Okay everyone! Welcome to the third chapter of Neighbors: Home Again. This is going to be a sort summer, but a good one because the story is going to go into their last year on college... so... we have quite a bit of chapters to go through.
I will be posting my rotation on my next update, and it will start with that one and move down from there. I hope to finish my chapters a little faster, maybe one a week.
Urmimala Hazra: Thank you! I hope it happens soon? Lol. Rosie is one of my favorite characters that I have written, and I can assure you that she is going to be thriving in this story. Ryan... he is a person... anyway lol let me know what you think.
AmethystDragon14: Thank you! I hate him too lol
Agdahl.M: Thank you! I reread that and I made so many mistakes just in that part lol I went back and fixed them so thank you for pointing that out to me.
brimason0201: Lol they are both in denial lol. Things are going to come into the light soon and then the ball will get rolling... in many different directions? Lol
Buggalicious: Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! It truly means the world to me!
InuKagLove22: More Neighbors! I hope you like this chapter! Let me know what you think!:)
Rosalinda: No worries on the glitches. I get all of the comments. Thank you so much for your comments! I love them.
Enjoy!
"So, What's up?" Evie asked as Uma, Mal, Jane, Jordan, and Lonnie walked into Mal's room.
"What do you mean?" Mal asked as she put her bag onto her bed.
"Don't," Uma said as she pointed at her cousin. "Don't start the whole 'I have no idea what you are talking about' thing," she said as she mocked Mal. "What is going on? What's up with you and Ben?"
"Nothing," Mal said as she turned away from her friends. "We're just friends. You know this."
"No," Jordan said as she turned Mal back to them. "There is something different between the two of you."
"Seriously," Lonnie said as she flopped onto Mal's bed. "You two kept looking at each other all night when the other wasn't looking, he called you beautiful, and it's just different than before."
Mal sighed. She was trying to keep her looking to a minimum, but she couldn't help herself. She was getting even more eager to be around him, and her friends of course, but to be around Ben and without Ryan constantly on her back, she felt like she could breathe again.
"You guys are flirting like you guys used to, before you guys started dating, in high school," Uma said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm not sure," she said as she sat down on the edge of her bed and put her head in her hands. "I mean… I think… maybe… I don't know! I don't know if he feels like he did when we dated. I don't know if he still loves me in that way. I don't even know if…"
"He does!" They all shouted.
"Guys. It's been two years since our break up," she said. "Things have changed."
"You know what hasn't changed?" Jane asked as she knelt in front of Mal, making Mal look at her. "How much you and Ben love each other."
"Mal, you can't say that you are not still in love with him, after what we all saw tonight," Uma said.
Mal started to cry, finally letting her feelings for Ben come out. She was still in love with him, and if she admitted it to herself, she knew she never stopped. Everyone hugged Mal as best as they could, trying to comfort her.
"I am still in love with him," she cried as she rested her head on Evie's shoulder. "I never stopped loving him."
She wept louder, she didn't get to do this when they broke up, because she didn't want to show her college friends how weak she could be because of a boy.
"I am hoping that this summer will give me some clarification of where we both stand," she confessed. "If we are just meant to be friends or if we want to be together again."
"What do you want?" Lonnie asked.
"I want Ben."
"What about Ryan?" Evie asked.
"Who's Ryan?" Everyone else asked, looking at Mal in confusion.
Mal never told anyone from home, other than Evie and Ben about Ryan, and Ben found out only because it was an accident. It was hard keeping something like that from her family and friends, but she didn't want to introduce Ryan to them or even announce that she had been dating someone. She didn't even tell anyone that he proposed to her.
"Ryan…" Mal said as she wiped her eyes and sniffled. "Is technically my boyfriend."
"WHAT!?" Everyone but Evie shouted.
"Boyfriend?" Jordan asked.
Mal nodded her head, not wanting to look at her friend for keeping a secret from them.
"Okay. Explain. Now," Uma demanded. "Why do we not know about this?"
"Because I didn't want anyone to know about Ryan," Mal admitted. "I never wanted it to last, but he is just really pushy."
"HOW PUSHY?!" Uma asked violently. "I swear Mal, if…"
"No!" Mal said, cutting her cousin off. "I have never been with him like that… only Ben."
"Okay," Uma huffed.
"He's pushy in a way to where he literally doesn't take no for an answer. I never even said yes to a first date with him. He tricked me into going, telling me it was going to be a gathering with mutual friends, but when I got there it was just him. After that, he went around saying that we were dating, and when I tried to correct him, he told me to just leave it be and we would take things slow. I told Evie, and Ben found out by accident."
"How long has this been going on for?" Lonnie asked.
"Just over a year."
"A YEAR?!"
"Yes," Mal said as she groaned.
"And why didn't you tell us?" Uma said as she looked over at Evie. "Or why didn't Ben tell the others for that matter?"
"Because I told Evie and Ben not to," Mal said. "I don't want people to know about Ryan."
"Mal, if you are going to be with someone," Jane said, making Mal turn to her. "Wouldn't you want your friends and family to know about him, or that you are at least in a relationship?"
"You would think so, but I don't want to introduce Ryan. I don't even want to be with him."
"Then why are you with him? I'm confused on that part," Jordan said.
"Mal, doesn't want to feel alone again," Evie said as she sat down and wrapped her arm around Mal's shoulder. "I'm assuming after her and Ben's breakup, she felt alone, and with how pushy Ryan is to want to be with her…"
"You make me sound desperate," Mal said, cutting Evie off.
"No… well it may sound that way, but you're not desperate. Someone just found you that loves you the same amount that Ben did, but he doesn't love you like Ben does, and you don't love him like the way you love Ben."
"I know," Mal said as she hung her head. "I just hated the empty feeling inside, when Ben and I broke up, that the thought of someone possibly loving me the way Ben did made me feel a bit better after a while."
"But the thing is," Jane said as he rested her head on Mal's lap. "You can pretend that you feel better, but you know Ben never stopped loving you. He always has and he always will."
"I hope so," Mal said as she leaned her head on Evie's shoulder. "I don't want to be with Ryan. That's why I am hoping to spend time with him this summer and see where things are between us. I want to be with him more than anything."
