More Than Friends (Book 2)

First Rehearsal

"Gather around everyone. I want to go over the first dance number." The teacher told them.

After rehearsal Mal and Evie were walking out together, then Eliza ran up to catch up with them. 

"Hey Evie, you were great out there." Eliza told her.

"Thanks Eliza. Maybe we'll be able to see you practice your song soon." Evie replied.

"Well I'll catch up with you guys later." Eliza said, then ran back to find Ben.

"She does not seem like the same person when she first came here." Evie stated as she looked back at Eliza.

"What do you mean?" Mal asked looking over at Evie.

"I mean when she first got here she was no so peppy and happy. She kind of just kept to herself and didn't care." Evie explained.

"Maybe it's because she's with Ben." Mal said and looked back at Eliza and Ben walking together holding hands.

"Maybe you should talk to Ben. I mean you two will have to be spending more time together rehearsing ." Evie suggested. 

"Guess you're right." Mal agreed looking at them again.

(After school)

Mal walked over to Ben house and knocked on the door and Ben's mom answered.

"Oh hey Mal. Come on in." She said opening the door more.

"Thanks. Uh is Ben upstairs?" Mal questioned.

"Yeah he should be." His mom answered.

"Cool." Mal said, then ran up the stairs and knocked on Ben's doors.

"Come in!" He called from inside.

Mal opened the door and smiled. "Hey."

"Mal? What are you doing here? I thought you were mad at me?" Ben was asking.

"I and, but then I figured we need to rehearse our lines so I decided to forget it for now." Mal explained.

"Well cool. Okay should we start then?" Ben replied.

After about an hour of practicing they decided to take a break.

"So what now? I think dinner should almost be done." Ben said.

"Thanks, but I should go. I was going to take a shower." Mal responded and was about to leave.

"Mal wait." Ben stopped her by grabbing her hand. 

He turned her around to face him, then he pulled her close to him and kissed her. She was shocked at first, but then she put her hand on his face.

After they pulled apart Mal looked at him surprised. "What was that for?"

"I don't I just felt like I had to." Ben answered.

"Oh." Mal nodded. "Well I really should be heading home though. I'll see you tomorrow." 

Then Mal left his room and ran quickly down the stairs and was almost outside.

"Hey Mal. Where you off to in such a rush?" Ben's dad asked walking out to her.

"I need to get home. I gotta shower and rest. I got a big test tomorrow. I'll see you around Mr. King." Mal told him before opening the door.

"Yeah see you." He slightly waved when she looked back and smiled.

When Mal got home she went straight to her room and laid on her bed and closed her eyes.

(The next day)

"So how'd it go? You never told me." Evie wondered leaning against the locker beside Mal.

"W-what?" Mal looked at her scared.

"I asked what happened yesterday with you and Ben. Did you talk to him or rehearse with Ben?" Evie was asking.

"Y-yeah we rehearsed." Mal was stuttering.

"Why are you so nervous? Did something happen?" Evie checked.

"N-no." Mal shook her head still nervously.

"Mal. You can tell me." Evie stated.

"Fine okay. Yes something happened. Ben kissed me." Mal told her.

"And? Did you kiss him back?" Evie asked getting excited.

"Yeah." Mal said and her face started getting red and she couldn't stop smiling.

"Are you gonna tell him how you actually feel now? I mean you know how he feels about you." Evie replied.

"I know, but I think he should come to me first. I mean he did kiss me so." Mal answered. 

Then they looked over and saw Ben walking past them and he looked at Mal and smiled. She smiled back and could feel her face getting more red.

Later Mal walked in the cafeteria and saw Ben sitting at a table alone. She walked over to him. 

"Hey Ben. Can I sit with you?" Mal wondered.

"Yeah of course." Ben looked up at her. "Look Mal I wanted to talk to you. It's true what Harry told you. I do still like you and that's why I kissed you."

"Okay..." Mal was listening.

"But I also still like Eliza." Ben stated.

"Okay well you can't have both. You have to choose." Mal said.

"What?" Ben questioned with a little chuckle. "What are you talking about Mal?"

"You're dating Eliza, but you say that you like me and you kissed me last night." Mal explained.

"Yeah I know." Ben was nodding.

"So you need to choose. It's either me or Eliza." Mal stated.

"Mal." Ben smiled and looked down trying to hide that he was laughing. "Mal I'm not going to choose between you and Eliza." 

"Fine, then to answer your question. Yes, I am still mad at you." Mal responded and picked up her tray and walked over to a table with her friends.

She watched as Eliza walked over and sat in the seat she was sitting in across from Ben.

(During drama)

"Okay guys we need to keep working on the first dance number." The teacher said.

Mal walked was standing talking to Evie, then looked over and saw Eliza and Ben talking as Eliza was playing with Ben's shirt.

"Hey Aaron there you are. I wanted to talk to you." Mal said getting Ben's attention and he looked over at them.

"Yeah what's up?" Aaron wondered.

"I was wondering if you still wanted to go out with me?" Mal questioned.

"Really you want to?" Aaron checked. "I thought there was someone you liked?"

"Yeah well I guess they didn't feel the same way." Mal stated and glanced over at Ben, who quickly looked away.

"Uh... Then yeah definitely I want to." Aaron responded and he wouldn't stop smiling.

"Great!" Mal said excitedly, then leaned up and kissed Aaron on the lips.

"Okay, okay enough people let's focus." The teacher said.

Mal walked by Ben, who was looking jealous. She was smirking at him, then winked at him still smirking.