Pretending

by ArabellaRoseD

What if Mal never finds out that it was a spell that made Ben not love her? But she stays and watches the new couple and decides that no matter what she still wants to be in his life, because she wants him to be in hers. So she decided to stay and become one of his best friends. Or are they meant to be more than that? Will the spell be broken?

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Regrets and Confusing Thoughts

Mal's POV-
He...loves her. Not me.. I thought he did, and he thinks that I never said I love you to him because I knew we weren't right for each-but that wasn't it. I never said it because I thought he deserved better. And I guess he figured it out too. I am going back to the isle tomorrow. Tonight I just want to try and enjoy my time with my friends cause I might not be able to see them for a while now. I guess he doesn't love me. He must have made the picture when he thought he loved me..that picture is beautiful I wish I could go and kiss him, but I can't because he is with her. And he knew who I was, I'm half isle and half Aurodon but I guess he saw that before he fell in love with UMA. I am going to miss him a lot that's the only reason I came back. But he doesn't love me anymore but I still love talking to him, and being around him. Maybe I'll stay and be his best friend and pretend that I am fine because when I'm with him I am fine. As I was in deep in thought Evie asked me something, "Are you okay?" Um what do you think? "I don't know, I mean it hurts but I am happy that he is happy." "You know Mal it is okay to not be okay." "Yeah, but not to me." Then Jay walked up to me and asked, "what time are we leaving?" "Leaving wait what?" Evie asked before I could say anything. Well I guess I better tell them. "Jay, I don't want to leave Ben may not want to be with me but I love being around him and talking with him so I am staying and am going to try and be his best friend. Because he knew who I was before i did. He's right, I'm Half isle and half Aurdon, so I am staying. Evie, I made a deal with Jay that if I didn't want to stay after the cotillion that he wouldn't make me and he would drive me back to te isle himself. But I'm not going." I said trying to look and Ben and remember that I am only his friend this time. "I am happy to hear you say that, because I do love talking to you still Mal, I just don't love you that way anymore." Someone said from behind me. Ben. My heart fluttered but I had to remind myself we are just friends. "Hi Ben. Uma"I said while turning around and trying not to role my eyes. Not sure how successful I was cause she gave me a look. "If you still feel that way in the morning then maybe we could grab breakfast?" Ben asked. It's not a date Mal I kept having to play over and over in my head. "Sure, where? Cause I told your mom I would meet her in the library at noon." I said thinking about my schedule and what Belle just asked me an hour ago-before the train wreak. "Okay. Um...how about we just eat at the castle at 9 then my mother can steal you away. The you can meet up with my in my office and you can help me get Fairy god mother complete Uma's gift?" No please. Don't make me, say you have something else! Evie how about a dress fitting? No, nothing-fine. I'll be in a room alone with the love of my life who loves someone else. "Yeah sure. Just don't count on it, You know your mother- she loves to read and talk." I say putting on the fakest smile all night. "That is very true. Okay, I'll keep that in mind so just stop by when you can. Come on Uma, I want to introduce you to my parents." Ben said grabbing Uma's hand and walking away. No please don't, don't let the devil spawn child near them! They don't deserve to suffer with me. Belle, Adam run! Oh wait it looks like Belle is trying to but Adam won't let her. Poor guy he is never going to hear the end of it when she is alone with him later tonight. Man I wish I had a relationship like that. Oh wait I did then I went to the isle and he met her! Stupid Mal when you run away you say you are going somewhere else. Don't give the actual location-you fool! Maybe I can go get Jane to go save Adam and Belle they look like they are ready to move to the isle to get away from her. I don't blame them but they wouldn't survive. "Hey Jane, can I ask you a favor?" I said poking her shoulder and breaking her gaze towards Carlos at the other side of the table. They are so cute. You know who used to be this cute? Me and Ben but that's in the past. All the kisses,hugs, dances, everything it's all in the past. "Um sure yeah. Do you need to leave? Cause I can cause a distraction. And I am sorry about you know." "No I am staying I would still like for Ben to be in my life so I am going to be his best friend. Anyways can you go rescue Belle and Adam! They look like they are dying being introduced to Uma. And I know me too." I said pointing my eyes in the direction of the couple who looks like they are ready to jump over board. "Um yeah sure. Be right back." She said walking away. I think she was talking to Carlos cause she smiled at him and walked away. "I'm doomed aren't I?" Carlos ask me looking over at Jane. "Yeah pretty much." I say being completely honest. "That's how I was before- you know." I said looking over at Ben with his parents. ""Yeah, and I'm sorry. I still regret risking my life to save him." Carlos said looking at Ben like he was going to kill him. "I wish you didn't because I don't. I do love him, but he is with her so I am going to stay and be his friend. Because I don't think I could part with him again." "Are you sure? Because I am sure that Evie could get Dizzy to stay with you if you go back." "Yeah I know, but I want to stay." "Well it looks like Jane is walking over with his parents. So I'll talk to you later?" "Yeah go ahead and good luck. "You too." He said walking towards Jane. "I am so sorry Mal, we had no idea that this was going to happen. And I hope that although you won't be with Ben like that anymore that we can still do stuff together?" Belle asked walking over. "I know you didn't. You were as shocked as I was when she showed