An: Thank you all for your patience. I've been dealing with a lot of crazy emotions right now. (It's always this time of year I swear) I had fallen back in love with the boy who broke my heart last year. (he had inspired the Matt's character) I really didn't want to have feelings for him again, but I think we both were surprised.

Now...things are very confusing and left open between us. But thank you for coming back to this story and reading it. It means alot.

NymhadoraTonks: Laura didn't realize exactly what she was doing, but it was key for Eliza to realize that the darkness could be transferred through their touch (which is how Laura takes the possession away from Donna and them at the end of Broken Legacy) They were Indeevar's pleading eyes of escape. Yeah...this chapter is going to be crazy.

PowPow456: Oh, Oakley and Chester aren't done just yet... ;)

THANK YOU BOTH!

Chapter 19

Nothing Left to Give

The next morning, Laura felt drained. From fighting her mother, losing Felicity, breaking up with Mitchell, and realizing what she had done to Eliza, Laura wondered how she managed to stay alive. She should feel dead inside from all of the emotional stress, but the strange thing was that she wasn't. She felt somehow more powerful than she had been before.

At breakfast, Eliza was very quiet. Laura knew she was nervous about Matt. It's what has to be done. Eliza knew that. Besides, Matt was only holding Eliza back from the rebellious life Eliza wanted. Laura would be happy to have her friend back, even if she was suffering from a broken heart. She would heal with time, Laura knew she would.

Oakley came and sat next to Fauna. "Well, I think it's safe to say that I'm going to be Molly's pet."

"Did she win the election?" Laura asked.

"Not yet," Oakley shook his head. "But look at her." All four of them turned their heads. Molly was dressed in a fancy purple and pink dress. Very patriotic for the school. She was shaking some other student's hands while thanking them for voting for her.

"Someone needs to knock her down a peg," Eliza muttered.

"What about Chester? He could prank her," Laura suggested.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Oakley looked down.

"Why?" Laura asked She exchanged glances with Eliza and Fauna, who had warning eyes.

"Because..." Oakley sighed. "I kinda broke up with him after we found you in the woods."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you were unconscious. And when you were conscious it never came up."

Laura felt like she had grown so far apart from Oakley. She couldn't remember the last time she had truly talked to him like they used to. "Oakley I'm so—"

"Don't say it," Oakley shook his head as he rose from his seat. "It's what had to be done."

"Where are you going?" Fauna asked as he turned to leave.

"I need to get some things ready for the victory banner," Oakley called over his shoulder. Laura felt her heart sink.

It wasn't long into the school day when the assembly was called. Everyone filed into the seats and stared at the vacant podium sitting on the stage. Soon enough, Apple White came out onto the stage. "Good morning," she said with a wide smile. "I hope you all had a restful weekend. I know for some this has been a stressful time."

"More than she knows," Laura snickered, but Eliza nor Fauna grinned.

"Now, I've called you all here for the final results of our student body president campaign. Would the candidates please come out on stage?" Moly along with three others came out and stood far apart. "The envelope, please." A bird flew in carrying an envelope. It flew over the student before dropping the envelope into Apple's hand. A drum roll started as Apple unfolded the paper. "Now, this year's president is...Molly Locks!"

With no surprise, Molly acted as if she was. She gasped and put her hand over her heart. She greeted Apple with open arms before the sash was placed over her head. Laura rolled her eyes as the rest of the students applauded. Oakley ran across the stage, holding the victory banner for Molly. She smiled and waved to the crowd as she made her way to the podium.

"I would just like to say thank you to everyone who voted for me. I promise I'm going to work hard on getting all of the kinks out of this school for the better of our student body." Molly then made direct eye contact with Laura, her face turned serious. "Every last one." Laura didn't even dare to blink. There were a few moments of silence before Molly broke out into a smile again. "Thank you all!"

The crowd applauded again, but Laura stayed motionless.

