Ben Prescott turns his car into the Trinity College campus, Hannah Frost in the passenger seat staring absently out the window. Lori Fitzgerald follows right behind them in Hannah's car. Hannah notes people staring at her as they pass until finally she turns away and shuts her eyes. Ben parks the car in front of the upperclassman dorm and turns to see Hannah trembling with her eyes screwed shut.
"Are they still staring?" she whispers. He looks around to see some small groups pointing and whispering towards the car. Lori pulls in to park beside them.
"A little," he admits. "But it'll all blow over in a few days. You're just a new novelty right now. Soon enough they won't even look twice."
They sit in silence for a long moment. "Promise."
"Huh?"
Hannah opens her eyes and turns to him. "Promise me," she pleadingly demands. "I just… I need something concrete right now. So promise me."
Ben nods. "Everything is going to be fine. I promise," he stutters but tries to seem confident. She nods in acceptance and leans back. They both sit for a moment and neither notices a glow emit from Hannah's car. Lori climbs out a moment later, book under her arm, and opens Hannah's door for her to climb out.
"We'd better get you ready for class," Lori reminds her. "Come on." She helps her down and the three start walking, all eyes on Hannah. Ben shoots them glares, Hannah limps forward looking down, and Lori is completely oblivious- attention elsewhere. "The book also just went off, so this afternoon we'll take care of that. Hannah, you can sit-"
"Lori, I'm still a Companion, right?" Hannah questions.
Lori rolls her eyes as if it's obvious. "Of course."
"Then I'll be there," she says with confidence. Ben heads up the stairs as the two head down the hallway and into their room. Hannah takes it in, putting a hand on the wall almost nostalgically.
"I got your backpack all loaded up yesterday," Lori informs her before helping her into it. "Now do you want to rest for a bit or are you up for some Roommate Pancakes?"
Hannah ponders before smiling like her old self. "I'm always ready for Roommate Pancakes. Let's go." She heads out on her crutches and Lori pauses at the door.
"Okay, we can do this," she tells herself. "Just act normal. Make her feel comfortable."
"Are you coming or what?!" Hannah shouts down the hallway. Lori smirks and runs to catch up to her.
"I'll race you there!" she jokes, gently nudging Hannah with her elbow.
"Very funny!" Hannah laughs, elbowing back, not seeming to notice the stairs as much as the two head for the cafeteria.
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 Four: Piecrust Promise
XXX
Hannah walks into her first class of the day, taking in the stairs before deciding to take a seat in the front row. She keeps her head up as she struggles into her seat and takes out her Sociology materials from her backpack. She jumps as suddenly Tyler and Victoria sit beside her.
"Welcome back," Victoria gives as a false welcome. "You have been all that everybody is talking about, you know." She gestures around the room where quite a lot of people are staring. "I hesitate on inviting you to the wedding because you'd probably wear white and steal all the attention," she giggles.
"Please leave me alone," Hannah whispers, trembling and starting to hyperventilate.
"Yeah, Victoria," Tyler comments in an offended tone. "The girl looks like a human piñata. Show some tact. I don't know about you, Hannah, but I don't think the princesses in your fairy-tales were so desperate they turned to cheating and abusive boyfriends."
"Maybe she deserved it," Victoria offers. "Once a cheater, always a cheater you know." Hannah puts her hands to her ears, desperately trying to block them out.
"Stop. It wasn't my fault. They know it wasn't my fault," she calms herself, thinking of her friends.
"Of course your friends would say that to your face. Or maybe that poor guy is getting framed for something Lori did with that book of hers?" Victoria interrogates, leaning in.
Tyler gives her a glare, believing she's taken it too far. "Victoria, we don't talk about that anymore."
Victoria nods, backtracking. "Sorry. I got carried away." The Professor enters and the two immediately stop. Hannah gains enough of a grip to focus her attention of him.
"Alright everyone, today we continue work on our projects. Everyone get with your partner." The room all pairs up as Hannah sits awkwardly. The professor walks up to her. "Hannah, you're going to be with Brett Edwardson. He'll get you up to speed." He gestures to the middle row where a guy sits working.
