Unbosom

[Audrey's dorm room. 4:40 pm]

Evie's POV

I arrived at Audrey's dorm room. I knocked on her door and waited. Mal's suspicion of Audrey being up to something came to my mind, but it went away when Audrey opened the door.

"Hi, Evie! Come on in!" she said happily.

I walked in and Audrey closed the door. I looked around and saw her room was bigger than ours. Probably because she is royalty. Audrey led me over to a couch and had me sit down. She then brought over a plate with chocolate chip cookies.

"Cookie?" she asked.

"Oh! Um, thanks." I said.

I took one and bit into it. And it tasted really good.

"Wow, this is so good. Did you make these?" I asked.

"Of course! Always have to have a treat made when a guest comes over. So how was your day?" Audrey asked.

"It went great. How was yours?" I asked.

"It was great as well."

Audrey set the plate down on a nearby table and then sat next to me on the couch. I finished eating and looked at Audrey.

"So, um..why did you invite me over?" I asked.

"I missed you, Evie. I thought a lot about you over summer break." she said.

"You have?" I asked.

"Yes. And I feel bad for not getting to know you. You and I have many things in common."

"We do?"

"Yes! You and I have a knack for fashion. And we're both pretty. Well...you're pretty, that's for sure." Audrey said, smiling.

Audrey grabbed and held my left hand. When she did, I felt a shock go up in my arm. Audrey's hand shocked me like a taser. But she didn't feel anything, only I did. It was at this time I was beginning to wonder if Mal is right.

"Um, Audrey. May I ask-"

"Anything."

I smiled and moved Audrey's hand away from mine as politely as I could.

"Why the sudden interest in me?"

I'm going to regret asking the question that way soon.

"Because, Evie. You are a wonderful person. As I said before, I feel bad for not getting to know you. But that can still be changed. I want you to be my friend, Evie. And I would like you to be my friend as well. Well, more than friends. Like, best friends or beyond." Audrey said.

"I still don't understand though. I thought us VKs aren't your favorite kind of people." I said.

"Well, the boys can be a handful sometimes, but really they're alright."

"It's Mal." I said.

"Look, I didn't invite you here to talk about them, or her. I invited you here to talk about us."

"Right, I'm sorry." I said.

"It's okay." Audrey said.

The time she grabbed both my hands and the shock feeling was felt again. Except I winced and jumped a little. I didn't know why I felt this way. It didn't make any sense.

"Are you okay?" Audrey asked.

"I'm-I'm fine. It's just..It's nothing."

I didn't like having to lie, but sometimes that's better than the truth.

"Oh, okay. Would you like another cookie?" Audrey asked.

"Um, sure." I said.

Audrey walked over to the plate and grabbed a cookie and walked back over to me and handed me it. As I took a bite, some chocolate got smeared around the right side of my lips.

"Oh, you got a little mess by your lip." Audrey said.

After not being able to remove the smear of chocolate, Audrey grabbed a napkin and wiped it off me. Which was kind of uncomfortable for me.

"There, that's better. You look beautiful, Evie." she said.

Before I could respond, Audrey placed a pink book on my lap.

"I want you to see this. Look through the pages." she said.

I ate the last piece of the cookie and wiped my hands on the napkin. I picked up the book and opened it. It was Audrey's sketchbook. Many pages of the book were sketches and designs of dresses and everyday wear. And they were quite impressive.

"Wow, Audrey. These are really good. They're amazing." I said.

"Really? You think so?"

"I do. Audrey, you are an amazing designer." I said.

"Thanks, Evie. That means a lot coming from you." she said.

What Audrey does next confirms Mal's suspicion. Audrey sat up on the couch and put her arms around me, hugging me, but also laying on me a little at the same time. I sat there, completely bewildered by Audrey's affection. I often get hugs from many people besides Mal, but the way Audrey was hugging me was way more than a friendly one. After what seemed like forever, but was only less than a minute, Audrey got off me and looked at my shirt.

"I love this shirt. Did you make this yourself?" she asked.

"I did. Similar to my jacket, but made with different materials." I replied.

"You look nice in it, I hope I get to see you wear it again." Audrey said.

"Oh, I'm sure you will." I said.

"Good. Would you like another cookie?" Audrey asked.

"No thanks. I'm good." I said.

I wanted to, because they were really good. But I didn't want what happened with the last one happen again. We sat in silence for a little bit. I looked around Audrey's room. But I sensed Audrey looking at me the entire time. As I turned to her, she quickly looked away.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing. Just admiring you." she said.

