"Where are you headed?" Mal asked. Ben looked about her age but she hadn't seen him around her college campus, although that wasn't surprising. Mal tended to stick to her painting and her tightknit friend group.

"I work in the north end of town. I usually work overnights but I switched with a friend of mine. It's a big day for me today." Ben had a glint of joy in his eyes when he spoke about his big day.

"It's a pretty big day for everyone apparently." Mal tried to smile, but she was grimacing. She was still so nervous about what her professor would think about the change in her painting style. It was a big risk to change styles this late in the program, but she couldn't go on the way life had been prior to her breakup.

"You don't look like you are having a good day." Ben pointed out with a slight smirk.

Mal rolled her eyes. "It's an evaluation day." She didn't want to give any further explanations. In her past experience, the second that she mentioned she was an artist, people seem to want to see her portfolio. She didn't want to show the stranger any of her older work because that wasn't who she was anymore and her newest painting was just too personal.

"Ah, are you headed to the college?" Ben cocked his head to the side. He eyed her up again for the 50th time or so.

"Yeah," Mal chewed on her bottom lip. She wanted to change the subject but she wasn't very good at taking the lead with small talk. She finally decided on, "Where do you work?"

"I work for a traveling company. We go around and set up new construction areas." Ben continued to smile at Mal while he answered.

"Oh, what company?" Mal wanted to keep the conversation on him. The more he talked, the more she forgot that she was going to learn her fate of the program in just a few hours.

"It's not an Auradonian company." He shrugged off the question. "Besides, how can I be sure you aren't some sort of serial killer or kidnapper?" He chuckled at his own joke. It was a running worry in the area.

"No, but I suppose I should ask you the same question." Mal took a small step to the side and wrinkled her nose to show that she was joking. Her mother had just told her to be careful going out this morning.

Mal thought about the other victims recently. They were all were blonde with more of a feminine style. Each of the victims had a large group of friends and family looking for them. They were active in the community and went to nearly every yoga or Pilates class that was offered at the local gym. Mal on the other hand took pride in her purple hair. She preferred darker colors and dressed for comfort instead of dressing to impress. She stayed at home when she wasn't required to go to a class or when Evie or Jay forced her to go out. Mal was safe from attracting any unwanted attention.

"The news is crazy, right?" The words were out of Mal's mouth before she could have thought twice. She mentally chastised herself for continuing on with the serial killer conversation.

"I haven't followed much. They just found a new victim this week, right?" Ben cocked his head to the left and tried to remember what the last headline he saw was.

"Yeah," Mal shivered and looked down. "I know that I am not similar to the victims, but it is still something to worry about." She bit her lip and looked out the window above Ben's head.

"You never know. There is always a chance that he could switch up his victim profiles. Get the police off his trail. It is smart to be aware of everything for a while." Ben said warmly with a smile.

Mal looked back to meet his eyes. There was something in them that she couldn't place, but she felt safe talking to this stranger. She had rolled her eyes any time Maleficent talked about the kidnappings, but it stayed in the back of her mind.

The bus slowed to a stop as it reached the college. There was a part of Mal that didn't want her conversation to be over. Ben helped her get out of her head about her evaluation. She didn't have to focus on what could happen if her teacher failed her painting. She fidgeted with her hands before she spoke again. "Well, this is me. I hope your big day ends up being a good day, Ben."

"I have a feeling your day will turn around for the better." Ben said sincerely. As soon as he told her that, she felt her confidence rise just enough to take a deep breath and head to the bus door. "Oh, and good luck on your evaluation for that painting. It is lovely and has a lot of raw emotion in it. The professor would be stupid not to pass you."

Mal didn't register his words until the bus pulled away. She played back the conversation with Ben trying to remember if she ever mentioned what the evaluation was for. She was certain that she didn't show him her painting. The only conclusion that came to her mind was that Ben had gone to a previous art show that the college hosted but that wouldn't explain the way he spoke about her current work.

By the time Mal got to the studio, her brain was spinning with an array of possibilities. She nearly tripped over the steps that led to the door.

"Mal, it's nice to see you. Are you ready for your evaluation?" Mal looked up and met her professor's eyes. She shook her head to clear out her thoughts about Ben and took a deep breath.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be."