"Well, it's not going to be hard," Uma said as she sat down and hugged her cousin from behind. "We all knew he is still in love with you, not only because of what we saw tonight, but because he told Harry and Jay that he was happy about spending time with you too."
Mal smiled, hearing that. Maybe this was going to be her and Ben's second chance. Maybe they would be together again before they went back to school. Three months was a long time to finger things out, and she was hoping things worked out the way she was hoping.
"Hey," Harry said as he and Jay walked up to Ben. "What are you going to do?"
"What?"
"Are you and Mal going to get back together?" Jay said loudly as the girls walked back into his house.
"Shut up," Ben said as he shoved them into the laundry room.
Ben shut the door behind him so that no one could hear them talk, plus he didn't want anyone overhearing their conversation.
"Gods, guys," he said in a huff. "Please just shout Mal's face that I love her."
"You do," Jay said. "You guys say that you love each other all of the time."
"It's true," Harry said as he hopped to sit on the dryer. "When I came to visit you two months ago, I walked in while you were ending a call with her, and you both said you loved each other."
"Yeah," Ben said as he ran his hand through his hair. "I know, and I do love her, but she doesn't know I am still IN love with her."
"Well, what are you going to do?" Jay asked.
"It's hard," Ben said. "I am hoping that getting her away… from school," he said, not wanting to mention Ryan. "I want this summer to be amazing. I am here with you guys, my family, and Mal. Plus, I am waiting to see if I got accepted into training in DC."
"Yeah," Harry said. "We all want this summer to be great, but we all also want you and Mal to get back together. And what are you going to tell Mal if you get accepted."
"I can't make that decision," Ben said. "I want Mal back too. I want more than anything to be with her again, and I'm just going to tell her. It's farther away, but it's only a year. She's going to be busy with fear final year of college. If she wants to get back together, we'll only be apart for a year."
"That's true," Jay said as he smiled at Ben. "But what's the hold up?" Jay asked. "You're single. She's single. What is stopping either of you?"
Ben sucked in his lips. He didn't want to tell them that Mal has a boyfriend, but he didn't want them to be making comments. He knew it was Mal's news to tell, but he could trust them not to say anything for when or if Mal says anything about Ryan.
"The holdup is…" he said as he brushed his hand down his face. "Mal has a boyfriend," he whispered.
Jay and Harry stood there with gapes in their mouths.
"She has a what?" Harry asked as he pointed at Ben.
"What do you mean, Mal has a boyfriend?" Jay asked.
"His name is Ryan. They have been dating for just over a year…"
"I don't care about his name or how long they have been dating," Jay said, cutting Ben off. "I want to know why none of us have heard of him."
"Mal doesn't want anyone to know about them," Ben said as he crossed his arms. "I found out by accident, I'm pretty sure, because he answered her phone when I called."
"If she doesn't want anyone to know about him, then why is she with him?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure, but hopefully getting her away from him this summer will open doors for us," Ben said. "And to show her that he doesn't deserve her."
"Is he bad to her?" Jay asked with his jaw clenched, making Ben freeze.
"He's not the nicest person," Ben said. "When I went to Mal's performance last night, he grabbed my arm and told me not to think about taking Mal away from him, because she is his."
"That's good," Harry said, making Ben and Jay look at him in confusion. "I'm saying he is threatened by you. He wouldn't have told you that if he wasn't scared of you, or Mal leaving him for you."
Ben's eyes widened. He hadn't thought about that. Ryan wouldn't have said that if he wasn't threatened, but he didn't notice it because he was happy to see Mal.
"Maybe," Ben said. "I just don't want to pressure her. I want things to just fall into place like they did when we first started talking."
"Well, it's different now, because you guys were together. You guys love each other, and trust me when I say that everyone is going to be watching the both of you this summer," Harry said.
"I know, especially Rosie. She keeps asking Mal and I, every time we come home, if we are boyfriend and girlfriend again."
"The girl is smart. She knows what is good for the world," Jay said, making Ben and Harry laugh.
"That she does," Ben said. "But we better get back out there before everyone starts asking questions."
Ben turned to open the door, and found Uma and Lonnie standing in the kitchen waiting for them.
"Heeeey," Jay said as he waddled over to Lonnie and wrapped his arms around her. "What's up?"
"Don't 'what's up' me," Lonnie said as she turned to face Jay.
"What were the three of you doing in there?" Uma asked.
"Laundry," all three of them said at the same time.
"Benny!" Rosie yelled as Mal walked up to them with Rosie on her back. "Can I watch the movie with you?"
"Sure," Ben said as he turned them around and walked to the couch.
Uma and Lonnie looked irritated that he walked away, but then turned to their boyfriends.
"Later," Uma said before she turned and walked over to the couch.
A couple of hours later, Belle and Seph walked into Belle and Adam's house to check on the kids, and found them all asleep in the living room. Uma and Harry were asleep in the papasan chair in the corner, Jay, Lonnie, Jane, and Carlos were asleep on the floor, Chad and Jordan were asleep on the loveseat, Hadie and Gil were taking up both air mattresses Ben had inflated for everyone, and Ben, Rosie, and Mal were asleep in the couch.
"Things never change, do they?" Belle said as she pointed at Ben, Mal, and Rosie.
Both mothers were very upset when they got the calls about their breakup. They knew that they would remain close, but they were hoping they would last forever.
"Nope," Seph said as she smiled at her daughter who had her face resting on Ben's chest. "But I am hoping things get better with those two by the end of the summer."
"Me too."
The next morning, everyone was in the kitchen eating with Ben and Mal's family's. Rosie was so excited to have Mal and Ben back that she was not letting either of them leave her side.
"So," Seph said as she clapped her hands, making everyone look at her. "This summer, my nursery is going to be hosting the summer festival," she said as she smiled brightly at the group. "There are going to be so many fun things to do, so many booths, bands playing, contests, and even performances by people in our town."
"Is it going to still be an all summer event?" Uma asked as she hugged her aunt from the side.
"Yes," she said as she leaned her head on Uma's. "And I was hoping to find someone with the voice of an angel to perform a couple of times throughout the summer…" she said as she looked over at Mal, and as everyone else did too.
