It's Tuesday night as the boys climb up the stairs of the freshman girl's dorm. Charlie Prescott is practically hopping with excitement as he runs up to the familiar door. Ben Prescott and Michael Harms follow, both a little more tired as they did not take a nap on the car ride back.
He pounds on the door. "Lori, it's me. We're back!"
"Come in!" her voice shouts. The boys enter to find Lori Fitzgerald play chess with Milo Thatch, dressed in more modern clothing, as Hannah Frost observes. They all grind to a halt, but Hannah hugs Charlie and Michael.
"Welcome home guys," she greets cheerfully. "How was the long weekend?"
"It was really nice," Ben admits, giving her a nod. They are all still looking at Lori's chess opponent. "She practically wants to adopt Michael."
Charlie wastes no time in rushing to him after receiving his hug from Hannah. "Milo!" he shouts, practically tackling him as the man turns from the game to face him- failing to notice Lori seize the moment and re-arrange some pieces in her favor. "You're like my favorite Disney character! When did you get here?"
Milo pushes his sliding glasses back up with a large smile. "Oh, well, thanks," he laughs. "I've been here for two days. These two found me in the preserve." He turns to the two girls. "These are the friends you've said I could talk to right? Otherwise, I'm really sorry."
"You're fine," Lori promises him. "We're not quite sure what brings him here, but we've been keeping him comfortable. He surprisingly caught on fast."
"Well, once you discover Atlantis, an alternative world through magic is quite simple," he rationalizes. He examines the board and makes a move. "Checkmate." Lori's jaw drops. "Don't worry. You're getting closer to beating me. I would recommend to stop cheating though." She laughs and he joins in, clearly comfortable with both his surroundings and the people around him.
"Oh, before we forget," Ben interjects. "Thank you so much for the flowers." Michael and Charlie nod as Hannah elbows Lori, switching spots as Milo resets the board.
"It was Lori's idea."
"I remembered Charlie saying lilies were her favorite. It was the least we could do, really." Ben just stares at her before shaking his head clear.
"It was still an incredibly sweet and thoughtful gesture. Thank you," he tells her sincerely.
Hannah gestures to a pile of books on her desk. "We also have all your homework so you slackers can get caught up."
"I've had it done for a week," Charlie announces proudly. "Can I actually play a game with you if Hannah doesn't mind?" Hannah instantly rises.
"Of course. Have a seat… you must be Charlie." He nods enthusiastically and makes the first move.
"That might want to wait," Lori warns him. "Don't forget we have a Chemistry test tomorrow."
"Trust me. I've got this." Milo makes a move. "Tell me everything about Atlantis, please."
"Someone's met his idol," Michael grins.
Lori pouts. "But I'm supposed to be his idol."
"Don't worry," he says over his shoulder. "I still love you." Everyone laughs as he makes another move.
XXX
So follow me down
(Lori stands with the book)
Where to?
Outta this town
(Charlie examines his map)
With you
Girl, you're movin way
(Hannah is typing away at her computer)
Too slow
So follow me down
(Michael grabs the first aid kit from a cabinet)
Which way?
Down, down, down
(Ben looks at his phone and sighs, adjusting his tie)
I'll show you around
Okay
There's a place we gotta go
(The Disney Encyclopedia begins to glow. Lori sighs)
Follow me, follow me
(Lori, Hannah, Ben, Michael, and Charlie are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces)
Fa la la la la
Follow me, follow me
Fa la la la la
(Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground)
Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)
Episode 15: That's What This is All About, Right?
XXX
Hannah pokes her head into the bedroom where Lori is already dressed, perched on her bed studying her Chemistry notes. Milo is still asleep in a sleeping bag under the bed.
"Breakfast?" she asks her roommate.
Lori shakes her head, not looking up. "I think I'll skip. I want to make sure I have this all locked away upstairs," she says, patting her noggin.
Hannah sighs dramatically. "And I imagine Michael and Charlie will be doing the same, and Ben said he would be sleeping in after the drive. Are you really going to send me off to breakfast all by myself?"
Lori doesn't buy in at all. "Have fun." She exits with a huff, but smiles as soon as she's out the door, dropping the act.
XXX
Hannah sits at their usual table in the cafeteria eating her breakfast alone. She is quite peaceful, but also looks a little lonely. Suddenly, a boy practically slides into the seat across from her, balancing an empty tray. Hannah barely registers what just happened before he smiles at her.
