Call Me A Freak

A Simple Yes

They had us set up on a pristine white carriage, led by two horses. It was too showy for me. I know it was all for the presentation. Get people excited and all. But people cheered for us as we rolled by, with banners and confetti.

It would have made me feel a bit better if I wasn't with him, just because I was his girlfriend. If we had been married, it might have made more sense, but girlfriends are fairly temporary... like Audrey was.

There was a small box in my lap, containing the antidote to his spell. It sat on the folds of my skirt, shaking along the ride.

I stared at it. I wasn't sure how to give it to him. He couldn't eat it now and cause a scene on his big day, but I was worried that I wouldn't get the chance to see him after the Coronation.

He glanced at me, noticing my lack of focus, and reached out to hold my hand.

"Don't be nervous," he told me.

I smiled. It was silly that he was telling me not to be nervous when he was the one being crowned king. But I was nervous. Really nervous.

"All you have to do is sit there and look beautiful. No problem there."

I gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Thank you."

"Mal? Would you wear my ring?"

I raised an eyebrow as he reached for his class ring. I knew that this was often a custom for high school couples. It was sort of a promise to one another.

I pulled my hand away quickly. It was too much. Too big of a commitment. I had a feeling that in just a few hours, he would hate my guts and wish to send me back to the island. He very well might.

"Um," I mumbled. "Not now? I think it would probably just fall right off of me."

He looked away, disappointed and started to fiddle with the ring in his fingers.

I did my best to change the subject, deciding now was as good a time as any to hand him the small, blue box in my lap. "I have something for you."

"For me?"

"Yeah," I responded and he opened up the gift. "It's just for later. When you need strength. Some carbs to keep up your energy."

His face broke out into a grin. "Always thinking."

I shrugged and turned back to the people. I needed to keep up a good face. I smiled and waved, watching them murmur to themselves about me. I didn't think about the ridicule. I wanted to enjoy this last day.

"But I can't wait," Ben said quickly and before I had time to argue, he had stuffed half the cupcake in his mouth.

I froze, my heart stopping.

"Mm. This is really good." His voice was distorted as he tried not to speak with a mouthful.

"Uh... Do-"

"Mal?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Do you feel okay?" I stuttered.

"You bet," he said, smugly.

"Would you say that you're still in- that-" I was choking over my words. Any minute now, he was going to realize what an awful person I was. He would knock me off the carriage and call the guards to drag me back home. "That you have very strong feelings for me?"

He shrugged, finally putting the cupcake away. "Not sure. I mean, let's give the anti-love potion a few minutes to take effect."

If my heart had stopped when he ate the cookie, my brain had stopped after that comment. "Wh-"