||IF ONLY||

Chapter Two

Three hours later, I sat with the Vks in my office chairs staring at their papers. Fairy godmother said they sped through the test and she didn't detect any magic being used. I stared at the scores on the papers and nodded. "You all got more than eighty percent which is shocking since your attendance records stated you were all barely in class," I said staring blankly at them, "Well done. None of you will need to be placed in lower classes. Your full timetables have been printed and given to your advisors. Do any of you have questions?"

"You called me a princess, what do you mean?" Princess Evie asked. Her eyes were curious as she watched me suspiciously. I blanked for a second as my eyes met her warm ones. I don't know what was going on with me but I needed it to stop.

"Well, Princess Evie-" I said before she cut me off.

"Just call me Evie," she said sheepishly scratching the back of her neck as a blush crawled up her neck. It was adorable. No, these thoughts needed to stop. I just met these people and they came from a rough harsh place. Get it together Brielle.

"Alright. Evie. Your step-sister, Snow White, had added you to the family registry since you were born. You are currently second in line for the throne as Snow White has not had any children. If something were to happen to your sister, you would be appointed Queen. She had been trying to get you to come across for your first few years of life to raise you as a royal, but your mother refused," I said picking up a folder from in between my pile of paperwork and handing it to her for proof. As much as Snow white was against them coming, she still wanted to meet her sister. She just had safety concerns, which I had already discussed with her.

"And me? You called me the princess of the Moors and please just call me Mal," Mal said with a raised brow. She was so gorgeous. Her dark brown hair was slicked back, similar to Jay and I noticed eyeliner around her eyes making them look sharper. It just enhances her beauty. I mentally scolded myself as I realized I had gone quiet while staring at her.

"The Moors is a place in Sleeping Beauty's kingdom. It's a beautiful forest that was once ruled by your mother before she did what she did. Currently Sleeping Beauty is looking over it in her absence but whenever you're ready, you will be crowned Queen of the Moors. Before you ask, Jay, Jasmine, and Aladdin's son, Amir, had asked that if you were interested, that you be hired as his advisor when he becomes sultan. He reasoned that even though your father was evil, he helped his grandfather with big decisions that helped their kingdom. 

Now, we've been made aware of your special interests and you've all been put into specific classes by yourselves. Evie, you'll be joining Mrs. Potts in textile and design as well as Rosetta in fashion design and business as she does own her clothing line. Mal, you'll be with Queen Rapunzel for Art. Jay, you'll be placed with Aladdin and King Eugene. Carlos, we have yet to figure out what classes to place you in so, for now, you're being placed with Ariel where you'll learn about the wonders of aquatic life and Pocahontas for wildlife," I said watching them all nod, "Now, on another note, Mal, I have your spell book as well as your various poisons, Evie, I have your magic mirror, Jay, I have all your weapons inclusive of your bow staff. It seems Carlos was the only one of you who didn't pack many things we would have to confiscate, other that that obnoxiously oversized mallet." 

They all stared at each other before looking back at me. I sigh as I watch them pout like children. "You'll get them back eventually. Maybe not the weapons but your stuff, Mal and Evie, I'll give it back before the coronation and if any of those weapons hold sentimental value, I'll consider returning them. I noticed Jay's staff seemed hand-carved and had initials that were not his carved in so I'll consider it. Carlos, you'll have to write up a report if you want back that thing," I say and they nod understandingly, "Alright if that's all, you may go." They stared at me but didn't move. "Did you need something else?" I asked.

"It's just that, we've been in here for a while and we realized you don't have any pictures or anything up. What's up with that?" Jay asked motioning to the blank walls. I stared at his strong arms before turning back to my computer.

"I don't do pictures," I say blankly as I type up an email to the other kingdoms, once again requesting we send fresh food to the Isle. 

"But even if you don't do pictures, you don't even have pictures of your family or friends-" Carlos begins but I slam my hands onto my desk making them all jump. I took a deep breath as my nails grew sharp and I felt my fangs sharpen in my mouth. "That's none of your business," I respond harshly as my nails return to usual, hoping my fangs wouldn't scare them

"I'm sorry. It's obviously a sensitive subject," Mal apologized for her friends, "Let's start over. What's your favorite color? Yellow?" I shook my head, continuing my typing.

 "Nope, everyone expects it to be, but it's actually purple," I correct her.

"Mine too," she says with a slight smile.

"Mine's blue, obvi," Evie informs with a slight smile, motioning to her blue-coded outift.

"Red," Jay interjects.

"White," Carlos adds. I stop typing and look at them.  They obviously never had to make small talk like this with anyone but themselves so the fact that they're trying with me makes my smile a bit, my teeth on display. 

"Alright, I'll take the bait. What's your favorite food?" I ask with a faint smile.

"I tried chocolate on the way here, and it was the best thing I've ever tasted in my entire life," Carlos said bouncing a little in excitement. My smile became a bit wider as I stared at the boy who reminded me of a golden retriever. I felt my fangs dull as I smiled.

"I loved the hard candy thing that was in the car," Mal and Evie said together.

"I'm glad, rock candy tastes great," I said smiling at them.

"There was this chocolate-covered nut thing, I enjoyed it," Jay said with a shrug. I nod, pausing for a moment. 

"What's it like on the Isle, may I ask?" I asked with a slight wince as I saw their faces fall a bit.

"We'll tell you if you tell us why you don't have any pictures up," Jay negotiates.

"Ok, deal," I concede wanting information. 

"Well, the food isn't the best. It's leftovers from you guys and the only thing that's ever fresh is the fish that Ursula serves but just barely. It's dangerous all the time and fights tend to break out anywhere at any time," Mal says.

"The water quality stinks. We always have to boil the water to try and get drinking water. and if the water isn't dirty, it's shark-infested," Evie says shaking her head.

"Currency isn't really and thing so most things on the Isle are stolen from each other. Plus most kids don't have parents that are alive so we have a few shelters that take care of the orphans. They have it the worst," Jay says sadly.

"The air is dirty. It gets you sick. If you're lucky, you become immune but a lot of the kids aren't that lucky. We're also where all your garbage goes so the smell is always fun. It's both fortunate and unfortunate that the barrier keeps the rain out. Our roofs have holes but that water is drinkable," Carlos says staring at the ground.

"Your turn," Mal says clearing her throat. 

"I don't have any pictures of family or friends because I don't have either. Most people just wanted to get to know me cause of my status and my family isn't my family. They're more Ben's family. Most things are about Ben anyway so I've just gotten used to it. I have one picture with my real family but that's in my room. It's my most prized possession. It has me, Mrs. Potts, and Chip in it," I said with a fond smile. They stare at me for a second before getting up and rushing over to me. "You tell no one of this," they all say as they hug me tightly. I smile as I try my best to hug them back.

This was nice. It felt nice to feel so calm and maybe even slightly happy. They didn't know my family that well. They didn't really have a reason to want anything from me and without the added pressure, it was actually nice to talk to people. I just hoped they wouldn't hurt me if I chose to let them in.

"Promise."