So Many Ways to be Wicked

Chapter 9

Remedial Goodness went about as well as you could expect. Jay was bored so he goofed off, taking Carlos down with him. Mal sketched in her notebook and went over plans to confess her feelings for Evie because dammit if Jay wasn't right. Evie would only be single for so long before someone snatched her up and Mal intended to be said person. As soon as she could, she'd tell Evie. Unfortunately, Evie was heading to see Chad right after remedial goodness was over. Maybe she would follow her, just to make sure this Chad guy wasn't a creep. Mal nodded slightly, agreeing silently to her plan.

"Mal!" Fairy Godmother snapped. "Are you paying attention? You need to focus on this material, young lady." Mal pursed her lips before letting a sly smirk grace her face.

"Of course I'm paying attention, Faemina. The answer is the most boring one, turn the poison over to the proper authorities." Fairy Godmother's face went red at the use of her first name as well as the comment about the answer being boring and yet still getting the answer right.

"Correct. However, I will be having you stay after class to have a talk with me about proper etiquette when speaking to authority figures." Mal's heart sank into her stomach and she slumped into her seat. So much for following Evie. What if this Chad guy was trouble? She'd have to get Jay or Carlos to keep an eye on the girl, just in case. Mal was perfectly aware that Evie could take care of herself but sometimes Mal would get paranoid. Mal still woke from nightmares about how her people are doing on the Isle, if she made the right decision trusting Uma with those who had been under her protection. Soon enough, the bell rang and the VKs stood up, hesitating. The other three didn't want to leave Mal with Fairy Godmother, not trusting the older woman.

"Go, I'll only be a second," Mal said before beckoning Jay over. "Keep an eye on Chad and Evie. I have a bad feeling."

"You always have bad feelings when it comes to guys and Evie," Jay pointed out. Mal rolled her eyes.

"Yes, but when have I ever been wrong about it?" Mal asked, smug. Jay conceded and pulled Carlos to the side, roping him into Evie duty as well. As Jay talked, he let his hands linger on Carlos' shoulders. Carlos was getting redder by the moment. How obvious, Mal thought to herself, though she knew she wasn't much better.

Evie took one last glance at Mal before striding out of the classroom, heading for the Tourney field. She knew the boys were following but didn't mind too much. It's always nice to have backup, even if you can handle it yourself. As Evie made her way outside, she saw Chad waiting by the doors. He smiled, grabbing her hand and leading her underneath the bleachers. They stood in silence for a moment before Chad asked, "Is everyone at home as pretty as you?" Evie felt herself blush and giggle because who doesn't love a compliment? However, the mention of her home brought images of sweaty men in alleyways, starving children, bruised teenagers. Not the best way to start a conversation but Evie let it pass. The boy doesn't know how terrible it is on the Isle, it wasn't his fault. Softly, Evie spoke.

"I'd like to think I'm the fairest of them all," she said. There was a brief silence and she pondered if she had said something wrong. Castle for mother? The voice, still too eerily similar to her mothers, spoke. "Ah, how many rooms are in your castle?" Evie made sure her tone was nothing but adoration. Chad smiled slightly.

"Oh, too many to count," Chad laughed. Evie smiled, stepping closer. Chad stepped closer himself. Evie felt nervous, wondering if she was actually going to kiss this man she just met. Before anything could happen, Chad looked away.

"You really nailed that chemistry problem," he said, looking puzzled. Shit, act stupid! Guys hate smart girls, Evie, you know this.

"Oh, I'm not that smart," she said, insistent.

"Oh, come on," Chad replied.

"No, really. I'm not!" She tried not to sound too desperate for him to believe her. "I'm really good at household chores, though! Cooking, cleaning, sewing." He looked unconvinced so, thinking quickly, Evie pulled out her mirror. "See this? It's part of my mom's magic mirror. I ask it a question and it will give me the answer."

"Really?" Chad asked, going to grab it. Evie dodged, letting the mirror slip back into her purse.

"It won't work for you, silly," she simpered, though in her head she was fuming. He had no right to take her stuff!

"That's okay," Chad said, though his face betrayed the fact that he did not actually feel it was okay. He leaned in close and Evie thought this was the moment. He kept leaning in, his eyes flicking across her face when he suddenly dodged to the side.

"I would love to chat, but I have so much homework to do." He turned dramatically to the pole behind him. "Unless...maybe...if you did all my homework along with yours, we could get together sometime." He smiled blindingly, shoving the bookbag into Evie's arms. "Thanks babe." He winked before walking away. Evie stood, stunned by what had happened. The guy didn't even let her get a word in! She wasn't an idiot, she knew he was trying to use her to do his homework. There was no way in hell she was going to do that. Evie was furious as she dropped his bag onto the ground and made her way over to Carlos and Jay. Carlos opened his arms and she crashed into him. He gently patted her back as Jay shielded them from outsiders trying to look in.

"Why does everyone just want to use me?" Evie asked. "Am I that unloveable?"

"No, E, of course not," Jay said, letting his fingers run gently through her hair. "You're beautiful, talented, intelligent, witty. You're not unloveable!"

"Yeah, Evie," Carlos pitched in. "We love you, you're one of my best friends. We would all be nothing without you. I'll let you in on a little secret, too. Mal would be devastated if she ever lost you, she wouldn't know what to do. You're the glue holding her together sometimes."

"Really?" Evie asked, smiling.

"Really," Carlos replied. Evie hugged him again, this time smiling into his jacket. Maybe she wasn't unloveable after all.

From atop the bleachers, Doug sat, jealousy overwhelming him.