A/N: Initial book cover for Courage in the media section. Yikes it was so bad lmao 😅

Meredith's wavy, bright red hair bounced in the wind as she jogged around the school's vicinity with the campus mutt, Dude, by her side. She was one of the few students who had a special bond with the dog, although he was friendly to practically everyone. Like her mother, Merida, she was very adventurous and didn't like being tied down, which is quite clear now that she's running around by herself (with Dude, of course) as a way to clear her mind.

The reason for her running? She had just gotten into a disagreement with Ben. There was no question that Ben was like her brother. Their parents met one another years ago, even before their children were both born, and they formed an unexpected friendship. It was to be expected that they'd want their kids to be friends, too, and luckily, it turned out that way perfectly.

Ben had just told Meredith about his proclamation to allow a few of the children from the Isle of the Lost — the island surrounded by a magical barrier, the one where all the villains and their descendants were banished to — to live in Auradon. He claimed to want to give them a chance at normal lives, meaning having friends, going to school, and being in a completely different environment from the Isle. He had told his parents first, of course, followed by Audrey (his girlfriend, the daughter of Aurora), and then Meredith. He actually thought she was outraged because she wasn't the first to be told, but that wasn't the case at all. She didn't care about that. She was furious because Ben was being so gullible that he was willingly going to let these people who have been taught how to do wrong things from birth to be here, and they would be coming tomorrow. She only had one day to change his mind.

But as Meredith jogged and jogged until her legs grew sore, she decided she shouldn't try to change her friend's mind. It would be selfish, and he was soon to be crowned as king. He should learn to make his own choices and if things went wrong, he'd have to face the consequences. More importantly, it wasn't her place to tell him what to do. It would be wrong to interfere in her friend's life like that, and even worse to do it to someone who was going to be king. Meredith supposed that for now, she'd have to bear with his decision and try to see things from his point of view.

Meredith finally halted to a stop, now on the edge of the field of Auradon Prep where some PE classes and varsity games were held. She glanced down to see if Dude was still next to her, and when she found that he was still happily wagging his tail at her, she continued on her way back to the dorms across the school building, this time walking at a slower pace.

It didn't take long for her to arrive at the building. She left Dude to hang around in the lobby, assuming that other students would like to play with him, too. She knew she spent too much time with the dog already and didn't want to hog him from the others.

She eventually reached her dorm and entered right away, finding Jane studying on her bed. Although they were roommates, they weren't that close. Of course, they were undoubtedly good friends and spoke often, but Meredith usually spent her time with her childhood friends, Ben and even Chad, son of Cinderella and Charming (although, he could be very rude and narcissistic).

"Meredith!" Jane exclaimed, squeaking in surprise when the door swung open to reveal her roommate. In return, Meredith smirked at her friend's reaction. "You scared me."

"I can see that."

"Did you go for a run again?"

"Yep," the redhead replied with a tired sigh, walking over to her side of the room and beginning to search for new clothes to wear in her drawer.

"What happened it this time?"

Meredith stopped excavating through her pieces of clothing and faced Jane with raised eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

"We've been roommates long enough for me to know that you like going for a walk or run when you're distracted," Jane mumbled.

"Oh," Meredith said, not exactly knowing what to answer. "I just had a misunderstanding with Ben."

"I'm sure you'll work things out."

Meredith merely smiled at her roommate, appreciating her small efforts.

"Thanks, Jane."

♚ ♚ ♚

"Chad, just do your freaking homework already."

"But I don't want to. I barely understand anything."

Meredith rolled her eyes at the blonde who sat lazily on the bleachers next to her. Right after she had freshened up and changed, Meredith headed over to the field again, this time to meet up with Chad for a study session — that basically just meant Meredith finishing her homework as efficiently as she could whereas Chad would stare at his papers for an eternity, waiting for something magical to happen. Unlike his mother who was known for her hard work and patience especially after living with an evil stepmother and two stepsisters for most of her life, it seemed that Chad did not inherit any of that at all.

"That's your problem," Meredith scoffed.

"I'm hurt," he said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. Meredith ignored him, pretending not to notice as she scribbled some more answers down on her paper.

"I wouldn't have to be so rude to you if you'd just stop complaining and do your own work."

