Across my memory | Ben Beast

chapter fifteen - spell

They had to snap out of the spell they were in.

They came to Auradon with a reason, steal Fairy Godmother's wand and destroy the barrier.

They had to focus on their mission.

They had a job to do.

The VKs with the exception of Ana stayed in Evie and Mal's dorm for the afternoon.

Jay walked in, wearing his new jersey causing Carlos to whoop and Evie to smile proudly at him.

Mal was quickly scanning her spell book, flipping the page harshly.

"Did your plan work with Jane? Are you going over to see the wand?"

"Do you think that I would be going through every single spell in this book, if I hadn't completely struck out?" Mal exclaimed, frustrated.

Carlos muttered, looking down at his laptop. "Oh, someone's in a bad mood..."

"My Mom's counting on me!" She flicked Carlos' forehead. "I can't let her down."

Jay took a deep breath and nodded at them. "We can do this..."

They looked at him, slightly shocked with his suggestion. "If we stick together."

Mal looked at them pointedly. "And we won't go back until we do, cause we're rotten?"

"To the core."

"Oh yeah, I found out that Fairy Godmother blesses Ben with the wand at coronation and we all get to go." Evie said, nonchalantly.

"I have nothing to wear, of course." She said bitterly, rolling her eyes.

Mal looked at Evie in disbelief while the girl just looked at her, confused. "What?"

Jay glanced around the room, seeing Ana wasn't there. "By the way, where's Ana? I thought-"

He was interrupted with a knock on the door.

"Hold that thought." Mal said, standing up from her bed.

She opened the door to see Ben standing with a nervous smile on his face.

"Oh, hey Mal." He greeted, discreetly trying to peak into the room. "I didn't see you guys today. I was just wondering if you guys have any questions or anything..."

Mal shrugged. "Not that I know of." She said, looking back at the VKs, who also shook their heads.

Ben nodded and smiled. "Okay, alright." He then nervously laughed. "Uhm- by the way, is Ana inside? I went to see her at her dorm but no one's there."

Mal saw the look in his eyes and hid a chuckle. "Oh, she went with Lonnie and their friends, I think? Something about a buffet?"

Ben smiled tightly, disappointment. "Okay... and uh- if you guys need anything, just-uh..."

Ben wanted to walk out of there and save himself from the embarrassment but was stopped by Mal.

"Wait!" Ben turned around to look at her. "Uhm- is it true we all get to go to your coronation?" Mal asked.

Ben nodded. "Yeah, the whole school goes."

Mal raised her eyebrows. "Wow, that is beyond exciting." She tried not to sound sarcastic. "Do you think that, it's a possibility that the five of us could stand in the front row, next to the Fairy Godmother just so we could... soak up all that goodness?"

Ben looked at them, apologetically. "I wish you all could, but upfront its just me, my folks and..." He wanted to say Ana but stopped himself before he could. "and-uh my girlfriend."

"And your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

Mal smiled, a plan concocting in his mind. "Okay, thanks bye!"

"But there's also plenty of-"

She closed the door quickly, looking at her friends with a smirk.

"I think it's time that, Bennyboo, got himself a new girlfriend." Mal clapped her hands. "And I need a love spell." She walked to her desk to grab it before looking back at her friends, who were silent.

Her friends shared uneasy looks, Carlos choosing to speak up.

"But doesn't Ben already likes Ana?"

Jay chuckled, agreeing with the boy. "I mean have you see how he looked at her?"

Evie looked at Mal, not wanting to break what Ana was starting to build. "Are you sure, Mal?" She questioned, unsure. "I don't think Ana would like this."

Mal went silent, listening to their concerns before sighing loudly. "Then we make sure she doesn't find out."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

While the VKs were in the kitchen, making the love cookies, Ana was with Ben in their usual spot in the library.

They sat in their usual seats infront of the fireplace. Both having a book in their hands, eyes moving slightly as they read.

"Hey, I was thinking about what you said..."Ana spoke up breaking the silence. Ben looked up at Ana who had a nervous smile. "-about the music class? I'm in."

Ben grinned in delight. "That's great! I'll take you this week, okay?" He said, making Ana nod. "I've already looked into some of the teachers, and I found one you'd really like."

Ana chuckled, excited. "Really? Do I know them?"

"Maybe..." Ben teased, leaving his book mark on the page before closing it. "I mean, she was well known for her amazing singing... don't worry, you'll meet her soon."

Ana nodded and smiled at him brightly. "You know you really don't have to do that."

"But I want to..."

"Why?"

Ben froze not expecting to explain further. "I-I just do, okay?" He laughed when Ana gave him a mock glare. "I like spending time with you." he confessed softly.

Ana looked at him, shocked. "I like hanging out with you too, Ben." She smiled before frowning. "But what would Audrey say? I don't think-"

"I broke up with her."

Ana looked at him, shocked. "Uh- when?"

Ben sighed, fiddling with his sleeve. "Earlier... uh- she didn't take it too well."

Ana nodded in understanding. "Why though? Did-Didn't you love her?" She stuttered, hurt at the thought.

Ben chuckled bitterly. "Of course, I grew up with her. She has always been one of my closest friends. I think we'll always love each other but not in love."

Ana placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and smiled. "It's okay, Ben. Even though I don't know her that well, she's important to you, you have the right to be sad."

"But that's the thing, Ana, I'm not."

"You're not?"

Ben laughed, shaking his head. "No, I'm a bit glad actually. I think we had been lying to ourselves for far too long."

Ana stayed silent, not knowing how to repond to that. It's not like she had been in a relationship before.

Ben stared into her blue eyes, smiling. "I'm glad someone was there to make me realise it."