Ｈｅｌｌｆｉｒｅ • h.h

ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｔｗｏ

With days rapid disappearing before Cotillion was here, I was caught up with Evie and Doug finishing the dresses. Evie had set me on an errand to collect fabric from the market. I took a short cut, cutting through the lunch field to make my way back to Evie. I took in the all the different flowers, while the long fresh grass tickled my bare ankles and the trees almost felt as if they were singing.

While walking back through the green campus, I spotted Mal hiding behind one of the oak trees. I walked towards her, carefully putting the fabric down. The closer I got the more I could see the tears streaming down her face. Her blonde hair was slightly frizzed and even more than usual her choice of pale pastel pink dress didn't suit her. Soon as I was close enough, I pulled her into my arms. Mal buried herself in my neck, for a few minutes we didn't even say a word to each other.

"Mal talk to me." I whispered. I pulled back and wiped her tears.

"Han, I can't do it anymore." She wept, it was rarely I ever saw her cry, she only ever did it in private, only in front of me. I could see how broken my best friend was. At this point I didn't know how to fix.

"Hey, it's okay. You can Mal you are the strongest girl I know. You're a dragon remember?" She shook her head.

"I want to go home. Ben. Ben, he doesn't understand. He caught me with my book, and he just went off on me." She explained. "I don't belong here. I have to go back."

"There's nothing there for us anymore." I told her. She looked me in the eye.

"Now who is lying huh?" She raised her brow, still sniffling. "Come back with me. I know you always think about of him. I wouldn't care anymore, about you being around Uma. I'm over it. Come home with me. You're all the family I need."

"We both know that there is nothing between me and Harry anymore. He's seen what we did, he'd slice me up with his hook for betrayal and we both know it." My voice cracked over my admission.

"I have to go you know that don't you."

"I'll miss you if you do." I tried to smile and wrapped her into another hug. "I love you, M."

"I love you too, H."

When I came back from Cheer practice, I was a sweaty mess ready for a long hot shower before dinner and an early night but Evie sitting on the edge of Mal's bed, clutching a piece of paper. I put down my bag by the door. Evie looked up at me, her eyes were swirling with panic and upset. I sat beside her, taking the paper lightly.

I had to go back.
I don't belong here.
I'm sorry
M xo

I turned around to see the tank was empty and to the coat rack where her isle style jacket was missing. It hit me that moment. Evie passed me a gold ring. I took a closer look and realised this was the ring that Ben had given Mal. She was serious about leaving everything behind, and my heart tore for Ben, knowing exactly what it feels like to have the person you adore on the isle. I shouldn't have let her go alone, maybe I could have changed her mind.

"I didn't think she was really going. How would she even get over the barrier?" I whispered.

"Mal can do anything if she wants it bad enough." Evie replied, putting her head in her hands, letting her blue hair fan around her.

"She really doesn't believe she belongs here."

"We need to tell Ben." Evie stood up, fixing her hair.

"Then we go get her back." I added. Evie nodded.

The two of us rushed to Ben's castle, our connection to Mal had made it easier with the use of her limousine. We dashed past the guards who didn't even bother to catch us, and we ran towards the west wing to the King's office, hoping that Ben was there. We didn't know how long Mal had been gone and by this point she could be in trouble. The people of the Isle could have welcomed her back with open arms, or they could go on a man hunt for her. She in danger, even if the danger was herself. I blamed myself for putting my best friend in danger, by feeding into her idea.