Spring Fling
(Saturday Night)
"The first song is a waltz?" Evie questions.
"The first hour of the dance will be more traditional," Doug explains. "Things get a little crazier after that." He adjusts his glasses, "It might just be for those people who imagine the perfect romantic night, who will then leave to get time alone."
"By time alone, do you mean?" Evie begins.
"Oh. No," Doug quickly corrects. "I just mean that, like in the movies and stuff, they usually find somewhere quiet to talk."
Evie nods before she swiftly turns towards him, and her sparking, purple dress twirls with her as she offers him her hand, "Would you like to have this dance?"
"Oh, uh." He nervously grins in unsureness, "I don't really dance."
"Oh, come on," Evie pulls him towards the dancing area. "I'll teach you."
"Oh. Um." She holds one of his hands into the air, places his other on her waist, and puts her other onto his shoulder. "Okay."
"Come on," Chad complains. "What's the holdup?"
The grey haired pharmacist steps towards the counter, "I'm sorry, Prince Chad, but you just got your refill here two weeks ago, and I've talked to the manager." Chad watches as he sets the empty bottle onto the counter in front of him. "You're going to have to wait."
Chad sniffles before leaning his hand on the counter and lifting his other hand, "Look. The bottle fell near the sink." He grins and slightly shakes his head, "All I need you to do is replace the amount I lost." before he slides the orange bottle towards him.
The pharmacist's blue eyes meet his, "I'm sorry, Prince Chad. It's policy. We have to follow the prescription, and we cannot give out pills individually."
"I have stuff I need to do," Chad complains. "How am I supposed to do anything with this pain in my ankle? How am I supposed to attend the dance with my girlfriend right now and be a good boyfriend if I'm in pain the entire time?"
"Pain is a sign you shouldn't be putting more stress on it," the man comments.
"I know that," Chad shouts, before he pinches the bridge of his nose, takes a deep breath, and move his eyes up towards the pharmacist's. "Just tell me what I need to do to get my refill."
"You can wait another two weeks," he concludes.
Chad lets out a long breath before glancing around the store, and after he takes out his leather wallet he slides a hundred dollar bill towards him, "Just give them to me now."
The thin man observes him for a moment, "Is this supposed to be some kind of test?"
"Does it look like I'm testing you?" Chad furiously whispers. "Just give me the damn pills already." He hears his phone go off again, and he presses the red button before slamming it onto the counter and sternly meeting the pharmacist's eyes, "Please."
He takes a minute, "Who did you say your doctor was again?"
"Dr. Hoffman," Chad hurries, "of Charmington." He lists characters of the phone number, "You can just call him. He'll approve this."
The man finds a notepad and pen, "What did you say that number was again?" and after Chad relists it he nods. "This will be a minute." Chad watches as the guy goes into the backroom and shuts the door, and as soon as he knows it his phone rings again.
He stares at it for a moment before hurrying to answer, "Hey, Audrey. What's up?" as he turns to lean back on the counter.
"What's up?" she yells, and Chad cringes at the loud noise. "You're not here. That's what's up."
"Look," Chad bides time. "I can explain."
"Are you with Ben?" she accuses.
"Uh," he unsurely answers. "No."
"Are you sure?" she counters. "Because, he's not here either."
"Look. I don't know where Ben is."
"Then where are you?" she insists.
He swears he can hear the tears in her tone, "Where am I? I'm…" He looks forward and notices the packages at the end of the isle. "I'm getting cough drops."
"You're not sick," Audrey counters, and Chad can't tell if she's asking if he is or if she thinks he's lying.
"My throat's just a little sore," he excuses. "You know, probably from talking way too much like always. You know how I am."
It takes her a minute to answer, "I guess."
"I'll be back soon. I promise."
"I really needed you here now," she sadly voices.
Chad hears the door and turns back around, "Soon. I promise." before he hangs up and faces the pharmacist.
"So," the man slowly says, "your doctor vouched for you." He picks up the bottle, "I'll get this to you in a moment." before he slides the cash towards himself. "I'm taking the hundred."
"Yeah," Chad agrees with furrowed brows. "Of course."
When Evie stops in her steps Doug asks, "Evie?"
She places a hand to her head, "I feel a little… dizzy."
He nods, "Come on. Let's sit down." before he guides her to the bench of the buffet table.
When they sit down she whispers, "I'm sorry."
"What about?"
