Waiting It Out - Benny Rodriguez - Book 1

15 Years Young

"Who's do you want to open first?" Jen asks.

We're sitting on the floor of their living room and I'm trying to decide which of their presents to open.

Today is January 12. My birthday.

"I think you should open my mom's first." Benny tells me.

"You just want her to open my present first so you can overthrow my gift." Jen accuses him.

"And you don't?!"

I roll my eyes before grabbing one of the presents. I start to rip the wrapping paper which shuts them up quickly.

I open the package to find three seperate graphic t-shirts. One of Michael Jackson's Bad, one of Prince's Purple Rain, and one of Kiss' The Very Best of Kiss album.

I look back up at them both to see them with anxious faces, waiting my reaction.

"Thank you, Jen." I tell her with a gentle smile.

"How did you know it was mine?!" she asks while laughing.

"You asked me what my three favorite artists were two months ago." I respond.

"I thought that would be long enough so you would forget by now." she admits.

I grab the other present which can only be from Benny. 

It's a small box. My guess is he got me jewlery of some sort.

I glance at Benny, asking if I can open it with my eyes and he nods.

I rip open the wrapping and open the box to find a ring inside.

Who could've guessed?

I carefully take the ring out and inspect it. There doesn't seem to be anything to special about it... just a plain ring.

I was about to thank Benny when something on the inner side of the ring catches my eye. 

An engraving.

I look closer to find the words "Whatever You Want".

He told me that when I told him I was uncomfortable with him flirting with me in front of other people. He said this to tell me he understood and would do whatever it took to make sure I was comfortable.

I snap out of my state of shock and look back up at Benny.

"Thank you." I tell him.

"You like it?" he asks with a teasing smile.

I grab a pillow off the couch and throw it at him.

"Alright." Jen says, taking the pillow and pulling it into her lap. "What we gonna do til tonight? Or you two. Mrs. Timmons asked if I could head over to their house early to help set up."

Tonight we are going over to the Timmons' and having a barbeque as a birthday party for me. All the guys are coming and we're gonna have a camp out in the tree house.

"I still need to pack my stuff for tonight." I tell them while standing up.

"I thought you did that yesterday." Benny says.

"I was gonna. Pulled out the bag and everything but ended up watching Notting Hill instead." I respond while heading to the door.

"We'll see you at the barbeque!" Jen calls out before I open the door.

I wave back to them both before closing it.

It's gonna be with all the guys plus Mrs. Palledorus, Jen, and Tony. And obviously Mr. and Mrs. Timmons. Ivy isn't going because her and her family are at a family reunion or something tonight.