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Chapter Two: Flu

The settee was moderately comfortable, though on the whole Ben thought it would have been better had he not been reduced to leaning on the most uncomfortable pillow in history, just because Mal had been so sweet as to sew it specially for him. Evie might have given her sewing lessons, but this pillow was evidence of their utter failure.

The water diving on Saturday had set in a flu for Ben. He had felt ill when he turned into bed on Sunday evening and now on a bright Monday morning he was feeling considerably worse. There was nothing to do either. Beside him his work papers were scattered amidst his friends offering on sweets and chocolate. The chocolate had melted, the sweets gone sticky and he didn't feel like eating any of them.

Beside him the water in it's jug had grown warm and there was a fly floating at the top. The windows were all tight shut, since his father swore that the best way to keep a room cool in summer was not to let in the hot air from outside.

Ben, sweating with dry mouth and cracked lips could not find it in himself to agree with his father on this point. The room was stiffing and he felt a bit like he was choking in it.

The clock pointed to two in the afternoon and Ben felt sure it must cool down in an few hours. His illness had kept him out of school for the day, but it hadn't kept the others. They had all gone off together and left him to keep himself entertained.

Now after hours of tossing, turning and playing boring cellphone games Ben was about done and wished the day would just finish so as he might attend to the next and hopefully better one.

The sound of the school bell ringing out the end of lessons for the day was the only thing in the world which could make the day feel worth it. He sat up slightly and it wasn't two minutes before the door burst open and Mal flew in.

She was dressed in purple, with such a weird looking thing on her head that Ben found himself wondering if it could be safely called a hat, seeing it had the shape of one, but a feather stuck right out of the top and bunch of fake flowers adorned the thing randomly.

Mal stopped in the doorway and stared about the room.

'Hey,' she exclaimed,' this place looks like home, what a delightful mess!'

'I wasn't enjoying it much actually,' admitted Ben,' what's on your head Mal?'

'Oh, like it?' she pulled it off and crossing over to his side handed it to him,' we had to make hats in class today. Evie got the prize of course, but I thought this thing was a decent first attempt.'

Ben nodded, having no words to express himself and Mal gave him a scowl.

'You don't like it,' she accused.

'No, no... it's... fascinating.'

That made Mal go into a peal of laughter as she snatched back the head piece,' it's vile Ben,' she said,' and you may say it.'

'What, you don't like it?'

'I have some fashion sense you know,' said Mal, tossing the hat over her head,' and that thing is deplorable. However I don't blame myself, they do wear such weird hats here, no style. I mean I know she is evil and all, but look at Mom, that's style.'

Ben would have used another adjective to describe Maleficent's weird horned headgear, but instead he only nodded and declared himself ignorant about style.

Mal nodded gravely and said,' I'll be honest I mostly am too, I leave it to Evie.' She took a breath and then glanced about the room,' it's stifling in here!' she exclaimed,' argh!' She crossed over to the window and opening it put her head out,' wow,' she said,' that is much better,' she moved around the room, opening all the windows she could find.

Ben made no protest, feeling the cool air wash over his face was too reliving to allow his father's personal opinions to get in the way. Mal then crossed over to his side and taking up the water jug she threw all the water out.

'Be right back sweetie,' she said and dived out with the jug. She soon returned, with it full to the brim of cool water, ice-blocks swimming in it.

'How's that?' she asked, pouring some into his glass for him and letting two ice-blocks drop in with it.

'Splendid!' exclaimed Ben, with a smile so wide his dry bottom lip cracked.

He pulled a face and Mal asked,' what's wrong?'

'Cracked lips,' said Ben,' I just need some lip-ice, got any?'

'Sure,' Mal put a hand into her bag and surfaced some red tinted lip-ice, which Ben frowned at.

'That looks...'

'Tinted?' cut in Mal,' sorry, it's all I have.'

'Oh it'll do fine then,' said Ben, taking it and rubbing it on his lips.

He was in for a surprise for the next moment Mal leaded down and gave him the kiss on the check,' you are a darling,' she said sweetly.

'Mal,' he looked surprised,' is this a gift cause I'm sick?'

She looked at him, a little sly smile curling her lips,' maybe,' she said.

'I like it, I should be sick more often.'

'Don't you get soppy on me Ben,' cut in Mal, but she was grinning.

Ben said nothing only took up her hand and kissed it just as the door opened again and Evie came in. She flung her bag onto a hook on the wall and, hands on hips, stared about the room.

'What a shambles!' she exclaimed,' this has to be straightened out!'

'But it's nice!' cried Mal.

'Really Mal!' protested Evie,' do you like living in this mess?' addressing Ben.

'No,' he said flatly.

Mal scowled at him and moved further away from him on the settee with an affronted air and that was clearly meant light-heartedly.

Evie was already dashing about the room, putting things into their places, piling his papers together, getting the sweets into a container and putting them in the cupboard, getting the chocolate together and whisking out of the room to get it to a fridge.

