Chapter Text
May. Spring 1998.
“Y’know, this is our last summer if you think about it.”
From the corner of her eye, Mal saw Evie cock her head in an invitation to elaborate, though she didn’t look up from the magazine she held.
“Senior year starts this fall. So this summer break is officially our last summer break of high school.” She glanced at her lap, where her hands had fallen to pick at and twist her fingers. “This is it.”
Mal, though sounding indifferent and uncaring to her own ears, was sure the girl next to her had already read her as easily as she was reading that damn magazine. She had always been able to, despite her gift.
Mal scowled as silence fell again. Evie licked a finger before turning another page. Mal unconsciously licked her own lips at the motion. Was Evie taunting her? Wasn’t she even going to ask why Mal had brought this up, even if she already knew?
Or thinks she knows. Little miss know-it-all. She couldn’t guess in a million years.
She silently twisted in her seat to fully face her friend.
“Evie, are you listening to me?”
Evie nodded once, still not raising her eyes from the pages. Mal rolled her own eyes with much exaggeration but stopped when she realized Evie wasn’t seeing the motion, so what was the point. Despite her frustration, Mal decided to continue.
“I think we need to make the most of this one. Like, you know, do something memorable. Something more than just hanging around the mall and watching Buffy -"
“Speaking of,” Evie finally said, breaking her silence. “The last episode is this Tuesday.”
“I know,” Mal snapped. “It’s every Tuesday.”
“Sure, but they’re screening it in the mall parking lot.”
She decided to ignore Evie’s tiny playful smile.
“Yeah, I know. Anyway. I want to do something, E! Something different! Something that doesn’t involve going to the mall and looking at the same five stores. Or going to the same parties and drinking the same drinks and playing the same lame party games and seeing the same damn people and….”
Mal stopped, swallowing hard. She was getting carried away, letting her emotions take too much control. Suddenly she noticed Evie was finally looking at her, a small crease between her brows betraying her worry.
“Mal. Relax.”
Mal sighed, a rush of warmer-than-usual breath passing through her lips. She caught sight of her own reflection in the car’s rear-view mirror and scowled. Her eyes softly glowed a vivid green. She quickly looked away, out her window and across the school parking lot.
Her powers were surging more frequently as of late, and typically it coincided with her temper. The dragon within her was quite restless, and the fire in her blood didn’t much help things. It also was not ideal that neither of her parents were around to help teach her to control these powers. Powers that she unwittingly inherited the moment she was conceived.
For most people who are born with abilities, usage and control is relatively easy to learn. This is because most people inherit only one ability, from either one of their parents. Of course, some children are simply born with no powers at all. And in other cases, extremely rare cases, children are born with both parents’ abilities. Mal was one of these cases, and unfortunately, her parents were extremely powerful people.
Maleficent, Mal’s mother, had come from a very old family that carried dragon blood in their veins, dating back to ancient times. This came with volatile powers, shapeshifting into the creature itself not the least of them.
And Hades, Mal’s father, was a mighty pyrokinetic. His mastery of fire was incredible. Mal longed for that control one day.
However, Maleficent was no longer in Mal’s life. One night when Mal was nine years old, her mother announced she was leaving and then simply did just that, with hardly a goodbye to her daughter and no goodbye to her husband. Mal had seen neither hide nor hair of the woman since. Good fucking riddance and all, but now Mal was hitting more turbulent times in her teenage years and had no one to mentor her, to help temper her powers. If it weren’t for Evie’s ability to read emotions and thus help her to settle them, Mal likely would have completely lost control more than once.
On the other hand, Hades was still around… sometimes. Mal felt that the man’s little biker gang was more important to him than his actual family. Sure, he still sent plenty of money home so Mal could keep the lights on, but he rarely came home himself. She supposed he had a legitimate reason to stay gone. He had stirred up way too much trouble for himself in this tiny town and was more or less no longer welcome. So it was coming up on a year since she had seen her father in person. His infrequent phone calls were more of a burden than anything, since he typically talked only about himself. She just wanted to know if she could turn off the incessant burning feeling inside of her or if it was a permanent thing.
Mal turned back to Evie and out of her reminiscing when she felt her friend gently lay a hand on her arm. She attempted a reassuring smile for the other girl. She knew Evie could feel how troubled she still was, but also knew that Evie wouldn’t push. Evie just searched her face a moment more before slowly turning back to the magazine in her lap. Mal sighed explosively.
“I want to run away.”
Evie’s head shot up and towards her so fast Mal was worried she’d get whiplash. The sharp concern shining in her brown eyes and pinched brow almost made Mal feel bad for speaking so bluntly.
“What?” Evie gasped.
“I want to run away,” She repeated, running a hand through her blonde hair, frustrated again. “I want out of here, E. Out of this stupid town. Away from all the people who talk shit about me because of my parents. All the assholes who think they know me because of the things my dad has done. The ones who think I’ll turn out the same way. And… well, I want you to come with me.”