"Sorry. My ex is right over there and I don't want her to see me. Ever have a day when you just can't avoid the last person you want to see?" he says faster than she can process. She takes him in- longer, shaggy black hair with a slight overbite and brown eyes. He wears a large sweatshirt and sweatpants. He appears as if his mind is buzzing and everywhere constantly.
"I have been there myself," she admits tentatively, still unsure of him.
"But the more pressing question," he begins, continuing to speak at a breakneck pace, "is what such a pretty girl is doing sitting all by herself. Indeed, that is what the biggest concern at this table should be." He leans his head on his hand, awaiting an answer.
"My friends have a Chemistry test, so they skipped."
He scoffs. "Well, that was foolhardy. Wouldn't breakfast help them perform better on their test? Or have those scientists given up on that theory? Is she looking this way?"
"Who?" Hannah asks, quickly buying into him.
"The ex. The ex!"
"Screaming isn't going to help manners," she giggles, looking behind him. "She took a seat with her back to you. You can slip out and she'd never notice."
"Ah, I won't slip out just yet though. I have a pretty good view for this early in the morning," he says, framing his hands around Hannah. She looks down, blushing. "I hear they're hard to come by. Kenny!"
"Kenny?" she asks, confused.
"My name," he tells her. "My name. Say it three times and I will magically appear. Or I won't. You'll just have to try it and see." She nods, obviously having gotten the hang of his breakneck talking speed.
"I'm Hannah. Hannah Frost."
He smiles. "Oh, an ice princess. No wonder my heart is melting."
She is flattered but a little confused. "Wouldn't I do the opposite then?"
"We can argue semantics later! I make a point to never argue semantic when I could be getting Hannah Frost's number." He tosses her his phone and manages to react in time to catch it. She giggles again, putting a hand over her mouth in embarrassment. "Oh, I could listen to that song forever." She inputs her information and slides it back to him.
He rises and bows grandly. "Well, now I shall take my leave before she notices. But I will hold this meeting in my heart. Goodbye, Princess Hannah. You prince shall miss you!" He starts to walk away and she stares after him, practically melting.
"My prince…" Her phone goes off and she opens a text. It's already from him reading 'Miss you already ;)'. She can't help but give a face-splitting smile and adding him to her contacts.
XXX
Charlie exits the Chemistry classroom, having finished his test first. He starts down the hallway towards the doors, avoiding the still on-going construction. He passes a lounge and catches the eye of a girl, who takes off after him.
"Hey! Wait!" She catches up to him. She is very athletic with long blonde hair in a ponytail, a track t-shirt, and shorts. "It's Charles right?" she asks him coyly, blue eyes sparkling.
"Charlie," he corrects her.
"I don't know about you, but I prefer Charles. I'm Nikki." She extends her hand and he politely shakes it, recognizing her.
"Yeah, you're in Chemistry. Why aren't you taking the test?"
"I'm out sick today. I had my RA e-mail him and everything."
"But you look-"
"Anyway, I need a favor," she begins, putting an arm around his shoulder. "There is a party this Friday at Amanda Berry's. And there's this contest where all the girls have to bring dates. Whoever brings the smartest guy wins. I know I'd have this locked up if I brought you."
Charlie pulls away, still a little doubtful of this suddenly interested stranger. "I-I don't know."
She looks him in the eye, crouching. "Please. I'll drive and everything. It's not just for the contest. You seem like this really cool guy and it'd be a good excuse to get know you better. A person could always do with more friends," she smiles. He looks at her before smiling as well.
"It'd just be as friends though. My heart belongs to another," he announces dramatically.
She can't help but laugh. "Of course. Understood."
"I'll do it then. It'd be fun to make a new friend too."
She claps her hands, excited. "Great. Here's my number." She scrawls on his hand with a pen. "Text me and then I'll let you know when I'll pick you up. Thank you so much for this. You are so sweet." She starts to leave, but stops.
"Oh, can you keep it a secret you're going? I don't want anyone to know I have the ace in the hole." He nods and she just gives him a quick hug before walking away, leaving him honestly a little smitten.
XXX
After the test, Lori is studying on the stone bench in her nook outside the library. Ben smiles having found her and approaches her. "You must be pretty glad to have your favorite spot back."
She smiles up at him. "As long as the weather holds up. What can I do for you?"
He instantly becomes more nervous, looking down. "I think we need to talk about things… particularly you and me," he fumbles. "Do you… get where I'm going?"