That's when I realized it. Oh my god. Audrey has a crush on me. I couldn't believe it. The signs were there, and I didn't notice them until now. The compliments, the touching, the hug, especially the hug. They are the signs of a crush. I didn't know what to do or say. Audrey noticed my disturbed look.

"Evie, what's wrong?" she asked.

I swallowed. I figured I'd best come right out and ask.

"Audrey...do you have a crush on me?"

A surprised look was seen in Audrey's eyes. She then nodded.

"Audrey." I said, discontented.

"Hear me out, Evie. I've thought about you all summer break. And I so wanted to hang out and be with you, but you were always with Mal."

"Of course. Mal's my girlfriend. She's my loved one." I said.

"But, Evie. I can be better than Mal. I can treat you better than Mal treats you. I've seen how she is. You're the one who's always kissing her. You're always the one that's doing things for her. Like the time you made her dinner in the kitchen that early morning? She's never done anything like that for you."

"Hold up! You're the one who turned us in? You're the 'valuable source'?"

"I didn't know what I was thinking when I told Fairy Godmother. I guess I was hoping it would increase my chances of being with you. Like that makes sense." Audrey said.

I sighed.

"I'm sorry, Evie. I really am." Audrey said.

"How long have you had a crush on me?" I asked.

"Since you were last here. Going over the details of my dress order. I'm really sorry, Evie. Please forgive me." Audrey said.

I sighed once more.

"Okay. Okay, I forgive you. It was wrong of Mal and I to do what we did, and you had every right to turn us in. But may I ask, what were you doing up at that time?" I asked.

"Honestly, stalking you. I was obsessed with you. But I couldn't let you know. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You don't need to be sorry anymore."

"Okay."

Audrey was looking at me again. And while I like it when someone admires me, I have to make things clear to her.

"Audrey, you know we can't be together." I said.

"Why not? Evie, give me one chance. One chance. And I'll prove to you that I can be better than Mal."

"Audrey, you don't know how Mal and I are. We are very close." I said.

"How close?" Audrey asked.

"Fourth base." I replied directly.

Audrey looked horrified.

"And you enjoy being with her?" she asked.

"Very much so."

"Evie, please. Please. I have a very nice body which I think you'll love. And I'm sure you have a nice body as well. One chance. Right now. Let me prove to you what I can do." Audrey said.

"Audrey!" I exclaimed.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I know I'm pretty. But the thought of me being attractive to an actual princess, does not sound right. If I did get together with Audrey, it would ruin her. What would her parents think? Her grandmother? Her entire family? It would be chaos, and I couldn't live with that.

"Whatever happened to you sticking with royalty? Finding yourself a prince?" I asked.

"I don't care about that anymore."

"Yes you do! You're just going through a phase."

"Evie."

"Let me be clear. If we do have sex, and go out, you're going to soon regret it because it is not who you are. Believe me, this is not what you want. I'm not what you want. What would your family think? Because I know they would not approve of that. Or me." I said.

I tried to say that as kindly as I could. But I know I had hurt Audrey's feelings. But I think she knows I'm right. After seeing tears forming in her eyes, I pulled Audrey into a hug. Audrey put her arms around me and I rubbed her back.

"Oh, Audrey. You're an amazing person. There's someone out there for you, I know it. And while we can't have a relationship, we can still be close. We'll be besties, and I'll look forward to the fun we'll have in the classes we have together."

Audrey backed away, wiped her tears and nodded.

"You're right. You're so right. I'm sorry." she said.

"It's okay. And I'm sorry that I have to tell you that. It's just that, I love Mal. And I couldn't cheat on her. I know you don't like her because of who she is and who her mother is and what she has done. And I'm sorry. Everytime you two cross paths, I'm hoping sometime you two can work out your differences and at least become simple friends."

"I don't think that will ever happen." Audrey said.

"Mal and I weren't always the bestest of friends either. For ten years she hated me because of something mean I had done to her when we were very little. But we overcome our differences. And we're both glad to have each other in our lives." I said.

Audrey sighed.

"Maybe someday. But not anytime soon." she said.

"I understand." I said.

I glanced at the window and saw it was getting dark out.

"I should go."

Audrey looked at the clock and saw what time it was.

"Right. Okay. Well, thanks for coming over." she said.

"Of course. Next time, let's do something fun." I said.

"Okay." she said.

We got up and I grabbed one last cookie.

"And make more of these. Because they are so good." I said.

"Sure thing."

We walked to the door and Audrey opened it for me.

"I love you, Evie. I mean, as a friend." she said, smiling.

I smiled back at her.

"I love you too, Audrey. Good night."

"Good night."