up. And of course, your like the mother that I never had. And I am going to stay in contact with Ben. Although I am hurt he is with her, I love him and I want to see him happy. And I love talking an do things with him. In fact he wants to do breakfast in the morning. So I am eating with him and then I'll head to the library to be with you." I said slightly uncomfortable. "I am glad to hear you say that, because you have always been the reason with him. So I would like to ask you something." Adam said. "Sure." I said knowing I was going to regret it later or even now. "Keep him from bring down the barrier. You know better than anyone who I on that isle and what can happen if its brought down." And there it is, the regret. Well I'll just add it to the pile along with that fact that I never told Ben I loved him. "I do know. And I will try my best. But you know what can happen from the people he is around. He might not listen to me." "He will, somewhere deep down he still has strong feelings for you. I think he is just confused right now." Can I be added to the confused list? "Yeah. But I wish he would have told me before hand instead of just having her come down. I swear I saw and heard my own heart break." "Don't worry, ours did too. And I mean what I said earlier, your perfect for him." Belle said placing her hand on my shoulder. "is that what that sound was?" Adam asked jokingly. "Yeah, I am sure all of Aurodon heard it." I said being completely honest. "Well it looks like FG wants your attention. So we will see you tomorrow?" Belle said looking behind me. "It does, doesn't it. And of course. Have a good night." "We'll try and you too." They said walking away. "Mal, I am sorry that happened. But I would like to ask you something." Here we go again. "It's okay, if that's what he wants okay. So what'ca need?" "I want to add you to the council, you the only one that can talk Ben out of this." Called it. I think there should be an award for all the sorrows I am getting. "I don't know anymore. And it seems like you know something I don't?" She looks suspicious. "What? No, I am just simply saying that I think with some of your reasoning and- that he should be back on track." She said whispering a part. "Okay fine but only because I am tired and way to get out of here." "Great. And if it gets to awkward let me know and I can think of something else." Awkward? Why would be awkward? The only awkward thing about this is that I am having breakfast with him in the morning. "Okay, I will. Well goodnight." "Good night dear. Oh and I saved some strawberry cake downstairs for you." "Okay, thank you." Finally I can go home. I whispered. "Going home already?" Someone said from behind me. "Um yeah it's been a long day." I said turning around to see Ben. Life officially hates me. "I know, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. But you were right we weren't meant for each other." Kill me.. That's all I ask. "it would have been helpful so I didn't look like an idiot in front of everyone." I said trying to get this over with and maybe find a part of me that secretly hates him. "You didn't look like an idiot. You could never." He said smiling then he realize what he said. "I-I mean, sorry. I am just used to complementing you." He said as if he was trying to convince himself Now if I am going to be his friend I think I should tease him. "Are you saying that you only complemented me because I was your girlfriend?" "What? No, I -I what i meant was just saying all of the flirty complements. " "okay are you sure?" I asked messing with him. "Yeah. So Mrs. Potts isn't going to be working tomorrow. So maybe we could go out to eat I mean you know as friends." What else is there. "We'll that's all that there is anymore isn't it? I mean you have her and I have the only things that love me." I said messing with him man it's fun messing with him. "Who?!" He asked almost jealous. "Strawberries. " I said as of it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Right. And I never said I didn't love you." "Right, you just don love me enough." "Exactly. Wait that came out wrong. What I mean was I do love you it's just I love you differently. I love Uma." He said the name! the unspeakable name! he lucky i love him or else i would have cursed him already."Gotcha. Well I am going to go before-" "hey Beeny." Speak of the devil. Can someone save me? I would rather jump over board and take my chances of swimming. "Hi Mal." She said my name. Does that mean I am going to die in the next ten minutes now? "Hi." I said trying to be pleasant. Key word trying. "I just want to say thank you. Without you coming back I would never had met him." She said looking in his eyes. Yeah I know. Don't remind me. That is my worst mistake ever. "Well I really don't know what to say to that. So I am goon to head back. Bye." I said wanting to cry. He loves her now. Remember your his friend. Your fine you don't want to cry and run back to him and kiss him and tell him you love him. You are fine. 'Liar. Why are you lying to yourself?' something said inside my head. Because maybe if I say this enough then I'll begin to believe it 'no you won. You love him' even my own mind hate me. 'We Don't hate you We just want you to be honest with yourself.' Nope cause in denial I am okay and I don't break down. Heck I am still in denial that my Mother doesn't love me. Remember she loves you in her own special way I remind myself. Oh..god. I'm that person that is arguing with herself. I've gone insane. 'Over a boy' shut up I am going home and going to bed. 