Wicked Love

Chapter 16

Well, the results are in. Guess everyone wanted a happy ending instead of a bittersweet ending. Oh, well.

Mal was going on another date with Carlos. He wanted to take her to the arcade this time. She said "yes" right away, which confused Carlos but he didn't question her.

Carlos wears a new jacket Evie made for him. The right side was completely black, while the left side was half-white, half-red.

He heads to Mal's dorm and knocks on the door. The daughter of Maleficent opens the door. Carlos' confident smile dropped and he opened his mouth in shock. Mal was wearing a purple crop top and thigh-high leather shorts.

Carlos tried to look away as he blushed full on red.

"Uh, I thought you hated those kind of clothes," said Carlos.

"I just wanted to see that look on your face," said Mal. "So, are you just gonna stand there and stare or are we gonna go and have some fun?"

Mal grabs Carlos' arm and pulls him towards the exit.

Evie looks out the door with a confused look on her face. Mal's ditzy and excitable behavior as of late was puzzling her. Was it some act to get Carlos to forgive her? Evie just closed the door and decided not to think about it.

- ROTTEN TO THE CORE -

Mal and Carlos arrived at the arcade. The first game they was a two-player, first-person shooter game. Carlos was winning, so Mal cheated by knocking the gun off his hands.

"Hey!" Carlos yelled.

"Hurry up, snowball. I'm catching up on you," said Mal, still shooting.

After Mal wins the game, she dragged him towards a dancing game. Almost everyone in the arcade was watching them. Mal chose a song called "Can't Stop the Feeling". The artist and the tech prodigy started dancing. They didn't hold back. They moved as swiftly as they could and added as much style as they can. Everyone cheered them on, impressed by their moves. Some even used their phones to record the performance.

The two closed the number by sliding towards each other and looking at each other, faces only a few inches away from each other.

"You're graceful," said Carlos.

"And you're amazing," said Mal.

Some of the people started asking questions and taking pictures. Mal smiled and waved while Carlos did it with a nervous fake smile.

"Thought you hated this kind of attention," said Carlos.

"Just smile and wave, puppy lover," said Mal.

- ROTTEN TO THE CORE -

After they were done signing autographs and playing games at the arcade, Mal told Carlos that she wanted to return to the Shining Bridge.

Mal sits on the bridge. Carlos just stared down at the waters. Mal grabbed his arm and puts it around her waist. Carlos felt embarrassed by their current position. Mal just smiled at him.

"I love you, but this feels kinda wrong," said Carlos.

Mal playfully pets Carlos like a dog. "You're cute."

"Mal, what is wrong with you?" asked Carlos.

"What do you mean?" Mal asked.

"You're not acting like yourself," said Carlos. "I know you and this isn't you. What happened?"

"You think I've gone nuts or something?" Mal presumed.

"Well, kinda," admitted Carlos. "After I told you I didn't want to talk to you, you came back to me last week different. The Mal I know is not some ditzy, lovesick airhead who doesn't mind showing some skin."

Mal drops her grin.

"I just want to understand," said Carlos. "What happened you? And stick to the truth."

Mal jumps off the bridge and hangs her head for a moment.

"I... I spelled myself," confessed Mal.

"You what?" Carlos was shocked and surprised.

"I made another cookie, mixed with my love spell," said Mal.

"But wouldn't you need to look at me while you eat it?" asked Carlos.

"While you slept, I took a piece of your hair," said Mal. "That way, the spell will affect me without having to look at you when I eat the cookie."

"Why would you do that to yourself?" asked Carlos.

"Same answer I gave you last week. I want to prove to you that I love you," said Mal.

"With a love spell? Mal, this is fake love," said Carlos.

"No, it's not," said Mal. "Carlos, I already told you that I love you."

"Evie set you up," reminded Carlos.

"I'm glad she did," said Mal. "Because I wouldn't have figured out what I really feel about you, and that was before the love spell."

"Why go through great lengths just to prove yourself to me?" asked Carlos.

Mal puts both her arms around Carlos. "Simple. I love you."

"Mal, I love you, but..." Carlos stopped himself. "What about Ben?"

"I... I... I don't know," said Mal. "I want to be with him, but... my heart keeps telling me to run to you, and I listened."

"Why?" asked Carlos.

"I like Ben, but I love you," said Mal, leaning closer.

"Are you sure you want to be with me?" asked Carlos.

"Only if you want to be with me," said Mal.

"Mal, we're both under the influence of a love spell," reminded Carlos. "We can't exactly be 100% honest with each other."

"Then kiss me," said Mal.

"Are you sure?" asked Carlos, feeling unsure.

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life being crazy in love with me?" asked Mal.

"No," said Carlos.

"Then do it," said Mal. "If you want to."

"Why is it my choice?" asked Carlos.

"I'm the one started all this. You didn't want to go after Jane willingly, so I thought I'd force you," said Mal. "This time, you make the choice."

Carlos looks at Mal closely. She wasn't moving until he makes a choice. The only question is "What's it gonna be?" Should he kiss her and let the real him decide? Or should he remain spelled and be disappointed at Mal forever?

Carlos hangs his head and closed his eyes as he tried to make up his mind. Mal just keeps her arms around the boy, waiting for his decision.

Carlos opens his eyes and immediately leans forward, crashing his lips on to Mal's. The daughter of Maleficent was caught off guard by the kiss, but happily returned it, closing her eyes and letting herself enjoy the moment.

As they kissed, they can feel their minds starting to clear up. The kiss was definitely true love's kiss from both sides.

Their lips slowly parted as their eyes opened. They stared at each other with uncertainty in their faces.

"So, what do you say?" asked Mal.

Carlos answers Mal by kissing her again. For the first time, as her real self, Mal kissed him back. Mal playfully puts Carlos' arms around herself before pulling him closer.

This is not the end yet. It ends in the next chapter.

Leave a comment if you want. I appreciate feedback. Always.