CHAPTER NINE (of frozen heart)
The next day at Remedial Goodness 101 class, Elisa found herself sitting next to Mal and Evie at their usual desks with Carlos and Jay sitting across from them. She was still thinking about her and Ben's moment from the night before, a blush creeping up her cheeks as the memories of their shared kiss replayed in her mind. It had been magical, and the way he held her, the way he kissed her…She couldn't get it out of her mind. She had never felt so desired and wanted, and she had never felt this way about anyone before. But she wasn't sure if it was all just because of the love spell or if it was real. She sighed heavily, crossing her arms on the desk and laying her head on them, not wanting the others to see the blush on her cheeks.
Mal raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "You seem…Different."
Elisa shrugs, her gaze focused on the notebook in front of her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Evie giggles, leaning over to whisper in Elisa's ear. "She's talking about how you look like a lovesick puppy, especially whenever the prince's name is mentioned."
Elisa's head shoots up, her eyes wide with shock. "I do not!"
Mal laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Come on, Elisa. It's obvious that something happened between you two." She says, giving her a knowing look. "So spill the beans, how did the date go?"
"Children, excuse me." Fairy Godmother speaks up and Elisa is thankful that the teacher had saved her from the oncoming teasing and questions. "Um…As you know, this Sunday is Family Day here at Auradon Prep. And because your parents can't be here due to, uh…Distance, we've arranged for a special treat." She explained with a bright smile. She then walked over to the computer at the front of the room, pressing a button that then showed Maleficent in front of the screen, her head tilted to the side as she looked confused. Elisa jumped, startled at suddenly seeing the villain and hearing the evil woman's voice coming through the speakers.
"I don't see anything nor do I hear." She backed up to sit back down, revealing the other three villain kid's parents with her.
"Kids!" Fairy Godmother ushered the group to come forward with a smile.
Elisa followed her friends, sending them encouraging looks as they walk to the front. She decided to linger in the back since this moment didn't really include her. But she did think it was thoughtful of Fairy Godmother to include her friends for the Family Day. She knew her family would be there and she was looking forward to see them, so for now she would give her friends their moment. She leaned against a desk with crossed arms, watching with amusement as the villains had trouble working the computer.
"Evie, it's mommy!" The Evil Queen smiles as she waves at her daughter once the computer got working. Evie smiles slightly, trying to show the nerves she felt while she waves. "Look how beautiful. You know what they say, the poison apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Don't you mean the weeds?" Maleficent remarked.
Cruella grimaces at seeing Fairy Godmother. "Who's the old bat?"
"This is Fairy Godmother." Mal chimed in.
"Still doing tricks with eggplants?" Maleficent questioned as she laughed with the others.
"I turned a pumpkin into a beautiful carriage!" Fairy Godmother defended herself.
"You really couldn't give Cinderella 'till one am? I mean, really. What, the hamsters had to be back on their little wheels?" Maleficent laughed.
"They were mice! They were not…They were mice." Fairy Godmother defended herself as she glanced at the students behind her. Elisa sent her a sympathetic look, knowing this wasn't easy for her. Mal thanked her for doing this and Fairy Godmother quickly defended herself again before she stepped out of the way, letting the kids have their moment with their parents.
"Hi, mom." Mal greeted.
"Mal." Maleficent gasps. "I m-miss you." She stammered and Elisa noticed it looked hard for her to say that. Elisa rolled her eyes at the act, knowing it wasn't sincere.
"You children are never far from our thoughts." Jafar smiled sheepishly as he waved along with Cruella.
"How long must mommy wait to see you?" Maleficent questioned.
"Oh, there's a big coronation coming up. I think probably sometime after that." Mal explained.
"When?" Maleficent pressed.
"Friday, ten am." Mal answered.
"You sure I can't see you before that?" Maleficent wonders. "I don't know what I'll do if I don't get my hands on that magic…" She stops herself before letting something slip and quickly corrects herself. "You…You my little nugget that I love so much."
"Yes, I completely understand, mother." Mal murmured.
Cruella suddenly gets in front of the others after noticing her son was holding a dog. Her eyes are wide and her lips parted in shock. "Carlos, is that a dog?" She exclaims. "Yes, yes, baby, I do understand." She said to her stuffed dog on her coat that she squeezed, causing the toy to make a squeaking sound. Elisa looked at her weirdly, wondering how her friend dealt with his crazy mother. She never understood how any of her friends dealt with their parents and always felt bad for them. "It would make the perfect size for earmuffs." She added with a laugh.
