𝕽ilynn woke up bright and early the following day, feeling a boost of energy when she awoke from her slumber. The princess hopped out of bed and quickly made her bed neatly before she rushed to the shared bathroom, practically tiptoeing when she saw Razelle sleeping soundlessly in the second bed. Rilynn didn't want to wake her sister, knowing she's a grumpy girl when woken up before the time she usually does; Razelle enjoys her sleeping hours and doesn't appreciate being woken up before 7:30 A.M.

She didn't need to wake up until 7 A.M., but Rilynn was excited to help the villain kids during their hours in school. Although Chad made it explicitly clear that he didn't want Rilynn to associate herself with the villains, the princess wouldn't let him stop her. It would be wrong of Rilynn to blatantly avoid the villain kids had they ever tried to speak with her, and the princess would feel too guilty to do it.

Quickly showering and brushing her teeth, Rilynn contemplated whether or not she should blow-dry her hair; the noise would be loud, most likely waking Razelle. Instead, Rilynn wrapped her hair into a small towel on the top of her head while she got ready that early morning. Only nearing 7 A.M., Rilynn was wide awake.

Once, she stepped out of the lit bathroom and plunged into the darkness of her shared bedroom, where Razelle was sleeping soundlessly. Rilynn tried to squint through the darkness as her eyes slowly adjusted around the room, only managing to see the outlines of particular objects around the room. Perhaps turning on her lamp wouldn't bother Razelle too much. It would at least give Rilynn a chance to read a book. Rilynn does her best to be careful where she steps, waving her hands to ensure she isn't running into anything. However, the princess couldn't make out the small chest she had at the end of her bed, causing her to smack her toes right into the object with full force.

Gasping out in pain, Rilynn had to bite her tongue to silence her cries as she cradled her foot with each hop but lost her balance and fell to the floor.

"Ow, ow," yelped Rilynn as quietly as she could.

There was shuffling at the other side of the room, and a light flicked on. Razelle was sitting up half-asleep in bed, and her eyes barely opened as she frowned in the direction where Rilynn was sitting on the floor, cradling her foot. The princess didn't move as she stared at Razelle, thinking she would fall back asleep.

"Rilynn?" Razelle called out, wiping her eyes. "What are you doing up this early?"

Forgetting about her foot, crawling up to her knees until she was back on her feet. "Just thought I'd give myself a headstart today," Rilynn hurries to her side of the room and picks out some socks. "I didn't mean to wake you. I thought I would leave the lights off so I wouldn't wake you. Kind of hit my foot at the end of my bed, so it wasn't the greatest idea."

Tiredly but awake, Razelle huffed and sat up in her head, still frowning with her eyes barely open. "But classes don't start until eight. It's . . ." Razelle squints at the alarm clock next to her bed. "It's six thirty-eight in the morning."

Rilynn smiles sheepishly. "Sorry. I, uh, kind of got a little excited, and I wanna bake some cookies I made over the weekend," the princess fiddles with her fingers, trying not to seem too suspicious. "I'm just gonna dry my hair, and I'm gonna head to the kitchen for a bit."

"What? What for?"

"For the new guys," answered Rilynn, jumping up from her bed once her feet were covered with socks and walking back to their bathroom. The princess pulled the towel from her head and hung it on the hook, grabbing her brush and quickly combing it through her golden hair. "Thought I would help them to their classes with a batch of cookies for their first day of classes."

"You're not . . ." frowned Razelle.

Rilynn peeped at her sister's tone; she peeked around the wall from the bathroom door, staring at Razelle with a confused expression. The middle child shook her head as she dragged her hands across her tired face, wondering if she had heard Rilynn correctly. Razelle didn't have the same ideas as Rilynn regarding the villain kids coming to Auradon Prep, and she certainly wasn't looking forward to being joined by them in school.

Razelle was like every other person in Auradon; they weren't too keen about Ben's proclamation and not too happy about them living among them. After he claimed four of the worst villains were living in Auradon, no one felt comfortable with the idea of Maleficent's daughter, especially. Not a single trust would be put in the likes of Mal, and Razelle was afraid to let Rilynn out of her sight. When Razelle found out about Rilynn helping Ben with the villains, the princess was infuriated with the prince for bringing her little sister into his plan of converting Auradon and the Isle into one. This plan of his wasn't going to work out, and Razelle didn't want to see Rilynn in the middle of it.

