Chapter Text
Normally Gina would’ve been happy to hear that a teacher was sick and couldn’t come to class— that meant free time to do whatever she wanted. But under this particular circumstance, she was quite upset. It was her first architecture and history lesson, a class she had been pretty excited about.
And there was the teeny tiny small fact that she didn’t get to sit next to Ricky for the whole class. She didn’t get to accidentally bump hands with him, and pretend she wasn’t pulling a whole bunch of her other flirt moves on him… Then feel insanely bad after sort of hitting on her best friend's boyfriend.
Even though Ricky was all Auradon, something about him just brought out the Isle in Gina— it made her angry with herself for suffocating that part of her. Like he just knew how to bring it out in a healthy way.
Or maybe not so healthy, seeing as she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
As the room was clear and Gina grabbed her bag to leave Ricky grabbed her arm before she could fully stand, and she by instinct just sat back down. “Hey… Um… Where are you going now?” She looked down slowly at where he was holding her arm, not saying a word, and he released her immediately. “Sorry… I… I know you guys are weird about touching.”
She knew by you guys he meant the VKs (and he was right, about the others at least)— he was probably the only person who could refer to them like that and she wouldn’t feel utterly offended as a result.
She knew everything he did and said was because he cared and he wanted their experience in Auradon to be a comfortable and happy one.
“Well…” She kept eyeing him, and eventually she leaned over and pulled his hand back up on her arm, tightening his grip with her other hand. “I actually quite like touching.” She mumbled as a smile tugged on her lips. “Probably something you saw in my file though, right?”
She had been in Ricky’s office (Beast’s old office) only a handful of times, but she had looked around enough to know that all four villain kids had a massive file. These files detailed all information about their parent's histories, potential villainous triggers, supernatural powers or abilities, skills they might’ve had, how they used them for evil, and if they could be utilized for good.
It didn’t take long for her to realize that her flirting and looks had probably been written down as a skill. A skill she used to lure people in as her friends (or she herself) stole from them. But could you really blame her? She barely had any love to know what it should actually be like.
Ricky gulped nervously as his eyes moved between her face and his hand on her arm that he suddenly had no interest in moving. “Something like that…” He whispered.
Her eyes flickered down to his lips briefly before speaking again. “What were you asking me again?” She mumbled.
“If you were um… Where are you going next…” He was still whispering as his grip loosened around her arm, and he slowly passed his thumb back and forth on the material of her jacket. “Soft stuff.”
“Yeah. Made it myself. Faux leather. Apparently, they’re weird about real animals as fashion? We’re only allowed to eat them, I guess.” She shrugged, and he laughed.
“Yeah. Ever since Cruella, we’ve been a little… leery about real fur and leather stuff… Don’t tell Carlos?”
“I think part of him already knows.” She shrugged as she got up to leave and Ricky followed behind her.
“Fair,” Ricky replied.
“And to your question, I have a free period right now… I was gonna go work on some dresses for Cotillion. Nini’s is not even halfway finished and Cotillion is gonna be here before we know it.” Gina answered as they walked through the hallway.
“I thought you had a free period after lunch?”
“I have two… Been working extra hard… So hard that last semester I completed Bio 1 and 2. Won’t need to take Bio 3 until next year! Especially since I need more time for dress work. Pretty much everyone wants me to make theirs.”
“That’s really cool, Gina.” He stopped walking in the empty hallway as he started to speak again, and she stopped as well, turning to face him. “But I um… I have a proposition for you…”
“Okay… What’s the proposition?” She asked as she walked closer to him.
“How about you give up one of your free periods to… meet with me?”
“… Meet with you? What does that mean?” Her face contorted into confusion. He couldn’t think that because she was flirty she would let them betray Nini, right? “You’re not suggesting…” She opened her mouth to continue and then pursed her lips. “Ricky I couldn’t— I know you’re the king and I could be thrown in prison for rejecting you but— I couldn’t do that to Nini— Maybe if you two weren’t together then—”
“Woah woah, what are you talking about?” Ricky asked, taking a place right in front of her.
