That chill had returned. After all that nights ago, it finally returned, hitting him full force the moment those green eyes looked his way. Carlos wasn't sure if that stare was good or bad, but he's cautious about it.

"Well, before we get started with this tour, I think if it would nice that we introduced ourselves.", the prince suggested. "I'm Benjamin Beast, or just Ben. And this is Audrey Rose."

The princess stepped forward, offering a smile. "Hi and welcome to Auradon Prep. We hope you'll have a great time here."

Carlos is grateful that so far the two were welcoming, whether or not it was faked.

"Um... thanks, I guess?", Mal offered, lightly playing with a purple strand of hers. "So you're going to be showing us around?"

"Absolutely. We'll start with the main hall.", the prince stated, leading the group out the office.

👑👑👑

Some really believed that she was so cold-hearted that she wouldn't have friends, or care for people at all. Oddly enough, Grimhilde did have some use of her heart. Beauty isn't her only love. She loves both her daughters and she does care for those she calls her friends. Otherwise, she wouldn't be sitting in Cruella's office right now and sharing drinks with the other woman. She sees that Cruella is stressed and after what the fashion diva told her, she has every right to be. She had everything going well with her so far but then she gets a call she'd rather forget.

"He really wants that? After all these years he now wants to meet him?", Grimhilde questioned with a perfect eyebrow raised and disbelief clear in her words.

Cruella nodded slowly, her head cradled in her hands. "Yeah. The bastard actually wants to see my baby. After all these years."

"He's insane. He missed fifteen birthdays, his first words, his first steps. He now wants to get into his life?!"

"I don't like it. I don't fucking like it. But..." Cruella sighed and then groaned as she sulked against her leather chair, crossing her arms. "I have to tell Carlos. I have to let him make the decision. If he wants to see him. He's old enough."

Grimhilde nods, understanding. She knows if Cruella could, she would have prevented this man from ever being in Carlos' life forever. However, the fashion diva wants to give her son the choice because she does love him.

"I know you don't like it. Trust me, I would feel the same if Evie's father ever tried that shit." She stood up out her chair and took to Cruella's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. You need to relax and not think about him right now. A spa session should do you some good."

She didn't object, knowing she needs one.

👑👑👑

The tour felt as if it ended a little too soon for the prince. The school is huge, yet somehow he and Audrey managed to guide them through every inch that needed to be covered. They were even able to show each of the others their lockers in time.

"Well, we better get to our classes now.", Ben stated just as the first bell finished ringing. His eyes stayed glued on Carlos, wondering what his schedule looked like. He hoped they shared at least one class together.

"Not looking too forward to it, but alright.", Jay joked, eyeing his schedule. "I got Calculus first."

"Ooh, same here. I'll walk with you.", Evie says, hooking her arm with Jay's.

"My first class is History of Royals.", Mal sighed. She didn't seemed too happy about it and given no one else commented having the class, looks as if she has to suffer alone.

Carlos was reading over his schedule, eyes calculating. "Hm. I got a computer class first. Awesome."

Ben remembered Carlos speaking about being into technology. He had lit up when he admitted it.

"Oh, good. That means you can help me.", Uma says, slinging an arm around his neck and Ben does feel a little jealous.

Carlos chuckles and places an arm around her waist. A little more jealousy. Ben's not alone on it."Yes, because you can't go watch a video without resetting the whole desktop."

"Fight me."

Everyone began their way to their classes. Audrey takes a closer step to Ben and nudges him, drawing his attention to her and from Carlos' retreating back.

"Green really isn't your color.", she remarks. He notices that she isn't smiling either.

"Hm. Neither is it yours, Audrey."

She looks up at him, sighing. "We only danced with them once and we're already head-over-heels for them."

"Actually I danced with him twice. And I almost kissed him."

Her browns widened. "Excuse me? Say what?! You didn't let me on that little bit!", she shrieked, drawing attention from other students.

