Chapter Forty-Three: Progressing Relationships

“She looks like she’s dead,” I heard someone whisper. I didn’t feel like moving and snapping at the person, due to my sleepy state.

“I would say she’s dead, but she has a little bit of drool on the corner of her mouth.” I heard the one person who would insult me no matter the state I am in.

I let out a groan, rolling over to my side. “Go away,” I muttered into my pillow.

“It’s one in the afternoon, Alice.” Thomas said, yanking the covers off me. “I think it is time to get up.”

I let out a tired sigh, sitting up from my bed and rubbing my tired eyes. “It might be one in the afternoon but it gives you no right to wake me up.” I then turned to the other person next to Thomas. “Ben? What are you doing here?” I asked, confused. We made no plans together and it was weird for him to show up without a purpose.

“I was thinking of having an Alice and Ben Day. You know because you are always spending time with Gavin I kind of wanted to spend some time with you.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

I nodded my head, “Yeah. Sure, that would be fine. Just give me ten minutes and I will meet you downstairs for breakfast.” I said, throwing my legs over the side of my bed and getting up.

“Don’t you mean lunch?” Thomas asked.

I rolled my eyes not bothering to respond to my little brother, walking towards the bathroom. Ben was one of the only people who I felt comfortable letting me see me in my early troll like state.

Once I was finished with the bathroom, I headed straight to my closet to change out of my shorts and t-shirt that I slept in. I quickly changed into a pair of black and white tights and a light white sweater, it was almost the end of April and even though the weather was beginning to warm up. I still liked wearing sweaters no matter the season.

Once I was done changing I headed for the stairs making my way towards the kitchen for breakfast. It was Saturday and that meant it was grocery day for Marco, so I would have to fend for making myself breakfast this morning.

Usually when Marco wasn’t around another kitchen staff would make my meal, yeah you probably think I am spoiled and everything but it wasn’t that I didn’t know how to make myself meals, I did. It’s just that my mom didn’t really like me to use the kitchen after the food fight I had at school.

She thought that I would lose my temper or something. However, when I assured her I didn’t have any anger management issues she allowed me to use the kitchen if I had a responsible adult with me.

“Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to make us lunch?” I heard my annoying brother’s voice say.

“I am making myself breakfast. You can wait for Marco to come home and then he can satisfy your hunger for food.” I said, opening the cabinets and grabbing a bowl.

“But, I’m hungry.”

“Thomas, you ate an hour ago.” Ben said, looking at my brother with wide eyes.

“You’ve been here for an hour? Why didn’t you wake me up?” I asked, feeling a little bit bad for leaving him in the company of Thomas for such a while.

“I’ve actually been here for two. I watched Thomas here, have breakfast then what he likes to call his ‘after breakfast meal.’”

I snorted, “Even Ben knows what a pig you are.”

“At least I don’t have anger management issues.” Thomas said, swinging off his char and walking out of the kitchen with his head held high.

I resisted the urge to shout something insulting to my brother as he walked out of the kitchen with a smile on his face. I turned to Ben who was looking at me amused, “I am sorry. But, next time do us both a favor and wake me up?”

Ben nodded his head, causing his bangs to fall in his eyes. “Noted,” He said, removing his hair away from his eyes.

“And also get a haircut, you are starting to look like Harry Styles.” I said, shuddering ever so slightly.

“Please, I am way better looking than that British singer.”

“I might not be a one direction fan, but I am sorry dude’s got you beat.” I said, letting out a chuckle.

“Well at least Holly thinks so.” Ben grumbled, to himself.

My ears perked up at the sound of Holly’s name. “You talk to Holly?”

Ben shrugged, as if it was no big deal. “Occasionally.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, curious.

“You never asked.”

I stayed quiet for a few minutes. “What else do you guys talk about?”

“Food, school, our relationship, sometimes we even talk about current events. I know call us old and everything-"

“Wait,” I said, cutting Ben off. “You talk about your relationship? That’s a good thing! Maybe you guys will even get back together.”

“I am not getting back with her. Even though our friend relationship is progressing that doesn’t mean I am getting back together with her. After all, she slept with Gavin.”

I rolled my eyes, “How do you know she slept with him? Did you see them?”