The shocked expression that crossed Evie’s face Mal might have found funny if she wasn’t being so serious. Her mouth opened several times before she finally got words out.
“Mal, I… you… run away? I-I can’t run away.”
Mal scowled. “Why? What’s stopping you? Your piece of shit mom? Oh God, is it fucking Chad?”
At the mention of Chad (Chad Charming, as people called him, due to the rather dangerous coercion powers he had inherited from his father), Evie’s shoulders slumped and the shock started to fall away from her face.
“No, of course it’s not Chad. I just….”
Evie let her words trail off and turned to better study her friend. Mal pulled back slightly and tried to steel her emotions. Evie was watching her with a different expression now. Was it sympathy in her eyes?
Or is it just pity? Fuck me. Mal groaned internally.
“What’s brought this on, Mal?”
Great, now Evie was using her therapist voice. It was pity, after all.
“I just told you,” Mal said, in a harsher tone than she meant to. “This town and the stupid five thousand people who live here -"
“It’s actually only about two thousand.”
Mal glared at Evie. Screw the small details.
“Whatever. In this town and the stupid two thousand people who live here, it feels like everyone is constantly judging me. Like, oh look, it’s the criminal’s kid! Wonder when she’ll fuck up whatever she’s got going for herself. No wonder her mother walked out, how else could she protect her fancy reputation?”
Evie gripped her forearm again and gave her a pointed look. Mal sighed sharply and once again attempted to calm down. Continuing in a softer tone, she peeled Evie’s fingers off and held them in her own.
“E, don’t you get it? I want to go somewhere where no one has any idea who I am. A place where I can have a fresh start. Only, I don’t want to go alone. Honestly, I don’t even know if I could do it on my own. I want you with me. You’re my best friend.”
Evie’s fingers twitched in Mal’s grip and she glanced away from her eyes. Her voice almost broke on her next words.
“What about the boys? And Jane?”
Mal shook her head. “Oh, well, yeah, obviously they can come too if they want. I wouldn’t -"
“And what about money, and jobs? What about clothes? A place to stay? Are you just dropping out of school?”
“Well, my dad, obviously. I could apprentice with a tattoo artist he knows. Or I guess I could work in the gang’s garage. Loathe as I am to ask him for help… he will help. As for immediate money, he hasn’t exactly left me penniless, you know. And clothes? Evie, really, you have too many clothes already. And, you know, you could finish school if you wanted, but I just don’t really mesh well with the whole… thing.”
“You’ve thought about this a lot, haven’t you?” Evie smiled coyly, relief finally relaxing the stiffness that had entered her fingers.
“Pfft, no.”
Mal relented at Evie’s raised eyebrow.
“Okay, yeah. All the time.”
She reached for her friend’s other hand and squeezed, curling their fingers together tightly.
“Let’s do it. Let’s just get the fuck out of here, E.”
Before Evie could utter a word, the back doors flew open and Jay and Carlos dropped into the car, laughing and talking way too loudly for the quiet moment the girls were just having.
“God, I’m so glad school is over! Not too sure if I passed algebra, but that’s next year me’s problem!” Jay laughed.
“Uh, no? That would be summer school you’s problem. I told you I could’ve tutored you.” Carlos shot back, smiling cheekily.
Jay curled his lip in a scowl then proceeded to punch his friend in the shoulder. The action didn’t break Carlos’ grin, though.
“Could you idiots be any louder? Do you still not know how to use your inside voices? What are you, ten?”
Mal turned in her seat to shoot an annoyed glare at the boys. Carlos pursed his lips in surprise and Jay raised his hands in surrender.
“Damn Mal, take a chill pill. We interrupt you or something?”
“Mal and I were just talking about -"
“About Buffy,” Mal cut Evie off and cast her a pointed look. “We were wondering how it’s going to end, and Evie was just about to tell me what she thought before you two came barreling in here.”
Evie held the other girl’s gaze for a moment before tilting her head in acquiescence. Mal smiled gratefully; she wasn’t sure if she wanted the boys to know her plans just yet. Not until she knew Evie’s feelings on the matter for certain.
“The cops are definitely going to arrest Buffy and pin the murder on her. I also have this bad feeling that Angel is going to die.”
“Bullshit, they wouldn’t kill off Angel!” Jay yelled.
The four of them descended into a short yelling match for several minutes about their different theories until it looked like Mal and Jay might actually come to blows. It wasn’t unusual when the two of them discussed Buffy. They were die-hard fans for sure.
“Okay, you guys, enough! Can we not get so worked up about a show?” Evie asked, exasperated.
Jay crossed his arms, but sat back in his seat, mumbling under his breath. “It’s not just a show.”
Carlos, in an attempt to break the sudden tension, grabbed Jay by the shoulder and glanced between all his friends.
“Hey, so… are we still going to the party tonight?”
Evie’s eyes lit up and she gasped with excitement.
