Chapter Thirty Six
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else either belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Did I mention...how much I love the support you all have provided? I'd have to say it's almost ridiculous! You really rock my world every time I upload!
...okay no more puns, I promise!
As always special thanks to AmethystDragon14 for providing ideas and back and fourths...couldn't do this without you!
Hope you all enjoy! :D
Ben made his way down to the locker room with a small spring in his step. Even if there was the hurdle of Audrey not grasping the fact that they were no longer together, Ben couldn't find it in him to care at that point.
Mal was interested in him. Interested enough to try to spell him.
Honestly the novelty of the whole thing was enough to make Ben grin. He couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to think Mal and Jay were dating.
"Well, well, well, what's this on our captain's face?" Akiho teased as Ben walked into the locker room.
"A smile. You've seen it before Akiho," Ben shook his head.
"No, that smile only shows up when you've been around Mal," Emir said, backing up his best friend. "And considering we heard Audrey shrieking up a storm as we made our way to the locker room…"
Ben shrugged as he started to take off his shirt to put on the undershirt that would go under his pads. "She didn't like the fact that I revoked my consent for the Betrothal contract."
He paused as he got changed, looking at his two best friends who seemed frozen in surprise. "Guys? Hello? The game?"
"You're free?"
"If you've got to be dramatic about it, then yes I'm free," Ben told them, rolling his eyes.
"Oh thank the Gods!" Emir exclaimed as Akiho looked skyward as if truly thanking the Gods. Ben couldn't help but shake his head at his friends' antics.
"Guys, come on—"
"We're finally rid of the Banshee!" Akiho sighed in relief. "Thank you Zeus, thank you Hera, thank you whoever else we need to thank!"
"Thank you Persephone!" Emir stated. "After all, she's Mal's mom and something tells me it was Mal who talked Ben into finally seeing the light."
Ben sighed and chuckled. "Yeah well Audrey's under the impression that I just broke up with her to concentrate on the Tourney game. Apparently it's what the pros do or something. I'm hoping she'll get the hint after the game…I'm going to see if I can talk to Mal in private," he told them, a small smile gracing his lips.
Akiho and Emir looked at each other and grinned.
"Ben, just consider the dramatic option when you talk to Mal. Maybe talk to Mal in public instead of in private," Emir told Ben as he and Akiho started changing as well. "It might be the only way to get through to Audrey."
Ben sighed as he tightened his pads. "Guys…I'm not a dramatic person and really, have you thought about how that might affect Mal? She doesn't seem like she'd be into the dramatics either."
"Wait a minute," Akiho said as he pulled his pads on. "Dude, are you going to ask Mal out?"
"What else would a private talk mean?" Ben asked with a shrug.
"Finally!" Emir exclaimed. "Ben, you have no idea how hard it's been not to lock you two up in the art classroom just so you'd ask her out! You two have this weird 'will they/won't they' tension and it's so frustrating!"
"Shh! Do you want Audrey thinking Mal and I have been sneaking around behind her back or something?" Ben asked, hoping he wasn't blushing.
"Dude, anyone with eyes can tell you have feelings for Mal," Akiho said as he pulled his jersey up over his pads. "You kinda do this thing where the two of you get lost in your own little world when you get into a conversation and then you stare into her eyes like a lost puppy."
Ben shrugged. "They're nice eyes. Anyway I shouldn't be surprised you two noticed that, if that is what happens. The team nicknamed you two my shadows after all."
"Don't try to change the subject," Emir smirked before he grew serious. "Ben, I know you said Mal doesn't care for the dramatic but you know it's the only way to get through to Audrey. Otherwise, not only will she continue to think the two of you are still dating but she might go after Mal as well. We know Mal can take care of herself, being Lady Persephone's daughter and all, but if Audrey goes after her that could get Leah involved."
Ben sighed, knowing his best friends were right. Well, here's hoping Mal still talks to me after this, he thought. "Alright guys…what do you have in mind?"
Emir stared in shock. "Wow, thought it would take more persuading than that."
"Here's our thought," Akiho told Ben, "after the game, have the school spell out Mal's name. Then, I don't know, do like a big musical number. Doug can certainly give you a beat if you need it."
"Guys, isn't that a little too far? I mean, I know it's dramatic but doesn't it seem a bit humiliating for Audrey?"
"Ben, how many shopping dates has she forced you on, even when you were bone tired? How many times has she called you 'Bennyboo' or 'Bennybear' in public or in front of your parents even though you've told her to stop? She's the master of the dramatic so only the most dramatic option will get through to her. And honestly…I think other than her band of followers, you'll have pretty much the whole school on your side to take her down a peg."
Ben sighed. "Okay. I'm not entirely comfortable with this but I see your point. Plus Mal never asked for any of this—It wouldn't be fair to her if Audrey continued to think we were dating or if she started going after Mal."
