~𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑒 16, 2021~

I woke up to my phone exploding with messages. I quickly picked it up and saw that Benny had added me to that group chat. Geez, am I gonna have to mute them right away?

*Benny added Natalie to the group*

Benny
"Hey, Nat."

Natalie
"Hey, why are you guys spamming this so early in the morning? I'm about to mute you."

Squints
"It was Benny's idea, don't blame us."

Benny
"You guys said it was okay! I never asked you to blow up her phone!"

Natalie
"Chill, is there something you guys need?"

Benny
"Oh, yeah, we were wondering if you wanted to come to a camp out with us tonight?"

Natalie
"Just for fun?"

Benny
"Yeah, pretty much."

Natalie
"Sure, what time should I be ready?"

Benny
"6 pm. I'll pick you up."

Squints
"Ohhhh, Benny's picking up his girlfrienddddd."

Yeah-Yeah
"Yeah, yeah, don't get too frisky tonight ;)."

Benny
"Gosh, shut up, please? Natalie, ignore them."

Natalie
"I will lol. See you guys later."

Benny
"Yeah, see you later."

Squints
"Benny, don't let your girlfriend leave!"

Yeah-Yeah
"Yeah, yeah, she's gonna be lonely!"

Benny
"Shut up! She'll be fine right, Nat?"

Natalie
"Um, sure? I'll see you guys later, byeeeee."

I then set my phone back on my nightstand and rolled my eyes. They're so stupid sometimes.

••••

After taking a quick shower, I packed some things I might need and just relaxed on my bed. My eyes kept glancing at the time as it seemed to be going slower than ever. Ugh, why can't time just speed up quickly? I wanna see Benny.

"Natalieeeeee!" Ralph's voice trailed on in the hallway.

"Yeah?" I questioned.

"Where's Mom?" He asked while creaking my door open.

My shoulders shrugged. "I don't know, call her."

"My phone's dead. I need to use yours."

"No. Just charge it, genius." I sassed.

"I don't wanna." He whined. "Please?"

My head shook. "No, you have a charger. It takes a few minutes to charge."

His eyes rolled. "You're no fun."

I shrugged again and went back to my business. His footsteps trailed away from my room, but he left my door wide open. Typical.

"Close my door!" I shouted.

"Then let me call Mom!" He shouted back.

My eyes rolled. "Gosh, okay!"

He then sprinted into my room, grabbed my phone out of my hands, and ran back out.

"Hey!" I shouted while chasing after him. "Ralph, I never said you could run away with it!"

He slammed his door on my face, turned the lock, and started doing whatever while I desperately banged on the door. He snickered mischievously and I heard him clicking around.

"Ohhh, I see you've been texting that Benny kid." I could feel his devilish smile through the door.

"We're just friends!" I banged on the door again. "Ralph, please!"

"One second!" He yelled.

Oh, gosh, what is he gonna do?

B E N N Y
point of view.

My phone rang loudly as I quickly picked it up, my heart skipping a beat when I saw it was from Natalie.

"Hello?" I piped up.

"Hey." Ralph's voice echoed from the other end.

Damn it.

"Oh, um, hi?" I was so confused. "Where's Natalie?"

"Ralph, I swear I'm gonna slit your throat in your sleep if you don't open up right now!" I heard Natalie's angry voice muffled in the distance.

I heard him snicker. "She's not here right now."

"Oh...I thought I heard her voice." I muttered.

"Open the damn door!" Her fist banged loudly on something.

"Shush, I'm talking to your boyfriend!" He laughed.

My eyes widened. Boyfriend?

"Benny, don't you dare listen to a word he says!" She shouted desperately.

She never denied that I wasn't her boyfriend...no, shut up, Benny! Idiot...

"Um...you should probably give Natalie her phone back..." I mumbled quietly, trying not to sound rude.

"No, she'll be fine." He shrugged. "Anyways, how's your relationship going?"

My shoulders shrugged awkwardly. "I-I don't know..."

"Ralph, I will punch a hole through the door!" Natalie threatened.

I then heard his door burst open and their muffled voices screaming at each other. I swear I even heard it from my house. The phone shuffled around aggressively until it was finally back to someone's ear.

"I'm so sorry about that." Natalie sighed while shutting a door behind her. "He's so annoying!" She then yelled loud enough for him to hear.

"You're more annoying!" He shouted angrily back at her.

I could feel her eyes roll through the phone. "Anyways, how are you?"

"Um, I'm good..." I nodded slowly.

"You sound hesitant..." She sighed. "Did I scare you? I promise I would never actually do anything like that."

I chuckled lightly. "No, you're fine, I'm just pretty tired today."

"Oh, are you gonna skip the campout?" Her voice dropped into sadness.

And miss the chance of seeing you? Not a chance.

"No, I'm coming, I've just been doing chores all day," I explained.

"Ah," She clicked her tongue. "That sucks. Hopefully, tonight will be fun."

I smiled. "Hopefully."

"Well, I'll see you later, alright? Don't sleep through it." She chuckled.

I laughed. "I'll try my hardest."

She let out one more bubble of laughter before saying goodbye. I said it back and heard her hang up. Hopefully, the boys don't act like idiots tonight...

••••

PLEASE I'VE WRITTEN SO MANY CHAPTERS FOR THIS LMAO IT'S SO ADDICTING NOW I CAN'T STOPPP. have a great day, luvs💕
~Olivia🧸🤍

{3/26/21}