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Evie wasn't sure why she decided to ask Mal that question.
Perhaps it was because she saw how close Mal and Jay were.
Perhaps it was because she felt someone in her hurt whenever she saw Mal and Jay talking, standing close to one another, touching.
Perhaps it was both.
Whatever it was, she found herself walking onto the balcony where Mal was.
"Hey," Mal says upon seeing her.
"Hey," Evie smiles. "What are you doing?"
"I was coming up with a battle plan for when we finally invade Auradon. Do you want to hear it?"
"Later," Evie says, stepping closer to Mal. "I actually have a question that I've been meaning to ask you."
Mal nods for her to continue.
"Are you...are you and Jay dating?"
Mal blinks. "What?"
"Are you and Jay dating?" Evie repeats.
Mal blinks again, and then a smile forms on her face.
Evie watches as she bursts into laughter.
"Jay and I...dating?" She laughs. "No, he's like a brother to me."
Evie feels a relief inside her. Mal and Jay weren't dating...good.
When Mal calms down, she asks, "What made you think we were dating?"
Evie shrugs. "I saw how close you two were, and I was just wondering..."
"Trust me, Jay and I are not and will not ever be a couple."
Evie nods her head, another question forming in her head. "Are you dating anyone?"
Mal scoffs. "No, why would I?"
"Because love is-"
"Useless," Mal interrupts. "Love is useless."
"That's not true," Evie objects. "Everybody deserves love."
Mal shakes her head. "Not everybody needs it."
"But-"
"I'm not looking for love," Mal interrupts. "Our town is hurting. Our people are hurting. That has to be my focus. I don't have time to think about things such as love when it's my job to find a way off this place."
"It's not your job to get off the Isle," Evie says.
"It is," Mal says, her voice getting harder. "When I was little, my mom gave me a mission. The mission is to find a way off the Isle, invade Auradon, kill King Beast, and get the Fairy Godmother's wand. I'm supposed to do that. It's my mission to save the people of the Isle. People believe in me, Evie. They believe that I'm their savior, their queen, and I have to be! I have to be."
Evie opens her mouth to say something, anything. She wasn't used to seeing Mal having emotional outbursts. Before she could say anything, Mal laughs a little.
"It's stupid," Mal laughs, turning around.
"Mal?" Evie says, her concern for her friend rising.
"Do you think we would have a better life in Auradon?"
"What?"
"Do you think we will have a better life in Auradon? Once I finish my mission, everybody on the Isle will move to Auradon for a new life. But....do you think it will be better than what we have right now?"
Evie walks over to Mal, standing beside her. "Why are you asking?"
"Please answer the question."
"I think it will be better. Auradon has more space, better food, better clothes, and everything about it...just seems happy. Do you not think life will be better in Auradon?"
"I think it will be a better living situation, yes. But I think we will still be in the same position we are now," Mal says, turning to look at Evie."
"You mean living under our parent's rules and control?" Evie asks.
Mal nods.
"But your mom lets you do whatever you want."
Mal chuckles. "No, she doesn't. From the outside, to everybody on the Isle, I'm the queen. But in reality, my mom is the queen. She's the one that rules the Isle, and I'm just her puppet. Once I complete my mission, she will take over Auradon, and I will be back to where I am now."
Evie hears the emotion in Mal's voice. The sadness. She reaches out her hand, placing it on Mal's.
"You're not your mother's puppet, Mal. You are your own person."
"I'm not. Everything I do is because my mother told me to do it, or because I know it will make her proud of me. That's what I want," Mal confesses. "All I want is for her to be proud of me."
Mal looks down, and Evie can tell she is trying not to cry.
"Mal," she says, gently.
Mal doesn't respond.
"Mal, please look at me."
Mal sighs and looks at her.
"First off, you are wrong."
"About what?"
"About you being your mother's puppet. You control your own life. Did your mom order you to be friends with me, Jay, and Carlos? Did your mom order you to stand up to Ursula and her daughter? Did your mom order you to defend Dizzy and her family? Or give out food to those that don't have enough?"
Mal shakes her head.
"Exactly. You did all of that. You can say Maleficent is the queen all you want, but deep down, she doesn't care about the people here. You do. You care about everyone. You act how a queen should, and I'm sure the people here would rather have you as the queen in Auradon, not Maleficent."
Mal smiles a little. "I doubt she would allow that."
"Maybe not, but you deserve to be queen. And I understand you want your mother to be proud of you. I want my mother to be proud of me too. I know it can be hard to earn it, but after everything you've done, I think Maleficent must be stupid to not be proud of you."
This causes Mal to giggle a little. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." A question came to Evie's head, and she knew it was probably not the right time to ask, but she couldn't resist. "Do you truly believe love is useless?"
Mal looks into her eyes, and Evie can see her eyes changing. "No. My mom thinks it is, but I don't."
Evie nods her head, her heart fluttering a little. "I'm glad you don't think love is useless."
"Why?"
"Because..." Evie cuts herself off. She looks at Mal and leans in, kissing her. It was a short kiss.
When it is over, Mal looks shocked.
"That's why," Evie answers, blushing a little.
Mal smiles and leans in, kissing Evie back. This time, the kiss was longer.
Evie felt like her heart was going to explode.
When the kiss ends, both are smiling.
"Thank you," Mal smiles.
"Of course," Evie says, smiling. "I will always believe in you, and I will always be here for you."