a song (for you) // Ben Gross x OC

1 ~ hated

"I think I like the way you hate me sometimes"

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Jezalyn Gomez was a 16 year old Sophomore who's family lived in Sherman Oaks, California.

She was in her room, getting ready for a party that her brother, Carlos, decided to throw on the last Sunday before school began.

She looked out her window and spotted her pasty neighbor lounging in the pool by his lonesome; Benjamin Gross.

Ben didn't really like the Gomez's, though she had no clue why. She's always been kind and tried to converse with him over their backyard gates. He had barely spoken to her in the 2 years she'd lived in the home.

Her mom had married a rich white man who created some company blah blah blah, didn't matter. Point is, they live in Sherman Oaks, California, next door to Ben Gross. In an insanely huge mansion! It was the dream.

Or, was it?

Jezalyn and her brother Carlos were often left alone in their giant house for weeks on end, with only each other to keep company.

Jezalyn loved her brother, but he was her only real friend. And she was tired of that.

It was always about what Carlos wanted them to do. Carlos was the second most popular (and possibly hottest) student at Sherman Oaks High. His social standing elevated Jezalyn's own so high, she didn't need to lift a finger to be treated like royalty. To be honest, Jezalyn herself was not the coolest.

But Carlos never understood that he was part of why Jezalyn didn't have any real friends. Yeah, she could talk about outfits with Zoe and Instagram models with Shira, but that didn't mean anything to her.

The closest thing she had was a brief acquaintanceship with Paxton Hall-Yoshida's sister, Rebecca, after Jezalyn had tried to leave a spin the bottle game happening in Paxton's room.

She craved something more, something stronger. Jezalyn Gomez wanted someone she could text about a funny joke she heard watching Saturday Night Live every week, or someone she could hug after she kills a choir solo.

But tonight, she had to suck it up, because Carlos was throwing his end of summer party, and she had to finish curling her hair.

~

Later that night....

Ben Gross was playing a video game, when he was rudely interrupted by the sound of loud music coming from next door.

Jezalyn Gomez
was the bane of Ben Gross' existence. He loathed her since the day her family purchased the land next to his, and built their mansion that was just 5sqr ft larger than his family's mansion. Their pool was even a foot deeper than the Gross'!

But that wasn't why he hated Jezalyn. No, Ben hated Jezalyn because of how unattainable she was. How obviously out of her league she made him feel. He hated her because she had guys like Paxton Hall Yoshida at her parties.

If it wasn't for Ben's girlfriend Shira, nobody would even show up at his parties, especially not the hot and popular kids.

That's why Ben was thinking about how much he hated Jezalyn, actually. She was throwing a party, and she didn't even invite him. Again.

~

Hours passed and the party was still going strong at 11pm. God damn it. Can't they keep it down?, the grandpa hidden inside of this 15 year old's body thought to himself before angrily standing up, throwing on a pair of Gucci slippers, and marching down to the his neighbor's house.

The boy knocked loudly on the large door, impatiently tapping his foot. Jezalyn's older brother, Carlos, also known as Paxton's best friend, opened the door and looked Ben up and down. He lifted his head slightly as he asked "What do you want, Gross? You know you're never invited to these things."

Alright, maybe Ben also hated Carlos. No, he really hated Carlos.

Suddenly, a gorgeous figure appeared behind Carlos and approached the door.

There she was.

Jezalyn Gomez, with her hair flowing in waves past her shoulders and a short plaid dress sticking to her body.

Ben stared at her briefly before coughing and shaking off his gaze at both her face and at her chest. "It is a Sunday night. Can you guys at least keep it down? School starts tomorrow, y'know?"

Carlos laughed at Ben and went to close the door before Jezalyn blocked him, pulling on her brother's shoulder to signal for him to leave. Carlos rolled his eyes and turned back into the house.

"Sorry about him, he's just a dick for some reason," she shrugged and shut the door behind her, crossing her arms and struggling to warm up.

"Damn, it's cold out here. Sorry you had to come over," Jezalyn sighed, shaking her head. "This was totally my fault."

Ben agreed, and was about to share that with her, when she interrupted him.

"My stupid brother invited all these kids to our house since my parents went off on another cruise for the next month. He wanted to celebrate the 'end of summer,' or whatever," she said using air quotes, looking seriously upset.

Ben stayed quiet, his eyes darting to the ground when she explained where her parents were. "I hate saying no to him. He's always making sure I'm safe and that nobody picks on me. I feel like I owe him, sometimes" she let a tear brief fall before wiping it away. "S-sorry. I just, wanted to apologize to you and got a little carried away." The girl shook her head and looked at Ben sympathetically.

"It's fine," he said, pulling back the angry persona he had thrown on before, "You're a good sister. And it's okay, I'm just really tired from hanging out with my dad's friend, Billy Crystal." He replied, obviously trying to impress her for some reason.

Jezalyn laughed knowingly and smiled at Ben, "Yeah, hanging with Uncle Billy does take a lot out of you," his smile fell immediately, "Oh wait, I think Shira's here, did you want to say hi to her? I totally thought she'd be bringing you!"

Ben sighed and thought about his hot girlfriend who didn't even tell him about Carlos' party. Who didn't really tell him about anything. "No, I told her she could have a girls night. We needed a night off from having sex all the time," he tried to convince her.

She smirked and nodded, allowing him to believe she believed that. "You know you just reminded me that school starts tomorrow? I seriously need to sleep, but this party is not ending any time soon." She frowned.

Ben Gross wasn't sure what was going on. He had known that Jezalyn was attractive, I mean, he had eyes. He also thought she was the worst. Why did he even think that?

Come to think of it, Ben had never had a proper conversation with her. And that was definitely due to Carlos, and his protective and threatening nature. Maybe his hatred was misdirected?

"You can spend the night at my place" Ben blurts out and freezes, terrified to receive any response from the exhausted girl.

"Wait, seriously? Your parents won't mind?" She asked curiously, but a bit concerned.

Ben shook his head "oh they're not even home tonight, my dad's working and my mom is at a yoga retreat for mother's with only one child. Plus, they wouldn't care."

Jezalyn nodded knowingly and decided to follow the boy towards his place, smiling softly to herself. Hey, maybe she was going to be able to make a friend this time. One that wasn't just her brother's friends who have to like her. A real one.

"Nice slippers," she giggled and he smiled as he heard her sweet laugh. 

~~~~~

Author's note
End of chapter 1!!! I hope you're enjoying!! I really love Jezalyn and totally hate Carlos right now!! I'm hoping to figure out these dynamics more and show you all he's not the worst guy!! Also Ben <3333 he's so screwed LOL ! Make sure to vote and comment nice things !