So Many Ways to be Wicked

Chapter 12

When Mal made her way back to her room after Ben's date, she was still soaked, tired and was not in the mood to find a bunch of girls sitting on the beds, chatting and waiting to be measured by Evie.

"Oh, Mal. You're back! I need your help. Why are you so wet?" Evie rushed over, fawning over Mal's state. "Here take some clothes, get in the shower but be quick. I need you to do something for me." Mal was handed a wad of clothing before being pushed into the shower, too shocked to say anything. After taking a quick, warm shower, Mal stepped out of the bathroom. Immediately, all eyes were on her.

"What's this about?" Mal asked cautiously, not liking the attention.

"These girls were gracious enough to pay us to make them coronation gowns and to do their hair for them. Carlos and I have the gowns while you get to do their hair with your magic! Surprise!" Evie giggled nervously. Mal wanted to protest but she was so tired and seeing Evie's pleading look was no help either.

"Fine," Mal grumbled. "Let's get this over with. Who first?" Lonnie pushed a cowering Jane onto the bed.

"She was here first!" Lonnie said cheerfully. Mal grabbed her spell book, looking for something not as strong as a latin spell. Finally, she came to a small passage in English that had to do with replacing the old with the new.

"Alright, beware, forswear, replace the old with brand new hair," Mal said unenthusiastically. She did a small motion with her hand and, when she was finished, Jane's bob cut had grown to be silky, wavy hair. Jane rushed over to Evie's full length mirror, admiring her new look. The girls were all clamoring to be the next one done, but Lonnie got to the bed first.

"Beware, forswear, replace the old with new....cool hair," Mal chanted. Lonnie jumped up, her own bob growing to a longer length. Another girl took her place and Mal resigned herself to having the slowest, most boring day of her life. At least they were paying.

The next week was boring. Everyone was busy preparing for family day. The VKs were not looking forward to the thought of having to face any of their parent's foes. They weren't prepared and it's not like they could kill them in broad daylight, with the Prince, King and Queen being present. The four villains were starting to get comfortable where they were and, though they hated to admit it, they kind of liked being in Auradon. Carlos loved the robotics lab and helping Evie sew, Jay was ecstatic to become the co-captain of the Tourney team, Evie was in the middle of making a small business, considering the amount of girls that wanted her expertise in makeup, hair and fashion for coronation. Mal, well, Mal was just happy having her friends happy. Not to mention Ben was quite something. She didn't love him, nor did she like him in that way. Her heart would always belong to Evie, but Ben seemed like a genuinely nice guy. You don't find guys like that at all on the Isle. As the four of them made their way to remedial goodness, they couldn't help but feel like a pit was in their stomach. No one wanted to admit it out loud, but they were beginning to doubt their plans. Maybe Ben could hurry the paperwork through and get the kids off the Isle, Mal thought to herself, feeling guilty for even letting the thought pass through her head. Then we wouldn't need to steal the wand.

As the kids filed into the classroom, they noticed a large screen in front of the blackboard with a nervous Fairy Godmother standing next to it. The woman was shifting from foot to foot, a quivering smile on her face.

"What's up?" Jay asked, slinging his book bag over his chair. He pulled out Carlos' chair for him absentmindedly and Carlos felt himself blush.

"Kids, I have a very big surprise for you!" Fairy Godmother exclaimed. She reached and turned on the TV. All of their hearts stopped when they saw the face of their parents sitting regally in their chairs. Maleficent and Cruella both had sneers on as Grimhilde looked at herself in a broken mirror and Jafar fiddled with their line of the connection. "Ta da!" Fairy Godmother gave small jazz hands before going and sitting at her desk.

"Is it done, Jafar?" Cruella demanded.

"Do you see those vile ingrates on the screen yet? No? Then what do you think?" Jafar snapped. You could tell when the connection finally went through because immediately all the villains snapped to attention, fake smiles plastered on their face and a demeanor that was so sickeningly unreal that it made Carlos want to vomit out his lunch. His mother was not nice. Insane, mean, cruel, abusive, but never nice. The four VKs slowly made their way to the screen, hesitating only slightly before moving. They were definitely not going to show their parents any weakness, which included being scared of them.

"Mal, darling. How is school treating you?" Maleficent asked. "It's been an awfully long time, hasn't it, child?"

"School has been fine mother, and it's only been a few weeks, I'm sure you don't miss me that much." Or at all. Maleficent sneered, not liking the rebellious attitude Mal held.

"When will we get to see you, Evie dear. Momma misses you," Grimhilde whined. "Oh my Evil, Evie have you not been taking care of yourself? You look awful, your hair's a mess, your makeup is all wrong, you--"

"That's enough, mother," Evie snapped, stepping closer to the screen. "I look perfectly fine. If anyone needs a mirror right now, it's you." Mal put a hand on Evie's back, rubbing in small circles. Evie stepped off the platform and back down with her friends. Grimhilde was spluttering, though Cruella seemed to think it was funny as she let out an eerie cackle.

"What insolence, Evil Queen. You let your brat talk to you like that? If Carlos were to speak to me that way I would--"

"Enough!" Carlos shrieked, feeling his heart beating out of his chest. He'd be damned, though, if he let his mother explain in detail the grotesque things she would do to him in front of Faemina and his friends.

"Excuse me? You-YOU LITTLE--"

"Okay, that's enough," Mal said, reaching up and unplugging the TV before Cruella could finish her sentence. "Thanks for that, Fairy Godmother."

"Oh, no problem children!" Fairy Godmother said brightly. The kids began to leave the room.

"Mal, do you think we should be scared?" Evie asked.

"Probably, but nothing bad will happen. I won't let it. I'll be right back, I'm going to ask Faemina for a favor."