(Since I'm not writing the other chapter just yet I'm just gonna post this one for you guys can have something to read and MERRY CHRISTMAS 🩷✨🎄)

Today was a special day—it was Priscilla's birthday. And it was Jane's as well. Both Priscilla and Jane had always shared this day

In their early years, Priscilla and Jane were inseparable. The duo was the bestest of friends, they shared laughter, secrets, and the joy of growing up side by side

As the years passed, Jane and Priscilla had always shared birthday parties and much more with each other since they had the same birthdays. Yet, despite the shared celebrations, Priscilla and Jane gradually drifted apart during their teen years

The once inseparable friends found themselves pursuing different interests and forming new connections. Still, the two remained friends with each other, still talking to each other

This specific year, however, as their shared birthday came, Priscilla and Jane decided to revisit the tradition they had set aside. It was time to celebrate together once more, to recapture the magic of their childhood birthdays

The morning sunlight filtered through Priscilla's dorm room window, casting a warm glow over her peaceful slumber. As she began to stir, her eyes squinted against the brightness at the same time, Carlos walked in with a plate in hand

A small smile played on Priscilla's lips at the unexpected sight "Did you sneak into the school's kitchen just to bring me breakfast?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and curiosity

Carlos grinned, holding the plate with a flourish "Guilty. I present to you my famous chocolate chip pancakes"

Priscilla couldn't help but let out a scoff-like laugh "Famous? We'll see about that," she teased, running a hand through her tousled hair as she sat up in bed

Carlos reached out, presenting her with the plate and a fork "Try it before you doubt my pancake prowess"

"Fine," she replied, accepting the plate and fork with a playful roll of her eyes. She cut a piece of the pancake, Priscilla took a bite, and her eyes widened with surprise. She hummed appreciatively, a genuine smile forming on her face "Okay, okay. It's pretty good" She points at the pancakes with the fork

Carlos beamed, taking a mock bow. "Told you so"

Rolling her eyes again, Priscilla playfully pushed him away "Don't let it get to your head now. But seriously, these are delicious. Thank you"

He smiled at her, a mixture of pride and mischief in his eyes "Anytime, Princess. Just remember who the pancake king is around here"

With that, they shared a light laugh, their laughter abruptly ended when a knock echoed through Priscilla's dorm room. Confused, she handed the plate to Carlos and uncovered herself from the blanket, revealing Carlos' shirt extending to her thighs. As she opened the door, a Royal guard stood before her

"Princess Priscilla," the guard bowed upon seeing her. "Please, just call me Priscilla. No need for the formalities," she responded, waving him off with a slight head shake and a small smile

The guard nodded once he straightened up, conveying that Belle and Beast wanted to arrange a meeting with her, King Ben, and Mal

Priscilla acknowledged with an "okay," and the guard went about his way. She slowly closed her door, then turned to face Carlos. "Whatever they want to discuss isn't good. I already have an idea of what it's going to be about," Priscilla shared with Carlos as soon as the door closed

"The Hades situation?" Carlos questioned, already aware of it. His head tilted to the side as Priscilla headed to her closet. She sighed, "You know it"

"I'm already bracing myself for it," she commented as she picked out an outfit—a simple black off-the-shoulder dress

Carlos rose from the bed, approaching Priscilla. He kissed her on the forehead, saying, "Good luck." Priscilla rolled her eyes but thanked him. "I'll see you at Evie's cottage," He said, Priscilla nodded at him in acknowledgment with a small smile. They exchanged one final kiss before Carlos exited the room, carrying the plate that was stacked with pancakes. Priscilla watched him leave, leaving her in the quiet room. She sighed before heading to the bathroom to get ready

—

Priscilla walked her way to Belle's Parlor already seeing Ben and Mal in the room along with Belle, Adam, and Fairy Godmother significantly telling her she was the last one to enter the room

Once Belle saw the girl enter the room she was the first to wish her a happy birthday along with a hug. Priscilla laughed out a thank you and hugged the woman back. Everyone followed Belle and wished Priscilla a Happy Birthday as well

Priscilla made her way in between Ben and Mal, the couple gave Priscilla a hug separately wishing her happy birthday in her ear, The Birthday girl gave them a small smile saying thank you quietly before Beast spoke up

"I think we all know why we're here," He said towards the three teenagers, the two girls were looking at the floor while Ben looked at his parents with pouted lips

Beast was slightly annoyed at Ben's expression "The people are in a panic about Hades. He almost got out" Ben looked away from his dad holding in an eye roll, a small incredulous smile forming on his lips as he dug his hands into his pockets

Priscilla turned her head to look at the king as Fairy godmother was next to speak "Who knows What he would've done if he had escaped?"