I left and walked down the hallway. As I was eating the cookie along the way, I thought about all that has just happened. I'm bothered by it, that's for sure. After the cookie was gone, I went to the cafeteria to get dinner. I ate there, but brought some back for Mal. I walked in and quietly closed the door behind me. I put the plate on the table and saw Mal fast asleep in my bed. I smiled and walked over to her. I pulled the blanket off her a little and saw she was still naked.

"Mal, wake up, baby."

Mal groaned. I kissed her on the cheek and continue to smile at her. I could never have this kind of relationship with Audrey or anyone else as I do with Mal. Audrey could never be how Mal is. Not that I was thinking of leaving Mal, mind you. Mal's dream of us living in Canada is really special, and that's what is making us quite unique. I gently shook Mal again, trying to get her to wake up. And she calls me a deep sleeper? Well, she can be one too.

"Mal, come on, baby. Wake up. I have dinner. Salisbury steak, with mashed potatoes." I said.

I got up and grabbed the plate and held it in front of her so she can smell the food. Mal opened her eyes and saw me with the plate.

"Evie?"

"Hi, baby. Get up and come eat." I said.

I walked back to the table and put the plate back down on the table. After waking up some more, Mal began to walk over to the table, but I stopped her and handed Mal her nightdress.

"Best if you put this on. I love seeing you naked, but the steak sauce is hot. And if some drops on you…"

"Yeah, okay." Mal said.

Mal slid the dress on her and sat at the table. I put a large napkin on her chest and gave her a knife and fork.

"You enjoy that, baby." I said.

We kissed and Mal began to eat. I walked over to the closet and grabbed my nightdress. I took off all my clothes on the spot and slipped into the dress. I then sat at the table across from her and watched her eat.

"Where's yours?" Mal asked.

"I already ate." I replied.

"Oh, okay." Mal said, with food in her mouth.

"Mal, don't talk with your mouth full." I said.

"Sorry, Evie." Mal said, with her mouth still full.

"Mal."

Mal swallowed and laughed. I laughed along with her. Ten minutes later, Mal was done eating. We sat in my bed and kissed.

"So how did it go with Audrey?" Mal asked.

I laughed.

"Oh god, I don't know if I should tell you." I said.

"Why? What happened?" Mal asked.

"You were right, Mal. Audrey was up to something." I said.

"I knew it!" Mal exclaimed.

"But not in the way you think."

"Huh?"

I've prepared myself for Mal's reaction for what I'm about to tell her.

"Audrey...has a crush on me." I said.

Mal looked at me for a little bit. Not moving or saying anything.

"Now, baby. Stay calm. Don't do anything rash." I said.

"No, I'm okay. I guess I can understand why. You are very pretty. And you've had a lot of people fall in love with you. You told her that you love me very much, right?"

"Of course. I told her that you and I are very close and I enjoy being with you." I said.

"Good." Mal said.

"Then she tried to convince me to have sex with her." I said.

"What?!"

At this time I was sure Mal was going to blow a fuse. And she did.

"Audrey tried to get you to have sex with her?! Oh that does it! I'm going to go down there and give that bitch a piece of my mind!" Mal said.

"Only three problems with that, Mal." I said.

"What?!"

"One, you ain't going in your nightdress. Two, you don't know what room number her dorm is. And three, I got through with her and told her that her and I couldn't be together and if we did, it would ruin her. She knows and she understands that we can only be friends."

"She does?"

"Yes. You can relax. Everything is taken care of." I said.

"Alright." Mal said as she rested herself in my arms.

A few minutes later, I had the urge to take a shower. Probably to symbolically wash away what happened with Audrey. I'll be honest, that wasn't really the best time I've spent with someone. I'd like to have that time back.

"I'm going to jump in the shower for a little bit. Would you like to join me?" I asked, as I got up and took off my nightdress.

"That's okay, Evie. I'll pass this time." Mal said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I don't feel like it right now." Mal said.

"Alright, Mal. No worries." I said.

We kissed a few times before I went into the bathroom and started my shower.

Mal's POV

As Evie was in her shower, I glanced over at Evie's desk and saw the purple rock we got from the mountain. I walked over to it and grabbed it. I looked at it more in detail and saw that the rock has some kind of transparent cover on it. Kind of like shrink wrap on a box. I removed this cover and saw it was like plastic wrap, but a different material that I don't know the name of. The rock was still purple and looked the same. I went to touch it to see if it felt any different. But the texture was the same.

However, as I did, this burst of purple energy came right at me. An energy that was so strong, But it didn't hurt at all. In fact, it made me feel really good. So good, I laughed as the energy coursed through my body.

"Wow, that felt really good." I said.

I laid back in Evie's bed and fell back asleep once more.