Carlos steps forward, glaring at his mom. "He's the perfect size for a pet." Cruella leans back with a gasp, looking surprise. "This dog loves me and I love him! And FYI, your dog is stuffed!" Cruella sits back down, staring at him with wide eyes. "So give it a rest!" Carlos shouted angrily as he fell back in line with his friends. Elisa had to admit she was impressed to see him standing up for himself. She didn't expect it from him, but she was proud of him.
"Burn." Jafar laughed, smirking at a shocked looking Cruella.
"Oh, why don't you go sell a toaster, you two-bit salesman!" Cruella scoffed, turning to glare at Jafar.
"People who talk to stuffed animals shouldn't throw stones!" Jafar told her.
"Oh, well, people who sell toasters shouldn't used mixed metaphors!" Cruella replied.
Elisa steps forward after noticing the uneasy looks on her friends faces. She stands next to Carlos and Mal, placing a comforting hand on Carlos' shoulder. Being sent to the Isle and befriending these four, she had learned quickly they all had it rough growing up, but she honestly thought Carlos had it more rough of the four. She was happy he finally stood up to his mother, but she knew it was hard for him, and she wanted him to know he wasn't alone. He tensed slightly at the sudden contact, but he quickly relaxed and gave her a small, thankful smile. She returned the smile and squeezed his shoulder comfortingly. She noticed Jay had put a comforting hand on Carlos' back before he leaned forward and ended the video call as his dad and Carlos' mom kept arguing. She sent Jay a sympathetic look after locking eyes with him, her heart hurting for the group.
"I'm so sorry." Fairy Godmother apologized, looking at the group with genuine sadness and sympathy.
"Thanks for the special treat." Jay replied with a forced smile.
"Of course." Fairy Godmother nodded.
Mal was the first to turn and start walking away. Her friends soon followed, each of them grabbing their things. "You two good?" Elisa asked softly, looking at the boys with concern as she walked with them in the back.
"Yeah." Carlos said with a nod, forcing a smile.
"We're fine." Jay muttered, keeping his gaze straight ahead. Elisa knew they were both lying, but she didn't want to pry. She didn't know how to make them feel better, and she felt guilty. She hadn't grown up with her friends like they did, and she wasn't sure what to say or do. She hated seeing her friends like this, and she wished there was more she could do to help.
"M?" Evie asks, gaining the purple-haired girl's attention. "What do you think our parents are gonna do to us if we don't pull this off?"
"I think they will be quietly disappointed in us, but ultimately proud of us for doing our best." Mal replied, causing her friends to look at her with surprise.
"Really?" Carlos questioned.
"No, I think we are definitely goners." Mal admitted.
"Well, that's great." Elisa sarcastically commented as she followed her friends out of the room.
❄❄❄❄
Later that night, Elisa found herself in the boys room at a table full of papers and Mal's spell book. They were going over their plan to get the wand, but Elisa honestly didn't want to do this. She didn't want to do any of this, but she had no choice. She was starting to get the idea the others didn't want to either, but wouldn't admit it. She felt terrible for them, being pressured by their parents into stealing the wand.
"Okay, we all know what this looks like." Mal speaks up, pointing at a drawing of the map of the castle. "So, we'll be up on the dais under the Beast's spell jar, and we'll be coming up from in here. El will be in the very front. We will be up in the balcony." Everyone nods in confirmation and Mal glances at Carlos. "Carlos?"
"Okay, so I'll find our limo, so we can break the barrier and get back on the island with the wand." Carlos replied and Mal nodded.
"Perfect. Evie?"
"Yeah?" Evie asked, raising her eyebrows.
Mal holds up a perfume bottle. "You will use this to take out the driver. Two sprays and he'll be out like a light." Mal smirked, handing the bottle to her.
"Okay." Evie nodded, taking the bottle and putting it in her purse.
After a moment of awkward silence, everyone steps away from the table to do their own thing, but Evie pauses after noticing a spell on the page of Mal's spell book that was open. "El?" She said softly, glancing at Elisa with a frown. "You're thinking about breaking the love spell?"