Gina was stunned and embarrassed. But mostly embarrassed. Her cheeks flamed red as she spoke. “I just thought that you were… trying to… I don’t want to say it out loud.” Because then maybe you’d realize I’m not all that opposed to kissing you, but it’s just a stupid attraction. Physical. That’s it. Nothing more and nothing else.
“… Trying to what? Take advantage of you? Gina no, I would never— I could never use my authority and position—” He pursed his lips, considering his next words carefully. “That's not what I meant, okay?” He whispered in a softer and gentler tone than she’s ever heard him use with anyone. “I just meant that… maybe you could be like… an Isle Advisor for me.”
Gina’s eyes shot up. “Isle Advisor?” She tried not to get too excited, but her eyes really did say it all. He smiled, he enjoyed the beam radiating from her eyes.
He smiled back. “Yeah... I mean that’s how I’d sell it to the board and to Jenn— Fairy Godmother— but you’d also help me with legislation and politics… Maybe help me brainstorm, and be a sounding board for my presentations and speeches to the board and the public. Then you could help me with actual Isle stuff— I’d talk to you as an Isle informant, and you could even help with communications with the Isle… But it’s only if you want to, I don’t want to put a whole bunch of pressure on you… Especially since you have so much going on— You’re a busy lady.” He laughed.
“No, I’d… I’d love this opportunity, Ricky. Thank you.” She took one of his hands in between hers and squeezed it.
“No problem, Gina. The choice of who to get to help was… really easy.” He smiled, and as they loosed hands he asked, “What type of government do you guys have over there? In the Isle?”
“None. We kinda just… do whatever.” She shrugged.
“Oh…” He frowned as they started to walk again.
“But that can change, Ricky. There are good people on the Isle. Not all of them are evil. Some would be willing to hear you out. Some would be willing to take up office and work in conjunction with Auradon. I know it. I’ll go back and do it myself if I have to.” She affirmed.
His face slightly soured at her last point— Gina tried her best not to read into it as him not wanting her to go. “You would also help me work on a plan to get the Isle kids over here too, right?”
“Yeah… I started thinking about a plan for that too… I’ll tell you later?”
“I’d love that.”
Gina couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you for listening, Ricky.”
“Of course. It’s my pleasure, Evie .” The side of his mouth was curling into a smile, and that was the last thing she saw before a pair of hands fell over her eyes.
“Hey.” She heard the voice of her boyfriend, Jack whisper in her ear.
She smiled. “Hey.” She replied, turning around to hug him.
“I’ll see you later, Gina.” Ricky’s voice was back to that firm, unbendable stiff voice. The one he used around everyone else. His loyal subjects, not his friends.
“Bye, Ricky.” She replied as she watched him go from Jack’s arms— she hated to admit that she was a little sad about it.
“What were you guys up to?” Jack asked with his arms around her waist— he didn’t seem suspicious (which was good), he was really just asking.
She looked back at him, and her smile reappeared on her countenance. “Nothing really. Just boring old… politics and stuff.” She laughed as they started to walk down the hallway.
“Well, you know… I’m always open to listening.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, I know… Hey, how come you aren’t in class right now?”
“I wanted to check on you. I heard your teacher was out today and I figured you’d be in your room designing, but you weren’t and I found you here.” He explained easily. “Just wanted to see if you needed any help.” He shrugged.
She smiled. That was her Jack. Always trying to be helpful. “Not really.” She needed to be alone with her thoughts for a bit anyway. “I don’t want you to miss anything happening in your class either.”
He nervously laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I’m not…”
She arched her eyebrow. “Something important is happening in class today, huh?”
“Only semi-important. We’re doing some presentations today, and we’re supposed to remember certain details of other people’s own for a quiz coming up.”
