Kiss The Boy - descendants

SIX

Carlos was more than optimistic as he dragged me through the hallways and past the different dorms until we reached the door that led to the dragon lady herself. At least that was what the sticker on the door said, probably one of Audrey's fine creatures to discretely bully the newcomers. Apparently, Mal owned the title and Evie had bedazzled every single letter with venom green rhinestones and plastered a second, way less professional sticker next to it that was an advertisement for her fashion skills.
"She's your plan?", I asked nodding at the Mal part, then looking down at Carlos.
"Not exactly," he answered quietly. Only now I noticed how he was still holding onto my hand as he had done the entire walk. I hadn't paid any kind to it, too busy keeping up with the boy's surprisingly fast steps, but now while looking at him close enough to count every freckle, I was very much liking the feeling.
Carlos stared up at me for a moment, then withdrew his hand without hesitation, and the very next second before I could utter any word of dismay, the boy pulled open the door without a single second of hesitation, startling me and the girls inside the room alike. Like a deer trapped in the headlight, I stood there, unsure what I was even supposed to do here.
„Evie, we need your help.," Carlos announced, surprisingly bold as he pushed me into the dorm. Evie looked up from her homework, one dark brow arched, but a mile forming on her lips as she looked up at me through dark lashes," What can I do for you, my prince? "
" First of all, not calling me that," I mumbled, briefly glancing at Carlos standing next to me.
" His friend is missing," the boy said, gaze not even flinching in my direction.
" OH poor thing! The blonde? "Evie gasped, rising to her feet rather dramatically while Mal, who was lounging on her bed inspecting her nails, frowned" Why should we care?"
" I need to find Adison," I finally advocated for myself." She's really bad at taking care of herself. If she's lost... "
" Isn't that FGs job to find her then?" Mal huffed once again but sat herself up regardless. I shrugged,
"She's already looking. But FG is not especially helpful since she gave up her wand."
„And you think we could be more helpful than her?" „Carlos thinks Evi has some tricks up her sleeves." It felt a little strange, but I was desperate, so I smiled back at the blue-haired girl for the first time, trying my best to look charming and surprisingly, it worked. Immediately, she started to twirl a look around her finger.
„I suppose I can help." Mal rolled her eyes heavily, yet didn't say a word about her friend's decision. Evie reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny mirror. With a smirk in my direction, she looked into it, „Mirror, mirror in my hand, where can I find Max's friend?"  
The mirror glowed as if it had understood its owner and a blink of an eye later,  showed Ad laying in the shadow of a big oak-like sleeping beauty, her golden hair spread around her head like a halo, the airy fabric of her frilly baby doll dress framing her pale skin like waves. Her torso moved with soft breathing, pink lips slightly ajar. She was alive. But she needed help to wake. Evie held out the mirror far enough for me to see it clearly, but had to scope closer to her to make out the details.  „That's the enchanted Forrest!", I concluded, frowning over the girl's shoulder.
„But I dońt know where exactly. Could you ask for more precise directions?"
„Of course," Evie breathed out, her painted lips smiling sweetly up at me.
„Mirror, mirror in my hand, show us how to get there." And that strange and most likely highly illegal artifact delivered one again, spitting out the perfect route.
" This way", Evie announced gripping my arms and strutting forward. I briefly met Carlos's gaze, but he quickly adjusted it to the floor still following closely behind. I was happy he did, so I wasn't left alone with the girl that paraded me around like her boyfriend. But as uncomfortable as I was, I was too thankful for her making me find Ad, I could easily dismiss the feeling. Yet, I was still looking over my shoulder to check for Carlos here and then, hoping he would stop looking so down. Spoiler alert, he didn't. But I was able to strip off Evie as he reached the enchanted waterfall, which was keeping the evil from entering the fairy lands behind by turning intruders to stone. I was pretty sure it was a myth, but still, Evie seemed to believe it. 
I didn't. But that may be an advantage from growing up in Auradon, where pretty much every hex was a hoax. So I stepped right through the water more than delighted to find my hair and clothes dry as I reached the other side, sparing me the dreadful feeling of being wet. Maybe there was magic to the water after all. None of my two companions dares to follow, too afraid their heritage would trigger the spell.  So I plopped my head back through the waterfall, glaring at them.
"Come on, the water is fine," I tried to convince them, and to be honest, very insecure smirk not too fond of the idea of having to explore the woods on my own.
"You just need to go straight until you reach the clearing. That's where you'll find your friend," Evie quickly pointed out, showing me the mirror for proof. 
"Oh come on, you from the isle and afraid of a little bit of water?" Her features didn't budge and he just shook her head at me. So I turned to Carlos, instinctively holding out a hand for him to take. "Are you coming?" His puppy gaze flickered from my face to my hand, the boy biting his lip, indecisive.
"Please," I added.
"I'm scared of what I might find." It was the truth. I didn't know this part of the forest, it was way beyond the borders of the school grounds and I didn't know in what condition I would find Ad either. Maybe I needed help. Maybe I just didn't want to go alone.
Under Evie's surprised gasp, Carlos grabbed my hand and held his breath while I pulled him through the curtain of warm water and beyond. Nothing happened to him. He was just as dry and unharmed as I have been.
"Guess you're a good guy," I joked, incredibly thankful for his courage.  Carlos just looked at me funnyly." So we're going straight?" he asked shyly.
" Looks like it", I shrugged, then started moving. Carlos was quick to adapt to my pace and without a word, we ventured further into the enchanted forest as I have ever been. It was strange, it looked just like any other part of the woods around Auradon prep and yet I could feel it was different. There was something in the air... something strangely sweet. It hit me as soon as I made up the familiar plants in the distance.
"That fucking asshole!" I called out, while I approached.
the dots connected in my brain faster than I would ever be able to solve a math problem.
The special Haze. This must be the new growing place Ad had chosen for Gilligan's supply. And the idiot hadn't even bothered to ask where. Sadly, Gil had a history of getting himself too distracted by some pretty prince to care for his own business sometimes, yet usually, he still managed to keep Ad safe.
The plant's looked almost ready to flower and under the enchanted conditions, that meant Ad had been coming here for weeks. "What is that?" Carlos asked, his fingers running over a spiky leaf.
"The good stuff," I answered with a frown, mimicking a cigarette to my mouth. "But they aren't poisonous, aren't they?" the boy said in awe. I shook my head.
"Then why is she passed out?"
He pointed to the right of the plantation, where Ad was, laying under the tree like we'd seen in the magic mirror, a strangely beautiful sight. I immediately ran over, dropping to my knees to shake her tiny, fragile body. Her eyes fluttered open, pale orbs mustering my face. "Mere," she whispered, her voice dry. "Yes, Ady. it's me," I confirmed, pulling her into a hug.
"I was watering the red roses and suddenly... I felt so deeply" the girl hummed.
"I know Ady, I know. Can you get up? Gil is missing you." she nodded. Carlos, who had been watching silently, was quick to offer her a hand to pull her up. She eyed him curiously, slightly wavering in her stance.
"Herzbube?" she asked, tilting her head.
"No. Carlos," The boy corrected her with another one of his shy smiles.
" OH okay. Carlos, you're not a knave of hearts. You're a white queen."  Deeply confused by her words, Carlos looked at me.
"It's her way to say you're cool." I translated and she nodded. "He can come to my unbirthday tea party." "I'm sure he'd love to." I smiled at her. "But now we really need to go back. When was the last time you had something to eat?"
"The day after Zwanzigfrabjous."  I sighed.
"Well, that means we definitely have to get you a grilled cheese."