THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

A Slumberparty to Remember

(A request from AlicornNorth )

Zoey Del Vicchio had never felt this free before.

For the first time in forever, she could be her real self—quirky, loud, glittery, and proud—without feeling like she had to pretend to be someone she wasn't. Being accepted by Princess and her friends felt like stepping into a dream she didn't even realize she wanted.

Over the past few days, the squad had gotten to know her better—her obsession with Yuri on Ice!!!, her dream of becoming a geologist, and even her adorable pet ferret named Marshmallow who liked to steal socks and hide in cereal boxes.

She'd opened up about everything. Even her celebrity crush on Chris Pratt.

Zoey Del Vicchio was riding a high she hadn't felt in forever. For the first time, she didn't have to pretend. She didn't have to dim her light or change who she was to fit in. Around Princess and her friends, she could finally breathe. Be herself. Be real.

Science class was crawling by like molasses, the teacher droning on about tectonic plates and fault lines. But Princess and her crew were in their own little world near the back of the room.

Leaning over her desk, Princess whispered just loud enough for her girls to hear, "I talked to Wolf and Diane... and they said yes."

Claudine blinked. "To what?"

Princess grinned. "Slumber party. At the mansion. Tonight."

Kira's eyes lit up. "No way!"

Zoey's jaw dropped. "Wait—like, at your mansion? Tonight?!"

"Yep." Princess giggled, trying to hide her excitement. "You in?"

Zoey's face exploded into a giant smile. "I'm so in."

"I'm totally bringing my sister Harper's ouija board," Claudine smirked, giving a mischievous wiggle of her eyebrows.

Laura leaned forward. "Don't bring that thing! Last time you summoned a spirit it threw my hairbrush at the wall!"

Zoey laughed, "I'm bringing my karaoke machine. Hope you're ready to hear me belt 'Let It Go' at full volume."

"Oh, we were born ready," Kira teased.

"Focus, girls," the teacher barked from the front. "Unless you'd like to spend your weekend writing an extra report?"

They quickly sat straight, trying to hide their grins, but the excitement was buzzing between them like electricity.

After school, the girls met up outside the main entrance, overnight bags slung over their shoulders and anticipation bouncing in every step. Princess led the way toward the waiting car.

By the time they arrived at the mansion, Zoey was practically glued to the car window, jaw hanging open.

Princess's mansion stood tall and grand, white stone glinting in the fading sunlight, flowerbeds perfectly trimmed, and an actual fountain in the front yard.

Zoey stepped out of the car like she was stepping onto another planet. "This is where you live?"

"Yup," Princess replied, casually swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Come on, wait 'til you see the inside."

Kira smirked. "And wait until you see her parents."

"Oh no," Zoey muttered, looking down at herself and her clothes. "Do I need to dress up more? I didn't realize I was meeting royalty."

"Don't worry about it," Kira said with a wink. "Trust me, you'll fit right in."

As they made it up the steps, Zoey rang the doorbell, still in awe. The door opened with a soft creak, revealing none other than Mr. Wolf himself, wearing casual clothes and holding a soda can.

He raised an eyebrow at the girls. "Hey, Princess. These your guests?"

"Yup," she said, smiling wide.

Zoey blinked. "Your dad is Mr. Wolf?"

Mr. Wolf grinned at the astonished look on Zoey's face. "Yep, that's me."

"No way," Zoey whispered. "Your dad is Mr. Wolf?"

Claudine gave her a knowing look. "Yeah, and the rest of the Bad Guys are basically her family, too."

Zoey's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, that does explain a lot."

Mr. Wolf gave a charming little bow. "Well, come on in, girls. We've got snacks in the kitchen and the game room is unlocked if you wanna hang out before dinner."

"Thanks, Mr. Wolf!" the girls chimed.

Upstairs, Princess's room was just as stunning—warm and soft, decked out in shades of pink and cream, fairy lights dangling from the ceiling, plush rugs and a massive bed that looked like it belonged in a magazine.

Princess's room looked like a cozy haven dreamscape, plushies of dinosaurs and gators on the bed, posters of powerful women scientists and pop idols on the wall.

Claudine flopped on the fluffy rug and let out a dreamy sigh. "This is gonna be so much fun."

"You bet it is," Princess said, plopping beside her. "Tonight, we party like we're free—because we are."

Zoey looked around in awe. "Okay, this room is insane."

Princess, setting her things on the bed, gave her a sheepish grin. "Yeah, my parents went a little overboard when I was younger. But it's home."

Zoey dropped her bag and twirled around. "Okay, this is officially the coolest room I've ever seen."

"You should see the bathroom," Kira added.

"I've always wanted a room like this," Laura said as she took out her skincare products. "But my house is... well, you know. Less mansion and more cosmic disaster."

"No lie," Laura said, already setting up her skincare stuff on Princess's vanity. "It has a heated floor."

"Okay, now I know I'm not going home," Zoey joked.

"Welcome to the crew," Princess said, tossing her a beaded friendship bracelet.

Zoey looked at it in surprise. "Is this for me?"

Princess nodded. "You're part of the squad now. We got your back."

Zoey smiled, slipping the bracelet on. "I love you guys."

"Now," Claudine clapped her hands. "Ouija board or karaoke first?"

"I vote karaoke!" Zoey raised her hand high.

Princess laughed. "Okay, but I'm going to need snacks before we summon demons or start singing Elsa."

"SNACK RUN!" Kira shouted, and they all thundered down the stairs.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, pizza, too much soda, terrible singing, a very suspicious ouija session, glitter nail polish, ghost stories that actually scared Laura, and a heartfelt feeling of belonging.

And for Zoey, that was everything.