“No, but-"

“But nothing!” I said, cutting him off for a second time. “You can’t believe what people tell you unless you really hear it from the source itself.”

“Alright mom,” He said, rolling his eyes. “So how is your progressing relationship with the bastard going?”

I shook my head, “He is not a that. He is actually a sweet guy and you would know if you guys got along.”

Ben let out a bark of laughter, “Yeah. Not happening.”

“Fine. But, for your information it’s actually going pretty well. I really like him,” I said, my lips twitching upwards.

“Well I am happy for you,” Ben said, honestly. “If he treats you well then I am glad.”

“Thanks, Ben. For everything, it really does mean a lot.”

“Don’t mention it. You guys suit a lot better than you and I would have.”

I smiled, “So what do you have planned? Because I doubt you want to hear me talk all day about Gavin.”

“Well there is this new café that opened up a few months ago. I have been meaning to try it, but I never got around to doing it. Would you want to go with me?”

“Didn’t you already eat breakfast?”

He shook his head, “I was planning to but after I saw your brother eating. I kind of lost my appetite.”

I let out a snort, “He eats like a vacuum.”

“A very messy vacuum,” Ben chuckled, agreeing with me.

“Just a tip. Don’t get in the middle of him and a plate of food, it always ends up badly. For the other person.”

Ben nodded his head, furiously. “Noted.” He said, a scared look in his eyes.

Too bad no one was there to warn me

I thought tracing the scar I had on my arm after the last incident with Thomas and a scorching hot plate of food. The thought still clear in my mind even after all these years.  

*

I watched silently as Ben sipped his coffee, looking around the room with a thoughtful expression plastered on his face. I wasn’t going to lie, it was hard reading Ben. Because he was always so secretive, maybe that is what drew Holy towards him in the first place. He was a mysterious guy.

We’ve been at the café for just about over an hour. And I was having a great time, we talked about a whole bunch of things. I even laughed so hard that I snorted, I was glad because I never really got to bond with Ben and I was pleased that I did.

He and Holly suited each other and I couldn’t wait to tell her.

I was interrupted by my thoughts when I felt buzzing coming from my left pocket. I scrunched up my nose, as I pulled out my phone. I always made a weird face when I was confused, don’t know why I just do.

“Hello?” I answered unsurely, Ben just raised his eyebrows at me.

“I see you.” The person on the other end replied. I knitted my eyebrows in confusion pulling my phone away from my ear for a brief second to notice it was Gavin who called me.

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah that’s not creepy at all.”

“Why are you with him?” Gavin asked, once more.

“Why are you spying?” I questioned, “Where are you anyways?” I said, looking around the room for a sign of the brown haired bad boy who had a constant habit of appearing in my in my life.

“Look out the window.” He replied, as I turned my head slowly. Noticing Gavin leaning against his rusty red pickup truck that was parked out in the lot.

“So my next question is probably one you already know. What the heck are you doing here?” Ben just looked at me in confusion as I mouthed an apology.

I gave him the sign of one minute and he nodded his head. But, I didn’t miss the hurt look he had that flashed in his eyes for a brief second. I felt like the biggest jerk.

I got up from my seat, hanging up the phone with Gavin. Heading straight out the door and towards the pickup truck where Gavin now had a neutral expression instead of the annoyed one he had before.

“Usually when you hang up the phone the person should say bye before they end the call.” He drawled at me, rolling his brown eyes.

“I wouldn’t have to do that if you didn’t interrupt Ben and I’s-“

“Date?” He said, finishing a sentence that I wasn’t going to say.

“No. Outing.” I replied.

He raised his eyebrows at me, “Outing? Who the hell says outing? What are you fifty?”

I just rubbed my forehead, trying to ignore everything that was coming out of his mouth.

“Before, I spaz at you. Answer this, why are you here?”

“I was doing a few errands and was going for a quick coffee run. I didn’t expect to see you and Mr. Perfect to be here.” He said, scowling.

“What are you jealous?” I said, guessing.

“No,” He said, letting out an unattractive snort. “If anyone should be jealous it should be Ben. I had dibs on you first,” He said, waving his hand at me dismissively.