“Jack! Get back to class!” Gina shoved his chest with a playful grin on her face.
He grabbed her hands in between his. “You’re more important than class.” He grinned and then leaned in to kiss her, and of course, she kissed him back. Trying to enjoy what she had spent the last couple of months convincing herself she deserved. And she did deserve someone… good.
It took her a while to unlearn her old behaviors (and she was still unlearning evidently; her undeniable attraction to Prince Ricky said enough) — her gold-digging, prince-wanting, crown-driven behaviors. She liked Jack for who he was . Even if he was the son of one of her mother’s mortal enemies, and definitely no prince or shining night. He was still brave and worthy in his own way.
Sometimes she felt like she literally wasn’t good enough for him— like she wasn’t enough of a hero. He was always so selfless, so kind. She felt like she was a terrible influence on him. Jack before he met her would never leave class during something so important— he never had a reason to before.
As she kissed him more she realized the other part of her didn’t feel bad at all. She liked all the attention she got from Jack. It felt genuine; more genuine than any attention she’s ever gotten from a guy before. He was doing it because he cared, not because he wanted something from her. That was a first.
Was it really that bad that she didn’t wanna pass on his love?
Yes. It was. “Come on Jackins. Go to class.” She whispered against his mouth, taking his hand in between hers. “You know on the inside the idea of failing something is terrifying you.” She was working on being more selfless. For people other than the other VKs.
He chuckled. “A little.” Before pressing another kiss to her lips. “I’ll see you at lunch then?”
“See you then.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek before turning around before the villain voice in her head could convince him to just hang out with her instead of going to class.
When she got back to her and Nini’s room, she stopped in her tracks as she heard Nini reciting something.
“Hmm… Beware for swear… Make a picnic full of Ricky’s favorite foods that’s beyond compare!... Yeah, that’s better…” Gina heard pages flipping before she decided to finally walk into the room.
“What are you doing?” Gina questioned, which made Nini yelp, almost dropping her book on the ground.
“Gina, my God.” She took a deep breath, placing her hand on her chest as she caught hers.
“What are you doing, Nini?” She asked, lowering her voice in the way that typically meant that she meant business.
“It’s nothing, Gina. I swear.” She mumbled, tucking her book away and turning around to her closet.
“Are you still using your spellbook?” She whispered.
“Yeah. Is there an issue with that? Because quite frankly I don’t care.” She snapped.
Gina blinked hard. “Woah. Check that attitude, then try again.” Gina rolled her eyes. She wasn’t the one using magic to make a simple picnic for her boyfriend, she wasn’t the one using magic to her advantage period. She gave up her magic mirror to be a hero, and she sure as hell didn’t deserve to get sassed by Nini.
She strolled over to the rack of unfinished Cotillion dresses and grabbed Lonnie’s dress— really she was supposed to be making headway into Nini’s but she knew if she picked hers up right now she’d ruin something because she was angry with her.
“Gi that’s not what I meant…” She whispered.
“Then why did you say it? Why say something you don’t mean ? And aren’t you supposed to be in class right now?”
Nini pursed her lips, now holding her book close to her chest. “Yeah but… I got excused. Ricky and I have a meeting with Snow White she a… She wants to interview us… I still have no idea what I’m going to say.” Nini chuckled. And this was the part where Gina told Nini exactly what to say, except that wouldn’t be happening this time.
“Well maybe just sit there, smile, and look pretty. That’s what princesses were expected to do for centuries. I’m sure it’ll help you get through one interview.” Gina gave her a forced sweet smile.
“Gina I’m sorry, okay?”
“And I accept your apology, but I’m not going to tell you what to say this time. You know what’s important to you. Figure out how to say it yourself. It’s… It’s not my job, Nini.” Aren’t I already doing enough for you and everyone else?
Gina could hear Nini saying, “I never said it was!” From the bedroom as she left. Gina took a deep breath looking around the hall for something to focus on as her mind started to cave in on itself.