“Oh my God, I almost forgot! Yes, we’re going! Right, M?”
She looked to Evie skeptically. Was she really asking Mal to go to another party after the feelings she had just expressed about them? She wanted to say no. She was going to say no. Then the girl’s lips fell into a pout and Mal’s heart squeezed. Uncomfortably.
…Pleasantly.
She blinked several times against it before she was able to look at her again.
“Please, Mal?” Evie whined, her voice rasping as she added very convincing puppy dog eyes to the mix.
Mal swallowed against another squeeze of her heart. She looked away, out her window and once again across the school parking lot. She clenched her jaw.
What the fuck are you doing? Don’t start this again now.
“Yeah, c’mon Mal, it’s the start of summer break, let’s get fucking crunk!” Jay clamped his hand onto her shoulder, rocking her back and forth until she shoved him away.
“Fine! Good Lord, we’ll go. When are you losers going to get your own cars so I don’t have to join in on all your shenanigans?”
“Aww, you love our shenanigans.” Carlos said.
“Thanks, M. Chad’s going to be there tonight, so….” Evie let her words trail off and flashed a suggestive smile, to which Mal grimaced and rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, what do you see in that guy? He’s awful.”
“Well, my mother really approves of him.”
“Ah. And mother knows best, does she?”
The girls held each other’s gaze a moment before Jay kicked the back of Mal’s seat.
“Let’s go! I’m starving and I want a hotdog! Bitch about your parental issues later.”
~ …… ~
Mal was really not digging this party. She could tell it was going to be a long night the moment they all stepped through the door of Audrey Rose’s house. Good God, why did it have to be Audrey Rose’s house? Scanning the room to get a feel for the mood, Mal saw most of her fellow juniors, plenty of sophomores, and even a nervous freshman or two. The place was surprisingly devoid of seniors, though Mal figured they were probably having their own party somewhere else, given they were freshly graduated. Of the few seniors present, Chad was unfortunately one of them.
As was Ginny Gothel, who had a small crowd of admirers gathered around her, oohing and ahhing over her newly acquired eyebrow piercing. Mal stopped in her tracks, scoffing quietly to herself. She had had her own eyebrow pierced for years now and had never gotten more than a handful - a super tiny, pitiful handful - of compliments about it. Mal wasn’t jealous of course, definitely not, it just proved that she was right. People saw her as her father’s daughter, which equaled a waste of their time and effort… and compliments.
“M? You coming?”
Evie’s voice broke Mal out of her brooding. She had already seen her line of sight though and turned back to Mal with a soft presumptuous smile and cocked brow. She lifted a hand to gently prod Mal’s eyebrow stud.
“Mal, you know you look way cuter than Ginny ever could with one of these.”
Mal blushed despite herself and she quickly swatted Evie's hand away, who giggled before looping her arm with Mal’s to tug her along. The boys had already scampered away to meet up with their Tourney bros, who were without a doubt the loudest people in the room.
Mal quickly swiped a couple of cups from the drink table as they passed it and handed one off to Evie. She didn’t care what it was, but knew she needed to start drinking immediately if she was going to make it through the night. She took a sip and fought back a grimace. Ah, nearly room temperature beer as usual.
Seriously, do none of these people own a fridge?
She paid no attention to where Evie was dragging her off to until she caught sight of two more of their friends ahead, Ben and Jane. Mal’s jaw dropped. She hadn’t expected to see him so soon.
Ben - Benjamin Florian - was nearly two years older than them. He had graduated the previous spring and gone off to some fancy university, courtesy of his parent’s fortune. Mal still didn’t know how or why the richest kid in town had become friends with them, friends with her. His father (whose nickname was The Beast) was the well-liked mayor of the town and had been pining after the governor’s seat for several years now. There were still people who grumbled about the mayor’s son being friendly with a criminal’s kid, but The Beast continued to ignore those naysayers and treat Mal like his own.
Ben was also a fellow shapeshifter, following in the footsteps of his father. Though he was a different creature, he still attempted to give Mal some pointers on controlling her own powers. Mal had definitely been looking forward to seeing him again during the summer break.
Jane, on the other hand, was a year younger than them, and Ben’s cousin. She was a shy and timid girl, but once she had befriended Mal’s group - or rather, they had sucked her into their group almost against her will - she had come out of her shell quite a lot. Jane was the daughter of their high school principal, who everyone affectionately (more or less) called Fairy Godmother. It was common knowledge that Jane’s mother had had big plans for her children, who she hoped would inherit her abilities. However, when Jane was a child and had never shown to inherit any powers, FG’s dreams were crushed and she had no more children. But she hadn’t stopped pushing Jane to be better, so Jane had a rather tumultuous relationship with her mother, to put it kindly.
Jane and Carlos had bonded quickly, as he was also without powers. People were usually surprised to find this out; after all, white hair was typically a sign of invisibility. Carlos never cared much about being powerless, given his parents were both the same way, as far as he knew.
