Chapter 3

Doug's head snapped up as he heard her velvet voice. He couldn't even try to conceal the small smile that played on his lips. "Evie," he meant to be louder, but his shock let it come out as a whisper.

She came forward, breaking up the group of people around her. He felt her arms wrap him into a familiar hug. He closed his eyes and melted into her touch for a second before breaking away, "Hi," she breathed out, gracing him with her dazzling smile.

He stood back to see her in her fullness. She was still there with a smile on her face and hands on her hips. With dark ripped jeans on and an old heather grey Auradon Prep Tourney Team shirt hugging her body, Doug walked up to her this time. He pulled her in for a kiss, but he didn't mean to. He quickly pulled away, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. Their friends rolled their eyes, but they also looked away at how uncomfortable at how the exes looked.

"That was unexpected," she blinked. He tried to read her, but Evie's poker face was very hard to crack.

"I'm sorry, Evie. I-I fucked up," Doug paused for a second before bolting out of the ballroom. The shouts of his name became muffled as he ran past people and the loud DJ's table. He quickly went to one of his favorite places in all the castle, the rose garden maze. His childhood with his old friends stemmed from the beautiful maze where they'd spend afternoons while his dad was in council meetings with the Ben's father.hn

A servant opened the door to the garden for him as he ran down the marble steps that lead to its entrance. He quickly let himself be engulfed by the maze. His heartrate was up, and he felt like he couldn't breathe but the more time he spent out there, he calmed down. As chokingly sweet as the gardens were, he felt safe—a place as complicated as his mind. He came across a bench and sat down. The stars were twinkling above him, and the cold air kept his body tense. You can't keep running away. If I still have legs, I will. You know you can't, you actually suck at running. You still love her you big Dope. Does it even matter?

"B-Bash?" he shakily whispered, "I-I fucked up." He didn't realize he dialed his cousin.

"Where are you, Doug?"

"Rose garden. I should've went home! I-I can't breathe."

"Doug…how much have you smoked?"

"Evie."

"Doug, you really need to stop thinking about her. She left brother."

"No, Sebastian. She's here."

"Are you kidding me? The one time I have to leave early, the drama just starts to unravel."

"Bash, you're not helping."

"I'm sorry. Doug, you're gonna freeze. Please, go back inside."

"I don't think I can. I'm lost," he chuckled, feeling his teeth chatter.

"I'm calling Ben, don't move." Bash hang up, and Doug's hands immediately went in his pockets. He clicked the home button on his phone a few times before realizing it was dead.

"Master Dwarfson?" Lumiere called out.

"I'm here Lumiere!"

"Oh sacre bleu! Don't move sir, I'll have someone retrieve you," his thick French accent exclaimed frantically.

Doug sat tight, not daring to move. He wanted to try and retrace his steps but he knew he'd get lost if he even attempted to move now.

He couldn't hide his sadness any longer. He was heartbroken and he finally admitted it to himself. A few tears escaped him before he realized he was actually crying.

Doug curled up against the stone cold bench, and sobbed quietly. Happy memories, hurtful memories, he wanted them all because of her. He wanted nothing more than to create new ones with her. How the heck do you get over someone when you're still in love with them? He tried to rack every logical explanation but he couldn't answer his own question. She actually broke him.

Doug wasn't aware of how long he had been in this position but one of the servants came for him with a warm blanket. Quickly wrapping the heavy blanket around his shoulders, Doug let the servant pick him up and guide him out of the maze. He subconsciously followed along, nodding along to the servant's small conversation.

His vision focused on Ben standing at the opening of the maze. Ben looked sober now, smiling sadly at his friend. "I think you should go to bed, buddy."

"Yeah, I'm sorry Ben."

"Hey, you're gonna be fine," Ben hugged him quickly, "I'll check on you later." Doug nodded at this, letting the servant guide him back inside the castle while Ben went back to the party that was slowly dying down. The bright lights were too harsh for him, but the servant continued to quietly take him to his guest room.

"Master Dwarfson, King Ben suggested you change before going to bed, and he made sure Lumiere put your bag in here. Goodnight," the servant bowed before closing the door. Doug unbuttoned his shirt and took a deep breath. The room was spinning a bit but he felt okay. He satin sheets smelled fresh, and the soft pillows were cool against his head. He took off his glasses and placed them on the mohoganey nightstand.

He stared at the ceiling, hands behind his head as he was lost in thought. He didn't even realize someone had entered the bedroom. He almost yelled when he felt his bed shift.

"Shh! Doug, it's just me!" Evie exclaimed, hushing him with her finger, "I know we broke up, but I haven't been able to sleep the same way without you. So please, just for tonight, can we sleep together?"

He nodded slowly, letting himself move over for her. She quickly undid her jeans, leaving her in the shirt and her underwear. He kept staring at ceiling when he felt her lie down next to him. Her arms snaked around his toned body while he placed his right arm out for her to rest her head.

"This feels nice," she said quietly.

"When did you come back?"

"Yesterday. I couldn't miss my best friends graduating."

"Did you know there was a party?"

"No," she said quickly before pausing, "Yes. I...I lied. I knew you'd be at the party, that's why I wanted to come back for it."

"What about Donnatella?"

"She understood, and gave me the weekend off."

"How come I can't let go of you Evie?"

"Do you want to?"

"No, never."

"Then shut up and kiss me tonight."

She brought his lips to hers, kissing him as if her life depended on it. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and gently pulled him to her neck. Doug sucked on her soft skin, making her moan quietly, then licked her neck as it bruised. He brought his lips back to hers and continued to kiss her, bringing their bodies close.

I shouldn't be doing this right now. She might be drunk, get off of her Doug!

Doug let her go to catch his breath, rolling back over to his side. "Evie, I'm sorry I can't. I'm not taking advantage of you when you're drunk and I'm cross faded. It's not good."

Evie quickly understood, "I'm so sorry."

"We suck at this breaking up thing," he said, making her chuckle before yawning.

"You know," Evie slurred as she adjusted to get herself comfortable, "we were so good. I still don't understand what happened to us."

He opened his arms and she rested against his chest. His heartbeat and warmth enveloped Evie as she fell asleep to his familiar foresty scent. Doug sighed, "I don't understand it either. But I still love you." Doug felt her soft snores, and wished he could bottle up this moment. He hoped this wasn't a terrible dream, his mind playing just tricks on him after smoking whatever the hell Jay gave him. He let his fingers tangle up in her hair, gently rubbing her scalp as he felt himself unwind in the darkness of the room.

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