Descendant's Consequences

Farewells

"It'll just be for a few weeks," I remind. Ben has his arms wrapped around my waist as we stand beside the limo.

"I know," Ben says. "But I'll miss you. And I'm missing your birthday. I missed the last one, too. I just want to make one special, as it should. It's your eighteenth birthday!"

"And it can be special two weeks after, as well," I reply. "I told you, we'd celebrate when you get back."

"I don't get why my parents want us to take the scenic route around the entire kingdom. What's wrong with a quick flight?" Ben asks.

"As King, you should learn about your kingdom. They believe this to be the best way. Get over it."

The limo driver pushes on the horn and Ben sighs. "I better go. The conference starts in two days and goes for three days. I won't have my phone, but I'll be able to call on your birthday three days after, alright?"

I nod and pull him forward, giving him a long kiss. "I know. You've told me only five dozen times in the last hour."

He smiles and gives me another kiss before pulling away. "I'll see you in a few weeks." With that, he lets me go and climbs into the limo. I wave until they're gone and Ben texts me the entire time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The bell rings and I stand up from my chair. The chair beside me sat empty. It's Ben's. Evie sat on the other side with Doug. Jay and Carlos were behind me. "So, ready for your super awesomely amazing eighteenth birthday?!" Evie squeals.

I shake my head. "Whatever you're planning, delay it. I'm talking with Ben over the phone that night. We were planning to do something when he got back."

We head to our next class but my foot catches on something. The next thing I remember is darkness.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~❶Jay❶~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We walk down the stairs, Evie talking about her plans for Mal's birthday when Mal trips on her foot. She tumbles down the stairs and Evie gasps. "Mal!" I run down and look her over quickly before rolling her onto her back. I can already see a bruise forming on her forehead. Her arm is bent weird, as is her ankle. "Mal, wake up."

"Jay?" Carlos asks.

"She's okay, but we need to bring her to the nurse's office. She's really hurt," I reply. I gently pick her up and lean her against my chest. "Carlos, run ahead and tell them what happened."

Carlos takes off immediately. I walk slowly, so not to jostle Mal too much. When we get there, the nurse is ready with a bed. "Set her here," she instructs. She quickly kicks us all out before looking her over.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What happened?" I ask as the nurse walks out. "Is she alright?"

The nurse nods. "That fall down the stairs gave her a broken arm, a sprained ankle and she has a nasty concussion. She woke up."

"Anything we need to know?" Evie asks.

"I'd prefer her stay off her feet for a two to three days. Then walking minimal distances with someone near her at all times. She'll get tired easily. I'm going to tell Fairy Godmother she should stay in her room for about a week," the nurse finishes.

"So, no school?"

"She shouldn't even read anything and no technology. Mal may have a headache for a few days and it would be better if she didn't do anything strenuous. You can take her back to her room now. It's alright for her to sleep, but you need to wake her up every thirty minutes to an hour all night," the nurse explains. "It's to make sure she doesn't fall into a coma; common procedure. I'll have Fairy Godmother excuse all three of you from tomorrow's classes to watch over her."

I nod and the nurse lets us back. Mal is lying on the bed with a cast on her arm and a brace on her foot.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~❶Mal❶~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Mal?" Carlos asks. I open my eyes and try to focus on them. Everything's blurry. "How're you feeling?"

"Like crap," I reply. "What happened?"

"You tripped on your heel and fell down the stairs," Jay tells me. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'll be fine," I say. I sit up and sway a little. "Let's get back to class."

"Mal, you just broke your arm. You have a sprained ankle and a concussion!" Evie cries, quietly. "You're excused from class for the next couple days which means you're coming back to my room."

"Jay and I are setting up in there too," Carlos adds. "We're out tomorrow to look after you."

Jay walks over and slides an arm under my legs and one around my back. I wrap my good arm around his neck as he picks me up, carefully. "What are you doing?"

"The nurse said that you need to stay off your feet as much as possible for a couple days. It's to let the sprain heal and the concussion will mess with your coordination," Carlos explains. "Just let it happen."

I nod slowly as Evie leads the way. When we get to our room, Jay sets me down and Evie helps me into my pajamas while I yawn. "Now, the nurse said you're allowed to sleep but we have to wake you up every thirty minutes to an hour."

I nod. "Can you also wake me up when Ben calls. He said he would call tonight and tomorrow night, then the morning right before he has to give up his phone."

Evie nods. "You'll have to keep it short, though. You're not supposed to use any tech or read," Carlos says.

"What?" I ask. "No, I'm not skipping the calls. Evie, he's going to be gone for weeks!"

"And you'll talk to him. But for maybe ten minutes, maximum, instead of an hour," Jay snickers. I nod and turn over, laying down on my bed. Jay pulls the blankets up and kisses my forehead. "Sweet dreams."

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