Chad pouted, and when Meredith did not spare him a glance again, he groaned.

"Come on, can't you do mine?"

"No."

"Ugh."

"Chad, stop bothering her," a new voice came into the conversation. Meredith did not have to look up to know who it was, and she didn't want to face him yet. She was still skeptical about his first proclamation and what his intentions about it really were.

"Then I'll just bother you, Ben," Chad said cheekily.

Ben chuckled. "Never mind. Hi, Mer."

"Hello," Meredith responded monotonously.

"Still mad about my proclamation?"

"Of course."

Both Ben and Chad laughed lightly at her bluntness.

"Mer, lighten up," said Ben, taking the seat beside her after pushing Chad's legs off of the bench, causing the latter to huff in annoyance. "It's a good opportunity."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"But you don't think it's bad, right?"

"... Nope. But I don't think it's a completely good idea either."

Ben grinned in an attempt to brighten the mood.

"Just wait and you'll see," he said with conviction." This will be a chance for them to be better people and it'll show everyone how we can all live in harmony."

Despite Meredith still being unsure about Ben's decision, she couldn't help but feel impressed by his words and the meaning behind it. Chad must've thought that way too, because he said, "You're really taking this king thing seriously."

"Of course, I am," Ben said with a determined nod. "I want to be a really good one."

The three were left in a comfortable silence for a few more minutes — except for Chad's constant whining and Ben's patient words as he tolerated him. Meredith hoped it would stay like that because it was just comfortable that way. Some of the girls in her year were too prissy, while some of the guys were too rowdy. Having practically grown up alongside Ben and Chad, it was natural to be with them as if they were her own relatives.

Unfortunately, Audrey's high pitched voice rang through the air, surprising Meredith and making her accidentally slide her pen the wrong way. This caused her to make a huge, random mark on her homework much to her annoyance.

"Benny-boo!" Audrey chirped, bouncing over to her boyfriend. Meredith wasn't jealous, but she wished Ben would've gotten a more mature girlfriend suited for him. There were many other great girls in Auradon Prep that she would gladly pick out for her friend.

"Audrey," Ben greeted, a smile on his face. Although Meredith was close to him, she couldn't tell if his smile for his girlfriend was fake or not.

"Come with me, will you? I need help picking out a presentable outfit to welcome the children from the Isle of the Lost."

Unsurprisingly, Ben would be happy to do that since he'd think it's for the benefit of the transfer students tomorrow, but in reality, Meredith knew that Audrey was obviously just thinking about herself. She may have good intentions sometimes, but she could also be very self-centered.

Meredith shook her head, trying to stop herself from being so judgmental. She found herself getting too lost in her thoughts like that at times.

"My pleasure," Ben said, getting up from his seat. He strode over to his girlfriend who clung on to his arm giddily, then after a quick goodbye, they left both Chad and Meredith in the bleachers as they — well, Meredith — completed the homework due tomorrow.

As Meredith stared at the couple walking away, she wondered out loud, "Don't you think Ben deserves a smarter girlfriend? Like, someone who cares less about status and appearances?"

As usual, Chad either wasn't paying attention or he just did not comprehend Meredith's words. He looked at her in confusion after a short pause, saying, "What did you say?"

Meredith merely pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Oh, wait," Chad suddenly said in realization. "I get it! So, you want to be his girlfriend, then?"

Meredith faked gagging.

"No way," she denied right away, looking repulsed. "You know we're more like siblings than anything else. I just meant he should have someone much more different than Audrey, but not me, of course."

"Oh," Chad nodded knowingly. Just when Meredith thought he finally understood what she meant, the boy stopped nodding and a look of bewilderment came over his face again. "Wait, I don't really get it. Can you repeat what you said?"

Meredith slumped in her seat with a loud sigh.

"Never mind, Chad."

A/N: Hope you liked the first chapter of this fanfic 😊 I know, Carlos isn't here yet, but he'll be introduced soon! I really just wanted a chapter dedicated to Meredith to show off her personality so it'll be more understandable and interesting to see hers and Carlos' friendship/relationship grow later on in this story. I also hope you like her friendship with Ben and Chad— she does not have any romantic feelings for them whatsoever. Obviously, you'll see soon who she'll eventually like HAHA 💘 So, go vote and comment what you think! Thanks!