Eliza couldn't let it go on any further. She spotted her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend across the hall. It was mostly empty at this time of the day. Matt was simply putting books in his locker. Before Eliza could make a move, Matt shut it and began to walk down the hall. Eliza sighed, but then she saw Julien throw Matt up against the lockers and held him there. "Where's my assignment Hatter!" He pinned Matt up by the collar of his shirt.

"I- I-" Matt said with a very scared tone. He closed his eyes for a second as if he were fighting something. He didn't try to answer. Julien looked absolutely insane like he had been possessed almost.

"You're a freak," Julien threw him back at the lockers. Matt hit the back of his head against the locker and fell to the ground. His breathing quickened. Eliza wanted nothing more than to throw Julien out the window using her magic, but then she saw Matt trying to refocus.

"You made a promise," she told herself as she walked over to him. She hid her worried face with a hard expression as she used her powers. She hadn't done this in a while, but to her relief, Matt levitated. As he got back on his feet, Matt looked at Eliza. His eyes widened as he realized what had just happened.

"Eliza," Matt managed to say between long breaths. "How did you do that?"

She what he meant. How could she do that when she said she had her magic taken away? She didn't. How could she do it without consequence? She'll suffer later, with nightmares and panic attacks that came in the night.

"Laura put another spell on me," Eliza crossed her arms. "I have much more control."

"Isn't that dangerous though? You said it yourself that you didn't trust her magic." Matt's voice had a tinge of pain as he said, "You told me you stopped."

"A little," Eliza said without expression. She couldn't show him the pain she felt. It would only make this harder. "So what if I faint once in a while. It's totally worth it."

"No," Matt said abruptly. Her eyes widened at him. She bit her tongue, hoping the brewing tears would disappear. He didn't seem to notice her slight break. "Look, I know it's cool to have magic but you do not want to have these episodes like I do. It's not safe."

She didn't want to be reminded of those episodes. He would be in a mood, then break down. It was truly breaking to watch. She pushed away the memories and held her ground. "You can't tell me what to do," Eliza said defensively.

"Well someone should," Matt said in a stern voice. Good. This was good. He was getting mad. It would be easier this way. It was time to get dramatic.

"What is wrong with you?" Eliza looked at him up and down. "You always were cool with it until now."

"I was never cool with it!" Matt snapped. He took a deep breath. "What's wrong with me? Eliza, you obviously don't care about your health, just your image."

He had crossed a line there. He didn't know all that she had been through.

"You should be more concerned about your image," Eliza fought back. "You've turned from the cool jock, smart guy who everyone used to like. But now you're just a dramatic, ex bookball player, stuck-up, dyslexic boy who no one wants to even talk to anymore."

She didn't plan to go that far, but at that moment she was truly angry. Matt's expression softened, shocked by her words. This was it, this was the end. Eliza had crossed that final line. Matt took in a deep breath, his eyes like stone.

"Laura's magic had tainted you," Matt shook his head. "You're not the same free-spirited, hard-working, kind, generous girl that I used to like. Now you're just a girl who only wants to coast through life on someone else's coattails." Eliza forbid herself from breaking her blank expression, but she couldn't help but widen her eyes a little.

"I hope you enjoy the loneliness," Eliza said in a cold voice. "Because we're done."

Before she could see his face, hear the gasp escape his lips, or even feel angry for one last moment, Eliza left him in the hallway. Once she was a few feet past him, she broke out into a run. She didn't stop running until she pushed the front doors of the school open. When she saw the almost bare autumn trees, she froze. As the frigid air enter her lungs, her breath became shaky.

Her green eyes gazed at the early setting sun as a single tear fell down her cheek. She then looked down at her hands. Through teary eyes, she watched her hands shake. A shiver ran up her spine as she said, "I promise you won't have to worry about me anymore."

Matt couldn't believe what had just happened. He thought he had felt worse feelings before, but it was nothing like this. His heart ached, his throat burned, and his eyes couldn't produce more than one tear. He wiped it with his coat sleeve. There was nothing else to do. There was no one left to go to now. He had lost everything. He had lost books, bookball, his team, his girlfriend. He lost it all.