"Rilynn, tell me you're not," huffed Razelle, still not looking at Rilynn as her head was resting in her hands.

"Not what?" She brushed her hair again and placed her brush back into its spot, pulling back into the bathroom.

"You're not still talking to the villains, are you? I don't trust them, and I don't think you should be hanging out with them," warned Razelle, rubbing the ball of her hands into her eye sockets and sighing in almost disappointment. When Razelle lifted her head from her hands, her lips were tipped downward. "They're dangerous."

Uncomfortable by her sister's scolding, Rilynn fiddled with her golden hair anxiously. "They're kids just like us, Raz," defended Rilynn weakly. She felt like she was doing something terrible, like getting into trouble for mingling with villains. "Shouldn't we give them a chance?"

Too tired to argue, Razelle shook her head. "No, we shouldn't," she dropped back into her bed, bringing her blanket to her chest, muttering into the material. "No one will be happy seeing you constantly with them. They're dangerous, and I don't want you hanging around them." Rilynn pouted, staring at her sister's sleeping figure. "Now, go back to bed, please."

Rilynn merely stood there, no longer affected by the numbing sensation in her foot. She tried not to be too concerned with how Razelle reacted to her befriending the villains--making them be someone they're not. Rilynn loves her sister, but it feels almost wrong to discriminate against the villainous kids because of their parent's doings.

They were their separate person, and if Rilynn wanted to be friends with someone across the pond, then so be it. She remembers what it felt like to be secluded and feel like she had no one, all but Ben, to keep her company; Rilynn didn't want the villain kids to feel the same way she did. No doubt, Rilynn doesn't expect the four to have many friends besides her and Ben, but knowing her best friend is a busy boy, she's their only hope.

Rilynn slipped her feet into a pair of white Tom's and pranced to the chair near her bedside, picking up her lavender backpack and throwing it on her back. The princess quietly sneaked out of the room. Only Razelle's soft snores could be heard before Rilynn shut the door.

☼☼☼

The lips of Rapunzel's daughter curled up into a beaming smile, stretching so broad that they split open until she smiled toothily. She had run to the kitchen as quickly and quietly as Rilynn could, searching for the leftover cookies she had baked, and began packaging them in a few goodie bags.

After packaging four bags with four cookies inside each, Rilynn added white twisty ties to keep them secure. Then, the princess was on her way. It was an appropriate time when students of Auradon were rolling out of bed, getting ready, and walking around campus. Rilynn had spent most of her morning preparing goodie bags for the villain kids and using the remainder of her time to add a few notes to her homework. Anything to burn the twenty minutes she had left.

Then, Rilynn set off in search of the group.

The golden-haired princess was walking around the campus, looking left and right, front and back, searching for the familiar faces of the villains; however, Rilynn hadn't spotted any of them, and it was starting to get closer to her first class. A little defeated that she might've missed them, Rilynn noticed a spec of blue hair shining brightly underneath the bright sun and deep purple hair standing out from all the rest. Mal and Evie were seemingly heading to their class, most likely Remedial Goodness, but it looked like the boys didn't accompany them.

Rilynn will just find them when she can.

Mal and Evie were in a deep conversation, keeping their voices low in case any eavesdroppers were tuning in. The evil fairy looked focused and strongly determined, whereas Evie merely looked at the reflection of her beautiful complexion through the magical mirror in her hands. Evie would hum to whatever Mal was saying, half paying attention to her friend, who was rambling on and on about something Rilynn couldn't hear.

Quickly, the golden-haired princess picked up her pace and raced toward the villains with a welcoming smile; innocent and sweet, Rilynn waved the villains down.

"Mal! Evie!" called Rilynn with a wave of her hand, catching the girls' attention and pulling them out of their conversation. The sheer enthusiasm Rilynn projected made Mal grimace at the sound, wondering who in their right mind could be this cheery this early. "Hey, did you guys need help finding your classes today?"

Evie opened her mouth to say something, but Mal was already speaking.

"No, we've got it," said Mal, stretching her lips like she was in pain. "Well, thanks. Bye!"