She looks at him a moment before biting her lip and nodding. "I think I do. And I think we should have that conversation too. How soon? Because, honestly, I know the question and I know my answer," she informs him, causing him to beam.
"This Friday in Study Room 1 of the library. Nine o'clock."
"I'll be there," she promises, obviously excited.
He is obviously excited as well. "I promise you won't be disappointed."
"I think I can promise you won't either." He gives a dorky smile and walks away. She goes back to studying. "You can do this Lori," she tells herself. "You said only if he's worth it. And he is so worth it. Just man up!"
XXX
That evening, Hannah and Michael are perched comfortably atop his bed watching Doctor Who. Her phone goes off and she looks at the text.
"Is it Lori?" he asks, concerned. "Is something the matter with Milo?"
She waves her hand at him as she answers. "Oh no, it's Kenny. I met him today at breakfast," she gushes. Michael instantly understands her tone and frowns. "He's a junior with a Communication Arts major. He wants to become a Hollywood actor. He has these really cute dimples and the way he just smiles at me makes my heart just skip a beat," she sighs, beaming.
"That's nice," he says trying to be supportive, though a bit of his jealousy pours through.
"Oh, and he called me a princess," she continues, not taking the hint. "And said he's the prince. That means he likes me right? Oh, I hope he likes me because I think I like him. It's about time someone noticed."
Michael has his fists clenched. "Hannah-"
She continues texting and waves at him. "I'm sorry. I'm gushing. But Lori hates this kind of talk and I feel like I could just tell you anything. He could be my true love!" She finishes the message as he flinches and finally looks up at him. "Oh and we'll tell our kids how it started today!" She notices his expression, but mistakes it for annoyance at her talking. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll shut up. I'll even put it on silent." They continue watching when she checks her phone again and laughs.
"I don't see how regeneration of your favorite Doctor is funny." He turns to her confused only for his face to fall as he sees her texting. "What'd he say?"
"He made a joke about sushi of all things," she says, still laughing. "You wouldn't get it. You know what, I'm just going to sneak into the lounge and call him. You don't mind?"
"But-"
She hits him on the arm. "Thanks. You're the best." She hops down. "Don't worry. We'll find a girl for you soon enough. Maybe Kenny has a sister!" She runs out the door, leaving him dejected as he looks down and sighs.
XXX
After their lab Thursday afternoon, Michael is cleaning the cold tub in the training room as Lori lifts a weight, clearly very much improved since her first adventure down there. Jen and Sara are both in the office, and the place is empty since they are between practices.
"Just tell her," Lori tells him. "Ask her out. You haven't missed your chance just because she's flirting with some Kenny guy."
Michael sighs. "Lori-"
"Michael, you two could be together." She stops and leans over the edge of the tub so he can see her from on his knees inside it. "I think it'd work. But nothing's going to happen if you don't put yourself out there and try. I'd hate to see you unhappy because you missed this," she tells him honestly.
"Lori, I haven't even admitted I liked her," he tries defensively. "I just said Hannah mentioned a guy."
She gives him a look that tells him she isn't buying that. "I can see it on your face. This is really eating away at you. So you should beat him to the punch. You could be a prince, you know. Her prince."
He thinks for a moment, before returning to reality and shaking his head. "I don't think so. She just doesn't see me like that. I'm a really good friend. That's all." Lori is clearly disappointed in his lack of motivation. She steps back to pick up the weight again.
"Just… think about it. I want both of you happy. Not one happy and the other miserable. Especially if it's you. You don't deserve that."
"Thanks for trying to help me. You're a good friend, Chief." Just then, the door opens and a group of track girls step in fresh from practice. Michael hops out of the cold tub and starts to fill it for them. Last to enter is Nikki, who is talking to a dark-haired friend.
"Charlie Prescott?!" the friends shouts. This instantly gains Lori's attention as she stops lifting the weight again and listens. "Seriously?! How'd you get him?"
Nikki smiles and shrugs. "I just asked, Marissa. He was happy to do it."
Marissa puts her hands up in defeat. "I shouldn't even bother. You won this by far. You can't get any more of a loser than him." Michael and Lori both catch this and he shakes his head desperately at her as she grows angry.
"I know," Nikki laughs. "I'll bring him in and win the prize all while he has that dopey smile on his face." Lori starts for them, but Michael bars her.
"Lori. Lori. Think this over," he pleads. She steps around him and goes up to the two.
"What are you talking about?!" she shouts at them as Michael hangs behind, glancing at the closed office door. The girls instantly recognize her.
