Okay everyone! Here is the second chapter! It is not as long as my others, but the next few are going to be longer and full of answers.
Please let me know what you think!
AmethystDragon14: I am so sorry! I know! I am a horrible person! But this aren't always as they seem! We'll have to wait and see what happens.
shortanamx: Thank you!
brimason0201: Thank you! I am so glad that you liked it! I hope you like where these next chapters go!
InuKagLove22: I am sorry! We talked about it in our pms, but I hope you will like the journey.
Agdahl.M: Thank you so much! I really love that you like it!
Roselinda: You're very welcome! I am glad that you reviewed! I absolutely love to hear feedback or how much people liked the new chapters!:D
SlytherinAvengerPrincess: Partner! HELLO! Thank you so much! I actually PMd you to help me a little in my next chapter :) PS just a small rant... Launch is tomorrow... we do not have g/v hot lids;,)... and we only have 6 frap bases... yay... ANYWAY end of rant. I hope you like the updates! Let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
Ben didn't hear from Mal for a week. He had to admit that he was not a fan of Ryan. That's actually a lie. Ben hates Ryan, but he was going to be nice for Mal. He figured out that whenever Ryan was mad at Mal she would distance herself from everyone, so he waited for her to call him. Later in the week, and after his call with Mal, she called and told him what time the live performance was going to be. He loved watching Mal sing, but he would love to see her sing in person rather than over a video. Which is why he was excited to hear that her performing arts club was doing one more performance before summer, and it was going to be the day before he was supposed to pick her up. He had called Tony the next day, when he knew Mal was in class and wouldn't be around him, and asked him if he could stay at his place after the performance, and he also said not to say anything to Mal because he wanted it to be a secret. Tony was game for it, not only because he loved the idea of surprising Mal, but because he hated Ryan too.
Ben got ready early in the morning, packed all of his bags, and got into his Jeep before starting his eight hour drive to Mal's school. He was getting really excited for this summer. He was finally going to get to spend time with his friends, family, and Mal. He knew he still loved Mal, and that was more than a friend, but she was with Ryan and he was going to respect their relationship. When he was about a half an hour away from the school, Mal called.
"Hey," Ben said as he put her on the Bluetooth of his car.
"Hey!" She said in an excited tone. "I was just calling to tell you that the concert is in an hour, and…" she started, but stopped when she heard Ben's engine. "Are you driving?" She asked.
"Yeah," he said. "I was getting gas before I took off early tomorrow morning. I am just leaving."
"Oh okay," she said. "And way. I wanted to tell you that I am still staying at Tony's and I'll send you the address after the concert."
"Okay, sounds good," he said.
"Okay," she said. "I'll call you later tonight when I get back to Tony's. I have to get heading over there soon."
"Okay," Ben said as he let a smile grow on his face. "I'll be watching."
"Oooooo," she said, making Ben chuckle. "I'll see you later."
"You betcha," he said, making her laugh and end the call.
He sent a quick text to Tony when he was at a red light, asking him for his address, and to tell him when Mal had left. He received a text not long after with the address and Tony saying that Mal left. Ben pulled up to Tony's apartment complex, and parked in Tony's visitor parking spot.
"Hey, Ben," Tony said as he walked up to Ben's car with a parking tag.
"Hey, Tony," Ben said as he got out of his car. "How have you been?"
"I'm good," he said. "Just keeping Mal away from the biggest douchebag I have ever met."
"Taking it you don't like Mal's boyfriend?" Ben asked.
"Nope," Tony said as he shook his head. "He's a prick," he said, making Ben laugh, before Tony gave him the parking pass. "But, let's head on out. The show is going to start soon."
Ben nodded his head eagerly, before following Tony out of the parking garage, and toward the school. He was excited to hear Mal sing, but more importantly, he was excited to see Mal. They had gotten there at the perfect time to get seats, and Tony pointed to Ryan who was sitting a couple of rows away from them. They sat toward the middle, and kind of off to the side, and got settled right when a man walked onto the stage.