Ben hushed her, blushing. "Yeah, let's not announce that to the whole school. They're already speculating our relationship."

"Maybe you should confirm it then. Ben, you and I both know that you're in love with him. Like big time. Besides, you do make such a cute couple."

"Audrey."

"I'll help you! Come on, please? I want my bestie happy and I know he will make you happy and you will make him happy."

Ben smiled, knowing that no matter what else he said Audrey will try everything in her power to get them together because she does care and they're best friends. She may come off a little preppy and selfish, but Audrey is really a sweetheart. She enjoys making people happy. And she deserves the same.

"Okay, fine. Only if I help you with Uma."

"Deal. Now let's get to class. It's unfitting for a princess and a prince to be tardy."

Oddly enough just in the opposite direction, they were a topic for a certain duo.

"Yep. Princey is totally into you.", Uma teased, smirking when she noticed the red tint on freckled cheeks. "Like into you-into you."

"Uma, you do realize he probably doesn't know it was me he danced with at the ball?"

"Carlos, you do realize there's social media and by now he does know?"

"You got me there. But he's not into me like that."

"Sure, buddy. Those lingering stares really say he wants to be just friends."

Carlos huffed in defeat. "None of you are letting this go, are you?"

Uma shook her head, black and aqua curls brushing against her shoulders. "Ha ha, nah. Nah, my guy. And I doubt the rest of the school will. Ever since we got here, people have been staring at us. I'm starting to feel like some sideshow attraction." To prove her point, the duo had passed a group of whispering girls and heard them. They could make out 'Ursula', 'Cruella', and 'children'. And the looks, filled with curiosity and fright, didn't make it any better.

The slightly younger sighed. "Yup. This is definitely going to be fun, huh?"

******

None of the VKs were too surprised that already half the day was spent with the other attendants of Auradon prep coming up to them with questions or clearing the way. Honestly, it was more amusing. Even with the teachers. Evie had already caught on that her Chemistry teacher, Mr. Deley is cautious of her. He had utter but two words to her. She knows he'll try something soon.

It's lunch time and they're all seated at a table in the cafeteria. Practically, half the cafeteria is staring at them. They stand out against everyone's pastels with their darks. It was like a black spot in a white zone.

"Well, so far how is everyone's day?", Gil asked as Harry embraced his waist.

"So far I didn't have to punch the crap out of anyone. Tempted, but didn't do it.", Mal answered before biting into a strawberry. Her eyes linger on a passing brunette girl who scurries when she's near their table. She recognizes her from earlier. Skittish in periwinkle and magenta. The headmistress' daughter, Jane. "Hm."

Jay reaches for one of Evie's fries, not even flinching when she smacked his hand and successfully taking it. "Well, I was approached by Aziz. That prince I met at the dance. He was pretty friendly with me."

"Aziz... Aziz...", Uma pondered, tapping her chin. "Hm. I've heard that name."

"Aladdin and Jasmine's son."

"Right! Wait, he approached you? Freely?!"

Jay nodded, bafflement clear on his face. "Yeah. I was just as surprised as you. He's the grandson of the guy my dad used to work for."

"That is insane.", Carlos commented, eyes widening. "Like... really?"

"Yup."

"... insane..."

"You know what else is insane?", Harry piped up, eyes staring off somewhere.

"What?"

He gestured his head to one direction where the top prince and princess were sitting at their own table with a few of their friends. Neither of them was speaking to the others, though. Instead, their gazes stayed glued to where the VKs sat. Ben and Audrey appeared to be in dazes with red coating their cheeks.

"Wow.", Evie giggled. She turned back to the others, scrolling through her phone. "You know, they are talking. Like a lot of Auradon Prep students are wondering why our little guy here hasn't been hanging around Ben much today. Did you see the posts yet, Carlos?"

He shook his head, fishing out his own phone. "Yeah, really didn't come to mind. Did they seriously think Ben and I would be dating after one night together?"

