Ben spent the first half of the party with Mal meeting her friends and some of the people she worked with in her agency. However, when people started to dance and Mal was asked to join some of her friends, the boy excused himself, telling her to go ahead and have some fun with them. Turning around, he saw his friends in a corner and went to join, eager to have a chance to sit and have a conversation that didn't feel like an interrogation.
Ryder smiled at the boy and waved when he noticed he was walking towards them, and the group opened a little to let Ben in. Jay and Lonnie were sitting in a couple of chairs while Ryder was standing against the wall with Azis and Evie next to him, also in chairs. "Hey, How did everything go?"
"Well, I answer the same questions about myself at least thirty times today. At one point, I wondered if I should have printed my cv for people." They chuckled, and Evie assured him they were curious about him because everyone there cared for Mal. "I know, and I don't fault anyone. It's just weird to feel like people are trying to see if I fit in with what they think Mal wants in her life. Some made it clear that I don't, while others made passive-aggressive comments about how I seemed to be making Mal less social."
Evie shook her head and told Ben that Mal knew the truth about their relationship, so he didn't need to worry. Ryder changed the subject, asking Ben about his costumes, but the boy only knew he was supposed to be a King. Lonnie and Evie took this as their queue to share a short version of the stories; Ben smiled at the idea of his character dreaming of Mal and making it possible for them to meet. The conversation started to turn into recommendations of books, series, and movies the group liked, and time passed quickly. From time to time, one of them would go to look for food or drinks, and at some point, they managed to get two more chairs for Ben and Ryder.
Jay went up and got cards, and they started playing highs and lows. It was the card game version of truth or drink, they still do some drinking, but it was mostly sharing stories of embarrassing moments or information that wouldn't be discussed typically. The only difference was that the questions were tossed first, and the person that needed to answer was the one with the card with the lowest number. Also, the group promised that whatever was shared there would not leave the circle.
By the third question, Evie was laughing at the group dynamic and how they would share stories that showed their personalities. Ryder talked about his worst day and how, even though he had a horrible time, he went out with the same girl again to see if it was just a bad day for them. Azis shared how he met his first girlfriend and thought seeing a movie with her would be romantic. Looking through his parent's movie collection, he found one name, "My girl," and decided it was a cute name and brought it to the girls' house so they could see it. To say it wasn't a good idea was an understatement, and what he hoped would be his chance to share their first kiss turned into both of them crying by the end of the movie.
Lonnie asked the next question, "Are you in love?" everyone turned their cards, and Ben was the one with the lowest number. The boy looked straight at Evie nervously, and the girl smiled, knowing he was in love with Mal.
"Yes, I love Mal. I haven't told her yet." The boy looked around at his friends, knowing that they wouldn't say anything but still nervous that he had shared this information before telling Mal.
Jay smiled at Ben and shared how happy he was for him, and then told him that he could be sure his secret was safe with them. Evie nodded enthusiastically. "Ben, I know you might be nervous, but please be sure she feels the same. Mal hasn't said anything to me, but I can tell from how she looks at you. Don't be afraid to share this with her."
Ben smiled and thanked Evie for the advice promising everyone that he wouldn't wait a lot to tell Mal; still, the group promised that even after he did, they wouldn't say anything about his confession. The questions continued, and in some, the group decided to drink and avoid answers; the more notorious one was when Evie landed the question if she had a crush, and the girl didn't hesitate to drink. Sadness flashed in Azis's eyes for a second before the boy managed to control his emotions, but Ben and Ryder noticed and exchanged a quick look between them.
Jay was about to ask the following question when Mal appeared next to the group looking happy and tired, asking them how they were. They all stood to welcome her, assuring her that they were having a great time and asking how she was doing. The girl made her way towards Ben, who put his arm around her waist, turning her so Mal could lean her back against him so she could rest.
"Well, honestly, I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to sleep for days after this. I'm so thankful to everyone that came and how love they make me feel. With that said, I would love to be in my comfy clothes sitting on the couch, watching something, and eating something greasy." The group joked that she could do that as soon as people left, and they would gladly join her even if they needed to pick the food in their also assured her that the party was a success, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Ben asked her if she wanted to sit with them, and Mal smiled at him and nodded. Ryder offered her his chair and went to get one for him, leaving the group to explain Mal the game they were playing. Sadly as she was about to join the game, a couple of her friends came to the group and asked Mal to join them at the other side of the room, where they were talking about a trip they were planning to take on the New Year.
Mal was about to decline the invitation when the music stopped, and her manager, Manny, asked for everyone's attention. He quickly looked around and saw Mal and motioned her to please join him in front of the crowd. Reluctantly she made her way toward him; the second she made it, Manny started talking about how amazing Mal was and how everyone was happy to work with her. The speech continued for a few minutes until he announced that, knowing her as long as he had, he knew exactly what to get the girl for her birthday. After that, he showed everyone a key. "Mal, I know how hard it was to lose your apartment after searching for the perfect place for years. With that in mind, here is the key to the best apartment in Seattle; we have arranged for you to have it."
The girl was speechless, and lowering his voice, Manny told her they would finalize the details later and not to worry. Suddenly, her friends hugged and congratulated Mal while Manny showed everyone a video of the apartment and shared the story behind the gift.
An influencer that works with them had decided to move to London with his now fiance. "They got engaged a couple of weeks ago after the fiance was offered a position in London; he decided to move there because he doesn't believe in long distant relationships. His lease ends in six months, so he was looking to sublet, and I assured him we knew the perfect person. I already cover the first month as a gift, and you can move in the week before Thanksgiving."
