Chapter 4

Evie's eyes flew open, her head hurting as she adjusted to her surroundings. She felt an arm draped over her and she wanted to scream. She slowly turned back then sighed, it was Doug. Shit.

She couldn't remember how she came here, she was supposed to be in Mal's room. She gently shifted herself so she could stare at Doug. He always slept so peacefully. Have his eyelashes always been this long? Doug's body slightly rose and fell in rhythm. Her hand found his way to his cheek, and she stroked it gently. She noticed the hickey on his neck and gasped. She felt her neck and found a sore spot. Yep, definitely over him. She snuggled closer to his warm body. Doug's eyes opened slightly before falling back asleep.

Maybe if you hadn't moved so quickly, this was how it could've been...how it's supposed to be.

Evie tried to fall back asleep but she couldn't. Instead, she untangled herself from Doug and put her jeans back on. She patted down her hair, and kissed his cheek. She'd be on her way back to Venice this afternoon, and she wanted to spend a few moments with her best friends. Evie figured, however, they'd all be too sick to actually do something. Evie walked along the castle's hallway until she found a bay window with a seating nook. She cozied up to the warmth of the gentle sun and pulled out her newest sketchbook from Donnatella. The black leathered notebook was customized with Evie's signature broken crown.

Her fingers gripped the pen as she sketched away, brows furrowing as she tried to imagine the dress she could use for her final runway project, a presentation that would be given the last week of her internship.

She didn't realize how long she was sketching until Lumiere gently tapped her shoulder, "Miss Evie, breakfast is being served in the grand ballroom. King Ben is saying everyone should eat something, especially after last night."

She smiled at his thick and endearing accent, "Thank you Lumiere. We must have been a mess last night."

"I will admit, times have changed. But, a party is still a party."

Evie chuckled before packing up her things and headed to the ballroom. Lumiere opened the doors and she saw a waffle bar, omelette bar, crepe station, and a lot of bacon. The smell was overwhelmingly delicious, she didn't know where to go first. Her eyes met Mal's as she sat next to Ben who was eating a crossiant.

"E!" Mal waved, "You're gonna love this."

Evie ran down the stairs and made her way to the table beaming, while everyone looked miserable. Jay was munching on a strip of bacon while Carlos's eyes were shut. Jane had a pill bottle in front of her for her friends who desperately needed one after. Audrey's hair was a mess, and she knew the princess didn't care at the moment. Lonnie was poking at her food, trying to focus on something besides the way her stomach churned at the mention of alcohol. Chad looked genuinely surprised to see Evie because he didn't remember she was there. Evie's eyes trailed over to Doug who was already staring at her. She smirked at his hickey that was deep purple, and he rubbed his neck at the spot where hers was, trying to hide a smile.

"Something bite you last night Eve?" Jay smirked. Holding his hand out for Ben to give him some gold coins.

Evie rolled her eyes and chose to ignore Jay's remark.

A waiter brought her a glass of water and cards she could write her order down for the various breakfast items. She quickly crossed off what she wanted: an omelette with vegetables, a side of hash browns, and a powered sugar crepe with berries on top.

"How's everyone feeling?" She asked before taking a sip of her cold water. She smiled happily.

"Are you not hung over Evie?" Carlos wondered, amazed at his best friend while he had a splitting headache.

Evie chuckled, "It wasn't so bad this time."

"When are you coming home? Or I guess, to Cinderellasburg to go to design school?" Lonnie piped up, leaning closer so she could hear over Chad and Jay's report on recent Tourney standings.

"In another month, actually," Evie replied loudly, trying to speak over their banter.

Audrey looked at the calendar application on her phone, "That leaves two months left for summer vacation! We can do spa days and shopping sprees as soon as you come home!" Evie nodded excitedly, just three and a half more weeks until she'd be back in the castle, helping Ben bring the rest of the kids from the Isle of the Lost. Audrey leaned her head against Lonnie's shoulder as Lonnie continued to shove her food around the plate.