"Don't worry. He said we'd go as friends. Your boyfriend isn't cheating on you," Nikki laughs.
Lori gets right up in her face, seething. "He's not my boyfriend. He is my best friend. And I swear to God if you hurt him-"
Nikki can only smirk. "Oh, I'm sorry. But being the King of the Losers, he should have pretty tough skin by now right?" Michael has to physically hold Lori back as she launches herself at her. He starts to drag her away as Jen and Sara stick their heads out the door at the commotion.
"Not in the training room," he begs her. "Not in the training room. You are going to hurt yourself or worse somehow." She tries to shake him off as he drags her towards the office, the whole training room staring at the display.
"He's not going with you! I'm going to make sure of that. I am damn well going to make sure of that!" He drags her in and Sara shuts the door before he lets her go, leaving her to calm down.
"What just happened?" Jen asks critically. "I won't have displays like this down here. The last thing I need is a full-fledged brawl around all this new equipment. If she's going to carry on-"
"Jen," Sara cuts in. "Let's hear them out first before we condemn her."
"I'm sorry," Lori apologizes, getting a grip. "Really, I'm sorry. She was talking bad about Charlie and I just lost it. I admit, I didn't think. Thanks for holding me back," she adds to Michael.
Sara nods as if that's enough for her. Jen regards her for a moment before turning back to her paperwork. "Just don't let it happen again. This is a training room, not a fight club."
Michael sees the two girls have left. The two exit. "Talk to him as soon as you see him though. I don't want the poor guy to get hurt."
Lori nods, determined. "I plan to. And don't think I forgot about our conversation. I still say you should go for it, Doctor."
XXX
Having got back from the training room and showered, Lori is sitting patiently in the lounge when Charlie comes running in. "Hey. What's the emergency? Is Milo alright?" he asks, frantically.
Lori begins to appear uncomfortable. "He's fine. Have a seat. I just want to talk to you about something." He sits next to her, lost. "So in lab today, Nikki mentioned you and a party," she begins cautiously.
Charlie instantly lights up. "Yeah. Whoever brings the smartest date wins! But you don't have to be jealous. I made it clear we're just going as friends. I'm so excited!" Lori looks heartbroken. "What's wrong?"
She goes to put a hand on him, but stops herself. "Charlie, in lab today… it's not the smartest date wins. It's biggest loser wins. She said so herself to one of her vapid friends."
Charlie is on his feet, shaking his head in disbelief. "No. It's smartest. Because if it wasn't that mean she lied to me. And that she's just being mean. She wants to be my friends Lori." He takes a few steps back. "She said she wants to be my friend."
Lori tries to keep everything calm, seeing that he's starting to panic. "I know this is upsetting-"
"Why? Why would you say that?" he asks her defensively.
She stands up and takes a few steps towards him. "Because I'm your best friend and I care about you," she assures him.
He steps back, recreating the gap. He is still shaking his head. "No. No you don't. Because a best friend would be happy when their friend makes other friends. She would be supportive and awesome. Not vapid and jealous because he's spending Friday night somewhere without her because she wasn't invited!"
Lori can see he's lashing out and is desperately trying to get control of the situation. "It's not like that. You know me better than to know it's like that. Michael-"
"And you got him on it? You're- you're unbelievable. Is it just that hard to believe that someone besides you sees what you see and wants to be my friend? Why are you ruining this for me?!" He takes off and she sighs.
"Charlie." He runs into her dorm and slams the door, locking it. She can't help but laugh to herself. "Only Charlie would run into MY room." She sits across from the door and begins to wait. "Hopefully this is why he's here and he does his job."
XXX
Charlie runs into the bedroom, upset and angry and he throws his stuff down. Milo looks up from where he's reading the book at Lori's desk. "Hey, I heard shouting. What's the matter?" he asks Charlie as he climbs onto the bed.
"Lori's just lying to me," he huffs, annoyed. Milo gives him a look.
"Are you sure? Lori doesn't seem like the type who would lie, especially to you."
"She's- she just-"Milo goes to the peephole and looks through it.
"She's patiently sitting outside the door. Charlie is it that you don't believe her or that you don't want to believe her?" he asks, knowing from Charlie's expression he's hit the heart of the matter.
Charlie tries to appear confused. "What's the difference?" he asks, pouting.
Milo thinks of a way to explain it. "The first is why nobody thought that I was right about Atlantis. I had just made up. I was lying. I was crazy. Take your pick. I heard them all," he admits, rubbing the back of his head.