When Jane caught sight of Mal and Evie headed her way, her face lit up and she waved enthusiastically. Ben also smiled, and stepped forward to envelop the two new arrivals in a bear hug.
“Ben! What the hell are you doing here, dude? I thought you weren’t coming back until next month!” Mal couldn’t hold back her excitement.
“I know, I know,” He chuckled lightly. “I wrapped some things up early and decided not to wait. Are you not happy to see me? Should I head back to campus then?”
Mal slugged him in the shoulder and he stumbled back a step before bowing his head in surrender. Jane shyly stepped forward to offer Mal and Evie her own small hug.
“Here’s to another year finished. Just one more to go.” And more quietly she added, “But not for me.”
Evie gave Jane a sympathetic look and gripped the girl’s elbow affectionately.
“You okay, Jane? You want to talk?”
“Oh… yeah, I’m fine. Thank you, though.”
Jane’s smile was rather convincing, but Mal saw her throat jump when she swallowed hard. Jane was pretty easy pickings for bullies, not the least of which was her own mother, and Mal felt extremely protective towards her, as did Evie.
“So Ben, tell us about uni. You bump nasties with anyone yet?”
Jane shot Mal a very grateful look for the change of subject, to which Mal returned a small wink. Meanwhile, Ben spluttered and blushed, combing a hand through his hair.
“Uh, heh, uh, no I have not ‘bumped nasties’ with anyone, Mal. You think I turned into a frat bro or something?”
“You, a frat bro? That will never happen. But I see what’s going on,” She nudged his elbow with her own. “You’re just saving yourself for someone special, aren’t you?”
Ben’s blush deepened and a sheepish smile crossed his face. He raised his eyes to Mal’s, peering at her through his fringe. She held his gaze, almost challenging him.
“I don’t know, maybe I am.”
From the corner of her eye, Mal saw a shiver run across Evie’s shoulders and her drink slosh dangerously in her hand. Mal frowned and turned to her hurriedly, reaching a hand out.
“Are you okay? Are you cold? I swear it’s like 80 degrees in here.”
“No, I just got a little chill. I’m fine, Mal.” She answered shortly and stepped beyond her reach.
Mal’s eyebrows raised but she gave no retort and slowly pulled her hand back to her side. She had no idea why Evie had suddenly given her the cold shoulder.
Did I do something to upset her?
Mal quickly wracked her brain, going over the last few minutes, but couldn’t think of anything happening. Was it because she had changed the subject away from whatever was bothering Jane? The girl clearly hadn’t wanted to talk, after all.
Mal’s pondering was soon interrupted when a loud voice broke out over the music. They all turned to see Chad Charming holding up his hands.
“If I can have everyone’s attention, I’ve got an exciting announcement. We’re starting up a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven.”
A murmur of excitement surged through the partygoers, mostly from the girls.
“So if any of you want to join the fun, get your asses over here. Especially if any of you want to be a really lucky lady and spend some time with Yours Truly.”
At those words, he caught Evie’s eye and threw her a flirtatious wink. She giggled and waggled her fingers at him. Mal simply rolled her eyes.
“Seven Minutes in Heaven? Really? What is this, middle school?” Mal drawled.
“You won’t play?” Evie pouted, even stomping her foot a little.
“Hell no I won’t play. That’s a hard fucking pass.”
Evie looked over at Ben and Jane questioningly. Jane’s eyes grew wide and she shook her head adamantly while hopping over to try to hide herself behind Mal. Ben was overcome with another sheepish smile.
“No thanks, Evie. Not really my cup of tea.”
“You go ahead,” Mal smirked. “You wore that tiny skirt for just such an occasion, so maybe your douchey lover boy will rock your world.”
At that, Evie flashed Mal an odd look, one that she couldn’t quite read. It was gone from her face so quickly, changing to a determined mask, Mal almost thought she had imagined it.
“Maybe he will. Just you watch.”
With a flick of her long hair, Evie headed toward Chad and the group of players that was forming. Mal drew her head back in confusion, brows furrowed. Why was Evie acting so… weird? It was almost coming across as defiance. Defiant of what though, Mal couldn’t begin to guess.
She watched as Evie sauntered across the room to her boy toy, as Mal thought of him. The absolutely salacious grin she gave him had Mal’s heart squeezing once more. Her friend was way too good at that, and it had nothing to do with being an empath. With reluctance, Mal watched her flatten her palm against Chad’s stomach - too low on his stomach - and lean up to brush her lips against his ear, most likely whispering something just as suggestive as her smile had been. Mal’s hunch was correct, if Chad’s smirk and the wrapping of his arm tightly around Evie’s hips was anything to go by.
Mal’s jaw clenched unconsciously and she attempted to swallow the sudden lump in her throat. She shook her head.
What is it with this guy? What the fuck is the appeal, E?
