PERFECT PAIR    ❦︎ ︎ ︎ Chapter One.

"It's practically the smartest decision he's ever made in his life if I'm going to be honest."

IN THE QUIET COMFORT OF HER SHARED DORM ROOM WITH INGRID BJORGMANN, Scarlett reclined with a serene satisfaction, her body sinking into the soft embrace of her bed.

       A silver dagger lied cool and weighty in her palm, its sharp edges glinting in the dim light. Her eyes, filled with an effortless determination, traced the lines of the wooden target mounted just a few feet away, its worn surface bearing the marks of countless throws.

      Just as she was about to throw the weapon for the millionth time, a sudden knock interrupted her focus, also grabbing Ingrid's attention from the sewing machine in front of her.

"Not it!" The duo said in unison. "No, I said it first!" They repeated simultaneously.

"Well, you're closer!" Ingrid snickered as she reclined into her desk chair with a satisfied smirk.

"There's a weapon in my hand and I have great aim." Scarlett held the dagger proudly in her fingers. The smooth and blunt handle aimlessly pressed against her index finger while the sharp blade rested against the other.

"Oh my god, literally just get up and open the door! One of you!" The familiar voice of Auriel Triton interrupted their bickering.

"Auri?!" Scarlett gasped in slight shock, immediately jumping up from her bed and rushing to the door with Ingrid right on her tail.

"HELLO?!" Ingrid exclaimed in shock as Scarlett opened the door to reveal the beautiful face of their half-mermaid friend standing in all her glory.

"Oh my god! You're here early?!" Scarlett exclaimed, pulling Auriel into a hug. "I thought you weren't moving in to the dorms for another week?" She pulled away to get a better look at the tan-skinned girl.
  
     "Yeah... Vacation was cut short after my dad got a little call from Beast..." Auriel said with disappointment. "Which brings me to my next statement!" She stepped forward, quickly entering the room and shutting the door behind her.

    "When I get my hands on that furry freak son of his, I gotta kill him."

    Staring at her with confusion, Ingrid quickly glanced at Scarlett with a quirked brow, but she seemed completely unfazed by Auriel's words, rather interested in such an idea instead.

    "Wait—what did Ben do?" Ingrid questioned.

    "Wait?—you don't know?" Scarlett asked, equally confused. The same emotion painted across Auriel's face.

    Shrugging with a slow head shake, Ingrid sucked on the inside of her cheeks. "Know what?" She asked, waiting for an answer from either one of her friends.

    "Ben's first proclamation as king?" Auriel prompted in attempts to jog Ingrid's memory—But nothing.

    "Kind of out of the loop with these things as I am not necessarily an Auradon citizen..." She puffed her cheeks. "I'm only over here for school... being from Arendelle, you know...?"

    "Oh—right." Scarlett let out a small laugh. "Well!" She sighed. "Should I hold your hand as I tell you or..."

"If you don't just tell me what happened—"

    Grinning softly, Scarlett crossed her arms and slightly giggled. "Benny dearest wants to open the Isle barriers and bring over six VK's—For a shot at a better life." She explained, mocking the last few words with a taunting voice as she quoted the brunette boy.

    With her jaw now dropped, Ingrid switched her gaze between Auriel and Scarlett, her two friends looking at her with an unamused expression. "And Belle and Beast are okay with that?!"

    "That's literally what I said!" Auriel groaned. "And from what I've heard and seen—Audrey is so pissed."

    Laughing at her words, Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Of course she is, when is she never pissed?" She questioned.

    "Wait—what are your thoughts on all of this?" The half mermaid princess questioned. "Do you like it?"
 
    "Honestly? "It's practically the smartest decision he's ever made in his life if I'm going to be honest." She admitted. "I like it." Her shoulders lifted with a shrug.

    "I think it's definitely a change... but having them live with us in the dorms, and go to school with us? Are you like... not a little scared?" Auriel was a bit hesitant.

   "What is there to be scared about?" Scarlett quirked a brow. "Your mother did not raise a shrimp."

"How are you not a little afraid?" Auriel questioned. "These are literally the kids of the most evil people in the world—like I don't know, maybe I'm just hating but I think you need to remind yourself that values and beliefs are taught."

"Maybe they are evil, but you never know. They've lived on a powerless and weaponless island for the last 18 years, without a doubt they're inexperienced and not even as equally evil as their parents." She shrugged.

   "Okay so what if Shanyu's son was one of the VK's picked, how would you feel?" Ingrid questioned.

   "His dad and his army couldn't even take down my mother who was dressed as a man. I'm sure I'd be fine." Scarlett laughed. "Your mom and Hans on the other hand..."

    "Okay, don't start about my mom." Ingrid held a hand to stop her roommate from continuing.

    "I'm just looking at this with a different perspective. Ben sees potential in them—which by the way is insane coming from him of all people—but I'm really looking forward to it." Scarlett smirked.

   "And also I'm expecting this to backfire very poorly, so I hope Ben and his high royal ass suffers." She finished.

   "Been praying on his downfall since you were kids." Auriel snickered. "Wait—do you know which VK's were picked yet?"

   "Oh, yeah! Do you?" Scarlett asked.

   "What?! No!" She groaned and took a seat on Scarlett's bed. "My dad barely gave me any details."

   "Yeah.. Do share..." Ingrid listened closely.

    "I believe it's the kids of Maleficent, Jafar, Cruella, Evil Queen..." Scarlett trailed off. "Drizella Tremaine and..."

    "Mother Gothel."

