Hey guys, I know we haven't seen anything on this chapter since July and I can only apologise for this. As you can see I have been trying to get the stories that are close to completion finished so now I can start working on this story once again. I have managed to do the first drafts for the majority of this story; so fingers crossed we can quickly continue this journey together. Much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo.
*Mal's POV*
We arrived at Auradon General not long after and to be fair I didn't have to wait for very long. However I put this down to the fact that I was with Ben; I also couldn't escape the confused looks that were thrown in our direction. I knew what was going through the hospital staff's minds - were we getting back together?
I quickly pushed this thought away as a blonde haired, green eyed, slim nurse called my name. Ben followed me into the side room before I could protest; however as an afterthought I didn't mind. I knew that he was acting in my best interests; and strangely this didn't bother me.
After having ten stitches in my head and been warned of the side effects I was allowed to go home. I couldn't help but sigh in relief; I had this unnerving feeling in my stomach that they were going to get me to stay. And with Ben being with me; I highly doubted that he would let me leave.
All the way through my time at hospital with Ben it was confusing to me; yes I know that I was also tipsy as well so I know this was making me overthink things. But I couldn't get over how easy it was to be around Ben; saying that it always was. I had always imagined in my mind that things would be awkward due to the fact as soon as I broke up with him I tried to make sure that I disappeared from his life. I know this is a stupid thought; but he needed someone better than me. Someone who could give him what he needs; I am a girl from the Isle. He shouldn't want anything to do with me; and it was catching me off guard that he would willingly want to spend time with me now.
"Thanks Ben" I said as we both walked out of Auradon General.
"You didn't need to come with me" I stated as he turned and looked down at me.
"I know; but I wanted to" he yawned.
"I feel bad that you have been kept out; you are really tired" I noted as I watched him rub his eyes with his hands. I knew that he might have a lie in planned for the morning, but he still would have a busy day. Maybe I should have been sterner with Ben; he didn't need to stay with me. I just didn't want to come across as ungrateful because I did appreciate the fact he brought me; but I still couldn't shift the guilt that I always had over Ben.
"Mal please don't worry about it" he dismissed.
"That is what friends are for" he smiled meekly.
"Yeah" I agreed not really knowing how to react to what he said.
"Well I best be off" I stated as I looked around me to see if I could see a bus stop or a taxi rank.
"What?" He asked in disbelief which made me look up at him.
"I need to find a way home" I advised as I noted the concerned look in his eyes.
"Mal I can talk you home" he offered.
"You really don't need to" I returned.
"I do feel in debt to you though" I added as I pursed my lips together.
"What do you want?" I slurred as I swayed side to side slightly.
"What do you mean?" He asked as he pulled one brow up in confusion.
"Well guys don't tend to be nice to me unless they want something from me" I answered before I could stop myself. However as I watched as Ben's eyes widened in shock I instantly regretted saying this. Of course Ben wasn't like this; and I knew that I now had probably opened up a can of worms with Ben.
"Sorry I didn't mean-" I started before I dropped my head down in shame.
"No it's ok" I heard him answer.
"Mal you are not saying what I think you are saying are you-" he started as he stepped closer to me.
"Depends on what you think I am talking about" I returned as I looked back up at him.
"Why don't you elaborate?" He prompted hopefully.
"No" I answered as I quickly shook my head. I really didn't want to go into this conversation with Ben. Things were awkward enough as it is without him finding out what I have been getting up to since we were last together.
"I think we should just leave it like that" I stated bluntly hoping that this would end this conversation.
"Mal I know I shouldn't ask-" he started nervously.
"But you are going to anyway" I sighed.
"Yes" he said.
"Are you telling me that people have been taking advantage of you?" He asked quickly, and I could tell by the tone of his voice part of him didn't want to know the answer.
"Ben" I said as my eyes widened. I didn't want Ben to think this; it wasn't true!
"Mal no; this is serious. Is that why that girl assaulted you?" He questioned as he pursed his lips together.
"Ben I am not your concern any more-" I started trying make sure that what I was saying sounded harsh.
"I value the fact that you brought me here; I really do. But you don't need to know about my life now" I advised.
"I know that Mal; but even though we are not together I still care" he urged.
"I don't see why" I shrugged.
"I broke up with you" I reminded him.
"Yes" he agreed sadly.
"But please humour me?" He asked.
"For old times sake" he pressed and we then both fell into another awkward silence.
"Fine" I sighed.
"Since I am not going to go too much into it-" I continued.
"But let's just say since we were together I haven't been shy of male company" I finished before I brushed some loose hair behind my right ear.
"I see" he noted.
"Yes" I said.
"I know it probably doesn't matter; but-" I started.
"But?" He prompted.
"It doesn't mean anything to me" I advised. I know how this made me sound but it wasn't like that. I was trying to find someone who made me feel like Ben did; and unfortunately I hadn't found them yet. I just hoped that Ben wasn't about to get that piece of information out of me as well.
"Then why do you do it?" He questioned incredulously.
"I don't know" I shrugged.
"As stupid as it sounds to feel something" I answered as I promised to myself that this is where I stopped talking about this.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing" I dismissed.
"Now that I sound like a right nutter I bet you don't want to meet up now" I added as I looked away from him. I was starting to look forward to seeing Ben again; I had missed him. Apart from Evie, Jay and Carlos he was still one of the people that I felt the closest to - strangely.
"Actually I would still like to" he smiled.
"I want to get to know you again" he continued.
"Mal I accept that we might never be as close as we were before; but if you would let me I would like to show you" he finished, and I noted that he looked nervous.
"Show me what?" I enquired.
"The difference between love and lust" he urged.
"Ben I think we have already proven that we don't work" I dismissed. Ben can't be serious? I broke up with him so he could have a chance of a normal life with someone who could be everything that he needs. Yes he would always mean something to me; but he needed to concentrate on finding someone so much better than me.
"No!" He exclaimed as he shook his head.
"I don't believe that" he quickly added, and I couldn't help but look Ben up and down. Ben seemed to have changed since I last saw him. He seemed more certain of himself; part of me started to really like it but I quickly pushed this feeling away. He probably won't like the person that I have changed into; someone wracked with anxiety who was still trying to find their place in the world.
"Please Mal let me try?" he begged. I then started to think about whether this is what I wanted. I felt so confused; I wanted to get to know Ben again. However I knew that if we got too close we may start developing feelings for each other again - and I didn't know whether this was wise.
A thought then came to me - I have only been truly happy when I was with Ben. Evie keeps telling me that I deserve to be happy - so maybe there was no harm in seeing what would happen. We could still remain good friends if it didn't work out.
"Ok" I said.
"I would like that" I added, and I watched as a smile spread across his face.
"But-" I started, and I watched as his face dropped.
"I'm not promising anything" I added as I thought that it was for the best that I said this now. We both needed to know that this might not lead anywhere; but there was no harm in trying.
"Ok" he smiled again.
"Let's get you back home; Evie will be worried sick" he advised, and I watched him look over to his limousine.
"Yeah" I agreed.
"She will probably be asleep on the couch waiting for me" I stated as I started to envision what Evie might be doing.
Ben then smiled at me and then wrapped his right arm around my waist and guided me towards his limousine. I didn't know where this was headed; and I still had very mixed feelings on it. But something was telling me that I wanted to spend time with Ben; I had missed him. I just hoped that things could go ok for us - whatever we decided to do.