Ben and I were walking to the garden area to greet the guest. He thought we should sing for them and as much as I enjoy putting on a show, this didn't feel right. I mean he was going to introduce Mal to our parents. He's going to introduce a girl he doesn't actually like as his girlfriend to our parents... This screams disaster.

"Ben, I know I said I would support you and all but this is cruel. If Mal likes you and you introduce her to our parents as your girlfriend, she's going to get the wrong impression and you'll just be leading her on. I know you said you don't want to hurt her but I think using her as a beard will hurt even more." Ben stopped walking and looked at me. "I am not using her as my beard." He defended himself or at least tried. "Really? That's all you got from what I said?" I shook my head and dragged him so we could hurry up and get this over with.

First Audrey then Mal? Who was he going to hurt next? "Do you think Fairy Godmother is going to talk to mom and dad?" Ben asked. "Why would she?" I didn't tell him about being kicked out of class and having to go see Fairy Godmother so why would he be worried? "Well, I cut yesterday and I just thought that she would want to bring it up to mom and dad."

"You cut class? Woah Benny Boo, you're becoming such a bad boy. What's next, you're going to TP the library?" I joked causing him to roll his eyes.

"There you guys are, we're ready to start this," Doug told us, I looked over his shoulder to see that all the families have arrived. I quickly looked around to see if Evie had showed up and she did. She was with her friends.

"Okay, let's get this thing over with already," I said pushing both Ben and Doug forwards.

"Ma chere, mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight." God, I feel stupid, we sounded weird. Ben sounded so weird too.

[play song here]
[start reading once the song is over]

After years of doing this, dancing in heels has become so much easier. I was going to greet the vk's when Ben pulled me back. "It's family day, we have to talk to our parents ya know." Of course. "Right, okay let's go." We walked over to our parents and I felt nervous. I don't know why honestly.

"That was so lovely!" Our mother said as they hugged us one at the time. "Okay, let's take our picture before a line forms." My mother mentioned as the photographer walked towards us. We positioned ourselves, Ben, and I in the middle but he was on my father's side and I was on my mother's side.

"Oh, by the way, I have a new girlfriend!" Ben said before the photographer took our picture. Our parents gasped, very dramatically if I may say. I didn't think Ben would drop the news that quickly.

"Well I never wanted to say anything, but I always thought that Audrey was a little self-absorbed. A fake smile. Kind of a kiss-up." My mother said, and woah, I've never heard her be so judgmental.

"Do we know your new girlfriend?" My father asked. "On the count of three...One, two..."

"Sort of, Mal!" Oh no.

I quickly put both thumbs up and smiled at the camera, this would be a perfect family photo to hang up. Normal-looking teens and two parents with weird questionable expressions. "Three!" My parents made faces of overdramatic shock while ben and I just smiled, plus my thumbs up.

Greatest family picture ever!

Mal walked over to us and Ben went to greet her. Time to be supportive of my brother while also hurting Mal? This is going to be hard, I feel so bad for Mal. If she really likes Ben then the end results won't be so pretty...

"I wanna introduce you to my parents," Ben said as Mal hugged him. I heard my mother gasp and my dad shook his head. "Mother please, don't judge a book by its cover. You taught us that," I whispered to her. My mother looked at me and smiled. "You're right, thank you, sweetheart, for that reality check." Yeah, I really doubt she meant it though.

"This is mal, from the island. My girlfriend." Ben hesitated but smiled. Mal grabbed his hand and I could see Ben get nervous. "I was thinking maybe she could join us for lunch." My parents looked at one another. "Of course," Father said, well this was going to be an awkward lunch.

"Um, any friends of Ben..." My father couldn't seem to form a proper sentence, geez.

"I actually came with my friends," Mal spoke up, I looked over them and saw that Jay and Carlos were at the chocolate fountain while Evie was looking over at us. She was checking in on Mal, how sweet.

"Well, you should invite them." My mother suggested, and I hope Mal does. Maybe my parents could get to know Evie and one day I could introduce her as my girlfriend. I mean as my friend, she's my friend that's all.

"Because the more the marrier." My mom awkwardly laughed. "Yeah, I'll go grab them." Mal turned to leave. "Oh, I'll come with," I said, I didn't want my parents awkwardness to rub off on me.