    "OH. IVE SEEN KASIA GOTHEL AND..." Ingrid bursted into a fit of shock. Fangirling and blushing over the pale skinned bombshell.

    Auri groaned into her hands. "You're telling me they didn't choose Ursula's daughter and my dad panicked this bad?..."

    "Your dad is just a wimp." Scarlett playfully grinned, finally throwing her dagger at the target from where she stood, successfully achieving a bullseye.

"As long as we stay near Scar, I think we'll be okay." Ingrid stared at the wooden board. The plethora of slices, stabs, and chips making her feel a little uneasy.

"When do they arrive?"

"In a couple days. Ben is giving them a week to settle before the school year starts." Scarlett examined her nails. "At least that's what my mom told me."

"Why does Mulan know so much?" Ingrid quirked a brow.

"Belle and Beast reached out to ask if some of the Chinese army could be back up as security or whatever... Mom and dad declined though." The Li girl laughed.

"Then she told them that this is their son's fault and the Chinese army wants nothing to do with a problem that can be easily avoided."

"Tell your mom I love her." Ingrid sighed contently.

    "Will do." Scarlett winked.

Continuing their conversation about the recent ordeal, Auriel stretched out on the bed, feeling at ease in the familiar comfort of the room. Scarlett soon joined her, the two quickly finding solace in each other's company.

Ingrid sat back down at her sewing machine, its rhythmic hum filling the room with a calming sound. The three girls resumed their usual mindless chatter, a comforting routine they never failed to get bored of.

Scarlett had grown up with Auriel, the two practically inseparable, sharing a mutual disliking for the fellow princes of Auradon who had grown up alongside them. From Chad Charming to Prince Ben himself, they were united in their shared distaste, being haters at heart.

When boarding school started at the age of 13, Scarlett was disappointed to discover that Auriel was not her dormitory roommate. Instead, she was paired with Ingrid Bjorgmann, the daughter of Princess Anna and Kristoff.

Initially, the two barely spoke a word to each other.

But that was until one night where the tension between them dissipated when Ingrid tripped over her sewing machine, prompting Scarlett to laugh and help her up. From that moment on, they became good friends, and Scarlett soon introduced Ingrid to Auriel.

The three of them quickly became an inseparable trio.

Scarlett didn't get along with many other royals or the children of heroes in general; she was a bit off from the rest. Her fierce independence and rebellious spirit set her apart, but this was something Auriel and Ingrid appreciated rather than resented.

    Despite being a student of many talents, Scarlett consistently failed at royal subjects regarding manners and respect, like Prim and Proper 101.
 
    She was more aggressive and headstrong than your typical Auradon princess, often resorting to bold actions and blunt words rather than the refined etiquette expected of her. Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the demure and polished princesses around her, making her a compelling and unpredictable presence in any room.

    Her parents had mixed feelings about her behavior. While they admired her strength and tenacity, traits they themselves embodied, they were often concerned about her lack of adherence to traditional royal decorum.

    Mulan, understanding the importance of forging one's own path, often defended Scarlett's fiery nature, seeing reflections of her own rebellious youth. Shang, though proud of his daughter's warrior spirit, wished she would occasionally temper her aggression with the grace expected of a princess.

    Despite their concerns, both parents deeply loved Scarlett, supporting her in becoming the unique and formidable individual she was destined to be, no matter what.

   "Do you guys wanna grab some hot chocolate in the cafeteria?" Ingrid suddenly spoke up. Stopping her sewing machine from continuing and spinning back around in her desk chair.

   "Sounds like a beautiful plan!" Scarlett didn't mind before promptly smirking and lifting herself off the bed to help her fellow friend up.

   Auriel accepted Scarlett's hand with a smile, the two of them stood together, ready for a change of scenery. Ingrid was already on her feet, smoothing out her clothes and giving her sewing project one last glance before stepping away.

"Let's go," Ingrid said, her tone light and eager as she grabbed her lanyard from a nearby key rack.

As they left the dorm room and walked through the hallway, the lively chatter of other students filled the air.

Ingrid led the way to the cafeteria, where the scent of cocoa and pastries greeted them. The room buzzed with activity as students gathered in groups, laughing and sharing stories.

After unintentionally making a repulsed expression at Chad Charming and his disgustingly chiseled face, Scarlett looked away and continued to move forward.

Finally finding a table near a window, Ingrid went ahead to fetch their sweet treats as Scarlett watched her weave through the crowd with ease. She marveled at her friend's ability to find joy in the smallest things.

With a few short moments moving by, the red haired princess soon returned with a tray laden with hot chocolate and an assortment of pastries. She set it down with a smile, beaming at her friends happily.

"For you, my beautiful ladies," She said, taking a seat and passing out the mugs as Auriel sent over a few blown air kisses.

Settling into a comfortable silence, the trio sipped their drinks and enjoyed the warmth of the moment. Scarlett felt a sense of peace settle over her, a rare feeling amidst the chaos of their lives. She glanced at Auriel and Ingrid, grateful for their friendship and the support they provided.

As the afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over the cafeteria, Scarlett allowed herself to savor the simple pleasure of chocolate and beautiful company.

And everything was good.

For now, at least.

💌 vera's voice!   (1.9k words)
hello my gorgeouses. chapter one!!!! i always hate the first chapter bc u never know where to start. it's #Hard and it makes me want to #Crash out.

In my head it's move in weekend at Auradon Prep bc it is like... a boarding school you know. Yeah.

but thank u for reading, smirk :>

love love love u all!! ^_^
hello to my lovers!!! (BEKVE!!!)