Mal rolled her eyes,' it's a cleaning thing,' she told Ben who laughed.

'I'm very grateful for it,' he said as Carlos' head popped round the now open door.

'Hello,' he said,' how are you doing Ben?'

Ben pulled a face,' not very good, but better now between the efforts of Mal and Evie.'

Dude came in after Carlos and running to Ben jumped up onto the settee (Mal got out of the way) and began to lick his face.

Ben laughed, but tried to shove the dog back, not appreciative of having his face licked.

'Here Dude!' called Carlos and the dog jumped down to join his favourite.

Ben reached out for his water glass and tipped half the contents over his face. It felt cleaner, but water ran down the back of his neck and onto the cushion.

'Now you are wetting the cushion I made you,' cried Mal. She swept up another cushion and swapped them, making Ben inwardly thrilled that he had thrown water over his head.

Evie now returned. She halted at the door on seeing Carlos and gave him a very shy smile.

He held up a hand,' hi,' he said awkwardly.

'Hey,' she said.

Ben and Mal exchanged an look of amusement even as Jay and Lonnie came in, arm in arm.

'Hey there Ben,' said Lonnie in her perky way, grabbing up a chair and pulling Jay into the one beside her.

'Afternoon Lonnie, hello jay.'

Jay held up a hand in greeting and glanced at Carlos who was rubbing Dude's belly, very intently not looking toward Evie, who was shyly hovering near him.

Jay grinned wickedly, the light of mischief gleaming in his eyes. He parted his lips and sang a line from a song they all knew, looking directly the while at Evie and Carlos,' give up, give in, check the grin you're in love, this scene won't play, I won't say I'm in love.'

Carlos went scarlet, while Evie rolled her eyes.

Mal grinned,' there may be something there that wasn't there before,' she sung.

Jay couldn't resist, but took up the same song,' there's something sweet and almost kind...'

Lonnie cut in giving Jay a pointed look,' but he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined...'

Mal took over looking at Ben,' and now he's dear and so unsure...'

Evie hummed softly, almost to herself,' I wonder I didn't see it there before,' she looked up and changing tune turned to Jay,' you think the only people who are people are the people who look and think like you...'

Ben now put in,' but if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew.' He smiled at Mal,' that stranger was you to me once,' he said.

Jay gave Evie a scowl,' I don't think I'm the only person who matters,' he said,' I'm about team play, you know that.'

Evie smiled,' you were poking me,' she retorted.

'Don't scowl Jay,' said Lonnie soothingly,' hakuna matata you know.'

He laughed at that,' it's means no worries for the rest of your days,' he hummed.

'I had no idea singing was such a big deal on the Isle of the Lost,' said Ben.

'We all need a little song in our lives,' said Mal, but a slightly wistful look came over her face. She always looked like this when he mentioned the Isle. It had been her home after all and he saw the same look reflect in the faces of Jay, Carlos and Evie. What rough childhoods they had all experienced. So different from his perfect one with Beauty and her Beast to guide him.

Poster parents for goodness, he had told Mal. That was something to live up to, but it was something worth aiming for. These four, no matter what they did, could never have parents to look up too and aspire to be like.

Ben felt someone give him a slight push, it was Mal,' serious face,' she said,' not now Ben.'

Not now. He had told her he wanted to hear more about her childhood some day and she had promised she would tell him... someday. He doubted if she'd ever allow that day to come.

'You lot will probably all get flu too if you stay around here, you realise that, right?' he said.

'It's worth it,' said Mal, squeezing his hand,' for my cutie.'

Ben pulled a face at her,' I'm a king you know,' he said,' you don't have a lot of respect for that.'

'No,' she agreed bluntly,' I don't really.'

Ben rolled his eyes at her and glanced toward Jay and Lonnie who had just got up together.' Going?' he asked.

'We are heading to town together,' said Jay,' Lonnie wants to show me round a bit.'

Lonnie gave her bold grin and existed with Jay, both in deep conversation.

Carlos smiled and got to his feet too,' I'll see you guys round,' he said and went out, Dude at his heels.

Evie glanced uncertainly after him for a moment and then suddenly hurried out, without a word to Ben or Mal.

Mal smiled,' well that should work out,' she said.' How's the flu?'

'Better when you are here,' he said smiling at her affectionately.

Evie meanwhile caught up with Carlos and caught hold of his arm,' Carlos,' she said.

He looked round,' hey,' he said awkwardly.

'Look here,' she said,' I know spending time together yesterday was awkward, I didn't know what to do with myself and you clearly didn't either but... I don't want to give up. We could try again, right?'

Carlos looked at her, hope in his face,' yeah?'

She nodded and sung simply,' this bond between us can't be broken...'

He put in,' I will be here, don't you cry...'

And they both sang,' cause you'll be in my heart, yes, you'll be in my heart, from this day on, now and forever more...'

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