"Good evening, everyone," he said as he looked out at the crowd. "I am Mr. Crane. And I am so happy to be here with you all," he said as the crowd started to clap. "Tonight,we have a special line up, but I would like to go over what tonight's theme is. Today's theme is overcoming.," he said. "Overcoming came be a broad of things, and all of our performers are so excited to share their tales with you. Now, without further ado, let's go on with the show,' he said as he held his hand out and the curtain opened.
There were so many great performances throughout the show. People painting their pain, people dancing, and so much more. Mr. Crane walked up to the stage again after the curtain closed.
"Now, we have come to the final performance, and it so happened to be one of my favorites," he said as he placed a hand on his chest. "But, please dont tell any of the other performers that," he said with a snicker, making everyone laugh. "This next performance is by a very lovely and talented girl. May I please welcome Mallory Drakos," he said as held his hand out and the curtain opened to show Mal sitting in front of a grand piano.
Everything was dark around her until she started to play the piano. A big screen that was behind her started to flash and fade into different colors.
There was a time when I was alone
Nowhere to go and no place to call home
My only friend was the man in the moon
And even sometimes he would go away too
Then one night, as I closed my eyes
I saw a shadow flying high
He came to me with the sweetest smile
Told me he wanted to talk for a while
He said Peter Pan that's what they call me
I promise that you'll never be lonely
And ever since that day
Ben started to get tears eyes, listening to her sing. He knew what happened to her, he knew she didn't like to talk about it, and he knew she was private about it. The song was beautiful, and he loved it. It was a perfect way for her to express how much she had gone through and how much she had overcome, without sharing the details.
I am a Lost Boy from Neverland
Usually hanging out with Peter Pan
And when we're bored we play in the Woods
Always on the run from Captain Hook
The colors on the screen turned into small black figures wandering around the screen, almost like they were telling a tale. They were moving violently on the screen, and were matching the tempo of the tune.
Run run Lost Boy, they say to me
Away from all of reality
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And lost boys like me are free
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And lost boys like me are free
The black figures started to fade off the screen, leaving one there, but a couple of light figures surrounded the black figure. Mal continued to sing, and the sound of her voice made Ben's heart swell.
He sprinkled me in pixie dust and told me to believe
Believe in him and believe in me
Together we will fly away in a cloud of green
To your beautiful destiny
As we soared above the town that never loved me
I realized I finally had a family
Soon enough we reached Neverland
Peacefully my feet hit the sand and ever since that day…
The screen changed and a bunch of pictures started to move slowly across the screen. They were pictures of Mal and her family when she was little. Pictures of her holding Hadie when he was a baby, pictures of her and her parents, and there were even a couple of her and Ben's parents.
I am a Lost Boy from Neverland
Usually hanging out with Peter Pan
And when we're bored we play in the Woods
Always on the run from Captain Hook
Ben smiled as all the pictures went across the screen. Pictures of Mal being so happy.
Run run Lost Boy, they say to me
Away from all of reality
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And Lost Boys like me are free
Neverland is home to lost boys like me
And Lost Boys like me are free
The pictures showed Mal aging, and then they showed a preteen Mal and a baby Rosie, making Ben smile. This was like getting to know Mal from the beginning. Getting to see her as a kid, to a preteen, and into the beautiful person she is today.
Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy darlin
Even Captain Hook you are my perfect story book
Neverland I love you so, you are now my home sweet home
Forever a lost boy at last
He watched as the pictures of his parents, Rosie, Evie, Uma, Hadie and Mal's parents flashed, going from picture to picture. He looked at Mal as she continued to sing, and she looked so beautiful. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with the front pieces falling to frame her face. He quickly looked at Ryan, and saw him roll his eyes. He hated that Ryan treated Mal badly. He wanted to say something, but he didn't want to overstep his bounds and cross a line he shouldn't. He turned to focus back on Mal, and the pictures were from when Mal started high school.
Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy darlin
Even Captain Hook you are my perfect story book
Neverland I love you so, you are now my home sweet home
Forever a Lost Boy at last
And for always I will say
Pictures and her and Ben started to move across the screen, making him smile brightly. They weren't all of him and her, but they were some of his favorites. A couple of him, her, and their friends from after the football games, pictures from their trip to Paris, their prom picture, and pictures of them and all their friends from graduation.
I am a Lost Boy from Neverland
Usually hanging out with Peter Pan
And when we're bored we play in the Woods
Always on the run from Captain Hook
The pictures changed to newish ones. One from Mal in college. Pictures of her and her new friends, Victoria, Sydnee, and Tabitha. Pictures of Tony, and her performing. But there were no pictures of Ryan. The next pictures were ones that made Ben's heart break just a little. Pictures of their families with Rosie after she got diagnosed with leukemia. Rosie's treatments were helping her a lot, but she was still sick. Rosie was a happy kid, and Ben knew that having Mal and his families together was her favorite thing. They made her so happy, and made her worst days better.
Run run Lost Boy, they say to me
Away from all of reality
Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me
And Lost Boys like me are free
Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me
And Lost Boys like me are free
The last pictures that went on to the screen froze. They were the pictures of his and Mal's family on the day they left for college, and a picture of all of their friends on the last day of summer when they went to the beach. He missed those days, and was hoping to have a lot of them this summer.
She stopped playing, making the crowd applaud loudly. Ben and everyone else stood and continued to clap. He turned his head to look at Ryan and saw him shaking his head as he crossed his arms over his chest. He was pissed, and Ben was now thankful that he decided to come, because he was not going to let Ryan be mean to Mal in front of him.
After Mr. Crane thanked everyone for coming, all of their performers walked down from the stage and a big crowd swarmed them, making it hard for anyone to move. Tony maneuvered his way over to Mal, leaving Ben behind.
"Mal!" Tony yelled, making Mal turn to smile brightly at him.
"Hey!" She said as she threw her arms around his neck.
He spun her around so that her back was to where Ben was coming from and smiled down at her.
"That was amazing!" Tony said, before he peeked up and saw Ben standing behind Mal. "Hey, there is a really cute guy standing behind you."
Mal was confused for a moment, because she knew that Tony hated Ryan, but she also knew that he was very fake around him too. She threw her head back, before looking back at Tony.
"How pissed does he look?" She whispered to him.
"Why don't you turn to look," he said as he scrunched his nose.
She took a deep breath before turning around and looking at Ben in shock.
"BEN!" She exclaimed excitedly, before she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be here tomorrow?"
"Hello," he said as he wrapped his arms around her back to hold her up. "And that would defeat the purpose of a surprise."
She let go of his neck as he placed her on her feet, and smiled up at him. "You sneaky…"
"Mal!" Ryan yelled, making Mal jump a little.
Ryan came over to the three standing there, and had a fake smile on his face. He picked Mal up, moving himself in between her and Ben.
"You did great, babe," he said as he put her down on her feet.
He went in to kiss her, but Mal moved so that he landed on her cheek instead of her lips.
"Thanks," she said.
He smiled down at her before looking over at Ben.
"Hello, Ben," he said as he held his hand out for Ben to shake. "It's finally nice to meet you face to face."
Ben shook his hand with a firm grip and a tight smile, making Ryan wince a little.
"Nice to meet you too," he said. "I thought it would be a nice surprise to come early and watch Mal live. Plus, since we are leaving tomorrow morning, it might be easier if we leave from here."
"I thought we talked about you staying a couple of days ago," Ryan said as he looked back down at Mal.
Mal looked up at Ryan with furrowed eyebrows as she shook her head.
"No," she told him. "Like I said before and the time before that, you yelled at me for going home, and I told you that I was going home to my family."
Mal felt even more gutsy, knowing that Ben was here. He would never let anything happen to her while he was around. And with the way Ben was looking at Ryan now, made Mal confirm what she thought.