Elisa glances over at the spell book at that question, sighing heavily at seeing the page. She had asked Mal earlier this morning if she could make a spell to break the love spell on Ben. She hated this guilt that had been consuming her heart ever since she gave him that cookie. She knew it was the right thing to do and she wanted to make things right. "Yeah," She said softly, nodding. "I mean…I can't keep him under the spell…No matter how much I want to."
"So, you do want to be with him?" Evie questioned.
Elisa's lips twitches upwards. "Well, yeah. Of course, I do….But not like this. Not under a love spell." She explains, glancing at the spell book before locking eyes with her. "He deserves better than that. He's a great guy and…I do care about him. I care about him a lot, honestly. And like, when the villains rule over Auradon, it just feels like it would be cruel for Ben to still be under the love spell." She mumbled, her gaze falling on the ring Ben got her. When she had her gloves on, she had the ring over the gloved covered finger. But right now, the gloves were on yet she was holding the ring between her thumb and index finger, her eyes focused on the beautiful stone.
Evie and Mal are silent as they exchange a glance, surprised to hear Elisa talking like this. Mal steps forward, closing the spell book. "El, are you sure? I want you to be sure before we do this."
Elisa looks up from the ring at that, nodding her head firmly. "Yeah, I'm sure. I've thought a lot about this. I think it's the right thing to do." She mumbles, looking back at her ring. "No matter how hard it will be." She got up at that, slipping the ring back on her finger before she left the room, ignoring the questioning and worried glances the other four gave her. She needed a moment alone.
She wandered around the school, eventually ending up in the garden. It was late and the sun was down, but she could still see the beauty of the garden. She sighed, leaning against a pillar as she gazed up at the dark sky. She was lost in thought, the guilt and pain eating away at her. She had made her decision, and she was glad she did. She just hoped Ben would understand.
"Elisa?" A voice suddenly spoke up, startling her out of her thoughts.
Elisa tenses, recognizing the voice. She glances over her shoulder, her eyes meeting a pair of familiar green ones. "Benny." She greets softly, her heart fluttering at the sight of the prince. "What are you doing here? It's late."
"I came to find you." Ben smiles slightly, stepping closer. He stands next to her, his arm brushing against hers. "I missed you."
Elisa can't help but smile at that, her gaze falling to the ground. "Oh, did you?"
"Yeah," Ben chuckles, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Of course, I did. I always miss you when we're not together."
Elisa hated the way her heart flutters at his words and swallows hard, her gaze lingering on their joined hands. "Ben…" She mutters, looking back up to meet his eyes. She notices the adoration and love in his eyes, and her heart clenches. She sighs and reluctantly pulls her hand away, taking a step back. "I should go…It's late and-"
"El, wait." Ben pleads, catching her wrist. She stills and looks at him, her eyes meeting his. "I just…I don't want you to leave."
"Ben," Elisa breathes, her chest tightening. "Please, don't make this harder than it already is."
"What are you talking about?" Ben frowns, stepping closer. He cups her face, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. Elisa's breath hitches, her heart beating faster. "Ellie, I don't understand…Did I do something wrong? Did I upset you?"
"Ben, no." Elisa shakes her head, placing her hand on top of his. She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning into his touch before she pulled his hand away. She opens her eyes and took a step back, locking eyes with him. "You're amazing, Ben. You didn't do anything wrong. You're perfect and-and I care about you a lot. But…" She stops, her throat closing as she struggles to get the words out. She swallows hard and blinks the tears away. "I-I'm sorry, I need to go." She stammered before she turned and started walking away, knowing if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't have the strength to leave him.
"Elisa, wait!" Ben calls after her, chasing after her. He grabs her arm and she freezes. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to stop herself from crying. "Please, just tell me what's wrong."
"Ben," Elisa mutters, opening her eyes as she turns around. "It's complicated, okay? Just trust me when I say, it's for the best."
"The best for who?" Ben questions, stepping closer. He reaches out and gently cups her face, his gaze flickering across her face. "For you or me?"
Elisa hesitates, her eyes lingering on his. "For both of us." She whispered, placing her hand over his and pulling his hand away from her face.
"El, please." Ben pleads, his grip on her hand tightening. "Just…Please, tell me what's wrong. Just give me a chance to make it right. Whatever I did, just give me a chance to fix it. Please."
Elisa bites her bottom lip, struggling to hold back her tears. She can see the worry and hurt in his eyes, and her heart hurts. "I'm so sorry, Ben. I'm so, so sorry." She mumbles, blinking the tears away. "It's not you, okay? It's not. This isn't your fault, okay? I promise, this isn't on you. I just can't be with you. I'm so sorry."
