Choosing Family

Chapter Thirty Two

Mal scowled as she made her way through her first day of classes. Fairy Godmother, in her infinite wisdom, had decided to make it so none of the VKs were in a class together other than Remedial Goodness 101. Even if she didn't want to be in a class with Blueberry, Mal wasn't thrilled to be alone either.

You know, some of us aren't evil. We're just wicked. There's a difference, Mal thought as she looked at her locker as she closed the door, having put her books inside. It was just the same as the other lockers, though that could pretty much describe all of Auradon. Being different was bad, judging by all the looks she and the others got for their clothing.

What was worse was there was a rumor that someone tried to break into the museum where Fairy Godmother's wand was held the night they had arrived.

Probably someone who wants to frame us VKs for something, Mal thought with an inward snort, making sure her mental link was temporarily blocked as to not worry her mom or dad—or Uma. I certainly don't need that wand—I've got dad's powers coursing through my veins. Plus mom's as well. Not to mention I've still got a bit of my Fae magic—not as much as I did before mom adopted me but it's still there.

Sighing, she set her bag down and pulled out a couple of cans of spray paint—one never knew when one needed to mark their territory. Holding her breath, she began to get to work. Ignoring the stares and mutters of the passing students, Mal smirked as she got into the zone; making sure each pass of the spray paint was even and perfect.

No one was going to think of her as a second rate tagger. Not in Auradon.

"Nice one," Jay said as he walked up. "Might be your best tag to date."

"Thanks Jay," Mal smirked as she finished up. In front of them was a pomegranate fruit with a golden skin, blue flames in the background, and the words 'Family is Forever' underneath.

Let's see Sleeping Brat try to claim I'm lying now, Mal thought. Oh she'd heard the scuttlebutt about Audrey claiming Mal was lying to make herself seem more important and that she truly was Maleficent's daughter. Mal didn't care. She could crush Audrey like a bug but she knew doing that would make it next to impossible for Uma and Harry to come over.

"You having a good first day?" Jay asked as he shot a grin to some of the female students who were passing by. Mal rolled her eyes.

"Gods Jay, get some dignity."

"What use do I have for dignity? It just gets in the way of the really fun stuff," Jay smirked, not noticing Chad, Audrey and Ben in the background.

"I dunno Ben, they seem like trouble," Chad said.

"Come on man, give 'em a chance," Ben told him. "Emir and Akiho said they had a great time with them."

"No offense Bennybear but you're just too trusting," Audrey said, grabbing Ben's hands, not noticing Ben stiffen once more or Chad's frown. "I know your mom fell in love with the big scary beast that turned out to be a handsome prince but in my story, the evil fairy was just the evil fairy. That girl's mother."

"She told us yesterday, the records are wrong. In fact, I'm going to see if I can update them myself today," Ben said, slipping his hands out of Audrey's grasp. "And you're wrong about them."

Ben turned away and started making his way toward Mal and Jay, wanting to see how their first day was and if they needed anything.

"Gods Jay, you're so clingy," he heard Mal tease.

"Hey, you came into my bed last night," Jay teased back and Ben froze, his stomach clenching as he heard Mal chuckle.

They're friends. Close friends but friends—Mal probably was just feeling homesick or something. I mean the only other possibility would be that...no, Mal and Jay aren't dating. I mean they do seem awfully close and Jay was the one to put his hand over Mal's mouth the other day...he certainly feels comfortable with her...