"Thank you," Hannah says to his kind smile.
He nods, tapping the desk. "Welcome back. Be sure to let me know if you need anything or if anyone's bothering you." She nods and stumbles up to take a seat next to Brett. He doesn't look up from his work, giving her a moment to look him over. He has a round face with clipped dark brown hair covered in freckles and a small, round nose. He sports long-sleeved shirt paired with a vest and dress pants.
He finally seems to notice she's next to him and spares a quick look over glance. "You must be Hannah Frost. You know, I've been high and dry an entire weekend," he says with a voice that sound perpetually annoyed.
Hannah becomes offended at this. "I was in the hospital! Don't pretend you didn't know though," she says with a roll of her eyes.
Brett looks her over once again, this time noticing the crutches and her slightly swollen eye. "I didn't. I have no time or use for gossip," he says, looking back down. "Now let's stop talking about pointless things. We have a lot to catch up on." He notices her looking at Tyler and Victoria. "So I really need you to focus on me."
Hannah focuses back on him. "Sorry."
He sighs dramatically. "I really need you to pull your weight here."
"I will. I promise. No more distractions."
"Good. You might be an adequate partner," he says like it's a joke.
She scoffs. "I hope to be more than that."
Ben just gives her a look. "Well, we'll see."
XXX
Ben sits on the couch after class along with fellow Companions Michael Harms and Charlie Prescott. Lori enters with the book and two flashlights, Hannah following behind. At the sight of her Michael is instantly on his feet. She walks up to him nervously.
"I don't hate you," she begins. "I know that's what you're afraid of. But I could never hate you. Quite frankly, it's you who should hate me."
"I could never hate you either, especially after everything I've been through because of you," he promises.
"That's great, because I really want my best friend back." He hugs her tight and only Lori catches his sad look. "I'm sorry. It's been a really long day," Hannah apologizes to Lori for the distraction as they both sit.
Lori shrugs. "You're fine. But if you're done we will get down to business. Charlie had a suggestion though."
Charlie nods excited. "I wanted to throw out the idea that we don't split up today. Since we're all back we should do it together."
Lori can't help but smile. "I think that's an adorable, brilliant idea."
Ben folds his arms. "It wouldn't have been if anyone else over fourteen had suggested it." Lori gives him a glare.
Hannah pulls herself up. "Well, let's get going. We should go to the gym first since it's the farthest and work our way back." The group heads out the door of the dorm, obviously moving slower for Hannah's sake. She notices this and tries to pick up the pace but struggles. People continue to stare and whisper as they pass.
"Take your time," Charlie offers kindly. "We're in no hurry."
Ben notes her exasperated expression and thinks of something. "Except for the fact I can physically feel myself aging." She gives him a sharp look and notices he's changed to the ugly tie which he is now adjusting.
She catches on to what he's trying to do. "Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to break your leg so we can be on the same page?" she asks, playing along. Everyone else starts to look a little uncomfortable.
Ben laughs. "I'd like to see you try."
Lori clears her throat, but Hannah cuts in. "Apparently you don't put up much of a fight. I bet I could take you."
"You'd have to catch me first, gimpy!" Ben escalates by shouting.
"That does it!" Hannah trips him with one of her crutches to everyone's horror. "Next time it'll be with the sword!"
Ben rises and goes to say something, but Lori officially elbows between the two. "Okay! I think this has escalated quite enough. Let's just keep walking like a big happy group of Companions, okay?" They walk in silence once again and Hannah's attention returns to the stares- looking down.
Ben drifts next to Lori, annoyed. "Good going," he says so only she can hear. "Now she's upset again."
Lori looks at him confused. "But you don't like it when she picks on you. I was-"
"It was helping her," Ben says as if it was obvious. "That's what mattered. You really miss the obvious sometimes."
This makes Lori angry, tensing her fists. "Excuse me. Next time I'll allow my Companions to physically abuse one another as much as they want."
Ben's eyes narrow- becoming just as angry as she is. "Poor choice of words."
She nods. "I just realized that. I'm sorry."