"How about a game of croquet before lunch?" Father asked as we left. "Of course!" I heard Ben say as we walked away. "Have you ever played?" I asked Mal. "No, not really." I smiled, Mal and I were at that point where we could consider each other friends right? "We'll teach you, I'm sure you're a fast learner."

We were on the croquet lawn playing: Jay and Mal were trying to one-up each other, Ben and Carlos were playing around with Dude, and I was teaching Evie how to play. My parents were by themselves, judging us I assume.

I saw Jay join Carlos and Ben, Mal watched them run as Audrey's grandmother walked over to her. I tapped Evie's shoulder as she was concentrated on getting the game right. "Huh?" I didn't say anything, I just pointed at where Mal was.

"Who's that?" She asked. "Audrey's grandma. Aka, Sleeping Beauty's mom. You know, she hates Maleficent and all." I told her and she quickly understood. Then Audrey walked over to them. Oh no, this was about to go south so quickly.

"You!?" Audrey grandmothers spoke rather loudly. She quickly caught everyone's attention, I felt Evie grab my wrist, she held on to me tightly. I really hope Audrey and her grandmother don't cause a scene. Evie pulled me even closer and we slowly walked closer to Mal in case she needed help.

"How are you here? And how have you stayed so young?" I heard her ask. Does she think Mal is Maleficent? Ben quickly came over and stood next to Mal.

"Queen Leah, it's okay. Maleficent is still on the island. This is her daughter, Mal. Don't you remember my proclamation to give the new generation a chance?" Ben reminded her, she looked at him confused. I get she's old but is her memory that bad?

"To do what Ben? Destroy us? Come on, you remember, don't you? The poison apples and the spells. Spells... My daughter was raised by fairies because of your mother's curse. So her first words, her first steps, I missed it all!" She continued to get louder. "You mustn't trust her." She was now looking at Fairy Godmother.

"I'm so sorry-" Mal stepped forward but Chad got in between them.

"Go away, stay away from her," Chad said, dude, I am so ready to punch this dude. "Don't do this Chad." Ben stepped forward. Chad only looked at him confused.

"They were raised by their parents Ben. What do you think villains teach their kids huh? Kindness? Fair play? No way okay." I felt Evie let go of my hand.

"You stole another girls boyfriend, you enjoy hurting people. and you, you're nothing but a gold digger and a cheater." Chad spoke while pointing at Mal, Jay, and Evie. I'm sorry mom and dad, but he deserves whatever comes his way.

I walked over to him and punched him. Good thing I wore rings today. Listen I'm not one for violence but he crossed a line. He has no right to insult them or anyone for that matter. Asshole.

Chad stumbled backwards and I heard everyone around me gasp. He quickly restored his balance and came towards me. "I'm not afraid to hit you." He whispered. "Try me, I'm not scared of you."

"Bella, no," Ben said but I ignored him. If I had to hit Chad again I will, he deserves it. He tried using Evie, he insulted her and her friends. He thinks he's better than all of us if you ask me my actions are justified.

"Mirror mirror, in my hand. Who's the biggest jerk in the land." Evie said from behind me. I saw her point her mirror at Chad and everyone around gasp, it's not like she hurt him. Was she wrong though?

He grabbed Evie's arm and pushed it away. I stepped towards him again but Jay held me back as he got in Chad's face. "Leave them alone." He grabbed Chad from his shirt collar, and Evie then sprayed something in his face that made him pass out. Woah, if only we could all have something like that to stop the creeps.

I pulled Jay back and looked at Evie. "I'll catch up with you right now," I whispered to her, with that she grabbed Mal and they ran away with Jay and Carlos behind them.

I saw chad wake up and I had to make something clear before I left. Everyone helped him up and started asking him if he was fine. He's not the victim here! Right because 'the good guys can never be the villain'

"Stay the fuck away from Evie and the others," I told him before punching him again, okay that one hurt me more than it probably hurt him. He fell back once more and I can already feel my parents disappointed stares burning holes into me.

Before I went after the vk's I looked at Queen Leah.

"You can't call yourself a queen when you do nothing but act like a child." Queen Leah looked at me with disgust.

"Bella!" I heard Ben and my parents call after me as I ran in the direction the vk's had run off to. They don't deserve to be treated like villains.

[Word Count: 1826 ]
[Edited: June 25th, 2020]