A/N: Hey, guys! Sorry for the delay but you wouldn't believe how much I've had on my plate recently, it's a total nightmare! This chapter was originally longer but I decided to split it in half because the part I left for the next one is really important and I didn't want to rush with finishing it because I wanted to really do it right and well. Still, I wanted to upload something already, so I'm uploading this as a lead-up to the next chapter. I think you won't be disappointed though, so have patience! :) Thanks again for all the support, I love you!

Chapter 17.

To say the atmosphere in the room was awkward would literally be the understatement of the century. Once Jay opened the door and saw the girls standing there, he very slowly backed away and removed himself from the doorway to let them inside. Knowing his escape was futile now, he shut the door behind the two and, not knowing what else to do with himself, went to sit down on the edge of his bed.

It was a hilarious sight really – Jay, sitting like he was totally out of place on the bed with his hands fidgeting in his lap, since he was wondering what to do with them. He looked much like a deer caught in headlights, not a trace of his usual devilish grins or playful demeanour. Evie would have laughed and teased him about it if things weren't so tense between them. In reality, she herself felt very awkward standing there. Her gaze didn't dare to stray in Jay's direction, lest it met his by chance and thank God Mal engaged her in a conversation about something insignificant, one that Carlos joined as well, so things lightened up a little.

Ben arrived shortly after, bringing a whole basket filled to the brim with strawberries, knowing it would make Mal indescribably happy and in turned out he was not wrong, as his girlfriend flung herself into his embrace with a joyful laugh which he gladly returned as he wrapped his arms around her. Things got better after that. The guys, Jay included, began discussing the last tourney game, Jay feeling more and more at ease, and after a while the girls began pitching into the conversation as well. Jay and Evie just resorted to not speaking to each other directly, which resulted easy enough with three other people in the room, and the conversation flowed easily as everything seemed to fall into place, making them both mentally sigh in relief. The awkwardness gradually lessened to a minimum until, an hour later, there was no trace of it.

The guys had put on a movie already, but it was more of a background for their conversation rather than the main focus of their attention, though they kept an eye on it as was happy with how things were progressing. She occasionally stole glances at both Evie and Jay, noticing with time how they consciously avoided speaking and looking directly at each other, but at least things between them weren't so strained anymore. Of course, Mal had other things in mind and she grinned to herself before turning to her boyfriend.

„Ben, why were you late?" She asked him casually, seemingly just keeping the conversation going, but her eyebrow raised pointedly, signifying the king to be careful with his answer. They hadn't rehearsed this but she hoped, hell, she knew Ben was smart enough to keep up with her. Thankfully she was absolutely correct, as Ben's eyes lit up with recognition and he didn't even miss a beat as he replied.

„Thank God you reminded me." He exclaimed, quickly untangling himself from Mal and getting up while reaching for his shoes as the others stared at him questioningly. „My father held me up to tell me he was busy preparing some royal documents and he ordered me to go to him later to sign them. I completely forgot!" Ben explained as he pulled on his boots while discreetly shooting Mal a knowing look at which she smirked slightly. Her expression changed as she quickly pulled a disappoined face.

„Bro, can't you do it tomorrow?" Jay asked, standing up along with the blond, but Ben shook his head, frowning sadly.

„Can't. My dad was very specific that it was important and that I had to do it tonight." The boy shrugged, throwing the gang an apologetic look. „Sorry, guys, I'll try to get it over with as quickly as possible and come back as fast as I can." Ben promised as he leaned down to press a kiss to the crown of Mal's head.

„Well, wait, I'll come with you!" The purple-haired girl jumped up readily and Evie laughed good-heartedly at her friend's eagerness not to be separated from Ben even for a couple of minutes.

„Mal, he's not gonna vanish if you don't see him in front of you." The bluenette grinned and Mal stuck her tongue out childishly at her friend's reprimand.

„You'll see what it's like someday." Mal threatened with a laugh before reaching out and slipping her hand in Ben's larger one, as they both headed for the door. Let's hope that someday is sooner than you think. Just as she reached with her free hand to open the door, Ben turned around.

„Hey, Carlos, do you think you could come for a bit too? I could really use your computer skills, my father's terrible with technology and I think the papers need to be scanned and sent somewhere after I sign them." Ben called out to the younger boy who had also caught up with Mal's scheme somewhere along the way and readily nodded at the young king's request, hopping off the bed in a instant and trailing behind the couple.

As they were leaving, Mal noticed the panicked look which appeared on Evie's face and knew that her friend had realised she would be left alone with Jay for an indefinite amount of time. She wasn't entirely sure whether Evie had figured out it was all Mal's fault or not but it didn't really matter as long as her plan worked. The last thing the purple girl saw from the corner of her eye before the door swung shut behind them was the matching expression on Jay's face, which had been a few moments delayed, and she snickered, resting her head lovingly on Ben's shoulder while gazing up at him with gratitude, before turning to Carlos and high-fiving him.

„Come on, boys," Mal sang smugly, as Ben and Carlos both smiled at the satisfied and downright happy look on her face. „Let's go take a walk."