"Exactly! If you won't do it for your sake…would you at least do it for Mal's?" Akiho asked gently, not knowing that he was playing what may have considered to be their trump card.
Ben ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "I'll do it," he said. "On one condition. We win the. game. If we lose, no one would even be in the mood to stay making the whole thing pointless."
"That's fair. Hey, speaking of the game, we should probably head out on the field before Coach drags us out there," Emir said. "Let's show Sherwood who's boss!"
Ben grinned as the three of them headed out to the field, the rest of the team huddled near the bench. Their coach was sitting down with his clipboard as they awaited the start of the game.
"What's the game plan Coach?" Ben asked.
"Alright this is it," Coach said. "Championship game. Ben, I want you on left forward. Chad, you're on right. William, Akiho, Emir, you're starting on defense. Conner, you're in goal. Now, I know you all have probably hated me while we prepared for the game but I can say for certain that Sherwood hasn't trained as hard as we have!"
"It was for a good cause coach," Ben said with a slight smile.
"Yeah coach, besides Ben ran us harder when you weren't there anyway," Conner chuckled. "There's never an easy practice when it comes to Tourney."
"Alright boys, I just want you to know whatever happens today we've had a good season and win or lose, I'm proud of you all. Now…can we do this?!"
"Yes coach!" The team shouted in unison before putting their fists in the center of the huddle.
"Fighting Knights on three!" Coach said. "One, two, three!"
"Fighting Knights!"
They raised their fists and the starters ran to the field while the rest of the team sat on the bench. Ben's eyes flickered to the stand for just a second. He caught a glimpse of Mal's purple hair about four rows from the top of the stands and couldn't help but smile.
Alright, let's do this, he thought and the game got underway. Since Ben was no longer 'bound' to Audrey, he could focus more on the game rather than giving Audrey the smiles she was looking for as she cheered with the other cheerleaders on the sidelines. Ben made a quick pass to Chad to tie up the game near the end of the first half. It was going to definitely be a close game.
"And what a shot by Chad as the first half comes to a close!" The announcer shouted. "We're all tied up here folks with The Fighting Knights 2, Sherwood Falcons 2."
Ben glanced around as he sat on the bench, taking in deep breaths and gulping down water. Li and Conner looked pretty worn out while Jay and Carlos hadn't played all game.
"Alright. Ben, Chad, how you two holding up?" Coach asked. "I want you back out there for the second half. Miguel, you take Conner's place on goal. Any questions?"
"Coach, what about Jay and Carlos?" Ben asked. "They haven't played all game."
Coach looked over at Ben before looking back at the bench, as if he'd forgotten there were two new players on his roaster. Looking back at his worn out players, Coach said, "Akiho, Emir, you're tagged out. Jay, Carlos, you're on the field. Jay, center forward. Carlos, defense."
"What?! Are you kidding me? They'll cost us the game!" Chad protested.
"We're tied right now!" Akiho shot back. "Sherwood's already played their full roaster while Jay and Carlos are fresh! We still have another half to get through. Chad, you saw how good Jay was at practice. You're probably just still bitter that he kicked your ass! If anything, Carlos and Jay could be the difference between winning and losing the game!"
"There's a difference between practice and the championship!" Chad shot back. "You really want to put it on the line for two people who have never played a game before?"
"I'd rather put it on players who are at their full strength than ones who aren't!"
"Alright, that's enough!" Ben. said, stepping up as captain. "Chad, you're going back out there in five minutes. Stop arguing and save your energy for the game. Who goes out on the field is Coach's choice and no one else's. Besides, we've trained harder than we ever have before. We got this."
"Thank you Ben! Chad, you should have more faith in your team mates. There was a point where you had never played a game before. No one was trying to get me to not put you in. As Ben said, you wanna question my decision? You wanna be benched for the first half of next season as well?"
Chad glared but didn't respond. Ben knew his friend wouldn't want to be benched for a game let alone half a season. Next year would be the year college scouts would start looking. Being benched would ruin any chance at being recruited.
"That's what I thought. Alright, as I said, Jay, center field. Carlos, defense! Get out there!"
"Yes coach," Jay nodded and so did Carlos though the younger boy still looked unsure.
"Don't worry, I got your back," Jay told him, rolling his eyes slightly at the younger boy's timidness.
"How about my front?" Carlos asked as the team retook the field. Ben shot them both an encouraging smile before turning his full attention back to the game. The game started back up and Ben, Jay and Chad continued to work together as they tried to get a third goal. Thankfully Miguel was holding his own as goalie, denying Sherwood the chance to take the lead.
"And the last ten seconds are on the clock! You could cut the tension with a sword! Li has the ball and he passes it to Prince Ben! And…Oh! Prince Ben passes it to Jay and he sets up for a goal and…" the announcer exclaimed. "Jay scores! The Fighting Knights have won the championship!"