Ben just sighs, tired of all this. "It's fine. Let's just keep walking." The group climbs the gym stairs and enters.
"Well, it's about time you came to collect me," a voice echoes from above them. They all look up as a figure glides down from the second floor to land in front of them. She deposits her bag into Lori's arms- nearly sending her to the ground with its weight.
She folds her umbrella and tucks it under her arm. "Hello, as I'm sure you're aware I am Mary Poppins." She takes the group in. "I swear I could have found you faster than it took you to find me and this isn't even my world. Stand up straight please. I can't stand slouching."
Lori looks a little unnerved. "You aren't… I wasn't expecting you," she stammers, glancing at Hannah.
Mary sighs. "Are we going to just stand here slack-jawed or are we going to head where we need to go. And you haven't even properly introduced yourself. I presume I am not to simply assume who everyone is," she lectures.
"Michael?" a voice asks. The group looks up to see Jen and Sara at the top of the stairs. He waves to them and they start their way down.
"We'll take care of that in a minute. Get her outside," Lori orders Ben, who obliges just as Sara and Jen arrive in front of them.
"Isn't Megan in today?" Sara asks politely.
Michael nods. "Yes, I was just stopping in… to… introduce you to Hannah Frost." The two perk up at this, turning to her. "As you can see, in a month or so she's going to need a training room regime. I was just showing her around the gym," he makes up.
"Your friends seem to get hurt an awful lot," Jen can't help but note. "I hope you guys aren't up to anything too crazy."
Lori laughs a little too loudly. "Mine was a tree. Hers…"
"Abusive boyfriend," Hannah offers as Lori trails off awkwardly. Everyone looks around after this announcement, unsure of how to proceed.
Jen finally recovers, professional as always. "Well, we look forward to when you visit. Michael has spoken very highly of you. And Lori, I'm sorry we couldn't work something out."
"I am too," Lori answers sincerely.
"But remember Megan's only here for the semester so we can easily revisit you becoming an employee if that situation is resolved," Jen informs her.
Lori nods. "I'm truly hoping it will be. I'll keep you informed."
Sara pats Charlie on the head. "And we sure miss this little guy. You'll have to put in an appearance one day. The athlete's have been asking about you."
He beams. "I'd be more than happy too. And only a year and a few months until I'm hiring age."
"Let us know the day it happens and you're in," Sara promises with a smile.
Michael claps his hands together. "We should get going so you can get back down there. I know soccer will be in any minute now."
"Yes. We should," Jen notes.
Sara gives a small wave as they head for the stairs. "It was nice meeting you Hannah!"
The others head out the front door, Hannah turning to Michael. "You talk about me?"
He blushes a bit. "I might have mentioned you once or twice," he stammers.
They meet Mary and Ben in the parking lot, Mary looking impatient. "So I know I'm here to help with your problems." She pulls a tape measure from the bag. "Let us see what we're dealing with." First she measures Charlie. "Old in the brain, young in the heart. That can be pretty serious, but we don't want to rush that one too much," she decides. She then tries Michael. "Doesn't know how to properly talk to girls. That one just takes practice," she scoffs. She then goes to Ben. "Much too serious about everything." She then does Lori. "Not serious enough about things. Seems like you two clash quite heavily," she notes, the two glancing at one another. Finally, she does Hannah. "Looking too hard for Prince Charming and cares very much about other's opinions. I think we might have the winner." She rolls up the measuring tape as Hannah flinches. "Are we just going to stand here awkwardly or am I going to be escorted to my room? I don't have all day." She starts walking towards the rest of campus before anyone answers.
Lori follows after, annoyed already. "We had better solve this one fast. I already want to send her back."
"Come on now!" Mary shouts back at them. "Spit spot!" Lori physically groans.
XXX
Thursday morning, Lori, Michael, and Charlie are all working on their Organic Chemistry labs on the same bench- the boys obviously moving at a faster pace.
Charlie shakes his head at Michael. "No, she didn't sleep at all. At least I think she wasn't before I went down there."