Before Ben could reply, Elisa stepped away and turned, hurrying out of the garden. She ran away from the boy, trying to ignore the sound of him calling her name and the guilt that was eating her alive. She blinked away the tears that were starting to blur her vision as she made her way to the kitchen where she knew Mal was most likely waiting for her. They had to make the spell to break the love spell. One of the ingredients was a tear so she guessed it was a good thing she was crying right now.
She found Mal in the kitchen and immediately went to the stove, grabbing a pot. "We need to make the spell." She muttered, sniffling as she filled the pot with water.
"El?" Mal speaks up after a moment of silence, her voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Do you have the ingredients ready?" Elisa ignored the question, setting the pot on the stove.
Mal was quiet, looking at her friend with worry. She could see the tears in Elisa's eyes and she was frowning. "Yeah." She answers, grabbing the small bowl with the ingredients. She hands it to Elisa and watches as her friend puts the bowl in the pot. She then grabbed the spell book, opening it and showing the spell. "I wrote it down. All that it needs now is a tear." She said softly, a hint of concern and sympathy in her tone.
Elisa nods and grabs a spoon, scooping some of the potion. She holds the spoon out to her, but pauses, her lips twitching downward. "This will break the love spell?"
"Yes." Mal nods, narrowing her eyes at Elisa. "El, are you sure?" She asked again, wanting to make sure her friend was certain. She could see the confliction in her eyes and she knew something was wrong. Elisa hesitated, her heart aching. She could feel the guilt and pain in her chest and it was making it hard to breathe. She wasn't sure what was going on with her. Why was this so hard?
"El?" Mal speaks up, reaching out and placing her hand on her arm. "Talk to me. What's going on?" She could see her friend was having hard to breathe and her hands were shaking. She was concerned, not sure what was happening.
"I-I don't know." Elisa shook her head, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She wiped it off, letting it fall in the bowl with the other ingredients. Her breathing was uneven and she was trembling.
"Hey," Mal mutters, putting the spell book aside and stepping closer. "You're okay. You're safe." She assures, placing her hands on her friend's shoulders. "Deep breaths, okay? Deep breaths."
Elisa does as she's told, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She holds it for a moment before letting it out. She repeats this, trying to calm down. Mal had to admit she was worried for her. She dealt with this a few other times. The first one was when she first arrived at the Isle, and the others were when she had a nightmare. Elisa didn't like to talk about it and Mal wasn't going to force her.
Elisa eventually calmed down and opened her eyes. She took another deep breath and let it out. She locked eyes with her friend and frowned, feeling terrible. "I'm sorry." She muttered, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
"It's okay." Mal assures, smiling slightly. "Don't worry about it. Do you wanna talk about it?"
Elisa swallows hard, glancing at the bowl. She knew she couldn't avoid the conversation forever. She sighed, nodding her head. "I…I saw Ben."
Mal r0aises an eyebrow at that. "What? When? How did he find you?"
"Just a few minutes ago." Elisa explains, her gaze flickering across her friend's face. "He said he was looking for me. That he wanted to talk to me."
"El, you didn't tell him, did you?" Mal questioned, her tone turning serious.
"No, I didn't. I wouldn't do that." Elisa shakes her head, biting her bottom lip. "He noticed something was wrong, though. I-I think he suspects something is off. Which is understandable since I ran away from him. And-And when I tried to leave, he stopped me and pleaded with me to stay. He told me to tell him what's wrong, and that he wanted a chance to fix it. A-And I just…" She sighs heavily, leaning her head on Mal's shoulder. "I told him I couldn't be with him, that this wasn't his fault, and I'm sorry."
Mal frowns at hearing that, placing her hand on her back. "I'm sorry, El. I know this isn't easy. I know this hurts, and I'm sorry."
"No, I'm fine. It's okay. It's for the best, you know?" Elisa shakes her head, pulling back and wiping her eyes. "Besides, we have the plan, right? We're gonna get the wand, go back to the Isle, take over Auradon. So come on, let's get the spell ready." She murmured as she stood, walking back over to the table.
Mal sighed and stood up to follow her. She knew her friend was hurting and she wished there was something she could do to make things better. She just had to hope they could pull off the plan.