The New Princess (Book 2)

Helping Out

(Mal's pov)

(Friday morning)

I was walking into school, then Doug walked up beside me.

"Hey Mal." Doug greeted me.

"Hey Doug..." I gave him a confused look. "You need something?"

"You're friends with Evie, right?" Doug asked.

"Yeah. She's my best friend." I answered "Why?"

"I was wondering if maybe you could introduce us?" Doug questioned. 

"Introduce you? What do you mean by that?" I asked. 

"Like tell her who I am." Doug was saying. "Maybe see if she would want to hang out."

"I mean I can try, but I can't promise anything will happen." I told him.

"Thanks." Doug smiled at me, then I walked away.

(A few minutes later)

I spotted Evie and I ran up to her. "Hey!" I smiled brightly at her.

"Why are you so cheerful?" Evie confusingly smiled at me. 

"I don't know. I guess I'm just in a good mood." I shrugged.

"Okay..." Evie slowly turned her head and kept walking.

"So you got any plans tonight?" I asked running up to her.

"I don't think so. Why?" Evie replied.

"How would you like to go out with someone tonight?" I was asking.

"No offense Mal, but I don't think I'm ready to go with someone new yet." Evie responded.

"Well it doesn't have to be a date. Just like a little hang out." I assured her.

"Who is it?" Evie asked.

"It's that guy, Doug." I replied.

"The one with the glasses? And he's like really smart?" Evie was checking.

"Yep that's the guy." I nodded.

"Why are you trying to set me up with him?" Evie gave me a questionable look.

"Oh I-I'm not. I just thought maybe you want someone to hang out with." I was telling her.

"I appreciate that. I'll think about it." Evie said and kept walking. 

(Later)

I was walking down the hall. Then saw Doug at the other end. He quickly ran up to me. 

"So what did she say?" Doug looked at me eager to know. 

"She said she would think about it." I told him. "But don't worry. I'm sure she will say yes." 

"Cool. Well I got good news for you." Doug said.

"And that is?" I questioned.

"I talked to Ben." Doug started saying.

"And...?" I said.

"He has agreed to let you spend time with him." Doug stated.

"Wait are you serious?!" I slightly shouted.

"Yes, well he agreed to hanging out with me, but if you showed up instead he might let you stay." Doug was trying to assure me.

"We'll see." I said.

(After school)

(Ben's pov)

I was in my room. Then I heard a car pull up. Then I heard my mom talking to someone. A few minutes later there was a knock at my door. 

"Come in!" I called out.

I was expecting Doug to walk in, but instead Mal walked in.

"Hey..." She greeted me.

"Mal? What are you doing here?" I was asking.

"Look, I know you thought Doug was going to come over, but I want to spend time with you. I want to be there for you." Mal was telling me.

(No one's pov)

Evie was walking downstairs, then the doorbell rang. She opened it and saw Doug.

"D-Doug what are you doing here?" She was asking.

"I want to be here for you. I know you've been through a lot." Doug told her. "So can I come in?"

(Mal's pov)

"Mal, I told you I needed space." Ben told me.

"I know, but it's been days. You've been through so much with Audrey, Chad's death, and the trial. So please let me be here with you." I replied.

"Okay." Ben nodded.

(No one's pov)

"Did Mal tell you to come here?" Evie wondered.

"No, no. I came here all on my own." Doug answered.

(Mal's pov)

"So what do you want to do?" Ben questioned.

"I don't know. What's something that makes you feel better?" I responded.

"Don't know." He shrugged.

(A few hours later)

(No one's pov)

"No, no, no you didn't." Evie was saying while laughing.

"I know, but it's very true." Doug responded laughing too.

(Mal's pov)

"I'm sorry I came instead of Doug." I told Ben.

"Don't worry about. This is actually nice. I guess I really missed spending time with you." Ben responded.

We both smiled at each other. Then Ben leaned in and kissed me. 

"W-what was that for?" I asked him.

"I'm sorry. I just..." He was trying to explain. 

"It's okay. You don't have to explain." I said and kissed him again. 

(No one's pov)

"It's getting pretty late. I should probably start heading out." Doug started to get up.

"Thanks for coming over. I'm really glad that you did come." Evie told him.

"Of course. I had a really good time." Doug replied.

Doug was standing in front of Evie. Then he leaned down and kissed her. He pulled away slightly, then went to kiss her again, but Evie stopped him. 

"I'm sorry Doug, but I'm not ready to date anyone." Evie said.

"Oh, but I thought..." Doug was about to say.

"I'm sorry, but I think you should go." Evie stood up.

She walked to the door and opened it. Doug looked at her one last time. Then walked out. 

(Ben's pov)

"I'm sorry, but I should probably go." Mal said and started to stand up.

"Oh. Oh okay." I stood up with her. 

I walked over to my door with her. I went to open the door for her, but she opened it instead. 

"I-I'll see you at school." Mal said before walking out and closing the door behind her.

"Bye." I said after she closed the door.