Roses and Hooks /// Harry Hook

Chapter 11: Mixed Feelings

After school the next day, Evie walks up to Doug and I, showing us that she got a B on her latest science test. You see, earlier today, Chad had ratted Evie out to the teacher about the mirror. Evie had to get a passing grade on the test in order to get it back. Doing all of Chad's homework and hers everyday actually made her learn everything, so in the end she didn't even need the mirror. Goes to show that if you do the work, you get a pretty good reward. Doug had been trying to tell her all week that she didn't need it, and that she's smart all on her own. Looks like she'll be listening to him from now on, and to see the chemistry spark between them makes me smile.

"There you both are." Mal says as she walks up to us. "I've been looking everywhere." Mal looks like she's about to face down a troll, as she bites her lip and huffs in frustration.

"What is it, M?" Evie asks her.

"Ben. He...he asked me out on a date." She tells us, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Clearly, she had no idea what to do or even how to go about this. Dating must not be a thing on the Isle. At least, for Mal it wasn't.

We excuse ourselves from Doug and head up to their dorm room. Evie is on hair and makeup duty while I'm on outfit duty. I find a really pretty purple dress with little sparkles and pull it out. Pair it with a black leather jacket and black boots, Mal is dressed and ready for Evie to do her thing.

"My mother never showed me anything about makeup, and I didn't have any sisters." Mal mumbles as Evie does her makeup. I lean against the vanity next to them.

"Well, you have us." I tell her as Evie grins.

"My mother taught me how to do perfect makeup before I could talk. Always use upward strokes to apply blush." She tells us before setting all the brushes and makeup palettes down.

"I just...I really want her to be proud of me, you know? She always gets so angry when I mess up and disappoint her. And I know she loves me, in her own twisted way. I mean, she is my mom." Mal's voice slightly wavers as she speaks to us, and I squeeze her shoulders as I lay my chin on her head.

"My mother isn't exactly a barrel of fun when she doesn't get her way. Just go ask Snow White." Evie tells us. I bite my lip and sigh as I look down at the mirror. At myself.

"My parents don't exactly approve of me either. I'm always doing something wrong one way or another, and they can't accept that I don't want to be a fake princess, so we always argue." I tell them as we wait for my brother to show.

Not too long later, a knock is at the door and Mal goes to answer it. Ben looks at her with his jaw slightly dropped before he clears his throat and offers his arm.

"You look beautiful, Mal. Shall we?" Mal blushes at my brother before looping her arm through his. She waves goodbye to us as the door closes. After a few more minutes, I turn to Evie.

"I wonder what my brother has planned for their date." I lay down on the bed and she lays next to me as we look through the different magazines that came in the mail that morning.

~~

Mal's Point of View

Ben walks me out of the school and into the parking lot. I'm terrified of this date, and I'm afraid of doing something stupid. Dating isn't a big thing on the Isle, and I have absolutely no idea what I'm even doing. There's a white motor bike that says 'Ben' on the back plate with two white helmets siting on it. I've never been on one of these things, so I'm hesitant to even go near it.

"It's alright, Mal. I won't let you get hurt. I promise." Ben tells me and holds out his hand. Something in me tells me that he would keep his promise to me. The only people to ever do that are Evie, Carlos, and Jay. Rose is now one of them too. Taking his hand, he helps me get on the bike before getting on in front of me. He hands me the helmet and I strap it on.