Matt furiously opened his locker and took out everything he had inside it. Leaving the useless books, Matt shoved everything else in his bag. He then marched up the stairs and into his dorm room. Chester was laying on his hammock bed when Matt started packing his things. "Hey," Chester said after a few silent moments. "What's going on?"

"I'm leaving," Matt told him. He could feel his heart beating in his head. Another attack was upon him.

"What? Why?"

"There was no use coming here after all. I'm going home." His breath was starting to quicken, he needed to get out of here.

He could sense Chester was getting closer to him. "What's wrong? Talk to me—"

"Aren't you supposed to be meddling with someone else's life right now?!" Matt snapped. He turned to face Chester swiftly. The last thing Matt could remember was the scared expression on Chester's face before everything went black.

Oakley sat in Molly's new office alone. He was in charge of settling her in while she basked in her glory. He swiveled in her chair. It was comfortable. Oakley wished he could sit in it every day. That thought suddenly made Chester's voice echo in his mind.

"It's her face with your ideas and style. You deserve the glory. Not her."

No. He couldn't think about Chester. Even as much as he wanted to. Oakley knew the decision he made was right. If Chester wasn't willing to commit to their relationship it wasn't one worth having. Oakley did feel bad for him. It was hard to accept the realization. Chester was struggling, Oakley knew that, but it doesn't change what had become of them.

There was suddenly a soft knock on the door. Oakley didn't say anything. It wasn't his office to permit entry to. The door creaked open, and Apple poked her head into the office. "Hey, Oakley," Apple smiled as she came into the room.

"Hello, Headmistress White," Oakley stood from the chair. "I-I am afraid that Molly's not here. If you would like I could go get her for you and you can just wait here or..." He trailed off when Apple's smile dropped. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I just—" Apple took a deep breath. "Something has been brought to my attention and I believe we should have a talk."

"Uh..." Oakley felt a rush of nerves. "Okay." He stepped from the chair for her to sit.

"Oh no," Apple waved him off. "Please, take that seat." He fell back into the comfy chair as she sat in the one across the desk. Her face turned serious again. "Why are you in here Oakley?"

"I was helping Molly set up while she celebrated her victory," Okalye shrugged. "I've been helping her with her campaign."

"Right," Apple nodded. "It's always good to have someone to help you get your work done, put some ideas into your speeches, and just give you small pushes along the way. The thing is Oakley, there's a fine line between help, and doing the work by yourself."

Oakley could feel all the blood drain from his face. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

Apple tilted her head. "Why would you be in trouble when you're the victim."

"Victim?"

"Molly treated you horribly," Apple shook her head. "You were the one writing the speeches, making posters, and putting together every idea she ever had, right?"

"I don't know about that," Oakley shrugged.

"It's okay, to tell the truth."

"Who told you all this? About the speeches and the ideas." It couldn't have been Laura. She was too busy with her own problems. Perhaps Eliza. She didn't like Molly anymore than Laura. He could understand Fauna's reasoning, but she didn't like conflict.

"They told me not to tell you. But said that they thought you deserved it all."

"All?" Oakley raised a brow.

"I came here to offer you the seat of student body president," Apple smiled again. "Since you were the real one whose values won the vote."

It was all Oakley had wanted. He did believe he could do good for the school. "But I wasn't a candidate."

"But it's not fair for a cheat to be in office either," Apple shook her head. "If you refuse, I will give it to the runner-up. But I believe you deserve a chance...if you are willing to accept it."

Oakley thought for a minute. He recalled all that time he spent writing, coloring, designing, and just thinking. His mind had been dedicated to this. Now, with Laura on the mend, Eliza's broken heart, and Fauna trying to cope with it all, Oakley needed something for himself. He always thought that there would be a perfect time to finally evolve into the man he was. What did he have to lose now?

"I accept," Oakley said with a nod. Apple grinned.

"Great, tomorrow I will announce the change. Feel free to move your own things into your office." She rose from the chair and held out a hand. Oakley stood and shook it.

When Apple turned to leave, Oakley called, "Headmistress?" Apple turned. "The person who told you, how was he?"