Chad and Evie weren’t actually dating. Not yet anyway, as Evie would put it. It was only within the last few months that she had started pursuing him. It seemed to Mal that before that, her friend couldn’t care less about Chad. She still couldn’t figure out what exactly had changed her mind. It was no secret that Chad wasn’t one to stick with just one girl. His longest relationship had been two months before he was ready to move on to another, and actually already had without officially breaking up. He was trash, and Evie deserved better.
Much better.
A tapping on her shoulder startled Mal and she finally tore her gaze away from Evie, who was still wrapped around Chad and now facing the rest of the group while they readied the empty bottle to spin.
“Mal? Did you hear me?” Ben asked.
“What? Sorry, no, what’d you say?”
“Do you want to catch up? I’ve got a lot to tell you.”
“Hell yes.”
~ …… ~
Half an hour passed fairly comfortably for Mal. Speaking with Ben in person instead of just over the phone was really enjoyable. Even though she found his life at university to be rather boring (though that was just typical Ben), it was nice to hear about someone’s life outside of this town. It made Mal long for the day she could leave - no, would leave, hopefully with Evie along for the ride.
As Ben rambled on about his dorm mates, Mal’s eyes strayed once more to the Seven Minutes in Heaven crowd. The fourth couple had just gotten back from their seven minutes, and the two looked reasonably flustered and had rather noticeable kiss-swollen lips. It was now Chad’s turn to spin the bottle, and it was basically a given when he cheated and purposefully pointed the bottle at Evie, though no one complained. Well, a few of the girls pouted and glared daggers at Evie, but no one said anything. Chad grabbed her hand and began to lead her up the staircase. Mal’s heart gave an almost painful squeeze and she looked away, sucking in a sharp breath.
Get a grip, Mal. Why do I care so much about this? What the fuck is happening to me?
Mal zoned back in when Ben laughed loudly. Mal hurriedly looked to him and faked her own laugh. However, Ben had noticed and took a quick peek over his shoulder before casting her a soft frown.
“What is it? If you want to go play, I don’t mind. We’ve got all summer to talk.”
Mal was genuinely surprised.
“What? No! No way in hell! I think you’re the one who really wants to play. Gives you an excuse to have some lip action with your girlfriend.”
Ben laughed again and looked once more to the Heaven players, specifically Audrey.
“I don’t know why you think I’ve got the hots for Audrey. I wrote her one love letter when I was ten, Mal. I’m pretty sure she’s into Chad anyway.”
Mal couldn’t hold back a nasty scoff. “Her and fucking everyone else.”
Ben’s brow pinched and he searched her face for a moment. He sat back in his chair and cocked his head quizzically.
“Is this about Evie?”
“What do you mean, is this about Evie?” Mal asked defensively.
“Are you jealous of Chad?”
Mal nearly choked on her spit. “What do you mean, am I jealous of Chad?!”
“I mean because he has so much of Evie’s attention lately. You have to share your best friend with him.”
Mal let out a breath, relieved; she was sure this had been heading in a totally different direction.
“I know you two have been friends longer than any of us, and you’re almost always together. And I know she’s never really expressed a lot of interest in dating anyone, so it must be an adjustment now that she is. You know, now that she doesn’t have as much time for you.”
“God Ben, you make me sound like some clingy controller. I don’t fucking own her. She can do whatever she wants.”
Ben shook his head and reached out to squeeze Mal’s shoulder. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just know that Evie is like… like an emotional crutch for you. Especially when your powers are flaring. Her being an empath is really ideal for you.”
Mal shot him an incredulous glare. “Okay, now you’re making it sound like I’m just using her. What are you -"
“I’m sorry! This isn’t coming out right! I’m trying to say that I’m glad you two have each other. I’ve just realized that there’s a bit of… uh, I guess I’d call it tension, between you guys tonight. You told me a few months ago that she started liking Chad kind of out of nowhere. Like I said, I thought it might be hard for you because you spend almost all your time together, and have for years.”
“Yeah, okay, I get it. We definitely know for sure that you aren’t an empath.”
The two shared a smile, and Ben knew he was forgiven for his blundering.
Mal sighed and wrung her hands. “Yeah. That must be what it is. Seeing them together is… weird? They’re not even officially dating, but she’s making lame excuses so that we can always hang in the same places as he is. Plus, you know Chad’s reputation with girls is… well, bad, to put it nicely. I think I’m worried about her getting hurt. I don’t fucking know, this is all weird.”
“No, Mal,” Ben laughed quietly. “Being worried about your friend is normal.”
Is worried about her all that I am though?
As Mal contemplated on whether or not to confide in Ben, a commotion across the way suddenly drew both of their attention. Evie was flying down the stairs, pushing past people clustered at the bottom, and Chad was right on her heels, with his unbuttoned shirt hanging half way off his shoulders and flapping behind him. Even from the other side of the room, Mal could see the tears staining her friend’s cheeks. Something was very wrong.