Mal was looking at her phone while drinking her coffee, not fully paying attention to what her mom was saying, until she felt everyone's eyes on her.
"Who? Me?" She asked as she put her cup down.
"Well why else are the rest of us looking at you?" Harry asked. "Well I know… OW!" He shouted as Ben stood on his foot.
"Crap! Sorry," Ben said as he took his foot off of Harry's. "I should have watched where I was going."
Mal shook her head and laughed. She loved how things just sunk back together when she and Ben were home. It was like their senior year of high school, except they weren't dating, which is something both of them would be able to change.
"I would love to mom," Mal said as she smiled at her mom.
"Thank you, honey."
"You're going to sing at the festival?" Rosie asked as she looked up at Mal.
"Looks like it," Mal said as she looked down at the nine year old. "How many times to be exact?"
"As many as you would like," Seph said with a smile. "And you get to pick the songs you want."
"I call dibs on picking out of her book!" Uma exclaimed as she shot her hand up in the air.
"Woah! No! I call dibs!" Evie shouted.
"Can I pick one?" Jay asked with a shrug as he slowly raised his hand.
Everyone of her friends started to go back and forth about who was going to pick the songs Mal was going to sing at the festival. She crossed her arms, sat back, and laughed as she watched everyone.
"You're having fun with this," Ben said as he walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"It's funny to see them fight over something dumb," she said as she continued to watch everyone. "It makes me feel warm inside," she said, making Ben laugh.
"Okay. Okay," Haden said as he held his hands up. "I think we should have Mal pick the songs, since she is going to be singing them."
"Thanks dad," Mal said with a smile. "But, I think the girls aren't going to let me pick them by myself," she said.
"She's right," the girls said, making everyone laugh.
"I was also going to ask you," Seph said as she leaned over the counter to focus on her daughter. "What do your college friends have planned in two weeks?"
"I don't know," Mal said. "I know Vic was going to stay at school, because her parents are visiting relatives in Germany, and Tabby and Syd may have gone home, but I'm not sure."
"Would you like it if they came and stayed with us, and maybe perform in the festival too?" She asked, making Mal's eyes widen.
"Really?" Mal asked in excitement.
"Yeah," she said. "We want to meet your other friends, and Evie and Uma do too."
Mal turned to her best friend and cousin and pouted her lip.
"You guys want to meet my other friends?" She asked. "You're not going to be jealous that I made other friends?"
"Why would we be jealous?" Uma asked as she pushed Ben out of the way as she and Evie wrapped their arms around her. "You act like you are unlikeable and would ever be able to get rid of us, and I'm sorry to say that you are stuck with us for life."
"Glad to hear," Mal said as she leaned on Evie's head. "And I'll call them later tonight to see if they would be up for it."
"Great!"
"Anyone else you thinking about inviting?" Jordan asked, knowing she meant Ryan.
Mal looked over at Ben at the same time he looked at her. She could see that he was thinking about Ryan, and she could tell that he was bothered. She gave him a smile, before shaking her head.
"Nope," she said, as Ben gave her a soft smile. "Just Vic, Tabby, and Syd."
Later that night, Mal was in her room on the phone, FaceTiming, with Vic.
"So… what are your plans for the summer again?" Mal asked as she started to kick her feet back and forth.
"Well, I was going to try and rearrange things, so that it is easier to move when you get back, but since Tabby and Syd are staying on campus I don't have to dwell on it," she said.
"I see," Mal said as she laughed at her roommate.
All four girls were going to get an apartment together for their last year of college. They had found a place, signed a year lease, and were due to move in a week before school was back for fall.
"Well… what would the three of you say, if I asked if you wanted to come here?"
Vic stared at Mal in shock. She had heard so much about Mal's family, but she had never met them.
"What?" She asked.
"Would you three like to come to my hometown, and even perform in our town festival that is going to be at my mom's nursery."
"Are you serious?" Vic asked. "That would be great! I don't think the others would mind. Where are there places to stay?"
"You're going to be staying with my family and I," Mal said. "My parents already have our camping cots in my room."
"What?"
Mal turned her camera so that Vic could see the cots that were still in their boxes, but ready to be put together.
"Mal! This is so exciting!" Vic exclaimed. "We finally get to meet your family and friends!"
"I know," Mal said as she turned the camera back to herself. "Apparently, this was a plan my mom set into action, because they and my best friends want to meet you guys."
"When would you be expecting us?" Vic asked. "I still have to ask the girls, and if they want to, we have to see whose car we are going to take, how much time we have to pack, and what time to leave."
"Two weeks," Mal said. "We are going to get everything set up for your guys, make sure that everything is clean and tidy, per my mothers request, and make sure that the festival is all set up and ready, because we want everything to be up and ready before you guys get here," she said, making Vic laugh. "But yeah, I felt that would give you guys time to plan and get things situated."
"That's actually perfect," Vic said. "I am going to have to tell Jack that we're going out of town…" she said, but stopped when she saw Mal smirking. "No. Stop. Not like that. I am going to tell him because he was going to help me move things around in our room."
"Yeah. Okay," Mal said in a mocking voice. "You too just need to go on a date already."
"Okay, miss 'I'm in love with my ex' still," Vic said in a mocking tone too. "But speaking of that," she said as made her voice normal. "How is that going so far? How was your ride back?"
"It was fine," Mal said as she nodded her head. "It was like when we were together. We sang songs, made each other laugh, I fed Ben while he drove, he served me coffee while I was driving, and we just talked. It was really nice," she said with a warm smile and as she started to think about Ben.
"Have you two talked?"
"We have only been home for a day and a half," Mal said. "What am I supposed to tell him? 'Hey. I'm still in love with you. Do you want to get back together?'"
"We'll, I mean, that's a start," Vic said with a laugh. "You two have have come a long way since your breakup and you guys are ready."
"I don't know if he feels the same," Mal said. "Trust me. I want to be with him so much it hurts."
"Then what is the hold up, other than that douchebag Ryan?"
"Like I said," Mal said as she looked at her friend. "I want to see if he feels the same way. With me not being around Ryan, I feel like I can be myself and I can breathe."
