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It started not long after winter settled over Auradon.
Whispers dancing through the halls of Auradon Prep like wind through the leafless trees of the grounds, secret smiles and exaggerated expressions of excited joy that left Mal torn between confusion and annoyance. After months in their company she was used to the AK's being almost annoyingly happy but this seemed different, somehow.
When the days turned to weeks and the annoyance burning behind her eyes felt more like anger, she sought out Ben's assistance as she'd done many times before - with varying degrees of reluctance - eager to put this latest cultural difference behind her.
Though initially startled by her questions, to say nothing of the way she asked them, Ben was soon smiling as he explained everything winter brought to Auradon besides snow. The 'holiday season', a concept entirely foreign to the girl from the Isle, seemed the most important thing and no holiday was as grand or important as Christmas.
"Christmas is a time to be with your friends and family, have a nice meal, and exchange gifts." He'd explained, his signature smile paired with sad eyes. He hated that the VK's had never heard of such things and was so painfully determined to make things right that Mal tried to appreciate the sentiment, even though the pity in his eyes sort of made her want to deck him.
"Gifts?" She questioned. Not because she didn't know what gifts were but because they were something beyond rare on the Isle; they certainly hadn't had a day designed around exchanging them. She wondered how many such days Auradon had; her limited knowledge told her of at least two: Christmas and the equally strange practice of birthdays. "What kind of gifts?"
He nodded eagerly, clearly pleased by her interest. "Anything will do, really, it's the feeling behind it that really matters. It's a nice way to tell the people in your life you're thinking about them."
Why simply telling them was insufficient, she didn't know and didn't bother to ask. "And what does any of this have to do with 'Secret Godmothers'?" she asked, having heard the term many times over the last week or so.
She hasn't thought it possible but his already pleased expression seemed suddenly even brighter than before. "Oh, you've heard about that?"
She barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes because of course she had; she wouldn't be able to ask if she hadn't.
"Well, it's a newer tradition," he began. "Where a group of people get together and exchange names at random. Then, instead of having to buy a gift for everyone involved, you only have to get something for one person. The only rule is that you can't tell them you picked their name until you give them the present, so everyone is surprised. Sometimes there's a party where the gifts are exchanged but that depends on who's involved." He smiled. "It's kind of a big deal around here; a whole group of us participate every year. That's probably why so many people are talking about it."
She narrowed her eyes briefly. It was an admittedly interesting idea and everyone she'd overheard had seemed excited. "Can we do it?"
Surprised though he obviously was, Ben beamed. "I think that's a great idea! All you have to do is give your name to Jane before Friday and she'll put you on the list."
She nodded, thoughtful. "I'll ask E and the boys if they want to, then. It sounds...interesting."
"It really is fun, Mal; I promise you won't regret it."
Like Ben said, it had been easy for the Core Four to get involved with the Secret Godmother celebration. Once she'd relayed her newfound information to Jay, Carlos, and Evie, they'd all seemed intrigued - and maybe a little relieved since, unlike the AK's, they didn't have access to royal treasuries - and had quickly agreed that it sounded like fun. And, though she'd been surprised at the request, Jane was only too happy to add their names to the list.
While the others wondered about who they'd get - and, consequently, who would get them - Mal just hoped she wouldn't get someone she hated. Someone like, Lucifer help her, Audrey. But, she reasoned, there were a lot of names on the list and she was fairly confident she'd be able to bluff her way through finding a reasonably nice present for any of the participating AK's, even if she really would prefer buying for one of her boys instead.
What she did not expect was slipping her hand into the obnoxiously colorful winter hat Jane provided for anonymity and pulling out Evie's name. Because, if she were being honest, not having to find the perfect gift for Evie was the whole reason Secret Godmother had seemed so damned ideal.
To be clear, Mal loved her boys and, yes, she did have other friends in Auradon, like Ben and Jane, but Evie was special. She was...she was Evie for Lucifer's sake! And how was Mal - brash, stubborn, angry, broken Mal - supposed to find the perfect something for the perfect girl?
She didn't know and, as the days before the Secret Godmother exchange date ticked steadily away, she was running out of time to find out.