"We can't risk having another Villain on the loose" Beast continued, Priscilla looked at him

"But, he didn't escape. He's back on the isle behind the barrier. Everyone is just overreacting" Priscilla tried to speak up, defending herself and the others. She muttered the last bit to herself "I really feel like this is my fault" Mal Spoke up, her eyes still on the ground, Ben and Priscilla turned to look at her

Mal licked her lips as she turned to look at the two beside her "I'm supposed to protect Auradon"

Ben untucked his hands and slowly walked towards "You did, you do protect Auradon" Ben comforted her, "And still are, Mal" Priscilla placed her hand on Mal's shoulder

"Every time we open the barrier, we're exposed to danger" Beast started once again as Mal looked away from Ben back to the ground under her "Maleficent, Uma, Hades" Beast listed, staring right at his son. Ben opened his mouth to answer back to his dad before his phone started to ring

Ben grabbed his phone from his pocket and turned away from the group to answer the phone call. A few seconds later, Priscilla watched Ben stand in his spot hanging up the phone and shoving the device back to where it was. Ben sighed as he turned back around to face everyone "Maleficent's scepter and the queen's crown have been stolen"

"What?" Priscilla gasped at Ben words along with the fairy godmother, Mal turned to the adults, and tears were slightly forming in her eyes "Uma?" Beast was quick to assume

"We don't know that, Dad"
"We don't exactly know that"

Both Priscilla and Ben stopped him from getting further. Some people in Auradon aren't exactly the nicest, they all can have some thoughts that could lead to bad. Anyone could have stolen the Scepter and the Crown

"When the people hear this, they will never wanna leave their houses," Belle said in a worried tone, She looked up at her husband before looking at the three teens "What do we tell them?" She inquires, Ben looks at his mother, and Belle turns to the purplenette "Mal?"

Everyone in the room stares at her as Mar stares back at Belle "What do we do? How do we keep evil out of Auradon?" Mal looked down to the floor looking for an answer to Belle's questions as Ben turned to his fiancé

"I think that there's only..." Mal started, she paused for a second, talking slowly as she overthink of her answer "One way to guarantee their safety. And I think that there... can't be anymore going in and out" Priscilla began to shake her head at Mal knowing where she was going with this

Beast looked away from Mal to the ground, Belle also looking away. Ben looked to the side as he began to ponder what Mal was saying "I think that we have to close the barrier... Forever" Priscilla could see how it pained Mail to say those words out of her mouth

Still, She did not want to go through with the idea. Priscilla hadn't stop shaking her head as she went to turn to Belle, Beast, and Fairy godmother seeing them nod their heads agreeing with Mal

"No" Ben whispered, disagreeing with everyone, "Son" Best called after him. Ben repeated his word much louder. Mal called after him this time as she followed after him since he walked away from everyone "No, no, no, no"

"Ben"

Priscilla watched the couple talk it out, giving them the space they needed. Beast slowly walked towards them "Son?" He called out getting both of their attention but only Mal turned towards him "Mal's right"

"I just don't think that we would forgive ourselves if something terrible happened" Mal explained walking towards Beast. Belle walked up to her husband and wrapped a hand around Beast's arm

Priscilla stayed behind as she watched them talk, her hands in front of her interlocked with each other. She watched as the three adults walked out of the room leaving Mal, Ben, and her alone. Priscilla waited for the doors to close before she spoke up

"We're not really closing the barrier for good, are we?" she asked looking at the couple before her. She looked in between them, and both Mal and Ben stayed silent at her question not knowing how to answer her. Their silence was enough of an answer for Priscilla. She stepped towards them "We can't leave those children"

"Pris-" Ben started to explain for himself and Mal but Priscilla was quick to stop him "Ben, those kids need us" Priscilla pointed towards the full-length windows in the room, pointing directly to the isle in the distance. Priscilla gazes at Mal "You and the other VKs know that better than anyone here in Auradon"

"You were there. You saw how it was, and now you want to abandon them and run away from them? They're people too!" Priscilla said mainly towards Ben before she shook her head and began walking away backward from the two to the doors before turning around

"Pris, where are you going?" Ben asked her right when she reached the double doors. Priscilla turned her head to look back at him over her shoulders "Away. Find me when you find a better way to deal with this" She answered before opening the door and walking out from the pastel yellow room

—

Priscilla made her way to Evie's Cottage. She knew that the VKs were gathered there when she and Mal was in the meeting. Without bothering to knock, she pushed the door open and called out into the cozy space, "Anyone home?"

Carlos peeked his head out from around the corner, a smile lighting up his face. He greeted her warmly and walked toward her, enveloping her in a tight hug. Priscilla melted into his embrace, finding solace in the familiar touch

Carlos noticed her behavior and leaned away from her making Priscilla look up at him. Without a word, he leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. Priscilla's hand instinctively moved to his cheek, pulling him closer

The two were interrupted by a playful gag behind them followed by the unmistakable sound of a slap. The couple separated and turned around to see Jay rubbing the back of his head and Evie behind him shaking her head letting out a laugh. Priscilla couldn't help but laugh at her friends, leaning her head on Carlos's chest

Carlos, rubbing her back soothingly, looked down at her, "So, did the meeting go well?" Priscilla groaned in response, and Carlos chuckled. "I'll take that as a no," he said, then asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" Priscilla answered with her head shaking a no