"That's a good thing, Mallory," Vic said. "Your boyfriend," she said with a disgusted look on her face. "Should not make you feel like you suffocated."
"I know," she said as she threw herself back against her bed. "I don't want to be with him anymore, but I want to end it, but I don't want it to where he yells at me."
"That's understandable," Vic said. "He scares me sometimes. He is too clingy and controlling. I'm afraid he is going to hurt you."
Mal bit her lip after hearing the words leave her friend's mouth, because she was afraid of that too. She had wanted to end their relationship on a multitude of occasions, but he would never let her get the chance to do it. He would always cut her short or give her dirty looks if he felt like she wanted to end things. She was stuck, but she was hoping that if she and Ben got back together, and if he would be there when she ended things, Ryan wouldn't act stupid or threaten her. But she was also sure if she asked Ben to be there, even if they didn't get back together he would do it, but getting Ben back was just something she has been wanting for a while.
"I…" she started, but something hit her widow that led to the balcony. "Hold on, Vic," she said as she got off her bed and walked over to the balcony.
She opened the door, and accidentally stepped on a couple of pebbles as she stepped outside.
"Ow," she said as she jumped a little.
"Mal!" She heard someone loudly whisper.
She snapped her head up, before she carefully walked over to the end of her balcony. She looked down to see Ben smiling up at her.
"What are you doing?" she asked with a laugh.
"Want to go for a ride?" He asked with his bright white smile that made her heart melt. "I brought your favorites," he said as he held up a picnic basket.
She shook her head and laughed before nodding her head.
"Give me 5 minutes," she said.
"I'll meet you out front," he said as he started to jog back around her house.
She rushed back inside, before grabbing her phone and looking back at Vic.
"Hey," she said with a smile. "That was Ben. He wants to go for a ride, can I call you tomorrow?"
"Absofreakinglutely," Vic said. "I'll call the girls and see what they say about going to stay with you and your family."
"Okay, but please do not let Ryan know or find out," Mal slightly begged. "I do not want him to know and try to tag along."
"Mal, I hate the guy," she said. "I would never tell him."
"Okay," Mal said with a smile. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Bye, have fun with Ben," she said in a teasing tone.
Mal shook her head, before she hung up the phone and rushed to her closet. She changed into a pair of shorts, a green flannel, and a pair of sandals. She walked downstairs and walked outside to see Ben standing against his Jeep.
"Hey," she said as she walked up to him. "Who else is coming?"
"No one," he said as they both walked to the passenger side of the car. "It is just going to be you and me."
He opened the car door for her, and it set off the butterflies in her stomach. She loved these night time drives that she and Ben would take, the summer before they went off to college. He drove to the place he took her to on their first Valentines Day. They would lay in the middle of the meadow and just stare up at the stars together.
"Okay," Mal said as she got into the passenger seat, and buckled up.
Ben walked around the Jeep, before hopping in, buckling up, and driving out of Mal's driveway. On their way there, they sang to Ben's favorite song, and it made Mal's butterflies flutter faster in her stomach. She didn't know how long she was going to be able to keep her feelings at bay, but she also knew she didn't want to burst them out to him if he didn't feel the same way.
"It feels good being home," he said as he laid his head down Next to Mal's. "I missed this."
"I know," she said as she turned her head to look at him. She didn't know if he was talking about missing home, or missing home and these moments together. "I missed it too."
He turned his head to look at her, and smiled. She was thankful that it was darker so he couldn't see her blushing.
"So, tell me," he said as he turned onto his side to face her completely. "What is the first song you are going to be singing at the festival?"
"I'm not sure," she said as she turned onto her side. "Evie and Uma said that they are going to be going through my book later," she said as she scrunched her nose. "But, when are you expecting to hear from your training program in DC?"
"I'm not sure," he said as he moved a piece of her hair behind her ear. "They said that they would send out letters by the end of June, but I don't even know if I'll get in."
"You're going to get in," she said as she lightly shoved him and as she sat up. "Trust me."
"I'll take your word for it," he said with a small chuckle as he sat up top. "It sucks that it's going to be farther away from home and you though," he said, trying to see how she would react.
"I know, but it's only a year," she said. "And it's not like you could ever get rid of me."
"Like I would want to," he said as he smiled at her, making her blush.
She couldn't help herself. He dove at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face into his shoulder. He didn't hesitate to hold her close, as he wrapped his arms around her. This is what he wanted. He wanted to be close to her again, and she wanted to be close to him. They sat there for a good minute in silence, before Mal broke the quietness.
"I miss you," she said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Ben tightened his hold on her, loving that the words fell out of her mouth. He didn't know if she was talking about missing him or missing spending time with him.
"I miss you too," he said softly as he continued to hold her.
When they pulled apart, they looked at each other and smiled. They both had butterflies in their stomachs, and Ben brushed a piece of Mal's hair out of her face. Before she could stop herself, she leaned in and crushed her lips to his, taking him by surprise. He was shocked at first, but quickly melted into the kiss, and cupped the sides of her face. Explosions went off in their heads, their chests got warm, and the butterflies were going crazy in their stomachs. Their lips felt perfect on each other's, and they didn't want the kiss to end.
"Mal, wait," Ben said as he pulled away. "We can't do this. You have a boyfriend."
Mal hung her head. She knew this was wrong, but she didn't want to be with Ryan anymore.
"I don't want him," she said as she looked back at Ben.
"What do you mean?" Ben asked in a confused tone. His heart pounded a little faster in his chest, hearing her say that, but he wanted to hear so much more. "You don't want to be with Ryan anymore?"
"No," Mal said as she shook her head. "I never even wanted to start anything with him. I guess I just never ended things, because he filled a tiny part of where you left. He never made me feel the way you make me feel. I don't love him."
Ben couldn't contain his smile. He had wanted Mal to say these things since he found out about Ryan, but he was never going to say anything in case he actually made her happy.
"I never left you," he said as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek. "I was always there. We just didn't talk for a while because losing each other was hard on the both of us."
"I know," she said as she started to tear up and then realized that she was basically sitting on him. "I'm sorry," she said as she started to back away from him. "I shouldn't have done that. I just… I just really miss you."