"Can we…"
"No," Mal said as she shook her head. "I'm going home tomorrow," she said.
"But…"
"Stop it, Ryan," Mal said as she held her hand up. "I don't want to talk about it with you. I want to spend time with my friends."
"You're going to be with him all summer," Ryan said as he looked at Ben. "Isn't that enough for you to stay with me and, I guess, leave tomorrow."
"When I say I want to spend time with my friends, I mean Vic, Syd, Tony, Tabby, and Ben," she said.
"And what about me?" He asked. "You don't want to spend time with me before you leave? I haven't seen you in almost two weeks, and then you're going to be gone for almost four months."
"It's not like you tried to apologize," she argued. "And I am not going to waste my night arguing with you," she told him.
Ryan looked pissed, and Ben and Tony looked surprised. Mal felt good about standing up for herself. She hated that Ryan tried to run her life. He made her change so much about the person that she had become that she needed to be away from him. She didn't paint or draw much, she quit her acrobatics class after two months of them dating, and she went blonde for him. She needed this break from him. She needed to be with her family, her friends, and with Ben. She was hoping that this summer was going to change everything.
"Want to go to my favorite restaurant here?" Ask Ben as she turned away from Ryan. "We can go, then head back to Tony's to get ready for tomorrow."
"Yeah," Ben said as he nodded his head.
"Great. I'll go get my friends and we can go."
Mal left Tony, Ben, and Ryan standing in the middle of the crowd. Ben and Tony were about to follow her, but Ryan grabbed Ben wrist, stopping him from leaving.
"Don't get any ideas," Ryan said. "I know you are still in love with her, but she is mine."
"Mal is my best friend," Ben said as he yanked his hand away from Ryan's hold. "Of course I love her. Now, if you will exclude me. I am going to find her and her friends."
Ben turned around, and Tony followed him. Tony turned to smirk at Ryan, before catching up with Ben. After they met Mal and her friends, they walked to a small diner that wasn't far away from the college campus.
"You said this was a restaurant," Ben said as Mal slid into the booth next to him.
"A diner is a restaurant," she said, making him laugh.
"So, Ben," Victoria said as she looked up from her menu. "It's nice to see you again, but this time under better circumstances."
"I agree," Ben said as he smiled at Victoria. "It's nice to be meeting all of you."
"Tell us about you?" Tabitha said. "Mal has told us a bunch about you, but we want to get to know you."
"What do you want to know?" He asked as the waitress placed water in front of them.
"What are you going to school for?"
"We'll, I am going to school for law enforcement," he said. "I am not sure what type of law enforcement I want, but I can get trained in almost anything with a degree."
"And they know that," Mal said as she looked at her friends. "They're just being dumb."
"I see," he said, making the girls smile. "Well then tell me about you. What do I need to know about Victoria, Tabitha, and Sydnee?"
"First," Sydnee said as she held her hand up. "It's Syd, Tabby, and Vic. You're Mal's friend, you may use our nicknames."
"I feel so honored," Ben said as he put a hand on his chest, making the girls laugh.
"Anyway," Vic said. "What do you want to know?"
"Anything," Ben said as he looked over Mal's shoulder at the menu.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Tabby asked, before anyone could ask Ben a question.
"No." Ben said as he shook his head. "I do not have a girlfriend."
"Why?" she asked, but then jumped when someone kicked her under the table. "OW!"
"Woops," Mal said. "Sorry, I had a leg spasm."
"Yeah," Tabby said as she glared at Mal. "I bet that's what happened. Anyway," she said as she looked back at Ben. "I am majoring in marine life biology."
"That's great!" Ben said as he sat up and put his arm around Mal's head. "You like sea animals?"
"I love them," she said with a smile.
"What about the both of you?" he asked as he looked at Vic and Syd. "I think if I remember right, Mal told me that you were majoring in childcare, Vic?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said. "I want to work for CPS."