He turns to Lori and she nods. "She tried, but at around ten-thirty she went on her computer and worked the rest of the night. It didn't help that Mary Poppins was sighing over everything and insisted we tidy up promptly," she adds, obviously very frustrated and annoyed with their guest. "I was a little behind this morning and she just kept saying spit spot, spit spot, spit spot. But at least she's keeping Hannah company right now, even though the company makes you sit straight and drink oddly colored medicines that magically change color."
Charlie nods, excited. "It was really cool. I got blueberry, Hannah got mint tea, and Lori got lemon." Michael laughs. "It's just really great that we're all back together- Lori and her Companions." He sighs, content. "I missed that." He notices Michael's glum expression. "What's the matter? The two of you made up. She said you're her best friend!"
"Yeah, best friend," Michael laments. "As in only sees me as a friend. As in I still have no chance and never will- especially now."
Lori looks at him. "Hey, you don't know that. Things have a way of working out."
They work for a moment before Michael changes the subject. "So I want to ask you what Jen was talking about yesterday."
"Around July she offered me the opening in the training room," Lori answers. "I really wanted to take it-"
"Then why didn't you? You were talking about how your cousin has a job and having a normal-"
"But I don't have normal yet. Something would happen with the book and I'd have to take off early with an excuse. Or I'd be late because of some character. We know it wouldn't work. So I turned her down with the full intention of getting rid of the book this semester and hopefully starting in the winter."
"That does make sense," Michael admits.
Charlie nods in agreement. "Even though I don't like all this talk of getting rid of the book, I noticed that they got the computer back up and running last week. That's where your answers are."
"That's Hannah's battle and I'm not soldiering on there until she's ready," Lori decides. "She can take as much time as she needs. There's no hurry. There's just a preference."
"Do you have the answer to the question?" Charlie asks.
"I looked into it this summer and I think I just might," Lori admits, not fully confident. "The other stuff you gathered helped as well about the secrecy around DIZ and its founding. But it still doesn't tell us who they are and what their plan was with the book or how my ex-boyfriend fits in."
"You talk to the book. Hasn't it ever said anything back?" Michael inquires jokingly, laughing.
Lori shakes her head, serious. "You laugh, but I sometimes wonder."
XXX
Later that afternoon in one of the library study rooms, Rachel Ellis is watching Charlie grade a fake test he made for her with baited breath. He smiles. "Looking good so far. You stumbled a bit here, but that's easily smoothed out."
She sighs with relief. "What can I say? You're a miracle worker." There is a pause as he continues grading. "So do Tyler and Victoria know about the book?"
Charlie looks up, her having caught his attention. "No. Why do you ask?"
"Well, the two of them sat by her yesterday in Sociology and I swear Victoria mentioned something about it when I walked by and was honestly listening in," she admits.
Charlie begins to seem upset. "Did she look sad?"
"Her body language screamed that she was uncomfortable," Rachel diagnoses. "But I didn't know if I should intrude if they were in on it."
Charlie shakes his head. "Lori made a mistake in the early days. She thinks she knows something, but she really doesn't. Not like you do at least." He looks at the clock and rises. "I need to go," he decides.
Rachel gives him a suspicious look. "Alright." He hands her the test back and gathers his things. "I'm so glad we made this deal."
"I would have done this without the deal," he informs her with a quick smile before heading for the door. "I'm glad we met so I could help you." He leaves her pondering this and he runs for the cafeteria, spying Tyler and Victoria inside through the window before heading in.
XXX
Hannah sits having tea on her bed with Mary Poppins. She takes a sip and smiles approvingly. "This is actually really good," she compliments the nanny.
Mary nods, satisfied as well. "What you had was primitive at best, but I tried to make it work." She nods towards the crutches. "Do you mind my asking what happened?"
Hannah takes a beat before starting; knowing she probably has to tell this story for Mary to do her job. "There was a guy who I thought loved me. So I let him get away with hurting me. Eventually, I wizened up. Now he's going to be put on trial and possibly in jail and I'm back to my normal life. Well, as normal as it can get. There's a lot of staring and whispers."