He took her face into his hand to meet her eyes. He wanted her back so bad, and knowing that she felt the same made him so happy.
"I miss you too," he said. "I have missed you so much."
She gave him a teary eyed smile, before she wrapped her arms back around his neck. She wanted this more than anything.
"So…" he said, making Mal pull away from their hug. "Where does that leave things?"
Mal slumped. She wanted to be officially with Ben right now, but she didn't want to have the title of cheater, even if it was just going to be between her and Ben.
"I want to be with you," she said. "But, I want to end things with Ryan first. Is that okay with you?"
He smiled at her, before nodding his head. "As long as I have you back. I don't care," he said. "But, can I ask if things were serious between the two of you?"
Mal paused for a moment. She didn't know if she should tell him that Ryan proposed. She never said yes to the proposal, so they weren't technically engaged in her eyes, only in his. She never wanted to be around him, she never wanted to spend time with him, and whenever she did, it was him coming to see her or him barging into her room. There was no seriousness in their relationship.
"No," she said as she shook her head. "There is nothing serious between us."
He smiled brightly at her, before he pressed his lips to hers again. He had his girl back, and he was over the moon.
"But," she said as she pulled away from their kiss. "Can we not tell anyone yet?" She asked. "I don't want people to be posting about us, and it somehow gets back to him. I know you and everyone else won't let him do anything, but he can be scary."
"He wouldn't be able to get 20 yards near you," he said. "I promise."
She pressed her lips to his again, happy that they were back together. Sure, they weren't going to tell anyone yet, but they were happy, and that is all that matters.
A week and a half later, Mal and her mom were getting things ready for the festival, and Mal walked into the back of the nursery to see all the booths and stage being set up. She was so excited, and couldn't wait for it to start and for her friends to get here.
"Who is going to be helping with your build your own bouquet booth?" Mal asked as she started to look around.
Her mom pointed to a booth with a purple and blue canopy, and she was surprised to see Audrey standing under the canopy, putting things together.
"She has been working for me for just over a month," Seph said as she looked over at Audrey. "And she is very different from when you were in high school."
Mother and daughter walked over to the booth, and when Audrey saw them she gave them a bright smile.
"Hi, guys!" She said. "It's great to see you, Mal! Are you happy to be home?"
"I am," Mal said, slightly surprised to hear how happy Audrey sounded. "It's great to see you too. My mom said that you work for her now."
"I do," she said with a wide grin. "I love it."
"That's good," Mal said as she smiled at Audrey. "It's a fun job, and I miss it a lot."
"You have a permanent job here," Seph said, making Mal look at her. "I can't fire my own daughter."
"Well… you can, but I appreciate the permanency," Mal said, making Audrey and her mom laugh.
"Your mom told me that your college friends are going to be coming," Audrey said. "I bet you're excited."
"I am," Mal said as she nodded her head. "I am excited for my friends to be meeting my crazy family."
"I find being crazy as a compliment," Hadie said as he walked over with Rosie on his back.
The three girls smiled as Rosie clung to Hadie's back. She had been getting better, and her hair had started to go back, now that they dialed down on her chemotherapy sessions, and it was now sitting at her shoulders. She still remembered the day Rosie shaved her head after it started to fall out, almost two years ago.
"I'm going to look like a boy," Rosie pouted as she sat in the chair and started to cry.
"You are not going to look like a boy," Belle said. "You are a beautiful girl, and you are going to look beautiful with or without hair."
"Do you want me to sit with you?" Ben asked as knelt down next to her.
Rosie nodded her head as she went to sit on Ben's lap. She wished that Mal was with her, but she was doing homework, because it was due before she and Ben went back to school. Ben adjusted Rosie on his lap, before Adam walked up to them with clippers in his hand.
"Are you ready, princess?" He asked.
Rosie crushed her eyes shut, before she nodded her head. Adam switched them on, making Rosie's blood run cold. She pushed herself against her brother's chest, and heard the buzzing noise grow closer.
"Hold still," Adam said before he started to shave his daughter's hair.
Haden held Belle and Seph as they started to tear up, Hadie walked up and took Rosie's hand as she started to cry more. When Adam was done, he turned the clippers off, and brushed off Rosie's shoulders.
"Do you want to see?" Adam asked.
Rosie slowly opened her eyes, and saw a mirror in her dad's hands. She gave him a soft nod, before he held the mirror up and showed Rosie her reflection. She gasped at what she saw. She didn't look like herself. She looked like a boy, and she started to cry harder, before she turned her head into Ben's shoulder.
"Did I miss it?" Mal asked as she rushed into the living room, and stopped when she saw Rosie crying in Ben's arms. "Oh, no," she said as she walked over, knelt down next to Ben and Rosie, and started to rub circles on her back. "What's the matter?"
"I look like a boy," Rosie cried as she turned to look at Mal. "I look like an ugly boy!"
"You do not look like a boy," Mal said as she furrowed her eyebrows at the seven year old. "You look beautiful, just like you always do."
"No," Rosie said as she cried harder. "I look like a boy! And I am ugly! I'm ugly! I'm ugly! I'm ugly!"
Belle started to cry harder, hearing the words come out of her daughter's mouth. She hated that this was happening to Rosie, and she wished she could make it all go away.
"That's it," Mal said as she stood up and took the clippers out of Adam's hands.
"What…"
And before anyone could do or say anything, Mal turned the clippers on and started to shave her head. Everyone stared at her in shock, especially Rosie. Everyone watched as Mal continued to shave her head, and when she was done, she turned the clippers off and put them back in Adam's hand as he still stood there in shock.
"Now," Mal said as she knelt back down next to Rosie. "Do I look like a boy or ugly?" She asked.
"No," Rosie said. "You look like Mally."
"Exactly," Mal said. "I still look like me with or without my hair. You are still the beautiful, strong, and best little girl who I have known their entire life," she said as Rosie rubbed the tears away from her eyes. "You were there for me when I needed you, even though you were a baby," she said, making Rosie chuckle a little. "And now I am going to be there for you. You are nothing but beautiful."
Rosie threw herself at Mal, as she wrapped her arms around her neck. Mal made her feel better about shaving her head, but she made everyone feel better, knowing that Rosie was going to feel better.
