Hey guys, I know that this isn't going to mean much to you but I have decided that I am going to try and have at least half of this story done before I start posting. But you never know what might happen - especially with the amount of work and proof reading I currently have to do! Much love RSD xoxoxoxo

"Right spill" Evie said excitedly as I walked through my hotel room door, wheeling my suitcase behind me.

"Hang on E I haven't even walked through the door properly yet" I said as I pushed my suitcase next to my bed.

"Ok" she said as she watched me sit down next to her.

"Right go on" I said, full well knowing that this would open up the flood gates for Evie's questioning.

"Who is this Sam? You've mentioned him before but I never expected you to bring him home with you" she asked quickly.

"When I told him that I was coming home for the week; he offered to come with me. I didn't see no problem with it. He's never been here and has always wanted to come" I explained.

"So you and him travelled alone?" she asked slowly. I looked at her for a few seconds and then my eyes widened when I realised what she was trying to get at.

"E!" I exclaimed.

"What?" she asked.

"Be careful" I warned her.

"What do you mean?" she questioned.

"When you dig sometimes you get it wrong. Please remember that before you start telling people things" I advised slowly.

"I have no idea what you are talking about" she said playing stupid to what I had just said.

"Yeah right" I answered back sarcastically.

"Anyway back onto Sam" she said pushing the conversation back onto Sam.

"I knew that he was a friend of yours from your class but I didn't realise you were that close. When you said Sam was coming with you I thought you meant that girl Sam from your class" she explained.

"Oh that Sam" I said realising that she thought that I was going to bring the other Sam with me. In all honesty the other Sam was canny enough; but at times she did really grate on me.

"Yeah" Evie answered.

"No" I said slowly as I shook my head.

"Me and the Sam that's next door are close; we have helped each other through a lot over the last couple of years. So yeah if he wanted to come with me I wouldn't stop him" I advised.

"You two share a flat as well don't you?" she probed.

"Yes" I confirmed. I could see what she was getting at; she was thinking that Sam was my boyfriend. Why would she not listen to me?

"I see" she replied.

"Evelyn" I said sternly.

"Your digging" I quickly added.

"Yes well you're not really providing me with a lot of information" she stated.

"Because there is nothing to tell" I countered.

"Me and Sam are close; but it's not what your thinking" I stated.

"Believe me" I added.

"Ok" she said.

"Fine I'll drop it" she said sighing.

"Thank you" I said happily.

"So how's Doug?" I asked knowing that this would push her off me and Sam.

"Doug is fine; he's getting busier with work though. I'm glad that we moved in together when we did otherwise I would never see him" she said as she pursed her lips together sadly.

"Well he does have an important job Evie; someone had to take over the family business" I said as I took her hands in mine. I knew that this was hard for Evie; she had just managed to get somewhere with Doug and then his work load increased so their time together was limited.

"I know and he does work hard bless him. When I tell him he's working too hard he tells me that he needs to work hard now to modernise everything so it gets easier later on. He says 'I will give you the life you deserve princess'. He knows I'm not with him for his money; he just wants the best for me" she said smiling and I knew that she was now thinking about Doug.

"And so he should; Doug is a decent guy and of course he's going to want to provide for you. You mean the world to him" I said as I squeezed her hands.

"Thanks" she said as she squeezed my hands.

"So how's things with you?" she asked.

"Yeah good. I'm graduating in six month" I answered happily.

"Does that mean you can come home?" she asked eagerly. How was I going to answer this question without letting the beast out of the bag?

"As long as I get a job around here yeah" I answered.

"Oh so you might not" she said sadly as she realised that there was a chance that I might not return.

"Well my lecturer says that not many people get given a Schwarzwald degree and leave Schwarzwald. Apparently most people tend to stay there; but I was told that I should be given a good chance for any job that I want" I explained.

"When I do move back it's going to get all messy" I added.

"How?" she asked.

"Well I'll need a flat, a job and I want a studio. All of that might take some time to arrange" I said as I pulled a face.

"You'll manage it Mal; I'll help you" she offered,

"Thank you" I answered happily.

"Anything to get me back over here right?" I laughed.

"Hell yeah!" she exclaimed which made me chuckle.

"I know it was the best thing for you Mal; but I have missed you terribly" she said as she quickly let go of my hands and pulled me into another hug.