Evie asked aloud, "Anybody have plans for summer?" Her gaze met Doug's. He had a faint blush on his cheeks. When a waiter set her food down, she came back to reality and started eating.

"The mines, actually. My dad wants me to do some excursions down there before I go to Merlin's College of the Sciences, in Camelot Heights," he chimed in.

"Congratulations Doug, that was your top choice wasn't it?" Evie was genuinely proud of her ex. When they were together, Doug always mentioned that school to her. Not only did his favorite musician of all time go there, it was a little closer to home.

Carlos and Jane wouldn't be far away from him, as they were attending the University of Camelot Heights. Their brilliance at Auradon Prep allowed them to graduate early with their best friends. Jay decided to stay in Auradon with Lonnie and Audrey. They were attending Auradon State University right outside Auradon City. Chad was heading home to Cinderellasburg to play division one colliegate level tourney. Jay was hoping to get recruited by The Agrabah Tigers but after realizing Mal would be the only one in Auradon, he wanted to stay for a year to make sure she'd be okay, and went with being recruited by the ASU Lions. Ben and Mal were ready to take the next step in their relationship and responsibilities as King and Lady of Auradon. Mal was happily willing to go to Auradon Academy of the Arts while Ben continued to tour throughout the kingdoms.

"Come on Evie, as soon as we finish breakfast, we can go to the malls before you have to leave."

"Okay, sure Mal. Is anyone else coming along?" She scanned the room but everyone was back on their phones.

Mal whispered, "Actually, I was just thinking it could be a VK day today. Everyone else already made plans."

Evie was quietly relieved, she needed some serious shopping relief and quality time with her little family. "Thank gods," Evie replied, making Mal snicker. The rest of brunch went smoothly as everyone enjoyed their last few moments with Evie. Their group was walking around the castle when she felt a strong grip on her hand. She turned around so suddenly she bumped into Doug's chest.

"Hey, I have to leave soon, but I wanted to wish you the best. I'm always gonna care about you and love you, and I don't wanna be out of your life just because we're broken up, ya know? I guess what I'm saying is, let's be friends. You're always going to mean the world to me and-"

"Yes, okay," she couldn't let him finish the rest of that sentence. She didn't want him to. "Let's be friends Doug." He grinned, her heart sank. Her hand loosened from his grip,"I'll keep in touch." Doug's phone chimed and he looked at his best friends once last time. "Guys, I gotta go."

They were all together, taking pictures for the last time as a complete friend group. Doug and Bash would be on their way home to an eight hour drive. He hugged all of them tightly and gave his goodbyes. Mal couldn't stop looking at Evie for any reaction out of her. She knew her best friend loved him, but she also heard their quiet exchange moments before. Evie kept a smile plastered on her face but her eyes twitched slightly, so fast that if one were to blink they'd miss it entirely.

Evie was the last person for Doug to hug. She breathed into him as he hugged her, her hands instinctively going to the back of his head to keep him close. "Goodbye again," he whispered. Evie could feel the tears dangerously close to falling, "Goodbye." This was the second time she let him walk out of her life, even though the first time was her fault.

He let go too soon for her liking, but she appreciated it. They were friends now, she told herself. His hugs would be like Jay's or Carlos's.

Doug gave one last wave before walking the opposite direction of where the group were heading. Slowly, but surely, it was only Evie, Mal, Jay, and Carlos walking the halls of Castle Beast. "Guys, I know I have to leave soon but I promise as soon as I come back, we'll spend the summer together like we promised."

"I can't wait E, but let's be real...I've got a lot of stuff to prepare for. ASU is really pushing me to-"

"Jay, I get it. It's okay. Promise me we'll make time though," she said, holding out her pinky. Jay took it with his and held it for a second before nodding.

