why it's strange." Carlos nodded, "Yes, we're afraid they might be hiding something. Or that they might be using Aria to do their bidding or something."

     "That kind of makes sense." Ben says "Do you think I should talk to them?" Evie shrugged, "Maybe. But the boys think we made a mistake with the decision." Carlos groaned, "No. I meant... Auradon just got over some craziness so maybe it would've been better to pick the more tame VKs like Yzma's daughter or Ratcliff's son or-"

     Evie put her hand up, "I understand. I'm sorry. I just thought that they'd need the most help." Carlos sighed, "I'm really sorry, Evie. I really didn't mean it that way." Evie nodded, "I know Carlos. This is just what I was worried about."

     He put his hand on her shoulder, "Hey, stand tall. We always figure something out." Evie nodded.

     Ben folded his hands, "Perhaps it'd be best if Evie can talk to Aria. I don't know, maybe you can talk to her and find out some information as to what's going on. Just to check in on them, we wouldn't want another incident to happen."

     Evie stood up, "That's a good idea, Ben. I'll try to talk to her, maybe she can explain to me what's been going on lately." Jay stood up as well, "I'm the meantime, Carlos and I will go try to find Mal. Where was the last place you saw her?" Ben sighed, "We were by the enchanted lake where we had our first date and she ran off into the woods. That.... that was the last place I saw her."

     Jay clapped his hands, "Alrighty then. Carlos, let's bounce!" And with that, they left. Evie approached his desk, "It'll be okay, Ben. They'll find her and talk to her. She loves you, you know that, right?" He hesitantly nodded, "I know. And I love her, I just hope she doesn't feel obligated to do anything, you know? I just want to be with her for the rest of my life. Rule Auradon together."

     Evie nodded, "It's gonna happen. I believe it. You shared true loves kiss together, that doesn't just happen if you're in love for two minutes." She giggles "Okay, I'm gonna go talk to Aria. If I see Mal, I'll tell her to come here straight away, alright?" Ben exhaled slowly, "Okay. Thank you Evie. See you later."

     Evie left Ben's office as he got back to work on everything. He still had lots of things he had to finish. But he was so anxious that he couldn't really focus. He took another look at the ring, "Mal."

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