Goodbye
(Thursday Evening, August 29th)
Natalie smiles. "I love seeing you eat."
Beth frowns. "Can't be that entertaining."
She sits next to her on the couch. "Can I have a cookie?"
Beth's honey brown eyes widen. "No."
"There's a ton there, and you never eat," she points out. "They're going to go bad before you finish them."
"You don't want them," Beth persists.
She laughs. "I told you, I like dark chocolate."
"There's more in it than that." Beth turns towards her. "It's not something I like to admit to, but I'm… a carnivore. My friend likes cooking. The cookies have blood in it."
"You're a carnivore," she repeats. "Why would you be ashamed of that?"
"It's the first thing people see when I tell them," she divulges. "I don't feel like a predator. Through all my thoughts and experiences, I convinced myself I was human. If there was a cure, I'd take it. I hate telling people, because it's not who I am. Yet, they make such a big deal out of it."
"Isn't it?" Natalie asks, and Beth eyes the floor. "It's a virus, isn't it? It's not your fault and there's no reason to be ashamed, but there's things that make it easier. Illnesses need to be talked about. If your friends are asking about it, it's probably just because they don't want you to be in pain."
"Illness is the least and most of my problems," Beth murmurs. "I've been in and out of hospitals my entire life. I'm tired of people worrying about me. For once, I'd like to just be treated like a human being."
She rubs her forehead, and Natalie questions, "You okay?"
"I have a high body temperature. It gets worse when I'm upset."
"You have medication for that?"
Her eyes shift. "I used to." Beth scratches her nose. "I have fizzy medicine in the cupboard. I mix it with my water flavorings."
Natalie takes the nearly empty water bottle. "Let me get you a refill."
Beth stares into the mirror, as she examines the loose black dress and silver sheer scarf. Evie places her hands on her shoulders, frowning. "Beautiful."
"I'm just giving Chip my condolences and then getting out of there."
"I know it's early for you," Evie acknowledges, "but what's the hurry?"
"Either my parents are going to recognize me or everyone's going to be trashing Ben for not showing up."
"Sit down." Evie grabs a chair. "Your parents won't recognize you if I do some contouring."
"Cont-ere-what?"
"Sit down," she says again, and Beth complies. "It's something done with make up to change your face shape." She sits still as Evie uses the foundation. "On the Isle, if you did something good, you had to do it anonymously or else you were considered weak."
"And?"
"It's the brave thing to do. It's the right thing to do." She switches to the highlighter. "You're not doing this for you. You're doing this for Chip. And Mrs. Potts. It doesn't matter who trashes you at that funeral. So long has you're able to help the people you go there for, that's what's important."
"Mrs. Potts served me and my family my entire life," King Beast voices. "She was truly irreplaceable, and we all miss her dearly. I'm sure our son would agree if he felt comfortable enough to join us today."
Beth's mother takes over the microphone. "To honor Mrs. Potts, we've arranged a place for her to rest in the royal crypt. There's an open casket showing inside the mausoleum for anyone who wishes to pay their respects."
A line grows at the crypt entrance, and Beth travels to the back of the row. She glances at the news cameras gawking at the ceremony. Under normal circumstances that wouldn't be very respectful, but everyone needs to know the personal details of a royal's life. If that means their primary caretaker has passed away, they'll exploit that weakness. It's a good thing Chip's been training to take on his mother's profession. Anyone could have used this to infiltrate the castle. A reporter could have gone undercover to discover why Ben ran away. Someone might have applied for a chef position to poison them. Anyone could have asked for the job for any reason, and the only way to wade out those with ill intent would be to cut the pay. Even then, cooking and cleaning for a royal family sounds good on a resume. If she really wanted to see what her family thinks of Ben, she could apply for the job; however, they'd fingerprint her and find a second match for King Ben. That would be awkward.
"Name."
Beth examines Travis, as he stares at the pre-approved list. "Um." She frowns. "Beth Fleur." What was she thinking? She should be looking for Chip.
"Go ahead."
Her frown deepens. "Pardon?"
"Beth Fleur. Family friend." He taps the clip board. "Move ahead."
