"I can't believe you're actually here," Rachel says grinning at Garrett.
The group were walking through the forest and in the direction of Evie's cottage. Carlos, Jane, and Ben walked in front. Jane held onto Carlos' hand. In the middle of the pack was Jay, Harry, and Gil. And in the back was Rachel and Garrett.
Garrett ran a hand through his flowy brown hair.
"We saw an opening in the barrier because of your idiot friends causing mayhem on the Isle," Garrett chuckles, "So we ducked out. Wanted to see the sights, but didn't expect it to be too dull."
Rachel smiles a little looking at him.
"Sorry, you picked the wrong time to come to Auardon. We're not at a hundred percent right now." Rachel said.
Garrett finds himself smiling at her.
"What isn't like this?" Garrett gestures around at their surroundings, "Minus the princess having a tantrum, it seem rather nice."
Rachel's smile fades so quickly and looks away.
Garrett tilts his head at her.
"Audrey," Rachel sighs.
Garrett kept his eyes on her as they walked.
"I knew her all my life. Her, me, and Ben." Rachel locks eyes at Garrett, "We grew up together. We were always together, even when Ben and Audrey dated and then-."
Rachel looks forward.
"Ben decided to allow the kids of the Isle to come over and in the mix of spells and chaos with the new kids," Rachel sadly smiles, "Audrey was just- forgotten."
Garrett looks forward for a moment.
"She's been hurt," Garrett says, "That much is true."
Rachel looks at him.
"Seeing how bad you feel shows me you're a million times better than some of our parents on the Isle." Garrett said, "My mom wouldn't care much if I told her that the things she's said about me or my sister really make me upset."
Rachel watched as he gives her a sad smile.
Rachel finds herself reaching out and placing her hand on his shoulder. He glanced from her and then the hand resting on his shoulder.
"Have you apologized?" Garrett asks.
Rachel nods.
Garrett smiles, "That's more than my mom."
Rachel nods again.
She looks from him and then to her childhood friend. To the king of the land. Ben. He walked with such determination to get to his soon to be bride.
"I just-," Her voice stops for a moment.
Garrett looks at her.
"I don't think hearing it from me was enough," Rachel said, "There was damage done from more than just me."
Garrett nods, "Well, I know how optimistic your king friend is. When things settle down, he'll say what he needs to say to her." He said, "And I'm certain so will Mal."
Rachel looks at him with a sad smile.
From ahead, Jay heard the whole conversation. It wasn't that he wanted to listen in, because Gil was rambling on about his surroundings and Harry was just so quiet. It was easy to just fall into listening to his ex talk to the son of her mother's enemy.
Harry finally looks at Jay.
"So are you and Punzie a thing?" Harry asks.
Jay looks at Harry, "It's- It's none of your business." Jay said.
Gil pokes his head in, "Or did you get dumped?" He asks.
Jay shakes his head, "I am not having this conversation!" He declares.
As Harry tried to press more and Gil just saying stupid responses, Jay just marched forward to walk next to Ben.
-D3-
"Ben-!"
Ben's face lit up when he saw Mal run out of the cottage. Ben sprinted over to his future queen. He grabbed her and spun her around in a hug.
Uma steps out and is greeted by all three boys giving her a big group hug. They loved their captain, and it was apparent at this moment.
Celia, Evie, and Doug came out next. Celia stayed close to Evie, who went over to Rachel within moments of seeing the blonde. Evie embraced Rachel in a big hug.
Doug walked over slowly to Evie, but was greeted by Jay and Carlos. Carlos then pulled Jane to the side to give her her birthday present.
Everyone going over each other making sure everyone in the opposite party was okay. Each person checked for injuries or anything else.
Uma and Ben lock eyes.
Ben looks at Uma with a smile, "I always knew you'd be part of the solution," He said.
Uma grins.
Mal then noticed Ben's beard. She touches it with interest and a bit of confusion, because last she saw him, he didn't have this.
"What is this?" She asks.
Ben shows them off a little more, "Oh, yeah."
Mal smiles, "I could get used to this," She said.
Ben looks at her, "You like it?" He asks.
"I love it," Mal said.
And as Ben smiled, Mal noticed the fangs he now had in his mouth. She with peak interest was poking around at Ben.
"What about those?" Mal asks.
Meanwhile, Ben and Mal went on about some of the new features on Ben. Evie was checking on her dear friend.
"Are you sure you're not hurt?" Evie asks, "There were claw marks all over the place when we went looking for Ben and you."
Rachel smiles softly, "I'm fine, E. I've been out running Ben since we were in diapers." She said.
Gil then walks over briefly.
"Oh and besides, Rachel used some magic on Ben." He said.
Evie's expression changed.
Mal had overheard.
So did Uma.
"Wait- Wait what?" Evie asks.
Mal moves a little away from Ben.
"You can use magic?" Mal asks.
