Ben Prescott drums his fingers on the desk, only to pull it away at how oily it is. He stands with Michael Harms in the garage of a mechanic's as some guys are examining his car. They turn the ignition and it let out a coughing, sick sputter. Ben flinches and looks at Michael.
"I told you it was a piece of junk," he huffs, annoyed at being dragged here on a Sunday.
"Ah, she just needs some TLC. They'll get her fixed up for you."
"Thanks for picking me up. Leave it to me to have my car break down on the way back from Target."
"It was no problem. I don't work on Sundays. I was just finishing up my paper." Ben gives him a questioning look. "The final draft of our Western Civilization essays is tomorrow. Later this afternoon, the four of us are all trading ours. Boy, the semester's winding down," he comments.
Ben nods. "It is actually. Time flies when you spend it hunting for Disney characters." His attention is drawn to posters of newer models on the wall. He considers them for a moment. "What if I got a new car?" he says to himself.
"That's a pretty big investment, Prescott," Michael says hesitantly. "I know you have a job now and all, but should you make a purchase like that if you have five years of school to pay for."
"But if this car keeps breaking down won't it eventually equal the same thing?" Ben points out.
Michael shrugs. "You've got me there. I was just trying to give some friendly advice."
"Oh, I know. I appreciate it," Ben assures him. "But I'm just thinking. It might be time to move on to something in red."
"Red gets pulled over more often. Just saying."
Ben considers the poster for while before switching topics. "I'm going to talk to Lori tomorrow. I avoided her yesterday and today for my pride, but I think I'm ready to try again. I'm confident. I'm collected. It won't be as showy this time though."
Michael gives a genuine smile. "Good for you."
"So when are you and Hannah-"
Michael sighs, obviously getting fed up with this topic. "I'm not. Besides, she spent all weekend with Kenny. Soon they'll be official and then I'll be that guy. So I'm just going to keep my mouth shut."
"Or you could get there first. Please, just consider it. I know I'm a broken record, but just think about it." He points towards a car on the poster. "How about that one?"
"It's nice. I like it. I don't like the price though," Michael admits and Ben shrugs.
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 16: Just Do It Now
XXX
Monday afternoon, Hannah is sitting alone at lunch when Kenny gives her a scare by sliding into the seat next to her. The gasp turns into laughing by both of them. He puts an arm around her.
"Hello, most beautiful girl in the world," he whispers, coy smile on his lips. She pushes his arm away.
"Hello, liar."
He clutches his chest, wounded. "In my opinion it is true, and that is the only opinion that matters." He watches her go back to eating for a moment. "Be my girlfriend," he says suddenly, taking her off guard.
"Excuse me?" she chokes on her ravioli. She grabs her glass and drinks some tea to clear her throat.
He takes the opportunity to get on one knee. "I'm a prince looking for a princess," he declares dramatically. Hannah blushes. "I found one and she's great. So I'm asking you to be my girlfriend so I can do this." He just goes for the kiss, people in the cafeteria whistling as he deepens it. She pulls away for air, her head obviously spinning.
"Of course I will be your girlfriend," she says, still catching her breath.
Kenny can't contain his excitement, jumping onto the table as Hannah watches in shock. "Huzzah! She said yes!"
"Get down. You're causing a scene." He jumps down back into his seat. They sit for about half a minute before he gasps.
"Let's go on a date as boyfriend and girlfriend," he declares.
"Okay."
He rises, grabbing his tray. "Great! Grab your keys and we'll go."
"Oh, you meant now. But I have classes. I have to turn in-"
"Hannah, it's one day," he pleads. He kisses her again. "Let's just get out of this place, two crazy kids in love, and just drive," he whispers to her. "We can return to reality tomorrow. But today is the day Hannah Frost became my girlfriend and we should celebrate."
She is still hesitant. "I don't-"He kisses her again and her resolve quickly melts.
"Please Hannah. Don't make me say goodbye to you. It breaks my heart every time."
"Well, we can't have that, I suppose," she gives in. "I'll get my car."
"Huzzah! My first date with Hannah Frost! This is truly the best day ever!" He scoops her up in his arms and starts carrying her out of the cafeteria bridal style as she laughs and everyone stares.
XXX
Ben knocks on the dorm door and it is frantically opened by Lori. Her face however falls when she sees that it's him. "What's the matter?" he asks, seeing her concern.
"Hannah wasn't in Western Civilization," she informs him, clearly stressed. "I was just hoping- she isn't answering her phone."
"She'd still be in her other classes now though. Maybe something happened and she had to miss that one. I'm sure she's fine," he assures her. Lori takes a deep breath and nods.
"I hope so. What's up?"
