Mistress of Dreams~ PRINCE BEN* BOOK 2

It's Thursday

FLORENCE STOOD BY HER LOCKER AS she woven herself a dream-catcher, but according to her mother this was no ordinary dream-catcher. With the right pattern she could see memories as well as take them. It would come in handy when she faces Sugar Plum in the future. Just as she was about to weave the last strand, arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close.

"Hi, Florence." Ben said against her neck. Florence put the dream-catcher in her locker and turned to face Ben with a smile.

"Hi."

"I have a little surprise for you." Ben told her. Florence smiled shyly.

"Again? That's like every day now." Florence commented. She looked surprises, but now she was just being spoiled by Ben.

"Or every other day. The even dates. Because you're... even more perfect than I thought." Ben teases. Florence let out a nervous laugh.

"That is me. I am perfect." Florence said unconvincing.

"Come on, let me spoil you. You didn't have a lot growing up." Ben said sadly.

"We managed." Florence assured. Ben smiled and pulled her in another hug, he unintentional looked into her look and saw the dream-catcher.

"Hey, what's that?" Ben asked, letting Florence go and pulling out the dream-catcher to take a better look. Florence immediately, but carefully ripped it out of him hands and placed it back in her locker while explaining what it was.

"Ohh, nothing. Just a little something to remember my mom." Florence fibbed. "Um, I got to get to class. I really don't want to be late."

"No. You come this way. First off..." Ben pulled Florence and turned her around. "Ta-da!" Florence gasped at the motorcycle behind her. It had a big bronze bow on the handle.

"What?!" Florence shrieked in surprise.

"You like it?" Ben teased. Florence approached the motorcycle and sat on it.

"Ben, this is amazing! It's red and gold!" Florence admired. She lost her smile when looking back at Ben. "I didn't get you anything."

"You're taking me on a picnic with all my favorite foods, remember?" Ben said. Florence shook her head.

"No, that's Thursday." Florence said.

"It is Thursday."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's not."

"It is." Ben pulled out his phone and showed her the date. Florence panicked on the inside when she saw he was right.

"I knew that." Florence played it off.

"I mean, if you don't have it, that's fine." Ben said, putting his phone away.

"No, no, no. I was fully messing with you. I knew it was Thursday. I just have one more thing to go bake, and then I am all yours." Florence lied, wrapping her arms around Ben's neck.

"Well, what about class?" Ben pointed.

"She multi tasks."Florence said, flipping her hair.

"She dabbles."

"She dabbles." Florence repeated. Ben hugged her tight.

"You're the best!" Ben called before walking off.

"That's me!" Florence called after. With Ben out of sight she started to panic. 

*~*~*~*~*

"Would you like a hot hors d'oeuvre?" Florence asked Ben, holding the food out for him.

"Yes, please." Ben ate it off Florence's fingers. "Mmm! This is the best thing I've ever had."

"So, you like it?" Florence asked him. Ben reached over, he was close to her face but he only grabbed some food.

"I more than like it." Ben smiled at her. "I, uh... mmm-- so like it."

"Beef ragout?" Florence offered.

"Yeah. This is amazing." Ben praised his girlfriend. Florence smiled at took a bite out of the hors d'oeuvre

"Did I surprise you?" Florence asked.

"Oh, yeah, you surprised me. This is every single dish Mrs. Potts made for my parents." Ben pointed out. "What did it take you? Three days?"

"You know, don't even ask me."

"Yeah. Well, it means a lot that you stopped and did all this for me. Especially with all the craziness you've been put through." Ben said with sympathy. He put his hand on her cheek. Florence smiled at his words. "I've missed you. We don't get much time to be just us anymore."

"I know." Florence agreed. She flicked a few crumbs from Ben's face. Ben laughed.

"You can't take me anywhere, right?" Ben joked, making he and Florence laugh. "Do you have a-- Do you have a napkin or something?" He asked looking around.

"I do! I packed some." Florence grabbed the napkins hanging out of the basket. "Here." Florence handed. Ben wiped his face from any food.

"Thank you." Ben said, dropping the napkin down. Florence thought that while Ben was in a good mood, she might ask for her favor. After all, why would he say 'no' to letting her visit the Isle of the Lost for a day or so.

"So, Ben..." Florence started.

"So, Florence..." Ben copied.

"I have something I have to ask you." Ben sat up straight.

"Go ahead." Ben

"Well, I've been missing my mother for a while and I thought that maybe I could go back to the Isle for a day and visit her." Florence said. Ben's smile slowly turned to a frown and he grabbed Florence's hand.

"Florence, I can't let you do that." Ben said. Florence retracted her hand from his and frown.

"What?"

"That was your old life, but here you have a new one. With me, with your friends. You'll be my Lady of the Court, remember." Ben said softly, trying to calm his girlfriend.

"Ben, are you seriously not going to let me see my mom?" Florence asked in disbelief.

"You can video chat with her whenever--"

"That's not the same, Ben!" Florence shouted, standing from the table. Ben followed her action. Florence knew her mother wasn't on the Isle anymore, but it still hurt that Ben wouldn't let her go. When Ben didn't say anything, Florence grabbed her things and left him alone.

With or without his blessing, Florence is going back to the Isle.

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

Sorry for errors.