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It was good to have Jane back. Because she could listen to him for hours without judgment. Jane teased him sometimes but not in a bad way. Her jokes made him laugh too. Also, she made him realize how dependent he was on unhealthy things. Like his personal image. Or his social image. And she was absolutely correct. As always. Jane was that smart. Also, Chad had missed the closeness he had with Jane. No other friendship had ever compared to what the two of them had.
And after Jane had drilled into his head that what a prince could or could not do was relative, he had returned to old ways. Activities that really made him happy. And that had taken the tension off his body. Because it turned out that having a fairy in his life wasn't the once-in-a-lifetime wave of a wand. It was actually having a friend who could gauge his morality and actions just by looking at him and gently guiding him to stabilize. One day at a time.
In return, he could play with Jane's hair whenever he was feeling nervous. She would only smile at him because Chad was concentrating on creating something beautiful for her. Which was easy because Jane had beautiful hair. Sometimes he would make sketches for her... and for Audrey and Ben. Because he really missed them.
Luckily, Ben was someone who took the opportunity. No need for difficult conversations. Ben had come back to him, to invite him to mornings by the pool or movie nights. Like old times. And then, to Chad's surprise, Ben had invited him into his office.
‘Jane reminded me that you are exceptionally good with the laws and I need your help to review this new decree.’
That had been unexpected. And yes, it was like the old days, when they did homework together. But also, something more adult. Although Ben hadn't lost the habit of throwing candy in his hair to remind Chad to blink. Which led to the two of them throwing candy at each other and seeing who caught the most. Only this time they were in Ben's office.
With Audrey, it had been more difficult. For all the history between them. But they had something in common. They both wanted to change and heal their past. They had listened to each other and let everything out until they were empty. Without judging themselves. And it served a lot. Little by little certain customs returned, such as spending an entire afternoon shopping or exploring new coffee shops.
But Chad always came back to Jane. And luckily, she didn’t mind him constantly asking her if something was right or wrong. Jane wasn't judging him for over-analyzing everything. She knew Chad.
Now there were new rules, and they weren't written in any book. So, he needed to learn them and memorize them to have some security. Others would think it was weird that Chad needed to write every piece of advice as if it were a rule set in stone. But not Jane. She had agreed to decorate a book with him and had even mentioned that this could serve other AKs who also found change difficult.
And finally, when Chad faced himself in the mirror and pointed out how unkind and brave, he had been to others because he just wanted desperately to fit in, he was ready to take another step.
First with Evie, although Jane did most of the initial talk, even though it was obvious that Evie had a good understanding of what Chad had gone through and his misconceptions.
‘Jay had to learn not to be selfish. Carlos to question what they ordered him to do. Mal had to learn to trust others. And I had to learn that life is more than appearances.’ Evie answered with infinite wisdom ‘We did bad things too. Those we love and others. I look forward to meeting you, Chad Charming. Maybe we could be friends.’
And if that weren’t the perfect attitude for a kind-hearted princess, Chad wouldn't know what it would be. Perhaps he had felt the urge to cry. But Chad wouldn't admit it.
That had given him access to Evie's home. And thus, to Dizzy. She had seen him with appreciation, knowing who he was, and had quickly got on with her work. Apparently, she was creating accessories for Jay and Carlos. Dizzy moved quickly, small nimble steps as she took different things. Chad had tried to make a joke about the mess in the study Evie had given Dizzy. But it sounded so awkward that he excused himself.
“She hates me,” Chad dropped into the seat next to Jane.
And as his designated support fairy, he wrapped his arms around Jane's small body and leaned against her shoulder, staring at her.
“And here we were having a conversation,” Jay pointed out.
Not as cruel as before. Now his voice was more humorous but less hurtful. As if he understood why Chad needed to hug Jane and lament that a little girl didn't speak to him.
“But it looks like it will have to wait,” Carlos ordered.
Chad knew they weren't being subtle about giving him room to grieve. Neither did Jane help with her little hidden laugh.
“You are mean to me,” Chad hugged her more “I'm suffering here.”
“You are the king of drama but that's why we love you,” Jane stroked his hair to firm up that last part.
Something difficult after being just everyone's joke and losing everything. But Chad closed his eyes and focused on that. The change implied that. Instead of wanting to be accepted by social standards, he was seeking to be accepted for who he was. Whoever that Chad was. Because even he was getting to know him. And apparently, the real Chad was a drama king. Which didn't seem bad. Especially when Jane stroked his curls.
“I'm serious, what am I supposed to tell her?” Chad looked at her “Hi Dizzy. It's me, your cousin. I'm sorry I didn't get close to you sooner even though I always wanted to. I was in my teen drama and being a jerk. I didn't want to be alone and curiously my actions to avoid that was exactly what made me end up alone. But I'm working on myself. I hope you understand.”
Chad stared in disbelief at Jane, but she took his face and moved in such a way that now he was hugging her around the waist, and they were on the same level as they shared the couch.
“Chad… actually, that sounds great.”
“She's going to fall asleep or laugh at me,” He denied “Dizzy is an artist. Evie showed me her work… She…” Chad rested his forehead on Jane's shoulder.
“She…?”
“Dizzy reminds me of my mother. Kind and brave. Just look at her! She's not afraid of being herself and despite everything, she has a heart of gold...” Chad took a deep breath, hugging Jane tighter, the destructive ideas were not easy to stop when they started “I should have been on the island. Not her.”
“Do not say that,” Jane started to poke him with her finger on his cheek “No one should have been on the island.”
“Dizzy has a good life here and I 'm just that familiar that embarrasses her,” Chad moved to see her face but had to wince when Jane's nail poked his lip.
“Sorry,” Jane stroked his lip to confirm it wasn't bleeding “But you're drowning in a glass of water.”
“And that gives you a reason to hurt my perfect face?” Chad joked knowing that she would roll her eyes but also laugh when she heard him.
“You are terrible.”
“You know?” Chad leaned against her arm, still hugging her “My mother always told me that one of her most familiar memories was when your mother comforted her. When she appeared and my mother cried and your mother appeared, stroking her hair and comforting her.” Chad closed his eyes “It's always nice to hug you. It’s a familiar feeling.”
“You don't like to admit it, but you are very affectionate,” Jane commented out loud, still playing with his hair “You should try doing it with Dizzy.”
“I don't think she likes hugs from a stranger.”
“Not from a stranger,” Dizzy's voice came from behind the couch “But from a dramatic cousin? Yes.”
“Dizzy…” Chad let go of Jane and tried to sound casual and maybe something cool, spontaneous, and whatever his cousin found interesting. Elegant? Chad didn’t know.
“Is that true?” Dizzy adjusted her glasses “Do you see me as your family?” She continued to rearrange her accessories, perhaps to hide her nervousness.
“Yes, you are...” Chad smiled guiltily “I'm sorry but you're stuck with me.”
Dizzy laughed and walked around the couch to sit between Jane and Chad, forcing them to separate completely. He was surprised to notice how Dizzy opened a handkerchief full of rings and without asking, began to try one by one in his fingers.
“And…?” She pretended to be concentrating on a ring full of sky stones that she had placed on Chad's little finger. “Do I remind you of your mother?”
Chad shot Jane a look and she smiled proudly. There was. The conversation, the meeting, the apology, and the bond. All in one.
“So skilled and hardworking,” Chad nodded “Also, excellent taste. This ring would go well with the glasses I just bought. You have talent, girl.”
Dizzy smirked and shifted in her seat like he was dancing.
Being kind and being brave was going to be a day-to-day chore but it was worth it having days like that.