"Fairy Godmother is taking me to Camelot Heights for a week with Jane to see if I'll like it, but I'll be home by then E, don't worry."

"Yeah," Mal spoke up, "I'll be here."

"You know I wanna be here all the time E but this is another new start. I gotta prepare for training. I just wanna make you guys proud."

"We'd always be proud of you."

"So, what about Doug?" Mal asked incredulously, she didn't mean to sound so impatient, but she had to know.

"I mean, I guess it's done. For real this time. He said he wanted to be friends."

"Wow," Carlos said, "Maybe it's what you both need right now. You don't know what's gonna happen in the next few months."

"How do you feel right now?" Jay asked, scanning her face for any lies.

"Right now, i feel like the biggest idiot for letting him go..again."

"He'll come around again E. I really believe that," Jay said, "I can't even hate him if I tried, like..he's just that nice."

"Thanks Jay," Evie said wrapping her arm around his waist as they continued walking to the entrance of the castle where their limo was waiting. "Are you guys coming to my fashion show at the end of the internship?"

"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Mal reassured her best friend. Evie smiled, "Okay. Then let's go to the mall before I'm back in Venice running around a fabric store for Donnatella."

Carlos linked arms with her while Jay walked with Mal who was slightly in front of them now. Dizzy was sad she couldn't see you off today. She wanted to let you know she loved you and she couldn't wait for you to come home."

"Oh Carlos! I miss her too! I'll call her later," she pulled out her phone to remind herself. Carlos unlinked his arm from her and opened the door to the limo for his friends.

A few hours later, Evie rolled her little blue luggage through the jet bridge. It would take her a few hours to get to Venice. An hour before, she tearfully waved off her best friends. She was going to miss them terribly. One weekend wasn't enough. Mal started to cry, and Carlos was clinging on to Jay who couldn't even meet her eyes without tearing up. She toyed with the matching pendant Mal gave her. It was a silver chain with an azurite crystal in the middle. Mal's amythest crystal necklace also had a silver chain and similar cut. The boys gave her a framed picture of them with a goofy pose, and funny messages on the back. A fight attendant welcomed Evie and helped her find her seat.

"Hi, excuse me, I'm sitting at the window," she said, giving him a small smile. She showed him her ticket for proof.

"Oh, uh, sure. Sorry about that," he said before moving out of the aisle to make room for her. He let her get settled before turning to face her again, "I don't mean to be rude, but I'm Nico. It's nice to meet you." The young man in a grey sweater, black jeans, white sneakers, and a black beanie immediately got up.

Evie blinked, she was slightly taken aback. He had a slight Italian accent, making his small exchange endearing. Evie held out her hand for him to shake, but instead he planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Evie internally gasped but gave him a coy smile. He nodded his head and continued to listen to music on his phone. Evie took the time to look at him, he looked like a model for sure. He was pale, tall, and slightly muscular, with a strong jaw and obviously done eyebrows. His eyes were a light brown and happened to shine a goldish hue when he moved through the sun's glare. He was very attractive, to say the least. The last time Evie felt these butterflies, it was when Doug kissed her for the first time while they danced at Ben's coronation party. Well, no actually, it was last night when he was on top of you. She stopped herself from thinking about him, and let this attention from a cute boy continue. They were just friends now anyway, she reminded herself.

As their flight progressed, Nico and Evie made conversation. She told him her story and he was genuinely intrigued. He also shared some stories with her, like his travels throughout the world. Evie's instincts were right, he modeled for many companies in Europe, but was hoping to join the markets in Auradon for more exposure. He was polite and very engaged in her stories, but never came on too strong. She was glad she made a new friend who was actually from Italy. When the plane landed, Nico kissed her hand again, "Until next time Princessa." Evie blushed and received his phone number.

Evie was awestruck, maybe her last month of Donnatella's internship wouldn't be so bad after all.

It's officially October my spooky friends! hope you enjoyed this chapter :) until next time! -koalaisland2