Back At Auradon

[Carlos and Jay's dorm room. 9:30 am]

Carlos' POV

The weekend has arrived and Jay and I have begun preparing for our fall break which will happen in nine days. Mal called yesterday and told me and Jay about what was going to happen, and we were beyond thrilled to hear about it. We have yet to tell the girls, but it won't be long before we do. The four of us plan on hanging out in our dorm room today anyway, so it'll be perfect timing to tell them.

It was almost ten when we got to the girls side of the dorms. We went to Lonnie's room first to pick her up, then we went to Jane's. Jane was really excited and baked us some treats earlier in the morning. There were four good size containers of cookies and chocolates. Jay and I carried them for her. After we walked out of Jane's room, and I closed the door behind me, we ran into Audrey in the hallway.

"Good morning, Carlos. Good morning, Jay. Good morning, Jane. Good morning, Lonnie." Audrey greeted.

"Good morning." I said.

"Morning." Jay said.

"Good morning." Lonnie and Jane said.

"How are you all doing this beautiful morning?" Audrey asked.

"We're good." I replied.

"Very good. How are you, Audrey?" Lonnie asked.

"Oh, I'm good as well. Where are you guys off to?" Audrey asked kindly.

"We're going to Carlos and Jay's room. We're going to play some games." Jane replied.

"Yeah. We're calling it our own little family day. But it's more like a family weekend." Lonnie said.

"Family." Audrey muttered.

"What's that?" I asked.

Audrey shook her head.

"Oh nothing. I said "family" because I just remembered I have something I'll need to take care of with my grandmother. But would it be alright if I join you?" Audrey asked.

That was a real shocker to hear. Audrey? Wanting to spend time with us?

"Oh, you wouldn't really want to hang out with us." I said.

"Yeah. Aren't Carlos and I not your favorite kind of people anyway?" Jay asked.

"Well...not anymore. I've grown to...like you both.."

Audrey wasn't lying, it was just hard for her to say it. She's still in some pain after Evie's disappearance. It's hard to say this and believe, but Audrey is trying to be a nicer person to us.

"It's alright. It was wrong of me to ask like that. You obviously already have plans set in stone, and I shouldn't intrude. So, don't mind me. You four have a great day." she added.

Audrey gave a quick bow before walking past us down the hallway. We looked at each other with curiosity, not understanding what just happened. But we moved past it and we walked to our room.

"Who wants to be the first to try my chocolates?" Jane asked.

"Ooh, I do!" I said.

Jane really knows how to bake sweets and treats. It's just one of the many reasons I fell in love with her. I grabbed a chocolate truffle and took a bite.

"Well?"

"It's delicious, Jane." I said.

Jane smiled.

"Let me try one!" Jay said.

Jay grabbed one and took a bite as well.

"Oh my god. Jane, you are awesome!" he exclaimed.

Jane showed a bigger smile as Lonnie tried one for herself.

"Very delicious." she said.

"Thanks, guys. I'm glad you like them." Jane said.

Jane blushed as I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"So, what's on you boys' activity list?" Lonnie asked.

"Well we thought about-"

"Oh no!" Jane exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I forgot my basket. I left it in my room. It has a couple more goodies I made for us."

"Oh. That's alright, Jane. I can go get it for you." I offered.

"Oh, really? Thank you, Carlos."

"Of course." I said before giving Jane another kiss and hurting out of the room.

"Hurry back!" Jay shouted.

I ran all the way to the stairs in the main entrance, but as I got to the bottom of the stairs, I ran into Audrey.

"Carlos? Where are you off to in such a hurry?" she asked.

She was surprised to see me, yet happy as well.

"I need to get to Jane's room to get something she forgot. Now if you'll excuse me..."

"Wait!" Audrey exclaimed, grabbing a hold of my arm.

"What?" I asked.

"May I talk to you? Just for a couple minutes. Please?"

I knew I wasn't going to be able to get away, so I sighed and nodded yes.

"Thank you. I was thinking about earlier when Lonnie said you guys were having a family day together."

"Yes. So?"

I wanted her to hurry up and get to the point. I have others waiting on me.