"You know how they think. A lot of the princesses, princes and their friends found their true loves at our age. Of course, they expect that you and Ben would hit if off right away.", Mal informed, rolling her eyes. "Ugh."

If he was as crazy as his mother used to be, Carlos was sure he heard a bit of jealousy in her voice. However, this is Mal. Mal who didn't care for romance.

"Well, 'Los, how do you really feel about the prince? It's obvious he has a thing for you. Giving you goo-goo eyes and everything. I wouldn't be surprised if you got roses in your locker tomorrow.", Jay chuckles.

Carlos taps his chin while staring at his screen, reading the comments on Auradon's blog post of romance. He and Ben were still a hot topic. He thinks back to the night of the prince's birthday. How they danced, how nice their conversation was... how they almost kissed...

"He's... something else.", he settles for, feeling warmth on his cheeks. "He's a nice guy. And anyone would be lucky enough to be his boyfriend or girlfriend."

"That lucky person would be you. He's probably undressing you with his eyes."

"Jay, shut up. Besides, I'm not the only one with a royal pining after me. What about Audrey? Who do you think got her eye?"

At that Uma had glared at him while he smirked at her.

"Uh, no one. That's who."

"Nah, Uma. We all know she has a thing for you. She was all over you at the party.", Gil teased. He just chuckled when she pinched his arm.

"Oooh. And that is surely something.", Evie grinned. "You two would be so cute together."

"Evie!"

"What? Everyone is always talking about how beautiful and sweet she is despite being a little high and mighty. I think she's your ideal girlfriend."

Uma groaned, covering her face. Which allowed Harry and Jay to snag a few of her fries. "Shut up, shut up, shut up."

"I love a flustered Uma.", Carlos teased, earning laughs from the others. He chuckles when Uma pinches his side. "Ow, okay. Touchy."

Neither him or the others noticed that two tables away sat another group. One of them was a blonde with a curious shade of blue for eyes. She watched the VKs, theories and questions pondering through her pretty little head.

👑👑👑

He surprisingly got back that courage he had that night. It felt like a breeze when he came up to his locker and leaned next to it, waiting until the younger closed it. And when he did, he jumped seeing the prince there, smiling at him.

"Woah. Alright, no need to sneak up on me.", Carlos chuckled to cover his embarrassment. It's cute.

"Sorry about that. Just wanted to check on how you've been today. Did your first day go well?", Ben asked.

Carlos leaned against his own locker, facing him. "Well, surprisingly it did. Thanks for asking. Did your first day go okay?"

"Yup. I mean, once or twice I had someone come up to me for a picture, but other than that, it went as great as I hoped.", Ben replied, his smile somehow getting brighter. It made Carlos feel a little giddy on the spot. It's the same feeling he had when they talked after their dance.

"I bet being a prince is exciting, right?", he goes for.

Ben shrugs. "Eh, sometimes. I've been one since I was born, so I'm used to it. Honestly, there are days when I wondered how would it be like if I wasn't born into royalty."

"Boring. Then again, can't imagine having to learn etiquette every day exciting."

He laughs at that joke and Carlos can feel his cheeks warm at the sound. It's light and melodic.

"Yeah. Then there's everyone being nosy about my love life."

"Oh?"

Both of them think back to everyone talking about them.

"Everyone is expecting me to have someone on my arm by now."

"Well, you're a prince. Most, I bet, hope it's them you decide to date and maybe marry in the future.", Carlos says, clearing his throat after. He gets a spike of jealousy at the thought of Ben dating someone else, but he just knows... he knows that they weren't meant to be. Ben is supposed to be with some princess or prince. Maybe someone who just was... better. Not him.

"I already have someone in mind though." Ben steps closer, his smile turning more charming than friendly. "I just hope he allow me a chance when I ask him."

Before Carlos comments, his arm is grabbed and he turned to face Mal.