"And the second?"
"The second is why I never believed them I suppose. They had to be lying, because if they weren't that meant my grandfather was wrong and my whole life was a waste. I didn't want to believe any other option."
"But you were right and they were lying" Charlie reminds him.
Milo seems to realize his mistake as well, giving an awkward smile. "That might not have been the best example. I'm not really that good at this," he admits, trying to think of something else. He takes a moment, straightening his glasses before think of something else. "Umm… three questions. Who's your best friend who you trust more than anyone?"
"Lori Fitzgerald," Charlie answers without hesitation.
Milo smiles as his strategy is working. "Okay. And do best friends lie to one another?"
"They shouldn't," Charlie admits after a pause.
Milo's smile gets wider. "Last question. Is Lori the type of person who looks out for you like a best friend would?"
"Absolutely. She never lets me down."
"Think about that and then consider listening to that girl outside the door," Milo concludes. "You don't want to be the person who cries foul at someone who's telling the truth. You don't want to ruin what you have with your best friend. And I've been on the other end of being called a liar when you're just trying to tell an unbelievable truth. It isn't really encouraging." He thinks it over before going to the door, Milo giving him a nod of encouragement.
He opens the door and Lori climbs to her feet, rubbing her arm. "I thought she wanted to be my friend," he says sadly, looking down. She walks up to him and puts a hand on his shoulder.
"I know. I know it sucks, but I'm just trying to keep you from getting hurt."
He smiles at her. "Of course you did. Because you're my best friend. The best best friend might I add to put up with the tantrum I just threw."
"I'm not worried about it. It's been a rough period since we got back from spring break buddy. But we will spend Friday having our own party, okay? We'll watch a movie, have ice cream. Hannah has plans with Michael like usual."
Charlie beams. "It's a deal. Can Milo come? I know he can probably go home now, but I'd like him to stick around."
"Why don't we ask him?" They head back into the dorm.
XXX
It's Friday evening. Ben and Michael are sitting watching Doctor Who in Michael's room. Ben looks at his watch to see it is seven-thirty.
"Why am I doing this? I hate this show. And I have some things I need to get ready."
Michael sighs, a little depressed. "You're subbing in for Hannah. She's off with Kenny at the bowling alley. She assured me it wasn't a date yet though."
Ben pats him on the back. "You should just ask her out Harms. I'm going for it. You should too."
This breaks him out of his funk as he whirls to look at Ben. "What?!"
"Lori's meeting me in the library in an hour and a half and I'm going to ask her to my girlfriend."
"Wow. So things are going to change," Michael reflects.
"Yep. And they could change even more if you just go for it. You'll regret it forever if you don't."
"I'll think about it," Michael answers honestly this time. "But you should get out of here and go get everything set up. Knowing you, Romeo, you've got plans." Ben smiles and rises.
"You'll be okay by yourself?" he checks before leaving. Michael just nods.
"It's weird. This is how I spent practically every night first semester. Just me. And I never got lonely. But now just one night is almost unthinkable and makes me sad."
"That's what happens when you get friends Harms. You start noticing the empty space. I speak from experience," he tells his friend.
XXX
Lori and Charlie are locked in a game of chess as Milo observes from the side. Lori smiles coyly. "I will raise you a bag of cookies for two bags of cookies to my assured victory," she declares, throwing another bag of cookies on the table. Charlie's phone goes off and he frowns at the message.
"She's in the parking lot."
Lori shrugs. "Don't even worry about it. She'll get over it or I'll punch her in the face. It's simple really." She moves a piece.
"Boy, you're quite violent," Milo observes.
"She only acts like she is. Underneath she's a big softie," Charlie assures him. His phone goes off again. He turns it off before smiling at the board. "Oh, and I win! Checkmate!"
"No!" Lori cries in defeat as he moves the piece and takes the bags of cookies.
"I'm going to enjoy these while you watch," he grins. He rises and Milo takes his spot as Lori grumbles to herself and sets up another game.
XXX
Ben is in the library study room he told Lori to meet him in holding a bouquet of roses in his hands. In fact, the entire room has roses scattered all about. He looks at his cracked watch and sees it is ten-thirty. A look of defeat and sadness crosses his face as he becomes resigned to the fact that she's not coming.
He sets the bouquet on the table and starts picking up the roses from around the room, pricking his finger on a thorn.
