𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

nineteen

Benjamin spent the next week taking care of Noah after his surgery. Luckily, he didn't start his new job for a few more weeks and had enough time. Benjamin grabs Noah's prescribed pills, placing two in his hands and walking them over to Noah.

"What do these do?" Benjamin sits next to Noah on his couch, handing him his pills.

Noah grabs them, placing both pills in his mouth and swallowing them down with a soda. "Uh. Fights infections."

Benjamin nods and looks down at Noah's knee which was wrapped up as they had just changed the dressing. "Are you in any pain?'

Noah shakes his head. "Nah, it's good."

Benjamin nods and anxiously wipes his hands down onto his pants. "Okay...," He looks around at Noah's apartment and stands up. "I'm gonna clean up."

Noah nods, "You sure? You can clean later, babe. The food is gonna be here soon, I don't mind it being a little mess-."

"I'm just gonna clean up, okay?"

Noah nods again and crosses his arms. He noticed how anxious Benjamin has seemed to get when he was around a mess. He wouldn't allow himself to sit still until he cleaned up the area he was around.

**
Anna closes the bedroom door to Jade's room after saying goodnight to her. She goes into her and Damien's shared bedroom and gets into bed.

"Jade was wondering if you'd reach out to Benjamin."

Damien sits up on the bed and shrugs. "What? Why? For what?"

"Her birthday. She's upset about Anthony not being able to make it out to see her...And she only has two close friends. Plus, they have a great bond and she says she needs to talk to him."

Damien rolls his eyes. "You can try calling him. He never answers my calls."

"I think it would be good for her, babe. And he'll be able to actually meet and bond with Nessa. He's only seen her once."

"I said okay. If he's okay with it. For Jade."

Anna smiles and nods. "Okay. I'm gonna call."

**

Benjamin sits up and grabs his phone, furrowing his brows. Noah sits up as well, pausing their TV show and looking over at him. "What's up? Who's callin'?"

Benjamin turns his phone toward Noah. "It's Anna." He puts the phone up to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, Benjamin. How're you doing?"

Benjamin shakes his head. "Uhm, I'm doing good. How about yourself?"

"I'm doing good. I was just wondering if you were free tomorrow?"

"Uh, tomorrow? Why, what's tomorrow?"

"Jade is having a small get-together for her birthday and she was wondering if you'd just swing by and say hey. She's really upset because Anthony is away and can't make it."

Benjamin sighs. "Oh. I-I'll have to check my schedule and see if I'm available."

"Okay. Just let me know."

"Sure. Talk to you soon." Benjamin hangs up the phone and shakes his head, leaning back down against the pillows.

Noah looks down at him, reaching down to move his hair out of his face. "What'd she want?"

Benjamin shrugs. "Jades having a birthday tomorrow. They want me to come."

"Ew. Why the fuc-."

"Jade wants me to come."

"And?"

Benjamin grabs Noah's hands. "Hey. Don't be like that."

"What? Your dad hasn't even spoken to you since when? And now all of a sudden he wants you to come to his house? Not to mention, Anna called you, not him."

"I understand, babe. I just-... When I used to stay the night Jade was telling me she thinks she's bi, and what if she came out?"

Noah shrugs and leans back. "So?"

"So what if he's treating her like he treated me?"

"You don't think Anna would know?'

Benjamin turns in bed and shakes his head. "My mom didn't know until I was 17. He made sure I didn't say anything. What if he's hurting her?"

Noah frowns and grabs Benjamin's hand. "You think so?"

"I'm not sure. I just wanna make sure she's safe. I could...Stick around for an hour and then talk to her, you know?"

Noah smiles and nods his head. "Sure. I'll tag along with you if it'll make you more comfortable."

"It would. Thank you."

Noah smiles and grabs Benjamin's face, leaning in to kiss him. "Of course." Noah lays back down and hums. "Does he still hate me?"

Benjamin shrugs his shoulders. "Does he still hate me?"

Noah chuckles. "I guess we'll find out."

*
Benjamin sets the straightener down and shakes his head. He had his phone pressed against his ear as he was talking to Gabi.

"But seriously? You haven't seen your dad in years I thought."

"I know. I just wanna make sure Jade is okay, you know."

"I know. Just please be safe, Benny."

Benjamin nods his head. "I will...I will. I'm sorry I haven't been at the place lately. Noah's just been needing the help since his surgery."

"That's fine, love. How is he?"

"He's good. Just uncomfortable. The nurses gave him a cane to walk with for these two weeks but he won't use it. Says it makes him look like an old man."!

Gabi laughs at that. "He better bring while you guys are there."

Benjamin smiles and shakes his head. "He needs to. He's limping around. I'll just...Bring it in the car."

"So. Did you buy a gift for the kid?"

"Stop being passive, Gabs. We went out this morning and bought her a skateboard since she's been talking about one."

"Sorry, sorry. Ugh, your dad just makes me upset."

"Trust me. I understand." Benjamin finally feels satisfied with his hair and turns off his straightener. "Still don't know what to wear. I wanna avoid the whole 'you're a boy dress like one' talk."

Gabi frowns and shakes her head. "Fuck him."

"Maybe I'll wear one of Noah's hoodies. I don't know...I haven't been around him but I doubt his views have changed."

"I'm sorry, Ben. I wish you didn't have to cover up like that."

Benjamin shrugs. "It's okay."

Noah appears in the bathroom. "Hey. We should start getting ready. Can I drive?"

Benjamin looks up at Noah and rolls his eyes. "No. I've already told you. The doctor said no driving for another week. Now go get dressed."

Noah groans and turns around. "I'm miserable."

**