“Evie! What the fuck!” Chad shouted.
He reached out to grab Evie by the arm but never got the chance, as Mal’s own hand slapped his away. He pulled back with a pained yell and began swinging his arm around crazily when he noticed the small flame that had caught on his shirt sleeve. After easily extinguishing it, he turned back to meet Mal’s deadly glare with his own. To his credit, he only faltered a bit when he saw the vivid glow of her eyes. Mal held up her hand towards him, small flames still dancing around her palm.
“Back off, Charming.”
By now, their whole friend group was gathered around Evie, and Jay was standing beside Mal, a little in front of her, ready to grab for her if she went for Chad. With his lightning fast reflexes (literally), he could subdue Mal before she could make a move. However, he wasn’t needed, because Chad sneered at them all before straightening his shirt and turning away. Mal didn’t immediately turn away herself, not until she felt Evie gently gripping the front of her jacket.
“Please, can we just go? Please.” She whispered.
“Let’s fucking blow this popsicle stand.”
Mal wrapped a protective arm around her and looked at Jay and Carlos, who nodded and immediately turned to leave, effectively barring the way of anyone else getting close. Then she caught Ben’s and Jane’s eyes.
“Definitely. I’ll take Jane home. Do you need anything?”
Mal sighed. Ben, always the gentleman. Evie wordlessly shook her head but kept her eyes on the ground, so Mal gently led her toward the door and away from all the curious eyes peering at them.
~ …… ~
Evie sat huddled on her bed, Mal’s deep purple leather jacket wrapped snugly around her shoulders. It had been a present from Hades, which meant Mal had immediately wanted to throw it away, but Evie had teasingly told her she looked good in leather, so Mal had pretended she had changed her mind on her own and kept it.
Speaking of Mal, she was currently rummaging through Evie’s mother’s liquor cabinet downstairs, something only done when the woman was out for the night. Evie wanted something to distract herself from what had happened, and Mal was just upset she hadn’t drank more at the party. Grimhilde (or the Evil Queen, as Mal referred to her) usually only kept expensive sherry around, which Mal hated. She would usually joke about how Evie’s mom was basically a pirate.
Evie pulled the jacket tighter around herself and blinked back more tears. She was trying to think about anything else to keep herself distracted; her mind kept trying to wander back to what had happened. She knew the moment Mal was back she would want to talk about it, to know what Chad had done or not done, just like they all had on the car ride back. She had been reluctant to speak to her friends, which made her feel bad, but she didn’t want to talk about it. She couldn’t. It would only end up revealing things about herself she had yet to tell anyone. The boys had been rightfully indignant when she told them everything was fine, she just wanted to go home and sleep, and Mal should drop them off at their own houses. After much arguing, Mal had finally pressured them into agreeing. When she dropped them off at Jay’s foster family’s house, there had been quite a bit of mumbling and grumbling and promises to kill Chad if they needed to.
Mal, on the other hand, absolutely refused to take no for an answer and leave Evie on her own, and basically invited herself over for the night. Evie couldn’t really disagree, the only person she wouldn’t mind being around was Mal. She could never mind being around Mal.
Because Evie was madly in love with her.
She knew how things like this turned out. She had not just seen it, but felt it enough in the halls at school, where unrequited love abounded. Being an empath was not easy. Having to feel what everyone else was feeling was hard and sometimes overwhelming. It was even harder to learn how to tune these feelings out, especially when Evie had no one to teach her how to do so. Her mother had no abilities, so Evie assumed her own came from the father that she had never known.
Besides, Evie was pretty sure that Mal liked Ben. Her hunch had been more solidified at the party, when the two had shared a moment and Evie had nearly given herself away by the involuntary shudder than coursed through her. Ben’s feelings for Mal were palpable, it was like he wore his heart literally on his sleeve, especially to an empath. Mal wasn’t so obvious, but Evie had felt… something.
Evie jumped when Mal crashed through the door.
“Seriously?! Sherry again? You’ve got to suggest something else to your mom, E.”
Mal sighed dramatically as she threw herself on the bed beside Evie. Her complaints didn’t stop her from popping the top of the bottle and tossing back a swig, Evie noticed. She couldn’t help smiling at her antics.
“Were you really expecting something different? My mother is a pirate, remember?”
Mal grunted her agreement and took a deep drink before passing the bottle to Evie with a grimace.
“Good God, it gets worse every time. Remind me to never drink at your house again.”
Evie laughed after taking her own drink. “You say that every time.”
“Yeah, and you never remind me.”
The two settled into silence for a time, easily passing the bottle back and forth until a good third of it was gone. Eventually Mal sat the bottle on the nightstand and sat up, facing the other girl. Evie clenched her jaw; she knew what was coming.
“So,” Mal wrung her hands in her lap, a nervous habit that Evie adored. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
She didn’t meet Mal’s eyes, instead keeping her sight on Mal’s twisting fingers.