She's quiet for a moment, staring down at her painted nails, "You did this for me, and I can't even pretend to be a good girlfriend for you." She faces him, "I wanted to make this a good night for you." and he can see the gleam in her eyes, as the light shines off of the tears. "But if I can't dance or eat—" She shakes her head, "What are we even doing here?"
"We're here," Doug slowly states, "so that people will stop harassing you." He takes her hand, "And believe me, you've already made my night. Normally with these things I'm sidelined." He smiles, "Audrey really hated it when I had to tell her I couldn't participate in the band this year." and then Evie slightly laughs; however, she quickly frowns again.
"Are you sure you're fine with all this?" Evie's eyebrows furrow in question. "I mean, I know you would like this to be more, and it must be hard for you to do this."
Doug takes a moment, "The only hard part is going to be that very public kiss we're going to have to do at some point tonight."
"You get stage fright," she remembers.
"You might have to do most of the work," he smiles.
She smiles back, "I think I'll be okay with that."
"Hey," Jay voices, and Evie turns around. "Do you know where Mal is?"
"I think I saw her out is the hall selling drawings," Doug points his thumb to the door.
"Okay," Jay nods. "That's good. It'll keep her busy."
Evie faces the blond, "What are you staring at?"
"Your collar bones," Ruby disbelieves. "They could poke an eye out."
She shuts her eyes and covers one side with her hand, before she whispers, "I knew I should have worn a wrap."
"You liar," a yell is heard, and the group turns just in time to see Audrey hit Chad with her phone. She shakes her head as some tears fall, and Ruby excuses herself, "Sorry. I have to do damage control." before she kisses Jay. "I'll be back."
After she leaves Evie comments, "What's up with her?"
"Well, Chad can be confusing to some people," Doug mentions.
Evie shakes her head, "No. Not that." before she faces Jay. "Is she like your date?"
"We've hooked up a few times," Jay excuses. "She was free. I was free. So…"
"Does Carlos know?" Evie raises her eyebrows.
Jay looks off, "He doesn't need to know." and then Evie gives a look. "What? If I tell him he's just going to spaz out about it. I don't want to tell him if I don't need to."
Doug looks up at him, "I know you're not out or anything, but isn't this a little mean, stringing these people along like this?"
"I'm not stringing anyone along," Jay frowns. "I'm pretty sure I've made things very clear. It's really not that big of a deal."
"If it's not a big deal," Evie counters, "then why can't Carlos know?"
"Because," Jay defends. "He always gets so childish with this kind of thing."
"Isn't he like fourteen?" Doug inputs. "What did you expect?"
"Look," Jay reasons. "Back when the whole thing with Carlos started, I told him it wasn't actually going to be a thing. He said he was fine with it. He insisted he was fine with it. Now. If he lied, that's on him."
There's a brief silent before Doug opens his mouth to speak; however, it's then Ruby comes over, "They're going to hash it out outside." before she smiles and places a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Dance with me."
After they move over to the dance area Doug questions, "Are you going to tell Carlos?"
Evie shakes her head, "Why stir the pot when nothing's heating."
"You didn't even buy the cough drops," Audrey voices. "You lied to me."
Chad nods for a moment, "You're right. I did."
"Then where were you?" she tears up again.
He eyes up, "Ben."
"You said you weren't with him."
"No," Chad urgently says, before he turns Audrey around and points, "It's Ben."
She looks up at the roof, "Oh, God."
"I have to get him," Chad says as he runs off, and Audrey paces after him.
When Chad opens the door to the tower's roof Ben looks over his shoulder, but then the next moment he looks forward again. Chad takes a step, "Ben. What are you doing?" Audrey hears the French words, and when she makes it to the door she can hear Ben's response. She feels chills run over her skin, his voice seeming completely void of emotion. "Can I look too?" Chad questions, and when Ben finally nods he goes over to the wall; however, Ben stands on the rectangular pillar of that wall, and when Chad looks up he knows he would never be able to reach for Ben's hand without risking him to fall.
"I have to see that statue every day," Ben notes as he sees the back of his father's frame. "He's such a great man, isn't he? He's ended wars. He stopped witches and magic users from being put on the pyre. He united an entire continent." Chad doesn't speak, and Ben's eyes lower to the ground under him. "If I fell, this time there would be no lies. It would just be me, this building, and the knowledge that no one could have accidently fallen. And I'd have peace. This Hell could end, and I'd feel no more pain."
"What kind of pain?" Chad asks.
It takes a minute for Ben to say, "Every kind. It would all end."