She was tired . Tired of being in Nini’s shadow, and only being able to make change by talking through Nini. That would stop now because now she was getting to work with Ricky. She was getting to share all her hopes for the future of the Isle and Auradon with him— she would tell him all the things Nini was too afraid (or too relaxed, too in her own world) to tell him about.
She wanted to make waves, and she couldn’t do that if she was beached next to Nini and constantly gasping for air. She settled into the dance studio, hoping to sweat out her troubles before her next class.
♕
Gina felt a lot better once lunch rolled around. She had been nestled under Jack’s arm and had just bit into a really sweet apple. Carlos and Jet were sitting across from her and they were listening to Carlos vent about his latest dilemma.
“Asking Seb to the Cotillion is just a lost cause.” He rolled his eyes, propping his chin up with his hand as he messed with his food. “The last time I tried his mother butt in—”
“You mean Fairy Godmother?” Jack asked, holding back a laugh.
“Yes, she is his mom, is she not?”
He exchanged a glance with Gina. “She is, she is.” He conceded.
“Hey, hey. Don’t do that.” Jet squinted his eyes and then pointed his fork in their direction.
“Don’t do what?” Gina hid a smile behind the second bite of her apple.
“That thing where you guys talk with your eyes. At least don’t do it when you can’t tell me what you’re saying.”
“Please, all Jack’s eyes were saying is, ‘I have the most gorgeous girlfriend in the world,’ what do you mean?” She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Eh, to be fair my eyes are always saying that.” He looked her in her brown eyes and he whispered and closed the distance between their lips.
“Can you guys stop? For like… five minutes just be my friends and not boyfriend and girlfriend?” Carlos groaned.
“Yes, yes, of course. Sorry. What else happened with Seb?” Gina egged him on to continue, taking another bite of her apple.
“Then the second time, Ashlyn interrupted to tell him that their mother needed them to finish up some chores— Let me not even get started on how stupid that is, like, your mother is Fairy Godmother and you still have to do chores?! She can’t just make everything magically clean ?!”
“I know it makes no sense to us but Jack was telling me all about it a couple of months ago, apparently some heroes do stuff like that to teach their kids responsibility. Something like that.” She shrugged.
“... That’s still stupid.” Jet deadpanned, holding his hand out in a ‘what?’ motion.
“And it apparently only works for some of them,” Gina mumbled. “Just look at EJ Charming.” She rolled her eyes. “His mother cleaned and cooked and washed all her life and he still can’t even make his own bed.”
“EJ is the exception to the hero rule… He’s almost always the exception to the hero rule.” Jack added.
After a couple of seconds, Carlos asked, “So… Where’s Nini?”
“Last I heard she had an interview with Ricky,” Gina informed him, trying to brush off the topic before they picked up on the fact that she was mad at her.
“I think she and Ricky are on a picnic near the courtyard. One of the guys from the band saw them. Nini had a huge spread of food. He said it looked pretty extravagant.” The spell was all making sense now. That’s what she was trying to do! Gina tensed under Jack’s arm. “You okay, Gigi?” He asked, trying to make eye contact, and she obliged.
“Mhm.” She gave him a mostly fake smile, but he didn’t seem to notice it— if he did he brushed it off, which was probably the smart thing to do, all things considered.
They sat for a couple more minutes, just eating their food until Carlos said, “Ricky?” A little louder than he intended.
Gina turned around to see him barreling towards their table, stopping on a foot or so behind Gina and Jack. “Hey everyone. Gina, can I talk to you about something? In my office, please?”
“Uh…” She looked around at the three boys who all had questioning eyes. “Yeah of course… Want to go now?”
“Yes. That would be preferred. Thank you.” He started to walk away before she could even reply.
“Uh, well I guess I’ll see you all later?” She said her statement more like a question as she gathered all her things and took off behind a speedy Ricky.