Ben lay on his bed staring at the ceiling thinking about nothing in particular well that would be a lie. He was thinking about her. Why were feelings so difficult? Why couldn't he just tell her the truth. He had fallen hard for her. He didn't know what it was about her that attracted him to her so much. He won't lie and say that she had nothing to do with them breaking up. He was crushing in her, he couldn't be with another girl if he loved someone else. She was always on his mind. He was thinking about her and he had dreams about her. He couldn't stay away from her. He didn't think she liked him in that way. They were meant to be enemies. That was the idea they were raised on.

It was obvious to his friends that he liked her. Sure, he was friendly to the other villain kids but he checked up on Mal morethan the others. Any opportunity he got he would find time to talk to her about topics he knew nothing about. He learned she was very talented in the art department. He signed her up for art classes and he even signed himself up, just to spend time with her. His friends told him to stay away from her but that only made him want to be near her more. She was good. She put on a tough act. She had walls put up to protect herself but slowly she was letting him in.

Audrey was very different. They were close once and perhaps he loved her way back when they were younger but he always knew she wasn't his true love. He didn't want to hurt her but it was the truth. His happily ever after wasn't with her and there was no point in pretending it was.

Ben's thoughts were disturbed by a loud banging sound at his door. Unfortunately for him, he knew who it was just by the knock. Audrey. He sighed. He thought he made it clear that they were through.

" Audrey? What are you doing here ? " he asked when he opened the door even though he knew exactly why she came here.

He knew she had probably prepared a large speech on why they should get back together and how they are soulmates and that they are just going through a rough patch and he would regret it if he set her free to date. He knew she would leave out the fact that she only wanted him for fame and power. Also his riches. He is the future king after all.

Audrey said nothing and handed him a brochure she had taken from the school councillor.

" Couple's Therapy? We can't go to Couple's therapy if we are not a couple " He said angry and slammed the brochure down on the coffee table by his bed.

" Just give it a shot. We have been working towards marriage for too long for that thing to ruin it all " Audrey yelled

" Are you talking about Mal ? She's my friend... What does she have to do with this? Quite frankly, I have been thinking about this long before I met her " Ben threw his hands in the air

She was really testing his patience. Yes, he liked Mal maybe even loved her but that was not why he broke up with Audrey.

Or maybe it was and he was just trying to convince himself otherwise.

" We have been together for years, Ben. Don't even try and tell me, you don't love me " Audrey said bitterly

" Time means nothing in the name of love " Ben said all poetical " Now let me ask you a question "

Audrey nodded in response

" Do you love me? "

" What? Why would you ask me that ? "

" Do.. you...love... me ? " Ben repeated

Audrey hesitated for a moment

" Of course I do, why wouldn't I ? "

Ben looked at her, trying to see if she was being completely honest

" Let me rephrase that, if I wasn't a prince, soon to be king and my family wasn't wealthy, would you still love me ? "

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" And she snapped, yelled and left. Called me inconsiderate of her feelings that I thought so little of her yet she didn't deny it" Ben said with a sad tone evident in his voice

" Are you going to go with her? "

Ben was catching up with Mal by telling her all about the fiasco with Audrey. They were walking in laps in the park in the centre of Auradon City.

" No, I don't think I can. If I go, I may never be able to get out of this relationship "

" You look miserable with her " Mal noted

" I feel it, everything was good until... until we grew up " Ben sighed

Mal took his hand and gave him a comforting squeeze as if to say ' I'm here for you ' without saying it. She was raised by a villain, at her house showing compassion was a weakness but Auradon was different. It would still take some getting used to.

Mal turned towards him

" You deserve better than her... one day, you'll meet someone who loves you for you and not for what you have "

" I hope so " Ben laughed

Mal hit him gently on the arm

" I'm being serious... now, I hate getting all soppy but it's the truth. One day, you will be so in love with some other woman that you won't even remember all the years you spent suffering because of her "

Mal knew what she was talking about. She may have no knowledge in the love department but she knew suffering and she knew it too well. She suffered a lot in her childhood, she was raised by Maleficent for goodness sake.

Ben smiled at her.

" Maybe you're right, I just have to find her " Ben added

" Maybe you already have and you just don't know it yet " Mal laughed

" Yeah maybe "

You. It's you, but how can I tell you how I feel without ruining our friendship? I've loved you since the day we met even before if that doesn't sound crazy. I've dreamt of you. A beautiful green eyed girl with vibrant purple hair who saved me. I know it's you. I believe you're my soulmate but I don't know how to tell you. I don't even know if you feel the same way.

" Catch me if you can " Mal teased snapping him out of his thoughts

" Hey, Come back here. Cheater! " Ben called out before running after her.

The things he would do to be able to call her his girlfriend ...

He was forever grateful to be friends with her at least... and that was something he never wanted to lose.