"Can we talk possibly, in private?"
She looks confused but nods. "Sure. Come on in." He enters and takes a moment before facing her.
"I get why you stood me up on Friday," he begins.
Lori realizes what he's speaking about and slaps her forehead. "Oh my God! The library. I completely- and this whole weekend you've been- oh my god I-"
He takes her hand. "I know. And it hurt, but my little brother is safe because of that and you. So I hold no ill will for that. But we still need to talk."
She nods, clearing her head so she can focus on what he's saying. "Alright. I'm listening. I'm here, I'm sorry, and I'm listening."
He clears his throat, gaining his nerve, before starting. "I like you as more than a friends Lori. I probably have for longer than I realized. And I've been getting the vibe that you feel the same way. So I want to try this-us." He stands awkwardly, trying to figure out how to stage this before just saying it. "I want you to be my girlfriend."
Lori stares at him before her expression becomes pained. "I'm sorry, but I can't," she tells him, pulling her hand away. He looks at her expression confused before getting a bit angry.
"Are you just afraid to admit-"
"No," she says defensively. "I'm there too. I'll admit that proudly. I'm in the same exact headspace," she declares, leaning against her desk.
"Then I'm confused."
She takes a breath, twiddling her thumbs. "I can't do this to Charlie," she admits. "He is my best friend and I still think he thinks I'm the love of his life. I can't hurt him. I won't hurt him. This would destroy him."
Ben's face hardens. "So then what are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting we wait. His feelings will fade and then he'll be understanding enough for us to try this."
He scoffs. "So you're putting him before me," he says bitterly. She crosses her arms.
"I'm not," she defends.
"We could not tell him- keep it secret for a while," Ben offers desperately.
She looks at him, starting to become annoyed. "You're not being fair. I realized some things Saturday when I learned what almost happened to him. I realized how long I've been waiting for him. How long I have needed him in my life. So you can't ask me to do this to him."
"You're picking your best friend," he concludes, throwing his hands in the air.
"He is more than my best friend," she says passionately. "He's my Charlie. And I'm willing to wait because I have a feeling that you are worth it. Are you saying you don't feel the same?"
Ben is still confused. "Is this just you playing with me? Thursday-"
"I was a completely different person Thursday!" she shouts at him. "Charlie almost died! If I had been with you, he would have caved and gone with her and he would have died! I can't. If you care about me, you will wait. You will do this for me and you will do this for him. He's your brother."
Ben can see he's obviously not changing her mind. "So where does this leave us then?" he asks, bitterness still in his voice.
"It leaves us as friends," she concludes. He flinches. "I don't know for how long, but we're still just friends." He heads for the door, done. "I'm so sorry," she says to his back, tearing up. "I wish I could give you the answer I had planned."
"I get it," he says but immediately corrects himself. "Well, I don't but I do." He stands in front of the door for a long moment. "Just… let me know when you think it's time. You know him better than I do. I'll try waiting, but I might move on," he admits.
She nods sadly. "I won't waste a moment, because I'll be waiting too." He exits and she sits on her desk crying. "This is why I don't do this. It hurts even more than the first time." She sits staring off when the filing cabinet rattles next to her. She groans. "And now I have to text him and Charlie and have them in the same room. Great day this turned out to be," she mutters to herself, drying her eyes as she grabs the book and slams the cabinet shut.
XXX
That evening, Lori and Michael are searching the art building with their flashlights. She sets the book on a desk and kneels to look under a closet door. Michael observes her before speaking.
"So are you going to tell me what happened?" She looks at him, feigning confusion. Michael gives her a look. "I know he went to talk to you. I know you two avoided one another when we met up. I know you're upset. What happened?" She rises and dusts herself off.
"I think I really hurt him," she admits guiltily. "And he may not believe it, but it really hurt me too. That and I'm worried about Hannah. She isn't answering. She wasn't in any of her afternoon classes. My best friend almost died this weekend. I-"He suddenly pulls her in and hugs her.
"I know," he comforts her calmly. "You get like this when you're stressed. You're going to be alright though. It's going to be fine."
"You should hate me. I hate me."
"Lori, I could never hate you. I'm on your side- both of you. I'm here for you as a friend whenever you need me." She hugs him back just as Charlie enters, but halts at the scene. She then takes a step back, taking a deep breath to calm herself down.
"I can't do it to him. I can't hurt him like that. He's my best friend." Michael nods in understanding and sympathy as she takes another deep breath.
"I know. It's okay." Charlie just stands for a minute before shaking his head and whistling. This gains they're attention and he smiles like he just entered and hadn't seen any of that.