Apple at first seemed surprised that Oakley knew it was a he. Her expression then softened. "When he told me about your work he seemed...proud."

With those last lingering words, Apple left. He let out the breath he had been holding when the door shut. His knees gave way and Oakley slumped back into the chair. His heart pounded loudly in his chest. Nerves began to tingle in his fingertips. Chester had done this for him. He told Apple the truth and he told her proudly. Not ashamed, proud.

Oakley then found himself leaping from the chair. He threw the door open and kept running. he ran through the school to the other side. He would go to the dorms and demand to know where Chester was. Oakley imagined himself knocking on the door of Chester's room. The Chesire would open the door, a puzzled look on his face. With one look, all would be well between them, and they would throw their arms around each other.

It was a wonderful fantasy that Oakley kept replaying in his mind. But then everything stopped when he turned the corner to Chester's dorm room. He was standing in the hall with medical responders. Matt was lying unconscious on a stretcher. Oakley caught his breath as Matt was wheeled away. "What happened?" Oakley asked after the medical responders passed.

Chester only stopped for a moment to look at Oakley. "He can't handle it here. We're going home."

"We?"

"I'm going with," Chester glanced at the floor before looking back at Oakley. "I won't get in your way any longer."

"Chester, no," Oakley tried to reach for him, but Chester flinched. Oakley retreated. "You don't have to run. Just tell me what's going on."

"You were right," Chester kept his eyes on the floor. "I keep running away, but just know it's not you. Stay here, and you'll be safe."

"Safe from what?"

"Me." He finally met Oakley's eye again. With one last lingering look, Chester moved away. "You can't get caught in this, you'll just get hurt. Have a good life." He tried to walk away, but words began to spill from Oakley's mouth.

"But I—"

"Don't say it," Chester cut him off. He looked at the floor over his shoulder. "Please, don't say it."

"Then know that it's true," Oakley didn't know what else to say. Only at that moment did he truly realize his feelings. Chester closed his cat eyes before he disappeared, taking Oakley's heart along with him.

When Matt woke up again he recognized the familiar ceilings of the White Castle. Only this time, Matt did not wish to sit up. He simply stared at the ceiling, waiting for himself to blackout again. It had been nice, to have nothing but darkness consuming his thoughts. He didn't have to recall what he had just endured before he had another spell.

"There he is," Wade's voice softly chuckled. "Alive and well."

"I'm alive," Matt whispered. He shut his eyes as his heart dropped in his chest. Memories flashed before his eyes. Eliza's face was prominent above it all. "Don't make me go back."

When he opened his eyes again, he was surprised to find they had become watery. Wade's silvery eyes stared at him filled with concern. His father then shook his head. "No son, we're not sending you back." Matt grinned with relief. "Son, what happened?"

Memories filled his mind again. Pain surged in his heart and his head pounded. A cool towel was pressed to his sweating brow. Through broken breaths, Matt told his father, "She didn't need me the way I did her."

Wade's expression immediately softened. The towel fell from his hand. Suddenly, Wade hugged him. That was when Matt knew that he had been hollowed out. He had nothing left to give but a single tear.

Chester had been sent back to Ever After with Maddie a couple of days later to retrieve more of Matt's things. Chester didn't like being in Ever After now. Not after what had happened with Oakley. He tried his best not to think about him. It wasn't that hard when he was focused on Matt. Staying at the White Castle felt like he had adapted to a new life. One where his life in Ever After felt like a distant dream.

"What happened to Hermon?" Maddie asked as they packed up the dorm room. "Matt said he hadn't seen him since the accident, that you were taking care of him?"

"Yeah, well, I let him roam about the school," Chester tried to recall the last time he had seen the rat. "I'm sure he's somewhere in the dungeons. That's where all the mice like to hang out."

Maddie raised a brow at him.

"Not saying I stalk the mice or anything," Chester felt his cheeks become warm. "I'll go take a look."