"That's amazing," Ben said. "And I'm sorry," he said as he looked at Syd. "Mal didn't tell me what your major was."
"I am an English major," Syd said.
"You like English?" He asked.
"I love English," she said, making everyone laugh.
"What about you three?" he asked, making them look at him in confusion. "Do you guys have anyone special?"
"Tabby's boyfriend is in the army. Syd's girlfriend is an art major, and is currently in France right now. And Vic has a special someone she has her eyes on," Mal said as she smirked at Vic.
"Shut up," Vic groaned. "We haven't…"
"You know that guy Vic was dancing it with, during the performance?" Mal asked as she turned to face Ben.
"Yeah," Ben said as he nodded his head. "You guys were great."
"Thanks," Vic said as she gave Ben a shy smile.
"Anyway," Mal said as she looked back ay Ben. "That was Jack. He and Vic have been flirting for almost a year, and neither of them have made a move."
"In my opinion," Ben said as he pointed to himself. "Just go for it. That's what I did when I asked Mal out."
"I'm just scared, because what if he says no?" She said.
Ben nudged Mal's shoulder, making her look up at him.
"That's your department," he said, making her shove him and laugh. "Am I wrong," he asked.
"If he says no, which he won't," Mal said as she looked at Ben. "Ask again. Be as annoying as Ben was."
"I was annoying?" He asked as he shook Mal's shoulder. "And yet you said yes in the end."
"Shut up," she said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Okay," their waitress said as she pulled out her pad and pen. "What can I get going for you?"
"That was fun," Ben said as he, Mal, and Tony walked into Tony's apartment.
"It was," Mal said as she flipped onto Tony's couch. "What did you think of my friends?"
"They're nice," he said as he moved her legs to sit down. "I genuinely like them."
"Good," she said as she smiled at him.
"So," Ben said as he looked over at Tony. "Why aren't you coming home with us?"
"Because, my dear sweet lover boy," Tony said as he passed Mal and Ben a beer. "I have to move my things to my other apartment, butI will be going home in July."
"You'll be there for Rosie's birthday right?" Mal asked as she took a drink of the beer.
"I'm going to try," he said. "And you'll have to text me who I am dressing up as."
"We'll let you know," Ben said. "What time do you want to leave tomorrow?" He asked as he turned to Mal.
"Whenever," Mal said. "I know our parents are throwing us a welcome home party."
"Yay," Ben said as he held his beer up. "I'm so excited."
"Tell me one more time, and I still won't believe you," Mal said as she liked his side with her foot.
He grabbed their foot, and pulled her close, before he brought his face closer to hers.
"Don't start a war you can't finish," he threatened.
Mal laughed before laying back against the couch. She loved having Ben here, and she couldn't wait to go home tomorrow.
"Well," Tony said as he finished off his beer and stood up. "I'm off to bed. Wake me up before you both leave tomorrow."
"Will do," Mal said as she smiled up at him. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight you too," Tony said before he left Mal and Ben.
Ben finished off his beer, before taking Mal's and finishing hers off too.
"I was drinking that," she said as she stared at him in shock.
"You were?" He asked as he looked at the now empty bottle. "I thought you were just holding it for me."
Mal shook her head and laughed. She missed this. Spending time with him, laughing with him, and looking at his smile.
"Okay, you can take the air mattress, and I'll sleep on the couch," she said as she pointed to the unblown air mattress that was on the floor.
"No, you take it," he said as he bent down and flicked on the switch so that the air mattress could inflate. "I'll take the couch."
"I would fit better on the couch, and it's only one night," she said. "I promise. I'll be fine."
They went back and forth for a couple of minutes, before Ben gave in. He could never out stubborn Mal. They both went to bed, but Ben woke up to harsh whispering. He looked at his phone to see that it was four in the morning. He sat up and saw that Mal was not on the couch. He heard the whisper again, and looked to see her sitting on the balcony on the phone.
"Ryan, stop yelling at me," he heard Mal said.
