"Nobody knows who I really am
I never felt this empty before
And if I ever need someone to come along
Who's gonna comfort me and keep me strong?"
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After school ends, Jez and Ben headed back to the Gross mansion in Ben's car. The ride was silent, but neither minded. Jez was just glad she didn't have to face Carlos after what she said to him. And Ben? Ben was just happy to have company, even if she was being quiet.
The two sat down in the living room and tossed their backpacks on the floor. Jez glanced at Ben, trying to think of something to say that can break the silence.
"So!" Ben said nervously, "How was your first day back?" He immediately realized the mistake he made and buried his head in his hands. "I am so sorr-"
Jez couldn't help but to let out a small laugh. "Don't apologize. Besides, I was bound to make a scene eventually." She settled down and giggled looking up at him.
"Why do you say that?" He looks at her confused by her words.
She paused, looking back at her feet before meeting his gaze. "Well, okay. I guess I haven't really told anyone this before, but I'm not cool. " She let out a deep breath and braced herself for judgement. "Like, Carlos is cool. He's super fun to talk with, and he just keeps things really chill. But that's just not me, and I'm tired of pretending it is."
"Okay, and?"
"And? And I uh-I love to sing. And not just dumb pop music, I like to sing the choir ones too. And musicals my god do I love musicals. I could talk about Green Day's American Idiot : The Musical for hours."
"... And?"
Well, that definitely was not how Jez thought that conversation was going to go. Who the hell responds to a huge confession like that with a question? She panicked, can you blame her for blurting out the first interest that came to her mind?
"And... what? Sorry I just don't understand why this isn't shocking to you?"
He paused, looking up at the ceiling for a bit before responding, "I just- I don't know. I never really got a chance to get to know you because of your brother," she chewed on her bottom lip nervously, "so it just doesn't really surprise me that the whole popularity stuff was a facade." Ben shrugged, turning his head to look at Jez.
"To be fair, my popularity was or, is real? God, who knows after today." She sighs slightly while Ben scoots closer to her slowly, understanding she needed comfort. "B-but, I know that I haven't really had anyone to tell all this stuff too since we moved here."
His face softened and he gently placed his hand on her knee, causing another jolt to rush through his body. Little did Ben know, she felt a similar sensation spike through to hear heart. Jez's eyes widened for a moment before softly smiling at the boy. "Well, I may not know you very well just yet. But, I like what I do know. And I know how it feels to not really have anyone to talk with" He gestured to the empty home.
"I even texted my maid, Patty, who may actually be my best friend, to take the day off because I thought you might realize how much of a loser I am," Ben sighed, bringing his hand back to his side.
Jez smiled and felt her leg twitch after his touch left her body. The two sat there silently for a few minutes.
"Hey Ben?" His ears heated up when she said his name.
He turns to face her, just a few inches from her face by now. "Yeah Jez?"
She blushes and meets his eyes with her own. "I didn't need to meet Patty to know you're not the most popular dude. I mean, you do seem cool but not, popular cool. Like, I do like talking to you and... maybe I should try not talking." Jezalyn shakes her head and faces forward, panicking slightly.
If there was one thing Jez could count on, it would definitely be her terrible social skills. That anxiety she had really hit her full force sometimes, and her ADHD sure didn't help her focus her thoughts at all. She got up, ready to give up once again on this short lived attempt at a friendship, when Ben reached for her wrist and pulled her back down gently.
"It's okay, there's no need to run. I know you didn't mean that in any way. You're nice. I can tell by the fact you aren't calling me pathetic right now."
Jezalyn smiles, calming herself for a moment before relaxing into the couch and collapsing on her back.
"Not calling you pathetic yet" she corrected before tossing her head back.
She picked up a pillow, placed it over her face, and let out a small yell before sitting back up. Ben stared at her before the two burst out laughing.
"Why did I feel that scream in my soul?" Ben chuckled and smiled at the girl.
"Sorry, I know that was sudden I just, needed it." Jez breathed in deeply and sighed.
Ben could tell she wanted to exert that energy and made a mental note of it. He then stood up and reached out his hand nervously. "So, do you wanna go outside? I can go grab some snacks and we can hang out by the pool." He looked at Jez hopefully.
She hesitated before grabbing his hand gently. "That sounds great! I don't really have anything to wear by the pool though." She frowned. "Well, I could just run to my house and bring some clothes over, quickly. Carlos said he'd be with Paxton tonight anyways." Jez grinned at Ben and he nodded his head.
"Okay! You get the snacks ready and I'll be back." She flashes him a small smile before quickly walking out the door.
Ben stared after her for a moment, breathing in a deep breath.
Jezalyn Gomez. Who'd have thought?
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Author's note!
Hello!! I hope ur enjoying this fic it took a bit to get here but FINALLY they're having some alone time, I wonder how it'll go hehehe :)
vote and comment!! thanks for reading besties <3
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a song (for you) // Ben Gross x OC
Fanfiction// PART II INCOMPLETE. Jezalyn Gomez had barely spoken a word to Ben Gross, despite living next door to him for 2 years. Ben despised her. Or, so he thought. Things become clear after Ben rescues Jezalyn from a party thrown by her brother, Carlos...