Chapter 10: Memories

Disclaimer: Everything but the original plot, the characters and the settings belongs to me. Disney created the base and I am just trying to decorate it further.

AN:

Hello my dear readers,

I am sorry for letting you hang like this. My life was a bit messy, and with "messy" I actually mean chaotic, and with "A bit" I mean quite a lot. I finished my school but my inspiration was just sucked out of me. After nearly a year of absence I am back. Let's see where this journey will end.

She closed the door behind her and went to her room. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. Jane and Carlos were really sweet; she wasn't even annoyed by their couple-ish behavior, well at least not yet. She skipped down the halls to the room she shared with Mel and her thoughts turned back to the moment she was told she could actually stay in the school. That she was happy would be the greatest understatement of the century. She was over the moon, suddenly her future looked brighter than ever, for the first time in forever she was allowed to choose. She arrived at her dorm and opened the door without any further thoughts.

She didn't expect Mel waiting for her. The other girl was sitting on her bed and staring at her with a hurt look on her face. Evie closed the door quickly before settling herself on her bed.

The silence was nerve wracking at least. Mel was still not saying anything and Evie became anxious with every second that passed between them. After what felt like forever the girl finally cleared her throat and turned to her friend. The princess could see the disappointment in her friend's eyes but couldn't understand the possible reason for it. Mel seemed to know that she was clueless and rolled with her eyes in annoyance.

"I pull you out of your clueless misery." She declared and jumped to her feet. Evie stayed silent, knowing that Mel was way too enraged to hear her out.

"Guess what Ben just told me?" She was now standing right in front of her bed and glared at the blue haired girl. The said girl just shrugged her shoulders, oblivious to Mel's anger.

"He happened to hear that you and Carlos decided to stay here to finish your education. Imagine my face when he asked me why I didn't tell him earlier about our plans."

"Mel I didn't-"

"Exactly, you didn't. You didn't even thought about telling me. Me, your best friend! Instead you made plans with Carlos and this girl! I can't believe you would betray me like this. We swore that we would share everything with each other and that nothing and nobody would ever come between us! How could you do this?"

Both girls glared at each other.

"Oh, yes, sorry that I assumed that you would be furious if I would tell you that I intend to stay here instead of going back. I mean, you are after all known for your understanding and tolerate nature, right?" Evie was now standing right in front of Mel and was not even thinking about backing down.

"You think you have the right to accuse me of being a bad friend? Well, I won't stand for it! You know well enough why we didn't tell you! Because you would react exactly like that! You just proved me right! I don't know if you ever noticed it, but Carlos and I enjoy it here! You should know that Carlos was never comfortable with the whole "we-are-evil-thing". And for myself, I finally begin to think for myself. This girl supported me when you didn't and she taught me more about friendship than you ever could. My advice for you is to stop putting the blame on us and start to blame yourself!" With that Evie grabbed her bag and strode out of the room.

She was furious and hurt. She didn't expect Mel to attack her like that. After all they went through, Evie thought that especially Mel would understand how she felt. She was shocked to discover that the other girl was still very much influenced by her mother and was apparently unable to think for herself. Even though Mel helped her to set up Carlos and Jane, she was still very hostile towards Jane.

The princess was running aimless through the castle. The tears that threatened to escape her eyes were slowly vanishing and her heart calmed down as well. She stopped and took one deep breath to clear her mind. She looked around and noticed that she walked across the whole castle. She was currently in the area for handwork lessons. The air around her smelled like wood and work. She took another deep breath before walking back to the dorms. She was much calmer now and tried to understand why Mel would think that she was betraying her. She made the decision to stay here because Evie thinks that this is the best for her future. Mel should be happy for her and support her decision, instead of accusing her of being a bad friend and saying that she was betraying her.

Jane would support me regardless what I would do. Even if I decide to go back, she would be supportive.

Her heart knew that this was right. Jane showed her nothing but kindness in the time they spent together.

"Hey Evie!"

She looked up to see Jay running towards her with a big smile on his face. The moment he saw her distraught look he frowned and put a hand under chin.

"What happened?" He asked tilting her head upwards to see her red-rimmed eyes.