Mal didn't know what to say, the video showed the most beautiful view she had seen in an apartment in a while, and she could picture herself waking up and looking out the window smiling. Carlos and Jane came to congratulate her and offered their help to move Mal's things into her new place; they were excited for her to move closer to their place, and were already talking about planning some fun activities to celebrate. Miranda and some other friends also came and talked about a party to celebrate once she had moved in.
On the other side of the room, Ben and his friends were quiet, trying to process the information; everyone looked at the boy when the announcement was made, and it was obvious he knew nothing about it.
"This was obviously a surprise for Mal. Let her have some time to think things over before talking to her. She must be overwhelmed, Manny is a great person, but he has a flare for the dramatic." Evie said trying to fill the silence, and the rest of the group agreed, making short comments about what a great opportunity it was for her and how thoughtful of a gift it was.
Azis suggested to Evie that she should go to congratulate Mal, and promised to say goodbye before he left the party. Evie nodded, and was about to turn to say something to Ben but nothing came to mind so she went on her way. Jay stood next to Ben and asked the boy what he was thinking about just for the boy to shrug.
"When she moved in Mal said that this was temporary so I guess this would happen eventually. We are still going to live in the same city so there is not really a lot of change, in reality our relationship started backward in that sense." Everyone nodded and shared Ben's sentiment, and then they started to tease the boy about who would get Mal's room now that the girl was moving out.
Ben was sad about Mal moving out, but his friends' conversation and jokes improved his mood considerably. The boy didn't want her to feel like their dynamic would change; it would allow them to have the routine of someone who was dating for the amount of time they were. In the end, they knew that they could live together, so with that knowledge, the relationship could grow to the point when they would choose to live together again.
Ryder made a joke, and the group laughed just as Mal and Evie walked toward smiled and asked them what they were talking about, and all of them turned smiling at the new arrivals, and Azis started sharing the anecdote when Carlos and Jane came to stand next to the girls. As the boy finished the story making the girls chuckle, Carlos went on to say how they should be congratulating Mal in her new apartment like the rest of them. "I mean, she has done so much for this place. Let's be honest, the first time I came here, it looked almost like you just moved in, and now you have a beautiful home decorated with amazing taste."
"You are right, Carlos. Congratulations, Mal; please let us know if you need help packing your things or moving. You should also take the furniture you bought when you did the renovation, it is only fair." Lonnie's tone was sweet, but Jay and Ben could sense the annoyance irradiating from the girl and weren't sure how to de-escalate the situation. Mal looked uncomfortable with the conversation, but Carlos continued before she could say anything.
Carlos seemed pleased, though, not realizing the girls' mood, and started nodding and telling Mal she should make a list of things she needed to take. Lonnie told him she could make a list and send it to him so he could look at it. When she said that, the boy seemed to realize that the girl was annoyed and started to tell her that Mal was entitled to have the things she bought. "Carlos stop. Mal is going to take whatever she wants, ok?"
Evie's voice was firm, and even though it was obvious the boy wasn't ready to drop the subject the look Mal gave him made him stop. "Well, I think getting her the apartment was a nice gesture. Mal loves to have her own space, and now she can reclaim that for herself."
Jane said not wanting to leave Carlos alone in his sentiments about Mal's new apartment, but she also saw how Mal's face felt after her comment and felt bad. Ben was unsure what to say; he didn't want to say something that could make Mal think he was hoping she would move soon. Jay then congratulated Mal and asked her where exactly was her new apartment, and the girl shared a little about the location but didn't seem to want to talk about it much.
Ryder then cleared his throat, making the group focus on him. "Mal, I don't want to be rude, but I need to ask you something." They all looked at him, confused, and Mal told him to go on. "When are we singing happy birthday and eating the cake?"
The group smiled, and Mal even chuckled. "In about five minutes, so no need to worry is coming soon and is red velvet"
The boy clapped, making everyone laugh as a girl asked Maaskplease join her because the cake was ready. Evie walked with her while the rest of the group moved to be closer so they could join in; Ben stood to a side, not wanting to interrupt all of the girl's friends filming. Jay stood next to him and commented on how the night had taken a turn, just for Ben to nod.
The cake appeared, and Evie was the one to start singing and was followed by the rest of the group, that cheered at the end. Mal was momentarily blind by the lights of the flashes; Miranda appeared next to her and gave her a knife so she could cut the first piece of cake before someone else took over. Soon, the cake was passed, and people started to break into smaller groups again.
Ben decided to go upstairs to have a moment to himself, so excusing himself, he made his way to his room. He got in, took his blazer off, and was about to sit on his bed when his door opened, showing Mal. Smiling, Ben walked towards the girl, asking her how she was feeling just for Mal to hug him. After a couple of minutes, they went to sit on his bed, and Mal shared how shocked she was about the apartment and everything it meant.
"I understand it's going to be a big change, but it sounds like an amazing opportunity. We are going to see each other as always; the only thing changing is that we will visit each other instead of just coming home to the other." When he said it, he saw sadness flash in Mal's eyes, and Ben was sure that he did the same. It was crazy to think that they didn't even know each other for a year, and he considered wherever she was home.
"I'm going to miss this." Mal's voice came out almost as a whisper, and Ben leaned to kiss her, knowing that it wouldn't be right to ask her to stay but not sure that he wouldn't do it if he didn't kiss her then.
"I love you" The moment the kiss ended, both of them declared their love and chuckled at how they were so in sync. This time it was Mal who started the kiss, it took seconds for both of them to be completely lost in each other, but Evie's voice calling Mal from the door broke the moment.
"I should go back; everyone will want to say goodbye to me before leaving." Ben smiled and nodded, promising to join her in a few minutes. Mal stood and joined Evie, who was waiting outside the door, and together they went downstairs, leaving Ben with a big smile in his room.
