De Fragee Prutia

f i v e

 "I can't do this anymore."

Mal and the rest of the VKs were in her room. They had left Nami the other day feeling mixed emotions.

"Yeah, we need that wand but not like this."

"I'm telling Ben at this date. I can't do this to Nami. I didn't think they'd have an argument."

"Especially not one that big."

"Thank you Carlos, really helping me feel better."

"Okay, let's get you ready so you and Ben can leave before Nami gets here." Evie said patting blush on Mal's cheeks.

As they finished Mal's makeup, Ben knocked on the door.

"Wow. For the first time, I understand the difference between pretty and beautiful." Ben said as he saw her.

"Yeah, okay let's go." Mal unenthusiastically grabbed his hand and dragged him along.

Nami hid around the corner until they walked away; she had shown up slightly early on accident. Nami knocked on Mal and Evie's door. The other VKs were still inside.

"Hey, Nami." Jay tried to act cool.

"I already heard. I was right around the corner."

The three exchanged looks of sadness. It had become apparent that Nami was not over Ben no matter how cordial she had been.

"I'm fine guys! I'm fine. I said I was taking you out for a picnic. Let's go!"

Meanwhile at the Enchanted Lake, Ben had set up a picnic for him and Mal. He fed Mal a strawberry, at first she was reluctant but she ate one anyway because he insisted and then discovered she absolutely loved strawberries. Mal looked at Ben's face, it was full of love— but it shouldn't have been towards her.

"Ben, I have to tell you something."

Mal began to explain the whole situation and how bad she felt. But the only thing she could see in Ben's eyes was love.

"That's funny, Mal."

"Oh my gosh, you don't believe a word I'm saying. You're still spelled."

"You're adorable. Saying I'm sp—"

Mal reached over and kissed Ben. Ben kissed back, holding on to Mal's waist.

"No! It should've worked. True love's kiss breaks every spell!"

"Is that what that was? True love's kiss?" Ben kissed her again, this time he had tried to deepen the kiss. It was farther than he and Nami had gone. Mal quickly pulled away.

"I'm going to have to think of something else," she said to herself. Unspelling Ben would require another potion.

"I'm going for a swim. Care to join?"

"I think I'll just watch for now."

Mal flipped through her spellbook as Ben swam. It was hard to find but she found something to undo the love potion. It was in tiny print at the bottom of one of the pages. Of course, her mother wouldn't want something that could be used for good to have a prominent spot in her spellbook. It had been quite some time since Mal had seen Ben come up.

"Ben?! BEN!" she yelled.

Soon enough Ben popped up.

"I have to go find Nami!"