Escape from the Isle

Mal's gone back to the Isle

~Percy~

I panted as I got into the kitchen

"Hey Percy!" Mal said, smiling. There was something in her smile. I couldn't tell what.

"Hey Mal. What are you doing here?" I asked

"Just finishing your picnic for you" she said with a smile

"You cooked this for me and Ben?" I asked

"Yeah." She said, "after the scooter, I wanted to help you thank Ben."

"Oh. Thanks Mal" I said softly

"So... Can I come..?" She asked

"On Mine and Ben's... Date?" I asked

"Yeah!" She said, smiling

"Well um.."

"Oh. I get it. I made all this... I shouldn't get anything out of it" Mal said, pouting

"Wha- no Mal... I-It's fine! Yeah... I'm sure Ben won't... Won't mind" I said

"Right yeah. Great" she said with a smile

I nodded "Well then let's get going.." she said as she packed the picnic basket

"Right.." I said softly

She took my arm and led me from the kitchen

~later~

"Would you like some hot hors d'oeuvre?" I asked in a jokingly proper voice

Ben chuckled "Yes please!" He said, taking one, "this is the best thing I've ever tasted. You made this?" He looked at Mal.

"Yep!"Mal said with a nod

"Man. I'm happy you're fitting in so well Mal. You've been a big help around the school" Ben said

Mal nodded a little.

"So you like it?" I asked hopefully

"I more than like it" he said with a smile

"You were surprised?" Mal asked

"Yeah. You surprised me. This is every dish Mrs. Potts made for my parents" Ben said happily, "what did it take you? Three days?"

"Don't even ask" Mal said.

"Yeah well it means a lot to me" Ben said, then he looked at me, "I've missed you. We haven't been able to spend that much time together"

"I know" I said softly

I laughed as Ben got some food on his face

He chuckled "Can't take me anywhere huh?"

I grinned at him

"Do you have a napkin or something?" Ben asked

"Yeah there should be some" I said

"Here let me I-" Mal said quickly

Ben pulled out her spell book. I looked at her in surprise

"I um... I packed that just in case it rained or... Something" Mal said, biting her lip.

Ben narrowed his eyes at her. He flipped through the book