CHAPTER 23
"Come on," Jay says as he grabs a rock before throwing it at the 'danger flying rocks' sign, opening a gate.
"Wish me luck," Ben says.
"All the way up," Jay tells him.
"Good luck," Evie calls after him. Ben passes Mal on the stairs, who points him in the direction of Zoe before goin downstairs to the others. Ben walks into a room covered in paintings before finding Zoe painting the wall.
"At least I don't see a picture of me with horns and a pitch fork," Ben says causing Zoe to gasp and look at him.
"Ben," Zoe says with a shocked sigh. Ben walks towards her but she holds her hands out for him to stop.
"Zoe, I'm so sorry about our fight. It was all my fault. It... Please come home," Ben explains before holding out his ring to her.
"Ben, I am home," Zoe says as she walks towards him.
"I brought the limo. It's a sweet ride," Ben says trying to lighten the mood.
"I don't fit in, Ben. I really gave it my best shot. And if you think that I can change, I think you're wrong," Zoe explains.
"Then I'll change. I'll skip school, have more fun. You know, I...I'll blow off some of my responsibilities," Ben says trying to change her mind.
"No, no! See? I'm such a terrible influence. It's only a matter of time before I do something so messed up that not only does the kingdom turn on me, but they turn on you," Zoe tells him.
"Don't quit us, Zoe," Ben says as he grabs her hand before putting his ring in her palm. "The people love you. I love you. Don't you love me?" Zoe so badly wants to tell him that she does but she has to do the right thing. Zoe grabs the ring and lightly smiles as she remembers when he gave it to her, before placing it in his hand and pushing his hand back to him.
"I have to take myself out of the picture because it's what's best for you, and it's what's best for Auradon," Zoe tells him as she holds back tears.
"Zoe, no, please," Ben says as he tries to get closer to her but she puts her hand on his chest to stop him.
"Ben... I can't do this," Zoe says before turning away from him.
"You should go, Ben. Ben, please go. Please leave." Ben stares at her for a few seconds before walking away. Zoe could feel her heart breaking with each step he took away from her.
"So? Where's Zoe?" Evie asks as Ben comes down the stairs before the gate closes behind him.
"She's not coming back," Ben answers her before walking away.
"What?" Evie asks not believing it. "I'll talk to her." Evie walks over to the speaker as Mal leans against Jay in defeat. "Z? Zoe, it's Evie. Let me just talk to you for a second. Zoe, come on." Zoe walks over to the speaker on her end before locking the gate. "Go away!" Zoe tells them. "You too, Mal."
"Let's give her a couple of hours to cool off," Jay tells Evie.
"Guys! Where's Ben?" Carlos asks as he looks in the direction that Ben went.
"Ben? Ben!" Evie calls before noticing someone walking towards them. "Ben, don't scare us like that."
"Don't scare you?" Harry asks as he reveals his face. "But that's my specialty."
"Harry," Evie says.
"What did you do with Ben?" Jay asks him.
"Oh, uh, we nicked him. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And if you want to see him again, have Zoe and Mal come to the Chip Shoppe tonight. Alone. Uma wants a little visit," Harry explains. "Aw, Jay. Seems like you've lost your touch."
"Hey!" Jay says as he starts forward.
"Jay!" Mal says as she holds him back. Harry walks away before they start climbing up the side.