Beth heads inside the lightly lit building and eyes over the group of people surrounding Mrs. Potts's memorial. She turns to the side and sees two urns roped off on the side wall. The only other deceased family member is her mother's father. Unfortunately, Beth's grandmother died of plague, and the body had to be burned. There shouldn't be any other remains in here. She steps towards them, and each vase has a name on it. "Bella. Adrien."
The tall boy stands beside her. "Belle has a history of miscarriages."
Beth whispers, "I didn't think she had any stillborn."
Chip comments, "Adrien was especially hard for her to lose. At eight months, they thought the baby was strong."
She turns towards him. "Sorry. How do you know that?"
"My mother was the queen's midwife." He explains, "You know, they were always worried that the curse lingered somehow. They didn't want to risk the exposure." Beth nods. "Thank you."
Her mouth cracks open. "Thank you?"
"For telling me she was short on time." He sadly smiles. "If it weren't for you, I'd have spent all my time on prepping for college and celebrating with friends. Instead, I was able to make our last week together worthwhile."
"Really?" Beth concerns, "I thought my impression was a little rude."
"Some animals can smell death," he examines. "You have a good nose. After this you have no reason to doubt that." She nods. "How are you doing?"
She frowns at him. "You mean, like, with Mrs. Potts? Or…"
"Do you like this new persona of yours?"
Beth nods. "It's nice. I have a nice place, a nice job, and a nice roommate."
"So, you don't plan on returning to your parents?" he questions.
She half laughs. "I'm definitely not planning that."
"Good." He breathes. "I was thinking about finding a different job."
She nervously smiles. "And you need my permission for that?"
"Well, you're the only reason I would stay." Chip's blue eyes shift. "To be honest, I think your mother's a lost cause. She will never leave, but I really wanted you to make it."
Her expression fades. "You didn't think I was going to live through it."
Chip tries to smile. "I always prayed you'd find a way out, and now you have."
Ben takes a breath, lowers his hood, and pushes the button next to the palace doors. A sound chimes from inside, and the lights brighten. The doorman opens the entrance, and he gapes at him. Ben's heart beats hard. "I'm here for King Charming."
He presses his earpiece. "I have King Ben at the entrance to see King Charming." A moment later, Ben hears a crash, as though a suit of armor has been knocked over, and he glances at the windows above before peering at the gallery above the foyer. King Charming appears at the top of the left staircase, and Ben's eyes lower to the stone beneath his feet. He looks back up just in time to see Charming step in front of him.
His eyes are teary. "Ben?" He awkwardly smiles, and Charming hugs him tight. "I didn't think I was going to see you again."
Ben pats his back. "I heard you wanted to talk to me."
He releases him. "Sorry."
"Don't take the lack of phone calls personally." Ben frowns. "I didn't want my parents to track me down, so I didn't have time to… well, call you."
"Come inside," he urges, and Ben shuffles past him. "And sit down. You must be tired from your walk from the train station."
Ben takes a seat on the couch, and Charming sits on the one across from him. "I'm not staying," he clarifies. "I just heard you wanted to talk."
"No, no," Charming quickly accepts. "How are you? You good?"
"I have a good job, and I found a good roommate."
"So, you're good," he sums.
"Except for my medicine." Ben's eyes shift. "I guess I could ask Chad to flirt with a nurse and steal me some." Charming's expression slips. "That was supposed to be a joke."
"You know, Chad just got accused of seducing a nurse and stealing pills."
"Oxy," Ben reminds him. "That's not what I take."
"But you implied that he indeed stole the drugs."
Ben purses his lips. "That would be incorrect."
Charming glances down, folding his hands. "You turn eighteen next summer. If you confide to your doctor how dangerous it would be to be released into your parents' care, he wouldn't be able to tell them anything you don't agree to."
"The second Ben makes an appointment, he'll be dragged to the feeding clinic," he points out. "And I can't make an appointment with my doctor if he doesn't have any openings for new patients. Ben has to be the one getting my medication." His eyes widen. "Me. I have to get my own medicine."
"You're using an alias."
Ben's eyes lower. "Yeah."
"You grew into it quickly," he prods.
Ben frowns at him. "I can't tell you who I am."
His brown eyes widen. "I would never judge you for anything."
Ben releases a breath, as he awkwardly smiles. "What? You think I got a job at Paradise as a stripper or something?"
