𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

thirty four

a/n: DOUBLEEEE (:

**

Two weeks had gone by and Benjamin was officially back in therapy. He would go five days a week right after work. He was still staying at his mom's house but felt he had made enough progress to return home.

Benjamin grabs his bag off of the floor before heading downstairs. Olivia was in the kitchen making the two of them lunch. Zach was currently at work. Benjamin sets his bag down by the front door, heading into the kitchen.

Olivia frowns. "You sure you don't want to stay longer?"

Benjamin smiles at his mom. "I promise I'm okay, Mom. As of today, I'm fifteen days clean. And, I'm feeling really good about it."

Olivia smiles and grabs into a hug. "I know, honey. I'm so proud of you. I can like...See the improvements. You just seem so much-."

"Happier? Alive?

"Yes. I'm so happy for you." Olivia pulls away from the hug, reaching up to move some of Benjamin's hair out of his face. "I'm really proud."

"Okay, mom," Benjamin backs up. "Don't make me cry before I eat."

"Sorry, sorry. I'm having an emotional mom moment." Olivia sets Benjamin's plate down first. "Are you going back to Noah's or yours?"

"Uh, I haven't decided yet," Benjamin sits down. "Gabi thinks I should move in with Noah. I'm at his house most days, anyway."

"Oh wow. That seems cool. Are you going to?"

"I don't know. It sounds corny but I'm too scared to ask him. And plus, what if he doesn't want me to and I embarrass myself?"

Olivia snickers as she sits down across from Benjamin. "Are we talking about the same Noah? Honey, maybe you're just oblivious but he's quite literally in love with you."

"Woah," Benjamin blushes. "We just got back together."

"And? Didn't you tell me months ago that you think you're still in love with him? Before you guys got back together?" Olivia takes a bite of her sandwich.

"Woah Woah Woah. Don't use my words against me. Plus, that doesn't mean he's still in love with me." Benjamin sips his water.

Olivia rolls her eyes. "You're so smart but so stupid."

"Hey! You cant call me that!"

Olivia laughs. "Says who?"

**
Benjamin unlocks Noah's front door. "Hey, babe."

Noah was sitting on the couch, his phone in his hands. "Oh, hey bebes."

Benjamin closes the door behind himself, dropping his bag. He walks over to the couch, sitting next to Noah. Noah smiles, giving him a peck on the lips. "How's your day been?"

"Good. Had lunch with my mom."

"Nice. You going back there tonight?"

Benjamin shakes his head. "No, I think I'm ready to go back home."

"Oh okay. Heading back to your and Gab's place later?"

Benjamin squints at Noah before turning his head towards the TV. Noah notices and shrugs. "What? Why you giving attitude right now?

"What do you mean? I'm watching TV."

"The TV isn't even on, liar."

Benjamin smiles and turns to Noah. "Nothing. I'm stupid."

"Bebesita? What are you talking about?"

"Okay...I'm just saying like...I'm here a lot and I was just thinking maybe I could move in here...With you?" Benjamin says. "Only if you want to." He rushes out.

Noah smiles. "Oh. Sure."

Benjamin furrows his brows. "Sure? Are you saying sure as like 'If you must but I don't want you to' or 'Yes you can I want you here'?"

Noah chuckles at him. "It means yes I want you here. But, I was gonna wait to ask you cause my lease is up in like...A month."

"Oh! I totally interrupted your plans. Oops."

Noah smiles and throws his arm around Benjamin's shoulder. "You're cute." He leans in to kiss Benjamin twice before pulling away.

Benjamin lets out a sigh of relief. "So...What were you up to? Why are you just sitting in silence?"

Noah leans forward to grab his phone off the coffee table. He unlocks it and places it in Benjamin's hands. "Community college?"

Noah shrugs. "Thinking about it. I wasn't ever able to finish cause of my injuries."

Benjamin turns to look at him. "What would you study?"

"No clue. Maybe like...Car mechanics. I used to love watching my dad when he'd fix cars in our garage. I'm not entirely sure yet."

Benjamin smiles at him. "We should look into it. I think it would be good for you."

"I think so too. I know it was always my dream to play basketball professionally but...I gotta allow myself to heal and I don't really wanna sit around waiting to do shit with my life."

**
Benjamin headed back to his apartment with Gabi. The couple decided they would wait to move in together until they find a place that they both like.

"Gabi?!" Benjamin closes the front door.

Alexis, Gabi's girlfriend was in the kitchen, cooking something. "Oh, she ran to the store. She should be getting back soon."

"Oh, okay." Benjamin sets his bag down. "How are you?"

"I'm doing great! How about you?"

Benjamin smiles. "Likewise. I just got back from my boyfriend's house."

"Noah, right? Gabi talks about your whole friend group quite a lot. She really loves all you guys."

"Yeah, that's him. Gabi is always so sweet. She cherishes everyone she meets."

Alexis smiles at his statement. Just then, Gabi walks into the apartment, smiling when she sees Benjamin. "Benny!" She walks over to him, suffocating him into a hug. "I missed you! You're so ass at texting."

Benjamin laughs. "Sorry, sorry. I promise to get better."

Gabi pulls away from the hug. "How are you doing, love?"

"Fifteen days clean." Benjamin smiles.

Gabi gives a bittersweet smile. "Oh, good job! I'm proud of you."

"Thank you. I feel a lot better. Less like the walls are closing on me."

"I'm so glad," She turns to Alexis. "Sorry. I don't mean to pretend like you're not here."

"No, no. You guys are totally fine." Alexis says.

Gabi looks back at Benjamin. "I bought wine," She suddenly gasps. "Wait, you can like finally, officially meet Lex. Are you staying here tonight?"

"I am." Benjamin nods.

"Okay, well invite Noah! By the way...Have you spoken to him about it?"

"I did actually. His lease ends soon so we're gonna go look at places together sometime in the next few weeks."

Gabi lets out a small squeal, jumping up and down a little. "Aw! You guys are literally everything!"

**

a/n: should i make a short "characters" chapter to show people like alexis and adrian (katen's bf)??