“I… Mal, I….” She sucked in a shaky breath before continuing. “I just can’t talk about it.”
She could definitely feel it, but she could also almost hear Mal seething.
“Whatever it was, I’m sure as hell he deserved way more than a little blister on his hand. I told you I didn’t like that motherfucker and now I see I had very fucking good reason for that.”
Evie grabbed Mal’s arms, which were now almost hot to the touch. She leaned down until she caught her eyes and forced her to look at her.
“M, calm down. You’re blowing things out of proportion.”
Mal scowled. “How am I doing that when you won’t even tell me what happened? Am I supposed to assume those were happy tears? That he wasn’t pissed off and trying to put his hands on you?”
“Mal.” Evie scolded.
Mal curled her lip in anger but said nothing else. Evie saw that her canines had sharpened and elongated a bit, as they were wont to do when her dragon blood was running hot. Glancing quickly to her forehead, she also saw the tiny bumps at her temples that meant stubby horns were trying to break free. Mal had never gone full-on dragon yet, but fangs and horns were a sign of how upset she was. Evie rubbed her hands up and down Mal’s arms soothingly, and after a few moments, she felt the tension in the other girl’s muscles lessen. It wasn’t until the bumps had receded and the glow had faded from Mal’s eyes that Evie settled back into her own space.
Mal thrust her hand out toward Evie. “Fine. How about if you just show me what happened?”
Evie frowned, looking to Mal unsurely.
Evie wasn’t only able to read people’s current emotions. With a simple touch, she could also delve into someone’s mind and see memories from their perspective. Likewise, she could project her own memories to other people. However, she couldn’t just dredge up whatever memory she pleased. It had to be at the forefront of their mind already, or something that they wanted her to see. Evie didn’t like using this part of her power much. She felt like it was wrong, like she was invading someone’s personal space against their will.
“No.” She shook her head adamantly, pushing Mal’s hand away. “No, I can’t. Not… not now.”
Mal was silent a moment before bowing her head in agreement. “Alright, fine. I just hope you tell me when you’re ready, E. I’m here for you.”
Evie’s heart fluttered at those words. Mal was such a protector. Sometimes it could be too much, but the majority of the time, it made Evie swoon.
“I know.” She whispered.
Mal kept her eyes locked on her for so long, Evie started to feel rather jittery. Finally, a smirk overcame her pretty lips and she turned back for the bottle of sherry, allowing Evie to take in an uneasy breath.
“Let’s move on to something less dreary. Time to get crunk, as Jay would say.”
~ …… ~
A couple of hours - and an empty bottle - later, the girls were sprawled out side by side on the bed, staring up at the glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the ceiling, their heads swimming pleasantly, the only light filtering in through the window from the streetlight outside. They spoke about everything and nothing, mundane details of their lives, and whether or not they thought Ben actually had hooked up with someone at uni. Evie appreciated Mal’s attempts to distract her and keep her spirits high. They were currently discussing Jane’s very obvious crush on Carlos and if they should gently encourage her to tell him.
“I don’t know if Jane could even get through that conversation alive.” Mal laughed, her words just slightly slurred.
“C’mon, Jane has come a long way since you took her under your wing.”
“Under my wing? Wasn’t it you who said, oh look at that poor creature over there, we need to be her friend? I distinctly remember -"
“Okay, I didn’t say it like that -"
“I distinctly remember it. You are Jane’s adoptive mother, not me.”
They shared a bout of drunken laughter for several minutes before Evie grew more serious.
“I guess so. I just wish things were better with her actual mother.”
“Pfft, you’re one to talk. When was the last time you had a conversation with your mom where she wasn’t shoving her ideals down your throat?”
Evie raised herself up on her elbow, peering down at Mal. “Oh really? This coming from Little Miss Daddy Issues herself? Weren’t you just talking earlier about everyone assuming you’re following in your father’s footsteps?”
Mal shrugged and made a noncommittal grunt. She began to wring her hands again, but Evie clumsily wrapped her free hand around them.
“God, is Ben the only one of our friend group who doesn’t have parental problems?”
Evie’s mood sank slightly.
Ben again.
She wanted to just outright ask Mal if she had feelings for Ben. But that would be selfish. She only wanted to know because of her own feelings she harbored. As if she had some kind of chance with Mal. She hadn’t even come out to anyone yet. Would her friends even be okay with it? Would Mal?
“Hey, you alright?” Mal bumped her shoulder. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to like, make things all depressing.”
“You didn’t. I… was just thinking about….”
Telling you. Kissing you.
Evie shook her head, trying to toss those thoughts away.
“About?” Mal prompted.
“Um… how I want to see Titanic again. Can we go next weekend? Please, M?”
Mal let out an exasperated groan, flopping melodramatically in the process. Evie used it as an excuse to wrap her arm around Mal’s middle and bury her face in her neck, one of her usual begging tactics.