"I know" I said into her hair.

"I've missed you all too" I said as I started to stroke her back.

"So how is everyone?" I asked as I pulled away.

"Well you've seen Jay and Carlos so you know both of them are doing well. Lonnie is doing well at Auradon Times; she's a junior reporter now. Jane is working with her mother; as she runs a family business" she advised. I sighed to myself; she had mentioned everyone apart from the one person that I was the most eager to find out about. I hoped that she would mention Ben without me prompting her so I wouldn't have to be so direct about it. Oh well here goes I thought to myself.

"What about Ben?" I asked.

"Ben" Evie said slowly. I knew that it surprised her that I had asked about him; since we had broken up I didn't really mention him too much as it hurt a lot.

"Yes" I said with a small smile hoping that this would reassure her that we could talk about Ben.

"Ever since we've broke up my contact with him has got less and less. The last two times I've came here he's been busy. I know he's the king so I knew he I will be busy but I can't lie and say that I thought it was only an excuse" I advised as I looked down at the floor. This was the first time that I admitted this; every time I came back I hoped that Ben would be there and he would tell me that he had changed his mind and wanted to get back together. I won't lie to myself and say that this was one of the reasons why I decided to come back every six month rather than three month as it was hurting to much. That and I didn't really have the holidays to take at work.

"We don't see Ben as much; he's very busy with his royal duties" Evie advised as she watched my reaction.

"Oh" I said slowly. I didn't know what to make of this, could this mean that he was being affected just like me that he couldn't spend time with our friends? Was he trying to work through it all? Or was it more the case that he had already moved on before we broke up and he was hiding something? This thought had crossed my mind far too many times to the point that it made my mind numb with confusion. I didn't know what to think about the whole 'me and Ben' situation anymore. It was getting to the point that I was starting to think that I might be wasting my time.

"He does come to see us maybe twice, three times a month" she added into the silence.

"Ok" I said.

"How is he doing?" I asked as I looked back up at her.

"He's doing well; he hasn't changed since the last time you saw him" she advised.

"I see" I said. I felt brave I had to know; even though it wasn't my business anymore. But for my own clarity I had to ask; even though I knew that Evie was going to start to ask questions.

"I know I shouldn't ask" I said slowly.

"Right" she replied slowly.

"Is he seeing anyone?" I asked as I looked away from her. Out the corner of my eye I saw Evie pull one brow up in confusion before she answered.

"No" she confirmed.

"No I don't think so" she was quick to add.

"Ok" I answered. So did this mean that he hasn't moved on? Well there is only one way to find out - to see him. That's if he didn't hide away from me again.

"Why?" She asked.

"I just wondered that's all" I stated trying to play innocent.

"Mal" she said quietly.

"What?" I asked as I looked at her. I knew she was about to question why I had just asked her that.

"Why did you just ask whether Ben was seeing anyone?" She asked.

"Because I didn't want it to be awkward tomorrow night that's if he comes to see me. I doubt he will" I said sighing.

"You never know" Evie said watching me.

"Yeah" I said as I slowly got up from my bed.

"Well give me a few minutes I feel claggy off the plane" I said pointing to the bathroom.

"Ok" I said as I watched her get her phone from her bag.

*Ben's POV*

I was sitting in my office filling in some paperwork and my mind couldn't concentrate. I knew that Mal would be coming back to Auradon today; that was if she wasn't here all ready. I had been invited to both the night out tomorrow and our group dinner while she is back. I want to go but I feel nervous; since I broke up with Mal I haven't seen her and our texts got less and less. I knew that this was mostly my fault; I should have went to see her. But what do you day to your ex girlfriend that you only broke up with to possibly save your relationship for a later date? I shook my head to dispel this thought but I then heard my phone go off. I slowly picked it up and saw that Evie text me:

"You need to come tomorrow night; Mal's asked whether you are. I know you both are missing each other. Try and make time to come and see her? Even for a couple of hours? Evie xx"

I bit down nervously down on my lip; Mal asked about me? Surely that had to be good right? It looked good; but on the other hand she could have just been asking to be nice. She could have moved on; she had every right to. It was one of the risks of breaking up with her; what should I do?

P.S. If you are reading this I have half if not most of my story written. So enjoy!