The announcer's words were drowned out by the buzzer, signaling the end of the game. Ben honestly couldn't believe it. Though he did join in, grinning, as most of the team tackled Jay in celebration.
"Gah! Get off!" Jay shouted from the bottom of the dog pile but Ben could hear the laughter in his voice. Only thing that could have made this better would have been if his parents were there, but Ben knew they were busy.
"Well would you look at that? The Fighting Knights' new recruit got them a championship! Folks if I may say, this looks to be a great team, the best in—"
"Now's your chance Ben," Emir told him as the announcer continued. "We won. Make with the dramatic."
Ben sighed before squaring his shoulders and bracing himself before hurrying up and grabbing the gold microphone. He could see looks of confusion coming from the team but he couldn't back down now. "Excuse me! I have something to say!"
Dear gods, let this work, Ben thought before noticing Jay still looking at him in confused amusement. Hang on, Jay was there when Mal gave me the cookie. Jay would think…that I'm still under a love potion. Meaning Mal thinks that too! Just act like you think someone on a love potion would act!
He took a breath, noticing Audrey out of the corner of his eye. Please work. "Give me an 'M'," he shouted.
The cheerleaders and spectators looked a bit confused for a second before going along with it. "'M'!"
"Give me an 'A'!"
"A!"
"Give me an 'L'!"
"L!" The crowd cheered as Ben took a deep breath, preparing to go dramatic for the first time in his life.
"What's that spell?!" Ben asked, his team staring at him in shock. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Akiho and Emir hiding their eyes as if embarrassed by Ben. They asked me to do this! You two said go dramatic, this is dramatic!
"Mal!" The school cheered.
"Come on, I can't hear you!"
"MAL!"
"Mal, I really like you! More than I thought I could ever like someone! Did I mention that?" Ben shouted into the microphone as Audrey ran off the field. Ben couldn't help but feel bad, but it did seem to be the thing that got through to Audrey. Guess his friends were right. The dramatic way was the best way to get through to Audrey.
"Give me a beat!" Ben shouted, pointing toward the band. Hey, he started this. He needed to follow through.
"Uno, dos, tres, quatro!" Ben heard Doug shout and the band began to play. Ben couldn't help but bounce around as he began to sing. He saw Chad laughing, not out of malice but probably out of shock. He knew his friend had feelings for Audrey but never acted on them because of the contract. It almost seemed like Chad was stunned that Ben was doing something like this.
Though honestly he wasn't expecting the other guys on the team, the cheerleaders or the rest of the school to join in. Especially the cheerleaders. Audrey was their captain after all.
Hopping down from the canon he'd been standing on, Ben couldn't help but smile as Carlos joined in on the dancing. The younger boy was definitely good, Ben could see that. A second later, he saw Jay put the microphone stand in front of him and Ben couldn't help but look back. Even though he knew about the love potion, he still had a small sliver of doubt. Would Jay be okay with this?
But the small pat on his shoulder from the older boy and the smile alleviated all of Ben's fears and he continued on with the song; going as far as to toss his jersey up into the crowd and hoping Mal was the one that caught it. As the song wound down, Ben found himself getting tossed into the crowd by the male cheerleaders before surfing toward Mal on the crowd of students.
Ben, this was probably the riskiest thing you've ever done, he thought as he landed in front of Mal. "And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss! Come on now," he sang as the music faded out. Lonnie had whirled her around apparently so the two of them were looking at each other.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ben could see Evie's dark blue hair and couldn't help but wonder why Mal and Evie were standing by each other. It'd be come increasingly clear that the two girls weren't the best of friends. But that would be a question for another day.
"Mal, will you go to the coronation with me?" Ben asked, panting a little as he was still spent from the Tourney game plus the musical number. Please say yes. Otherwise I'm going to have to kill my best friends for putting me up to this.
"Yes," Mal said after a minute. Before Ben could respond, Audrey dragged Chad up to the stands and took the microphone. Ben was more stunned at her sudden reappearance than her taking the microphone if he was honest.
"Chad's my boyfriend now," she said, Chad more than a little shocked at the announcement. "So I don't need your pity date to Coronation, Bennyboo."
Ben stared at Audrey slightly shocked. I…I guess Mal was right, there really is nothing of our friendship there. Hell even Chad looks shocked considering she barely gave him the time of day before.
"She said yes!" Ben said, yelling into the microphone after taking it back from Audrey. Ben chuckled as Jay dragged him back down the stands to get changed. He wanted to do it as quickly as possible, to explain to Mal that he wasn't spelled like she thought.
Little did the prince know that Mal was already booking it back to her dorm, in search for a spell book and an antidote.