"Find anything?" They shake their heads. "Alright. Ben's waiting at the entrance to the preserve then. Let's head out." They start out the door, her ruffling his hair as she walks past him. "Are you okay?" he asks.
She gives a brave smile. "I'm fine. I'm just stressing about Hannah." He clearly doesn't buy that but they walk across the empty street in silence. When they reach the other side, she hits her forehead. "I forgot the book on the table." A pair of headlights appears down the road.
"You guys stay there," she tells them. The headlights get closer as she starts back across, and upon framing her in the lights the car guns it. Lori doesn't notice how fast it's going, but Michael does.
"Lori!" She turns and sees the car heading straight for her at a speed of at least ninety. Her eyes widen and she drops to the ground, rolling out of the way just in time as a red Jaguar peels past her and down the street. She looks after it on the ground in shock as Charlie and Michael come running up to her.
"Are you okay?" Charlie asks. She nods, clearly shaken. "I'll get the book." He runs into the art building as Michael looks her over. Her eyes are still wide and her hands trembling.
He breathes a sigh of relief. "Alright, just some scratches on your palms and knees. Otherwise, we're all good." He helps her up, supporting her until she gets her balance. "Are you sure you're okay? You didn't hit your head or anything?"
"That was the President's car," she mutters as Charlie comes bounding back and hands her the book.
"What?" Michael asks, not hearing her.
"That was President Timmerman's car," she says again, gears turning. "I've seen him in it before with his daughter."
Charlie's jaw drops. "But then he just tried to kill you. That was no accident. He was going way over the speed limit and aiming right for you. The President just tried to-"
"It makes sense," Lori cuts in suddenly, pieces clicking.
Michael and Charlie looks at her. "Um, mind filling us in. Why would the President want to kill you?"
"He has the most expensive car. She needs a car so of course she takes the expensive bright red one. She goes out trying to figure out what's happening and then she sees me. She's been warned about me, how I can ruin everything. So she hits the gas pedal." It clicks for Michael too.
"It's a villain. A villain that stole the President's car." Lori nods, looking after where the car went.
"We need to get away from a road before she comes back." They take off down the sidewalk when she looks over her shoulder. "If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will," she mutters to herself.
XXX
The next day after class, Ben and Charlie are looking over new cars in a large, polished showroom as a salesman leads them around. Hannah, Lori, and Michael are all sitting on some couches in a lounge area by the entrance. Hannah is examining the bandages Michael has wrapped around Lori's skinned hands in fear and disbelief.
"She tried to run you over?!" she shouts.
Lori pulls her hand away. "Keep quiet. People might stare," she warns.
"They put the news out about the President's car in an e-mail this morning," Michael informs her. "Anyone with any information should come forward."
Lori takes a troubled breath. "That's our fault. If you think about it, we basically stole a car." She puts her head in her hands.
"And now she could be anywhere," Hannah says, afraid.
"No. She's around campus somewhere," Michael concludes. "She has to kill Lori; otherwise she's a threat to her. She has to take care of her before she goes driving off into the sunset." He puts a comforting hand on Lori's shoulder.
"This is pretty scary," Hannah concludes. "I wish I was there."
This snaps Lori out of her funk as her head snaps up, annoyed. "You still haven't told me where the hell you were. You get home last night practically dancing and tell me it's such a great story you have to tell all of us together. I was really worried!"
Hannah rolls her eyes. "Calm down. I was out on a date! Kenny asked me to be his girlfriend!" Lori feels Michael grip her shoulder tighter, but he keeps a straight face.
"That's…"
Lori saves him by cutting in, still peeved. "That doesn't explain anything!" she shouts, causing everyone to look her way. Hannah glares. "Sorry. My nerves are about shot and I'm only eighteen."
Hannah crosses her arms, not having expected this attitude. "Well, he said we should celebrate and go on a date. And it was so great guys. We just drove and talked. It was so amazing. And now he's my boyfriend. I can't believe it. He called us two crazy kids in love," she sighs, caught up in the romance of it all. "I can't wait until you guys meet him."
Lori narrows her eyes. "He convinced you to ditch school. Correction, he convinced you to ditch school on the day our semester long essay was due."
Hannah's eyes widen. "Shoot! Oh no, maybe I can e-mail him. If I get Caroline to say I was sick-"
"Calm down," Lori says with a roll of her eyes. "When you didn't show up Charlie distracted him long enough with his grading procedure that I took an extended trip to the bathroom. I printed it at the library from your e-mail and slipped it into the pile. You're welcome and you don't deserve me," she says proudly, leaning back with her hands behind her head.
"How did you get in my e-mail?" Hannah questions.
