Mal woke up to the irritable sound of her phone going off. Today was one of her rare days off, she presumed Elisha was calling her to come in and cover somebody who was sick. She groaned and answered without checking the caller ID. Big mistake.

" Hello? " Mal spoke drowsly

" M? " a female voice called out " You're okay! Why did you leave? We have been worried sick "

Mal's jaw dropped. She was an idiot. She couldn't back out now though. She would have to talk to Evie again for the first time in quite a long time. Not that that didn't sound appealing.

" Evie " she said after taking a deep breath to hide the nervousness she felt talking to her non blood related sister

" Hello "

" M, are you okay? tell me where you are and I'll come get you, right this second! " Evie said; her voice filled with compassion " I'll get a pen and take down the address "

" Evie, no...I'm sorry I can't " Mal muttered

" Why not? We miss you, Ben misses you. None of us have been the same since you left. We love you, I love you "

" I'm sorry, I really am " Mal bit her lips to contain her emotions

" What's wrong? Talk to me. This isn't you "

" I can't, you'll think differently of me and you'll hate me. If you don't already, that is. I hate myself for what I did to you. Just forget me and enjoy your life. You will do incredible things, I just know it " Mal sobbed

" That is a load of rubbish and you know it. We love you for all that you are, nothing could or would ever change that. You know this. C'mon Mal. I would never hate you"

" Come home to us " Evie's voice cracked

" I can't, I just can't " Mal was full on crying at this point

" Mal, please "

" I'm sorry " she choked before hanging up on Evie.

Evie attempted to call her again but she failed to get a response. She turned off her phone again, she presumed. Although it didn't feel like it, they had made progress today in the mystery of finding Mal. Today, she had actually talked to her. Now, she had to get the boys as she had an idea.

Jay, Carlos and Ben were chilling in Ben's games room in Castle Beast. It was nothing like they had ever seen before. It even had it's own set up bar and one of Ben's parents servants served as a member of the bar staff.

" Aren't we still technically underage?" Carlos said taking a drink from his glass

" I mean I suppose so, but I'm king and they sort of won't say no. We're basically adults, anyways " Ben joked " Besides I didn't hear any of you say anything when I got drunk last week "

" We were drained from taking care of you " Jay hit Ben playfully " King Stupid "

" Like King Like Kingdom " the boys laughed at Carlos' terrible attempt at a joke " It was bad, I know "

" Tell me about it " Jay slurped down another glass of alcohol

" Guys!!! " Evie called out as she entered the room " I've been trying to call you all day! I need your help. It's urgent "

Her friends ignored the fact that she was speaking just like Audrey ( dramatic) right now as she seemed clearly distraught and upset and if you knew her she never let anything get to her so they knew this had to be something big.

" I buttdialed Mal " she exclaimed throwing her hands in the air

Jay cackled and then shrugged " What's the problem? "

' Girl issues ' Carlos mouthed to Ben

" She picked up " she said in a low voice " accidentally but she did "

" Woah woah oh oh oh " Jay said struggling to find his vocabulary

" Wait , for real " Ben said reaching into his pocket for his phone hoping that she might answer him to since she already had spoken to Evie. He was hopeful that this might open her back up and she would allow them back into her life.

" Ben don't " Evie advised " I'm worried, she sounded broken on the phone. She needs our help "

Ben frowned " We can't help her if she's hiding from us "

Ben sighed

" Carlos? " Evie asked

" Mhmh " he nodded

" I want you to track her phone ID " Evie said hesitantly

Jay opened his mouth as if to say something but aborted the thought. Ben sat there in silence.

" We can't wait anymore " Evie said " I don't want to find her dead "

" Oh god " Ben said feeling sick to his stomach

" I'm sorry but that is how serious this is or how serious it could become. We must act now. The longer we wait, the worse the outcome we will get. I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring our sister home " Evie said bluntly

" She's right. No more playing around " Jay said

" Okay. I'm going to go get my things and I will call you the minute I find anything. Should be about four hours or so " Carlos said before leaving, Evie followed him to his and Jay's apartment leaving Ben and Jay alone to process todays findings.

" Tonight at eight? " Mal asked

" Yes exactly just two friends hanging out " Ryder clarified

" Sounds Fun. See you then " Mal ended the call

It was just what she needed to get her mind of the situation with Evie. She doubted Evie would ever want to see her again after what Mal had pulled today. Quite Frankly, she didn't blame her one bit. Mal knew she wouldn't talk to herself if someone did this to her. She's put them all through so much stress for nothing. Well obviously something but you get the idea.

Ryder was sweet but she could never see herself with any other man other than Ben. He was her soulmate but she screwed up their relationship. Do you ever wish you could go back in time and change something before it becomes too late? Mal sure does.

Eight o'clock soon arrived and Mal had no idea what she was doing or we're they were going. She went basic with a short sleeved tee with a skirt that covered her baby bump perfectly.

" Hey gorgeous " he teased as he linked arms with her as they headed off to town.

" Hey handsome " she replied with sarcasm.

If anything at all she had found a nice friend in Ryder. That is what she needed right now.

The two of them spent the whole night smiling, laughing and telling each other stories of when they were younger. They had a ball. Ryder even brought her to bowling ally and taught her how to play. Mal pretended she didn't know how for her own sake, Ben had brought her to one for their eight month anniversary a few months ago. Nothing could compare to that day. Very much to Ryder's surprise, Mal won!

" Lost to a pregnant gal, do better! " She teased passing him a blue bowling ball

" Okay, Okay. I let you win " he lied

" Sure " Mal said sarcastically not buying his lie

" Okay. Rematch "

" Its on " she teased

" First let's get some food. I booked a private table "

" How spontaneous " she clasped her hands together in delight

After their meal, the two of them resting against the balcony. Mal leaned her head on Ryder's shoulder. It had been a good day. She hadn't had this much fun in months. It was like all her worries and fear were gone for one night only. It was just what she needed.

Not all good things can last though. Most certainly not for Mal. A slow romantic song began to play on the radio and this made Ryder turned his head and press a kiss on Mal's lips taking her by complete surprise.

" What are you doing? " She exclaimed as she stood up standing as far away from Ryder as she could

"I just thought it felt right, y'know " Ryder said

" Clearly not " he noted

" We're friends. I don't love you! " She said coldly yet sharply.

" I don't expect you to. Yet " Ryder commented

Mal made a disgusted face at him.

" I love you. You know I have. Since we first met. I might explode if I keep how I feel bottled up any longer. We can be something. Really. Believe me. I love you for everything and your baby? I will raise it as my own. We could be a family " He was manipulated her " You know how it's like not to have a loving family growing up, I doubt you want that for it "

Mal looked down on the floor feeling guilty. Was she a horrible person for this? Probably. Was she really going to settle with Ryder? No idea. What would Ben or her friends think? The answer was uncertain.

" I need to go home " Mal sighed " I need to think "

" Okay, that's no problem " Ryder added " I'll take you back "

" No I'm going to book myself into the BB for a few nights. I need space while I think. Is that okay ? " Mal said

" Of course "

Mal turned away to leave

" Just know I will wait for you! Forever if I have to, because I really do love you "

Mal nodded before making a call to the bed and breakfast inn she was planning to stay in mainly to avoid Ryder for awhile.

I'm sorry, Ben