"You don't like sex," he contradicts.
He looks away. "Exotic dancing isn't sex."
After a moment, Charming comments, "Your hair's getting longer."
Ben smiles as his runs a hand over his bangs. "I'm thinking about growing it out."
"You're allowed to do that now."
Ben glances at the door. "I should go."
"Wait," Charming insists, and Ben flinches. "Sorry." He shuts his eyes for a moment. "I know you're settling into your new life, but I'd really like it if you stayed here."
Ben's mouth opens. "I can't do that."
"You can still have your alias," he reassures. "I just think it would be safer if you were here with people who know you."
He straightens. "You mean, instead of around a bunch of peasants who might react poorly to discovering their runaway king has been hiding amongst them the entire time."
"That's another reason," he affirms. "But mostly, you have a history of depression. You need to surround yourself with people who are good for you."
"Which is why I need friends," he debates. "You can't just trap me here."
Charming takes a minute. "Since when do you want friends?"
"Since I've started to make them," he argues. "With my so-called alias, I'm allowed to say what I'm thinking and dress in something other than a suit or button-up. I'm allowed to be who I am."
"There's no reason why you can't do all those things as Ben." He folds his arms, and Charming persists. "The country likes having a diplomatic king. The polls show it. So long as you do good work—even in hiding—no one's going to care if you have long hair."
Ben takes a deep breath. "What about Chad?"
He settles. "What about him?"
"The country thinks that he and I dated."
Charming offers a dumbfounded frown. "You two have dated."
Ben gulps. "And it's illegal. How's it going to look if the people find out you've been hiding me here? You could be considered an accomplice."
"I don't care what they think."
"But it will matter," he emphasizes, "and I don't want to put you in that position."
"Look." Charming rests his chin on his clasped hands. "I know I've told you this before, but you feel like my own child." He drops his arms before folding them. "I don't like you putting yourself in unnecessary danger. You have some serious medical conditions. You need to live with someone who knows about them."
"I told my roommate about them," Ben nearly interrupts.
Charming relaxes. "Really?"
"She knows about the fever, and she knows I'm a carnivore," he confirms. "And we share a bedroom, so if I'm too feverish to move, she'll notice." Charming nods. "Happy?"
He tries to smile. "I feel a lot better."
Ben widens his eyes. "Good."
"Can I hug you before you go?"
His expression softens before he stands from his seat. "Sure."
Charming wraps his arms around him. "You can talk to me about anything at any time."
Ben hugs back. "I'm not as far away as you think."
His voice shakes, "I know you're not." He lets go and solemnly smiles. "Bye, Ben."
After Beth opens the door, she glances at Doug before straining a smile at Evie. "What's your boyfriend doing here?"
She frowns. "He was worried why Ben hadn't shown up to the school dorms, yet."
Doug adjust his glasses. "I know everything." Beth's expression fades, she turns away, and her hair flies in his face as she strides back into the apartment. He takes a breath. "Ben."
"Beth," Evie whispers.
He walks into the apartment. "I thought I told you to take care of yourself."
Beth turns around with crossed arms. "I'm not getting put in the hospital for deathly injuries. Isn't that something?"
He purses his lips. "So, you ran away from your father without any access to your medication so that you could avoid the hospital."
"I'm happy," Beth asserts.
"You don't look happy," Doug argues. "If I had to uproot my entire life, I wouldn't be happy either."
Beth frowns. "I'm happier than I was."
"You shouldn't have to choose between your life and… your life."
"The life I had before wasn't worth living."
"You were king," Doug fumes, and Evie scans the hall before closing the door behind her. "You were making things better—and not just for my family—but everyone."
"I don't care," Beth grins in stress, as tears enter her eyes. "Ben's gone. He said his goodbyes." She whispers, "I just don't want to tell any more lies."
Doug sighs. "Isn't that what you're doing now?"
"It doesn't feel like it." She meets his green eyes. "At least, I'm not lying as much as Ben did. Not about the things that matter."
He takes a moment. "You're pretending to be someone else."
"Not really." Beth partly smiles. "I have the same job Ben had to find. I'm still sick, and I'm still merde at English. I don't have to hide any of it anymore, and… I'm free to just be."
"What about the people you left behind?"
Beth lifts a shoulder. "I didn't leave everyone behind."