She sounded like she was crying. He got up, and slowly walked over to hear what was going on.
"I am going… no… I said you'll have to wait."
He could hear Mal sniffle. He didn't know what Ryan was telling her, but he was making her cry.
"I want to go home… I… will you listen," she said. "I want to see my family and friends. I haven't been home in four months. I want to see Rosie too."
Ben wanted to go and take the phone away from Mal and yell at Ryan, but he knew it wasn't his place.
"No, don't come… because my parents… they knew Ben… I still haven't given… you know what," Mal said as she grew irritated. "I'm done talking. I have to wake up early. Bye… no… I'll see you when I get back… same," she said before she hung up the phone and tossed it on the table that was next to her.
Ben lightly knocked on the doorframe, making Mal wipe her eyes and turn to him.
"Hey," she said as she gave him a weak smile. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No," he said as he shook his head.
He didn't want to tell her that she did because he wasn't going to make her feel bad for waking him up.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he knelt down in front of her.
"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head. "Ryan is just a little upset."
Ben knew that he was more than just a little upset.
"Come on," he said as he rubbed his hand on her knee. "You're crying. Don't do that. Don't hide. Tell me what's wrong."
Mal took a deep breath, before nodding her head.
"He doesn't like that I'm going to be gone this summer," she said as she looked at him. "He doesn't want me to go."
"What do you want?" Ben asked. "Do you want to go home?"
"Yes," Mal said as she nodded her head. "I don't want to be here all summer, doing nothing. I want to go home to see our family and friends."
"Then that's what you're going to do," Ben said as he took her hands into his. "Listen. He may be your boyfriend, but he shouldn't control you," he said. "I know I shouldn't be saying this, because I'm, technically, your ex," he said, making Mal chuckle. "But, you're my best friend. I don't like seeing you cry, or sad, or hurt," he said as he continued to sooth her. "I want you to have a great summer with your family, mine, and our friends. Ryan may get mad about it, but he'll get over it."
Mal smiled at Ben. She didn't know what she would do without him. Four years wasn't long, but she and him knew everything about the other. Ben could make her feel better in the blink of an eye. He could turn her worst days into the brightest. She missed him. She missed him a lot.
"I just hate how hot tempered he is," she told him. "He is so pushy, bossy, and mean."
Ben frow. He didn't know what to say, but he did want to ask her something.
"Mal. Can I ask you something?" Ben asked, letting Mal nod her head. "I don't want to overstep my bounds, but why are you still with him if he is so bad to you?"
Mal didn't know what to say. How could she tell him that she was only holding on to Ryan because she didn't know if Ben was still in love with her. How could she tell the guy she is in love with that she is waiting for him.
"I don't know," Mal said as she looked down at their hands. "I guess… after losing you… I'm just afraid to lose again."
Ben looked at Mal with such sympathy. How could she think that she lost him? That could never happen. He pulled her into a hug, and she buried her head into his shoulder.
"Hey," he said as he pulled away and made her look up at him. "Why don't we go inside and watch a movie on my phone. We can watch your favorite."
Mal smiled at him before nodding her head. He stood up, still holding her hand, and they walked back into the apartment. They both laid on the air mattress and started to watch Mal's favorite movie, before they both fell asleep. That's how Tony found them. Curled into one another. He snapped a picture of them, before kicking the air mattress waking both of them up.
"I thought I said to wake me up," Tony said as Ben and Mal looked at him with a shocked expression. "Not the other way around."
Mal stretched her arms up and yawned. "What time is it?"
"Too early," Ben said as he rolled over and closed his eyes.
"It's almost ten," Tony said as he sat on the couch and started to drink his coffee. "About three hours late from when you both wanted to leave."
"Crap," Mal said as she reached for her phone.
She turned it on to see a bunch of missed calls. From her parents, Ben's parents, Ryan, Vic, Evie, Hadie, and Uma. She grabbed Ben's phone and saw missed calls too, but obviously none from Ryan and Vic.