'If you can sleep'. I go and find Evie and tell her I am headed back to the dorms as I'll see her later. I thought I was in the clear until I see Uma at the game and it looks like she was waiting for me. "Hey Mal." What does she want now? She already has my boyfriend. "Umm hi. Can I get past you?" I said trying to remember my manners that FG drilled into my head. "Sure, I just wanted to tell you something" KILL ME! "Okay" "Stay away from Ben" she didn't. She is going to die no one tells me that I can't see Ben. "And why would I do that?" I asked and I am sure that my eyes are glowing. "Because you don't want a certain secret getting out, now would you." "Which is?" "Brandon." How does she know about him? "What about him?" "How about we tell everyone about him as see what they think" "go ahead I don't care and just for the record I will continue to talk to Ben because I can and because I want to. And we both know I do what I want and no one will tell me what to do. Especially you shrimpy now goodnight. " I said as walked away but not before: "if I were you, start getting ready to change. You are after all the kings girlfriend. We'll see how long you can last. Oh and the press is going to love you. Tell them I said hi. Oh and UMA threaten me again and watch what happens." Man it's fun being just a bit evil. And how dare she tell me what I can and can't do. I can tell that my eyes are out of control. I better just go home and rest. But first I am going to take a quick trip to where it all started- the enchanted lake. As I get there I decide I wanted to get in the water. I still cant swim but the water calms me. So I quickly do a spell and now I am in a swim suit. I get in the water and quickly relax. I have always know how to float onto back so I decide I am going to look at the stars and float on my back. I do this for about 20 minutes before I hear a voice. "Where was this daring side on our date?" I swear if I see its Ben I am going o drown myself and its Ben. "What are you doing here?" "I came here to clear my head, it's always had some sort of magic about it that helps clear my head." "Me too. Ever since I came here this is where I go to if I have a big decision." "I thought you couldn't swim?" " I still can't but I've always know how to float on my back." "Right. You know maybe I could teach you?" " you could. But you said that when we first started saint and now look. Six months later and you are business than ever. Which I am sure isn't going to change because you want to take down the barrier." "True. But I could always make time. I mean I did for our little dates." "Yes but now that time slot is being switched to Uma." "Can I come in?" "I mean it's in open lake." "Right it's just you were here first and maybe you wanted to be alone." "If I wanted to be alone I would have told you. So come on." He then took his clothes and was left in his swim shorts. "Do you think it's a good idea?" "Is what a good idea?" "Bring down the barrier." "Do you want my opinion or what's best for you and your relationship?" "Yours." "Why ask me now? I mean isn't it a gift for your girlfriend?" "I know it's just I've been thinking, why is that the gift she wants. Why not something else?" "Don't bring it down. Ben, everybody over there hates you and Aurodon. They are just going to try and hurt everyone. I should know, that was my mothers plan. Ben, you saw for yourself what happens over there. Yes there are needs for improvements but don't bring down the barrier. Baby steps. Try improving the living and food first and see how that does." "I know I just don't want to disappoint Uma." "I know but you can't always get what you want, she is one person who should know that. I am sure she would understand and help you think of a new gift if she still wants one I mean." "Wouldn't you want one?" "Personally no, I would just want to be with you. But everybody is different." "Your right. Hey Mal, can I ask you something?" "Go for it." "I heard Jay and Lonnie talking, and they said you were going back to the isle tomorrow but decided not to. What changes your mind?" "You, I realized how hard it was for me to say goodbye to you on the isle. And although you really hurt me, I still like talking to and being with you. I don't think that will ever change" "I really like talking to you too and I'm glad you decided not to go I would have really missed you. " "I would have missed you too. Ben if you were having doubts about our relationship why didn't you tell me?" "I don't know it just kind of happened all so fast. I really wish I did. I never meant to hurt you. It's just never hearing you say I love you and the being with Uma I realized that maybe you weren't feeling the way I was." "I'm sorry you felt that way. Hey what time is it?" "Probably like 1 or 1:30. Why?" "We have breakfast in the morning and should probably be able to sit up at the table." "Right. Hey, one last sleepover in my dorm?" "I dot think Uma would like it." "But she won find out." "Fine. But you know friends have sleepovers right?" "Yeah just not boys and girls and ones who have been together in the past. Especially not the past few hours." "You got me there." "Come one lets head back and I will make time to teach you how to swim." "Whatever you say." We climb out and I magic us some towels and then we run back to his dorm. When we get there I go to my drawer of clothes and pick out one of my pj sets and the head to the bathroom to change. I come out to see Ben already changed and in his bed with the comforters on him and scrolling through his phone. I run over there and jump on his bed. I quickly grab the covers them grab a pillow and turn towards his dresser to plug in my phone. "What time are we getting up?" " I was thinking 8 that way you can back to your dorm and get ready then we meet outside and head to breakfast then we go back to the castle." "Sounds good am I setting the alarm or you?" "I'll set it. " "okay, good night." I said turning over and going to sleep.

Third Person POV-

Mal quickly falls asleep and dreams about finally telling Ben she loves him and him saying Uma meant nothing to him. And that he was sorry. Then they go back to being a couple. While she is asleep Ben is up and trying to figure out what is going on with him. He breaks up with Mal very publicly, yells at his father, flirts with Mal, then ask Mal to sleepover in his room, while being with Uma. He can't figure out what is happening. The he looks at his phone to set the alarm to see Mal and him as his screen saver, he knows he should change it but part of him doesn't want to and won't let him so he sets the alarm and goes to sleep. Maybe a good nights sleep will put everything into perspective, he thought as he closed his eyes.