XXX
Lori opens the book to a glowing poem as Charlie gives Milo a hug. "Thank you. Now you're always going to be my favorite."
"Are you sure there's no way I could visit again?" Milo asks as he takes the two of them in.
She shakes her head. "Unfortunately, I don't think so."
He frowns, but turns it back into a smile. "Well then, thanks for everything. I had a great time. And I know you two and the rest of you guys are going to be just fine. You might want to bring the book when you try to show off your scientific discovery though."
She can't help but smirk. "Noted. They'll try to hold you back they will say that you're wrong But they will never understand the journey that you're on" He vanishes in a burst of light and she turns to Charlie. "Come on. How about pajamas and a movie?"
"Do we have Atlantis? I didn't even recognize that song."
"I can check Netflix. And I think it's from the credits. We'll have to ask Hannah for sure."
"Thanks for spending the night with me, Lori. It made it a lot easier." She can see he has something bothering him and nods for him to speak. "But why are people mean? I never did anything to her."
"She just doesn't have a fourteen year old best friend to show her that she was. I know that's what it took for me," Lori answers honestly.
XXX
Ben exits the library, throwing the bouquet in a trash can as he stalk back towards the doors, hands in his pockets and a devastated expression on his face.
XXX
The next morning, Michael frantically runs to the girls' dorm and pounds on the door. Lori opens it a long moment later, hair askew and yawning.
She blinks and stares at him for a long moment before processing who he is. "Can't this wait? It's Saturday?" she mumbles sleepily.
"Did you let him go to the party?" he asks frantically. Hannah appears, looking just as out of it as Lori.
"What's going-?"
"Did you let him go with Nikki Asher to the party?!" Michael shouts. Lori takes a long moment before shaking her head.
"No. Why?" He doesn't accept this and pushes past them. He sees Charlie emerge from the bedroom, wiping the sleep from his eyes. Michael grabs his chest and sighs in relief.
"What's going on? What's the matter?" Charlie asks.
"I went to breakfast this morning and it was all anyone was talking about," Michael begins.
Lori seems to catch his frantic nature and shakes some fog clear. "Slow down. Back up. What are you babbling about? And it better be good for ten o' clock on a Saturday."
Michael takes a deep breath. "Lori, Nikki Asher's in critical condition. She never made it to the party." Everyone starts to look horrified. "She was drunk and got on the expressway. They think she might never walk again." They all just stare as he forces himself to continue. "And her friend, Marley from Chemistry, she was in the passenger's seat. She didn't make. She… she snapped her neck. No one mentioned Charlie, but I just… I had to make sure."
"Oh my God," Lori breathes.
"I just… I can't believe it," Hannah adds.
Charlie backs up against the wall, eyes wide. "That would have been me. I would have been in the passenger seat. I was her date." He starts hyperventilating. "I would have died. I should have died last night."
Hannah and Michael move closer. "Charlie, it's okay. You're here," she tries to comfort him. He nods.
If anything, he seems to be freaking out more as he grabs his neck. "I-I shouldn't be alive! I shouldn't be alive! That should be me!" He starts sobbing loudly. Michael and Hannah both look at Lori desperately. She slowly stands in front of him as he hyperventilates and sobs.
He just looks ahead as she examines him for a moment. She kneels next to him and then she just engulfs him in a hug. He just cries into her as she holds him tight like a true best friend.
"It's alright. You're here. I've got you," she promises. Hannah and Michael can only observe as she comforts him. "I've got you. I've always got you."
XXX
Ben opens his door later that afternoon to find Michael. The two exchange a smile and nod before he lets him in.
"Hey, I have my suspicions from visiting the girls, but I just wanted to see how last night went for you," he begins nervously. Ben's face falls and he nods, knowing what he's about to say.
"She didn't show up. She stood me up," Ben says more sadly than angrily.
Michael notes about three dozen bags of mini M&M's scattered about the living room area. "Is all that chocolate from you?"
Ben just hangs his head. "You're right Harms. Don't put yourself out there. They'll just break your heart."
Michael can't take this. "Ben, because she stood you up I think Charlie's still alive."
Ben halts his pity party and looks at him. "What? Explain."
"Let's head to the café and grab lunch. I'll explain and then we can have some friend time. I think you can use it." Ben nods, curious, and grabs his jacket before the two head out the door. "So there was this party," Michael begins as they start down the hall.
XXX
Tune in next week as everything escalates when a famous villain brings her brand of crazy against Lori and her Companions