"Ben," she said as she pushed on his leg. "We have to go, before our parents report us as missing."
Ben groaned before he rolled over to face her. "You're driving for the first two hours."
"Deal," Mal said before she smiled at him and got up.
They both got ready, helped clean up Tony's living room, and packed Mal's stuff into Ben's Jeep.
"Text me and Vic when you get there," Tony said as he leaned against the passenger door.
"You got it," Mal said as she smiled at Tony. "We'll see you in a month-ish."
"See you," he said as he pushed himself away and waved at them. "Drive safe."
Ben and Mal waved before driving away, leaving Tony behind.
"Next stop," Ben said as he leaned the passenger seat back. "Home."
The drive was fun. Ben and Mal joked a lot, laughed a lot, and just enjoyed being with each other. When they were thirty minutes from home, Mal dialed her mom.
"Mallory Bertha Drakos!" Seph scolded as she answered the phone. "Where are you and Ben?"
"Hello, mom," Mal said as she chuckled.
"Is that Mal?" Mal heard Belle ask in the background.
"Yes," Seph said. "Where are the both of you? Why didn't you call us back? Where were you?"
"We are about 25 minutes away from home, we overslept, and we were at Tony's," Mal said.
"You're almost here?!" She exclaimed in excitement, ignoring the other answers Mal had given her.
"Yes," Mal said with a chuckle. "We're almost home."
"Belle! Rosie! Hadie!" She yelled. "They're almost here!"
The phone cut off, bending the call. Mal shook her head and laughed before putting her phone in her lap.
"I think they are excited to see us," Mal said as she looked at Ben.
"I could hear," Ben said as he smirked at Mal.
His heart made another leap in his chest, watching her smile. It was his favorite thing in the world. And one he would give anything to have back.
"My baby!" Seph yelled as she ran out of Belle and Adam's house.
She sprinted over to Mal, almost knocking her to the floor.
"Hi, mom," Mal groaned from the tight hold.
Belle did the same with Ben as Hadie and Rosie ran out of the house followed by their dads.
"Babe, let her breathe," Haden said as he walked up to Mal and Seph with a smile.
Seph pulled away before Haden grabbed Mal, squeezing her tightly.
"You made me let go so you can hug the life out of her?" Seph asked as she shoved her husband.
"My turn!" Hadie yelled as he smiled at Mal.
Haden let go of Mal, and was about to hug Hadie when Rosie intercepted him.
"Sike!" Rosie said as she wrapped her arms around Mal's neck and stuck her tongue out at Hadie.
Everyone laughed, before they all finished their hellos and walked toward the house.
"We are so happy you are both home," Belle said as she hung on to Ben's arm.
"We're happy to be home," Mal said as they walked into the house.
They walked into the kitchen, and were surprised to see all of their friends sitting around the kitchen.
"SURPRISE!" They all yelled.
Evie and Uma ran to Mal, while Jay and Harry tackled Ben to the ground.
"What are you guys doing here?" Mal asked as she wrapped her cousin and best friend in a hug. "We thought we were going to be seeing you guys tomorrow!"
"Did you really think that we were going to sit at home while you two were here?" Evie asked. "I have been sitting on the edge of my seat since I got back from school to see you."
They broke apart, and then noticed Mal's hair.
"What did you do?" Uma asked. "We thought that you were wearing a wig on stage. This is real?" She asked.
"Um… yeah," Mal said as she curled the tips with her finger.
"I haven't seen you blonde since we were in the seventh grade," Lonnie said as she walked up to Mal. "You look…"
"Beautiful," Ben said, cutting Mal off.
Everyone turned to Ben, and saw him, Jay, and Harry getting up.
"Mal looks as beautiful as always," he said.
Mal gave him a smile before they said hello to everyone else. Evie watched Mal throughout the evening. She seemed off, and she was going to have to talk about it with her later. They were going to have a lot to talk about.
Until next time my Lovies! xoxo GM