"Let's begin," agreed Hazel, beaming amiably at Charity. She picked up the physical signs that Charity liked her fairly easy; it wasn't difficult reading someone's body language. For one, Charity kept up mutual eye contact with Hazel; if someone didn't like you, they wouldn't look you in the eye. Another sign was a light touch; when the group started to walk, the princess brushed her fingertips across Hazel's knuckles. Charity also leaned inward, she mirrored Hazel's body language, and she purposefully removed barriers that kept them apart. Yep, she likes me. But I can't be with her until we get to know each other better, Hazel told herself as she listened to Charity's description of Auradon Prep. Apparently, the school had once been Beast's old castle until he had the palace converted to a high school. Who knew that bit of trivia about this establishment? Most likely everyone who attends this place. How dumb could I be? she scolded herself as the group walked past the statue of Beast as a human prince.

"What's so scary about Beast anyway?" Hubert asked, clapping his hands. The statue didn't move. "See? Nothing."

"That's because you're not a descendant of Beast," answered Alex quietly. "Charity is Beast's granddaughter, so she's his blood relative. Only she and any blood relatives of Beast can make the statue move."

To prove Alex's point, Charity clapped her hands, causing the statue to morph. Hubert didn't even flinch as the human prince became a beast.

"That isn't terrifying," repeated Hubert. "Trust me, the three of us have seen worse."

Genevieve and Hazel concurred with Hubert, muttering to themselves. Charity and Alex locked eyes, unsure of what the VKs were discussing under their breath. As soon as the conversation ended, the tour resumed its course. Alex held back so he could speak to Hubert privately. Hubert had been gazing at the plants, clearly wondering what kind of flowers were growing there.

"I'm Alex," the blond informed the redhead. Alex kept his hands inside his pockets, desperately hoping to conceal the way they trembled. Hubert finally looked at Alex.

"I'm Hubert," the redhead responded, "Hubert Pinkerton."

"Pinkerton?" Alex chuckled lightly.

"It had been my mother's maiden name. It was either 'Pinkerton' or 'Hearts,' and I made the right decision." Hubert laughed heartily, his shoulders shaking.

Alex ceased his laughter, a lovesick grin on his face. His cheeks flushed, and a shiver ran down his spine. But this hadn't been from utter terror, no, this had been because he'd met his soulmate. Who cared if Alex disregarded his mama's story? Anna would care because, if her son got heartbroken, heads were going to roll. She was dangerous when she was angry or ticked off in some way. But she never let her anger cloud her judgment. After his Auntie Elsa stepped down from the throne of Arendelle, Anna became the Queen and she learned how to appeal to logic as well as emotions.

Genevieve walked beside Elisa, the raven-haired girl too preoccupied with the scenery to notice the way the blonde stared at her. Elisa's heart pounded with every single step she took, keeping pace with Genevieve. Her fingers twitched as an unrelenting urge to freeze something blossomed in her chest. She pursed her lips together and forced herself to look at something else, anything else. As Genevieve fiddled with her cloak, Elisa pulled at her sweater sleeve as hard as she could to get rid of the feeling to shoot ice.

"Does everyone have magic here in Auradon?" Hubert proposed, feeling around his person for his ash wood wand. The King and Queen of Hearts had been powerless when it came to magic, but he'd inherited powers from Wonderland somehow. Although he wasn't able to use his ability underneath the magical barrier, he marveled at how powerful he was now. He was certain that Hazel and Genevieve were feeling the exact same thing he was. Hazel gained powers from her mother (she didn't know who gave birth to her), and Genevieve had Mother Gothel as a grandmother (Gothel was a witch).

"Some residents of Auradon have magic, but it's fairly rare among us," stated Charity. She twiddled her fingers, reaching the staircase in the main hall of Auradon Prep. "Well, any questions?"

"None from me," piped up Genevieve.

"Nope," answered Hazel.

"Zilch," agreed Hubert.

"Alright, well, if you need me, you can find me in my parents' castle." Charity beamed at the VKs, and she trotted back to her home. Alex smiled at Hubert, heading to the dormitories. Elisa nodded at the three teenagers, following Alex.

"Okay then. First impressions?" Hazel faced her friends.

"Alex is very nice yet he's hesitant when he's speaking with people." Hubert shrugged his shoulders.

"Charity is quite sweet, but she's obviously worried about something." Hazel bit her fingernails.

"Elisa is cold, and she doesn't talk much." Genevieve brought her cloak around her shoulders more.

"Well, should we locate our dorms?" Hazel questioned.

"We should," stated Hubert and Genevieve.

With their agreement, the three walked up the staircase to the right and headed down the hall. Hazel and Genevieve opened up a door with their names on a brass plate screwed into the wood: Hazel Westergaard and Genevieve Gothel. The girls giggled and ran inside their dormitory, shutting the door. Hubert chuckled fondly, shaking his head at the two. He continued searching for his name, at last locating it. He read the names on the plate: Hubert Pinkerton and Alex Bjorgman.

"Really?" muttered Hubert; it hadn't been in a bad way, but his face started to heat up. I can't like Alex now, can I? I mean, I just met him. Let us be friends for starters, then we'll see where it goes. He opened the door and gazed at the room. The curtains had been made from a heavy material, most likely wool, and the walls had a design of a coat of arms all over it. The ceiling had images of knights on horseback and damsels in distress. This caused Hubert to scoff and shake his head in disbelief. "Honestly, these stereotypes are textbook and fairytales. Men can be damsels in distress and women can be the knights. Or, better yet, have LGBTQ+ couples be front and center instead of being a plot device."

Alex had been listening from the built-in bathroom. Hubert was a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, he was an ally! His heart swelled with joy, he wanted to start running around and jumping up and down, he was so happy! A grin spread across Alex's face as he slid down from the wall to the floor.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Hazel and Genevieve gazed at their dorm, disgust written on their faces. The walls, bed sheet sets, and curtains were a neon pink shade, causing Genevieve to shudder and turn away for a few moments. The beds had definitely been designed for princesses because of all the stuffed animals beside the headboard. While Hazel could admit she'd slept with a stuffed toy as a little girl, she never quite understood why princesses needed to talk to animals. Genevieve had also slept with a stuffed toy, and even she admitted that it helped her calm down from the abuse she went through at the hands of Unity.

"This room is just ... horrid," spoke Hazel slowly.

"I can concur," stammered Genevieve.

"Maybe, if we pool up funds from part-time jobs, we can purchase new bed sheet sets, new curtains. We can use a spell to change the wallpaper. Good plan?"

"Perfect plan."

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Hey, guys, gals, non-binary pals. I hope you're all feeling okay; if not, my private messages are open to those who want to talk. Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter, let me know in the comments.