Bridging the Gap

Chapter 1

When the flash of light cleared, all the people who had attended Parent's Day found they had arrived safely back at Auradon Prep, exactly where they had been before the Blue Fairy had arrived. The only new additions were Dizzy and Hadie; both of whom stared around in wonder at the beauty of Auradon Prep before wincing and putting a hand over their eyes to shield it from the sun.

Mal couldn't help but smile softly as Kitty and Macaria offered the two younger kids sunglasses. Where they got them would be anyone's guess.

"Your majesties," the Blue Fairy bowed her head, having not noticed the interaction between the kids. "I pray that what I showed you does not come to pass."

"If it does, it will not be because of me or my family," Queen Belle promised, and her husband nodded. The Blue Fairy smiled and then looked at Mal.

"Should you need any assistance with your powers, I am a call away," she promised. "Though Fairy Godmother might be closer should you need emergency assistance."

Mal stared at the Blue Fairy in shock. She was seriously offering help with her magic? Mastering it and avoiding things like magical exhaustion?

"Thank you, Blue Fairy," Mal said after a moment. "I appreciate that more than you know."

The Blue Fairy gave the young girl a warm smile before disappearing in a flash of light.

"Okay, I know she's amazing and everything but could she cool it with the blinding light?" Carlos asked as he rubbed his eyes, causing everyone to laugh and eased the tension. Everyone quickly broke off to do what they were doing before Queen Leah's tirade; leaving Mal, Dizzy, Evie, Jay, Carlos and Hadie standing with Queen Belle, King Adam/Beast, and Prince Ben.

"So, how about lunch?" Ben asked as he clapped his hands together.

"What about—?"

"We can worry about that after lunch, dear," Belle told her husband, resting a hand on his arm.

"Mal, is there anything you can't eat?" Ben asked, ignoring his parents to focus on his girlfriend. All the students had filled out allergy cards before the start of school but since the Isle kids came in late, they didn't get the chance.

"What do you mean?" Mal responded, looking at the other Isle kids in confusion. "We ate whatever we got our hands on back home."

"What about allergies?" Ben prodded, feeling a twinge of sadness as Mal referred to the Isle as 'home' but it made sense. They'd only been in Auradon for about a month. "Like nuts, eggs, dairy, that sort of thing?"

Mal still stared at him as if he had three heads. "Ben, we ate whatever we could get. If we were allergic, if it was rotten—"

"Which, considering it was most likely trash, it was about 90 percent of the time," Evie added.

"We'd be punished for turning our nose up at food," Mal finished. Ben and his parents looked at the six in shock. Ben couldn't help but wonder how many kids died on the Isle because they were forced to eat something they were allergic to. Looking at Dizzy and Hadie, Ben made a promise to himself to bring more kids with the next group. They needed to get out of there.

"Mal, you will never have to worry about that here," Ben told her after a few minutes of silence, taking her hand.

Mal gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Ben."

"Excuse me, your highness," Anita's voice rang out and it was then that everyone realized that there were four families standing close to them, waiting for a lull in the conversation.

"Yes Anita?" Belle asked, giving the woman a kind smile. Anita turned to face Belle as she had previously addressed Ben.

"Well, we—my husband and I—we were wondering if Carlos would like to join us for lunch?" Anita said, faltering a little as the boy in question looked at her in shock. It clearly was not something he had expected.