Mal's POV

After my daydream about us still being evil and turning Auradon, I was snapped back to reality by the flash of cameras from the paparazzi.

“Mal, please, over here! Only three days to the Royal Cotillion. Ever think a girl like you would be Lady of the Court? How does it feel to be the most envied girl in Auradon? Well, do you like being blonde? Is your mother still a lizard?” The reporters bombarded me with questions, their voices merging into an overwhelming cacophony.

“Okay. All right. Excuse me. We will let you know if and when that particular situation changes,” Ben said, coming to my rescue.

“Did you ever think you'd be with a Villain Kid?” one of the reporters asked. Ben laughed before his face turned serious.

“We are done here,” Ben said firmly as Fairy Godmother approached.

“Okay. Shush, shush. Shoosh, shoosh. Shoosh, shoosh. This is still a school, so if you're here, you're either skipping or trespassing,” Fairy Godmother said, shooing the paparazzi away.

“Whew,” I sighed, finally able to breathe.

“Don't pay any attention to them,” Ben said, his voice gentle.

“Well, that's a lot easier said than done, right?” I replied, my voice tinged with frustration.

“I know. I know.” Ben said, his expression sympathetic. “You know, maybe we should do something.”

“We should go somewhere,” I suggested, the idea of escaping momentarily lifting my spirits.

“Get away,” Ben echoed, glancing at his watch. “I have a council meeting. I'm so late!”

“That's okay,” I said, trying to hide my disappointment.

“We'll do it sometime. Uh...” Ben started to say as Evie walked up to us, grabbing my hand.

“If we don't do a fitting for your gown right this minute, you'll be dancing in your bathrobe, okay?” Evie said, noticing Ben. “Hi.”

“Let's go. Let's go,” Evie said, pulling me away.

“Bye,” I called over my shoulder.

“Bye,” Ben replied, his voice trailing off as we walked away.

As soon as we entered the dorm, Evie immediately had me in my Cotillion dress.

“Oh! Okay, Evie, I cannot breathe,” I gasped as she pulled the string at the back of the dress.

“Well, you can breathe after the Cotillion,” Evie said simply.

“Well, I sincerely doubt that. I have at least 20 more events directly behind it, and I can't even remember what a single one of them is,” I said, my words rushed as Evie continued adjusting the dress, seemingly oblivious to my stress.

“Impeccable,” Evie said, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

“Evie! I'm venting and you're not even listening to me!” I snapped, feeling a surge of frustration.

“Hmm?” Evie said, finally looking at me, her expression blank.

I glared at her, annoyed, before sighing. “Do you ever think about what we'd be doing if we were back on the Isle right now? Do you ever think about how Reina is doing without us?”

Evie’s face hardened, her eyes narrowing. “Why you are   bringing up the Isle?” she said, her voice cold. “I’m trying to make a life here, Mal. A good life. For both of us.”

“But Evie...”

“Reina is my past and that's where she's  gonna stay Evie interrupted, her tone bitter. "and frankly, I don't want to think about the Isle or her. It’s in the past. We have a future here, Mal. We can be someone here.”

“Evie, she’s your little sister and need I remind you that you promised to come back for her,” I said, my voice softening, hoping to reach her.

“Not anymore and I lied,” Evie snapped, turning away from me. “Look, you can live in the past if you want, but I’m moving forward. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am to let anything or anyone drag me back.”

Her words stung, and I felt a pang of guilt. I knew she was right in some ways, but the Isle was still a part of us, a part of me that I couldn’t just forget.

“Evie, I—”

“Save it, Mal,” she said, cutting me off again. “I have to finish these alterations. You should focus on preparing for the Cotillion, not daydreaming about a place that did nothing but hurt us.”

I opened my mouth to argue but closed it again, realizing it was futile. Evie had made up her mind. I watched her work, her movements precise and controlled, as if she could sew away the pain of our past.

Silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. I wanted to bridge the gap, to find the right words to make her understand, but I didn’t know how. The Isle was a scar we both carried, but Evie was determined to cover hers, while mine still ached beneath the surface.

Finally, I sighed. “Okay, Evie. Let’s just get through the Cotillion.”

She nodded, her face softening slightly. “Good. Now, hold still. This is going to look amazing.”

As she continued adjusting the dress, I tried to push thoughts of the Isle, Reina and how bad I was struggling to the back of my mind. Maybe Evie was right. Maybe the best way forward was to focus on the future and let the past stay where it belonged. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t completely let go. The Isle was a part of who I was, and so was Reina. Ignoring that wouldn’t change it.

For now, though, I’d play along. Cotillion was coming, and I had a role to play. I’d keep my thoughts to myself and try to be the perfect Lady of the Court and girlfriend everyone expected me to be.

Hey guys I hope you like this chapter. Sorry for the late update I have been sick so I haven't been updating. If you have ideas comment down below