"I may not be a computer whiz who can hack into that piece of almost government technology, but you say all your passwords in your sleep. I've had them memorized for months, and I still haven't gotten my thank you yet!" she finishes, clearly annoyed.
Charlie and Ben have come up to them. "I still don't like it," Charlie tells him as everyone turns to them. "Rosie's been in the family since I was seven- that's half my life!"
"Exactly why it's time to trade her in," Ben concludes. "Thomas gave me his blessing and it looks like I might be able to work something out with that one."
"But she's Rosie," Charlie pouts.
"It's time to move on. I'll come back this weekend and negotiate." He looks at the other. "I don't know why all of you came since you were apparently not going to be any help."
"You took my car, Lori needed to get off campus, and Hannah was for moral support," Michael lists off. He hands Ben the keys as they head into the parking lot. "As a reward for all our help, you can drive us back." They all climb into the car, Lori in the front with Ben, and head out onto the road.
Charlie leans in. "So what's the plan for-"The group is suddenly hit from the side and almost skids off the road. "What just happened?!" he shouts, clinging to the seat in front of him.
"Someone just hit us," Ben says calmly. "I'm sorry Harms."
Michael shrugs. Lori looks up into the rearview mirror and he eyes widen. "Pull over and we'll check it out-"
"No! Keep driving!" Lori shouts grabbing the wheel and swerving them back onto the road.
Ben shoves her away. "Lori, what the hell are you-"
"Ben, it's her," she says, voice high. "She followed us." Everyone turns and sees that the red Jaguar is in pursuit of them and starts to panic as for the first time they see Cruella De Vil in the driver's seat. Ben speeds up, but she does the same.
"Oh my God!" Hannah shouts. "Ben, book it! She's coming again!" He speeds up as she tries to rear-end them.
Charlie hits the back of the seat. "She's chasing us! Drive faster!"
"I'm already going fifteen over the speed limit!" he shouts back. Everyone gives him a look. He blows through a yellow light and she follows through the red.
"Ben, so help me, if we die I'm going to kill you!" Hannah shouts at him.
Charlie looks at her confused. "But-"
"Figure of speech, Charlie," Lori informs him. "Drive!" She continues following as he speeds up. "She's really determined to kill me, isn't she?" Lori can't help but laugh. "I don't even have the book right now."
Michael grabs her wrist to provide support and keep her calm. "Lori, we're going to be fine."
Ben is starting to slip into panic as well. "How do I proceed here?! Do I go back to campus or keep driving?!"
"Get us back home! Just go!" Lori shouts as she pulls up beside them.
"Prescott, she's pulling up beside us!" Michael warns. Cruella locks eyes with Lori and she goes completely white, frozen. She swerves to hit them but Ben manages to speed up so she misses.
"Where are the police when you need them?!" Hannah shouts, looking around desperately. She starts to pull beside the again.
"And what are we going to tell them?!" Ben shouts back. "Thank you Officer, for saving us from this fictional character!" This time she hits them and they are dragged against a rail before Ben pulls the car free. Michael flinches at the damage that must have just caused.
"Hold on!" Ben shouts as they approach an empty green light. He makes a sudden u-turn and she drives past into busier traffic. Everyone sighs with relief and gets some color back in their faces. "Alright, we're okay. We lost her," he sighs, loosening his knuckle-white grip on the wheel slightly.
"For now," Hannah reminds him. "Who knows how long until she tries again?" Lori is physically trembling in the passenger's seat. Michael still has the grip on her wrist and notices.
"Lori. Hey, Trouble Magnet, we're alright." He instantly regrets that attempt, but she doesn't even seem to register it to his relief.
"Yeah, Lori, she didn't get you," Charlie says excited.
"But she could've gotten all of us," Lori mutters, almost to herself as she looks around the car. Ben turns into campus as Charlie narrows his eyes.
"You can shut that line of thinking off right now, Lori Fitzgerald. I told you I'm not going anywhere and I mean it! It's going to take more than Cruella De Vil trying to commit vehicular manslaughter to scare me off from being your Companion!"
Michael nods. "Agreed. We're not going to let her hurt you."
XXX
Friday afternoon, Lori enters the training room as Michael cleans the tables. Jen and Sara are working with some athletes and she waves hello. She still looks very shaken, stressed, and tired. She takes a seat on one of the benches and Michael cleans around her.
"I was afraid to walk here. I've been afraid to walk anywhere around campus these past few days. I'm afraid. She could be anywhere."
"We'll figure this out," Michael promises. "You need to breathe. A lot has been thrown at you at once, but you can handle it." She lies back.