"Well, when family was mentioned, I was thinking about, well, your family." Audrey said.

"Audrey, please get to the point. I don't have much time." I said.

"Alright. I get right to it. You know where Mal and Evie are, don't you?" she asked.

How did she figure that out? Man, do I regret asking.

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

"You and Jay are like brothers to them. I've seen the kind of relationship you four have. You four are your own family. But then you're dating Jane and Lonnie, so they're part of the family too." Audrey said.

"Yes, but again, what makes you say that we know where Mal and Evie are?"

"Because you four are the only ones that would know where Mal and Evie are. They would never just disappear and not say anything to you."

"And what if we do know where they are?! What are you going to do about it?! Run to Ben and tell him that we know?!" I asked sternly.

Audrey grabbed and held my hands and looked me directly in the eyes.

"No. I wouldn't do that. It wouldn't bring them back. It wouldn't make any difference." she said.

"They're not dead, Audrey. They're fine." I said, being a bit annoyed at what she had just said as I jerked my hands away from hers.

"No, that's not at all what I meant. I didn't mean for it to sound like that. What I meant was-"

"It's alright. I'll tell you. If it'll keep you satisfied. Yes, we know where they are. We keep in touch with them. Evie has taken Mal to a place away from here because of you. After Mal beat you up that night, Evie was concerned about Mal's safety. And what would be in store for her. So Jay, Lonnie, Jane and I helped pack their belongings so they can move away from here. All because of you." I said.

That really got to Audrey. The truth really can hurt, especially when it involves guilt. And to her, it should.

"I know. I mean I know they disappeared because of me." she said.

"Good. Because they're not coming back. Mal and Evie are living a very happy life together. Honestly, I hate how cruel you were to Mal, but I am grateful that you did what you did. Because ever since they left, great things have been happening to Mal. And Evie could not be living a happier life. Not even with you."

I glared at Audrey before walking away, swiftly ending the conversation.

[Fairy Cottage. 12:15 pm]

Audrey's POV

Wanting to truly be by myself, I ran to the Fairy Cottage. No one lives there now. Only I am there occasionally. It's kind of my third home, with Auroria being my first. After feeling cold from the cold October air, I started a fire in the fireplace after I walked in. After feeling warmed up and the rest of the home warming up, I laid on a couch nearby, thinking about the things I've said to Mal.

"One day, Mal. One day, your relationship with Evie will end."

"I'm sure that one day Evie will grow tired of you and will want to part from you. Besides, she deserves better anyway."

But that wasn't as nearly as mean as what I told her later on.

"Evie should leave you! She should leave you and be with someone like me! And when Evie and I are together, everyone will be so fascinated by us that they'll forget about you. You'll be all alone in this world. You have no family. No one will love you. You might as well just run away and die. Because who would take care of you? Certainly not your mother."

Looking back at that, I felt totally disgusted with myself. How could I say something that horrific? That is what pushed Mal over the edge. That is what caused her to beat me up.

"You do deserve to die! You should've! Yes, Evie would've been heartbroken at first, but she would be grateful because she would soon find out what a bitch you are!"

"Enjoy your final days of freedom, Mal. Because on Monday, you will be in a world of punishment!"

Okay, stop. I get it. I'm a horrible person. I'm the bitch. Many times, I don't have the qualities of a princess. After Carlos told me he knows where Mal and Evie are, normally I would run off to Ben and tell him. But that's not me anymore. Carlos says Mal and Evie are very happy where they are. And if that's so, then I'll accept it. And I won't do anything to try and interfere with that.

I loved Evie very much. I had a huge crush on her. I'll always love her in my heart, but she's happier with Mal. And I guess Mal makes her happy. Evie's having a better life than she could with me. And that's something I'll accept as well. I won't tell anyone what Carlos told me. Not Ben, nobody.

And with Jane dating Carlos and Lonnie dating Jay, they're going to be more involved and spending time with them, they won't really have time for me.

I feel alone. Maybe I was talking about myself when I told Mal she'll be all alone in this world. Perhaps this is my punishment for the things I've said and done. And the things I haven't done. Like being a good person.