"Earth to Mal," Hadie said, as he waved his hand in her face. "You there?"
"Sorry," Mal said as she shook her head. "I was remembering something."
"It's fine," he said as he shook his head. "Rosie was asking if you could make her a flower crown."
Mal smiled at Rosie, who was now picking out flowers for her flower crown with Audrey.
"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head.
She walked over and knelt down next to the nine-year-old. She was so happy to see Rosie getting better, and she was hoping for more good news to come.
"Mal!" Vic yelled and she jumped out of the car, to run to her roommate. "I'm so excited to be here!"
"I'm excited too," Mal said as she wrapped her arms around Vic's neck. "I can't wait for you three to meet everyone."
"And by everyone," Ben said as he walked up behind Mal. "She literally means everyone. They're all in the backyard."
"We're so excited," Tabby said. "We finally get to meet Mal's mystery family."
"We are not a mystery," Haden said as he walked up behind Ben. "We just haven't been able to make it down to your school because we are busy with work and my niece."
"Which is very understandable, Mr. Drakos," Syd said as she smiled up at Mal's dad. "I'm Syd by the way."
"Hello," he said with a smile on his face. "I am obviously Mal's dad," he said, making them chuckle. "And we are very pleased to have you be staying with us."
"Thank you for having us," Vic said as she threw her bag over her shoulder.
"It is our pleasure," he said as he moved to the side. "Now, let's get your stuff upstairs so that we can get you three out for everyone to meet."
Vic, Tabby, and Syd followed Mal's dad into the house, leaving Ben and Mal a little behind.
"Yes, and I am Mal's boyfriend," Ben whispered, making Mal chuckle.
She pushed up on her toes, before giving him a soft kiss on his cheek. "All in good time, babe. All in good time."
"So," Mal said as she closed the door to her room. "What did you think of everyone?"
"They were great," Vic said as she kicked off her shoes and put them under her cot. "But… I have a question."
"Okay, shoot," Mal said as she flopped on her bed.
"When are you and Ben getting back together?" She asked as Tabby and Syd started to chuckle.
Mal's eyes widened. It was hard keeping her and Ben a secret, but she didn't want to be that mean to Ryan.
"Like I said two weeks ago," Mal said as she rolled over and hung her head over the bed. "I want to see if he feels the same."
"Well by the looks of it, and the way he kept looking at you, it's pretty obvious," Tabby said as she flopped in Mal's bed next to her.
"Okay," Mal said as she shoved Tabby on her side. "What happened when you told Jack that you weren't going to be at school for summer?"
"He looked a little sad, if I am honest," Vic said.
"It's because he is in love with you," Syd cooed as she sat on the floor in front of Mal's bed.
"You know," Vic said. "Your mouth is moving, and it needs to stop," she said, making everyone laugh. "I told him what was going on, and he was happy to hear that we were coming, and he even said he wished he could come too," she said.
"He could have come with you guys," Mal said as she turned to face her friends right side up.
"That would have been hard, because Ryan is his roommate."
"He… didn't tell Ryan did he?" Mal asked as she froze.
The last thing she wanted was for Ryan to find out that Tabby, Syd, and Vic came to stay with her.
"No," Vic said as she shook her head. "Remember, just because they are roommates, doesn't mean Jack likes him."
Mal sighed in relief after hearing that. She knew no one really liked Ryan, but he still had a way of finding out what was going on with people.
"I know," Mal said. "I just don't want him to magically find out that you guys are here and then invite himself. BUT," she said as she smiled at Vic. "We tell Jack he could come and then he can tell Ryan that he is going to be going home after all."
"Would your parents let him stay here?" Vic asked.
"I would have to ask, but I don't see why not," Mal said. "He may be able to stay with Hadie."
A knock at the door made the girls stop talking.
"Come in," Mal called, allowing the person that knocked open the door.
"Hi," Seph said with a smile on her face. "I was just coming to see if our three visitors were comfortable."
"Yes," Syd said, giving Mal's mom a warm and genuine smile. "Thank you, again, so much for inviting us here for summer."
"There is no need for thanking us," she said. "It is our pleasure to have you three stay here."
"Hey, mom?" Mal called, making her mom turn her attention to her. "I was wondering if you and dad would mind if I invited another one of my friends to stay with us?"
"Who?"
"His name is Jack," Mal said. "I mentioned him a couple of times, and he is the one who performs with Vic in all of her dance routines."
"OH!" Seph said in excitement. "I know who you are talking about! I don't see why not. I think we have another cot, and he could stay with Hadie."
"I heard my name?" Hadie said as he poked his head into the room.
"Yeah," Mal said as she shook her head and laughed. "Would you mind sharing your room for the summer?"
"Well, seeing as I am leaving in a week for football training camp, I don't see why not," he said with a laugh.
"I completely forgot that you are leaving!" Mal said with a pout.
"Yeah, but it's only for two weeks now, compared to two months from when you and Ben were in high school."
"Plus, you're the team captain," Mal said as she winked at him.
"That too," he said with a chuckle. "And I am assuming you are asking if they could stay in my room, because they are a boy?" Hadie asked.
"Yes," Mal said with a stiff nod.
"Yeah, I don't mind. He can stay while I'm gone and even after I get back too," he said, making Mal and her friends smile.
"And we have to ask if he can even come first," she said. "We just wanted to ask you if it was okay, before we asked him."
"Well, thank you for that," he said with a smile. "I'm going to head to my room and call Dizzy. Plus, tomorrow is the first day of the festival, and I am going to be sitting front row for Mallory Drakos live," he said as he waved his hands in the air.
Mal shook her head and laughed at her brother's goofiness. "You know that there are no seats in front of the stage right?" She asked.
"I know, but that doesn't mean I won't be standing in front," he said as he walked out of the room with a wave.
"Okay, I will let you girls get some rest," Seph said. "Just let me and your father know in the morning if your friend is coming."
"Okay," Mal said with a smile. "Thank you, mom."
Seph gave her daughter a smile, before she closed the door behind her.
"Let's call Jack," Mal said.
"No," Vic said as Mal reached for her phone. "I'll call, because he could be home, which means Ryan could be there."