Mary sense how uncomfortable she is and sets her cup down. "Do you know how I became practically perfect in every way?" Hannah shakes her head. "I stopped worrying about how others perceived me and focused on how I perceive me. It takes more courage, no doubt, but that's a quality that perfect people have in ample supply."
"I like who I am," Hannah defends.
Mary raises a finger. "But there is a large difference between liking and accepting. The practically means I do have a few flaws, but acknowledging them is what makes another perfect quality."
"You think very highly of yourself," Hannah can't help but note.
"And is that necessarily a bad thing?" Hannah thinks on this as Lori enters and pauses at the proceedings.
"A tea party?" she asks.
Hannah smirks. "You've walked in on weirder when we've had guest like these."
"I wasn't arguing against that. I-"Her phone goes off and she looks at it, instantly becoming concerned. "Charlie's with the nurse downstairs."
Hannah gets up on her feet, grabbing her crutches. "Let's go." The trio starts down the hallway.
"Spit spot," Mary says, picking up the pace as Lori can only roll her eyes. They meet Ben and Michael coming down the stairs and together head into the basement and the clinic where Nurse Brittany is taking care of Charlie.
She notes the number of people who have entered as Charlie smiles. "I wasn't expecting such a large-"
"Roommate, brother, best friend, best friend's roommate, person staying with best friend," Charlie rattles off. "All very important figures in my life."
"What happened?" Ben asks, serious and concerned.
"He-"Nurse Brittany begins.
"Let me tell them!" Charlie cuts in, ecstatic. He clears his throat before beginning dramatically. "So I heard Tyler and Victoria were giving Hannah some trouble yesterday in class." Everyone looks at her and she looks down. "I took matters into my own hands and confronted them. They poured their drink on me and I stumbled, cutting my arm open on the machine. Some girl broke it up- my eyes were sticky so I didn't say who. A professor brought me here and now I have ten stitches!" he exclaims, holding up his arm for everyone to see. "Cool right?!"
Hannah fumbles with her crutches. "You shouldn't-"
"You did it for me when I was being bullied. Why wouldn't I do that same thing?" Charlie asks, baffled at her reaction.
Hannah sighs. "Because you're tiny, fourteen, and didn't have Lori's glare to back you up and strike terror into them."
Nurse Brittany turns to Ben. "He'll have to come back here in a few weeks to get them out. I thought about calling his father, but I figured you would be enough."
"Oh, I'll be telling him," Ben agrees, giving his brother a sharp look. "Let's go." The group heads out, Lori stopping Charlie as the others head up the stairs.
"He may give you grief later, but I'm proud of you," she tells him. "You did the right thing."
"I just did what you would do," he tells her.
She ruffles his hair. "Next time maybe let me know though. I hate seeing my best friend get hurt and Hannah is right about the power of my glare."
"I will. I promise." He hugs her. "You're the best."
"So are you." Mary comes back down.
"Why are we taking so long with sentimentality?" she questions. "Come on now. Spit spot." Lori groans as they head up.
XXX
Hannah enters class the next morning, choosing to remain confident and breezing past Tyler and Victoria to sit next to Brett- who has his head down working. She drops a packet in front of him.
"Not only are we caught up, we're ahead now," she says smugly. "How's that for pulling my weight?"
He flips through, giving the smallest of smiles. "This is quite impressive. Honestly, I judged you off your appearance. In my experience the better looking girls coast by while the male partner does all the work," he admits. She just gives him a look and he puts his hands up. "It's a mistake I won't make with you again though."
"Thank you," she says, satisfied.
"How did you get all this done?"
"I haven't really been sleeping," she admits.
His smile suddenly fades. "That's unacceptable," he lectures serious. "You need to get your rest. Don't let some project and an overbearing partner get in the way of that."
"I know. It's just… I close my eyes and I see what happened to me," she tells him sadly. "My breath gets all shaky and my thoughts just get sad. I don't like feeling like that. So I worked instead. And now my brains' just swirling with all of that stuff," she finishes, nodding towards the packet.
"Then take a nap now while your mind's busy," Brett offers. "Right now just lie down and do it with all this swimming in your brain."