Rilynn furrowed her brows, following them. "Oh, well, uh . . . I made cookies over the weekend and so happened to have some leftovers," smiled the princess, offering two goodie bags. "I didn't know what kind you guys like, but I made original chocolate chip and this one's fudge with white chocolate." Rilynn felt a little happier when they accepted her cookies with an edgy look--Evie was eager. "Anyways, if you guys have any questions, need help, or just wanna hang out, you can still come to me."

It was like a staring match had begun, and Rilynn was forced to withstand Mal's eerily stare--the evil fairy wore a wicked smile, and she was sizing the princess. Rilynn smiles again, unaware of Mal's mischievous ideas working in her brain.

"You can find me around campus. I'll be on the field today for cheerleading practice so that you know," informed Rilynn. Then, she began to step away from the villains, two other goodie bags in her grasp. "I'll see you guys later. Bye! Oh, have you guys seen Jay and Carlos? I wanna give them their goodie bags, too. I thought they would be with you guys . . ."

Suddenly, Mal was scoffing like she had heard something hilariously ridiculous. "You know what, we'd totes love to hang out with you," exclaimed Mal dramatically. The evil fairy's smile was like a twisted grimace that she thought was a smile, but it felt so foreign. Mal felt stupid. "Right, Evie?"

"Hm?" hummed Evie, lost and dazed by her reflection of beauty, seemingly not paying attention.

"Just follow my lead," said Mal, earning a short nod from Evie.

The evil fairy crossed her arms across her chest, smirking down at Rilynn. The wicked fairy feigned a warm and welcoming smile, and Rilynn believed it.

A tiny flutter of hope opened in Rilynn's chest. "You do?"

"Yeah! Actually, we were just looking for you, too, but we must've missed you on the way out," clicked Mal's tongue with disappointment, adding a shake of her head for addition. "Yeah, we were wondering if you'd wanna sit with my friends and me during lunch? It would be cool if you did since you're so nice to help us around and stuff."

"Really? Oh, that's--that's great! I didn't think you'd want to be my friend," the golden-haired princess chuckles drily, feeling herself grow a little nervous around the villains.

Rilynn flashed them her bright green eyes that screamed innocent and unsuspecting. Mal made a face, glancing at Evie, and grinned mischievously, giggling low beneath her breath. Smiling isn't something villains do on the Isle; the closest to a smile is one of wickedness; it's a foreign feeling. You couldn't smile on the Isle unless you wanted to get mugged.

"What? Who wouldn't want to be your friend? I mean, look at you," squealed Mal awkwardly, grimacing when she stretched her lips and her voice cracked. Visibly struggling to describe the likes of Rilynn, Mal didn't seem pleased. "You're so . . . sweet and cute."

Rilynn's cheeks heated. "Oh," she chuckles a little in embarrassment. "Thank you. I mean, I've been told that I can be too nice and let people walk over me." Rilynn blurted. Mal and Evie merely stared at her. Then, the princess smiled like nothing. "Anyways, I'll let you guys head off to class. Do you guys know where you're going? What class do you have first?"

"Oh, you know, Remedial Goodness one-oh-one, and all that," Mal steps forward and hesitantly throws her arm around Rilynn's shoulders, pulling her along the walk with Evie. "Say, you know all about the school, right? I mean, you're the future king's best friend; you 'outta know about good ole Cinderella, and Belle, and the Fairy Godmother."

The princess nods unknowingly. "Of course! You learn about all of that in Magical History, but being Ben's friend doesn't exactly come with the benefits," Rilynn thought about Audrey, recognizing the way the princess treats her when they're around Ben than alone.

Rilynn and Audrey often spend a lot of time together because of their relationship and friendship with Ben, but the golden-haired princess can't remember a day when Audrey was genuine.

"If you want to know more about Auradon, I recommend visiting The Museum of Cultural History. Doug is also fascinated with Fairy Godmother's wand, so he usually is at the museum."

Mal glanced at Evie, furrowed brows and nose scrunched. "Museum?"

Evie shrugged.

"I think you and Doug would get along," continued Rilynn, unaware of Mal and Evie's looks. "He's fascinating in Fairy Godmother's wand. But there's also Jane, Fairy Godmother's daughter, who might know a little more about it."

Suddenly, a nasty grin tugged on Mal's face. "Is she now?" Rilynn nods under the evil fairy's arm. "Wow, that's so fascinating." Mal gave Evie a knowing smirk. "You know so much about it, and Evie and I are, like, so into all that magical stuff . . ."

