𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 | eah

17

AFTER REHEARSALS were over, I could see people smiling and high-fiving each other, clearly overjoyed by what they have accomplished so far. From the main cast, to the supporting cast and to the light editors and background set people.

"Everyone's really worked their butt off, haven't they?" Chase asked beside me, his black and red hair messy and his face smudged with orange and black paint but nevertheless, he smiled down at me.

"Yeah, they did," I paused as I smiled back at him "Wait, what in Ever After were you doing on rehearsals, Chase?" I asked, grinning widely now.

"Well, since the others aren't part of the play yet and since we have nothing else to do and the set is struggling with the background, the others and I decided to help." Chase replies as he shrugs nonchalantly.

"Awww that is so sweet of you!" I cooed and pinched his paint smudged cheeks. I was happy that he was bonding and helping through with other people here in Ever After, I could also tell he was dedicated to this play.

"Cut it out, Dar!" He exclaims, a light pink dust coating his cheeks as he swats my hands away from his face.

"Are you — blushing?" I gasped incredulously.

"W-what? No!" He protests, the light pink turning darker.

"You are just too cute Chase." I blurted out suddenly. Realizing what I have said, I gasped and covered my mouth, cheeks burning.

Chase, on the other hand, looked delighted at what I've said. "Really now?"

"Don't push your luck, Redford." I reply, averting my eyes from his.

"It's okay to say that to me, Dar. Hey, if it makes you feel better, I think you're cute too. Wait, not cute but mega adorable!" Chase replies as he suddenly hugs me all of a sudden.

"H-h-hey! What are you doing?!" I exclaimed, surprised at his actions as I glanced at him with a surprised look.

"Hugging you, duh." He replies with a 'duh' voice.

Before I could reply a retort, I could hear Bella whistling and calling "O-M-G DARLASE IS HAPPENING PEOPLE!"

By then, everyone was looking at us and grinning widely, whereas the air was filled with lots of happy and excited squeals and lots of cat-calling as they took in the position of me and Chase right now.

As I realized I was still in Chase's arms, I pulled away and stuck my tongue out to him to which he just smirked back.

"Alright people! Nothing to see here anymore!" I called back to everyone but they just had mischevious smirks on their faces, but after some time, they averted their gazes from us.

"They really ship us don't they?" Chase murmured from beside me.

"No, they don't. They boat us." I reply sarcastically.

Chase burst out laughing at this statement. "Seriously Charming, boat?   Wow, that's so good."

"Well, I'm the best." I reply as I dusted non-existant dust from my shoulders.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night Dar." He replies as he rolls his eyes, earning a punch on his arm.

"Ow!" Chase cries out.

I didn't reply to him. I was busy looking at Raven, who was with Dexter as I can probably tell he was complimenting her with her magic skills with the way she blushed at what she said, and the two of them laughing together. I sighed wistfully at both of them, not that I wanted a relationship or something, but I miss Dexter.

Ever since the fight between me and him, we haven't talked or even hexted to each other. It's been lonely without my twin.

Unbeknownst to me, Chase was staring at me with a calculating look then said "Dar, I don't know what happened between you and Dexter but you gotta fix this. I know it's hurting you inside from the way I see that you guys aren't talking to each other. You're lucky to even have a sibling to cherish so Dar, please mend this with him."

I glanced at him as he finished, tears brimming in my brown eyes. "T-thanks for that Chase," I pause to wipe my eyes "I guess I did miss Dexter, it was no fun without my twin to talk to with everything you know? Alright I'm going to go talk to him and I'll apologize."

Chase smiles as I wrap my arms around him for a hug, while Chase kissed my forehead (with a major blush from me of course) "You're the best Chase."

"Anytime Dar, I'll always be there for you."

After a few more seconds I pulled away and gained my composure then smiled at Chase one last time before heading towards Dexter.

A million thoughts swam in my mind. Is he going to forgive me? I know he isn't going to accept my secret but —

My thoughts were interrupted when I arrived at the front of both Raven and Dexter who stared at me. Raven's face was contorted with confusion and Dexter's was unreadable.

"H-hey um Raven? Can I talk to my brother for a while? I have things to discuss with him privately if that's okay." I managed to say out, averting both of their gazes and looking at the ground.

"Sure! But hey, whatever's up with you two, I hope you both can resolve it! Dex, I'll see you later. You too Darling!" Raven says as she waves then leaves.

"So..." I trailed out anxiously as I stared at Dexter.

"Look," we both say at the same time and we stared as we both laughed.

"You first," we mimic each other again

"No you!"

"You!"

"Alright I'll start first." Dexter says then clears his throat.

"Dar, I'm sorry for acting the way I did over those past few days. I know it was wrong for me to yell at you like that and to control your life. I know your life isn't my choosing but I just care for you, you know? Choosing that life and rebelling against your destiny isn't going to be easy and I don't want you to get hurt is all. I'm sorry once again Dar." Dexter says, his head hung down, probably in shame I don't know.

"Dex, I'm sorry too. I mean, you're the first person who ever knew about this secret and I figured since you're my twin, you can understand. I guess it's kinda hard to be okay with your twin sister finally admitting to rebel against her own destiny and I get it. You have every right to be angry — no, furious at me. We both grew up believing that we should complete our destiny and just roll with it but I have a hard time accepting that my fate is already planned out from the start and I didn't want to choose the princess life, Dex. So I'm sorry for the way I acted as well. I just hope that you can still keep the secret." I say, eyes brimming with tears yet again.

"I guess I understand Dar, I guess I was just upset that you didn't tell me this right away and of course I'm going to keep that secret! So.. twinsies?" Dex says hopefully at me.

"TWINSIES!" I exclaim happily and hug him tightly.

Finally, me and Dex were twinsies again. It's hard to be happy all the time when you and your twin were actually fighting.

From the corner of my eye, I see Chase smiling widely at both me and Dex and I smiled back.

Once we pulled away from the hug, Dex's face suddenly turned serious as he asked "So, what's the deal with you and Chase, huh? C'mon I need deets!"

I groaned and facepalmed "Really Dex? That's the first thing you have to say when we're finally okay?"

"Hey, we haven't been in touch for a while now. I need deets!" Dex says as he emphasized the word deets.

"Fine fine it all started like this.." and with that I proceeded to tell him all about what happened with me and Chase, him beaming widely at some parts I have said.

While talking, I smiled brightly. It's good to have resolved a twinsie problem.