Chester disappeared and reappeared in the dungeons. He searched every tunnel he knew of. He had spent plenty of time here alone, but now it felt wrong. Like he was invading someone else's hiding spot. He then began to check the classrooms. There were many abandoned ones where other mice were playing around. Chester resisted the urge to catch a snack and moved on. The only place he hadn't checked was Baba Yaga's classroom.

It felt strange, going in there now that she had passed, but he transported himself in the classroom anyway. It was dark and empty, not what he had been used to before. From the looks of it, it seemed as if nothing had changed. That was until Chester saw the shoebox on the desk. Matt's old desk.

"Oh, thanks for getting this stuff," Matt said as he unpacked another box. It was the first time he had walked around since they had left Ever After. Chester liked to see him better after suffering so much. It pained him to remember what he had to do. What he had to say. He wanted to run, but he knew he had to stay. If he were going to stay, he had to tell him.

"Yeah, of course," Chester sat down on Matt's bed. He took a deep breath. "Matt, I have to tell you something."

Matt was hanging a poster with a picture of a library on it. "What?"

"It's about Hermon," Chester started to say. Matt turned around slowly, but swiftly.

"Did you find him? I know you said he wanted to visit some other mouse friends but I was hoping he would come back."

"Matt he—"

"What did he say?" Matt sat down next to Chester. He seemed so excited to hear anything.

"He didn't say anything because...he's...dead."

Chester could see the exact moment Matt's soul was crushed. It was plain in his eyes. "He's...dead?" Matt asked after a minute of silence.

"Yes." Matt looked down at his lap. "I found him in a shoebox in Baba Yaga's room. I looked inside and it looked like he had been frozen in shock. Oh, Matt, I'm so sorry."

Matt's soft expression suddenly turned cold. "You were supposed to look after him."

"I know, and—"

"I trusted you."

"I'm sorry. I really am. I—"

"I trusted you!" Matt stood up from the bed. "And now he's dead!"

"Matt, calm down," Chester pleaded.

"This is all your fault! I knew you would never really be my friend. I trusted you!" Matt's hands flew to his head. He was losing himself again.

"Matt, be careful," Chester rose from his seat. He reached out to his friend, but Matt slapped his hand away.

"Get out," Matt whispered between breaths.

"What?"

"I said get out!" Matt demanded. "I don't want to see you again! Get out!"

Chester slowly backed away from Matt. It was as if he had turned into a whole other person. Matt was still holding his head when Chester disappeared from the room. The next place he appeared was the White castle rose garden, knocking someone flat on their back in the process. Chester was still in a state of shock and didn't even notice at first. Then, the cloaked figure sat up.

"Do you mind?!" an angered girl's voice came from below him. Chester was suddenly aware of where he was.

"Sorry," was all Chester could muster for words. The girl whipped back the hood of her cloak. Long white-blonde hair with two read strips fell onto the girl's shoulders. "Dannielle?"

Danielle looked up at him with wide blue eyes. "Chester? What are you doing home?"

"I was..." Chester looked up at the castle, where Matt's room was. "I was here for Matt, but now I'm not so sure. What are you doing here?"

"Signing up for knight training," she explained. "I'm hoping I can get in early. Madness, I haven't seen you in so long. You look...not very well if I'm honest."

There was always one thing Chester remembered about Danielle. She was always blunt when something was the truth. "Thanks, you're looking great."

"Thank you," Danielle gave him a little nod. A small grin came to her lips. "Listen, if you ever need—"

"I'm fine, thanks," Chester cut her off. She didn't need to offer him anything. Sure, he didn't know what he was doing or where he was going, but he didn't need anyone else right now. After losing Matt and Oakley, he was much better off alone.

"Oh, okay," Danielle tucked a red stripe behind her ear. "I guess some things never change. I'll see you, Chester." She moved past him before he could say anything.

"All you ever do is run from your problems. I didn't realize you were hiding then, but I realize it now."

"Danielle," Chester called after her. She stoped in her tracks and turned around. They looked at each other for a few moments. Chester took a deep breath. "Could I come stay with you? For a bit?"

Danielle nodded, and Chester gave her a small grin.