"Mel screamed at me for betraying her and everything we basically stand for." She said and felt sad all over again.

"Is this about Carlos and your decision to stay here and finish school?" He asked and received a nod as answer. Sighing he hugged his friend tightly.

"You know that she is just shocked to hear this from someone else. She will calm down in a few hours and will understand that you are just doing this to keep Carlos out of his mother's grasp." Jay told her and Evie stilled.

"What? Are you thinking I am only doing this for Carlos?" She asked slightly confused.

"Yes, of course! I mean you had a life on the Island, why should you give this up? You are an absolute nobody here when people realize that you are not as evil as they thought you were. I mean, you see Carlos, yeah?"

Evie looked still confused so he went on.

"I mean, Carlos was always the odd-one-out and I respect him and his odd behavior. I mean, I even like him for his just and loyal behavior. But I know that he would be a nobody without us. I mean we are the reason why people are not stealing his things and playing pranks on him. And now that he is dating Jane, he is just a lost case. The only thing that safes him from being the victim of pranks and bullies is the fact that we are friends with them. And that we are said to be evil and all that shit, ya know?"

Evie was shocked to hear Jay saying all these things about their friend. She was even more shocked to realize that Jay was right. Carlos was just too forgiving and too nice to everybody. People will exploit that and use him how they see fit. After all, Jane told her that she was a social nobody the moment she met her. People will soon realize how soft Carlos is and will try to push him down to make themselves look better.

"I understand you, Evie. I would stay as well but I am selfish and can't leave my life on the Island that easily. My father and I made big plans already. But I have huge respect for your sacrifice and I want to let you know that you can always contact me if you need any help." Jay said and smiled at his friend with a heavy heart.

Evie was just shocked and gaped at Jay. She stared at him and was surprised to find him smiling at her. But his eyes were shining with pity and sadness. And knowing that he pitied her for staying here, she just snapped.

"Okay, I will say this just one time so listen carefully. I am not staying here to protect Carlos." Determined to make him understand she stared in his eyes and knew that he listened when confusion bubbled up in his eyes.

"I am also a very selfish person, you should know that after all these years. I made the decision to stay here because I think it is the best for me."

"But what about your life back on the Isle?"

"Sometimes you have to let go of the past to have a brighter future." She said with a simple smile.

"O, now I know what this is about!" He shouted and Evie had the urge to take a step back. She forced herself to stay where she is and merely raised her eyebrow.

"I think you spent too much time with Carlos and Jane."

"Pardon?"

"The old Evie would never let go of her past just like that. You worked hard to earn yourself a reputation and now you just want to forget about it? No way! We all know that Carlos is too weak and soft for the Isle of Lost but you? You were literally blossoming in the darkness. There is no way that you would let this all behind you."

"Can you stop talking like that about Carlos? You are supposed to be his friend! He is not weak nor is he soft! He has a good heart and that is nothing to be ashamed of! You on the other hand are vain and just egoistic!" She snapped back.

"Who are you to tell me I am vain? You are just as vain and concerned about your precious skin as me! You are in no position to tell me I am a terrible friend just because I think of myself. We both know that you are just as egoistic and vain as I am!"

Evie was furious again, this whole thing was hopeless. Jay would not believe her, she could argue how much she wants to but he would still believe that Jane brainwashed her. She felt how tears ran down her cheeks and she closed her eyes to calm herself down when she heard someone coming towards them.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Carlos. She identified the cheerful voice easily and opened her eyes to see him walking towards them. She had to suppress a smile when she saw that his arm was slung over Jane's shoulders and that Jane had her arms wrapped around Carlos's waist. Evie grabbed a tissue out of her bag and tried to dry her tears when Carlos and Jane reached them. She saw Jay turning around but didn't mind him. Jane stepped forward, concern clear in her face when Jay stepped between them, blocking Jane from her. She didn't see it but she heard Jane backing away and stumbling. She wanted to rush forward and help her friend up but Jay was still blocking her way.

"What the hell is your problem? I am not your enemy! Actually, I considered you as my friends, but apparently I was wrong!"

She never heard Jane being that upset and Evie's heart ached when she imagined the pain on Jane's face. She could only pray that Carlos would be there for her.