Mal nodded her head, realizing that she could have messed up their plans if she was the one to call Jack. Vic picked up her phone, and walked to one of Mal's walls before sitting against it. Tabby, Mal, and Syd followed her and sat in front of her so that they wouldn't be in the frame. She dialed Jack's number, and his face appeared on the second ring.
"Hey. Hey. Hey," he said, making Vic's eyes widen.
The five of them and Tony came up with a code phrase for whenever Ryan was around. They would say 'hey' three times so they would know if he was in the room or close by.
"Hey, Jack," Vic said as she waved at the camera. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just here, watching a movie with Ryan," he said with a small eye roll.
Mal got tense, hoping that Vic would be able to invite him here, without Ryan finding out that he was coming here.
"That's cool," he said. "Hey! Do you mind if I ask you something kind of crazy?" She asked.
"What?"
"Would you want to come and stay with the girls and I while we are here with my parents?" She asked.
"Aren't your parents overseas?" She heard Ryan ask.
"No," Jack said. "That's why they are there. Her parents ended up not going."
Mal was so thankful that Jack sounded so fine when he was lying, because if that were her, she wouldn't be able to do that.
"Oh," he said. "Vic, have you heard from Mal?"
Vic had to fight the urge to not look at Mal right now, because she didn't know how close Ryan was, and she didn't know if he could see her in the frame.
"First," Vic said as she rolled her eyes. "It's Victoria to you. And second, yeah. She's having fun with her family. I just got off the phone with her."
"Everyone calls you Vic. Plus, I called her an hour ago, and she didn't answer."
"No, people I like call me Vic," she said, making the girls cover their mouths to hold in their laughter. "And like I said, she was with her family and friends."
"But, she answered your call."
"So?" Vic said. "Is she not allowed to answer my calls?"
"Well, seeing as I am her boyfriend…"
"Are you saying that you are a priority?" Vic asked, cutting him off. "Because you're not. I caught her at a good time, and now she is watching movies with her friends and family, so if you try to call her, she isn't going to answer."
"I just want her to come home," he said.
"She is home," Vic stated sternly.
"Well, for how much longer?" Ryan asked with a laughing huff. "She's going to be moving here permanently after college."
Mal looked taken back at the statement. She was not going to be staying there permanently, and she was moving home after graduation, but obviously Ryan didn't know that.
"Well, with me knowing Mal better than you do," Vic said. "I think she's going to be moving home. She seems really happy with her friends and family. But, anyway," she said as she changed the topic. "What do you say, Jack? Want to come?"
"Sure," he said with a bright smile. "It's okay with your parents right?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head. "They said you can stay in our guest room."
"Cool! When would you want me to head over there?"
"How about early tomorrow morning?" She asked. "We're going to be having a barbecue in the park, and that would be a great time for you to meet them!"
"Okay," he said with a laugh. "I'll start getting ready now, and I'll head down early in the morning."
"Great! I'll send you the directions now!"
"Okay," he said as he nodded his head and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
The phone call ended, and all the girls sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Vic," Mal said as she laid against the floor. "I really appreciate you defending me."
"Well, I don't like him," she said, making everyone laugh. "So it was no trouble at all."
Mal shook her head and laughed, before her phone pinged. She picked it up and found a couple of texts from Ryan with a couple of missed calls too, but then she saw a new text from Ben. She opened it, and smiled at the message, making sure to hide it so no one else saw it.
I just wanted to text you Goodnight and I love you.
She sent him a quick text back, before putting her phone down and being happy about how things were turning out. All of her friends were together, she was away from Ryan, she was with her family, and she and Ben were together. What could make this summer bad?
The festival was in full swing. Everyone in town was there, and having a wonderful time. The girls had sent Jack the directions last night, and he should be at the festival soon. Mal, Audrey, and her mom were at the build your own bouquet booth, until Mal had to rush over to the stage with Doug. Evie and her mom were at a candy apple booth, Uma and Harry were working at a water dunk tank, and everyone else, including Tabby, Vic, and Syd were walking around having fun. Tabby was in line to get some pizza when her phone went off in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a lot of missed calls from Jack. She tried to call him back, but the call couldn't go through or if it did she couldn't hear what he was saying.
"Jack, I can't hear you," she said as she tried to cover her ear to hear him better.
"Tell… he… too…" she heard Jack say.
"What? Jack, just come find us when you get here, Mal is going to be on stage in like 15. I'll see you in a bit."
She hung up the phone, before putting it back in her pocket. Mal was about to perform with Doug's band on stage as the first performers of the summer festival. She and the rest got their food, before heading over to the stage, to wait for the show.
"You almost ready?" Doug asked as he nudged Mal's shoulder.
"Yeah," she said as she nodded her head. "I'm just a little nervous. There's a lot of people out there, and I haven't performed at home in a long time."
"You're going to do great," he said encouragingly. "You always do. Now, come on. We're next."
He gave her his arm as he sling his guitar over his shoulder. They walked onto the stage, and the crowd started to scream and cheer as they got settled. Mal took a deep breath as she grabbed the microphone, and looked out to the crowd. The band started to play, and Mal got lost in the rhythm of the song.
Can't count the years on one hand
That we've been together
I need the other one to hold you
Make you feel, make you feel better
Tabby, Evie, Vic, Uma, Syd, and Hadie were all standing with Mal's parents on one side of the stage, while the rest were standing on the other side.
It's not a walk in the park
To love each other
But when our fingers interlock,
Can't deny, can't deny you're worth it
'Cause after all this time I'm still into you
Jack ran through the festival trying to find Vic, but when he heard Mal singing he knew Vic would be close.
I should be over all the butterflies
But I'm into you (I'm into you)
And baby even on our worst nights
I'm into you (I'm into you)
Ben smiled as he threw Rosie onto his shoulders, so she could wave her hands in the air and watch Mal from above the crowd. He was happy that Mal was performing, and he couldn't wait to see her do it all summer.
Let 'em wonder how we got this far
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah, after all this time I'm still into you
Mal looked over at Ben and smiled as she sang that verse. She had always been into him, and she was so happy to be getting this second chance with him.