Uma tilts her head at the blonde.
Rachel wanted to mentally kick herself for using it in the woods, but she knew Ben was hurt and she was too.
"Um- yeah," Rachel said a bit awkward, "I can only heal, sorta like how my mom could because of the magic of the sun drop."
"Wait, heal? So someone was hurt." Mal spoke.
Rachel looks at Ben.
She was pleading at her best friend to get the attention off of her. She didn't want to have to explain how Ben in the form of a beast attacked her and hurt her, not on purpose. She didn't want to explain how in such a beastly form he almost hurt Mal's friends.
"Any idea on where Audrey is?" Ben asks.
Mal sighs, "We're talking about this later," She said looking at Rachel.
Uma then speaks up, "We think she's at some cottage."
"Not just any cottage, but Fairy Cottage." Evie said, "But we have no idea where it is."
Mal looks at Ben and Rachel with some sort of pleading looks, "Please tell me you two know where it is."
Ben nods, "Yeah. Of course." Ben said, "We'd always end up there every Fairy Godmother's Day."
Rachel shakes her head, "No, you ended up there every Fairy Godmother's Day. After you two started dating, I wasn't invited on outings with the two of you." She said making a face.
Ben chuckles awkwardly, "Oh- Oh right." He said.
"Where is Fairy Godmother when you need her?" Jay spoke.
Jane frowns, "I wish I knew."
Carlos placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She touched it and looked up at him.
Mal turns to Doug, "Doug, go with Jane. We need to find Fairy Godmother." She said.
Uma eyes the son of a dwarf, "They might need some muscle."
Doug looks at her a little offended.
Evie placed a hand on her boyfriend, "Hey,"
Rachel looks at Evie, "Sorry, but she is right though-,"
Gil then jumps in the middle.
"I'll go with them." He says with a small smile.
"Thank you, Gil." Mal said softly.
Gil smiles at Mal, "No problem. I just want to help."
And just like that, they were beginning to part again. Jane and Carlos gave each other a hug before parting. Evie kisses Doug. Gil gets a hug from both Harry and Garrett, while Uma lightly shoves with.
"Be careful, Jane!" Carlos yells as the three head off.
"I will!" Jane shouts back.
-D3-
The group approached the cottage in the middle of the woods. When they got to the door, both Harry and Jay took the helm of entering first.
Jay and Harry practically kicked the door down without kicking it off the frame. When nothing seemingly happened, the others slowly filled in the small cottage.
"Maybe she's not home?" Garrett spoke.
Rachel looks at him.
Bang!
Bang!
That caused them to jump. It was coming from a closet.
So, leading again was Jay and Harry. The two boys ran to the door with the others behind them. Jay turned the knob and Harry had his fists up expecting a fight with whatever was on the other side.
Instead it was a sobbing mess of Chad Charming.
"Chad?" Jay spoke.
"I want my mommy!" Chad sobs.
Chad had his hands covering his face to protect himself. He was shaking and crying a bit. He seemed to be under the impression that something bad was going to happen the moment the door opened.
Harry rolls his eyes annoyed.
Ben looks at Chad confusedly, "It's okay," He tries to assure him, "What happened, buddy?"
Chad finally lowered his hands.
"Ben," Chad looks up at Ben, "Ben-!"
Chad stands up and grabs a hold of the king. He hugs Ben tightly and nearly pulls himself and Ben onto the floor.
"Oh my god! I- I-! Chad pulls back and then noticed Ben, "Your face-!"
Rachel then pulls Ben away from Chad.
A sudden deja vu came to mind thinking of a time when they were kids. Audrey, Rachel, Chad, Ben, and a few other kids were playing hide and seek. Chad somehow got such in a wardrobe when another kid accidentally kicked a chair in the way, blocking Chad inside. When Chad was found by Ben seemingly an hour after they all had been searching for him, the young Charming held onto Ben for dear life.
Snapping out of it, she turns to look at Chad.
Chad locks eyes with Rachel.
"Rachel, do you see his face?" Chad exclaims.
Rachel nods, "Yes. Yes. He has a face." She sounded annoyed, "Is Audrey here with you?"
Chad looks around in the room in a panic before noting that Audrey was not there. It was just the mix of AKs and VKs in the cottage with him.
"Seems- Seems like she's gone." Chad said.
Then after all the panic there was a bit of relief on his face.
"Huh," He said.
The VKs and AKs look at Chad. They all had a mix of confusion and concern over Chad's well-being.
"She's really gone." Chad said, "The door is open. I am free."
Chad then out of pure excitement grabbed Rachel into a hug and spun around with her. He then set her down and then grabbed her hands to jump up and down.
"I'm free!" Chad yells, "Freedom!"
Chad lets go of Rachel and sprints out and into the forest.
Garrett leans over to Rachel.
"Should I be jealous?" He jokes.
Rachel shoves him.
"Shut up," She grins.
