The New Princess (Book 2)

Saying Goodbye

This chapter takes place the same time as the last chapter.

(Mal's pov)

(Monday morning)

We were in the car driving to find somewhere to eat.

"Hey guys I know we're dealing with this whole Audrey thing, but when will we be getting home?" Doug was asking. "My parents are really worried.

"Didn't you tell them what we told you to?" Ben replied back asking.

"Well yeah, but I didn't tell them we'd be gone this long." Doug answered.

"Look Doug it's not gonna be that much longer. We just a little more to do." I tried assuring him.

Ben looked over at me and smiled. I smiled back, then looked out my window.

We were driving through a sketching looking neighborhood.

"D-did you guys just see that?!" Evie basically shouted. 

I looked back at her and she was putting out her window.

"Did we see what?" I asked.

"I think that was Audrey." Evie stated.

"What?" Ben spoke up.

"There's no way. There's no way Audrey would just be out where people would notice her." I told Evie.

"No she had different color hair, but it was her. She got into a car with someone." Evie explained.

"Evie this whole thing has us all on edge. You're probably just imaging it." Doug said and I watched as he put his hand on her's. 

"Maybe you're right, but I could've sworn it was." Evie responded and looked out the window one last time before she couldn't see the neighborhood anymore.

(Ben's pov)

We pulled up to the restaurant. I parked the car and the three started getting out. 

"You go in without me. I'll be in a sec." I told Mal.

"You okay?" Mal checked.

"Yeah I'm good. Just go on." I answered.

"Alright." Mal nodded, then she got out and they walked inside.

"So have you made any progress?" Chad was sitting beside me and asked.

"Progress on what?" I looked over and asked.

"On finding where Audrey is. Because I mean you didn't believe Evie." Chad told me.

"What are you talking about?" I questioned giving him a confused face.

"She said she saw her." Chad reminded me.

"Yeah I know, but I never said it wasn't her. Mal did." I replied.

"True. So then what do you think? Do you think it was her? Or do you think Evie was just imaging her?" Chad wondered.

"I..." I was going to say.

"What?" Chad put his hand behind his ear trying to hear me.

"I don't know." I stated.

"So you think it might be here?" Chad checked.

"I didn't say that." I said.

"Yeah, but you always didn't say it wasn't her." Chad added.

"I..." I was trying to say.

"Can you do me a favor?" Chad questioned.

"Yeah of course." I nodded.

"Can you..." Chad was going to say, then there was knocking on my window. 

I looked over and saw Mal. I rolled down the window.

"Hey." I smiled at her.

"Hey. I thought you were coming in?" Mal said.

"Yeah, yeah I am. I'm just..." I answered, then I looked over and Chad was gone.

"You were just what?" Mal wondered.

"N-nothing. I'm coming." I told her, then opened my door and stepped out. 

(Later)

I was sitting outside the hotel on a bench. 

"Long day?" Chad said as he was sitting next to me.

"You could say that." I replied. "Chad I'm really sorry about what happened to you." 

"Let's... Let's not talk about that." Chad cut me off.

"Okay what do you want to talk about?" I questioned. 

"You, man. Probably gonna be the last time we talk. So I want to know about your life before I..." Chad was saying, but then stopped.

"Um... There's... There's nothing really to talk about." I told him.

Chad smiled and chuckled a little. "Sure there is. Like you and Mal. How are things going with you two?" 

"Things are good, but what do you mean by it might be the last time we get to talk?" I responded and asked.

"Chad smiled again, but this time I swear I saw a tear roll down his face. "I think you know man."

"What was that favor you wanted me to do?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"Right." Chad nodded remembering. "I wanted you to Evie how much I loved her. And that I'm glad she has someone like Doug now. Can you tell her that for me?"

"Of course I will man." I promised and my eyes started getting watery too.

"Thanks." Chad kept smiling. 

"Chad there's something I need to ask you." I said.

"Okay. What is it?" Chad questioned.

"Well..." I started saying and looked away, but when I looked back Chad was gone. "Chad? Chad?! Chad?!" I stood up and was yelling. "Very funny Chad. Come out now." 

I waited a little, but he never came back. I started running around calling out for him, but still nothing. I walked back to the bench and put my head in my hands.

"Ben?" I heard Mal say.

I looked up and she was standing there in front of me looking concerned.

"Are... Are you okay?" She asked with concern in her voice.

"I... I..." I was trying to say, but instead I shook my head and started to cry. 

She quickly sat beside me and pulled my head into her chest. I cried in her chest as she ran her fingers through my hair. 

"He's gone." I spoke. "He's really gone this time." Then I started to cry more and Mal was trying to calm me down.