Hi! I've been having a bad week so far, so here's some angst to express my feelings.
Enjoy!

"Shadow?" I wake up to the sound of light knocking and find myself clutching to one of my pillows. I turned over to see Peggy standing the doorway wearing black skinny jeans, long, cone shaped earrings, black spiked boots and a red sweater that made her bright red hair stand out.
"What time is it?" I ask. She blinks in surprise.
"Oh... it's uh... it's 1 in the afternoon." She explains, slowly entering our shared dorm.
"Ok." I say quietly. There was a pause.
"Do you want anything?" I shake my head. I then look up at her.
"Have I been asleep since yesterday?" She nods, coming a bit closer to my bed.
"Yes. When I came in at 7 you were asleep. I just came to see if you were awake-I've been in classes all day. I...I wanted to tell you what happened after you left. Ethan and I went to Ben and explained the situation. He's taken you out of your classes for the moment and is going to talk to Audrey soon. He asked Ethan and I our opinion on the matter. It's all being taken care of." She reassures me, sitting on the bed. I let out a hum as I stand to take in my surroundings-I'm still wearing the dress I wore yesterday, my shoes are chucked on the floor-one pair on each side of the room-all in all, the room is still the same as it has been since I moved in. I quickly checked my hair and looked at myself in the mirror.

"I think you took the bow out soon before you fell asleep." Peggy explains as I can feel the bow is missing and my hair is now going straight down to my waist.
"Mm... ok." I say quietly, looking into the mirror. Peggy lets out an awkward cough.
"So um... you might want to get cleaned up. Also, uh... when you're ready, Ethan wants to talk to you." I nod, silently.
"Well... I'm going to get something from the cafeteria and study. Do you want anything?" I shake my head silently. She stands up to leave.
"Hey, Peggy?" She stops right at the door and turns to me with an inquisitive look. I smile at her through the mirror, "thanks!" She smiles back at me.
"No problem, Shadow!" The door clicks and I sigh, lying back on my bed with only one thought:

I want to go home.

A FEW HOURS LATER...

After I took a shower and change into a red sweater and purple jeans, I decided to do some homework-I wasn't going to classes anytime soon, but I might as well do it since... since I might not be here anymore-

What am I saying?! I shake my head at the thought and another thought came into my head:

I don't belong here.

I gasp and drop my binder, paper and pencil. Looking up at the clock, it's currently 3 pm...

Maybe it's not too late to go talk with Ethan?

TIME SKIP...

I didn't find Ethan at his dorm... I did however find a note;
If looking for Ethan Rapunzel, he's in the courtyard.

If you are looking for me (Gradie, son of Jock) and your name is Chad-I have fled the country.

I blink at the note in confusion.
Either this Gradie has a lot of enemies... or he pulled a wicked prank on Chad-I'm willing to bet the latter!

But, regardless of Ethan's roommate's melo-drama, at least I know where he is. Oh well, at least I'll get some exercise in with all this walking!

AT THE COURTYARD...

It didn't take me long to find Ethan, he was sitting in the shade of a tree reading a book.

As I come closer, he looks up and the smile on his face brightens.
"Shadow!" I smile back at him.
"Hi!" His face then contorts into a concerned look.
"Are you... okay?" I shrug.
"I'm as good as I can be." I explain, sitting down next to him.
"What'cha reading?" I ask, placing my head on his shoulder.
"A book about fairies." I hum.
"Hey, Shadow?"
"Yeah?" I ask, staring at the people and the grass in front of us.
"Are you sure you're ok?"
No.
"Yes. I'm fine." He smiles down at me and squeezes my hand, as he continues to read and I slowly doze off.
I'm sorry I lied...

Why did I have to lie?

THE NEXT DAY...

All night I was thinking what I was going to say, when I was leaving, the dream I kept having about the prince, my dad's smile, my mom's hugs. My eyes shot open.

I looked at the clock up above on the wall.
It was 6 am.

I looked at the other bed to see Peggy snoring soundly.

I looked down at her and tears started to blur my vision.

This all sucks... but I'd miss her, even if we didn't know each other for that... I'd still consider her a friend.

I slowly crept out of bed and changed into a black sweater dress, put some leggings underneath and wore some red sneakers.

I needed to go see Ben and see what he could do about this. Assuming he's awake that is.

AT KING BEN'S OFFICE...

I was right. He was awake, it appears a king's duties are never done. I am sat on a chair opposite of Ben's and I just explained to him my dilemma... and that I want to go back to the Isle.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Shadow?" I nod my head affirmatively.
"I'm sure." Ben confirms about three or four times before giving me a slip, a slip of permission signed by a king to leave Auradon.

For good.

"Ben... can I ask a quick favor?"
"What is it?" He asks. I give him a small smile.
"Tell Evie, Peggy and Ethan where I've gone. And tell them I say goodbye."

TWO HOURS LATER...

It is 7 am, the sun is just rising from the sky. I look out at it, mesmerized by its glow.

I am wearing my usual attire: a short velvet red dress with jagged ends, black heeled boots and some dark makeup. I look at Auradon one last time before heading down the gravel path.

"SHADOW!" I turn to see Ethan running towards me, wearing dark, gothic clothing. I blink at him shocked.
"I was... I was just told you are leaving!" Ethan explains, a little out of breath.
"Uh... yes. I am." I explain, still shocked that he's standing in front of me. I grip the handle of my suitcase tighter.
"You-what?" He looks so sad...
"Yeah." I reply, looking down at the ground, "I can't... I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry, Ethan! I don't belong here." I say, and turn around quickly before I start crying.
"But Shadow... I love you." I turn back around and he repeats himself.
"I love you, Shadow. And I'm not lying about that to make you stay, or anything. It's just how I feel." I stare up at him for a moment... I never realized how pretty his eyes were. Like the sky or the sea surrounding the Isle, maybe even prettier than the sea. But I shake my head.
"I'm sorry, Ethan. I... I can't." I say, as my voice cracks and I speed walk away to avoid this mess that I've created.

Don't look back. Don't look back. Don't look back.

I kept repeating that as a mantra as I walked down the gravel path to the limo parked at the side of the school. And I didn't. I didn't look back once... because if I did I would run up and hug him.

But I can't do that.

Like Audrey said... I'm a monster.

Or as dad use to say,

My Little Monster.

Author's Notes

Well that was a downer :(

By the way, I don't think I ever mentioned how long Shadow's hair was til this chapter-black, straight, to the waist, usually in a ponytail. I use to have hair that went down to the waist... it's not fun-especially with really curly hair like I have. But that's just my opinion. Anyway, I didn't write this to discuss hair-

I promise it gets happier! The epilogue/chapter 14 will be up very soon, along with Princess of the Pridelands' and Lost Girl's epilogues.

Thanks for reading!

BatgirlGeek❤️
P.S. Happy Halloween! I was gonna update Princess of the Pridelands first... but I got stuck near the end so I'm here! If anyone wants to help, PM me-I can explain what's happening and everything!
Also, Ethan's roommate I made Jock's son, the Scottish terrier from Lady and the Tramp. He would probably be like my other animal characters where he just shapeshifts into a human (what? It's kind of creative!)