Jay watched for a moment before following Carlos on heading out of the cottage. They all begin to file out of the cottage.
Mal and Uma walking closer than in the past. Jay was walking next to Carlos and Harry. Evie was walking next to Celia. Rachel walked next to Garrett. Ben walked in between Uma and Mal.
"Alright, let's get this Audrey chick taken care of already." Uma said addressing everyone with a smile.
Mal laughs.
Mal glanced at her friends, "What do you say, guys?" She smiles, "Time to wrap things up?" Mal asks
They all continued to walk onward until they stopped a bit away from the cottage. Ben turns to address everyone, but mostly Uma.
"You know, someday, you're gonna have to tell me how you guys all got teamed up." Ben said smiling.
Rachel nods in agreement.
Evie smiles, "Mal promised to let all the kids off the Isle once this is all over." She said.
Mal felt not only Ben's eyes on her but Rachel's. The atmosphere shifted and everyone else noticed.
"Mal," Rachel spoke.
Ben looks at the person he loved so much.
"Mal," He said.
Mal looks at everyone, "I have to tell you guys something," She sighs, "I lied to you. The kids won't be coming off the Isle."
Jay crossed his arms on his chest, "What do you mean?"
Mal frowns, "The program is shut down."
Evie's eyes widen, "And the barrier?"
Mal looks away, "Will be closed for good."
Harry grunts.
Rachel saw as Garrett clenched his hands into fists.
Mal looks at her friend sadly, "For Auadon's safety." She said.
Uma shakes her head, "Hold up. So we're saving your precious people and your behinds for a lie."
Mal looks at Uma with a pleading look.
"I knew it was a mistake to trust you. You're always out for yourself." Uma said sneering at Mal.
Harry turns to Ben, "And then there's you, King Benny," He marches forward to Ben, "You're probably just gonna throw us all back inside."
Garrett shakes his head and runs off.
Rachel begins to move.
"G- Garrett-!" She exclaims.
Rachel ran after him.
-D3-
Garrett ran and ran until he felt a hand grab his. He stopped and turns to see Rachel holding onto him, she was out of breathe much like him, but she was still standing tall.
"Ga- Garrett," She says softly in between puffs of air.
He pulls his arm away from her reach.
"You knew! You knew about their plan!" He yells at her.
Rachel frowns, "I- I was in the meeting, yes, but I- I don't agree with it." She said, "I even told Ben after that he needs to keep the barrier open."
Garrett shakes his head.
"Garrett, I never wanted this. I- I want the barrier down!" She yells with tears in her eyes, "Just the thought of everyone on the Isle not being able to leave,"
She looks at him.
"Not being able to see you again," Rachel said.
Garrett scoffs.
"And yet your precious king and future queen will rather see us all locked up for the greater good." Garrett said.
Rachel had tears in her eyes.
"That's not true. That is far from the truth," Rachel said, "You have to understand, Garrett."
Garrett shakes his head, "No. No, I don't." He said.
Rachel bit her lips, "It's because of Hades. They're all worried about Hades coming and hurting people."
Garrett looks at Rachel with a hurt expression.
"My mom hurts me on a daily basis, Rachel!" He yells.
It seemed like that was the first time he has ever referred to her as her name and not a nickname like Blondie.
"She hurts my sister. My sister who is stuck there right now while I risk my skin for people who couldn't care less about me or my friends." Garrett said.
Rachel kept her eyes on him.
"I care, Garrett. I truly care." She said.
Garrett shakes his head.
"I don't care. I- I need to find Gil and meet up with Uma and Harry." Garrett said.
He begins to walk.
Rachel reaches out again. She grabs his wrist. In Rachel grabbing his wrist, he did indeed pause his movement. He turns his gaze to her.
"Let go of me," He said.
She shakes her head, "Garrett,"
Garrett turns away.
"Garrett, please." She said.
Garrett pulls his arm away again.
"You'll find someone else. A prince. Someone with a good name. Maybe even get back together with Jay, since you have a thing for bad boys." Garrett said.
He looks back at her.
"It was never going to work out for us, anyways." He said.
Rachel looks at him pleading, "I'm not your enemy, Garrett."
Garrett gives her a sad smile.
"Bye, Blondie." He said.
And then Garrett ran off.
He left Rachel alone in the forest.
The usually so strong Rachel, the girl who didn't let things get to her, just fell apart. It felt different than when Jay got spooked by her magic. It felt different from the first time the boy she had a crush on denied her because she wasn't what a princess acted like. It was different because she felt a spark. A spark that felt so true and dear.
She would always love Jay, but her feelings for him in that manner has changed in their time apart. Her time apart had her thinking about how she felt when she first met Garrett, and only seeing him again made her think about how she felt that day.
She loved him.
She couldn't deny that.
She collapsed onto her knees in the dirt of the ground.
"H- He was- was," She sobs, "My- My new dream."