“Had dibs on me? What am I the last piece of a pizza slice? I am a human being, you can’t just call dibs on me.” I said, a little annoyed.

Gavin just rolled his eyes, turning around. “Whatever. I am just going to let you two be. This is not worth it,” He said, shaking his head.

I grabbed his arm, before he could move any further. “Are you saying I am not worth it?” I asked, a little hurt by his comment. “G-Gavin… Do you possibly have feelings for me?” I whispered.

“No.” He blurted out, “Why would I have feelings for you.”

I swallowed the spit that was lodged in my throat, a numbness feeling overtaking my whole body. “I-I just thought you would after our dates and you holding my hand and saying all these sweet things about me.” I said, shaking my head. “I was so stupid,” I muttered under my breath, turning around and walking away.

I closed my eyes for a brief second to contain the tears threatening to spill. I know it was stupid to cry over a guy, I used to laugh at girls in books who did that. But, the feeling you have is the worst feeling anyone could possibly have. Rejection.

I sniffled, walking closer to the café. “Wait! Ali!” I heard Gavin’s voice call me back, as I heard the sound of his feet hitting the pavement as he drew closer towards me.

He grabbed my arm, spinning me around so that I would face him. “I didn’t mean that. Honest to God, sometimes I just say stupid things because I am stupid. But, in particular I am stupid about you.” He whispered, grabbing my hand in his and taking his other hand to tilt my chin up to look him in the eyes.

I pulled my hand back from his grasp, “You can’t just hurt me then say some cheesy thing in order to get me to forgive you.”

“But, I thought all girls like cheesy.” He said, protesting.

“Gavin, believe me when I say I am not like any other girl.”

“And Ali, I am not like any other guy. I carry a lot of baggage, but what is different with me is that I am willing to share that with you.” He said, a sincere look in his eyes. “I am sorry, but I do crazy and stupid things because, Ali your more than just an annoying nerd to me, you are my annoying nerd.”

“What are you saying?” I said, looking in his eyes for the right answer.

“I am saying, stay on this crazy train for a while longer and see where it takes you.” He said, a smirk on his face. “Because as long as you are on that train, I would go to the moon and back with you.”

I let out a chuckle, “A train can’t take you to the moon.”

“And that is why you are my nerd.” He said, holding out his arms for me.

I ran into his arms eagerly as I wrapped my arms around his torso. “I am not a nerd. I just have more common sense then you do.” I said, jokingly.

I could imagine him rolling his eyes. “Yeah, whatever.” He muttered, as I felt his chin rest on the top of my head. We stayed wrapped in each other’s arms for a few more minutes when Gavin decided to finally break the comfortable silence.

“Hey Ali?” He said, “You don’t plan on going anywhere in the next month, do you?”

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion, “No. Why?”

“Because I want to take my girlfriend to prom.” He said, amusement clear in his voice.

“I don’t remember agreeing to be your girlfriend.” I said, sarcastically.

“Not yet,” He said, pulling away from me and looking me in the eyes. “But, you will. They always do.”

*****

Hello Lovelies,

It is short, I am aware and it is filled with cheesiness isn’t it? So you got to know more about Ben and Holly’s relationship… What do you think is going on? *wink wink also will Ali and Gavin end up going to prom? Will the end up dating? When will Ali reveal to Gavin who she really is? A lot is still left unanswered… So stay tuned!

I have submitted this to the Watty’s for 2014 and if you guys can vote, comment, share with your friends it will be greatly appreciated because I want to win more than anything and the only way is with my lovely fans! So please support me and I may start updating a lot faster, if you know what I mean! *wink wink

So the last part is kind of personal for me. A lot of you message me wanting to know a bit more about me and I do write some personal encounters with some certain people but I just never tell you all about it. Until now, the whole prom scenario with Gavin and Ali happened to me. A guy told me don’t go anywhere next year Kade, and I am like why? Cause I want to take you to prom… I did what any normal teenage girl would do. I ran… because I was not planning on going to Prom…

This is dedicated to @tanushah for the lovely banner on the side or top! 

Please remember to support me in #Wattys2014: Vote, Comment, Share and Fan!

Thanks,

Xoxo_mysteriousgirl