"And me?" Doug asks. "Did you think of whether you're leaving me behind?"
Beth eyes over him. "Hand me your phone." Doug gives it to her, and she finds the app before handing it back to him. "You have my new number. Text me when you feel like it."
He smiles. "Thank you."
"You have my trust." She glances down. "I guess, I just thought… after all the help you gave me, you might feel the weight off you."
"I don't care how much weight is on my shoulders if it's for the people I care about."
Beth gapes at Evie. "You said you had that new top for me. I was really looking forward to something new."
"It's in my purse." She grabs Beth's arm. "Come on." She walks Beth to the bedroom, smiling as she blocks Doug at the doorway. "Girls only."
"I was—" She shuts the door, and Doug finishes, "His roommate." He sits down, resting his back against the cold wall, as he stretches his legs.
Inside, Evie opens the bag and hands her the tank top with dark green, tight rosebuds. "It's elastic, so it should fit even if you gain a few pounds."
Beth moves the top to her torso and eyes it over in the mirror. "I can't remember the last time I binged on something."
"Probably those cookies I gave you," she guesses. "Carlos is completely obsessed."
Beth takes a deep Beth. "That's my old life. I don't need to ask about Carlos."
"Go on." She looks at her, and Evie laughs. "Try it on." Beth takes off the knitted dress, and Evie squeezes her hands together. "Perfect."
She runs her hands over the silky material. "Chad would go crazy over this."
"I know." Evie's eyes widen. "Carlos told me about his whole silk fetish." She seethes. "I, uh, started it before that whole thing happened." She walks over to Beth and rests her hands on her shoulders, and Beth's attention is drawn back into the mirror. "You don't have to wear it this weekend. Just wear it when you need to be reminded of how beautiful you are."
Beth faces her. "Evie. I have a question."
"No. I don't trust Chad."
"Not that." She wets her lips. "At the funeral, I saw the royal crypt."
It quiets, and Evie asks, "What did you find?"
"My mother didn't just have miscarriages. Two of them happened late into pregnancy." Beth breathes. "She had to give birth to dead babies."
"No," Evie sadly whispers. "Oh. Beth."
"She went through so much pain just to have me." Beth glances down. "She lost those babies, and now I've left."
"Beth."
"Am I obligated to tell her where I am? I mean, she must be in a lot of pain."
"She chose to endure that pain to have a child. She couldn't have known you'd survive, and if you go back there, you might not live."
Beth opposes, "She's alone. I left her alone."
"You're not her knight in shining armor," Evie stresses. "You're her child. She shouldn't want you protecting her." Beth eyes down, and Evie lifts her chin up. "My mother had to give up the body she loved to have me. I'm not obligated to love her."
She meets her eyes. "But I do."
"Hey." They turn around, and Natalie smiles. "Beth. You know there's this total geek charming siting outside our bedroom, right?"
"Uh, yeah." She points to Evie. "That would be her boyfriend."
"Hey. Aren't you that one girl from the Isle of the Lost?"
"Evie Queen," she corrects.
Natalie uneasily expresses, "I'm sorry. There was just this rumor going around that you were dating the king's girlfriend."
"More like he was dating my girlfriend," Evie stands her ground.
"Not that it matters," Beth steps in, "because the king is missing again."
"Missing?" Natalie's eyebrows raise.
Evie mutters, "That was a secret."
"Still?" Beth's face scrunches, and Evie places a hand on her hip. "Oh. Come on. They had that ad of inviting Ben to the funeral playing nonstop the other day." Evie stares at him, and he faces Natalie. "Everyone knows that after he admitted in that interview that he's been trying to starve himself to death, that he's been ordered to the feeding clinic."
Natalie shakes her head. "Which interview was that?" Beth shares a look with Evie. "And how do you know each other?"
They face her. "Anorexics Anonymous."
"Ah. That makes sense."
Evie rolls her eyes and takes a deep breath. "I should check on Doug." She kisses Beth's cheek. "Bye, beautiful."
She leaves the bedroom, and Beth stands stunned before yelling back, "You're beautiful too." She turns from the door and notes Natalie's pursed lips and raised eyebrows. "What?"
She shakes her head, stifling a laugh. "I didn't say anything."