"I don't like him. I haven't even met Kenny, but if he can convince Hannah to ditch class I don't like him," she admits. "But I'm worried about what she'll say if I tell her that. I know how she is about boys. She acts like she needs one to complete her."
Michael goes back to cleaning, face blank. "She can do whatever she wants. I don't care."
"Don't," Lori says, turning on her side to look at him. "You're sulking. It doesn't suit you. I hate to say I told you so, but-"
"She never would have said yes anyway. I don't make her feel like Kenny does. You hear the way she gushes about him. I don't make her feel like that. So she deserves someone who makes her feel like that. I'm glad she didn't pick me and I'm glad I didn't say anything to ruin that for her." He seems sincere but Lori shakes her head.
"You're lying Doctor." He turns away and she decides to drop it. "Point is I still don't like him. At least she doesn't know how you feel, I suppose. I know how Ben feels, so now every time I see him look at me out of the corner of my eye I feel guilt beyond measure."
"It's different. You like him back though."
Lori sits up. "But I also friended him. I look at Charlie and am instantly assured I made the right choice for now. But then I see him look at me." She falls back again groaning as Charlie enters and sees the two of them looking upset and frustrated.
Michael notices him and smiles. "Hey, squirt. What brings you here?"
"I thought I'd visit Ms. Sara and Ms. Jen." He walks up to them. "I colored you some cards to thank them for all the things you've been teaching me since Lori's almost done with her rehab."
Sara smiles at him in thanks. Surprisingly, it's Jen who speaks up. "We'll still let you visit, Charlie. They adore you here." He can't help but smile. "Maybe when you become old enough for a job-"
"I'd love too!" They return to their work and he heads for Lori. She stands up and hugs him. "What was that for?"
"Because you're my best friend." She heads over to grab a weight. Charlie looks between her and Michael, looking almost guilty before burying it and following her.
XXX
Saturday morning, the group all sits in the lounge studying in comfortable silence.
Ben closes his book and looks at Michael "Harms, do you think you can give me a ride to the shop this afternoon. My car's ready."
Michael raises an eyebrow. "Wait, you're picking up your old car? I thought-"
Ben nods. "I thought about it for a long time. I made charts even. But in the end I guess I just decided… Rosie is my first car. She's got a lot of memories to her. And I guess I'm just not ready to move on yet," he says, Lori catching him glancing at her. "So I won't. I'll stick with her and I'll wait." She can't help but give a small smile.
"That's great. I love Rosie," Charlie cheers. Lori's smile drops instantly.
Hannah looks at them. "Are you guys sure you should go out though? If she happens to be watching and follows you two again-"
That seems to be the last straw. Lori slams her laptop shut. "That's it." She rises. "I'm done cowering inside and dodging the road and being afraid. You two are going out this afternoon without having to worry about her." She goes into her room and emerges with the book and light jacket a moment later. Everyone has followed her.
"What are you doing?" Michael questions. She looks at him, eyes narrowed.
"I'm going to end this."
XXX
Lori stands in the middle of the road going through campus. The others come running up along the sidewalk, having taken a bit to get ready while she just walked out the door.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Hannah shouts at her, concerned.
"No. I finally got it," Lori informs her. They see the car down the road. "I've been hiding. I've been stressing. I've been scared."
Michael is pacing the sidewalk. "Lori, there has to be a better way-"
"But I'm not anymore," Lori continues, ignoring him. "At least, I'm not going to let myself be." The car is getting closer and starts to speed up.
"Lori, you're going to get yourself killed!" Bens pleads.
"No, I'm not. I'm going to beat her. I'm not afraid of her, because I can do this. I can beat her. I will beat her." She sees Cruella De Vil and flips open the book as she gets dangerously close.
"Lori!" Charlie shouts, starting to run to her. She holds her hand up at him.
"You stay right there and that is an order!" He halts and she stands there, flipping to a glowing poem and staring Cruella down. "I win."
"Hurry!" Hannah yells.
Lori sings faster than ever before as the car is about twenty yards away. "The world will be a happy place since We're rid of Cruella Cruella De Vil" She flinches as there is a burst of darkness and the car flips over her, landing behind her. She falls to her knees with relief as they see the driver's spot is now empty. The Companions run out and surround her.
"Don't ever do that again," Michael warns her. He checks her over, kneeling beside her. "Are you okay?"
She nods, smiling genuinely. "I'm actually better than I've been in a really long time." She lies back on the road and the group just carefully drags her off. "I'm okay. I'm finally okay. It's… it's all going to be okay."
She looks at all of them: Michael, Hannah, Charlie, and Ben. Her smile grows much wider and they can't help but smile back in relief. "We're going to be okay."
XXX
Tune in next week as Lori meets her Chemistry match