The Space Between: Beginnings

15. If Only

Mal opened the door to find Ben standing there, a helmet under each arm. He cleared his throat and said, awkwardly, "Wow. You look amazing. I'm afraid it would ruin your hair, but we have to wear helmets if we have to get on a bike. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course! Bye, E!" Mal said, as she left with Ben. Evie closed the door, with a sad but proud smile on her face. Mal put on her helmet and got on behind Ben, hugging him around the waist. As they rode on, Mal looked around, stunned by the beauty and greenery all around. The Isle hadn't nearly been as beautiful. Ben smiled as he heard Mal chuckle, and felt her arms tighten around his waist. He parked the bike and led her to a bridge. As they walked over the bridge, he said, "Tell me something about yourself that you've never told anyone else before."

"Okay," Mal chuckled. "I'm not what I seem to be."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, my mom wants me to be what I'm not. As in, like her. But I'm nothing like her. Neither do I want to be that way."

"Nice. Well, I am exactly what I look like. Now close your eyes"

"Okay. That's good. Albeit a bit boring."

"I hate complications."

"Wait, what?"

"Just joking," Ben smiled as he helped Mal off the bridge. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Mal replied.

"Okay. Now, open your eyes," Ben said. Mal complied, and immediately gasped. The place in front of her eyes could easily be the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"Go on," Ben said, smiling. Mal walked on and sat down on a stone platform overlooking the lake. Ben joined her, with a basket of food. As he sat down and opened the basket, he handed her a jelly doughnut. Mal ate it, savouring the taste, even licking her fingers. Ben chuckled and asked, "Is this your first time?"

"Um...we don't really date on the Isle. It's more like gang activity," Mal replied.

"No. I meant, is this your first time eating a jelly doughnut?"

"Oh. Yeah, that too. Why?" Mal asked.

"There's a little bit right there," Ban replied, gently touching her lip. He make a licking gesture with his tongue and lips and said, "Just do that."

Mal mimicked it and said, "Is it gone?"

"Yeah," Ben replied, chuckling. "I feel like I've been doing all the talking. Now, you tell me some thing no one knows."

"Oh, there's loads. The Isle isn't what everyone thinks it is. Did you know that one of the villains I know can't really be called that? She's just a misunderstood witch who isn't wicked at all...she's just green. And occasionally slightly mean. But definitely not evil. She practically raised me, despite having two kids of her own. I'll introduce you to her some day. You know her daughter. Both her kids in fact. And her daughter is definitely not what she looks to be on the outside. She's practically a sister to me, and in my opinion, she looks better when she's not trying to hide herself."

"Are you talking about Audrey's roomie?"

"Uh huh. I'm definitely talking about Rain. And maybe you'd be shocked to discover that her mom is just like the rest of us."

"Wait, the Wicked Witch of the West is a normal person? With a name?"

"Yes, she is. Her name is Elphaba. Elphaba Thropp. And she didn't even start her life as a witch. She was, and still is, more interested in all things science than in magic. Or even power for that matter."