Chiming in, Evie moved on her toes, dark blue curls bouncing with her movements. "Maybe you can show us around and tell us more about your school?" suggested Evie, grinning so hard. Rilynn had to lean forward around Mal. "It would be an honor, especially coming from you."

Not to their surprise, Rilynn nodded enthusiastically; the princess was eager to assist Mal and Evie, seemingly wanting to win her chances of befriending the girls. Rilynn was pleasantly satisfied with the friendship she earned with Mal and Evie.

"Really? I would love to show you guys around," chirped Rilynn, lips splitting to a toothy grin. "You'd be amazed to find what Aruadon Prep has. When I started late last year, Ben helped me a lot by showing me around the school." Rilynn peeked over her shoulder, barely noticing Mal's bored expression. "There's actually a carnival coming into town. It's where everyone's gonna be at."

"Right," hummed Mal, feigning interest. "Because your mother must be afraid to let you out of her sight after the whole . . . Mother Gothel situation." The evil fairy smiled so hard that her cheeks were beginning to ache. "I'm sure Rapunzel had her reasons."

"Right . . ." mumbled Rilynn, subconsciously pulling her golden hair to one side of her shoulders.

Mal and Evie caught the small gesture, noticing how Rilynn was squeezing the thick blonde hair in her fists, looking almost nervous. The princess seemed a little hesitant as she thought about the trauma her mother must've gone through. Mal raised her brows humorously.

Rilynn blinks back to reality, finding Mal and Evie looking at her with two different expressions, but the princess disregards them.

"Does . . ." the princess blushed with embarrassment. Heat burned her cheeks and spread to her ears. "Does this, uh . . . does this make us friends?"

Evie steps forward until she is standing next to Mal, rescuing the evil fairy as she is more of the enthusiastic one of the two. The wicked princess reached forward and grabbed Rilynn's hands into hers.

"Totes!" cheered Evie.

Rilynn's smile was warm and inviting, like a long-awaited summer breeze. The princess was gentle and kind, and her personality was effortlessly welcoming. A sweet and bubbly figure stood brightly before the villains, beaming away the darkness that swamped the villain kids with their gloomy aura. Rilynn was easily the best person to be around; she had a calming, enjoyable attitude and was easy to get along with.

But this sweet, gushy moment was becoming unbearing disgusting for Mal's taste. She couldn't stand the kindness Rilynn was giving them, believing it to be a front that all the Auradon kids put on to show their parents that they were all really just a bunch of spoiled brats. Mal hated how Rilynn's positive energy was mentally draining her, barely able to keep up with the princess by merely hearing how energetic she could be.

Suddenly, Mal put on a pout and cooed softly, clicking her tongue. "Oh, well, would you look at the time," she took back the conversation, letting Evie release Rilynn's hands and glancing at Mal. The evil fairy raised her eyebrows discreetly, giving Evie a knowing look as her friend grinned mischievously. "We've got Remedial Goodness class to attend to--no point in being late on our first day. Gotta love being good and all that . . . jazz. It was . . . nice seeing you."

"Oh! You're right," chirped Rilynn, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hold you guys back from class."

"It's no worries," assured Mal, scrunching her nose. "Here, let me take those." Mal snagged the two other bags made for Carlos and Jay. Rilynn made a slight noise as she watched the evil fairy give Evie one bag while she held the other, looking smug. "Nice talk."

"Yeah," said Rilynn. "Nice talk."

Then Mal turned on her toes and walked away with Evie following by her side, leaving the princess behind them. Mal ripped Carlos' goodie bag open carelessly, snagging a chocolate chip cookie and taking a big bite.

Mal moaned from the delicious taste of the soft cookie--it was nice and crunchy around the crust and soft and gooey on the inside. Mal had to admit that Rilynn's cookies weren't that bad. Maybe it would be helpful to have the princess under their wing.

"Remind me never to smile again for that long," grumbled Mal with cookies in her mouth. She hated smiling.

The only time Mal would ever smile is when she uses her wicked smile for her evil schemes. Still, Mal's cheeks ached as if she had never used that many muscles before. As if her face struggled to force a smile. Mal smirks or grins, not smile. Smiling is for preppy princesses who