“Oh my God, really? Again? I cannot believe that stupid movie is still in theaters. I don’t know how many more times I can sit through five hours of the worst love story ever told.”
Evie snorted, amused. “It’s not five hours.”
“Fucking close enough! What is with you and that movie?”
“It’s so sweet. And sad. And so romantic! Don’t you want a love story like that?”
Evie peeked around Mal’s chin to catch her expression. She knew it was a rather loaded question, but she didn’t really think Mal would catch on. She pulled a face that made Evie giggle quietly.
“I guess. I really can’t see myself being so mushy and stupid with… you know, just anyone. It’d have to be someone really special.”
Evie couldn’t help but notice how Mal’s words now mirrored her words to Ben earlier.
“You’re just saving yourself for someone special, aren’t you?”
So maybe Mal had been hinting that Ben was that special someone? Ben had been more than hinting that Mal was his special someone with his answer, not that Evie was sure if Mal had realized. It took a moment for Evie to realize Mal was speaking to her again.
“E? Am I right?”
“Huh? About what?”
“About how there’s no doubt that you totally want a love story like that.”
Evie kept her face close to Mal’s neck, hiding so she could rapidly blink back the tears in her eyes. She swallowed thickly before she answered in a whisper.
“Yeah. I definitely do. But it won’t happen with Chad. Not now.”
Mal hummed, taking a moment to finally wrap her arm around Evie’s shoulders, drawing her closer. It could’ve broken Evie’s heart; the other girl had no idea what the action did to her.
“Well….”
Mal paused so long Evie wondered if she was even going to continue. When she did, her voice had taken on a much more sober tone.
“Maybe you could have it with someone else.”
Evie’s heart spiked so sharply she almost jumped. Mal wasn’t saying… no, surely not. Evie fought to keep her voice steady when she answered.
“What are you saying?”
Mal pulled back to look her in the eyes, and Evie prayed that her expression wasn’t betraying her trepidation.
“Maybe you could find a great guy if we run away.”
Evie’s hope deflated so quickly it almost physically hurt. She should have known. The nervousness she felt from Mal just had to do with bringing up this subject again. Mal must have read the sudden slump of her shoulders differently, because she shook her head.
“No, please, hear me out. I know you’re reluctant, I get it. I mean, our whole lives are here. It won’t be easy to just up and leave, at least maybe for you, but I’m… God, I’m dying here, E.”
Mal’s voice broke and Evie could see tears glinting in her eyes. Despite her clenching heart, she reached up and cupped Mal’s cheek in her hand, her thumb gently gliding across soft skin.
“I really don’t want to leave without you, but I don’t know how much longer I can stay here. I’m tired of being a black sheep.”
Several tears slipped down her cheek, but Evie deftly brushed them away.
“M, I know, but… but I don’t know. I don’t know if I can - I mean, I just need some time to think. Please Mal, give me a little more time -"
“Yeah, of course,” Mal shook her head, bringing her hand up to Evie’s and taking her fingers away from her face to hold them in her own. “God, yeah, of course. I didn’t mean to push you, I don’t want to push you into this. I’ll wait for you, Evie. Ugh, I didn’t mean to cry either.”
She laughed, causing a few more tears to fall.
“Fuck, I hate getting emotional. It’s just the booze, don’t judge.”
Evie gently knocked her forehead to Mal’s. “I would never judge you, Mal.”
“Yeah, I know. I’d never judge you either.”
I’ll hold you to that, Mal.
She let go of Evie’s hand in order to wipe the last of her tears away. After a couple more sniffles, she looked over at Evie bashfully.
“I’m sorry I upset you earlier.”
“Upset me?” Evie questioned.
“Well, yeah. At the party, you were sort of standoffish for a bit. Is it because I wouldn’t play Seven Minutes in Heaven? Or did I do something wrong?”
Evie didn’t quite know what Mal was talking about. Though now that she thought about it, she had been quick to brush off Mal’s concern for her. She might have also been just a little pissed when Mal insinuated what she would do with Chad. She hated keeping up appearances.
“No, you didn’t upset me. You could never upset me.”
Mal scoffed playfully. “Uh, I can think of plenty of times I’ve done just that, actually.”
Evie smiled ruefully; those things were superficial. Mal turned over then and drew Evie close to her again with a yawn.
“Hey, as much as I love talking to you - no seriously, like I could definitely talk to you all fucking night, but I’m sooo sleepy. Your mom’s sherry is knocking me out over here.”
Mal laughed drunkenly, the alcohol very evident in her voice.
“And I’m going to have a hella bad headache in the morning also courtesy of your mom’s sherry. Sleep?”
Evie smiled faintly. “Sleep.”
“Okay, cool. Love you, g’night.”
Evie laid awake in Mal’s arms for a long time, until her friend’s breathing turned steady and deep and peaceful, then she finally allowed her own tears to come, quietly slipping down her nose to drop onto Mal’s shirt.
I love you too. So much.