Recount the night that
I first told you. My story
And on the drive back to my house
I told you that, I told you that I loved ya
Jack ran through the crowd until he saw Vic's light sparkling amber hair.
"Vic!" He yelled as he grew closer. "Vic!"
Vic turned around just in time to see Jack running toward her, making her smile brightly, but it faded when she saw he looked worried.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she walked up to him, and away from Mal's family and friends.
"He's here," he said panting.
"Who?"
"Ryan," he said, making Vic's eyes widen. "He invited himself, and I didn't know what to do. I told him he wasn't invited, but he said he didn't care because he didn't want to stay in our dorm alone. He said he would get a hotel too."
"God!" She said as she ran a hand through her hair. "Where is he?"
"I told him to park the car, while I ran out of the car to find you!"
"We have to find Ben," she said as she took his hand and started to drag him through the crowd.
You felt the weight of the world
Fall off your shoulder
And to your favorite song
We sang along to the start of forever
And after all this time I'm still into you
Ryan walked into the festival, saw all of the booths, and froze when he heard Mal's voice. He made his way through the crowd, until he found himself looking at a stage with Mal and some guys performing on it. He was shocked at first, but then realized that Vic and everyone were visiting Mal, and not Vic's family. He shook his head before he started to make his way toward the stage.
I should be over all the butterflies
But I'm into you (I'm into you)
And baby even on our worst nights
I'm into you (I'm into you)
Let 'em wonder how we got this far
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah, after all this time I'm still into you
Ben was having fun with his friends, until he heard his name being called. He turned to see Vic running toward him, with Jack behind her.
"Hey," he said with a bright smile on his face. "You made it."
"Hey," Jack said as he gave Ben a nod. "Nice to meet you."
"Introductions later," Vic said. "We have a problem."
Ben gave Rosie to his dad, before walking a couple of steps away from the crowd with Vic and Jack.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Ryan is here," Vic said, making Ben go into shock. "Come on! We have to get to Mal first."
Some things just, some things just make sense
And one of those is you and I (Hey)
Some things just, some things just make sense
And even after all this time (Hey)
Ryan didn't know where he was going, or what side of the stage Mal was going to come off of, but it was a 50 percent chance he was going to be on the right side, which was the side Mal's family was on.
I'm into you, baby, not a day goes by
That I'm not into you
Mal was lost in the song, she didn't notice Ben was no longer watching her perform. He was more worried about Ryan being here, and possibly ruining what he and Mal just rekindled.
I should be over all the butterflies
But I'm into you (I'm into you)
And baby even on our worst nights
I'm into you (I'm into you)
Let 'em wonder how we got this far
Ryan stopped a couple of yards behind Mal's family and watched as Mal's song was coming to an end. He didn't know why Mal would lie to him, but he was going to find out.
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah, after all this time
I'm still into you
I'm still into you
I'm still into you
Mal sang the last verse, making the crowd cheer loudly. She flushed red, hearing everyone cheer. She placed the microphone on the stand, before she ran off the stage and toward her family.
"MALLY!" Haden yelled as Mal ran into his arms. "You did amazing!"
"Thank you dad," Mal said as she hugged her dad tightly. "I am so…"
"Mal!" She heard a voice yell, making shivers run up her spine. She pulled away from her dad to see Ryan walking toward her, making her freeze. "Hey!" He said as he picked her up and spun her around.
Everyone, but Syd and Tabby, looked at the pair with confused looks. Who was this random guy hugging Mal? When he put her down, he leaned in to give her a kiss, but she took a step back, while her dad walked forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry," Ryan said as he held his hand out to Haden, and as Ben, Vic, and Jack walked up to them. "I'm Ryan. Mal's fiancé."
Everyone froze, especially Ben. His heart sank to his chest, hearing what Ryan said. He needed to leave, and he needed to leave now. He turned away from them, almost bumping into his family and friends, and he started to run toward the parking lot.
"No, Ben," Mal said as she tried to run after him, but was held back by her dad.
"Hold on," Haden said. "Who are you?" He asked as he pointed at Ryan. "Because I think I misunderstood when you said fiancé."
"Fiancé?!" Everyone else exclaimed, who hadn't heard it the first time.
"Yes," Ryan said as he pulled Mal's hand, pulling her close to him. "Mal and I are engaged."
"Ryan, like I told…"
"When was I supposed to know about this?" Haden asked, cutting Mal off.
"I'm sorry to spring this on you, and I tried to get Mal to tell you, but you know how stubborn she can be."
Haden looked at Mal with furry in his eye, but when he saw her on the verge of tears, his heart sank. He could tell she didn't want this, and it was something she was almost forced into. He cleared his throat, before looking back at Ryan.
"And how long do you think you are going to be staying in town?" He asked, trying to remain calm as So he didn't cause a scene.
"Until Mal is ready to come home," Ryan said. "I was planning on getting a hotel, but since I know my future…"
"We have a full house," Hadie said as he glared at the guy with his arm wrapped around his sister.
"That's fine," Ryan said. "Mal and I…"
"No," Haden said. "Mal is going to be coming home with us," he said as he pulled Mal back to him. "I don't feel comfortable with her staying in a hotel with a boy."
"I'm not just a boy. I'm her fiancé," Ryan said.
"Well," Haden said as he wrapped an arm around Mal tightly. "Now, you can take this as the end of your engagement, because you do not have my blessing to marry my daughter."
He walked away from Ryan, with Mal, her friends, and her family in tow. Everyone was so confused, not understanding who this guy was, and why he was calling Mal his fiancé.
"I think we need to have a talk," Haden whispered as he led everyone to the parking lot. "All of us."
Mal looked behind her. She saw all the confused and worried looks on everyone's faces as they followed her and her dad. How was she going to explain all of this to them? How would she make it up to them for keeping him a secret? Would they forgive her?
"Okay," she said as she nodded her head.
She leaned into his hold, trying to compose herself after what just happened. She needed to make sure everyone understood how she was feeling. But most importantly, she needed to talk with Ben. She needed him to understand that she and Ryan are not engaged. She loved him, and she was hoping that he would be able to forgive her.
Until next time my Lovies! xoxo GM