"Come on, Carlos. Evie says she'll drive off without you if you don't hurry your ass.", she says, already pulling him away from the brunet without either of them having the chance to reply. Luckily, Carlos was already set to go but he's definitely disappointed he didn't get to spend a little more time with the prince.

"Okay, okay. No need to take my arm off.", he sasses.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Carlos!", Ben calls from down the hall. He's glad that Carlos waves back to him before he's pulled around the corner and disappears with Mal. Alone, he sulks against the locker, scratching the back of his neck.

He's easily impatient about seeing intended boyfriend-to-be tomorrow and he wished he had gotten his number before Mal came. Honestly, that interruption came off ruder than he would have liked. He heard about the girl being not having a pretty personality to match her pretty face, but he didn't want to go by what others say. He assures himself that he wants to befriend the VKs, get to know them. For the benefit of being closer to Carlos, but also because he wants to prove that someone's background shouldn't matter. Ben is aware that the VKs' heritage is one of the reasons why people are so cautious of them. He even knows that's why some people are too keen on the idea of him dating Carlos. He doesn't care though. He never really cared for people's opinions of him or what he does. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Not to him at least. Words don't mean anything unless you allow them to. Opinions can make or break a person. Society is already twisted enough because people allow negativity to get the better of them. If people were more open-minded and optimistic, life would probably be a little easier.

"I'm starting to think you won't need my help getting with the Prince of Fashion.", he hears.

He turns and sees it's Audrey. Jane, Lonnie, Chad and Doug are there, too.

Ben smiles at the princess. "Well, maybe I'm getting a little impatient. I wish I had gotten his number though before he left."

Lonnie chuckles at the pout he makes. "Ooooh, you are so gone for him."

"Maybe I am."

"Don't you think it's a little... rushed?", Jane asked. Her tone is timid and Ben figures she didn't want to ask that question because she's afraid of his reaction, but asked anyways because she cares.

"Maybe, but... I know I feel something for him? Wouldn't hurt to explore it, right?"

"Go for it, Ben. If I didn't, Doug and I wouldn't be where we are today.", Chad encourages. He slings an arm around Doug's waist and pulls him closer, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. It results in the slightly smaller to giggle.

Ben wants that. He wants that with Carlos. He is sure he does.

👑👑👑

"Well, we survived a day. Whoo!", Evie jokes as she takes her seat next between Mal and Uma on the couch. She has a couple of bags of chips and dumps them on the coffee table. "Anyone looking forward to tomorrow?"

"Hell no.", Jay sighs. He's sitting at Carlos' feet while the younger sat in a chair. He was massaging his fingers in best friend's scalp. "I'm not."

"Aw, it wasn't that bad.", Carlos joked.

"Okay, maybe."

"Are you trying for sports this year?", Gil asked as he settled into Harry's side on the other couch. Harry had embraced him closer and nuzzled in his hair.

"Maybe. I want to football this year."

"Same.", Jay states.

"I want to do cheerleading!", Evie pipes up. "Uma, you should totally try with me!"

Uma had let out a mocking laugh, shaking her head. "Ha ha. Nah, girl."

"Aw, come on. I know Mal's not doing it."

Mal nodded, confirming it. "Sure not, E. I'm joining the art club though."

Uma crossed her arms, biting at her bottom lip. Evie was pouting hard at her, squeezing at her thigh. She tried not to fall for it.

"Please, please, please. Please, Uma!"

Brown eyes cut over to Carlos. She smirked. "Alright. If Carlos tries out, too."

At that, he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, uh huh. That's so happening."

"You're right. It's happening. You're getting to those tryouts and shaking that ass."

"Nope. Nope. Nope." Carlos had got up from his chair and started walking away, shaking his head. "Nope. Nope. Nope. Nah! Not happening!"

Uma had took to following him and Evie joining seconds later. The others chuckled, watching as the trio headed to the direction of the kitchen. They can still hear Carlos complaining and Uma and Evie pleading him.