"But you don't believe in an afterlife," Chad counters, feeling a pang in his chest. He can't lose him. He just got him.
"I never said that," Ben softly informs. "I just don't believe in God… Honestly, I hope I don't become a ghost. I just want the nothingness. This life's been too hard for too long."
"Ben," he tears up. "You might think your life's been hell, but believe me when I say the real Hell is a lot worse."
Ben remembers, "All Hell really is is the separation from God. And if that's the case, then Hell would be more peaceful, I think… I wouldn't have to hear Him say how much He hates me for just being born."
"Ben. You're not making any sense," Chad stresses. "If you don't make it to Heaven, then you will never be reunited with your loved ones." He thinks, "You would never see your mother again. Ever."
"My mother doesn't want me."
"No. Of course, she does," Chad loudly counters. "I have her number. I can call her right now, and you will know that she does."
"No," Ben firmly rejects, before he quiets. "She will be better off without me. I make her life so much harder."
"You can't do this," Chad insists.
Ben swiftly looks at him, "You want to bet?" and then Chad shakes his head. Ben laughs as the tears intrude his eyes, "I'm sick. I'll probably die anyway." before he looks back at the school grounds. "So, why not just do it now?"
"What do you mean, you're sick?" Chad asks in confusion.
Ben's silent for a long minute, "It doesn't matter." before he nods. "If I do this, everything will be better for everyone."
"What about the country?" Chad rejects.
Ben looks back at him, "They'll have you."
"What?" he whispers.
"I'm giving the crown to you," he states. "There's a notebook back in the dorm. In it I've listed what I want if I should die. Look at today's date, and you will see I've given you the crown. It's in my handwriting. People will know it's what I wanted."
Chad shakes his head, "No, Ben. I can't run a country."
"You're passionate about your people," Ben disagrees. "You've been taking three languages so that you can understand the citizens of your kingdom. You've been taking health classes and economics, and you have ideas. We worked well together, remember?"
"But I had you," Chad breathes, and the tears fall from his eyes.
"Chad," Ben continues to frown. "This is what you've always wanted."
"I don't want the stupid crown," Chad makes a pained expression. "Not like this. I want you. I need you to be here with me."
It takes a moment for Ben to say, "You'll get used to things without me." before he turns back around and takes a step off of the grey stone; however, the next thing he knows his feet are back on the ground, and when he looks up Mal is in front of him.
"So, what?" she disbelieves. "I can't kill myself, but you can." Her eyebrows raise, and she shakes her head, "How is that fair?"
"How did you get here?" Ben asks in confusion.
"How do you think?" Mal irritably responds. "Audrey got me."
"You can freeze time," he thinks aloud.
She rolls her eyes, "Not really." before she takes a step forward.
Ben back off, "Stay away."
Mal narrows her eyes before shaking her head, "You know, what? Jump if you want to. I really don't care." before she turns around and strides off.
Audrey intrudes, "She didn't mean that." but Ben doesn't respond, merely turning back around and walking up to the wall.
Chad places his hands on his shoulders and forces him to stop, "Please, Ben. Don't do this." and he hears Ben sigh before he wraps his arms around him. "Please. You can't leave. I need you to stay here with me."
Ben hears the crying, and he slowly places his hand on Chad's back, "Okay." before he glances at Audrey in unsureness. "I won't leave."
"Okay." Audrey addresses, "I need to know what's up with you and Ben."
Chad slowly shakes his head, "I don't know—"
"Are you seriously going to lie to me again?" Audrey disbelieves. "How is it that you can't even bother to show up to our date on time, but you can hug him for like a full minute?"
His mouth gapes, "He was going to kill himself, Audrey, and we've known each other for forever. I've helped him through a lot of crap. We've helped each other through crap. How else was I supposed to respond when it was his life on the line?"
It takes a moment for Audrey to comment, "You're right. This was special circumstances." before she nods. "I forgive you."
"Forgive me?" Chad's eyebrows furrow. "I didn't do anything wrong."
"You embraced someone else," she counters, "and a guy, no less."
Chad's frown deepens, "I can't deal with this right now." before he turns around to leave the room. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Wait," Audrey urgently says, and then he turns to face her. "You never told me. You said you weren't really getting cough drops, so where were you?"
Chad glances down before tilting his head and meeting her eyes, "I was out satisfying my drug addiction."
"What?" she quietly questions.
It takes a moment for Chad to say, "You heard me." before he turns around and leaves.