"But the project-"
"You did enough for now," he assures her. "Now it's my turn to pull my weight. It's fine and only logical." She lies down and drifts off as he returns to his work. Victoria comes up and leaves an envelope in her folder without his noticing.
XXX
Ben opens the door of his dorm to find Mary Poppins with her umbrella and bag. "I thought I would get this over with so I can go back to where I'm needed." He looks confused. "I don't know about you, but it's obvious to me you're the one I need to teach." She steps in and takes a seat in the chair. "You have the look of someone who made a piecrust promise."
Ben is still lost. "A what- weren't you here for Hannah?"
"I thought so too at first, but she just needed the small one to need to be patched up," she dismisses. "I didn't provide much. But you made a piecrust promise- easily made, easily broken."
He knows what she's talking about. "I promised everything would be okay."
"And you knew you couldn't deliver on that," Mary probes.
"But it was what she needed to hear," he defends.
"Did you consider the truth- that life has good and bad? We must accept both to have a quality of perfection. Something tells me Lori would have."
This just makes him upset and frustrated. "Well, I made her feel better," he says with slight venom. He pinches his nose. "But I will consider your input," he forces out.
She nods and rises. "Alright, then let's get me to your friend so she can send me back. That seems to be her function."
They start out and down the stairs. "She's more than my friend… I hope. We're meant to be together," he informs her.
Mary gives him a sharp look. "What did I say about a piecrust promise?" They arrive and Lori answers the door with the book. Mary gives her a nod and she nods back, opening it to a glowing poem.
"Let's go fly a kite Up to the highest height" She vanishes in a burst of light and Lori shuts the book in relief. "Finally," she sighs happily. Ben and her then stand awkwardly for a minute before he just waves and leaves. She waves and heads back inside to the bedroom, Hannah arriving a minute later.
"You won't believe this!" she exclaims, but pauses to try and shrug her backpack off.
Lori looks at this delay unfold. "Well, hurry up. Spit spot." She realizes what has just happened and looks horrified. "I will never do that again," she vows.
Hannah pulls an envelope, invitation, and note from her backpack and hand them over. "Victoria left this for me. A wedding invitation and a long-winded note which basically says she's sorry for everything I've been through."
"Genuine or forced?" Lori questions immediately as she looks it over.
"I'm not sure honestly. I didn't see her leave it."
Lori nods, handing it back. "We'll stay on guard. This could be a trap."
"Or she could want to make up," Hannah fishes. "She said we used to be friends and maybe we could be again. She wants to talk."
Lori remains unconvinced. "Just be careful," she warns.
Hannah nods. "I will." She opens her laptop. "Now I think I will work on my project before dinner."
Lori pulls out hers as well, hopping up on her bed. "I will follow your example."
XXX
That evening, Charlie opens Lori's door to find Rachel standing there jumping up and down. "I got an A! Thank you! Thank you! I didn't even think it was a possibility! I checked upstairs and your brother said you were here! I just had to tell you!"
He beams at her excitement. "I'm so glad. But remember I just gave you the tools, you made the garden."
She laughs. "You're too sweet. I'll see you Tuesday." She goes to walk away but stops and turns back to him. "When I followed you to the cafeteria and saw you standing up to Tyler… you reminded of her," she admits. "It was exactly what she would have done. I know that. And it was the right thing to do."
"I'm glad you can see that."
"I'm just happy I managed to keep him from beating your face in," she adds relieved.
This surprises him. "That was you?!"
She nods. "I did a play where I had to know martial arts. I just showed off a bit and that was the end of it."
"It was nice of you to bail out your tutor."
She bites her lip. "Actually, that was what made me follow you at first. But then I stepped in to bail out my friend. I'll see you around." He nods. "You can tell Lori, since I know she's in there, that I said hi."
Charlie can't contain how happy he is about this but desperately tries as she starts away. "I will. She'll like that."
XXX
Tune in a week from Sunday as the first new Companion starts off her tenure with a bang and some very interesting revelations the will serve to really shake Lori's leadership skills to the core.