Love Next Door

Chapter 3

Stephanie and Ben stayed together. They grew up, and loved each other unconditionally. They bought an apartment together. Both had just graduated from Stanford University. They got engaged. With happy smiles on their faces, they were ready to start the summer.

Stephanie fell back on the couch. "What a beautiful day, isn't it?" She said.

Ben sighed. "Yeah. But remember this- is not as beautiful as you."

Stephanie jokingly pushed Ben, and blushed. Even though he always said those things, they were also so sweet and she would never get sick of his compliments.

Ben suddenly looked guilty of something.

Stephanie furrowed her eyebrows. "What is it, Ben?"

He shook his head. "Nothing...its just that I have these..."

Ben pulled something from behind his back. Two strips of paper. Stephanie took a close look at it and then her eyes lit up.

"You didn't....you bought tickets to Hawaii!!! Aigoo!!!" Stephanie squealed.

Ben laughed. "I see you are already liking my surprise."

"Duh. But first things first- how much was this trip?"

"Don't worry about the price I took care of them."

"When are we going?"

"Tomorrow morning. We're staying there for a week."

Stephanie stared into Ben's eyes. She held his hands. "Thank you. I love you." She said, and she kissed his cheek.

"I love you, too." Said Ben.

They stood up from the couch and hugged.

Stephanie leapt up from the couch. "Well," she said with a smile, " We better go pack up! "

They left to their rooms to pack for the trip. Outside the apartment, though, was Bonnie and Annie. They were stalking them, looking through the window. Although they were in their mid-30's, they still had the personality of when they were in college. When Ben first met Stephanie.

"Hehehe. They going to Hawaii, aren't they." Annie said.

Bonnie smiled a little. "Yup. Mmhmm yeah they are."

"She better not get into trouble." Said Annie.

"She's in college. Lil Stephanie can take care of herself. I think." Bonnie said.

Annie started laughing her head off. "Okay, let's go. Before they see us."

Bonnie agreed. The sisters moved away from the window, and went away.

Stephanie and Ben finished packing after a few minutes. They had nothing to do then. "Hey, you wanna go take a walk in the park then? After, we'll get some rest for tomorrow Ya?"

"Ya." Stephanie said.

Ben and Stephanie walked to the park, hand in hand. Stephanie looked at Ben. She remembered the first time they met. And when they first started dating, they went to the park, so it reminded her of the old days. Stephanie was grateful that she met Ben. He was the best thing that ever happened to her.

Finally, the got to the park. Little kids were playing and screaming on the playground. One kid saw the couple. "Eww that girl is holding that guy's hand. SHE HAS COOTIES! RUN AWAY GUYS!" All his immature friends ran away screaming "COOTIES" and hid behind trees. Ben shook his head in disgust.

"Kids these days...do they not know that they will fall in love someday?" He said.

"Oh come on, Ben. All children are like that, but they grow up and start to have crushes." Stephanie reassured him.

"True." Ben agreed.

The (cute) couple walked around the park. Been saw a perfect daisy on the grass. He wanted over to it, picked it, and put it in Stephanie's hair. She blushed profusely, for some people saw. Then, Stephanie saw some familiar people. They were her friends, Brandon, Samantha, Charlene, Kayla, and Ilya. She hadn't seen them since eighth grade, for some reason. There was no reason.

"Oh hey guys!" Stephanie said.

They all looked towards her direction.

"Stephanie! Aigoo! I miss you so much!" Samantha said, as she ran towards her. Everyone else ran towards the couple too. Ben got pushed out of the way as everyone surrounded his love.

"Aww Stephanie, you're looking as young as ever!!" Kayla said.

"Oh yeah, Samantha, I see you're looking as sexy as ever." Said Stephanie.

The whole "crew" started laughing.

"And I'm as cute as ever...no not cute. HOT. Wait, no. I'll never be hot." Brandon said sadly.

"You won't be if you keep saying that Brenda!" Exclaimed Ilya, as he started to slap Brandon. Suddenly, Charlene yelled something.

"HEY! WHO'S THAT DUDE!"

"What? Who? Huh? Where?" That all asked.

"Right there! Behind Samantha." She said.

Everyone turned around, towards Ben.

"Oh...I didn't tell you about him... he's my boyfriend. His name is Ben." Stephanie said nervously.

"Aye. Imma call you Benben." Brandon said.

"Oooooo I'll call him that too!" Everyone said.

"No! Its mine! I put my sperm on it!"

Awkward silence.

Disgusted faces.

"Uh ew. And I'm still gonna call him Benben." Charlene said.

They all agreed.

Stephanie cleared her throat loudly. "Anyways," she started, "he's cool and I love him a lot. I forgot to tell you guys. But I hope you guys can become friends."

"Well they kinda already declared me as Benben so...uh ya." Added Ben.

Laughter.

Stephanie grinned. "Yea ok, I guess."

"So," Brandon said as he slapped Ben's back, "we are gonna be best friends FOREVER."

The guys started laughing, while the girls just looked at them weirdly.

Stephanie, Ben, and the others went in a huge group and had fun at the park. It began to get late.

"Guys, we have to go now. Stephanie and I are going on a trip to Hawaii tomorrow." Ben said.

Stephanie nodded in agreement.

Her friends faces turned sad.

"Aww but we haven't seen each other in such a long time!" Kayla whined.

"Yeah!" Ilya said with a puppy face.

"Sorry. I love you guys so much!! I'll see you soon?" Stephanie said.

"Are you guys gonna do IT!!?" Brandon asked creepily.

Awkward silence.

Everyone hugged her.

"Yup. We should." Samantha said. And the friends walked away as Ben and Stephanie walked away.

When they got back to the apartment, they are dinner, brushed their teeth, and went to sleep. Hawaii was coming.